Boat Pose & Other Killers

Seeing as how i’m still patting myself on the back for the 5.3 mile run i decided to walk on the treadmill for 45 minutes (this time using a program called mountain climb which IS all about incline), lift some free weights (arms only) and practice a yoga sequence just once.

Treadmill: I have a hard time just walking on the treadmill. I’m still in the mindset that i’m not really doing anything unless i break into a run sooner or later. Walking is impatience reincarnate. Plain and simple. So. I read a book. I’m currently reading Boy With Loaded Gun by Lewis Nordan (tragic, poignant & funny all at the same time) so i was pretty distracted from the real work of walking. I think between the humidity & the incline i worked up a decent sweat (only managed to walk 2 miles, though).

Weight Training: I am definitely not afraid of a little muscle. I’d like to think my arms are getting back into shape – somewhat. Tonight, that’s all i concentrated on. Bicep curls, hammer curls, tricep kickbacks, tricep overheads, something involving the resistance bands…For some reason i wasn’t all that motivated and soon i quit. Don’t get me wrong – i did all the necessary reps and sets (10/4) so it’s not like i shortchanged the exercise completely. Just wish i had put more into it. O! Did i mention i’m using whimpy 8 lb weights for everything (except the band exercises, obviously).

Yoga: Again, i sort of feel like i cheated a little. i only went thru this sequence once (left left then right): warrior I -> warrior II ->side angle -> triangle -> tree -> “skater” pose -> down dog -> cobbler -> seated bent leg stretch -> back twist -> boat -> table. 
My favorite poses are the warriors I and II. I like seeing my strong thighs supporting my weight in a perfect 90 degree angle. I don’t twitch or shake, but stand there, confident and well, warrior-like! My favorite pose to work on is what i call the skater pose (because at the moment i am forgetting the real name of it). Basically, it’s a balancing pose where you stand on one leg and reach the other leg out behind you. Slowly bending over with arms outstretched you end up forming a ‘T’ with the leg you are balancing on strong and grounded beneath you. Or, at least that’s the pose you are going for. I wobble a little and i’m never sure my back, legs and arms are in a straight line. My least favorite pose out of this whole sequence is boat. I think in pilates it’s just called a V post. Basically, you sit on your tail bone with your legs and torso forming a ‘v’ while you reach your arms beyond your trembling legs. My stomach isn’t strong enough to hold this pose for long. Everything quivers and i feel ridiculous. This is one pose i really have to work on!

So, all in all, it was a good workout – 45 minute walk, 20 minute strength training and 10 minutes of yoga.