The O-CORE-ber in October Challenge

 

I always hoped that there was a runner inside of me trying to get out. Well it's happening and it ain't pretty. I'm no longer the non-runner shuffling to a run but neither am I convincing myself that I know what I am doing as a runner. I think I am doing the whole fake it to you make it trick. I was obviously impressed with my ability to not only download a free running app on my phone but also learn how to work it plus understand the data. The next step was to buy an armband for my phone where the sales assistant said to me, "make sure you keep the receipt, in case it doesn't fit your arm." How kind.
 

Simply going for a run has all of a sudden become quite a palaver. I have headphones which need to stay in my ears, music that needs to be cued, a running app that needs to be started and an armband to attach to my arm - all simultaneously. I feel ridiculous. But just as I am about to ditch the gadgetry my running app informs me that one of my 5k weekly routes I have taken for the past year is more accurately 3.8k. I go to the local cafe to drown my sorrows in a smoothie where the owner informs me she can't look at me as she is freaked out by my feet in the barefoot shoes. Kindness all round.

 

 

So while I fine tune my running regime I am going to focus on my core strength as it is in need of some serious attention. I have created the O-core-ber in October challenge. Everyday in October I will dedicate 10 minutes to improving my core strength following a daily workout routine used by ex- ballerina and Canadian Long Distance runner, Jane Cullis, who drinks martinis and gets pornography offers. This is her blog I have started to follow http://janecoolis.blogspot.ca/ and this is where you can watch the workout video (she claims to be hangover in the video....you can tell). But if you wish to just have the workout here it is:
 

• 1 min front plank: hold
• 1 min side plank: hold 15 sec, side leg raises for 30 sec, hold 15 sec
• 90 sec front plank: 3 sets of 10 leg raises per leg, then hold until 90 sec
• 1 min side plank (alternate sides): hold 15 sec, side leg raises for 30 sec, hold 15 sec
• 30 sec front plank: hold
• 30 sec push-ups, 30 sec hold in push-up position
• Lying on your back with legs up at a 90-degree angle, lower both legs until just above the ground. Repeat for 30 sec.
• In sit-up position, side touches for 30 sec.
• Repeat 30 sec leg dips and 30 sec side touches.
• Return to front plank position for 1 min straight hold
• 30 sec push-ups and 30 sec hold in push-up position
 

Are you laughing with me yet? If not, you probably don't need to do the challenge. My goal is to replace anywhere she says 1 minute with 10 seconds in the beginning.

 

In the meantime I have to return the armband with receipt since it gauged a big hole in my arm. Still to be determined if it is that my arms are too fat or just a stupid product. Hopefully by November I will have sorted out my new running techniques with some functional core muscles.