Gym training at home

I used to go to CrossFit -classes at a gym for over a year. This year I have started training at home. To be honest, not many times yet, I have done my first training yesterday. 

The main reason to start training at home is that we have a space for it and some equipment. Also the freedom to choose what time to train, and the curiosity to try if this will work (without a coach and other people). 

I have Caliber app on my phone, and each time I choose a workout to do. Also I do at least a warm up. This is the plan.

How about equipment? We have a treadmill, some barbells and two kettlebells. Also a jump-rope, punching bag and a foam roller. We will see how it works out. It’s possible to buy some new equipment if needed.

Now it’s all about self-discipline. My goals are to train 3-4 times a week. To finish one Caliber training each time and to use the treadmill for warm up. Then to add some movements to it, depending on how much time I can use for training.

What are the advantages?

• Convenience and flexibility. There is no need to travel to gym and you can exercise whenever you want.
  
• Cost savings. No costs, unless you want to buy new equipment.
• Access to personalized programs. There are lots of them available, also for free.
• Family involvement. My husband is also training.

Are there downsides?

• Limited equipment and space. At the gym there you can do more varied training.
• Lack of social interaction and motivational challenges. This is one challenge for sure. It requires a lot of self-discipline to train alone and also to stay motivated.
• There is no professional guidance at home gym.

Home gym, a threat or possibility?

Hello new year!

What's new this year? 

I can tell you at least two things.

• I have a life planner
• Done with CrossFit -membership (for now)

From now on my life will be more planned and I will start gym training at home. Or at least I hope so.

Gym training will be interesting, because now I will be setting up my own schedule. It's all about self-discipline. Will it work? I honestly don't know. It's much easier to go to a gym and let the coach tell you what to do.

How about being your own coach? Well, if the training doesn't become a routine, it will not work. I know a variety of movements that can easily be done at home. 

More about this later, when I get started.

This week the weather has been much colder as usual. Yesterday I went with friends and kids ice skating and kicksledging on the lake.

Happy New Year!

 

My first half marathon

Always try something new. Never understood those crazy running people? Me neither.

There I was, among hundreds of people, ready to start running 21 kilometres. Load music coming from the speakers, inspiring runners to get ready and going. People stretching and starting to move towards the starting line. My first half marathon was about to begin. Ready or not, now it was showtime. Some weeks ago I had doubted my ability to run such a long distance for many times. And for a good reason. Well, you know how some people practice like crazy for certain events (which I also should have done) and usually get good results too. I had been able to run 9,43 kilometres once, which was the longest distance I had been running ever. Meanwhile others were running 15-18 kilometres, just like that. Touché. I had done what I could. You can't practice while having flu, or when kids are keeping you busy.

Running has never been something I enjoy. If someone had told me two years ago, that I would be running a halfmarathon, I wouldn't have believed it. When I started practicing, even five kilometres felt like a long distance.

This morning I had taken the train to Helsinki. It seems like everyone was coming to the Stadium with some friends, or they were a part of a team. I realized, that I was going to go there alone. Not a good idea, should have thought of this before. It's much more fun to go with a friend. Well, couldn't do anything about it now. My husband had already started his run one hour before mine. I went to take my stuff to storage and it started raining. Great. At that moment I wished this not fun experience would be over as soon as possible.

Ready, steady, go! Here I was running around Helsinki with lots of people. Wow. I would never have thought, that time went so fast. The painful part started at 15 kilometres. If my legs would have agreed, now it could have been the right time to add speed. I guess the hardest thing is to know what speed you should run. I knew, that if I would tun too fast my energy would be used long before the finish line. If I would ever get there.

There across this run I actually started to understand life deeper. I ran past some people, who ran past me after a while again. There was a limping man, who kept up his speed persistently and finished his run just a bit after me. Some little girls where encouraging runners on the way, wishing energy and power. That was sweet. Sweet were also the power gels I ate during the run, wouldn't have survived without them. And finally the finish line was there, I had done it.

And what did I learn? Running is not only about your legs working, it's between your ears. It's a decision to keep running, no matter how you feel. It's about going outside your comfort zone and not giving up until you pass the finish line. Some people who encourage you on the way will be helpful.

After the run my legs started to hurt so much, that I had big challenges to get home. Every step was painful, so I was limping to the train station very slowly. When I made it home, I felt like a real winner.

Next morning the pain wasn't totally gone. It had just turned into sweet and bearable. Almost nice. I have to be crazy. Who enjoys aching feet really?