I’ve always known I should do more strength training and this weekend just gone reinforced that fact. I’ll go into detail on the weekends shenanigans in another post, but first let me talk about my strength training or lack thereof.
Knowing you should do something and actually doing it are two completely different things. I’m sure there are things in all our lives where this rears its head occasionally. If it’s more often than that then you probably should do something about it. Like figure out how you are going to fit it in and make it a habit.
I’ve resisted doing extra training on top of my running because of where I work, 45+ hours and a reasonable amount of lifting is involved, and squats, or squat type movements anyway, and because I can be incredibly lazy. Can’t be bothered. It’s too hard. All excuses, not reasons why I can’t do it. And then came my latest big race. My second marathon. It was not good (another post about this, remember). I was reminded of what I had said I would do, and realised what happened would not have, or may not have been so harsh if I had been dong more.
This years goal was to get more definition in my limbs, strengthen my core, and get my glutes working. All this will help my running, making me stronger, more fluid.
Now I know what I am like when starting a new regime (aside from running), I tend to go gung-ho, flat-out, bull at a gate…you get the drift….wearing myself out after only a few days. Now this is not the any to do it, if you’re going to make anything a habit, to keep doing it without even thinking, it takes approximately two weeks. And that is exactly what I want to happen. For it to become such a part of my day that I spend 20 mins like I would get changed, make a drink. Second nature.
My regime is going to be easy and not really taxing, in that I won’t be doing an hour workout each day. The benefit in this, while not exerting myself, means I will feel comfortable, I am more likely to keep it going and over time the body will change. I will do a pretty similar routine for two weeks, and then when I’m used to that and my body says ‘oh, I know what we’re doing here’ I’ll change it. Either add something in or do something completely different.
My routine will have certain aspects to them. The bits I want to work on. Now I know that just working on those areas will not make it all toned and lean on its own, (ie: to tone the tummy, you have to do more than just crunches) so by making it part of a whole I am tricking the body as such. My goal areas to start with are butt and thighs (good for running and strengthening the knees), core/ab work and my triceps. Not a fan of my tuckshop arms, and my biceps have more definition, so a little evening up with be nice.
I’ve done three days and am feeling ok about it, only time will tell.
Keep moving, keep motivated and have a great day.
Run. Ride. Eat. 