P90X Photo Results: Part 2

My results:

I don't think you can see much of a difference, but I do really feel stronger. I have more endurance for my long runs (probably due to core strengthening). I do think you can see the results in my back the most, which is pretty cool. I'm happy that I did the program.

Click the photos to enlarge.

 

P90X Photo Results: Part 1

Michael's Results

Click on the photos to enlarge.

Race photos

Race photos have been posted! I wish I knew when in the course these were taken.

The day after my first half

Knees.

My knees were sore yesterday, and they're still sore today. I'm not surprised and it's not debilitating pain or anything, but I do wonder how long they're going to be sore. I started feeling them around mile 9 or so during the race... maybe a little sooner, maybe a little later. It's hard to remember. But my knees are always the first part of my body to hurt, so at least they're predictable!

This afternoon (back at our house), my parents and I went on a brisk walk around the lake with our dog. It felt good to do some fast walking. I know it's good to recover by moderate activity, so check that off the list for today!

 Note: Since P90X is over, I will no longer be labeling these post by day. But I will still write about it (especially the results) so stay tuned!

Day 90: Half-Marathon (and last day of P90X)

Today I ran my first half-marathon!

I ran every step of the 13.1 miles (my brother wouldn't have let me walk knowing I can run). I am so thankful that he helped set my (10 minute mile) pace. My goal was to finish in 2:10, but we actually crossed the line at 2:13:34 and 2:13:35 (with me following him).

I am really happy with this finish because let me tell you: Asheville is hilly! Correction: Asheville is mountainous. We literally ran up a mountain for about 2 miles (around miles 8-10 I believe) at a steady incline. That was definitely the most challenging part of the course! (Aside from the 45 degree -if not steeper- incline at the end of the last mile... can we say close to tears? Thanks so much to the woman who cheered me on right there. She really helped me feel like I could do it when I needed it most).

My brother kept me motivated and engaged the whole race. Every time we started a new mile, we dedicated that mile to someone (our list included: all three grandfathers in honor of Honor Flight, Michael Jordan, the characters of the television show Rugrats, President Obama, Amelia Earheart, Jimmy V, Tyler Hansbrough, a famous runner I can't remember (help bro?) and our parents).

Neither of us ran with an iPod, but we did have two songs in our heads.
1) Use Somebody - Kings of Leon
2) It's Time for the Perculator (I've just searched for the best YouTube video of this song/dance and think this version is best. Even though it's blurry, you can hear the music and see the dance well.)

My mom is awesome and had pieces of pumpkin bread with raisins in it waiting us after we crossed the finish line. I devoured that bread. It never even had a chance. I would've eaten my brother's too if my mom hadn't hidden it from me (he didn't want it at the time).

After the race, we headed back to the hotel for showers. Then we went back downtown for some delicious eats (Asheville is known for being a foodie town). We had sushi and pad thai for lunch. Then more walking and hanging out with my aunt and cousin. We made it back to the room around 6 for naptime. My dad woke us at 7:30 so we could make it to our dinner reservation on time!

More chowing down at dinner. I have never been more ravenous.

Day 89: Rest/Walk

It's the day before my first half-marathon. I'm nervous and excited! I flew home this morning so I can drive to Asheville with my family. My mom and I walked our dog for about 10 minutes before we left so that was a big chunk of my exercise today.

We had dinner on the road, and I was a bit nervous about making a good pre-run meal choice. I opted to skip an appetizer and had a chicken & shrimp with rice & beans dish. My parents go to this chain in North Carolina (called Tripps) only for this one ice cream pie dessert. So of course I helped devour it!

Once we made it to Asheville, we quickly got to bed for our 7:30 a.m. race time.

Day 88: Run

Another yoga or core synergistics day. I ran four miles at a speed faster than my half-marathon pace (I think).

Day 87: Rest

I think today was yoga or core synergistics. But I took a rest day as part of my "week before the half-marathon plan."

Day 86: Run

Officially, it's core synergistis today. Because my first half-marathon is this Saturday, I am more focused on running! So per my brother's instructions, I ran 5 miles this morning. It was fun because I listened to the Across the Universe soundtrack... I almost got through the whole thing too (after skipping the slower songs). Love The Beatles!

Day 85: Yoga

So tonight my friend is gone and I have some time to workout. I did spend the day out in the park, walking around in the sun (also got burned, eek). But I called up Mike and he told me today is supposed to be yoga. So I gave it a go... got through the intense part... then just added my own stretching... I'm so tired of doing what Tony tells me. It felt good enough to count for me!

Day 84: Out on the lake

Again, I have no clue what the official workout is today... but with my busy Labor Day weekend schedule, it doesn't matter much. We spent the day out on my friend's boat... that meant some swimming! We even did some races... let's call it intervals!

Day 83: ??

So Mike is out of town and I'm having a girls' weekend with some great friends! I have no idea what was supposed to be on the schedule today. I would guess kenpo? But my schedule is packed! We spent the day at the Decatur Book Festival walking around for hours! So it wasn't high intensity, but it was surely exercise.

Day 82: Legs & Back

Woot! Today is the LAST day in the weight room. I am so happy to have come this far. And what a way to end: my favorite of the weight exercises. I felt really good about my legs. I wasn't able to pull out as many pull-ups as I would have hoped. Mike and I really thought I could do a couple on my own (without the support of the chair) by the end of this. Apparently not. But I can really notice the strength in my back. So progress is progress!

Jef Mallett and 'Frazz'

So I just remembered this great comic about a fartlek that I e-mailed my brother as soon as I found it. I wanted to share it here too for a laugh!

click to enlarge

I hope you enjoy! Frazz is one of my absolute favorite comic strips.

Day 81: Yoga

Oops. I didn't do yoga today. Since last Thursday's morning run was so so nice, I decided to do it again. It was drizzling outside, but it felt great. I attempted my first fartlek, but I think I went too hard because I burned out pretty quickly. But I felt like I needed to do some speed work, so I'm still happy with the decision. A good 40 minute run gave me a little confidence boost that I can be strong for my half marathon next Saturday.

In all fairness, I thought I would do yoga tonight. But I didn't get home until late, so I didn't have dinner until past 8:00, and then the first college football game was on (USC vs. N.C. State) and by the time that game was over, it was past 10. I'll make up for it somehow. It was still fun to watch football instead.

Day 80: Back & Biceps

Another day of giving it my all. It's funny, being the last day and all, I decided to up my weight on practically every exercise (from 10 lbs. to 12 lbs). I know it's not a big increase, but the point is, I could do it just as easily. (I mean, it was a challenge, but I wasn't regretting doing more weight). It makes me wonder if I could have upped my weight sooner. As I continue these workouts past this program, I'll be sure to keep this in mind.

Day 79: Plyometrics

I am so unmotivated when it comes to plyometrics. When I started, it was hard, but I didn't know what was coming. Then I was pretty excited when I got better. Now I am definitely better, but I just don't want to do it anymore. But I gave it my all, since this was the last one! My legs will either love/hate me in the morning.