I’m totally back to running after that brief week with my hamstring bothering me. I mean it when I say that I never run with any sort of aches or pains so for me to have said my hamstring didn’t feel right, means it really didn’t feel right.
But I’m all better now and hey, that didn’t take long!
Last Week’s Workouts
I was really in the mood to run after testing out running last weekend to realize my hamstring was better! I am, however, being really careful not to push my pace too quickly and risk my hamstring feeling tight again.
4 Runs
2 Barre Classes
2 Pilates Classes
1 Yoga Class
1 Walk Class
1 Spin Class
Monday – 20 Min Run + 45 Min Barre (2 lb weights + ball + band)
My hamstring felt fine and normal during my 20-minute warm-up run on the treadmill today before barre! I was still cautious, gradually increasing the speed from 6 to 6.8, hovering between 6.3-6.5 with inclines between 1 – 3%.
Tuesday – 20 Min Run + 45 Min Spin (Beats & Bands)
Wednesday – 60 Min Bala Bangle Barre Burn
Thursday – 30 Min Run + 60 Min Pilates
I signed up for Vinyasa Yoga today (my favorite Thursday class!) but they called me from Equinox shortly after to say the instructor was sick and yoga would be changed to pilates at the last minute.
Friday – OFF
Saturday – 30 Min Run + 60 Min Vinyasa Yoga
I skipped spin and the run class in favor of an easy run on my own. While I kept it easy with speeds between 6.3- 6.8 and inclines between 1 – 4%, I did slowly increase my speed to the 7 – 7.5 speed range in the last ten minutes while paying attention to my hamstring to ensure all felt fine. All was good!
Sunday – 45 Min Precision Walk Elevate + 45 Min Pilates
Both of these classes have become so popular that I have to sign up when registration opens 24 hours in advance to get my spot! Seriously, people show up without signing up for pilates and are turned away lately.
It turned out to be a full week without running for me, which is really fine – I’m grateful that I gave my hamstring a chance to heal from whatever was bothering it, and that it didn’t take too long because I stopped running immediately the week before when I noticed it didn’t feel “right”. I did try to run on Wednesday, but when I felt my hamstring in the first two steps, I quickly decided to give it more time.
By Saturday’s run attempt, I felt fine!
I will say though, I did the elliptical for the first time in easily a year, and that was a nice change! The range of motion felt perfect for my hamstring and provided me with a nice warm-up option before barre and pilates.
Last Week’s Workouts
I love that I have so many workout options that I barely realize how many days I go without running.
2 Walking Classes
2 PIlates Classes
1 Barre Class
1 Barefoot Sculpt Class
1 Yoga Class
1 Spin Class
Monday – 15 Min Elliptical + 45 Min Barre (ball, strap, 2 lb weights)
I hadn’t used an elliptical machine in a year, and I never tried one at Equinox until now! My hamstring felt well enough to try it out and when I didn’t feel anything while pedaling, I kept going as an easy warm-up before barre class.
Tuesday – 10 Min Elliptical + 60 Min Pilates Fusion (ring + 2 lb weights)
My hamstring feels better today! I still warmed up on the elliptical because that feels really nice right now. Also, this pilates class was so challenging in such a great way.
Wednesday – 30 Min Elliptical
I went outside to run but within two steps I “felt” my hamstring so I didn’t push it – I went home, changed my clothes, and headed to Equinox. The elliptical felt nice and then I did a few rounds of free weights before stretching.
Thursday – 45 Min Precision Walk Elevate + 60 Min Vinyasa Yoga
I did okay with today’s treadmill walk class! While I kept my speed a little slower than normal and only went up to a 12% incline when the rest of the class was at 15%, my hamstring felt much better.
Friday – 20 Min Elliptical + 60 Min Barefoot Sculpt (2 lb weights + ball)
Saturday – 20 Min Run + 45 Min Spin(Beats & Bands)
I was able to run today! I started with a one minute run/one minute walk to see how my hamstring held up during the intervals. Once I noticed I was fine, I stayed with an easy pace (6.3 -6.5 speed on treadmill) and an incline between 1.0-2.0%.
Sunday – 45 Min Precision Walk Elevate + 45 Min Pilates
I’m so glad that I’m the type of runner who knows when to stop running.
