Tuesday, August 16, 2011

The 33:40 Plank Hold

 I did the best thing I could have ever done yesterday... I made chocolate granola! Since then it has been the star of my breakfast and snacks the past two days.

Plain yogurt, granola, peaches
The morning will look a little something like this... Coffee and studying for the CSCS.


 Mixed in with a little of these guys...



Auntie Mac gets to spend a couple of hours with them today while mom is in a meeting... lucky me :)

Fitness Plan
I just realized that I did not post my fitness plan yesterday, oh no!  Here it is... week one of half marathon training! 

Monday: Stretch & strength training
Tuesday: 35 minutes tempo
Wednesday: 3 miles + strength training
Thursday: Rest
Friday: 3 miles
Saturday: 7 miles
Sunday: 4 miles
Total Miles: 17 + 35 mins (probably about 21 miles total)

I think the hardest thing for me will be taking my day off during the week rather than the weekend.  I know Hal says it's okay to switch things up based on your schedule, but I'm going to try this out for a little first and if having my rest day in the middle of the week just doesn't work for me, I'll move it to the weekend.  I'm hoping by having my schedule this way though, it will keep me on track during the weekends so I don't have to make up for so much lost ground come Monday.  Anyone else have that problem?  

Yesterday I did a 20 minute yoga session here at home, using a yoga youtube video.  It.Felt.Awesome!  It's been such a long time since I've done yoga, and I forgot how awesome it makes you feel... I will definitely be keeping this in on my stretch and strengthen days.  Later I hit Momentum up for a lift, which took about 50 minutes.  

My Quest
While chatting it up with a client at the gym one day, we got to talking about planks.  The conversation eventually turned to, "I wonder what the world record is for plank holding?".  So me being the curious creature I am checked it out.  The answer... 33:40!!!


The gentleman who set this record is Paul Drinan from Australia.  He set the record just this past May at the age of 68 years old.  If that doesn't inspire you, I'm not sure what does!


Now, I don't plan on breaking any records, but I'd like to work my way up to maybe 6 minutes or so... or just see what I can get my longest plank hold to be.  Yesterday at the end of my lift I held for 2 minutes... that felt like forever, I can't imagine 33:40!  I figure even if I don't get to 6 minutes, what will trying hurt... I'll get stronger abs, shoulders, and lower back muscles... a stronger body in general!  Sounds like a win-win situation to me!  What is the longest you have ever held an abdominal plank for?

5 comments:

  1. Holy Crap, that is the longest plank ever. My abs are on fire just thinking about it. Lovely. I think it is OK to switch up your rest days as long as you don't all of a sudden jam pack too many runs together. I found that when I do that strange fatigue starts to set in and sometimes takes days to get over.

    GOOD LUCK! you will do awesome

    -Jen

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  2. Almost 34 minutes?!?! Excuse me!? That is beyond impressive, the longest I can hold one is about 2 minutes and I am absolutely shakin in my boots at the end haha
    Nice job on week 1 of your training. Rest days are mentally tough but I think changing up when you take them will benefit you physically of course, but your mind as well

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  3. Holy CRAP- 33:40!!!! That is insanity! And you know it was for real if it`s actually a record. So glad to connect with you- yay for Gourmet Runner!!! That granola looks heavenly- and I shrieked a little bit when I read about your studying for CSCS!!! Yes- good luck, what a great badge to have! (I`m a Kinesiology grad and love seeing people getting legit qualifications!) When is the test?? I'd be really interested to talk to you about your Master's... and your sweet tooth, too. Are you sure we weren't separated at birth? :)

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  4. @Tessa @ Amazing Asset I know, that is crazy long! I'm a big believer in rest days, they are hard to do, but I know the importance of them!

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  5. @Katy @ Fit In Heels Glad I found your site as well! The date is set for Sept. 2! I'm totally up for chatting it up about fitness, school, and everything else in the world :)

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