Back to old routine

Today I did an hour on the elliptical machine at the gym. It had been about a week since I spent an hour on the elliptical, so I'm a tad sore, but not bad. Since I'm off work today, I took a Rice Diet class on cooking, which was fun.

Today and Monday are university holidays, so I'm looking forward to a nice, long weekend.

A Different Route

This morning I set out for the gym, but I had a gut feeling that I wouldn't last an hour on the elliptical today, so I turned the other way and headed for the cross-country trail at Duke. It's a 5 km (3.1 mi) trail near Duke Forest, and walking it would take me a little over an hour. Once commited, I knew I'd want to finish the thing, and I did. It was COLD (about 35 degrees), so I walked fast. :-) It felt good to complete the trail. Although most of it is wooded, it also goes around part of the Duke Golf Course. Here is one of the views:

I took my iPod with me, but opted not to suit up today, so I could listen to the sounds of nature and other joggers/walkers.

In other news, there's no news on my car today. I hope to get an estimate on the damage tomorrow.

Off normal routine

I've gotten a little off track with the exercise routine this holiday season, but I've still gotten some in every day except Saturday and Monday (Christmas Day). I was on my way to workout on Saturday when I was in a car accident, and while I wasn't really hurt physically (just a little sore), my car is pretty bad. I had it towed to the body shop today, and hope to know the damage by the end of the week. I hope it's not totaled.

Meanwhile, today I've done 20 minutes on the elliptical and 15 minutes of walking. George wants to go work out tonight, so maybe I'll go with him and get some more exercise.

Today's workout

This morning, I did an hour and 20 minutes on the elliptical. Felt good, but I've been a little tired for the rest of the day. I'll probably take a nap when I get home. :)

Morning at the gym

I spent 75 minutes on the elliptical machine at the gym this morning. Favorites tunes on the iPod this morning included Natalie Cole's "This Will Be (an Everlasting Love)" and Elton John's "Honky Cat."

Morning at the gym

I did 65 minutes on the elliptical this morning, and played a little bit with the resistance and the crossramp to jazz up the workout a little bit. I've come to enjoy my early morning workouts a lot, though sometimes I enjoy the end of the workout most! Love the way I feel when I'm done! I often enjoy the workout itself, especially when I'm feeling strong....or stressed.

I'm thankful to be on the Rice Diet during this holiday season. It's been challenging, as there have been numerous tempations. I've learned a lot about myself, including the fact that I have more willpower than I thought.

Past two days

Yesterday, I spent 65 minutes on the elliptical, this morning I did another 60 minutes. I'm still a little sore from Saturday's 5K, but my leg muscles are feeling a little better.

I just found the official results to Saturday's race, and I finished in 52 minutes, 12 seconds, the last of time officially timed people. (The race also had a recreational division, with no chip timing). *sigh* I need to remember that I did have fun running with Steph and being out on a beautiful morning around all the people (many in reindeer antlers and one person in a Santa suit!)!

Yesterday I started reading the book, No Need for Speed: A Beginner's Guide to the Joy of Running, by John Bingham. Although I bought the book last week while Christmas shopping, yesterday was a good one to start reading it. Although I had a fun time overall running the Reindeer Romp on Saturday, I'm still a little discouraged about running slower than the last 5K. The book has been encouraging so far, though, and has some helpful tips as well.

John Bingham is a columnist for Runner's World magazine who started running at 43 as an overweight couch potato, and he shares his journey and insights now. Through his writing, he tries to encourage people to take it one step at a time, to have fun with it, and not worry about being at the back of the pack. It's helped me a lot in keepin' on with the 5Ks, since I'm seriously in the back of the pack right now.

Sunday morning workout

This morning I did a pretty vigorous 65 minutes on the elliptical machine at the gym. Favorites on the iPod playlist this morning included Electric Light Orchestra's "A Fifth of Beethoven" and Bob Segar's "Old Time Rock & Roll."

At the Rice Diet checkin today, I asked the nurse to check my resting heart rate to see if it's gone down with all the exercise I've been doing. When I last had it checked back in August, it was 70. This morning it was 60.

Reindeer Romp 5K Report

I participated in the Reindeer Romp 5K this morning, and had a great time! My buddy Steph went with me, and was sweet enough to run along with me, eventhough she probably could've run faster. Since proceeds from the race were going to Girls on the Run of the Triangle, a lot of girls were out to run/walk to 5K (3.1 mi) course, and that was fun to see.

We finished the race in about 52 minutes, slower than I'd hoped, but it was still a good feeling. We "jogged" all but 8 minutes of it, which was an accomplishment. I put joggged in quotes because it was different from walking for me, but some people walk faster than I jog at times. One day I want to jog the whole 5K, at whatever pace!

Oh, by the way!

I forgot to mention that I did the treadmill "Fit Test" at the gym a few days ago, and scored a 34, "above average" for this particular rest. Making progress!

Morning workout

I did 65 minutes on the elliptical this morning, with the resistance up a notch. I'm a little sore right now.

When I got home, I realized I was without the new iPod! I rushed back to the gym, and it wasn't there. A lady came over and said she'd turned it in at the front desk. I was thankful and relieved! Favorites on the playlist this morning included "Mockingbird" sung by Carly Simon and James Taylor, and the Pointer Sisters' "Boogie Oogie Oogie," a fun workout song! :-)

Today's workout

This morning I did an hour on the elliptical. Glad to report that theh iPod is working normally again! Yay! Plugged it up to my computer yesterday to recharge, and after I unplugged it, it was working normally again. Go figure!

The weather here is lovely this week, highs in the 60s! I'll be getting some walks around the Quad in during the workday, which will help.

