On Saturday I met Lia, my Power Partner, for our morning stroll through Kapiolani Park. I was lucky to grow up in this area, and coming here every week brings back great memories.
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We had the best walking partners- a 3-year old dog and my 2-year old son. This week, I wanted to try out the new little kettlebells, so I packed the original orange 4kg (8 lbs), the new yellow 5 lber, and the red 10lber.
Lia and I warmed up with a brisk walk and then stopped in the shade to let all the Army runners pass. While we were there, I pulled out the kettlebells and used them to loosen up.
We did circles around our body (I still don’t know what this is officially called) in both directions until we got tired. I did a little knee slapping (no butt slapping today) to get my heart rate up, and then we took off.
Around the first bend, two Army women were cheering on the runners, and gave Lia and I a “Good job!,” clapping for us.
Having recently taken my son to an orthotics appointment, I was especialy conscious of how I step; I noticed that I walk with my right leg in a turnout. Unfortunately, I’ve experienced pain in my right calf, hamstring and glutes for as long as I can remember.
I think there’s a link between not walking toes forward and this pain. I concentrated on correcting my gait, especially while pushing my 30lb son and the kettlebells in the stroller.
About 3/4 of the way through, I stopped again to loosen up. I practiced the warrior pose that my trainer had taught me on Friday, using the 10lb kettlebell.
Pointing my toes towards Queen’s Beach and bending my left knee, I racked the kettlebell on my right side and pushed it vertical to my ear. Pushing my hips outward towards the right, staying long in my torso, I continued to keep the kettlebell above me.
The movement of my hips to the right causes my left side to move towards the ground. Turning my palm outward, my fingertips eventually touch the cement. (In this position, I feel like Rodin’s “The Thinker” statue in A Night at the Museum 2. I almost want to yell, “Boom! Boom! Fihyah powaahh!”)
After repeating the pose on the left side, I stretched and was ready to roll (literally). We took a shortcut in the pond area and enjoyed the ducks and their brood. Not much later we were back at our starting point. I’m estimating the walk to be 1.7 miles due to the shortcut.
When we stopped at our cars, I pulled out the 10lb kettlebell and practiced some swings. I heart the new vinyl covered kbs!
I also did about 10 Zercher squats with my 30lb real kettlebell, as did Lia. These are essentially squats with a baby.
Of course, none of this is demonstrated in the video below, since I was focused on walking correctly and working out. You can check it out to get an idea of where we were and what I was pushing around! (Oh, and to listen to a Hip/Hop R&B flashback from about 1999.)
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After feeling successful with Saturday’s walk, I decided to try out the 5-10-20lb kettlebell set again on Sunday. Check out the next blog for that home workout!
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Angela,
That movement is known as a slingshot.
As far as your feet/leg pain, you might want to get a muscular assessment from your trainer. I suspect your hip adductors are weak and thus you have an outward turn of your foot. Don’t fret though as everyone has weak hip adductors. It’s just a matter of how weak and how imbalanced yours are.
Keep on keepin’ on woman! You’re doing great!
THANKS, QUOC!!!
Yes, the dang hip adductors are weak. Not to mention the hip abductors. Sigh. No rest for the weary.
Actually, I’m finally getting to the point where I finish a workout and I think, “More, more, how can I do more?!” Is that nuts?
I think it’s the endorphins talking.
Go to sleep! (And thanks for checking in. : )
Love the video! I like when K puts his foot on the KB and you’re looking thru it. Super cute. And your go green shirt… did u know Q’s favorite kind of apple is the green kind? Seriously. Looks like u had fun on your workout. Must be great 2 have company! Gotta say, I give you credit!