I have improved!

No long run for me this weekend, on Friday's run I was experiencing some pain in my left leg so I thought it best not to attempt to run 9 miles. Instead I played Borderlands 3 with my husband for much of the weekend. Love the "Deadlift" and "his lieutenant, Squat" references in that game.

Speaking of deadlifts - they've been quite a challenge for me. Only today did I feel like I finally made a breakthrough. Used the same weight, but this time it felt much easier. The first time I did them I felt it in my lower back during the entire lift. Not pain, more like a muscle soreness. Found it strange that I felt it so intensely during the lift. I wasn't sure how normal this was, and especially with it being the lower back which is something you don't wanna mess around with. Did some research, learned that this does happen to many people, but I also tweaked my form just a tiny bit (thinking maybe I was keeping my hips too low at the start of the lift). Now I have also come to realize I wasn't doing enough to work my lower back muscles. They were most likely pretty weak.

So.

Hips too low

plus

Lower back weakness

= Deadlift problems

Today I am feeling very little soreness in my lower back. Yay for progress!

In conclusion - if you ever feel any soreness, pain, or any sensation that doesn't feel right - stop and investigate. Get a buddy to check your form, do some research, then once your form is corrected give it another shot. Each time you do the lift you should feel slightly stronger in those muscles.

I did alot of kettlebell work today... I think my favorite is kettlebell cleans. They're just fun.

My lower body is starting to come along nicely. The pancake ass is filling in 

Dat Butt. Also notice - I have TRAPS!! And I love my new tank top :)

I have always had a larger upper body. My arms have historically had alot of fat on them, but even now as I lean out my broad shoulders are even more evident. Kind of like Floki from the show Vikings. He's a skinny dude but man does he have some broad shoulders. Makes sense, I have Viking DNA.

Finally - IT"S SO NICE OUTSIDE! Running outside tomorrow for the first time in forever. Even if it rains, I don't give a damn cause it'll be in the 40's!