Keep On Keepin' On

I made it for 45 minutes on the elliptical this morning for 3.51 miles. It felt really good to build up a bit of a sweat!

This afternoon I had an echocardiogram to follow up with the heart murmur. It was fascinating to see some of the pictures, and hear the sounds of my heart and blood flowing through. The echo. tech documented the murmur and a lot of other areas of my heart--it was an impressively thorough test. The murmur is a mild one, nothing to worry about right now, but the cardiologist is supposed to read it over today or tomorrow and send the results to my doctor.

This picture isn't my echocardiogram, but something like what it looked like.

A Little Longer

I went 40 minutes on the elliptical machine this morning for 3.05 miles, almost a 5K! I'm feeling better and better about the fitness thing, but my nose is still pretty tender, and I'm aware of it when I'm exercising, partly with the extra breathing. Maybe I'll try the treadmill sometime this week, see how it feels.

Sticking to the Elliptical

This morning I did another 35 minutes on the elliptical, this time for 2.67 miles. In addition to having to be somewhere atg 9 AM, I needed the reminder that I should be careful about adding time/distance to my workouts, whether I'm on the treadmill or sticking to the elliptical machine. I do feel like I'm regaining some of my fitness. Climbing the two flights of stairs to my apartment was starting to get me a little winded. Not anymore (again)--yay!

More Elliptical

This morning I lasted 35 minutes on the elliptical for 2.65 miles. I'm a little tired this morning as I'm getting ready for work, but it's a good tired. My next goal is to work up to 3.1 miles (5K) on the elliptical machine. I'm wondering if I can be ready to at least finish the Cary Road Race 5K next month. I'd really like to try--to finish, not shoot for a PR, but to finish. Funny, that was my goal at the first Cary Road Race I ran two years ago, the one that I started training for when I started this blog. In that race, I finished--last! Yes, folks, the dreaded last finisher in that race was me! It wasn't embarassing like I thought it would be; I was thrilled to finish! :-D And I know I'm in better shape now than I was then, and 100 lbs. lighter to boot, just a little gun shy (and slightly out of shape) after falling and breaking my nose!

Back at the Gym

I finally got to exercise again! Yay! I did 23 minutes on the elliptical for 1.67 miles. It's an odd time and distance, I know, but I was shooting for 200 on the "calories burned" tracker. I know that number isn't terribly accurate, but it's still fun to watch that number roll over. It felt really good to be at the gym! I watched the treadmill runners with some envy, but I'll be there soon enough.

On the Verge

This afternoon, I return to the doctor about my nose, and am hoping to get the splint off--and to get the go-ahead to exercise again! I can feel a difference in my fitness level, so I'm looking forward to getting back on track. I'll have to start slowly, but I can hardly wait! I know I'll feel better all the way around.

Relief is in Sight

I went to my doctor yesterday about the heart murmur that the anesthesiologist discovered in our preop for my nose last Friday. My doctor says it's very light, but she's going to have an echocardiogram scheduled for me just to be sure. Turns out many people have heart murmurs-go figure! She said it shouldn't interfere with my regular exercise once I get rolling again, but to be aware of other symptoms, like chest pains, or breathing harder than I should be.

Meanwhile, I return to the plastic surgeon about by nose next Wednesday, so less than a week away (barely)! Whew! This white plastic splint on my nose is irritating, and my nose is itching underneath! When I put my reading glasses on, I have to prop them on the splint, which pitches the plastic thing forward. Charming.

Doing Better

My body is healing, slowly but surely. I had the packing taken out of my nose today, though I still have the splint on my nose, a cute look! :o) I'm so relieved to be able to breathe out of my nose now!

I go back to the doctor the middle of next week about the nose splint. The nurse told me I shouldn't exercise before then--ouch! This is a long time to go without exercise. I had to cancel all of the physical therapy sessions I had lined up, because they were all before I see the plastic surgeon again. *sigh* Okay, so I'm a little discouraged. I need to look on the bright side, and think of all the things I can get done between now and then. I'll keep posting here, and let you know how I stay sane. :)

Out of Commission for the Weekend

Repairing my nose went okay todaay, but I am all bandaged up and sore. The doctor put down "light activity" on my going-home sheet, and the nurse suggested no exercise, chores, cooking, anything like that. I must say that at this point, no arguments from me. I'm bushed! As soon as Tina and Henry return with my meds, I'm going to bed. Ouch.

