P90X ~ Week 2

It has been said that it takes two weeks to create a habit.  If that's the case then a new habit I have created, or at least I hope I have.


Last week I touched on the fact that I'm not an early riser.  This week I'm here to inform you that I am well on my way to conquering this for each day this week it got easier than the day before.

I had planned to do week two just as I had done week one and following the plan outlined in the P90X schedule.  However, after receiving instructions for my swim, bike and run workouts from my coach, I knew that something would have to change.

I researched on the Internet how others in my situation were handling this.  It is important for a triathlete to keep his base during the off season, so getting in the water, on the bike and hitting the pavement for a run or two is something that must be done.  I came across an article that talked about the "P90X Hybrid" program/schedule for triathletes.

In a nutshell, it incorporates basic tri training with P90X, replacing cardio workouts with swim, rides and runs.


This is what what my week looked like:

Mon:  Chest and Back & Ab Ripper X (am)
           Spin (pm)
Tue:  Plyometrics (am)
         Swim (pm)
Wed:  Shoulders and Arms (am)
          Ab Ripper X (pm)
Thu:  X Stretch (am)
         Spin (pm)
Fri:  Legs and Back (am)
Sat:  Run ~ 7 miles
Sun:  Rest


The strength portion on the workouts seems to be improving everyday.  It feels a lot easier to do more reps, so much so that for a couple of sets I had to increase the weight used.


The pull up is where I've seen the most progress.  On Friday during the Legs and Back workout, there are four different pull up routines, two sets each.  From last week's workout to this week's there was an improvement of two to four extra pull ups.

I was a bit timid about the run on Saturday for I was not sure how the knees and legs would feel after two full weeks of P90X.  Much to my surprise and delight they felt great and as it turns out, it was one of the most enjoyable runs I've had in a while.  It just felt good.


This coming week is another week of identical sessions.  I am looking forward to more improvements.

P90X ~ Week 1

I have now completed the first week, or 7 days of P90X training.  I guess the "hard" part is behind me, or so I'd like to think.
I am not a morning person, and anyone who knows me, knows that.  I have a difficult time getting up early for Master Swim, for long runs and for long bike rides.  I have always opted for late afternoon workouts,  but somehow I thought it would be easy to get up early for this.  I have been surprised, as has been my wife, that it has.
I have made it a point to jump out of bed as my wife's alarm clock goes off.  Sometimes it goes off at 4:20am, sometimes at 5am.
The first day I gathered all the necessary equipment; weights,push up bar, pull up bar, chair, towel, water, log and pen and off I went.  Followed the routine on the DVD to the letter.  It was time to work on Chest and Back.  I found out real quickly that pull ups were going to be an issue.  I had not done a pull up in probably 40 years.  I opted to use the chair as instructed.  This made it easier.  Not easy, just easier.
Push ups were not so bad.  I have been doing some for a while now.  Except for the second rotation.  Then they became a task.
At the end of the routine I started Ab Ripper X.  Now, this is what separates the "men" from the "boys" and I'm here to tell you, I'm still a "boy".  This will take work.
Day two I woke up sore.  In places I could not have imagined I would ever be sore.  But it was time for Plyometrics.  Designed to produce speed and power.  Okay, I need this, and I need this bad.
Day three:  Shoulders and Arms.  This required the use of weights for all but one routine.  I just knew I would be sore the next day, and I was not disappointed.  Finished the session with another Ab Ripper X.  Not much improvement here, yet.
Day four:  Yoga.  Oh, my!  Found out today how uncoordinated and unbalanced I really am.
Day five: Legs & Back.  I guess my legs are my strongest assets and today was not to bad.  Second day of back workout.  It felt good. Ab Ripper X concluded the session.  Maybe my imagination, but I see improvement.
Day Six (Sunday): Rest.  Since I started on Tuesday, this brought day six to a Sunday.  Sunday, for the most part in a day of rest.  Gotta give the body a chance to catch up.  Tomorrow I will start week 2.
For the most part I have been in pain all week.  Not the kind of pain that you would feel when you get hurt.  The kind of pain you feel when you push yourself.  I guess this is the "good" pain you always hear about.
I am excited to see what the future of P90X brings my way.
Until next time... Bring It!