This Week's Workout Schedule

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Another week in the books, yall. I'm calling it a success. I'm gearing up for my bachelorette weekend, which involves some clothing I am rather excited about (not to mention... SHOES!). Stay posted for a photo dump.

WEDNESDAY: AM Cardio

I'm not going to lie to you here, I have no idea what I did on Wednesday. I know that I followed my plan, and my calendar just has "AM Cardio" from 6-7am. Other than that, I am clueless. 

Obligatory "Hot Room, Legs and Towel" Picture. Wonder if Lara is sick of me taking these yet!

THURSDAY: AM Bodypump, PM Runner's High @ The Mercury Method

For some reason (read: went out to dinner the night before, so I was probably on a carb overload -ALSO I SAW MICHAEL JORDAN, which I've mentioned 8124 times), Bodypump was a breeze on Thursday morning. I upped my weight on almost everything, but still felt like I hadn't worked that hard. Bizarre, because usually, I feel like I'm going to die during Bodypump.

So, in the afternoon, I hit up a Runner's High class at my favorite new spot, The Mercury Method. The class is geared at stretching and strengthening the big and tiny parts of your body that contribute to running. One of my coworkers is a runner and mentioned that even attending just one of these classes had significantly improved her pace, so with the Run for Boston 5k coming up, I figured I'd give it a try. IT. WAS. AWESOME. 

FRIDAY: Skip Day

I took the train up to the suburbs for my mamasita's birthday, so I decided to not only take a day off, but also eat a ton of food and have a few cocktails. Seems like a good idea before a race, right?  I'm only partially serious...

I didn't turn my Heart Rate Monitor off immediately after crossing the finish line, because I continued to move around and wanted to get an accurate idea of how many calories I burned by running a 5k, just for future reference (Priorities...). It ended up being about 350. Not particularly impressive.

SATURDAY: Run for Boston 5k
My actual time for the 5k was 23:23, which is awesome given my encounter with Michael Jordan on Wednesday night. Oh, and also awesome given that it's a PR. #Winning

In all honesty, I'm not sure if it was a fluke or what. I run somewhat frequently (maybe 2ish times per week), but I don't train for races because I have a serious case of what I like to call "Workout ADHD." My running consists of...

• 3-4 mile runs with my dog which are taken at a leisurely pace
• 4-7 mile runs at the gym while catching up on TV shows (read: trying to watch Game of Thrones without exposing the entire gym to a nude scene)
• Leisurely 15 minute runs (no idea on distance) to/from my classes at The Mercury Method

I definitely have the race bug after this last race - as soon as I crossed the finish line, I started strategizing on the next weekend I could run, and am planning on an 8k, 10k, and possibly a half-marathon (don't hold me to that, I have ADD, remember?!). That said, I refuse to follow a training plan, at least over the summer, so we'll see what happens.

I am obsessed with a water bottle. Is this normal? #Halp

SUNDAY: Bodypump & CXWORX

This is so very quickly becoming my favorite workout day of the week. It's awful and lasts forever, but I feel so solid and accomplished afterward. 

Also, check out my cute new water bottle! It's glass (with a silicone casing), which I am loving because it seems safer but also tastes much better. This picture doesn't quite capture its neon orange color. My fiance made me choose the neon orange instead of neon pink because "Orange is a Dutch color." Note: It's pretty much the same as the BKR (at the same price), but it holds 19.5oz instead of 16oz and it's skinnier in my bag, which I needed for commuting to work/gym.

MONDAY: 5 Mile Run + 20 Minute Stairmaster
I got on the treadmill with the goal of watching The Bachelorette, only to realize that it's set for "Web only viewing" on Hulu, so I couldn't watch it on my iPad. I considered downloading ABC's app, but was working with about 18% battery (If you fail to plan ahead, you plan to fail? Not me!). I ended up watching an episode of Modern Family and then something else I can't remember.

TUESDAY: Pilates & Shoulder Burn Out

This is becoming a usual, as well. I love walking out of a pilates class with sore shoulders! Post-workout-green-smoothie totally happened.

WEDNESDAY: Runner's High Class @ The Mercury Method

Happening tonight... we'll see!

What about you?

• Do you plan all of your workouts in advance or do you go with the flow? I have a few days per week that have turned into a plan (Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday), but the rest of the time, I just see how it goes.
• Do you run most days of the week, or just a few like me? 

Werkin It Out

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I went to DSW on my lunch break yesterday in search of a new clutch. No dice. What did I end up doing? Trying on a badass pair of heels. 

Are these considered a weapon? 

I was so tempted to buy them and wear them for my bachelorette party weekend, which is coming up this month. But that's when I realized: I already have a few badass pairs of heels that I haven't had a reason to wear yet. I guess it's time to bust those babies out.

Time to work those calf muscles...

