Strength Training.

Last year I focused a lot on strength during my winter off. I was able to bench 125 for reps and I thought that was pretty good for a girl. I didn't lose any weight, but I was strong. SO in an effort to jump start my weight loss I switched gears - spinning, spinning, spinning. I did weights only occasionally. My point with this is.... Sparks put together a short strength session - push ups, planks, triceps, leg lifts, walking lunges.... The lunges - no problem, but my upper body - What the heck happened??? I could barely hold a plank for 30 seconds, and 5 "boy" pushups was all that I could muster before having to go the "girly" knee route. (I was in the Army so I am a stickler about pushups). My upper body/core strength needs some serious attention. I feel so utterly WEAK.

My plan is to stick with the short SPARKS workout until the marathon and then try and add a real gym session once a week. I am toying with the idea of at least an Olympic distance Tri this summer. If that's going to happen I am going to have to kick it up a notch post marathon. I haven't been in a pool to swim in months (I don't count splashing in the pool at family time swimming), and I really will need to get back into spinning/riding. This marathon is just ALL ENCOMPASSING. It is the only thing I can think about. I honestly can't imagine how I could fit in swimming and biking to actually do an Ironman....