A couple years ago, Lori invited me to join her and her friend/pseudo trainer for a short trail run through the hills of Schabarum Regional Park. Even though I grew up in the area, I’d only run/walked the trails once before. R was running late and by the time he showed we has warmed up, stretched and were ready to get on the trails. Before we headed out, he sized me up.
“Are you fit?”
“Um… I guess.”
It was a strange question and I really didn’t know how to answer it. At that point, I was at/near my goal weight and had been regularly working out and running for a year. I was in a healthy BMI range for the first time in my adult life and could run 5-6 miles without stopping.
If “fit” meant keeping up with Lori and R on the trails, my answer was accurate. If it meant anything aside from running* — then and now — not so much.
Lately, I’ve been switching up my strength workouts. Rather than doing the routine I started in December (I’d added weight and reps since then to make it tougher), I attempted 30 minute strength workouts on the Nike Training Club app. I’ve done two workouts. Both have kicked my ass.
I tried both at home and after a few moves, I was sweating like crazy, breathing heavily and my heart was beating faster than when I do hill or speed workouts. Even though the moves are meant to be done non-stop without rest, I frequently paused the app to watch a short video demonstrating the moves and to take a breather. At one point during Perfect Score, last night’s workout, I got lightheaded and laid down on my mat. I’d only been doing the workout for 20 minutes. If I was running, I’d barely be sweating at that point.
Ten minutes later, I was done with Perfect Score. The woman hosting the NTC app congratulated me, but it was totally undeserved. I barely finished.
Despite feeling defeated, un-fit, and sore for a couple of days following each NTC workout, I plan to continue challenging myself. I love running and I’m pretty happy with my recent improvements. However, I know that if I spent all my exercise time just running it won’t be enough to improve my overall fitness and help me get back to my goal weight.
*I’d exclude flexibility. I think I’m okay on that one, but haven’t done any sort of test.
Lotería Chicana 
I can relate to this! I used to go to a circuit-training class, and after my first one, I was sore for 2 days, much like I would be after a marathon. Realizing how wrong that seemed, I started going consistently. I can’t say it helped with the running, but I think it gave me comfort knowing that I was “fit” in another area, too.
oh my! this makes me want to get an iphone just to try that app lol
I’ve been having my ass handed to me by Zuzana (or whatever the heck her name is) the girl who used to host the Bodyrocktv workouts. She has her own site now and the workouts are tough. It’s good to switch things up and keep our bodies are guessing though.
Haha this is classic me- well not the actual doing workouts part but not being fit for things other than running. (When uninjured) I can run an hour easily. But ask me to do 15 pushups or a bunch of sit-ups and I really struggle!! I always tell myself it is something I should work on, but then never do. I might check out this app you mentioned- sounds tough!
I downloaded the app. We’ll see how it goes.