Wednesday, September 9, 2009

350 Minutes

No, that's not how long it took me to run 3.3 miles yesterday. Although it felt like that.

Rather, that's how much time exercising I'm trying to get in per week. I've mentioned on this blog before that I tend to forgo cross training and just focus on running alone. Before I had Sophie, I was better about fitting in strength training, but in the past two years it's been pretty nil.

Hence 350 minutes. Yes, that's seven hours a week, which is also one hour per day. So you might think I should just call it an hour per day. But I like 350 minutes better. It's like a little piggy bank I fill up. Two hours of biking? 120 minutes in the bank. 10 minutes of sit ups and push ups? In the bank.

This is my third week of focusing on 350 minutes. I have noticed already that it really does help me add in the cross training. After I put Sophie to bed in the evenings, I have been doing 30 day shred, different ab or strength workouts, yoga, even Tae Bo to add time to the bank.

My running is still adjusting to the added cross training. My legs have felt dead on all of my runs the past two weeks. I'm sure it is from all the extra squats and kicks I've been forcing them to do. But I think once I get adjusted, it will actually help make my running stronger. What do you think?

15 comments:

Anonymous said...

Oh, I like this idea very much. I think I'll do 349 minutes just so you'll always have bragging rights. I mean, it is your idea and all.

Jason said...

I like 350 minutes. Sounds like a good goal.

Relentless Forward Commotion said...

350 does sound fun! I set a 100 miles goal this month. It's almost more fun to count backwards (3 done, 97 to go! etc) than to just log another day of running.

Sarah said...

Sounds like a great idea! I also struggle with cross-training...especially in the area of strengthening. I am great at getting in running and biking time, but never seem to fit in those push-ups. :)

Erika said...

Good goal! I think I read somewhere recently that everyone should have a goal of something like that. I can't remember the actual number I read, just that the number was larger than I was hitting with my 20 miles per week of running LOL.


MCM Mama

Carly said...

That sounds like a great goal.

I Run for Fun said...

That's a great idea. And you can have fun with it.

joyRuN said...

An excellent idea with having a specific goal in mind. It would definitely reinforce getting some quality training in outside of just running for me.

Running Through Life said...

That's a different approach I have never heard of. I like it! Whatever you can do to keep motivated is good.

X-Country2 said...

It'll definitely make your runnign stronger. Your core especially.

Marlene said...

Great idea!!! I keep saying I am going to start cross/strength-training again. After this marathon, I DEFINITELY am!

Ali said...

You are right I think 350 minutes sounds way more than 7 hours.

Jess said...

Thank you for telling me that that equaled 7 hours because I could not do the long division in my head!

Jeri said...

My co-worker and I did a similar thing in a "challenge" we did to get back in shape last fall. We had an amt. of time that was required per week. It really helped me get creative with my workouts, b/c who wants to do 7 hours of the same thing. Blech. GOOD LUCK! :)

Mel-2nd Chances said...

Great idea... i so need to get back to routine.