When I grow up, I want to be an Alicorn

Training Logs
1764

Wednesday 4/9
Moderate Run

5:00 Warm up
2x
20:00 tempo pace, <9:25/mi target
(held 9:08, 9:04)
2:00
8:00 cool down

I’m back! I was so excited to run I woke up at 3am and dozed/layed there until my alarm at 4. That’s just sick.
Legs felt great. Soreness and heavy feeling is gone. I felt so fast. I should take note of this and take days/a week off most often. After my race for sure. Someone keep me accountable to not run myself into the ground.

Non-lifting happiness and Weekend recap:
Hubby and I went to Bozeman, MT because we wanted to take a long drive. Our love for road trips is real. We took our new (to us) car. A Honda Pilot, in case anyone cares about our boring car. But guess what? Hubby can sleep in it. The seats fold flat and that baby is spacious. That was the selling point. Not having a car payment is also delightful. That said, I know us. We are already looking at a truck. We are having withdrawals for our current lack of a real 4x4. I don’t regret selling the Jeep, but I do get a pang of fomo when I pass dirt roads. The little Pilot will not go many places. I need to accept the fact we are just going to filter through vehicles.
Anyway, we went on many walks in a beautiful town, in perfect 60F and sunny weather. Ate Bison Meatloaf (so good). People watched in coffee shops. Our kind of weekend.
Headed south this upcoming weekend. We are splitting our anniversary (10 years tomorrow!) into two trips, because we couldn’t decide on going north or south. So why not both?

13 Likes
1765

This is awesome! All of it.

I love road trips, too, but that may be partly because I use them as an excuse to be pretty laissez-faire about my eating. But I’ve loved piling into the car for as long as I can remember.

2 Likes
1766

hell yeah!

10 yrs definitely deserves 2 trips

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1767

Every time I get in a comfy car, on the freeway, I just want to keep driving. Ideally with a latte in my hand. That is peace right there.

Absolutely! It’s flown by and we still have a blast together.

3 Likes
1768

To paraphrase @simo74 , are you mental? That’s a big change, you should be really proud.

3 Likes
1769

Thank you! It has been nice to see the mass coming on. I looked good at that low weight, but a little on the skinny side. Seeing the progress makes hard days in the gym more worth it.

1 Like
1770

Wednesday 4/9
Coach’s Orders, W6D1

10 minute cardio warm up

Standing Hip Abduction
30x35, 18x60, 12x70,
12-12x70-60 (dropset)

Leg Press
30x165, 15x360, 12x380,
10,11,10x380,335,290(dropset)

Hip Thrust
30x55, 15x70,
12,12,11x90,85,80, 12,11,11x90,85,80 (dropsets)

Glute Kickback
20x30, 2x10-12x40-30

+Ab Circuit

A week off and this day still kicked my butt. Those dropsets are brutal. Dizzy and/or nauseous by the end without fail.
Other than that, felt pretty good. Kept the weight from two weeks ago, and match or beat all the reps.

11 Likes
1771

Thursday 4/10
Coach’s Orders W6D2

Seated Hamstring Curl
30x50, 18x80, 12x90,
10, 10, 11 x 100-90-80

SL DB DL
25x35, 18x40

Hack Squat - Machine
25 x M+10, 18x +35, 12x +60
8, 8, 8 x +90,+80,+70

Band Assisted Pullups
10, 7, 7, 6
SS
Banded Row
4 x 25

DB Lat Raise
SS
Front Raise
25 x 5, 18x5,

+Ab Circuit

Coach had me swap the Sumo DLs for the SL DLs. They feel much better on that weird pain I have in the back of my knee. Could help with the stabilization and strength too.
The SL DLs and shoulder stuff was cut a little short, had to run to an appointment. Did get this much done in one hour though, that’s a record. Had to skip mobility before and stretching after. Still, 90% is better than nothing!

Friday 4/11
Easy run

4 miles, 42:38

60F this morning, so nice. Blossoms are out and the whole world smells like fresh dirt and flowers. Welcome Spring, I am so ready for you.

11 Likes
1772

Consider it done.