In Saturday’s run class, the instructor suggested I start the first speed section at 8.0 — that’s fast for me at the start of a workout and I should have known that.
However, I went with what he said because I had already run a one-mile warm-up. I also figured that running is mostly mental and for sure the 8.0 speed range is within my abilities, I just don’t push myself very often anymore.
The first couple of minutes into the intervals I was fine but by the third or fourth round as we increased the speed, I felt my hamstring more than I should and I JUST KNEW not to continue in that speed range. My hamstring didn’t feel right for me.
This was too fast too quickly into the workout so I slowed down to an easy run but after maybe 15 minutes (I don’t know for sure), I switched to walking.
Being in the class setting is sort of like a race environment and you feel a bit bad to “drop out” but I couldn’t care about it — I don’t do injuries, and certainly not injuries I can prevent.
I’m not stupid. I don’t need to finish a run if there’s a risk I may injure myself. It’s more important to me to catch whatever I feel and then it goes away fast than continue because I don’t want to stop in front of others, risking my chance of causing a real injury.
I’m so glad I stopped when I did to only have a little hamstring soreness now — I spoke to Laura immediately to tell her what happened and she told me NOT to run for three days (no problem with that at all!) and to skip Sunday’s incline walking class (I had no problem with that either!).
Again, better to be smart and deal with minor issues than be selfish and stubborn only to have major problems that sideline you from everything!
Last Week’s Workouts
3 Runs (1 class, 2 on my own)
2 Pilates Classes
1 Walking Class
2 Yoga Classes
I didn’t get to barre or spin last week! I was more in the mood for running than spin, and barre was just an accidental miss due to timing and choosing pilates fusion on Tuesday which I don’t normally do.
love matching moments!
Monday – 30 Min Running Workout (Equinox+ App)
My abs felt a bit sore so I skipped barre today and chose a running workout from the Equinox+ App! I don’t recall the exact workout but it was intervals with inclines going from 4% down to 0% and my speed ranged from easy at 6 to as high as 8.7. At one point I was at 8.3 on a 4% incline and that’s HARD.
I finished with a cool down to reach four miles total.
I really enjoyed today’s pilates class. The instructor who usually teaches the evening pilates fusion class subbed today’s morning class time – I really liked her style and structure for pilates fusion.
Wednesday – Outdoor Walk
Thursday – 45 MIn Precision Walk Elevate + 60 Min Vinyasa Yoga
Friday – 4 Mile Run (treadmill)
I made up today’s running workout on my own. Since I plan to do tomorrow’s run class, I didn’t go too fast in this workout. I think my fastest speed was 7.6 with easy sections at 6.0.
10 min warm-up
10 min 1 min hard/1 min easy
10 min 2 min hard/1 min easy
cool down to 4 miles
Saturday – Precision Run + 60 MIn Vinyasa Yoga
Things started out okay with me running a warm-up mile before the run class started. But then we quickly jumped into the workout after two minutes and the instructor suggested that I be at 8.0 with a 2% incline, which in hindsight, was definitely too fast for me so soon into the workout. By the time I was at 8.5, I knew my hamstring did not like what was going on so I slowed down to 6.0 and held that for a while before deciding to switch to walking to finish out the class.
Sunday – 45 Min Pilates
I listened to Laura’s advice and skipped the incline walk class for today. PIlates felt great!
—
I may try running outside on Wednesday but I’m not sure yet! For now I will stick to barre and pilates, maybe spin once I feel nothing in my hamstring. I’m fine with not running until the weekend too! I’ll just see day by day. I already feel much less in my hamstring but I don’t mess around — I will wait until I feel nothing in that spot of my leg so I don’t cause an injury.
Another solid week of workouts at Equinox is in the books for me which included a little more focus on/interest in running.
I’m finding it exciting to switch up my runs with the Precision Run class, and the Equinox+ App which I remembered to finally try using for running workouts. At this point in my “running career,” I’m really just looking for variety and different ways to make running fun. I’m not training for a race or even planning to run a race ever again (never say never) so it’s all about what keeps me running happily on a leisurely basis.
I knew eventually I would take the Precision Run class at Equinox, and well, here we are. I took my time deciding to take the running workout class because there are so many other great classes I like taking and running is something I can do myself at other times. HOWEVER, It’s enjoyable to do something different with my running and challenge myself in running workouts that are told to me vs me making them up for myself in real-time. I like the class setting for running too, really so fun and different — I’m all for different workout experiences right now.