Short Elliptical

This morning I only did 30 minutes on the elliptical. I'm feeling uncomfortable this morning. I went to the dr. yesterday, who set me up for a nose reset under general anesthesia tomorrow. So, I'm off of Tylenol, Advil, and the nifty Hydrocodone prescribed by the dr. at Urgent Care. Boy, I'm feeling my face (and especially my nose) today! Not a shooting pain, just generally uncomfortable. I feel it more after I've had to talk.

They'll pack my nose after they reset it, and put a little splint on it! LOL Not sure what kind of activity I'll feel like doing this weekend.

More Time on the Elliptical

Did 50 minutes on the elliptical machine this morning, good for 3.72 miles and 440 calories burned. It was a pretty light workout, but I'm glad I went.

My head's still hurting a bit, and I'm hyper-aware of my nose. Actually looking forward to the doctor's appointment this afternoon, hoping for a plan of action for my nose.

Thanks for the encouragement, everyone!

A Little Elliptical

This morning I did 20 minutes on the recumbant bike, then 25 minutes on the elliptical. It felt pretty good to get back on the elliptical, but I'm feeling a bit off in general so far this morning. My knee seems a little better, at least. I have a physical therapy session this morning, otherwise I may stay home. I feel a little queasy. My eyes are a little black this morning. I know things will get better.

Time on the Bike

I returned to the gym today. Although my knee is still a little sore from my Saturday evening tumble, I did 40 light minutes on the recumbant bicycle, going 4.94 miles and 134 calories. I didn't work up a sweat, which I miss, but I'm glad I was able to do something.

I got a lot of rest yesterday, sleeping in in the morning, a nap in the afternoon, and to bed around 11, so I'm not feeling the usual sleep deprivation after Daylight Saving Time starts.

Likely Day Off

Last evening I tripped up and my face met up with a concrete sidewalk, scraping up my face and breaking my nose! Ouch! The tumble also hurt my right knee. George got me to Urgent Care, where they checked me out and cleaned up my face. The nose appears to be the only broken bone, thank goodness. I have a couple of prescriptions to start taking today (the pharmacy was closed by the time we got out of the doctor's office). Monday I'll make an appointment with an ear, nose and throat doctor for a couple weeks down the road to see what needs to be done about my nose, if anything. This morning it's swollen and skinned up, but I can still tell it's crooked. Pretty! :-P

Since my knee is still sore this morning, I'm probably going to take today off and just rest.

End of Week 1

This morning I did a 5 minute warmup on the bike, stretches, then 65 minutes on the elliptical. I did more stretches after my shower, as I was getting ready to meet George's family for brunch.

I started Week 2 of my Take 20 (Off) Challenge today. After one week, I'm down 8.2 lbs! I'm excited about that, but I know the loss rate will slow down. I'll ride it as long as I can, though!

Running Inspiration

Just learned of a 101-year-old man who recently completed a half marathon, and is going for the London Marathon in April. If he finishes, he'd become the world's oldest marathoner. He still works three days a week as a plumber in England. He looks amazingly young for a centurion plus. His photo, along with the article, is here.

Stretching

Well, I did pretty well with the stretching this morning. I started with 6 minutes on the bike, then did my PT-prescribed stretches. I followed with 65 minutes on the elliptical machine, then did the stretches again. I would like to have gotten more cardio in, but I know the stretches are important, and I want to be a good patient. I'll need to work on getting to the gym a little earlier. I've already started working on that by not getting on the computer when I first get up. (The computer can be a time sucker, can't it?!)

First PT Session

Well, I had my first physical therapy session this morning. It went well, but I am pretty darn sore now! Heather, the physical therapist, talked with me some about my injury and medical history, and worked with my legs to see where I am. We did some stretching and picked out a few for me to do twice daily. Meanwhile, I have four more PT appointments in the next two weeks.