1 Like
1773

Friday 4/11
Coach’s Orders W6D3

Mobility+Activation

Cable Chest Flye
20 x 7, 14 x 10, 11 x 10,
10, 10, 12 x 10-7-no pin (drop set)

Lat Pull Down
25 x 80, 15 x 80, 10x100,
5-7-6-5-12 x 100-90-80 (dropset)
SS
Push ups
4 x failure (18, 12, 11, 12)

DB Flat Bench
20 x 25
10 x 40, 12 x 35
SS
DB Bent Over Row
20 x 30
12, 12

DB Shoulder Press
26 x 15, 16 x 15, 12 x 15
12-12-10 x 15-10-5 (Dropset)

+Abs

Added reps or weight in a couple areas, but not across the board.
Felt good, lots of mind muscle connection and burn.

Oh, and this pump was too good to not share. Little lefty is finally joining the bicep vein party!

1000001912
10000019121780×4015 456 KB

15 Likes
1774

Saturday 4/12
Long run

Trail run in Moab
17 miles of slick rock
2300’ elevation gain
4:01.37

This was tough. First 10 miles I ran with my legs, last 7 was with my head.
Hubby did this on his bike with me and was pushing his bike on and off the last few miles.
We freaking did it though. So proud. We ran out of dates, fruit snacks and dried mangos. Water ran dry right after getting back to the car. Sun came out the last mile (solid overcast before that) and the 80F day was felt hard by then.
Went to the diner and had a steak, egg, potato scramble and a buckwheat pancake after that. Pretty much spent the rest of the weekend eating off plan, and I still don’t feel guilty. Kept protein up, and all the “off-plan” eating was more servings of steak, eggs, potatoes and one Raspberry Muffin. Hell, we even skipped getting a doughnut at our favorite place because none of the flavors struck our fancy.

Sunday 4/13
6 mile mountain bike ride

Steady and fun. Stuck to an easy loop. Felt awesome to be on the bike again. Pedalling helped flush the legs out.

Spent the weekend in the red rocks my Hubby and I eloped on, 10 years ago. Feels like it’s been a year at the most. Looking forward to every year I get to spend with my adventure buddy.

14 Likes
1775

God damn!

2 Likes
1776

Monday 4/14
Coach’s Orders, W7D1

Cable Chest Flye
20 x 7, 14 x 10, 12 x 10,
10, 11, 12 x 10-7-no pin (drop set)

Lat Pull Down
27 x 80, 16 x 80, 10x100,
7-3,6-5,-12 x 100-90-80 (dropset)
SS
Push ups
4 x failure (14, 14, 12, 12)

DB Flat Bench
20 x 25
11 x 35 12 x 35
SS
DB Bent Over Row
20 x 30
12, 12 x 40

DB Shoulder Press
27 x 15, 16 x 15, 12 x 15
12-12-10 x 15-10-5 (Dropset)
+Abs

20 minute Incline Treadmill walk, 7%, 3.2mph

Moving days around to allow my legs to recover as long as possible.
Still feeling this weekend, but I was able to put more effort in than expected. Glad I did upper body.

Tuesday 4/15
Intense Run

Undulating, Hilly route, 5 miles
Hard pace uphills, easy jog downhill and flats

Nice morning once again. Loving the spring, weather. I appreciate not running into my own condensed breath.
Had a good amount of kick to start, after hill 8 or 9 I started to drop off.

10 Likes
1777

Tuesday 4/15
Coach’s Orders W7D2

Seated Hamstring Curl
30x60, 19x80, 12x100,
12, 10, 12 x 100-90-80

SL DB DL
25x40, 16x45, 12x50
12-12x55-50

Hack Squat - Machine
25 x M+10, 18x +35, 11x +70
8, 8, 8 x +95,+85,+75

Assisted Pullups
7, 7, 4, 5
SS
Banded Row
4 x 25

DB Lat Raise
SS
Front Raise
25 x 5, 18x5,
12-12-10 x 7.5-5-4

+Ab Circuit

Checked the box, Got a nice pump, added a rep here and there. Not much else to say.