Last Week’s Workouts
2 Runs (plus 2 warm-up runs)
2 Barre Classes
2 Yoga Classes
2 Walking Classes
1 Pilates Class
1 Spin Class
Monday – 10 Min Run + 45 Min Barre (2 lb weights/ball/ band)
Even just a 10 min run satisfies me when I want to do other workouts but want to run too.
Tuesday – 10 Min Run + 45 Min Spin (Beats & Bands)
I would have liked to run slightly longer before spin but I ran out of time — either way, the 10 minutes made me happy. I always get more out of spin when I run a little first as a warm-up. Also! I love the addition of resistance bands in the new Beats & Bands style spin class.
Thursday – 45 Min Precision Walk Elevate + 60 Min Vinyasa Yoga
Friday – 30 Min Treadmill Workout (Equinox+ App)
I finally remembered to try one of the running workouts available in the Equinox+ App! I picked an intermediate ladder workout but instead of walking the easy segments, I slowed my running speed to 6.0 – 6.1 which definitely made things harder as the run progressed.
The running workout ranged inclines from 1 – 5 with speed ranging for me from 6 in the easy portions to 8 as my fastest. It was a great run and a fun change for me!
Saturday – 45 Min Precision Run + 60 Min Vinyasa Yoga
This was my second time taking the treadmill run class. The regular class instructor (who was out last week) is SO NICE and educated on running — he checked in with each runner throughout the run and even checked my form. He said that I have good running form and that I’m so light on my feet as I run that I don’t put a lot of impact on my joints which is great – and may explain why I never feel discomfort in my knees or hips.
When we chatted further after the workout, he suggested that since I’m an experienced runner, I should definitely run the easy segments vs walking them in the next class. I told him that I figured that was the case but I found the walk segments a novelty and something different. I’m definitely not against the run/walk intervals but I can certainly run the entire duration of the class.
Today’s running workout ranged inclines from 0 – 5% with my fasted speed at 8.6.
Sunday – 45 Min Precision Walk Elevate + 45 Min Pilates
At the time, I was a Lifetime member here in New York. Now, as an Equinox member, it was pretty interesting to go back to a Lifetime. Let me explain…
Don’t get me wrong – Lifetime is a big beautiful facility with all of the amenities you could want from an athletic club.
However, it’s what I would call a fancy sweat factory. It was sweaty, not as clean, didn’t smell pleasant, had a lot going on, and just didn’t feel as pristine as my daily experiences at Equinox.
My son had told me this same opinion once he joined Equinox after having a Lifetime membership more recently than me here in New York. Now that I experienced Lifetime again for myself, I see the difference and exactly what he meant.
Now, that does not mean I didn’t enjoy myself at Lifetime in Boca. In fact, I checked the class schedule for the day I was going and got so lucky to see Warrior Sculpt at the time I could attend!
If you have been reading for a while, you may recall that I used to do Warrior Sculpt through Lifetime on Demand workouts during the pandemic. It was my FAVORITE workout and turned me into a yoga-loving person. I had never taken the class in person until now!
Warrior Sculpt in person was challenging, amazing, and so fun. I’m actually really proud of myself for how far I’ve come with yoga and my ability to keep up with these types of classes.
Lifetime Boca Yoga Studio
I had this PB & B smoothie right after the class from the Lifetime Cafe. I mentioned the smoothie in Friday’s post but just in case you missed it, it was delicious and necessary.
My First Precision Run Class
I’m so excited to report that I FINALLY tried the run class at Equinox! While I usually choose spin on Saturday which conflicts with the run class time, I opted to try Precision Run on Saturday instead of spin because I hadn’t run in a week and was really in the mood.
First, although I was new to the class style, I’m obviously not a new runner. In fact, I was likely the most experienced runner in the class – other runners and the instructor noticed I was going really fast and not having any issues with the intervals. The girl next to me was so nice and said at one point – wow you are really fast!
The class is structured for all levels because you control your pace range but need to know what your PR pace is — well, that was not something I knew right away. PR pace as in fastest ever? Fastest for what type of workout and/or distance? I really wasn’t sure at first so I just played a bit until I figured out halfway through the class that 8.0 and even above was my PR pace to base things around.
