Want to mix it up? Try swapping training routines!

This week, I tried something fun.Myself, and a group of fellow bloggers all wrote down what our training generally looks like for a typical week, and then we swapped it with each other. There was a huge variety of different ways people were moving their bodies and getting their blood pumping, and it was interesting to see all the different things people were training for, or just loved doing.I was given a training plan by Liz, a fellow blogger. She’s right in the middle of training for the National Road Series, and is in a Women’s Development Team. Here’s a sneak peak into what Liz gets up to. Warning: it’s pretty impressive and crazy intense!Monday: Pilates/Core/YogaTuesday: 40-60 km hilly terrain, 30 km intense cycling – including sprints, hill sprints, etc. (total 100km) = equivalent to 2 x RPM classes + 2 hours of cardio (machines your choice) strength training (group workout) & running 20 minutesWednesday: 40 km moderate to hard ride in the morning, boxing training 30 minutes, 60 minutes maximal intensity stationary bike intervals (equivalent 3 x RPM classes).Thursday: 30-40 km hard ride at near maximal HR, 40-50 easy kilometres , small group strength training (equivalent 2 x RPM + 1 hour cardio)Friday: 60 min Cycle class, pilates/core yogaSaturday: 2 hour handicapped workout or bike racing (road, ITT, criterium), 1.5 hours bike handling skills training – balance and coordination drills on bike.Sunday: 100-150km (3-4 hours) on the bikeNow, admittedly I had to adapt this a bit (okay, a lot) because this is high-intensity stuff that your body really needs to be used to after building up to it for a long period of time. Something I obviously hadn’t done!So instead, in my week of tackling the plan, I followed it loosely to suit my body. I committed to 3 RPM or cycle classes, 2 Pump classes and a day of super-relaxing and slow stretching/a bit of yoga thrown in.My verdict?I was pretty exhausted! I haven’t done a lot of hardcore strength training in a while, so most of the week I was hobbling around due to the intense pain in my legs. Hell, my entire body, let’s be honest here. However, I was definitely in my element with the cycle classes, as I generally do 2-3 a week anyway! I adore them, and am very much a girl who’s always done more high-intensity cardio than weight training… even though I equally love it.The one day I spent foam rolling and stretching was pure bliss – I could tell my body needed a bit of TLC, it had been beaten around a bit and was definitely forced to work extremely hard. It loved me for loosening up all the tight muscles and rolling out the knots!All in all, I thought this was an interesting little experiment. It was fun to walk in someone else’s shoes for a week, and get a glimpse into all the effort they’re putting in to reach their fitness goals. All I can say is, Liz must be one super fit chick!Are you training for anything excited at the moment?
What does a general week of training look like for you right now?This article was shared with the author's written permission. The article was originally posted on the author's blog www.runningshoeschocolatemousse.com