Non-lifting fun stuff:
Officially started truck shopping, drove one last night. It was nice, but didn’t make me want to throw money at the owner.
Summer is coming and dirt roads are calling. I don’t know why hubby and I thought an AWD people hauler was going to cut it. Temporary lapse in judgement that shall be corrected. I am so excited to have a toy truck again. Have plans for modifications already.
Also have to decide if we want a fleet of three cars again, or get rid of the one we just bought.

12 Likes
1778

You were calorie restricting. It’s hard to think.

1 Like
1779

@EmilyQ No joke! Apparently restricting is a subconscious habit of mine now. It has even spread to vehicles!

Wednesday 4/16
Coach’s Orders W7D3

Standing Hip Abduction
30x35, 19x70, 12x70,
12-12x70-60 (dropset)

Leg Press
30x165, 15x360, 12x380,
12,12,12x335,290,245(dropset)

Hip Thrust
30x55, 15x80,
12,10,11x90,85,80, 12,12,12x90,85,80 (dropsets)

Glute Kickback
20x30,
2x10-12x40-30

+Ab Circuit

20 minute incline treadmill walk, 7%, 3.2 mph

I finally removed a plate on the leg press drop set. I was at a point where I was pausing (basically breathing reps) to get the minimum reps. Feeling it more in my joints then muscle. I think it was the right call, though it feels like going backwards. However, I was able to complete the reps and get a really nice burn in the glutes, hammies and quads. Seems more on point.
Made it so I wasn’t dizzy and nauseous halfway through leg day too, like I have been this whole program.
Just a solid day with a whole lot of burn in the legs and glutes.

11 Likes
1780

Thursday 4/17
Moderate/Steady Run

5:00 easy jog + Plyos
2x
2.5miles @ Tempo (<9:25/mi)
2:00 recovery
5:00 easy jog

This is getting easier.
Today, according to my Garmin:

1000001926
10000019261080×593 28.4 KB

Compared to a Tempo run from last month:
1000001927
10000019271080×603 28.3 KB

Averaging :30/mile faster for the same HR? I’ll say that is some major improvement.

On the Coaching note, I had my weekly check-in yesterday.
I very directly said my meal plan needs to be adjusted. This meal plan and volume of weights and running aren’t jiving with me. I can’t say it’s not working, you all have seen the photos. But I don’t feel like it’s sustainable. The joy is diminishing from lifting and food variety is one of my love languages.
As for weight, I don’t want to gain a ton, but a pound or so a month seems reasonable for mass and performance. She said she was shooting for a surplus, but I am down 0.6lb from my starting weight, 7 weeks ago. Could explain some of my fatigue, hunger and soreness.
In summary, if my food doesn’t get adjusted, whether she adds more (ideally carbs) or moves me to a macro plan. I may have to let her go.
Am I over thinking and not trusting the process? (Probably)
Should I give her a full 90 days? (Open to this)
Or are we just not a good fit? What do you all think?

11 Likes
1781

If that’s like taken this morning, I’m pretty sure that’s not a significant amount of weight (I go up and down 6lbs all the time). Even if that’s an average over a good amount of time, it’s not a lot of weight

I say to do this. I know part of the reason I get a coach or follow a plan is to make me do stuff I do not want to do and I usually end up not liking them but liking the results

This could be a thing but like I said above, I think feeling it out for a 90 day period is the move. How much longer do you have left of the 90 days?

If she doesn’t hear you out and reconsider the meal plan because of how much joy you get out of food, it’s probably not a good fit. I know for a fact I can help my girlfriend when it comes to lifting but we differ so much on the food part, I really cannot help at all and choose not to unless asked

1 Like
1782

You should’ve gained ~1.6 lbs, you lost .7.
So over 7 weeks you missed by 2.3lbs.
With the amount of daily variance possible I feel like that is a somewhat small number to begin with.

If your coach doesn’t provide adjustments or try to dig more into how you could be losing at that rate of intake, i’d walk but so far I don’t think the amount you’ve missed by is too bad.

2.3lbs is approximately a miss of ~8100 calories over 49 days or about 165 calories a day. Tell your coach that those should be used luxuriously lol

2 Likes
1783

I like how you put that. I am definitely not liking her right now, but that may be part of the plan!

It would be a other 30 days. There is no minimum time requirement/pre-paid plan with her, that is just a time frame I set in my head when I decided to try a coach.

1 Like