Even though I started the blog on a Monday I’m going to conduct my weeks from Sunday – Saturday. So here’s a summary of my working out this week:
Running: 144 minutes, 13.5 miles, 10:40 minutes/mile pace (pretty good!). I don’t think I’ve mentioned before but I use a great website, Running Ahead to track my running statistics. I don’t use it for anything else but I think it’s great for keeping track of the running. I only track the running part of my time on the treadmill on there and not the warm-up or cool-down.
Elliptical: 55 minutes
Other: There was no other this week 
Total time 199 minutes — this isn’t what you’ll get if you add the times on my blog because some of those include the warm-up and cool-down minutes on the treadmill.
This week I aimed at 40 minutes of cardio (although, again, I want to stress that I have no rules…only goals). I managed to go to the gym 5 days which is fantastic! Many more days than I had been going since I started my gym membership at the end of October.
This coming week I want to do a few things, shoot for 45 minutes of cardio each day and do at least one class. I want to attend one BODYPUMP class which is a Les Mills course. My gym, NIFS‘ description of the class: BODYPUMP™ is the original barbell class that strengthens your entire body. This workout challenges all your major muscle groups by using the best weight-room exercises like squats, presses, lifts and curls. Great music, awesome instructors and your choice of weight inspire you to get the results you came for and fast! Meet on the auxiliary court. (60 min). Part of the reason I want to go to this class is so that I can change things up and the more important reason is that I really need to start adding in the weight lifting to my work out. And, this week I also have my fitness evaluation; I’ll be sure to give a run-down of how that goes.
In terms of running/Mini-training, I did a four mile run today which went well. I know I mentioned yesterday that I wanted to do 5 miles, but unfortunately I had a time constraint today and didn’t get moving fast enough this morning to get 5 miles in. The 4 felt good, and not like too much, AND I was able to keep a good pace. My goal pace this years is 11 minute-miles. I have done 12 minute miles the past 2 years and would really like to speed it up a bit. On days that I run I’m going to try to do 2-4 miles on weekdays, with some days being speed training, and on Saturdays I want to get in a long run that’s going to increase by a 1/2 mile each weekend (at least for now). Next Saturday, my run will be 4.5 miles. The key part is I want to keep the pace up for the long runs, which is something I’ve struggled with in the past.