Mixing it Up

Cross training really has not been in my vocabulary over the past year. My main goal has been to turn myself into a serious runner, so running is what I have focused on. But I know I can only get so far on that goal without building overall strength and endurance. So, last night, I made a valliant effort to do some serious cross training on a schedule I think I can maintain at least twice a week from now on.

Work out:
25 minutes - eliptical, cross 3, level 3
20 minutes - upright bike, hill intervals, level 4-6
30 minutes - abs, core strength exercises, lifting ... which seriously kicked my ass

I felt wiped out but, overall, really good after completing this circuit. I know that I worked muscles that haven't been hit during my regular running workouts, and that's exactly what I was aiming for. I got the ab/core/lift exercise from a free personal trainer session I won a few weeks ago. He gave me a great program that includes exercises I haven't really considered in the past. (He also told me if I paid him just $1,600, he'd work with me for eight straight weeks to further develop my running goals. Fat chance, buddy.)

Tonight, it's back to the gym for 2 easy miles on the crapmill. I live in Minnesota (a.k.a. the tundra) and it SNOWED last night. Snow itself doesn't scare me, but the icy sidewalks and roads, combined with seriously blowing snow, makes me realize an outdoor run just isn't in the cards tonight. It was 84 degrees a mere week ago. I am a Minnesotan; I can deal with snow. Just don't taunt me with beautiful weather and make me think I can pack my winter coats and gloves away, and then smother my hopes of spring with a big bucket of the white stuff.