How do YOU know how strong you are?

This has been a great summer for me, cross training wise.

I was always bad about mixing up my workouts, but I was forced to after I had to take several weeks off of running due to my foot injury.  After I eased back into running, while adjusting to my new custom orthotics, I wasn't sure how strong I was going to be going into triathlon/marathon training.

I filled those non-running hours with floor exercises, stretches, foam rolling, and swimming.  I gauge my fitness level by how many miles I can run, so it was hard for me to tell how I was doing based solely on these activities.

Then I read a post by Miss Zippy, about squats.  Now, I happen to like squats, and what I learned from that post, is that a squat is most effective when you do it while barefoot, and by keeping your heels on the ground the whole time.  After I read her post, I thought,"whoo hoo! I must be doing something right, I can do that!"

Let me demonstrate:

I start by standing as straight as possible, feet shoulder distance apart, with my arms in the air:

Can you see Frank sitting there on the grill cover?  That dog blends into everything, sometimes I'll walk into the family room, and not even see him sleeping on the chocolate brown couch.

Slowly lower yourself down, and keep your heels flat on the floor.

Get as low as you can, without leaning forward or backward, then return to start.

Pretty cool, huh?  

Do you have a favorite strength exercise or stretch?  I've got to keep mixing things up, so let me know!