Morning Workout

I made it to the gym before work this morning, first time I've done that in months! I'd forgotten how good it feels to get a workout done before work! I did a little over two miles in 31 minutes on the elliptical, and it felt great to get the blood pumping!



Clipart from Clipartheaven.com 

Cleaning Plus Elliptical

Yesterday afternoon I got a good bit of housecleaning done, and followed up with a 30-minute session on the elliptical machine last night. I was bushed afterward, and slept hard last night! It felt great!

I've been trying out a couple of new exercise apps on the iPhone/iPad lately, Nexercise and Slimkicker (which has an accompanying website). Both use a point system, and it's been fun having some new virtual gadgets to play with. I would recommend both so far.

Long Elliptical Workout

I hit the gym this morning, and ended up doing 60 minutes on the elliptical machine, for 4.54 miles. I hadn't planned on staying on it for that long, but I got into the zone, I guess. I needed an endurance workout like that, so I'm glad I stuck it out. I can feel it tonight, though, as I'm more tired than usual. (It's also been a busy week, though.)

I've been working on making better food choices, dumping meat and dairy best I can. I think I need to work on portion control now, as my weight has plateaued. Meanwhile, I've been giving a lot of thought to the differences between vegan and paleo diets, and how each camp has such strong supporters and advocates. Can they both be right?

Dis-ney-land

The past week's workouts went pretty well, with more time on the elliptical and less time on the recumbent bike. Elliptical workouts are a bit harder for me, but closer to the run/walk efforts I plan to do in the spring.

I've had mantras at times over the past few years, words or sayings to help me get through workouts or races. Well, I just found out last week that I'm going to a conference in Anaheim next June. While I'm there, I hope to get over to Disneyland. Now I want to be in the best shape I can be for walking around and riding rides at Disney (in case I get to go!). It should be good for motivation over the next six months, I figure! :-) 

Saturday Gym Workout

I had a well-rounded workout at the gym yesterday, which included some time on the stationary bike, the elliptical, some upper body strength training with dumbbells, and a little bit of core work. I don't feel as sore this morning as I expected to. Either I've gotten stronger or I need to push myself a little bit harder. Maybe a bit of both.

I tried a new elliptical machine there at the gym, one with a TV screen, but the mileage was quite off from another elliptical machine I normally use there. After 7 minutes, it said I'd only gone 2/10 of a mile! I'm slow, but usually go more than twice that speed on the elliptical. I got off that one (the TV screen turned out to be a nuisance anyway!),  went to do something else, and hopped on my normal brand of elliptical machine (sans TV), and had a good workout there.

I still have my eye on the half marathons in March and April (and hopefully May), but am enjoying my time in the gym for now, especially during this cold weekend here in central North Carolina.

Fun on the Elliptical Machine

I went to the gym last night instead of yesterday morning, thinking I'd do a short 10-min. workout on the elliptical, but I ended up staying on for 45 minutes. The music on my iTouch really helped! I'm encouraged by this endurance workout during the week, and I plan to continue. This is my favorite gym machine, because it gives me a great workout without bothering the plantar fasciitis in my left foot. It's also great for the calorie burn! :-)

Good Gym Workout

I had another solid gym workout before work this morning, between the stationary bike and the elliptical machine. I love early morning workouts, since there's such a feeling of accomplishment at getting a workout done first thing. I tell ya, though, I'm tired! I can tell I need to work on my endurance. For that, I'm thankful for a gym with plenty of cardio equipment. Since I've had such an issue with my feet the past few years, I'm glad to be able to give them a break early in this half marathon training cycle.

Late Workout

I had a productive afternoon of studying, but missed my morning workout. I decided to go tonight, even though it was about 9:15 PM when I got out the door! Had a great workout on the bike and the elliptical, and even tried a new machine, the Precor AMT (Adaptive Motion Trainer), for like two minutes. I'll have to practice on that machine, but other than that, a great workout to end the weekend!

Weekend Walk and Workout

Yesterday morning, I joined the Galloway Pre-Season Run from Raleigh Running Outfitters in Cary. It was nice to see some "old" folks and meet some new people! I walked 4 miles in 1:21:56, with negative splits on all miles!
1) 20:40
2) 20:37
3) 20:21
4) 20:13

I was going to do the Cary Road Race this coming weekend, but have decided to pass on that and continue to work on endurance in light of the New River Half Marathon on May 7. I haven't signed up for it, but would still like to do it.

