Good luck and keep it up! Massage and water are great desserts after workouts. Try some breathing exercises too, they can make you feel more relaxed.

I do weights twice a week. I never really paid attention if it's strenth or toning-- I feel like one inevitably comes with the other to some degree.

I use the weight machines at the gym- some says feee weights are better, but I hate the mirrors in the free weights area. After 35 minutes of cardio I do weights. I rotate to cover arms, backs, shoulders, abs, chest and legs. (I aim for 3-4 areas each time) I do 3 reps of 15 per machine. Over time I've upped my weight too. As it gets to easy I keep adjusting. I've been doing this routine for 3 years, so have seen great progress.

Whats considerd high weight though? Seems a tad subjective. For upper body I can do a max weight of 75# depending on the machine. Lower body can handle 90+ in weight. With free weights I'm used to 12.5# dumbbells. I only use those when I do the step aerobic circuit- I could probably handle more otherwise.

If you are sweating a lot and cramping during the run than salt tables maybe your answer or something like gatorade along that line. Not sure what you are drinking or fueling is like.

Lots of stuff up in the air this week due to car drama.

Monday - nothing
Tuesday - running, yoga stretching
Wednesday - pilates class
Thursday - running, yoga stretching
Friday - MFR class
Saturday - 5k race (Baltimore running fest)
Sunday - no idea, since I'll be with my mom. Ping pong probably!

I do circuit weight training for muscle building three times a week. I work with a personal trainer that checks on my progress on a monthly basis. I also do a lot of cardio, pretty much every day of the week. I power walk before work, during work at breaks, and on the weekend with one of my four dogs. My husband and I have added bike riding to our cardio, it's not much since I have a knee issue but it's getting stronger and I'm slowing increasing my distance and duration.

Liz