The Reindeer Romp is coming up on Saturday! I've been looking forward to this next 5K!

Back to normal exercise routine

I was back to 65 minutes on the elliptical this morning, felt good to get back on track.

Eventhough I'm doing something important for my health in exercising an hour every day, lately I've been thinking about other things I could be doing with the hour, like cleaning, writing Christmas cards, reading, things that I feel like I'm not having enough time for. It's all about setting priorities though, I guess. The important things will get done, the rest I need to try not to worry about.

Unfortunately, my new iPod is on the blink. It just spans through the songs now without stopping to play, and nothing I push or poke seems to help. Hmmm, any iPod gurus out there with suggestions?

Short workout

I did 15 minutes on the treadmill this morning, and that was it. Feeling tired this morning, so I decided to take it a little easier. I still plan to do some walking on my breaks here at work today.

Weekend workouts

Saturday, Sunday, and today, I did 65 minutes on the elliptical. Favorite workout tunes on the iPod included Carole King's "I Feel the Earth Move," and Chicago's "Alive Again."

I had a wonderful manicure and pedicure on Saturday! Only downside was that the lady who worked on my nails asked me when my due date was. No, I'm not expecting a baby. :-/

Morning workout

I did 65 minutes on the elliptical this morning. Favorite songs heard on the new iPod this morning included Chicago's "Make Me Smile," Carole King's "I Feel the Earth Move," and the Beach Boy's "Catch a Wave."

Each day this workweek, I've taken two 15 minute walk breaks around the Quad, one in the morning and one in the afternoon. Today, I may break the trend. It's COLD outside today! Brrr! The high is supposed to be in the high 30's to maybe 40 degrees. Have I said brrrr yet?! I wish I had some gloves with me. That would help.

Next 5K-the Reindeer Romp!

I'm signed up for my next 5K! Yay! It's the Reindeer Romp in Cary, NC, on December 16. Proceeds will go to Girls on the Run of the Triangle. The description on Active.com says the course is relatively flat, so I've signed up for the competive division. I'll get a timing chip for my shoe. This being said, I know I'll be near the back of the pack finishing, but am hoping to beat 50 minutes.

Putting the elliptical to music

It's been a treat to have my own music to listen to while on the elliptical machine at the gym. The music on the gym's stereo system is rarely what I like, and it's hard to block it out. (I'd often wish they'd turn the music off altogether!) Today's favorites on the new iPod playlist included Cat Stevens' (aka Yusuf Islam) "Morning Has Broken," Paul Simon's "Kodachrome," and Christina Aguilera's "Fighter." I know, I know, I'm as surprised as anyone about the the Christina Aguilera song, but it sounded great on the elliptical machine! :)

I did another 75 minutes on the elliptical this morning. I feel a little less sore, but more tired. I may need to get to bed earlier, or cut down on the minutes temporarily to let my body rest and get used to the increased exercise.

In Rice Diet news, they have a new set of scales at the Rice House today. We have to type in an access code, and the scales send our weight to the computer. Going high tech.

More elliptical

Spent another 75 minutes on the elliptical this morning. I'm still a little sore, but am sure that will change in time. I'd like to work up to 90 minutes of exercise in the mornng before breakfast. It's almost too cold for me to walk outside during work these days.

Favorites on the new iPod playlist this morning included "Disco Inferno," the Beatles' "Here Comes the Sun," and "Surfin' Safari" by the Beach Boys.

The morning after

I survived my birthday rather well! I don't feel 43, whatever that's supposed to feel like. I certainly feel stronger and more healthy than I did a year ago!

Thanks to my sister and her family, I'm a proud owner of a new iPod since last night! It's very cute! Thanks for my uncle and brother-in-law, I have a long list of 1700+ tunes already on it, and have had a fun time exploring the list! It's a pretty eclectic roundup, but it's brought me several smiles already!

This morning I spent 75 minutes on the elliptical, and my body is feeling it now. Having the music to listen to really helped keep me going for a little extra! Fun songs of the morning workout included Cyndi Lauper's "Girls Just Want to Have Fun" and Sheryl Crow's "All I Want to Do."

I'm still learning about the iPod, and look forward to learning more about playlists and such. If you have any advice, I'd love to hear it! (Wondering if there's an iPods for Dummies book out there! :-) )

I've taken a 30 minute walk at work this morning, to help me get on a roll of doing an hour and a half of exercise during the work week. This is something I've just started trying to do in the past week.

Monday morning workout

Did 65 minutes on the elliptical this morning, and 5 minutes on the treadmill. Felt strong this morning, so I put a little extra push on my elliptical workout.

Today is my birthday, and since Mom and Dad are still in town, they're meeting me at the Rice House for dinner. I'm missing going out to dinner, but it's not about the food, right?

Still going

This morning I did another 60 minutes on the elliptical at the gym. Today was the first time I've beat the gym opening employee there in the AM, so it was kinda interesting to see the lights coming on.

Weight Milestone

I've lost 50.2 lbs on the Rice Diet! I'm psyched to have made this mini-goal before my birthday on Monday. :)

I did the cross-country trail before breakfast this morning. I jogged a little more of it then last time, including a half mile stretch without stopping, and a couple of hills. I finished about 3 minutes faster than the last time I did the trail and watched the clock. I've come to appreciate every little bit of progress!

More exercise

I got to the gym a little earlier than usual this morning, and much to my surprise, all 6 of the elliptical machines I like were taken. (The nerve!) I did the treadmill for 5 minutes, then hopped on the elliptical for an hour when one in my line of view opened up.

I'll try my best to walk during my work breaks today. It promises to be rainy at times as the cold front works its way through, but it should still be pretty moderate for part of today, so I'll give it a shot.