Kristen’s Weekly Workout Routine

You’ve seen our gym bags, fridges and pantries. So for this round of Question of the Week, we’re talking about what our weekly workout routine is like!

First off—”routine” is way too strong a word for what I have. Now, don’t get me wrong—at times, I have a schedule. In fact, this time last year, I was on a super strict schedule as I trained for my first Olympic distance triathlon, and before my recent half marathon (from hell), I was following a pretty regular running schedule.

But right now? It’s a mix of tri training, running and doing what feels good. So, while Jenn and Tish mentioned that their routines showed what they usually do, I’m going to have to give you an awful lot of “and/ors” in order to give you a good feel for my week. And you should keep in mind that, although I try to get in a great workout most days, when life happens and I don’t have a chance to get sweaty, well, I get a bonus rest day.

Oh, and one other thing—in an attempt to clarify what kind of workouts I tend to follow when doing certain types of training, I’m using a code. T = Triathlon, R = Running a long-distance race and O = Other. Which, of course, doesn’t mean I only do those things when training for those specific events but offers a guideline. Cool? Cool.

Kristen’s Weekly Workout Routine

Monday: 3 to 6 mile run  (T,R) or Workout DVD (O)

Tuesday: 60-min swim class at noon (T) and/or run with friends for about an hour after work (T, R) and/or group exercise class like Zumba or BodyFlow in the evening (O)

Wednesday: Stationary bike (T) and/or run with the dogs (T, R, O) and/or strength training (T, R, O)

Thursday: 60-min swim before or after work, usually alone or with a friend, but a new Thursday class was just added at 11:30, so I’ll try to make it to that when I can get away from work (T) and/or Beer Run at 6:15 p.m. (4-mile group run) (T, R, O)

Friday: Easy run with the dogs (T, R, O) and/or strength training (O) and/or workout DVD (T, R, O)

Saturday and Sunday: Brick workout (T) or long bike ride (T) or long run in the morning (R, O) and/or group sport with friends, like basketball or volleyball (O) or rest day

I find that, if I have too much flexibility—i.e. no plan of attack whatsoever—I’m more likely to skip working out entirely. But having a loose plan of action and giving myself choices, like you see above, actually helps me feel empowered. I can do whatever I feel my body needs each day and feel great about it. That being said, I have full appreciation for a strict schedule when I’m trying to meet a goal or prepare for a big race; I just can’t continue with one indefinitely.

Where do you fall on the workout-routine spectrum? Do you like having something lined up to do each day, play it by ear or something in between, like me? —Kristen