Day 26 - Core Synergistics

Bright and early got out and ran 5.06 miles in 40 min. At the close of business I wrapped up homework with the boys and by 6:00 pm I was in my first Cycle 60 (60 min Aerobic Endurance Cycle Class) in a month. Using my quads and hamstrings in that way felt odd, but they were strong and performed well. I was able to go hard, keep pace and left the class satisfied that I had completed my second hard cardio class in the same day.

Note to self: No more 5 mile runs and Cycle 60 on the same day.

Core Synergistics is a difficult, weight training, plyometric like standing, twisting, hard working core training for 59 minutes. It is extremely challenging and makes you make good decisions on your dumbbell weights and there are virtually no breaks. When going through it, you want it to be over. When it's over you want a few more minutes.

There are no easy exercises, but these are the ones that kick me in the rear every time:

Squat X-Press - (30 Reps) Holding light weights (Tony recommended 12 lbs I used 20 lbs), start with feet wider than shoulder width and toes slightly pointed out. Go into a squat with chest and head up, and forearms on thighs. As you stand up, raise weights overhead into a wider shoulder press (not directly above your head but at slight angles away from your shoulder) so you body forms and "X".

Plank to Chaturanga Run - (60 sec) - Get in plank position and begin running (at my gym we call these Mountain Climbers). Go for 10 sec, then just when you are thinking, this stinks, you lower yourself into the Yoga Chaturanga position (google it) and keep running for another 10 sec, then back up to Plank, back down to Chaturanga continuous for one minute. The first time I saw this was at the beginning of this recovery week. When they lowered into Chaturanga I thought they were nuts. I could not lower myself and move my legs like that simultaneously. This time, I got coordinated and knocked it out. It hurt like crazy and you feeling it from you neck to your toes, but it is core to the max.

The rest are challenging but acheivable. Especially as my muscles get used to all these moves and my focus becomes greater during each workout.