Tuesday, December 2, 2014

Winter Running with P90X3 Month 1

If you've read any of my other posts, you know I am a HUGE fan of P90X3.  It is the program that I keep going back to time and time again.  I believe it is the perfect program to use to cross train with running and it is perfect for winter when I may not get out to run as often as I'd like.

In my other posts I talked about hybrid schedules and doubling up.  The last time I doubled up it took me more than 90 days to complete the program.  There were some days I just couldn't double up (run and P90X on same day) and I didn't want to skip a workout so I ran and worked out on separate days stretching out the program.  Another time I followed P90X3 and running a I did a hybrid so I didn't do all 7 workouts in a week and I really did about half the workouts.  This time I am going for a true double workout and finishing in 90 days.

P90X3 

Before I go any further, here is a little background on P90X3.


P90X3 is a 90-day extreme fitness program created by Tony Horton.  It is designed to get you really fit in just 30 minutes a day.  It combines a highly structured schedule with a variety of moves that keep every muscle challenged. 
That might sound scary but anyone can do P90X3.  It is designed for beginner to advanced fitness levels.  Every workout includes modifications.  P90X3 is a stand alone program, meaning you did not have to complete P90X or P90X2 in order to do this program.  

Facts about P90X3
           30 minutes long, including a brief warm up and cool down.
Optional 12 minute cold start warm up.  Great if you are working out early in the morning.

 It includes a nutrition plan that gets down to the basics of healthy eating.

 There are 16 workouts including cardio, mixed martial arts, agility and yoga.

 The Pilates workout is great for runners.

  Isometrics is a strength/balance/flexibility workout.  Another great one for runners.

  There are 4 programs to pick from: classic, lean, doubles or bulk (I would not recommend the latter 2 for runners).

 39 out of 40 people in the test group lost 10% of their body fat!

  Minimal equipment is needed.  Hand weights or resistance bands are a must.  A pull up bar is preferred but you can do modified moves. 


My schedule

I am staying committed to running only 3 days a week.  Some days I really want to get out and run but I need to stick to 3 days in order to make this work.  If I really feel the urge, I'll jump on the treadmill for a mile warm up before my workouts but that's it.  I do not want to overtrain. 

My actual schedule may look a little different from week to week since I am listening to my body so I don't push too hard.  But the first 2 weeks looked like:


Week 1

Monday: Total Synergistics and 1 mile on the treadmill

Tuesday: 5 mile run

Wednesday: Agility X and Yoga X

Thursday: 6 mile run

Friday: Rest day

Saturday: The Challenge, CVX and the Warrior

Sunday: 7 mile run and Dynamix

I don't recommend doing 3 workouts in one day but I really didn't want to do one of those on the same day as a long run.
 



Week 2

Monday: Total Synergistics and Agility X

Tuesday: 5 mile run

Wednesday: Yoga X and the Challenge

Thursday: 6.2 mile run (I ran a virtual 10K for my buddy)

Friday: Rest day  -- I needed it!!

Saturday: CVX and the Warrior

Sunday: 8 mile run and Dynamix


Week 3 

Monday: Total synergistics

Tuesday: Agility X and 1 mile on the treadmill.  It was too cold (below 10 degrees F real feel) to run.

Wednesday: Yoga X

Thursday: 6 mile run outside (I ran to vote in the capital project vote for my son's school)

Friday: CVX 

Saturday: The Challenge

Sunday: 8 mile run the Warrior and Dynamix - that was hard. But I taught an INSANITY class yesterday with only a few participants so I did more of the workout than usual and didn't want to do an hour of X3 after it!

Week 4 - Transition week

Monday: Rest - I needed sleep.  I needed to do nothing!

Tuesday: 5.14 mile run

Wednesday: Isometric and Dynamix

Thursday: 5.48 mile run in my local Turkey Trot and Accelerator

Friday: Pilates and CVX

Saturday: 8 mile run

Sunday: Yoga X and Dynamix



I feel tired not so much because of the schedule but because of my nutrition.   I will admit that my nutrition hasn't been what it should and I think that is why I am feeling it.   I like the schedule and I find it challenging but not impossible.  In the first 30 days I definitely gained strength.  I am doing more push ups and pull ups but I haven't lost weight or inches.  Since Thursday was Thanksgiving, I am surprised I haven't gained any weight. December 1st starts a new month of P90X3.  I'm going to follow the meal plan to a T.  At the end of the 30 days I will post my 30 day results. 

Make sure to pop in to check my progress.  If you are interested in purchasing P90X3 check it out on my site or email or post a comment.  I'd be happy to answer any questions!