A little off the course of Asylum....

 It's been a struggle for me this week and I'm used to being a "fit" athlete. I feel so out of shape with Asylum!

My schedule this week had some unexpected changes. On Wednesday (5/11), I completely skipped my Back to Core workout and focused on teaching my kickboxing class instead. I had woken up feeling too run down, so again, I listened to my body.

A little background on me. I'm not trying to be a super-sensitive "wuss" when I cut back. I had a severe bout of anemia last year that ended in the hospital, so I have to be very alert when I feel wiped out.

Thursday was supposed to be Vertical Plyo. I ran a hilly 6 miles (first run of the week) and planned on doing VP after work. In the evening, I popped in the dvd and my legs were heavy, sluggish, and burning for the warm-up. It was too much, so I stopped and started the Back to Core instead (I missed it on Wed).

Back to Core: I LOVED IT!!! I appreciated the slower pace and how it really focuses on your back, without the use of the pull-up bar. I had a shoulder impingement toward the end of Insanity in March. It was due to weakness in my left sub scap muscles, so my shoulder blade was rotating up too much during all the planks and push-ups. Back to Core hones in on the muscles that are weak in my back and I can really see how it will help in shoulder stabilization. I'm so excited and happy Shaun T added this to the mix!!

Friday was supposed to be Rest. I still had not conquered VP.....and was dreading it. I went for an 8 mile run instead, with hills and the dog. After the run, I decided my house needed cleaning. Can you say total procrastination for VP, or self-sabatage? I did not do VP on Friday.

Saturday(5/14): As I type this, I'm not sure of what I should do today. It's important that I increase my mileage this week. I do have Vertical Plyo, Speed & Agility and Strength on the schedule before the week is done. I'm a little torn.

Insanity's Asylum Day 2: Speed & Agility

Day 2: Speed & Agility (45 minutes)

One word.....BRUTAL

Lots of agility training.  There was more focus on speed toward the end and I think I enjoyed that part more.  I seriously felt like an uncoordinated weakling! I know, I know...that's just my perfectionist demons surfacing.  I realize I need to be patient and not be too hard on myself.  All the moves were so new and I couldn't get my body to match what my mind wanted it to do.  Muscle memory takes a little time.  I struggled, sweated, drooled, cursed, whimpered, grunted and at one point...almost vomited.  My HR didn't get too high, so I knew I wasn't being unsafe.  I will take this one day at a time. 

Insanity's Asylum Day 1: Fit Test #1

What can I say?  This program is not going to be easy by any means.  The Athletic Assessment was challenging, humbling and a little exciting.  I didn't use the jumprope to warm up because it kept hitting the ceiling and furniture, even after I shortened it.  The ladder is a real trip.  You mess it up, you have to fix straighten it out AND that rep is void.  Here are my numbers:
1. Agility Heisman 6
I kept thinking too hard about this and felt like a total klutz
2. In & Out Ab Progression 27
OMG!  My core/hip flexors/quads where on FIRE
3. Pull-up/Push-ups 20
I opted for the lat push-ups and after reviewing the video, my form is HORRIBLE!
4. Mountain Climber Switch Kicks 70
I tried so hard to pull the legs up and engage the hip flexors.  Harder than I thought it would be!
5. Agility Shoulder Taps 5.5
I am so slow!
6. X Jumps 35
DEEP quad burn, ughh!
7. Moving Push-ups 5
Bad form and super slow, needs work
8. Agility Lateral Shuffle 14
I had fun with this one; I actually could do it!
9. Agility Bear Crawl 5
So embarrassing and I could not get my body and mind on the same page

So there you have it.  Day 1 is in the books.  Tomorrow is Speed & Agility.  I watched a little of it on my tv.  It looks INSANE!  Can't wait.......