We have some urban “trails” for sure, but definitely not the same experience. Being in the woods, in the shade, surrounded by nature - it’s just awesome. I’m thinking of doing a trail half in the fall but I wonder if I would lose the enjoyment if I actually trained for something. We’ll see.
Today was a Pilates day for me and it was great. Everything is really clicking, things that were so very, very challenging are just going so smoothly I have to almost pinch myself to believe I’m doing it. My instructor is opening her own studio and we’ve been discussing some possible joint projects, which would be great for me.
@sabaray What type of joint projects are you thinking about? Are you getting into coaching/training? BTW, my favorite trainer was in the Air Force, he was the best.
You have to lose excess weight (fat) in your mid-section before you can even attempt a 6-pack. For me it was heavy-duty cardio and heavy-duty “kitchen” work to lose the spare tire. Then the planks and core work can help give you the defined abs. 5 minute abs “might” work after the weight is lost.
Thanks @ohiopublic . I believe I lost most fat in my mid-section. There is a faint outline of a six pack but I want it to show more. What are some good core workouts?
@MoonKnight Here’s a suggestion for workouts. There are categories of workouts, in the program that I use and a couple of examples are called the “Ladies” aka “The Girls” and also “Hero” workouts:
There are some more difficult workouts, when you get to benchmarks, qualifiers, etc. and you’ll need a barbell or dumbbells. From the simple to complex. Pick some and try them. Again, you will probably need guidance on form from someone with experience and training.
@sushiritto Thank you. I’ll be sure to try it when I get a chance.
Update: FANTASTIC two hour form check session with a Starting Strength coach.
Overall, my form is on track for all the lifts I’m currently doing — and I left with some super helpful correction cues for when my form begins to slip.
We also had time to discuss programming and had time for my long list of questions.
I’m so glad I made the effort to battle traffic & get to this particular gym. The experience exceeded my expectations.
Confidence is up!
If training for a race causes stress and takes away the enjoyment of running, there is a good option. Just don’t train for the race the way you would if you had even a tiny performance goal. Just get in the mileage- slow and enjoyable- that will allow you to complete it! Upright and with a smile. That’s a way of sort of tricking yourself into “training” without all the rigidity. Building up to one run of a couple miles less than race distance is really all you need.
Hi everyone! Just spent a week away at a family reunion. Not my best fitness week but got a few hikes in as well as a few days with good step counts. Avoided most of the junk food and didn’t drink a lot ( big hazards at H’s family gatherings).
Tomorrow I’m back to regular running and yoga.
So glad your session was worthwhile, Midwest. Sounds like you are moving in the right direction.
Avoiding the food and drink pitfalls is more than half the battle - glad you had a good time, FallGirl! I’m trying to plan meals for the weekend of the 4th and it is challenging, shall we say.
Humidity dropped a bit overnight and only in the mid sixties this morning. Relatively pleasant 5.3 hilly miles with friends.
What would be a good way to build up stamina if I don’t want to use a treadmill? Is a stationary bike a good alternative?
@MomofWildChild wrote:
I think what I’m struggling with is August travel where I won’t do any running at all, but I think 8 weeks is enough time if I maintain or improve on my current base in the interim. I think I need to add some aerobic cross training somewhere in the schedule. We’ll see. Thanks for your input.
@MoonKnight Stamina for what exactly? Do you prefer to stay indoor with your training or would you consider outdoor? Most gyms/clubs have stationary bikes, rowers, treadmills, elipticals, etc. They’re all good for building stamina. So, a stationary bike is a good alternative to a treadmill, if you’re staying indoors for your training.
@Midwest67 Keep the momentum going!
@sushiritto I like staying indoor for my training and it’s for a soccer class I want to take during the fall.
Obviously soccer involves a lot running, but maybe not so much for a class. If you’re playing small sided (e.g., 7v7 +/-) games, then this activity will involve a lot of stop and go, back and forth, backpedaling, jumping and lateral movement. Outdoor field work would be best, but absent that, a stationary bike, if that’s your preferred method, will be fine for getting your heart rate up and building some leg muscle.
I’d also highly recommend doing burpees a few times/week, if you’re medically able and healthy. 
Jumping rope also builds stamina and builds some muscle.
Run outside.
In the gym, use the cardio rower.
@sushiritto Thanks. Maybe I’ll practice those outdoor field work at a park or my backyard. I also have a jump rope I can use.
For me, soccer is about agility and “fast-twitch” muscles. Just google “soccer agility exercises” and “fast twitch” muscles, you’ll get a good sample of things you can do. Being “strong on the ball” (balance, core, strength) is important.
For a class on soccer, I’m thinking stamina exercises like distance running (rowing, swiming, biking, etc.) won’t be high up on the course requirements, but manuvering a soccer ball thru cones and shuttle drills, for example, would be more important.
Yes, I’ve got to use that squat rack I bought! 
The coach has me de-loading across the board by 15% or so. He thinks the lower weight will be easy-to-manageable and I can take more time practicing the lifts and implementing the corrective cues we discovered during the form check session.
He recommended small modest weight increases each lift session. Big picture, he says I’m less likely to get frustrated or get stuck.
I’m on board. Good plan!
Playing a soccer match may require cardio similar to HIIT cardio (lots of running around the field, with bursts of high intensity activity), so doing non-soccer cardio (running, rowing, etc.) in an HIIT format may be helpful when you are not practicing soccer.