Is it fall yet? While my social media friends are enjoying perfect, cool autumn weather this week, the temperatures here in the California desert are still hovering in the triple-digit range. As I write this, it’s about 105F and apparently, we have at least another week to go until we see those double digits. And that will be 99F! On the bright side, I have a giveaway that can change you from a Mule to a Thoroughbred!
This post contains affiliate links.
It's the Weekly Run-Down! Check out my workouts plus learn how you can change from a mule into a thoroughbred! Really! And it's #giveaway time!Click To TweetOf course, I’m not calling you a mule. That is the name of one of the most comprehensive fitness books I’ve read, Mule Fitness: How to Turn a Mule Into a Thoroughbred, Myofascial Network-Based Strength and Conditioning. It was written by my friend and coworker Robert McCarthy and if you turn to page 193 you will see that this girl got to be a “fitness model” for the book.
Mule Fitness: How to Turn a Mule Into a Thoroughbred, Myofascial Network-Based Strength and Conditioning
Robert is currently making videos for his YouTube channel and asked me again to be his fitness model. I happily complied so on Thursday we met at the fitness center where we work and he took me through a 90-minute workout on the Kinesis One which is a stand-alone cable-type strength system. I shared a little about it on Instagram.
I’m not sure if I went from a mule to a thoroughbred in that one session but I sure could feel it the next two days!
Robert’s book is so good! He uses humor, up-to-date-science about the myofascial network, and functional fitness in an informative and down-to-earth way that is perfect for both the fitness enthusiast and fitness professionals. The book includes dozens of step-by-step instructions for exercises that use a variety of exercise equipment including free weights, the TRX, the Vipr, kettlebells, bands, and much more. This book is a treasure trove of fitness information!
Now, you can win your own copy! Simply use the Rafflecopter below and enter to win a copy of Robert McCarthy’s book Mule Fitness: How to Turn a Mule Into a Thoroughbred, Myofascial Network-Based Strength and Conditioning. The winner will be announced on October 12. (US residents only)
The Weekly Run-Down
Now that I’m back at work I feel a lot more active. That is a good thing. After about six months of mostly sitting at home, I just may have put on a few COVID pounds that I would like to make go away. It’s funny that I feel so busy even though I’m really not yet. Our season actually starts next month, so I just have a couple of clients and one class! It’s good to move, though.
Here’s what went down fitness-wise last week.
Running
This was a good week for running. The weather is sort of cooling down. The afternoons are still hot but the mornings have cooled down a bit. More like mid to high 70s instead of 90s. I’ll take it though! Cooler weather makes a big difference in how I feel and how I run.
Tuesday Alan and I took the dogs out on the trails. We finished five miles with our two “ultrarunners,” then I headed back out for about a half-mile with the second-string as I call them.
Wednesday An early, easy run as the sun was coming up. Four miles, about half on the trails, half on the road.
Thursday I’m trying to add one high-intensity workout a week since I have a few virtual races coming up in the next two months. Last week I did a fun fartlek workout and this week I did hill repeats! I ran 6.3 miles with 10 hill repeats. That doesn’t count the two miles uphill from my house either!
Saturday I wanted to start early because, as I said, it still gets hot here as the day goes on. So I took Australia and we ran four miles before the sun came up. Then I took her home and headed out for six more. It stayed pretty nice and I really enjoyed the run, even though my legs were a little sore from that Kinesis workout with Robert on Thursday!
Sunday This is supposedly a “recovery day” but it felt pretty hard. Between those “workout legs” and my 10-miler the day before, this trail run with Alan and the dogs felt pretty challenging. I’m a klutz too, so when my legs are tired I’m always a bit nervous about falling. Didn’t do it though!
I finished the week with 31.5 miles. I also finished September with 129.8, which I was pleased with considering how hot it has been. Plus, I’m almost halfway through my Tahoe to Malibu Challenge! As of Sunday, I’ve completed 330.2 miles (of the 700). I’ve made it to Santa Cruz. Next up, Monterey in about 20 more miles! I have until January 15, so I’m right on track.
Strength Training
Nothing too exciting on the strength training front (aside from trying to change from a mule to a thoroughbred 🙂 ).
Monday I’m continuing to train along with my Zoom client. I really don’t push as hard as I would on my own because I need to pay attention to what she is doing, but at least I’m moving, so that’s a good thing. And I get a lot of help from Ana, who loves to be on camera as we do our workout.
Thursday This was the day of my Kinesis One workout with Robert. While it wasn’t strictly a “workout” because I was doing one set to demonstrate each exercise, it felt hard enough (and I was sore enough for a few days!).
Saturday Another workout alongside my Zoom client. I’m not sure what I’ll do when she’s back home and at the fitness center! I guess I’ll have to make my own time. I don’t work out “with” clients when we’re in real life.
I was pleased to get in three strength workouts this week. I’m just hopeful I can keep it up now that I’m back to work and hopefully will be busy in the coming months (a little ironic since I work at a gym, I know).
How did your workouts go this week? Is your weather cooling down? From what I see on Instagram it’s actually getting cold for a lot of you!
I’m linking up with Deborah and Kim for the Weekly Run-Down!
Enter to Win and Go From a Mule to a Thoroughbred!
Weekly Linkups
My weekly linkups! Please stop by and check out all of the great recipes, workouts, and information that all these awesome bloggers share every week!
Meatless Monday with Sarah and Deborah
Inspire Me Monday with Janet
Tuesday Topics with Kim and Zenaida
The Runners’ Roundup with Deborah, Lisa, Jenn, Laura, and Me!
The Weekly Run Down with Deborah and Kim
I still cannot get over your weather. Here it is cooling down (40s-50s).
Haha, Ana is so cute. She wants to see all of the action.
That is some great mileage for the week and for September!
I’m starting to feel like it’s never going to cool down. Though looking at the 10-day forecast we have some temps in the 90s coming next week! Woohoo!
I have tried that machine before it’s a lot harder than it looks! Cannot believe it’s still so hot there! We are finally enjoying the cooler temps and I cannot get enough. A really solid week and month for you. Thanks for linking and have a great week!
Your weather is looking great. I guess we’ll get there someday! I love the Kinesis One. It’s such a great functional workout!
Our weather took a bit of a cool (and crazy windy) turn last week, but we’re rewinding to summer weather this week (at least after today’s 20-30mp wind moves out). I’ve been experimenting with doing three strength workouts/week lately. I keep them fairly short (15-20 minutes), but intense. My lower-body work has mainly been via the bike (hills/wind LOL), as well as leg lifts…hoping to get clearance to do squats/lunges again this week.
I hope you’ll be back squatting and lunging soon! Oh, your wind! It makes cycling so much harder!
Sounds like a very informative book! I hope it cools down for you soon. Great job with your workouts!
So much great information!
I think the rowing machine is my favorite…
Sole E35 Elliptical.