The class is run/walk intervals. I don’t normally walk during my runs — if I’m running intervals, I would run fast and then run easy for the slower intervals. This particular workout was one min running/one min walking with a mixed focus on inlines and speed. So honestly, this felt relatively “easy” because every minute I was walking but not really easy if that makes sense. Running is always a workout and the intervals, even though they included walking, were much different from my usual runs which is really A GOOD THING. I like variety right now so it’s nice to add variety to my running.
I mentioned the class structure to Laura who also wrote this good post about the benefits of Run/Walk intervals.
Will I take the class again? YES. Will I try to remember I can also use the Equinox+ App for the running workouts to do on my own? YES.
Last Week’s Workouts
I was away for the first half of the week but jumped right back into my Equinox routine the day after I got home.
3 Yoga Classes
2 Walk Classes
2 Equinox+ App Classes
1 Run Class
1 Barre Class
1 Pilates Class
gym bag essentials
Monday – 20 Min Pilates + 15 Min Yoga (Equinox+ App)
I don’t have much to add beyond the workout recap details listed below. In Friday’s post, I mentioned that last week was a blur. I wasn’t kidding! Something about it felt very blended together, which is likely why I have nothing to add beyond what I noted below each day.
Last Week’s Workouts
Last week played out a little weird – I usually get to an additional barre and pilates class.
2 Runs
2 Spin Classes
2 Yoga Classes
1 Barre Class
1 Walking Class
1 Pilates Class
Monday – 3 Mile Run + 45 Min Barre (2 lb weights, ball, band)
This is such a great workout combo!
The run was not too challenging but very engaging. It went like this:
At the 10-minute mark, I dropped speed to 6.3 and ranged inclines in this ladder: 1-2-3-4-3-2-1
At the 20-minute mark, I picked up speed to 7.0 and stopped at 3 miles
Tuesday – 5 Mile Run (outside!)
I really wanted to try the new spin class on the schedule for this morning – Beats and Bands – which incorporates cycling with resistance bands. However, I knew I needed a day off from the gym so I will try the spin class next Tuesday.
I did have energy though and decided to run outside for a change. Time flew by and before I knew it, I was at five miles.
Wednesday – 45 Min Walk (treadmill)
My glutes were sore from Monday’s barre class so I opted for a walk today followed by stretching. I hate missing today’s bala bangle barre class but I just knew it was not a good idea for today.
Thursday – 60 Min Vinyasa Yoga (yoga blocks)
I love the instructor for today’s yoga class – challenging but so doable and worth it! She also teaches the Friday morning pilates that I’m currently not taking because I don’t need to get up and out in the winter for 7:00 AM classes if I’m not working — but I will be back to that class for sure.
Friday – 45 Min Spin (Beats & Bands)
To my surprise this morning, the spin class I often take on Friday mornings had an instructor sub and he chose to run the class in the new format – Beats & Bands. I was so excited to try it! They incorporate two sections into the class using a resistance band that you attach to the bike for some upper body work. It was so fun and a great workout.
Saturday – 45 Min Spin (Anthem Ride) + 60 Min Vinyasa Yoga
Sunday – 45 Min Precision Walk Elevate + 45 Min Pilates
We regulars for the walking class agreed that today’s incline walk was HARD. Although we don’t know why, we think it had something to do with the intervals being 2-minutes vs the shorter lengths we normally do. It’s always an accomplishment when it’s done and the restorative pilates class 15 minutes later feels great.
I try to reserve my newest pair of Brooks Ghost 14’s just for running but today I wore them for the walking class — I definitely felt the added cushion (because they haven’t been worn as much yet) and it was really nice on those inclines!
Just a few random thoughts from my workouts last week:
I asked myself if I was running enough and then quickly said – running enough for what? This is literally my internal battle for five years now since I drastically cut back from high mileage and never returned to it. I like my lower running mileage and definitely love the Equinox class variety I have going on right now BUT the runner in me still tugs at my feelings – but never wins.
My blog is 10 years old this week. 10 YEARS. 10 years ago when I started this blog I was a member of Lifetime, taking spin classes, running a whole lot, and utilizing the Lifetime kids club for my son. My son was 9 at the time and is now 19 (!!) and now we both belong to Equinox – just different locations.