Today I went to Gold's Gym at North Hills Mall, and really enjoyed my workout there. I did 2.82 miles in 37 minutes on the elliptical machine, then did some upper body and core strength training. I also sat in the steam room, which was like dessert after the workout, especially with the eucalyptus spray! Mmmmm!

Missing That Lost Hour of Sleep!

Yesterday, we changed to Daylight Saving(s) Time, and I'm really missing that hour of sleep I lost! I had an industrious workout at the gym (50 minutes on the elliptical, 3.85 miles, including some intervals, and some upper body strength training) yesterday, and I'm feeling a little sore in the arms today. On another positive note, I've got a professional massage on tap for this evening, and I'm really looking forward to that! I have a feeling that I'll be tempted to come home and go straight to bed after the massage!

Elliptical Love

I arrived at the gym a little later than I'd planned, feeling tired and uninspired, tempted to go back home and take  rest day. But since George was working out in the pool, I decided to head upstairs to the cardio machines and get moving on the elliptical machine. Once I started moving, I felt sooo much better! And I'd forgotten what a great workout the elliptical machine can be! I ended up doing 3.15 miles in 45 minutes on the elliptical, and followed it with some stretching, dumbbells, and ab crunches. I felt good AND tired when I got home!

I feel a lot better about my training looking forward, now that I've rediscovered the elliptical machine. I think that, as someone who wants to return to running, the elliptical may be a better workout for me than the bike on most days. I love how my weekly total mileage can hike up with bike miles, but it's not always about the high numbers, right?

Back to the Gym

After a little waffling, I went to the gym this morning, and ended up feeling much better!

I started on the recumbent bike to warm up, but by the time I was ready to try running some on the treadmill, all five treadmills were full. I went 40 minutes (7.29 miles) on the bike without someone getting off the treadmills. I got on the elliptical machine for 10 minutes (.84 miles), which was a change of pace. A treadmill finally freed up, so I hopped on for 5 minutes (.40 miles), so I could record that I'd run some today! The whole workout felt surprisingly good, and I'm thankful for that, since I haven't worked out since a short stint Wednesday morning. I was afraid of beginning to lose some fitness.

My mileage for the week and the month will be a little puny, I'm afraid, but these things happen.

More Crosstraining

This morning I started with the recumbent bike, as I often do, riding 4.07 miles in 20 minutes. I was going to stop at 15 minutes, but all the treadmills were full! (The gym has been pretty full the past 2 mornings. Today I got there 15 minutes earlier than yesterday, hoping it would make a difference. Guess people are burning pre-Turkey Day calories!) I ran on the treadmill next for 31 minutes and 2.53 miles, and finished with 16 minutes and 1.31 miles on the elliptical machine. I was tempted to run more miles on the treadmill, but a little voice inside my head has been telling me to stick with crosstraining these days.

Meanwhile, I've signed up for the Coach Bubba 20k race in February, and I'm excited about that! I'd signed up for the accompanying 4-miler last year, but got injured a couple weeks before due to high mileage, and couldn't run it it. That's probably why crosstraining is on my brain!

Crosstraining at the Gym

I'd planned to start on the treadmill at the gym this morning, but three of them were in use and two of them were broken! Arrgghh! So, I spent 21 minutes (4.12 miles) on the recumbent bike. My timing for getting on a treadmill was off, so I got on the elliptical machine for 12 minutes (1.03 miles), before finally getting on the treadmill for 25 minutes (2.05 miles)!

I also took two walk breaks at work today, so I feel like I really crosstrained today!

On BuckeyeOutdoors.com, I signed up for a weight loss challenge to lose 10 lbs. between now and Christmas Day! Yikes! This challenge feature is new on BuckeyeOutdoors.com, one of the best online workout trackers around in my opinion, so I can't wait to see how it works. It's got me motivated to see my little weight scale move (and not be last in the group!). I'll let you know how it goes! :)

Slug

This morning I felt a bit like a slug, eventhough I got plenty of sleep last night. George and I had a tough conversation last night, and got going on a different conversation this morning, so I was late getting to the gym. I've been mulling over that conversation ever since....

