Shorter workout

This morning I spent 35 minutes on the elliptical machine. I could've gone a little longer, but was crunched for time. I needed a shorter workout anyway after yesterday's push on the treadmill. Although I was tired, I got to sleep later than I wanted to last night. I hope tonight brings an earlier bedtime.

Back to some running

This morning I started with 30 minutes on the treadmill, jogging 2.27 miles in 30 minutes. I felt pretty strong, but my foot started hurting a little toward the end. Was so close to the 30 minute mark, I decided to push. Then I did 30 minutes on the elliptical. My foot was definitely tender by then. I iced it while I got ready for work this morning. I definitely feel a little more tired after that workout; C. even commented on it at breakfast at the Rice House this morning. Still, it felt great to run again!!!!

New Shoes and the Gym

I bought some new running shoes today, a pair of Brooks (Adrenaline GTS 7), at Raleigh Running Outfitters. Yay! Can't wait to try them out tomorrow. Meanwhile, I did 60 minutes on the elliptical this morning. Still enjoying the new gym; it's a nice change of scenery overall, and I just realized that it reminds me a little of the first gym in Durham where I started doing early morning workouts. The elliptical machines at the new place, like the old one, are located near the front of the gym, where the big windows are. Granted, it's in a strip mall, so the view isn't great, but still, it's nice to bea able to see the morning sky bloom as the sun rises.

Longer on the elliptical

This morning I did 65 minutes on the elliptical, felt strong. Watched the morning news for a while on the elliptical machine's monitor, then switched to music on the iPod. (After a while the news stories keep repeating, and the weather is the sme ole story this week.) I'm still enjoying the NPR podcasts, and have added some new music to boot. Afterward, I did a little strength training (upper body).

I tried to go get some new running shoes at 9th Street Active Feet a couple nights ago, after a good reminder from B. about the importance of good running shoes, especially with my plantar fasciitis. Alas, they were about 25 minutes from closing, and they needed more time for the consultation and all. I'll try again this weekend, there or at one of the other area stores that takes time with shoe fittings. B. suggested Raleigh Running Outfitters, and I've heard good things about Fleet Feet in Carrboro.

Another elliptical session

Had a nice surprise at the new gym this morning, ended up on the machine next to a lady I met a few weeks ago, running one of the trails at Umstead Park, but we didn't make the connection at first. Then, the lady who organized the running group came in to work out, and we made the connection! I'd only planned to work out 30-45 minutes this morning, but stayed on the elliptical for an hour talking and stuff. It was nice to see famiiliar faces at the gym!

Hour-long workout

I did an hour on the elliptical this morning at the new gym, felt good to push through to the 60-minute mark. I'm enjoying the new gym still. I'm a little sore this morning. My foot's getting a little better, but it's time to buy some new shoes, I think.

Different gym

Last evening I joined a gym across the street from my apartment complex (that's open 24/7) for my early morning workouts. It's pretty basic in terms of of what it has (cardio machines and weights), but the equipment it does have is very good. The elliptical machine I worked out on for 45 minutes this morning is one of the nicest I've been on, and includes a vidoe screen for watching TV if one chooses. I got to watch the local morning news this morning, which was a bit of a treat. I also enjoyed being able to adjust the crossramp as well as the resistance on the machine. In addition, I liked the displays for various things like calories, time, and steps. I hope to get there early enough to do some strength training soon. My big goal is still to get back to running! I really miss it.

Weekend workouts

I had some good (and interesting!) workouts over the weekend. Saturday morning I did an hour on the elliptical at the Duke Fitness Center. It felt great to be on a good machine in a nice environment!

Yesterday morning, before breakfast, I went to the local gym chain in a nearby town for a 15-minute workout on the elliptical and some time in the sauna. (My foot was bothering me a bit.) On my way to the sauna, I noticed a man with a feminine-looking necklace and one earring (not a stud) in the hot tub. When he pushed himself up on the side of the hot tub, it was hard not to notice he had a thong on! Lo and behold, he came into the sauna, sat down, and started carrying on a conversation! We talked about a variety of things, from jobs to bathing suits (He suggested I get into the pool in my shorts and bra if I were inclined to swim, since I didn't bring my bathing suit--he came up with some other solutions as well...) to his broken earring--which is why he was only wearing one. I didn't think to ask him why he just didn't take them both off, or why he was wearing jewelry at all in the hot tub, pool, and sauna, especially after he commented on my wearing my running shoes in the sauna. Eventhough I consider myself to be open-minded and all, this whole set-up was fascinatingly strange to me! As he left the sauna, he introduced himself as Connie with a strong handshake.

Today I was back at my apartment complex gym for 45 minutes on the elliptical. All the variety and excitement of the weekend has helped me get off of a frustrating plateau on the Rice Diet. I'm feeling better today!

Sleeping in

Being Saturday morning, I slept in a bit, and it felt like a treat! I've just finished breakfast at the Rice House, so I'm heading to the gym for my exercise. I usually exercise before breakfast, and I must admit, there's part of me that wishes I had my workout behind me now, but sleeping in was oh, so sweet!

More exercise

This morning I did 60 minutes on the elliptical, up from 35 minutes yesterday. I didn't make time to ice my foot after the elliptical, so it's sore now. *sigh*

Need to shake things up

I need to rejuvenate my exercise routine somehow. I'm getting bored with it. *sigh* I'll be happy when my foot feels better....that's pretty limiting right now. I really miss running, being able to run in different places. Early Saturday morning I went to Umstead Park and walked for an hour. My foot didn't feel so good afterward, but it felt wonderful to get outdoors to exercise!

More elliptical

This morning I was back up to 30 minutes on the elliptical, though the apartment complex gym seems to be down to just one working elliptical machine. The other machines are a little questionable too. Time to seriously consider another regular morning workout place!

Looking for a change of pace

This morning I could only stand 5 minutes on the elliptical, then I headed outside to walk around the apartment complex for another 25 minutes. I feel the need to shake things up a bit with the exercise. Living where we do now, the options are a little different. I wish there was a good lap pool nearby for an early morning swim.

Quickie

This morning I only had time for 10 minutes on the elliptical machine. *sigh* Better than nothing, I suppose. I was up late taking care of "life things" last night, as I have a busy week of meetings and such the rest of the week. With the extra commuting time, I need to figure out how to do everything that's important, including exercise!

Back from vacation

My week of restful vacation is over! It's nice to be back in a more normal routine, though, I must admit. I did keep up with daily exercise last week, but also took a nap nearly every day. Boy, did that feel great!

This morning I was back ont he elliptical machine for 50 minutes.

More elliptical

I did 45 minutes on the elliptical at the apartment gym this morning, felt pretty strong. I'm still being careful about my left foot, which is feeling better today. Dr. Neelong gave me several suggestions for it yesterday, which included laying off of running. :-( His suggestions also included a new off-the-shelf orthotic for now, an oral anti-inflammatory, plus bicycling and swimming, and I've already been icing it sporadically. *sigh* I'm not going to give up on my running dream, but am a little sidetracked and discouraged right now.

Elliptical

I slept in a little this Sunday morning, so I did 30 minutes on the elliptical at the apt. complex gym. I had the gym to myself this morning, so was able to watch the local news on the TV in there. (George and I don't have any televisions hooked up yet, which has been a blessing--though I do miss the easy news feed on the TV a little!)

I'm on vacation this week, so I hope to get some more exercise in during the week ahead!