I asked her when I could start running again, and she said to hold off for at least another week. She said that if I started back running now, we wouldn't know which soreness was from the PT and which as from running again. Meanwhile, when I go to the gym, I'm supposed to warm up on a cardio machine (she suggested the seated bike) for 5 minutes, get off and stretch, then do the 45-60 minutes of cardio I usually do (again, she suggested the bike), then more stretching. And more stretching at night. Did I forget to mention that my guads and hamstrings are tight?!

Hopeful

Although I can't run for at least another week, I did order a new running book a couple days ago, The Runners World Guide To Road Racing: Run Your First (or Fastest) 5-K, 10-K, Half-Marathon, or Marathon. I hope to get some good tips on the 5K end (which I already run), as well as the other distances.

I also ordered The Athlete's Guide to Yoga: An Integrated Approach to Strength, Flexibility, and Focus. Thought this would be great with the whole flexibility thing. I haven't tried yoga since college, but imagine it could be good for me!

Physical Therapy Starts Today

I did 75 minutes on the elliptical this morning in 2 back-to-back sessions (the most the machine will let me do in one session is 65 minutes) for 5.85 miles and 719 calories. My injury is feeling better, and my cold is subsiding-yay! Nice to feel like I'm healing.

I start physical therapy this morning! Thankfully, it's on campus, just a 10 minute or so walk. I'm excited about it, hopeful that it'll help.

More on the Elliptical

This morning I did the elliptical machine for 80:07 minutes in two back-to-back sessions for 6.2 miles (a 10K!) and 659 calories burned. After all that, I weighed the same on the scales today as yesterday! Ah well, I bet I'll reap the benefits tomorrow.

Shorter Workout

I only did 45 minutes on the elliptical this morning, my new way of feeding a cold. I'm a little dicouraged by this cold, which I felt coming on on Friday, but I'm working hard to stay on track with the Take 20 Challenge. I'm down 5.2 lbs since the start of the Challenge on Saturday-woohoo! I'm encouraged by that. I know the weight loss won't continue this quickly, so it feels good to have some pounds in the bank.

Another Hour

I did 60 minutes (4.47 miles) on the elliptical today, although I was dragging a bit from two hard weekend workouts (65 minutes on Sat., 80 min on Sun.) and coming down with a cold. (No fever, thank goodness, just some congestion and a little coughing. I got to bed early last night, and that helped.) I kept the resistance on the elliptical lower for most of the workout to take it a little easy.

There's the temptation to feed a cold, but I'm sticking to my guns with the Take 20 Challenge. I want that new iPod! :)

A Little Sore

This morning I got an extended workout in on the elliptical machine, going the maximum of 65 minutes the first time, and then another 15 minutes after that. I was wondering if I could do a 10K (6.2 miles) on the elliptical, since that's the next race distance I'm signed up for, on March 30. Can I be ready, fitness-wise? I ended up going for 80 minutes total, burning 808 calories, and "traveling" 6.36 miles. Not a bad way to spend a morning. I am feeling a little sore, but in places other than my injured groin area. It's a good feeling, but I do need to stretch today.

My running distance for the week was 1.79 miles. *sigh* I do miss running.

I had a nice weight loss this morning on Day #2 of the Take 20 Challenge, nearly 3 lbs off of yesterday's starting weight! I've decided that my reward for losing 20 lbs. (whenever that happens) is an iPod classic. I really enjoy my red nano, and will hang on to it, but would love more storage space and the ability to watch some video podcasts. (I've never really been into music videos, though I love the one by OK Go with the guys on the treadmills!)

The Elliptical is My Friend

I was back on the elliptical today, and felt better about it. I went 65 minutes today, for 5.2 miles and 665 calories.

I've listened to all my running podcasts for the week, so I listened to a couple other newsy podcasts, then went to my workout playlist. It's funny what songs get me going at different times. Right now, the two songs like make me "kick it up" the most are "Dancing on the Ceiling" by Lionel Richie, and "Push It" by Salt-N-Pepa! Funny, huh? :)

I've got my starting weight for the Take 20 Challenge-yay! The Yahoo Group for this challenge is 10 strong, and there are several more on the Rice Diet Program's Online Support Forum who are doing it with me as well. Since this is going on for 20 weeks, I'm grateful for the company.