George asked me this morning if I'd go on a brisk walk with him one weekend morning soon to see if he could finish a 5K walk in less than 50 minutes or so, so that he wouldn't come in last in a 5K run/walk. He wanted me to do this walk with him on his schedule and at a location picked by him, in place of my workout for that day. (He said he didn't want me to be sore when I went with him.) When I hesitated, that didn't go over well with him, as it came across as unsupportive. :(

I've been thinking about it today, his proposal and my reaction. It has gradually dawned on me (and not for the first time) that my workout time is MY time, time to think, to hash through things, to listen to music or podcasts, al without interruption. For that stretch of time each day, I'm taking care of myself, and I'm in control of that time. No one else directs my workouts. It's all about me. The rest of the day, I'm responsible and interactive. But, for that 30-75 minute window every morning, my introverted self gets to recharge.

I need to figure out a way to convey that to George in a non-threatening way, and to work out a time and place to support his efforts and walk with him.

Meanwhile, back to my slug-like workout this morning: I rode the recumbent bike for 15 minutes (2.53 miles), did the elliptical machine for another 15 minutes (1.19 miles), then ran on the treadmill for 15 minutes (1.18 miles). All less than yesterday, eventhough I had more rest. Some days are like this, no?

I Did Work Out Today!

I just realized I had such a busy morning before work that I forgot to record my workout. Since my total exercise was 70 minutes instead of the usual 30-60, that accounts for my big rush to get ready for work. (I must get up earlier, I think!)

Anyway, I started with 15 minutes (2.61 miles) on the recumbent bike, then 15 minutes (1.25 miles) on the elliptical machine. I was planning to do 20 minutes or so on the treadmill, but ended up doing 40 minutes (3.25 miles) of running. It all felt good once I got going, but I've just gotta be more consistent about going to bed earlier. It was another late night last night.

Sleepy Morning

I had another busy day and evening yesterday, so I was still dragging this morning for my workout. I did 15 minutes on the recumbent bike (2.44 miles), then got on the elliptical machine for 20 minutes (1.65 miles). I got off to head for the treadmill, just as the last open treadmill got a customer! So, it was back on the elliptical for another 5 minutes (0.41 miles). I finally got on the treadmill, this time for 20 minutes and 2.01 miles. Tonight, I get to bed early.

Keep On Keepin' On

I made it back to the gym this morning, though I was pretty tired after yesterday's long day. I warmed up with 25:01 minutes (4.32 miles) on the recumbent bike, then 15 minutes (1.25 miles) on the elliptical machine.

While I was getting on the elliptical machine, the lady on the machine next time me tapped me on the arm and asked how much weight I'd lost. I told her, and she said she could tell it in my face, just since she'd been coming to the gym, and that I'd inspired her to get off her duff. Okay, I'm still tired from Sunday's race, but I couldn't help but pick up the pace a bit on the elliptical machine! That was really nice!

After that, I got on the treadmill, which I hadn't really planned to, and ran 1.76 miles in 22 minutes. Now I'm ready for a nap! But, it's off to work I go!

Backing Off the Running

I decided to take a break from running this morning, to baby the plantar fasciitis in my left foot, and to rest what may be a little tendonitis in my left ankle. I still made it to the gym, though, where I rode the recumbent bike for 25 minutes (4.39 miles), then did the elliptical machine for 20 minutes (1.48 miles). I'd forgotten how much I enjoy the ellptical machine, and it's nice to break up the routine a little. I missed my morning run, but it's nice to shake things up!

A Little Different

This morning I decided to start with the elliptical machine, and went for 15 minutes and 1.14 miles. Nice change of pace there. After the elliptical, I rode on the recumbent bike for 2.19 miles and 12 minutes. Then I ran on the treadmill for 33 minutes and 2.74 miles (12:02 average pace).

Last evening I went to my second Weight Watchers meeting in a row (yay!) and was glad to post a loss there. There was one lady who had returned to the meeting after some time away. She talked about how she'd eaten a half gallon of ice cream, to which she'd added peanut butter and chocolate sauce. Oddly enough, that sounded really good to me! But she shared that by the end, she didn't even like it anymore. Can see that too. After that, at the end of the meeting, people got various little WW awards, and one lady got her lifetime membership! Now, that's a better "prize" than ice cream, peanut butter AND chocolate! To get to lifetime Weight Watchers membership, she had to hit her goal weight and MAINTAIN it for SIX WEEKS! Now, there's determination!