So let’s see. I ran 4 days this week and reached 20 miles for the first time since December. It’s been YEARS since 20 miles was a high amount of mileage for me! But I like it. I like it a lot. It’s feeling like a really good balancing between running quality workouts while giving myself plenty of time and energy to focus on strength training through Pure Barre workouts too.
I mentioned in Thursday’s post that not only am I enjoying the treadmill a lot lately, I also don’t see myself looking to increase my time spent running. An hour really is the max for me and more than enough time to run a quality workout. If anything, I will keep looking to see how much more efficient I can become in terms of mileage. I’m all about running efficiency!
My pace has really responded well to running less (more energy, quicker pace overall!), so I think I’m going to work on challenging myself to find where my new working zones really are. It will be fun to see, let’s say every Saturday when I run for a full hour, just how far distance-wise I can get in that amount of time.
Monday – 30 Min Running (outside)/10 Min Pure Barre
It was about 40 degrees in the morning so I decided that should run outside. Within a few minutes, I ran back home to get my hat! I swear I used to be able to run in the 40 degree weather without a hat?! My ears were FREEZING! See, I’m totally not cut out for cold weather running anymore!
Anyway, 30 minutes later, way closer to 4 miles than 3 (yet I didn’t bother to continue today to make it 4 miles) I was back home for two, 5 minute Pure Barre workouts: Arms & Thighs. The arm workout was ALL body weight and KILLER.
Tuesday – 5 Miles (outside)/10 Min Pure Barre
Another outdoor run. It was 50 degrees and a bit foggy but clear enough to run outdoors. I didn’t do anything specific but was happy to see that my average pace of 8:16 and total time of 41:20 for 5 miles fell exactly in range with where I’ve been on the treadmill lately.
I chose a 10 minute Pure Barre workout when I got home: Arms & Abs.
Wednesday – Cardio/Pure Barre Combo!
I decided I wanted to try combining bursts of a 2 minute cardio combo (jumping jacks/high knees/burpees) in between sets of Pure Barre. I’ve done cardio pure barre types of workouts before (including Pure Barre Platform) but I don’t think I ever thought to combine a whole bunch of Pure Barre’s shorter workouts with cardio in between. In the past I think I’ve just paused the longer workouts to squeeze in some cardio sections.
See, I have all of these options with Pure Barre On Demand.
Here’s what my workout looked like:
- 2 min Cardio
- 10 minutes Pure Barre: Core
- 2 min Cardio
- 10 min Pure Barre: Arms & Abs
- 2 min Cardio
- 10 min Pure Barre: Thighs & Seat
- 2 min Cardio
- 5 min Pure Barre: Seat
- 2 min Cardio
- 5 min Pure Barre: Thighs
Woah. This was fun and intense, especially towards the end! it was fun to do something different and challenge my body out of the usual Pure Barre routine. My heart was pounding and I was even sweating which doesn’t happen often with Pure Barre. By the last set of thighs (which I mentioned in Friday’s post), I was really dying in a good way.
Thursday – 45 Min Run (treadmill)
Back inside for the treadmill! Okay so I am pretty sure I could have run outdoors but honestly, I like the treadmill right now.
I was a little tired so I went with a more conservative speed for the first few miles combined with ranging inclines. Somehow I still hit 5 minutes at 42 minutes, only a bunch of seconds slower than my average as of late. Even when I am tired lately, I am much faster on average than I was before I started running less.
I ranged my incline between 1.0 – 4.0 and my speed ranged between 6.8 – 8.0.
Friday – Pure Barre Pure Results (focus on Arms)
This Pure Barre Pure Results workout for arms is one hour of killer work. As I always say, even if the focus is on arms, you are working your entire body, the entire time. The below screenshot from the focus on arms workout gives you an idea of what I mean.
Saturday – 7 Miles (treadmill)
Once again, I opted for the treadmill! Who am I?!
I woke up with my period as I knew that I would (I’m more regular than someone on the pill, I swear it) so I wasn’t 100% sure of what my energy levels would be. I took it fairly easy yet still ran 7 miles in 59 minutes which is really good for me.
Of Possible Interest: What Female Runners Should Know About Their Menstrual Cycle
Sunday – Pure Barre
Probably a 45 minute workout.
week in workouts including conversations on running efficiency, cardio pure barre, and really liking the treadmill! #purebarre #running #efficiency #workouts @pure_barre #treadmill Click To TweetHow was your week in workouts? Did you run more/less outside than usual?
Anyone else enjoying their treadmill workouts?
Who else is looking to become more efficient with their running and/or workouts?
I give you major credit for running on the treadmill! Personally, I can’t last but you seem to be killing it.
Yesterday was a 10 mile run to cap off my first 30 mile week in years so this past week was great for workouts. Have a great Sunday!
it can be so mental, you just have to keep at it and tell yourself you can do it if you want to master the treadmill – that’s just my opinion. It took me some time to get there with it though!
I got outside for a few runs this week and it felt really good! But I also really like having the treadmill as an option. Its nice to not be tied to one or the other. I find that I generally run slower on the treadmill because I start at an easier pace than I do outside.
Lisa @ Mile by Mile recently posted…February Runfessions
Great week of runs – your runs are so fast! I notice a huge difference in efficiency when I’m diligent about strength training.