Getting better

I was able to do 50 minutes on the elliptical this morning, felt stong and not so tired. Hoping to get more sleep over the weekend, looking forward to feeling less tired and getting back on a more normal exercise schedule.

Next week I'm taking a week of vacation, but staying close to home. Maybe I'll get some extra exercise in, to boot!

Bunnies!

This morning I did another 31 minutes on the elliptical at the apt. complex gym. It's nice having basic machines so close, as I'm still staying up later than I should, getting settled into the new place. On the way back to the apartment, I spotted three rabbits together in the grassy, wooded area at the back of our apartment building. It was a treat to stop and watch them for a few minutes. I saw one first, in the green grass. He hopped toward the trees when he saw me, and once I saw him again in the pinestraw area, I was able see the other two, which were camaflouged against the pinestraw and dirt.

Back "home"

This morning I was back at the apartment complex gym for 30 minutes on the elliptical machine. It was nice not to have the drive to the gym I had yesterday. I was spoiled at the old apartment with good gyms nearby...that's what I miss most, I think.

There is a gym across the street from the complex that's open 24/7, and I considering joining for my early morning exercise. I've visited once, and it has really good cardio machines and plenty of weights, but not pool, steamroom or sauna that I like so much. I may very well join any way, since the gym at the apartment complex has limited cardio and weight machines.

I haven't run at all this week due to weariness and my tender ankle/heel. I'm feeling slightly more rested today, and my foot feels a little better too. Maybe I can get back to running this weekend.

Venturing out

This morning I drove to Raleigh to work out, and one of the locations of the gym chain I belong to. I wasn't particularly impressed with anything except the hot sauna, and the traffic was pretty heavy for early morning. Between leaving late (was up past midnight last night--whew!) and having to find this new place, I only got a 15-minute elliptical workout in, followed by about 5 minutes in the sauna. I didn't feel very satisfied when I finishsed. *sigh* It was good to explore, but I think I'm going to keep searching for a better early-morning gym.

I'm also going to go to bed sooner tonight! The sleep deprivation is starting to take its toll.

Tired from moving

George and I moved over the weekend, so I really got a lot of exercise through that! We're in a nice apartment on the THIRD floor now, so I'll be getting some extra built-in exercise climbing the extra stairs. I'm still pretty worn out (and sore in the legs!) from moving, but I'm glad I've been exercising and have lost some weight. That helped a lot with the move.

Meanwhile, I used the new apartment complex gym this morning. George got up and went with me, bless his heart! It went pretty well. I did 35 minutes on the elliptical there, and then got in the pool. My bathing suit is getting really loose....need to get a new one!

Another try at the treadmill

I tried the treadmill again this morning, but only lasted three minutes before I had to stop due to the pain in my left foot. *sigh* I did 30 minutes on the elliptical with relative ease, even with less than 5 hrs of sleep. I'm definitely looking forward to a little more sleep!!

George and I are moving to our new apartment tomorrow morning, so that will be my exercise for the day, especially as our new pad is on the third floor (no elevator!).

Better today

My left foot is feeling better today, thank goodness. I did the elliptical again, though, for 30 minutes. This morning I went to my other morning gym, and it turned out to be a great change of pace. I sat in the steam room for a few minutes after my workout....heaven!

Hope to get back on the treadmill tomorrow.

By the way, I realized recently that I could feel my ribs, at least while I'm lying in bed. It was strange to feel them....can't remember how long ago I could feel those bones.

Oh, bother!

Between my weariness and my hurting left foot, I only did 20 minutes on the elliptical this morning. It's a little discouraging, for sure. I told the nurse about my foot issues this morning at medical check-in at the Rice House, and she used to have plantar fasciitis too. She gave me several good suggestions, including some stretches. I'm going to try those things and see if it helps. I'm so eager to get back on track with the exercise and training. I think getting a good night's sleep will help.

Ouch

I couldn't exercise as long this morning, as my left heel and ankle are pretty tender. It could be due to my longer workout yesterday, perhaps because I was up late packing my apartment. I took some ibuprofin when I got home from the gym this morning, and put my foot on ice for a few minutes.

I did 3:04 on the treadmill for .23 mi, and 35 minutes on the elliptical.

Perhaps I'll start swimming soon. I need to get a new bathing suit, though....my current one is too loose! :)

Saturday Running Group

I joined a running group Saturday morning to run the Graylyn Trail, a 3.22 mile out-and-back trail at Umstead Park, and it was a challenge for me! It was more hilly than I'm accustomed to--not a bad thing, right?! As I expected, I was at the back of the pack, but the group was nice enough to loop back around a couple of times. I finished the run in 43:57, a fair pace for me with the hills. I was so worn out I went home and took a nap, and felt some residual tiredness yesterday. Honestly, I felt a bit like I did after my first 5K in April of last year. I felt like I accomplished something by finishing the run, but it was a little discouraging to feel worn about like I did a year ago! I did enjoy meeting the other women, though: Brigette-the organizer, plus Karen, two Amys, and Debbie.

