Well... I ended up getting a pretty serious cold/sinus infection that stuck around for 3 weeks just after Christmas, so I didn't end up getting to race Doug and Jenny. But... I did get my PR down to 21:01 for a 5k in November, which makes me happy. That's 6:47/mile!
I've been taking some time off from running, but I began P90X2 2.5 weeks ago. There is quite a big philosophical difference between X1 and X2. X2 is much more sports and real world oriented. The structure makes a lot more sense too.
In X1, you start right off on day 1 with big lifting day, working the largest muscles of the upper body, your chest and back. You do all the basic movements in different forms of push-ups and pull-ups. You never really worry about any sort of stabilizer muscles or anything, just the big muscles necessary for heavy lifts in a stable, controlled stance.
In X2, you don't get into anything like that for at least 3 weeks. The first phase is all about building a stable platform, which means you're working all your core muscles and stabilizer muscles. I've noticed my balance improved dramatically so far. Everything you do is on an unstable platform, whether it be medicine balls or a balance ball, you never have a solid platform to work from. In essence, you have to strengthen your core and make that the stable platform.
The first week was darn near impossible for me to do some of the balance moves. My stabilizers just weren't developed enough, or at least hadn't been recruited for use recent enough. Many moves I flat out couldn't do, and many others I felt were extremely sloppy, as in I wasn't sure I was even working the right muscles. Remarkably, when week 2 came around and I had to do the same workouts again, I saw a dramatic improvement. Now there are only a couple exercises that I truly struggle with. Many are still difficult, but I'm talking about ones where I struggle to do more than 2 or 3 with good form. I cannot believe how much better I've become at some of the exercises.
On Monday, I start phase 2, where the main muscle building takes place. I'm kind of excited for that because phase 2 is where the changes in body composition (e.g. appearance) takes place. I'm trying to be in shape in time for Mexico!
I have to head out to office hours now, but soon I'll make a new post about a "diet" I'm trying that has made me shed 4 pounds (almost all fat) in the past 2.5 weeks, without really even thinking about calories or fat (though like anything, you cannot go crazy).
