Last week featured more at-home workouts including barre, yoga, and pilates, along with a few short runs. I’ve also continued participating in the Run Strong Challenge. This is the longest I have ever kept up with a challenge like this, but I am finding it really easy to incorporate into my routine. The exercises are challenging but manageable and it’s forced me to do more planks than I would usually do on my own:)
Monday: RSC: Runner’s arabesque and single leg glute bridges, 10 minutes Pure Barre (full body), and 3 mile run
Tuesday: RSC: Lateral lunge and active hamstring stretch, and 35 minutes pilates
Wednesday: RSC: Side plank with leg lift and single leg balance figure 8s, 10 minutes Pure Barre (thighs and seat), 3 mile run
Thursday: RSC: Mountain climbers and single leg toe touch, Iron Strength Workout
Friday: RSC: Plank with leg lifts and runner’s arabesque, pilates for runners (just the leg section) and 30 minutes yoga
Saturday: RSC: Russian twists and cross-over lunge, 10 minutes Pure Barre (seat and abs), and 5 mile run
Sunday: Rest (planning to do the RSC on Monday)
My workouts have definitely been kind of random with short segments of lots of different stuff. I find that it’s helped me from getting bored, which tends to happen when I cut back on running and focus on other workouts.
I have noticed that I haven’t done much for my upper body (other than Iron Strength) so the plan for next week is to incorporate that a bit more. I want to get back to doing push-ups several days a week because I noticed alot of benefits when I was consistent with that over the summer!
Do you prefer doing lots of different types of shorter workouts or fewer longer workouts?
Do you incorporate push-ups into your workout routine?
Linking up with HoHoRunsOpens in a new windowOpens in a new window and MissSippiPiddlinOpens in a new windowOpens in a new window for the weekly wrap!
meredith @ Cookie ChRUNicles says
I am liking the short pure barre workouts, even if I combine them because somehow, they seem to go faster lol. Ugh, I hate planks! They never seem to feel easier.
[email protected] says
I did arms and abs today and I think that was the hardest one I have done so far!! But yes, I do think they go by pretty fast and don’t even feel like 10 minutes.
HoHo Runs says
You are doing great with the Run Strong Challenge. I think I would prefer short and random workouts. The reason I don’t do any is I do find them boring. But if I committed to a challenge, I would stick to it. (Actually that probably is an excellent idea to get me to do anything.) I’ve always been horrible at push ups. It’s like my elbows are not meant to do that. Thanks for linking with us Lisa!
[email protected] says
The challenge has definitely been a good way to stay consistent with some of the strength exercises. Then I feel like I can add it on to other stuff and it becomes a decent workout. I have also just done it before my run as a warm-up!
Kristina says
I love seeing your run strong challenge updates every day on Instagram!
I like doing longer workouts. When I do short ones I feel like, “that’s it? I got changed into my gym clothes and now I have to take a shower for this?!” 😀
[email protected] says
Haha, good point! But since I work out in the morning before work I know I will have to shower either way:)
Michele @ paleorunningmomma says
I definitely need upper body strength – it’s the thing that I seem to lose the fastest!
[email protected] says
I just find that it’s so easy to skip that stuff! Especially now that I don’t take classes at a gym- I’m no longer forced to work out my upper body in Body Pump!
Laura @ This Runner's Recipes says
I need to start doing push ups again as well. I tend to neglect my upper body more than anything in workouts, even though I know a strong upper body is important for running!
[email protected] says
Me too! During marathon training I was doing full body strength once a week but not giving too much focus to upper body. Now is definitely the time to get back to it!
Megan @ Meg Go Run says
You know me, I love push ups! I do them whenever I lift chest. I am like Kristina in that I like a longer workout. Not too long- 45 min to an hour unless it is something specific to running that simply takes longer.
