Hi everyone! The bad news: it’s Monday. The good news: It’s a three day work week! I’m so excited that it’s Thanksgiving week and we get one day full of eating and another day full of shopping! But before I get ahead of myself, I’d like to take a look back at my last week because I’ve got some pretty good news to share!
Monday: Spin class after work
Tuesday: Restorative yoga
Wednesday: Spin after work again
Thursday: PT and restorative yoga
Friday: Rest day
Saturday: We got a bunch of snow on Friday night (FINALLY!), so we spent the day breaking in my snowshoes in Kincaid Park
Sunday: Morning spin class
Snowshoeing was definitely my favorite workout of the week! It’s so hard but so much fun!
If you’re thinking that my week looks pretty repetitive, that’s because it is! My PT has lots of restrictions on what I can do while I’m working on hip strength, and this is basically it. To mix things up, I tried out the new spin studio at one of the branches of my gym and it was amazing! The bikes are brand new and have these special computer systems that calculate the intensity level you’re working at (which are based on your stats that you type in before your workout) and glow different colors based on those levels. Knowing that everyone can see if I’m slacking forces me to work hard, and I love being able to see how hard I’m pushing myself based on the color. Spin class is definitely hard and not as much fun as running, but I’m starting to enjoy it!
Now it’s time for the good news! All throughout the week I made sure to keep up with my hip strengthening exercises every day, and I was really interested in seeing if my PT would notice. And he did! He immediately told me that my hips were stronger and gave me some tougher exercises to add into my rotation. Now my bridges are done on a stability ball, and my clamshells are done with 3 to 5 pounds of weights on my leg. I’m also doing squats with a resistance band on my knees. But the best part was that he wanted to see my running form, so he had me hop on the treadmill so he could record me running. I was only on there for one minute, but I didn’t have any pain at all! I’m not cleared to run yet, but he said it’s a good sign that I didn’t have the same instantaneous pain that I was having before. And he noticed right away that I overpronate like crazy and that my hips drop from side to side as I run. He wasn’t really that surprised by it and said that it’s a really good thing that we’re working on strength because it will help my form. So my appointment was filled with positive news, and I’m looking forward to my next one on Wednesday!
What was the most exciting part of your week? Are you a fan of spin class or do you just stick to running for cardio? And have you ever tried snowshoeing?
Mom in the Mtns 
I decided I want to run a marathon on the 1. January. I just skip the half marathon bit, so that is my exciting part of the week.
I never did a spin class, I think I would hate it, I do yoga (Bob Harper or Tara Stiles) instead.
Also never tried snowshoeing. In case we buy a house up in Scotland, sure I will get the opportunity…
That’s super exciting news! Good luck!
That’s great news Kristen! I was hoping I would read “no pain” 🙂
Thanks! It’s funny because some people don’t see how one minute of running is “news”, but I was so excited!
Hooray for good news! And I’m super jealous of your snow. We’ve only had sprinklings here so far.
Oh man I hope you get some soon! Today it was 50 degrees and rainy so a lot of it is gone which really bums me out. I’m hoping we get more soon!
I thought you were kidding about the snow until I saw the pic! LOL Never tried spin class or snow shoeing.
No, I am super serious about snow! We got almost no snow last year so everyone in Anchorage is so excited and I’m right there with them. Winter is way more fun with snow!
well you look freaking adorable out there snow-shoeing!
Haha thanks! It was originally just supposed to be a walk in the woods until we realized the snow was up to my knees on some parts of the trail. Snowshoes to the rescue!
The snow looks amazing! I remember last year seemed pretty mild for Alaska. We haven’t had snow yet (Ohio)… a few flakes, but that doesn’t really count. It’s been such a mild fall I don’t think we’ll get a full-blown snowstorm until mid December.
I overpronate a ton and have to wear stability shoes (Saucony Omnis). Anytime I try to wear something pretty I end up hurting. So I go back to my orthopedic looking shoes and at least I don’t hurt. Sigh.
Yes, last year we got barely any snow and we were all miserable. People are freaking out that we finally have some snow! And yeah, I hear you on the shoes. I have to do what I can to keep my feet happy!
Great news! I’m so glad your hip is improving so quickly!
I haven’t gone snow shoeing in probably 10 years. I first tried it when I found an old pair (like the old leather and wood ones) in my parents basement. I’m not much of a snow sports person, but I really enjoyed it. It looks like you are having so much fun in your picture, now I kind of want to get a pair.
Thanks! And I love that you used a cool old pair! I got these at Costco last year but I’m sure you could find a pair online. They were lots of fun and make walking in the deep snow way easier!
I have never snow- shoe’d (sp?), but it looks fun, and exhausting! I’m in Iowa, so there’s plenty of snow to be had. I’m curious about your hip and PT stuff, were you injured? (I’m new to your blog, so I don’t know the story LOL) I have seen a PT off and on for pirifromis issues, and also (recent diagnosis last spring) for hamstring tendonitis. …clam shells are part of my routine, too (but I have kind of slacked off lately…thanks for the reminder!).
Yes, snowshoeing is so much fun! And yeah I’m injured. I think my blog post about it is from the first week of November, but I’ve been getting hip/butt pain for all of 2015 and now it’s actually a full blown issue. I am almost certain it’s my piriformis too! But my PT is strictly sticking to a diagnosis of “super weak hips” and is having me strengthen my glutes and core until I’m able to keep my hips from going all over the place when I run. I go to him for the third time tomorrow so I’m hoping for more updates and good news…maybe even the clearance to run soon? I’m trying to be patient I swear!
Great news!! I def need to work on some hip exercises–I’ve been trying to but am not consistent. You should post/share some pics of the exercises you’ve been doing 🙂
Thanks! And I posted my first set of exercises 2 weeks ago I think. The PT took pictures for me and I figured I’d get some use out of them if I put them on here! This week they’re almost totally the same with some harder modifications (more weight/more balance on the stability ball). I’ll see if he takes pictures when I meet with him tomorrow!
Progress progress! I love spinning. It is one the best cross training exercises for runners. Right now I’m just doing the upright bike, and it seems to be helping by not putting as much pressure on my lower back.
I just miss being me!
I know! I’m so excited and hoping this keeps up! Spin is so hard but I’m so grateful for it right now. And I totally hear you on missing “you”. Someday soon we’ll be back to our normal selves and laughing at how silly and impatient we were 🙂
That’s great to hear about your hip getting stronger!
I’ve never tried snowshoeing. We used to cross-country ski lots when we used to live in Utah, but haven’t much since moving back east.