President's Challenge Goal

A couple of years ago, I started logging my exercise minutes on the President's Challenge website, just for kicks. I read the different "tracks," and decided to try for the "President's Champions" levels. It's on the honor system, and you just log the activities you've done, and it awards you points. When different levels are accomplished, you can order stuff-medal, certificate, stuff like that. Well, I zoomed through the bronze and silver categories pretty quickly. The gold level took a bit longer, but as I got near the end, I was a little dissapointed that this particular challenge would be coming to a close, eventhough it was virtual, and I was on my own with it. Well, when I logged the workouts that would end my "quest for gold" in March of last year, a new "Platinum" level popped up on my screen! I was glad to see that this challenge would continue, but I could tell it would take me a while to finish!

Well, I've continued to workout nearly every day since then, and would you believe I'm STILL on that Platinum level! It's been a year and nine months, and I'm still on the same level! I just did some math on the points I have left, and based on my daily points average, it'll take me another 337 days and change to finish this program off. Whew! Of course, no one's making me do this, and I'm logging my workouts for time and mileage elsewhere too, but it has been interesting to see how this has unfolded. Maybe I'll try to add some additional exercise in so I can get done a little sooner. In these busy times, I'll be glad to streamline my post-exercise routine and have one less place to record my my gym and/or running time.

Long Run Day, Galloway Style

This morning I joined the Galloway training group again for a long run. We met at Raleigh Running Outfitters, and had a 10-mile run planned. We ran around Shelley Lake this morning, and ended up running 10.33 miles. It took me 2:45 minutes today, a little slower than last week, which was a little discouraging. I had trouble with the outside of my left leg again, so I ended up walking the last two miles or so, this time with Meri. We were the last of our group to come in, but the 14/15 mile pace group was still behind us.

It makes me wish there was an in-between pace group, say a 13:30 group. The 14/15:00 pace group is too slow for me personally, but this 13:00 pace group seems a little fast for me right now.

I don't want to quit going to the Galloway group training runs, as I do enjoy the comraderie and advice I get from the fellow runners. I'm glad I finished the "run" this morning, and we did walk that last bit at a brisk pace, faster than I would have by myself.

In other positive news, I'm now over 50% of the way toward finishing the Platinum Award in the President's Challenge! I started working on this program on October 3, 2006, and I finished the Bronze, Silver, and Gold Awards in pretty quick fashion. The Platinum Award will take me a while, for sure. (Though these long training runs are helping me out a bit!) It's nice to have something long term to shoot for, even if it's not a really big deal. I haven't ordered any of the awards for previous level completions, but if they offer something for the Platinum level by the time I get there, I might just order it. It'll be like a finisher's medal for a very long race. ;-)

Short workout

This morning I did 40 minutes instead of the usual hour on the elliptical. Will try to get some walking in today to round out the hour. I have the extra energy, just didn't have the extra time this morning.

I'm still working on the President's Challenge, and am 27% of the way to the Platinum Award. Points are awarded for exercise in the President's Challenge, and 500,000 points are needed to hit platinum. I've completed bronze, silver, and gold so far. It'll take me a while to finish the platinum!

Gold AwardI

I finally hit the Gold Award for the President's Challenge with this morning's workout, as I suspected I would, and thought I'd have to find another incentive program that would keep my interest, but lo and behold, there's a Platinum level that's not advertised (that I can find) on the website. It will take 500,000 points to earn it, and I'm 16% of the way there with my 80,289 points. Been working on this since October 3 of last year, so it will definitely talk me a while to hit 500,000 points!

Meanwhile, I walked around the East Campus wall last evening (in addition to yesterday morning's workout), and did 60 minutes on the elliptical machine this morning.

Latest workouts

Last night I got another workout in, spending 25 minutes on the elliptical. It gave me 65 minutes total on the elliptical for yesterday. Yay! This morning I did another 65 minutes on the elliptical. I got to the gym earlier this morning, around 5:30, so that helped.

With this morning workout, I hit the Presidential Champions Silver award level, and and now 56% of the way to the gold award. That takes a total of 80,ooo points, with points being awarded for exercising.

Different schedule

Yesterday I didn't work out until the afternoon (an hour on the elliptical), because I had to take my car in yesterday morning, and didn't get done with that until 10:00. I'm at the Rice House for breakfast now, and haven't worked out yet, but will be going to the gym before I get home. It's cold, windy, and cloudy today, and rain is expected. Once I get home, that may well be it. Nice day to read and nap. Ahhh, vacaion!

I'm 50% of the way toward the silver medal now for the President's Challenge. Bit by bit.

Next week I'll have blood work at the Rice House. Good motivation for an extra push!