Power(lift)ing Up

I have been experimenting with a new workout schedule.

Monday: Circuit Training 1 hour

Tuesday: REST

Wednesday: Walk 6 miles

Thursday: Heavy lifting at the gym 1 hour

Friday: Walk 6 miles

Saturday: Circuit Training at-home obstacles 1 hour

Sunday: Long walk (currently 8 miles)

This schedule is amazing. I am managing to perfectly maintain my cardio endurance (I have gotten back down to almost 13-minute miles) and, through the addition of lifting and circuit training, develop some SERIOUS muscles. The combination of lifting heavy sometimes and calisthenics at other times has not only made me more well-rounded as an athlete, but a better walker as well. The benefits so far:

1) I can eat what I want. Honestly, nothing is really off-limits. I count calories and try to stay somewhat close to the number that I'm burning so that I can gain muscle while burning fat. This allows plenty o' treats. But I am craving more protein, so that also helps.

2) Strength. Raw, brute strength. As a tall woman, it is difficult to do unassisted chin ups, but I can pull up a large percentage of my weight (probably 90% 1RM - 1 rep max), and I'm aiming for being able to do at least one unassisted pull up by the new year.

3) Quality of life. I can carry my toddler without getting tired. I can bound up a few flights of stairs. I can hold things up for a while without complaint.

4) Walking. Holding your elbows at 90 degrees is, as I've said before, critical to a quick pace. I can do so indefinitely and no longer need to "shake them out" at any point.

5) Spartan racing. I have been researching and systematically preparing my body for a variety of obstacles. This not only keeps me in shape, it keeps me interested in the workouts. I don't do the same thing over and over like when I was marathon training and ONLY walking. The creativity required has also aided my career as a trainer.

6) Body confidence. It is almost impossible to feel badly about how your body looks when you are pulling off the sort of workouts required of Spartan and half marathon training. Even if I did look objectively bad, I wouldn't notice or care. 

In summary: walking is still my jam, but training like an obstacle-course racer has done so much for my confidence and abilities that I highly recommend it for any endurance athlete!