To think that 10 years ago, I hadn’t begun to take barre yet, and rarely did anything but cardio. I may have run a lot of races back then but I would say I’m stronger now and definitely more flexible!
10 years ago was the time period when bloggers were the influencers and social media wasn’t too much of a thing — the below picture is from the Fitness Magazine Meet and Tweet — they wanted you tweeting from the event, because Twitter was the popular platform back then. Instagram had barely become a thing and reels and tik toks weren’t around yet.
Last Week’s Workouts
3 days included running
2 spin classes
2 barre classes
2 pilates classes
1 walking class
1 yoga class
Monday – 15 Min Run + 45 Min Barre (strap, block, ball, 2 lb weights)
I love a quick warm-up run! Also, this barre class incorporated allll the equipment.
Tuesday – 60 Min Pilates Fusion (yoga block)
Wednesday – 30 Min Run + 30 Min Walk(treadmill)
It’s funny how running became my “day off” — I needed a day off from classes, even though I hated to miss the barre class that uses the bala bangle ankle weights.
Thursday – 60 Min Barre (2 lb weights, ball, band)
It was a toss-up between barre or vinyasa yoga today. I made my decision first thing in the morning and based it upon waking up on the early side which put me in the barre time slot vs the later yoga time slot.
Friday – 15 Min Run + 45 MIn Spin (Anthem Ride)
Saturday – 45 Min Spin (Anthem Ride) + 60 Min Vinyasa Yoga
I stuck around after spin for a yoga class and I’m so glad I did. Also, this particular yoga class goes so fast. It’s an hour but feels like 20 minutes.
Sunday – 45 Min Precision Walk Elevate + 45 Min Pilates (pilates ring)
Today’s incline walk class ranged inclines from 3 – 15% but is broken down into 1 minute and 30 second intervals that it goes so fast!
Welcome to the new year and all the fitness and diet messaging overwhelming all of our social media feeds.
If January’s diet and fitness hoopla bother you too, then you will appreciate the January message put out by Equinox. I knew I was in the right fitness club! Waiting for January to start something new is like waiting for Monday. Why wait?
Last Week’s Workouts
So remember how I was in the city last Monday? While it was such a great time and although my Converse Run Star Hike Sneakers are comfortable and warm for walking, I think I covered way too many blocks and avenues in them because I woke up Tuesday with discomfort in both shins. For this reason, I waited to run until Friday when I stopped feeling anything in my shins.
Still a busy week of workouts!
2 yoga classes
2 pilates classes
2 incline walking classes
1 barre class
1 run
1 spin class
Monday – 30 Min Pilates (Equinox App)
I chose a quick pilates workout from the Equinox app before walking several blocks (really, several miles) throughout the day. It was my first time using the App and it was great. I will use it when I go to Florida later this month!
As of Friday’s post, I was still saying that I wanted to get to yoga but still couldn’t figure out how to fit it into my schedule.
The reason I have a hard time getting to a yoga class at Equinox is that the yoga options are later in the morning than my typical workout routine time window.
But Saturday worked!! I slept later in the morning which put me on a later schedule, which was perfect for the yoga class timing.
I’m definitely not an advanced yogi but I would say I’m a little more experienced than a beginner and keep up the best I can.
The class was not too hard for me, I kept up, and look forward to taking another yoga class soon — maybe this week. I actually see a special one-hour yoga class added to the Christmas morning schedule. Although, it’s heated and that could make me dizzy. I’ll see.
Last Week’s Workouts
Look at this variety…
3 Runs
2 Spin classes
2 Barre classes
1 Yoga class
1 Pilates class
1 Walking Class
Monday – 3 Mile Run + 45 Min Barre (2 lb weights/ball)
Great combo to start the week!
Tuesday – 45 Min Spin (Cycle Beats)
Spin on Tuesdays is always Trivia Tuesday which is really fun. I won little prizes for guessing the correct artist for one of the songs. The skincare samples I win in this class are always so good and top quality!
Wednesday – OFF
I hated to miss Bala Bangle Barre Burn but I also knew that I needed a day off somewhere this week so today became it.