Just because it's creepy looking doesn't mean you have to judge.

Wednesday: 15 minute Elliptical, 30 minute Treadmill

On Tuesday night, I had my first dress fitting for my wedding gown. Because I was out in the 'burbs, I ended up having dinner with my mom and sister and just crashing at my parents' house. In the morning, I finished watching The Bachelorette (seriously, when you watch it on Hulu, there are so many commercials that it's just like watching it live). After about 30 minutes, when I was on the treadmill, my mom came down and hopped on the elliptical next to me. It was too cute.

My "5:30 is too early for a wakeup call" face.

Thursday: Bodypump 

I've been recording my Bodypump weights in a note on my phone. Ever since I started doing that about a month ago, I've been able to increase my weights in almost everything. I also now feel like a badass because I'm pumping more weights than almost everyone in the class. Lesson: You can lift more than you think.

I just take notes of how much I lifted, and how I felt. Then, when I'm loading up my bar for each track, I reference my notes. If last time was easy, I increase the weight. If it was "good," I typically increase there, too. If it was "good/hard," I leave it put. And if it was "very hard" (or sometimes just "FML!"), I might drop it down so I don't injure myself. That's my basic method right now.

And yes, this was followed by the Mean Green Post-Workout Smoothie.

Red in the face = happy runner

Friday: 7 mile run

I have a love/hate relationship with long runs (Note: Some of you think 7 miles constitutes a "short" run. You're super heroes. I'm not). When I am in the habit of making my runs last a long time, I enjoy them... but it makes me hungry angry hangry if I do too many of them in one week. I'm currently experimenting with eliminating gluten from my diet (more on that later - I started having allergic reactions to gluten - boo), so it's hard to find much that satisfies me, because all I want is a pretzel bun or pizza. I'm trying to incorporate longish runs about once a week, so that I keep my endurance but don't over-do it on my joints (or appetite).

Hot class + Hot outside = Lose the soaking wet shirt, woman.

Saturday: 20 minute run to The Mercury Method, Barre Fly Class, 20 minute run home

I used to either drive to The Mercury Method if it was an early 6am class, or have my fiance drop me off and pick me up if it was a later one (there is limited parking in the area). Lately, I've started running to the class. It's perfect because a 20 minute run gets my heart rate up, which keeps it a bit higher during the entire hot workout (it's 98+ degrees! yikes). Then, my run home tends to be part run, part cool down walk, depending on how exhausted I am from the class.

CXWORX tools

Sunday: Bodypump, CXWORX

Back to Bodypump. I love you so much, Les Mills.

I was also super excited for the CXWORX class. I used to go fairly regularly and saw great results, so I'm trying to keep this part of my Sunday routine. Thank God they're both in the same room and one right after the other! Makes it so easy on me.

Monday: 40 minute run

I had a pretty lame run on Monday night. I was major struggle town and alternated between a 6mph jog and a 4mph walk on a high (8-12) incline. I was in a bad mood and there was a lot of "Debbie Downer" talk going on in my head, and I'm convinced that those were the culprits. 

Shoulder Burn-Out in Solitude in the Pilates/Yoga room

Tuesday: 60 minute Pilates class, Shoulder burn out

After the 60 minute pilates class, I did a shoulder burn out routine. Basically, I start with 10 lb weights and do a variety of shoulder exercises. When 10lbs is too much, I drop it down to 8lb. Finally, after I can't do that, I drop it to 5lb. It ends up with totally burned out shoulders and only takes 5ish minutes. Refueled with some protein after that.

Wednesday: We'll see!

My plan was: 20 minute run to The Mercury Method, Control Class, 20 minute run home. But, there's apparently supposed to be a crazy awful storm until later on, so I'm not sure if that will be do-able. I may end up doing my own workout in the apartment, just to avoid being struck by lightning. 

Workout Wednesday and A Sneak Peak of Me in White

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It's Wednesday again, folks! After an eventful evening of dress fitting in the suburbs (there were some issues... that's all I'll say...), I'm back in Chicago!

While I'm obviously not about to share any images of my dress, here's a little sneak peak from the fitting appointment:

That robe is so freaking comfy. I want it in a million colors. I want to live in it.

Anyway... workout time.

Pre-class. You use a wooden bar in 98+ degree heat.

Wednesday

30+ Minutes Running

Barre Fly Class @ The Mercury Method

My plan for Wednesday was to head over the The Mercury Method to try out one of their new classes. I ended up coming from home, so I ran over (takes about 17 minutes, so precise). I was worried that I'd be late, so I had to run pretty quickly and my heart was PUMPING by the time I got there. That translated to a high heart rate during the entire class. By the time I got out, I was exhausted and could hardly run jog walk home.

Marry Me!