[email protected] says
My workouts have been taking about 45 minutes when I combine a few different types together. I feel like it’s a good length that I still get to sleep in later than marathon training but also get in a decent workout:)
Alyssa @ renaissancerunnergirl says
I prefer fewer longer workouts because the getting ready, cleaning up after etc. takes time! Plus I take awhile to get into my running groove or into yoga mentality.
[email protected] says
Yes, I know what you mean! When I do a really short run I feel like its over before I even get comfortable.
Angie @ Pace with Grace says
Lots of good variety in your workouts! I could go for either really. I guess it would depend on my mood and if I feel like I want/need to change things up a bit. Which is also really important for our bodies too so it doesn’t get complacent and adjusted to the same workouts.
[email protected] says
Thats a good point! Sometimes its nice to do a long workout, other times its easier to get started if you know you have a short workout ahead of you!
Jen B. says
I definitely prefer different types of shorter workouts. I actually love upper body strength training over lower body!
[email protected] says
I don’t think I like one more than the other, I am just drawn to lower body exercises because I do so many pre-hab exercises for my hips and glutes. But upper body is an important piece of injury prevention and I shouldn’t neglect it!
Lesley says
I’ve been combining those challenge exercises to have a good strength training day, but I will admit I haven’t done ALL of the exercises. Some are just a “nope” and I move on. Thursday I didn’t have many so I added a few exercises from other workouts. I know it’s important to change things up and this challenge helps.
[email protected] says
That sounds like a great way to make the challenge work for you! And yes, its definitely a great way to change things up!
[email protected] says
The only time I ever do push ups is when I teach my group fitness class. I should start doing them more. I normally do not do any shorter workouts and prefer just my longer runs. But when I do, I’m surprised hoeu much I feel the shorter ones, especially when I’m working my core.
[email protected] says
Sometimes a short workout can still be really challenging!
Suzy says
Great job, Lisa! I used to do pushups all the time but I have bad posture and I noticed that pushups were making it worse. They were shortening my pec muscles and I need those to be more open so that my shoulders don’t hunch forward.
[email protected] says
Interesting, I never thought about it that way!
Jennifer @ Running on Lentils says
Nice combination of workouts! I like doing shorter sessions while training. This reminds me that I wanted to look into that challenge and forgot! I’m doing a short routine that was in Runner’s World now that I really like though.
[email protected] says
You can always go back and do the exercises whenever! Even if you wanted to do the challenge in January, that would work too:)
Jessie @ The Acquired Sass says
I did 10 pushups every day for a whole year last year & by the end they were nothing. But without my “resolution” to hold me accountable I stopped & now 10 in a row is a real challenge. I really should get back to that in the new year. It takes under a minute, so I should never have an excuse.
[email protected] says
I did something like that a few years ago and I wish I never stopped! I think I did 30 push-ups every day for a month (usually 3 sets of 10). I definitely felt so much stronger by the end!
Laura @ Mommy Run Fast says
I keep hearing good things about the short Barre workouts, I need to check them out! I do incorporate push ups about every other day.
[email protected] says
The Pure Barre Tone is 10 is really challenging but I love that the videos are so short!
Marcia says
You are doing a great job of changing it up! I like the idea of shorter workouts. I’ve changed it up but I still tend to easily fall in a rut.
[email protected] says
I am already finding myself going back to the workouts I like the most, but I am really trying to continue doing different things right now while I have the flexibility!
Tricia@MissSippipiddlin says
I must have variety. I get bored very easy. I go to a trainer at a gym just down the road from where I work. Yes I could do the exercises on my own, but knowing she is waiting for me and knowing I will push harder for her is worth the money it costs me. She changes up my workouts and I never know what I’ll be doing. I do need to get back to doing more pushups on my own because its been a few weeks she’s had me do them and I’m never prepared for them! We did a lot of core work in the form of holding planks and even walking planks yesterday and my abs are burning today! Thanks for linking, you’re doing great in your challenge too!
[email protected] says
It’s always good to have someone push you like that! I know I tend to do the exercises I am more comfortable with. At least videos sometimes force me to do the thing I wouldn’t necessarily do on my own:)