I won't be able to run with the group next Saturday because we're moving, but I plan to return in a couple of weeks if the group keeps going. I'd love to be able to nail that trail and get my time down on a challenging route with hills.

Yesterday I walked 40 minutes around the East Campus Wall, but was back in the gym this morning for 65 minutes on the elliptical. My left ankle and heel are still pretty tender, so I wanted to go easy. Hopefully I'll feel like running on the treadmill tomorrow.

Back to the treadmill

This morning I had a couple of stints on the treadmill, totaling 23 minutes and 1.88 miles. I also spent 20 minutes on the elliptical. I felt pretty strong, and wish I'd had more time to work out. (I need to get to the gym earlier!)

Been pensive lately about how this time last year, I caught the cold that I didn't pay much attention, since it was the end of the fiscal year at work (like NOW!). That was the start of body's downhill slide toward the hospital stay and the Rice Diet. What a difference a year makes! Last week, while lying in bed, I realized I could feel my ribs! Wow! It freaked me out, but George thought it was a hoot, and was surprised by my reaction. I'm still feeling them just about every night in bed, and just can't believe it. Perhaps it's partly psychologicial, my reaction, in realizing I'm missing a layer of "protection."

Elliptical again

This morning I did 45 minutes on the elliptical and passed on the treadmill. I've been sore in my left foot in the ankle, heel, and in the back of the arch. After some research, it looks like I have tendonitis and plantar fasciitis. (Actually, one of the doctors at the Rice Diet suggested the tendonitis a few weeks ago when I had the ankle pain only.) I'm taking Tylenol/Advil and trying to do an ice pack at night, but it felt especially sore yesterday, so I decided to pass on the treadmill today. Eventhough it was still sore this morning, I pushed for 45 minutes, and now my ankle and heel are feeling better than yesterday. There's something to be said for rest and crosstraining. :)

I did miss running this morning, though, and am looking forward to hooking up with a running group at Umstead Park on Saturday. It'll be my first foray into running groups, and of course I'm a little worried about keeping up. The 6 AM meeting time is good for me, though, even if it's a bit of a drive to Umstead from where I live now. (After next weekend we'll be much closer! Yay!)

Good treadmill workout

This morning I warmed up with 5 minutes on the elliptical, then ran a 5K (3.1 mi) in 38 minutes on the treadmill! Was excited about the time, though it was indoors (at the gym) and with just a little incline (.5% for part of the run). I was a bit tired when I finished, but felt fairly strong. I'm coming to enjoy the treadmill, especially since I can control the speed and increase/decrease as I want/need. I need to remember to incorporate the incline function as well, to mimic racing more realistically.

Back at regular gym

This morning I went back to my normal gym, after a different routine for the past three days. It was good to get "back home." I did 30 minutes on the elliptical and a total of 16 minutes on the treadmill for 1.24 miles.

George went to his gym this morning too. Since he doesn't have to be at work until after than I do, I assume he went a little later than I had him out of bed yesterday morning. ;-)

Gym with George

George and I went to the gym together this morning, and it was nice to be together at the gym early on in the day. I only did 30 minutes on the elliptical, though, then spent some time in the sauna. I don't like the cardio machines at this particular gym as much--it's a different one from the gym I usually go to, because they're older models and are showing their wear. George was wanting to see how exercising first thing affected his day, and asked if we could go together, so I thought it sounded like a great idea. We plan to do it again on Wednesday. :-) I think I'll add some strength training into the mix then. Meanwhile, I'll plan to go to my regular morning gym tomorrow.

Saturday Morning Workout

This morning I did 30 minutes on the ellipticl, then 20 minutes on the treadmill for 1.52 miles. I had to go to the gym in Chapel Hill, since it's open 24/7, and the closer gyms that I could go to don't open until 8 AM on Saturdays. I missed being able to sit in the sauna after my workout this morning, as the wet area in the Chapel Hill gym is closed for repair.

I had an earlier workout this weekend morning because I went to a McLamb family reunion in Dunn, NC, today. The turnout was very good, and it was a lot of fun to see part of that side of the family. With this particular branch of the family tree, I didn't know everyone at the reunion, but every year, I meet and get to know more people.

More running

This morning I warmed up with 10 minutes on the elliptical, then 30 minutes on the treadmill for 2.4 miles. The running felt pretty strong, so I added some incline to the workout. I'm a little tired now. I'd like to get up to 30-minute runs more days of the week.

I've been having some pain in my ankle (tendonitis) and something new just under my heel, at the back of the arch. Started icing it last night, and need to get some more ibuprofin.

