My Post Insanity Review – Don’t Make This Mistake!
July 17, 2012 
18 Comments
I wanted to give a post Insanity review about my first experience that I had when I put my Insanity training to the test. I just finished Insanity a little over a week ago (check out my Insanity results) and had pretty great results after two months with the program. I gave a full review of the Insanity workout as well (check out my Insanity review) to wrap up my experience with Insanity. It had been a little over a week and I was ready to see what I could do since I was feeling pretty freaking good about myself after finishing Insanity. However after putting my training to the test I realized the next day that I had made a mistake! Keeping reading and find out in my post Insanity review what mistake I made.
Post Insanity Review – My Bad Assumption
Before I lead into what my mistake was I want to real quick tell you what I am training for. I am training for this huge outdoor obstacle course called the Spartan Beast. This particular Spartan Race is a grueling 12+ miles and 25+ obstacles run. It has been my goal since January to finish this race and I have been training since then. The race is October 13-14 and I can’t wait!
So that is what I have been training for and what I am working towards currently. Now are you ready for the mistake I made looking back at my post Insanity review?
The mistake I made was making the assumption that if I just did Insanity and pushed myself hard every workout then my running would improve because my lungs would be so much stronger! Well let me tell you I was not so confident when I went on my first post Insanity run.
I wanted to really push myself and see what I was capable of on the trail near my house. So when I started after warming up and stretching (probably didn’t help it was hot as crap outside either like 99 degrees hot!) I set off on a pretty strong pace. I ended up running a mile in about 7 min give or take. I was pretty tired, but I wanted more because a 7 min run just didn’t feel worth it.
So my second go around I set off on the longer trail, but at a slower pace. Everything was fine my lungs were feeling good my pace felt like I could run for days with the way my lungs were feeling. After running another mile, about half way through the trail, the terrain started to get a little more elevated. So what do you think happened.
My legs got super tired super quick! My lungs felt great, but my legs couldn’t keep up with the changing terrain. I finished the trail (had to really push myself hard) and drove home pretty exhausted and a little disappointed.
You may be asking yourself, well what is the point from all of this……keep reading
Post Insanity Review – The Big Picture
The big picture for my post Insanity review has two points to it actually. The first point is if you are training for a sport, event, marathon, mud run, whatever the case then you have to realize that while programs like Insanity will help you get into shape, they can’t replace the motion of physically running. Straight running is a lot different then the Insanity moves are and involves just as much muscular endurance as it does lung capacity. So my advice to avoiding this for yourself is on your off days to do a light run for whatever is appropriate for you 1,2, 3 miles etc. At least this way your legs will develop muscle memory and well as endurance to go along with your improved cardio capabilities.
Lastly and the second point to the big picture is not to let a mistake discourage you. I have learned a lesson and hope you can learn from this too. I will continue to run on my off days of P90X2 when I start to make up for lost time. People make mistakes, we are all human. It is how you learn from those mistakes that will determine your next outcome.
I hope you enjoyed my post Insanity review and will share my experience with others. Please feel free to leave any comments or questions you may have below.
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I did that too!! I didn’t train for a triathlon which was held two weeks ago. I ended up not doing it because I knew I wouldn’t be ablet to handle the run :( You still have time so get out there as often as you can.
well I already paid for the race and I am going to finish it no matter if it kills me, this is what my entire year’s training has been working up to, so I have to finish it! Just need to get my body used to the running motions a little more now and ill be set!
I’ve used Insanity and the Asylum to train for my beach volleyball tourneys, and while I feel faster and stronger, you still gotta train in the sport as well =)
yea well the only thing is with obstacle runs it is overall fitness, cardio, strength, and endurance, pretty brutal!
As mentioned, yes you have to train for sports specific too or you may not “See” your leaving some thing out. :)
Good article, enjoyed reading it ;)
Thanks Rich, I forgot that in order to get better at running you have to actually run. Seems a little silly now that I think about it!
Another good post, Brett. I agree, anything you're are working towards, you have to "work toward". Pure and simple. Good luck in your run, and let us know how it went for you!
I definitely will I can’t wait to share my results to yo guys and I hope I’ll be able to get some good video as well!
I did a 5k after doing p90x and had no problem, but that’s nothing compared to your spartan race! Sounds like a fun one :)
You should do one with Darren and I Risa!
I want to do a Spartan race. One day… I did P90X2 without running. I then ran a 1/2 marathon faster than I had run in years. I also got a perfect score on my Navy physical fitness test. I ran a mile and a half at a six minute pace in Denver. I think P90X2 will be a better prep for your race.
I hope so! I have been using it as my drive and motivation through all my workouts. I would love to do one with you one day!
I have my eye on Spartan but am not ready for it. Maybe after I finish this round of P90X and then Insanity. We shall see. Great post!
I loved the Spartan Sprint that I did back in March, it was so much fun and a nice challenge!
I have done a few of the Insanity sessions – they are killer – next on my list for full round (currently doing my own Les Mills and TurboFire Hybrid)
I am with you Suzann! I am working my way slowly through all the Beachbody workouts!
Good post! I understand that Insanity is very popular with runners, but I agree that you can’t replace the specific event training with general cardio conditioning. Supplement but not replace. Great to have a goal in mind when laying on the floor somewhere in the middle of Max Interval Plyo tho :)
And the floor is where I was sir, that workout is probably the hardest out of all the workouts for me!