Playtime: Janathon day 12

For Janathon today I did an hour of circuit training (including warm up and cool down). Unlike last week's class, which was bodyweight exercise only, this week we had equipment to play with.

The class comprised 16 stations set out in groups of four; we did every "four" twice before moving on. I like this format the best :) Each station lasted 40 seconds, with 15 second breaks in between and a longer break after completing a "four".

I started with press ups, hamstring curls, back extensions, and star jumps. The equipment for the back extension was a bosu ball under the hips, to give extra range of movement. A great exercise for the glutes!

The next four was bicep curls, kettlebell swing, plank, and jogging. We used a resistance band for the bicep curls, a range of kettlebells was available (from 8 kg up to 20 kg; I used 12 kg followed by 16 kg), and a hand wheel for the plank (which I didn't use because my back doesn't like it). It was hard enough holding a full plank for 40 seconds let alone doing something challenging too.

The next four was upright row (with a resistance band), calf raises, reverse curls, and squat jumps. For calf raises, we use a raised step and scaffold pole (you hold the pole above your head for extra challenge). Normally on this station I have the balance of a weeble but today I managed to remain fairly steady and could raise and lower myself without incident. A nice stretch for my calves after yesterday's long run.

The final four was inverted row, lunges, bicycle curls, and skipping. We do inverted row with the TRX suspended system, it is my nemesis exercise but today I quite enjoyed pulling myself up and then letting my shoulder blades stretch out and relax, a lovely way to release some shoulder tension. I ended on skipping (with or without a rope, I prefer using the rope!) and managed the final 40 seconds without stopping, which is a record!

I was rather ashamed of my poor plank efforts so I will have to start doing a daily plank again I think.

Juneathon day 24: trying not to dance while planking

Another Monday, another circuit class. This is now a regular thing because my husband has decided he wants to cycle regularly, on Monday and Wednesday evenings, meaning I will have to give up Wednesday circuits.

Enough of that. Circuits is circuits. Today we did 10 stations repeated three times. I started on inverted row (I don't like them so I try to start on them), moving on to plank (double ball), kettlebell swing (16kg), reverse curl, skipping, press ups (full and three-quarter), bicep curl, hamstring curl (one-leg, with scaffolding pole across my abs), ab crunch (with a 5kg kettlebell), and finishing on star jumps. 

Exhausting stuff. The problem I have during circuits though is containing my desire to dance when my favourite tune comes on. Today, I was trying to hold my plank while Sam and the Womp's Bom Bom was on -- quite tricky. I managed a small bum wiggle.

Juneathon day 15: skipping and planking

I've been travelling today, and with family events tonight, chances to run anywhere are nil. So, in a spare 15 minutes, I set my interval timer to 1 minute with a 15 second rest and alternated a minute of skipping with a minute plank. I managed 3 minutes of skipping and 2 minutes of planks before the kids wrestled my skipping rope off me. 

Juneathon day 14: rest day!

Friday is always a rest day for me, apart from those Fridays when I go for an evening run...

Anyway, I couldn't run today for various reasons, although I have done a lot of walking. So today's Juneathon effort is a full plank held for 1:05. Pleased with that. 

This weekend we are busy with family events, my grandma (in law!) is 80 and a cousin's daughter is being baptised. So fitting in exercise could be tricky. Running kit is on standby. 

Juneathon day 7: plank

Although Friday is usually my rest day from running, I wanted to run today because yesterday's wasn't great. However, today I'm really busy, I have so much to do before this weekend (my son's birthday party tomorrow, and we have guests this weekend). So my day 7 Juneathon effort is a full plank for a minute. 

I've also weighed myself for the first time in 2 weeks and I'm pleased to see I'm maintaining my 10 stones nicely. I'd like to drop half a stone but I'm weak for lager when it's hot so my dieting is being compromised somewhat. Oh well :) 

Looking back at this week, my highlight was the mile time trial on Tuesday when I ran 7:20. I'm still buzzing from that!