The class, itself, was pretty intense. It incorporates a bit of dancing, a lot of abs, and a lot of arms. As it turns out, I must have been pulling the bar too far back, because I actually injured the area around my sternum (it happens to me in Bodypump if I have lazy form on the chest fly). I was in pretty severe pain during the night on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday. Tisk tisk. Bad Carly.

Thursday
30 Minutes Stairmaster
15 Minute Dog Run
I usually do BodyPump on Thursday mornings, but after spending most of the night unable to sleep because of the aforementioned chest pain, I decided it wasn't worth it to wake up at 5:30 for a hard weights workout. Instead, I did a pretty painless stairmaster workout on my lunch break, and also took the dog for a short run before getting ready to meet my parents for our menu tasting.

Friday
15 Minute Interval Sprints
15 Minutes Abs
60 Minute Spin Class
On Friday, I tried my first Friday afternoon Spin Class. I was slightly worried but ended up LOVING it. It felt so good to get out of a class at 6:50 and be so worked out. I walked home afterward and made my fiance and I a delicious meal of lemon and pepper salmon with a side of broccoli. #YUM

Saturday
Skip
After having some bad pain in my sternum/chest area on Friday night/Saturday morning, I decided to forgo a workout. Plus, I had lots of exciting wedding meetings!

Sweaty hair post-Bodypump-and-CXWORX

Sunday
BodyPump (60 Minutes)
CXWORX (30 Minutes)
Sunday is fast becoming one of my favorite workout days of the week. Once I realized there were back to back BodyPump and CXWORX classes, I was sold. They're in the same room at the gym, so I don't even have to do any work or hustle to get to the next one.

Monday
Muscle Definition (60 Minutes)
I went to a muscle definition class that was pretty fun. The trainer does his own music mixes and it was pretty awesome. Like taking a class to clubbing music. Lots of energy.

Let's go, pup.

Tuesday
30 Minute Run
I had to get to work pretty early, so I didn't have a lot of time in the morning to make a workout happen. I ended up just taking the dog for a run. We went about 4 miles in 30 minutes, which felt like a decent workout because I'm still kind of new to running outside so it always works new muscles in my legs than the treadmill.

If you're ever wondering why I take my dog on a lot of my outdoor runs, it is for two reasons. First, she makes me feel VERY safe. I feel like I can run through any neighborhood because, if anyone tried to mess with me, she would protect me. Second, I cannot explain how happy it makes her to be taken on a run - which in turn makes me so happy. Her smile throughout the run makes me want to run more. This picture, taken ten minutes after getting back from a run, should explain it all...

I love you, I love you, Yes I do, Yes I do.

Wednesday
20 Minutes Stairmaster
20 Minute Run
I slept at my parents' house in the suburbs on Tuesday night, because I had been up there to have my first dress fitting. I have to catch a 7:05 train to make it to work on time, so I got up at 5:15 (ouch) for a run in the basement.

The unfinished part of my parents' basement is where the elliptical and treadmill are. It's kind of scary and makes me feel like someone's going to sneak up on me and try to kill me. Seriously. It's sometimes a huge distraction and I find myself looking over my shoulder.

Nothing an episode of The Bachelorette can't fix, though!

You're creepy.

What about you?

• Do you ever find yourself having weird pain after new workouts?
• How many skip days do you typically have per week?

Workout Regimens are Always Tentative

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Last week, I shared my tentative fitness plan. Well, you know what they say. The best laid plans of mice and (wo)men... often go awry when you're having fun?

I actually didn't stray too far from the plan, but there were a few deviations. On Saturday, instead of Spinning, I did a leisurely 4 mile run. I was in recovery mode. You know why...

Then, instead of taking a Muscle Definition Class on Monday, I opted for a 3 mile walk/run because my sister was in the city for an interview. How can you not hang out with your sissy? Not possible. So, instead of going to the class, we had hummus and salads in the beer garden at Grandview Tavern.

Other than that, I think I pretty much nailed it.

Wednesday: 3.5 mile interval run
Thursday: Bodypump (60 minutes), 15 minute Stairmaster Sprint, Body by Science (BBS)
Friday: Mercury Method Hot Pilates Class ("Control" class, 60 minutes)
Saturday: 4 mile run
Sunday: Bodypump (60 minutes), CXWorx (30 minutes ab class)
Monday: 3 mile walk/run
Tuesday: Pilates (60 minutes), 3 mile run
Wednesday: Treadmill HIIT, 4 mile total run

Some thoughts... I apparently have done a lot of short runs this week. I'm not exactly sure why or how they slipped in there, but 3-4 miles seems to be my go-to. It's easy to squeeze that amount of time in, I guess.

Also... I love bodypump. Planning to post later about how I've managed to increase my weight, but let me just say... you can always do more than you think.

QUESTIONS:

• Do you set an exercise schedule in advance or just wing it?
• Have you ever tried Bodypump or another weights class?