Thursday – 3 Mile Run + 60 Min Barre (2 lb weights/ball/resistance band)
My class choices today were:
Spin
Barre
Precision Walk Elevate + Yoga
One of these days I will do the treadmill walk class followed by yoga — I really want to, it’s just that it’s slightly later than even my version of a late morning routine. If I’m up earlier and ready earlier, I find it hard to wait around!
I didn’t feel like spin today so I ran a few miles and then took the one-hour barre class that I really enjoy.
Friday – 45 Min Spin (Anthem Ride)
I honestly didn’t know what my plan was for today. Ideally, I LOVE the 7:00 AM Friday Pilates class but there’s no reason for me to take such an early class right now, especially this time of year. It’s so dark and cold outside, why would I go so early if I don’t have to do so according to a work schedule?
I slept a little later and then was on the phone so I took my time and ended up choosing the 9:30 Spin class which is a great choice. This particular instructor is so good, challenging but enjoyable.
Saturday – 4 Mile Run + 60 Min Vinyasa Yoga (yoga block)
I was up late last night so I slept later and took my time getting moving this morning. Because of this, I missed my usual options of Spin or Barre.
I decided to run on the treadmill and then suddenly, I was right in time for yoga! It was so exciting to me to be on a later schedule that put me in the gym at the right time for the class. I really enjoyed it!
Someone asked me the other day how many miles I run per week. I had a very quick reply to that question.
It’s not about weekly mileage for me, especially right now. I’m a runner who does other things too.
I really like the otherthings.
I still identify as a runner and I’m so proud of all of the races I’ve run and the miles I’ve put in, but I’m quick to say I’m a runner who loves spin, barre, pilates, walking, and even yoga. So these days, it’s not about how many days a week I run or how many miles per day or total weekly mileage.
It hasn’t been all about running for me in a few years really but especially now.
I can absolutely run more than I am right now but mentally, I do not want to and physically, I feel so great that why would I want to overdo it?!
Last Week’s Workouts
Another week of balancing running with the rest of my workout options! Let’s take a look.
Monday – 5 Mile Run (treadmill)
I had a few workout choices today and didn’t make my final decision until the last second. Here’s what I was deciding between:
Spin
Run + Spin
Spin + Barre
Run + Barre
First, I decided not to go spin. I felt like running and started my run at the same time as the spin class.
Once on the treadmill, I decided to save barre for another day and run 5 miles. While I could have made it to barre after the five miles, I figured it made more sense to save my energy for the rest of the week.
During my run, I alternated inclines with speed but gave myself two miles to warm up which was a big help. Otherwise, the inclines sneak up on me and tire me out if I jump into things too quickly.
Today I was deciding between barre and pilates fusion — it was a toss-up just based on the time of the classes and when I woke up for the day.
Wednesday – 20 Min Run + 60 Min Bala Bangle Barre Burn (2 lb weights, 1 lb ankle weights)
I knew exactly what I wanted to do today so there was no need to choose between workout options! This barre class is no joke, by the way. The ankle weights take it to another level.
Thursday – 45 Min TRX Max + 45 Min Walk (treadmill)
So I tried the TRX class for the first time! And while I’m glad I tried it, I don’t think it’s a class for me on a regular basis.
It’s a bit hard to explain why I didn’t love it. I think I just prefer barre, pilates, and barefoot sculpt-style classes (and yoga if I can ever get to those class times). Basically, I prefer a more delicate challenge and classes without shoes.
I think one on one, I could learn to like TRX a bit more. It takes some time to get used to but basically, I guess, the overall class style isn’t my favorite when I have so many other options.
Friday – 45 Min Spin (Cycle Beats)
First spin class of the week! See, it’s hard to fit it all in! But I’m figuring it out and going by what I want to do each morning.
Saturday – 20 Min Run + 45 Min Spin (Anthem Ride)
I don’t usually spin two days in a row but it worked out that way for this week! Anthem Ride is my favorite style spin class at Equinox. The pace goes by the music and there’s no reference to the center console for distance, speed, RPM, and whatever else they talk about in other spin classes.
Sunday – 45 Min Precision Walk Elevate + 45 Min Pilates
My favorite Sunday morning class duo — the walking goes by SO FAST. Inclines ranged from 3 – 15% and pilates was a welcomed restorative class.
I haven’t been able to make it to the yoga class times since joining Equinox over the summer but I see a possible time that could work later this week — I’m hopeful!
The Cookie ChRUNicles 