My CCPP Sunday

[nancy324]

Since I've already made such a big deal out of trying CCPP, I thought I might as well start a new thread to report on my experience.

I had a great workout and I liked it! I was on the treadmill for a full 65+ minutes, which is the longest session I've ever had. I used twice as many calories as I usually do, although I wasn't on twice as long, which indicates that the workout was intense (although it didn't feel that intense to me). I had been doing the same workout every time I was on the treadmill, and I really needed more of a challenge, so this was great for me.

Other comments: Although my face was the color of a ripe tomato when I got off the TM, the WO never felt that intense. I kept expecting that we would eventually go into zone 4, but it seemed like we barely touched on zone 4. I had a HR chart with me, and when Coach Sean said stay in your zone 3, I obediently stayed in my zone 3. I assumed that I needed to pace myself so I wouldn't be too tired to do the zone 4 stuff when it came up. But it never came up. So, for next time, I think I will allow myself to go into zone 4 during some of the zone 3 sprints.

Shannon: I never reached the level you call "about to die" for more than a minute or so.

Michele: I actually liked the music and you were right: Coach Sean is great!

Okay, all you CC fans, I totally get it now, and thank you!

 

[lederr]

Nancy,

I also was amazed when I tried CC and iTread. I always got on the treadmill and did my time/mileage but never really gave much thought to intervals, changing the incline, speed, etc. I would start off slower then gradually raise my speed and run. When I trained for one of my marathons and had to do my 20 mile run inside because of the weather, I threw in a movie and ran on the treadmill for 20 miles flat and at the same speed! Ugh, boring! The calorie burn and benefits from working out with iTread and CC are amazing.

I do feel like I push myself but I agree with you that I never feel like my body just can't go anymore. Sometimes, mentally I don't feel like going anymore but those are usually the times I have my best runs (like yesterday's 9.1 miles). I may have to work harder to get into zone 4 but I also don't want to use up all my energy and not be able to finish.

I am glad to have found these workouts. I find every time I do one, I get better and more efficient. I am really addicted to the iTreads. I started out doing jogger's speed and in about two weeks I was up to the fastest running speed. It feels good to see such tangible improvements.

Now, I wonder how I ever endured the treadmill without these workouts!

ETA:

Now we just have to get you addicted to TiVo!!!

 

[Miss Lee]

Nance, I'm so pleased you liked the workout . I kind of thought you would, I mean, if I like it who wouldn't!? After all, I am the biggest cardio workout naysayer to ever post on a fitness forum :7

There's no level 4 challenge in the PP workout? Are you sure? I could swear there is in the last challenge. Now I have to do it again because it's gonna bug me till I know -- LMAO!

I've never done the workout on a dreadmill, but perceived exertion is always low on an elliptical, which is the beauty of that machine. I can work harder longer on an elliptical than I can on any other machine, or with any other form of cardio, for that matter.

Nance, I'm so excited that you'll be able to join us for PP Saturdays :*

ETA - Lorie, I know just what you mean. I used to try to workout while watching a movie or listening to my own music, but I get substantially better results using CC or iTrain.

 

[nancy324]

Michele, I'll definitely be joining you for PP Saturdays! I'll bet it's very motivating to know that others are doing it.

I'm going to check out if there are any shorter, more intense CCs.

ETA: Lorie, I couldn't imagine just watching TV. I have been collecting TM songs for decades, and each one has it's own speed and incline, so it really doesn't get boring until the songs get old. But I was stuck in a rut and had NO IDEA I could go so long and so far until today. So, although I'll never give up the Stones and the Who, CC is going to be a part of my regular TM workouts, because I need that challenge to keep getting to the next level.

 

[Tamster]

YAY NANCE!!!!

 

[SRP]

Nancy - I'm glad you enjoyed CC PP! Let me describe my zone 4 to you: as I said, I don't go by numbers. I've never calculated my heart rate zones in my life. I go by how it feels. Zone 4 to me is giving everything I've got and then some. I'm pedaling as hard as possible - on the sprints, my elliptical says I'm hitting close to 90 rpm - I'm breathing way beyond hard and my lungs are on fire. Really.

Now, in CC PP, the zone 4's didn't last too long, and I didn't feel like I'd pushed myself. But in CC 6 with Candace, there are A LOT of zone 4's, and by the end I was completely drained.

Michele - yes, there are zone 4's in CC PP, but not too many. I know he hits them in a series of hill climbs, but I can't remember the exact sequence.

 

[nancy324]

Shannon, I think he hit zone 4 once or twice in the early stages, momentarily, but never went there at all in the later stages. If I hadn't been monitoring my heart rate, I think I would have put forth more energy. 153 bpm was the top of my zone 3, so as soon as I approached it, I started to hold back. I never really "let loose" and never put forth my maximum effort during the workout.

My next project is figuring out if I need a new MP3 player. I can't seem to separate CC from my usual songs. They just go in alphabetical order so I have to skip past the whole CC just to get to a song. I need separate folders!