Endurance Path January Review
This is my first Endurance Path monthly review, so it might be a little rough. As I make progress on this site, I will get a better idea of what I want to share in each monthly review. I think it is important that I write up an update from the month to review any new things I learned, stuff I am working on, training activities or events.
Lessons Learned
1) I could actually develop my own workout program, and will.
2) I can still get faster running.
3) Working out in the morning before work is just a decision.
4) Don’t try to push too hard through an old injury.
5) Never fails that eating crappy food will make you feel crappy.
Training
I did the Les Mills Pump program in the past, and I started the month off by doing the 3rd month of the program in the evenings. The Les Mills Pump workouts were 3 to 4 days a week. Mid January, I switched it up and started putting together one of my own strength training workouts in the morning and rotated through various cardio workouts off and on in the evening. My evening cardio workouts were either the treadmill or the Insanity Fast and Furious 20 minute workout. I intend to keep up the strength training for another month before tapering it off and honing in on the cardio. I will probably have to invest in an indoor trainer sooner than later. I have a cheap trainer from Dick’s Sporting Goods, but it is really hard to dial in and feel natural on it. It’s been a really cold winter here in Minnesota, and it might be a while before I can do some serious trail riding, especially since I do not own a Fat Bike.
Regarding the injury; it wasn’t really a big deal. Last year, I hurt my shoulder and had to take a few weeks off of strength training. I felt it coming back again and probably should have slightly backed off immediately, but I kept the same reps and weights going. I ended up having to take 3 or 4 days off, when I could have just backed off slightly and probably been fine.
Nutrition
My nutrition is doing ok right now. I have to admit that I let my nutrition go downhill during the fall and through Christmas. It wasn’t necessarily the Thanksgiving or Christmas holidays that did it for me, but not having an event out in front to keep my focus got me a little lazy. I don’t know why I let that happen, because I can tell that I just don’t have the energy that I should when I over eat or eat crappy foods. Now that I have some events out in front of me and have started this website, I have some things to focus on to help keep my nutrition honest. I am learning that those fun foods just don’t taste nearly as good I feel by eating right.
Events
Registered for the Chequamegon 40 Fat Tire Festival Race Lottery.
Registered for the Lutsen 99er.
Both of these events are huge for me. I did the Chequamegon last year and I am looking to drastically improve my time this year. As far as the Lutsen goes, I don’t know exactly what to expect, other than a long day of pushing through the pain and getting up the climbs. This will be my Epic event of the year.
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