More treadmill

I did 30 minutes on the elliptical this morning, then 17 minutes on the treadmill for 1.3 miles.

Thanks to RunJoey for letting me know about the running log at coolrunning.com. I've been giving it a try this week, and it has some nice features. I think I like it better than the one at running-log.com at this point.

At the gym this morning, I found the machines that I used to work out on at the other location, set up upstairs above the basketball and badminton courts. There were a few other people up there, but only people who'd also worked out early mornings at the former gym location that had closed down. It was like old times (though not that long ago!), and it was much more quiet up, there, no loud music blaring like downstairs in the main workout area. The machines from our former gym are a little fancier, to boot, more bells and whistles, so I'm happy about that.

Wednesday Morning Workout

This morning I did 12 minutes on the elliptical for .85 miles, then 45 minutes on the elliptical. I got some much needed sleep last night, so I'm feeling a bit refreshed today.

Running Journal

I started keeping a running journal again to track my running a couple of weeks ago. I keep it, along with a pen, in my car, so I can write my workouts down soon after I do them . There are charts and lists to help me keep track of my progress, but I haven't gotten that ellaborate yet. Instead, I've found an online running journal, running-log.com, that does the computations and charts for me. Sometimes I think to myself, how many places can I record all of my exercise?!

I like the idea of the paper journal, partly because I still have the one I kept in 1984, a tangible record of my past running days. I also like the online record of my running, though, which I can access anywhere I may be on a computer. The total mile and pace per mile computations are nice features that are helping me with goal setting. (For instance, last month I ran 18.77 miles total, so I'm trying to beat that total this month.)

On a roll

I started on the treadmill this morning, did 2 minutes, and decided to head for the comfort of the elliptical, partly because I'm dragging today. I did another 60 minutes on the elliptical, felt good about plugging through the workout with the help of the iPod. I'm tired today, partly because I had a meeting last night in Chapel Hill, and a long day at work yesterday. I may still be a little tired from the weekend's 5K. I have an appointment to get my hair cut tonight, but hope to get home at a decent time (and into bed at a decent time!). Maybe I'll tale a hot bath.

A lady at the gym this morning remarked on my t-shirt for a local race/walk, and it turns out she works at the same institution I do, but in another department. It didn't take us long to find people we know in common, which was fun.

It's mornings like this that I miss my caffeine!

Back to the elliptical

I did 60 minutes on the elliptical this morning, felt strong. I took yesterday off, and that felt good on a number of levels. I was ready to get back to the gym this morning, though.

It dawned on me this morning how busy my "new" gym is in the mornings. It's nice to be among a group of people and have time to myself first thing in the morning, without the need to make conversation, eventhough we all have fitness and an early morning schedule in common.

Race Report-Run for the Quay 5K, June 2, 2007

I ran in the Run for the Quay in Fuquay-Varina, NC, yesterday, and had a fun time! My buddy, Stephanie, went along and ran with me, and I enjoyed her company (as well as her navigational skills) alot.

It was a sunny, late spring morning, and I found Fuquay-Varina to be a charming town. The start and finish were at a local Methodist church, where we picked up our race numbers and timing chips. The race volunteers were friendly and organized, and the race started on time. The course had some mild hills, nothing too bad. We ran through some neighborhoods, and some of the residents were out in their yards, cheering us on. (One family even had a water hose rigged to a ladder at the curb, sending a light water mist over us as we passed by--that was great!)

I finished in 42 minutes even, for an overall pace of 13:31/mile. I ran the first mile in 13:05, so I slowed down a bit. I beat my last 5K time of 46:30, which was my goal, though secretly, I was wondering if I could break the 40-minute mark. (Perhaps next time!) I jogged the whole race for the second time in a row, and felt pretty strong throughout. There were bananas, oranges, and empty Bojangles boxes in addition to fresh water when I got to the tent after finishing the race. I'm glad the Bojangles boxes were empty! ;-)

I could feel a hint of the North Carolina heat of summer coming on, as I worked up a good sweat!

I'm hoping to find another race to do in July or August. I've found a 5K/10K combo in Fayetteville in August, and am wondering if I should stretch for the 10K, or continue to work on my 5K time. I'll see how my distance runs are coming along in another month.

Short workout

This morning I only did 15 minutes on the elliptical. I'd planned to do more, but had to stop to "answer nature," and ended up stopping off in the sauna in the ladies lockerroom for just a minute. The minute turned into a few more when a lady I've seen a lot during my early morning workouts came in, so we started talking. Next thing I knew, it was almost 7 AM! Oops! It was a refreshing change of pace, though.

Tomorrow I'm running in another 5K, and am looking forward to it! I'm hopeful about improving my time from the Run for the Oaks back in April. The race tomorrow is in Fuquay-Varina, in Wake County. Never had a reason to go to Fuquay-Varina before, so I'm looking forward to it.