More Progress

I went back to the gym on Saturday morning, and completed two laps without stopping on the indoor track! This felt like a big accomplishment! Truth is, the indoor track is smaller than your average track. Two laps around this track is a quarter of a mile. Not very far, really. But, still, it's progress for me.

Fewer Stops, Slower Pace

Last evening, I stopped by the gym again to walk around the indoor track. I did two laps, and was going to try not to stop at all. I had to make a pitstop in the ladies locker room, though. So, two laps, one stop. Slower pace, though. I'm feeling it today, disappointing since I didn't do that much. Progress is slow, but it's still progress.

Another Walk + Milestone

I stopped by the new gym again last evening after work, despite a poor night's sleep the night before. I walked around the indoor track just once, but I made it all the way around without stopping. It wasn't much, but it was something. And there's something to be said for showing up (I hope!).

Nest goal: to make two laps without stopping! 

Walked Last Night

Last evening, I walked at my new gym! I used the indoor track and did two laps. It wasn't pretty. I had to stop twice. Grand total was 0.22 miles in 5:21 (not including stops). My next goals are to make it one lap around without stopping, then two laps around without stopping. Beyond that, I'll work on 4 laps without stopping.

Joined an Old Gym

Credit:Getty Images/iStockphoto

Joined an old gym?! By old, I mean it's a gym I used to belong to, so it's not new, or new to me. It's been quite a few years, though!


I stopped by to pick up my new badge last evening after work, and chatted with a woman behind the desk. It wasn't long before we realized we remembered each other from my last membership. Plus, she remembered my parents from their memberships there too (years ago)! It was a little bittersweet talking about that, but good too.


Meanwhile, my activity there is limited to low key activities until after my doctor sees the results from next week's cardiac stress test. Safety first.

Run/Walk Club at Work

My employer's annual Run/Walk Club starts next week, and I've signed up!

This training group has been going for a number of years, maybe 15? I joined when it started, but started doing my own training, followed by years of no training. So, I'm trying it again this year, but probably doing it independently, at least for a while. I hope it'll provide some extra motivation,

Walking Again

Surprised to see me? I'm back to say I'm walking again. Today's walk, a quarter of a mile, was my personal best for 2018! Seriously! I have a long way to go, but it's a start. It's a good way to start 2018. My first big stretch goal is to be able to walk a mile without stopping. Who wants to join me?

Benefits of Walking

During one of my recent visits to Duke Orthopaedics about my knee, I learned that I have a bit of list

of walking benefits on the Arthritis Foundation website, and it's a good list. I'm still a long way from being able to walk for 30 minutes at a time, but it's a goal.It's a nice day, weather wise, so I plan to get out for a walk later.

Mall Walking

From the Northgate Mall website

I ran across an article about mall walking that was several years old, and it made me wonder if there are mall walking groups in my area. I did an internet search and learned that Northgate Mall, a mall not far from my work, has a mall walkers club. I wonder if the group is active, and if so, when the majority of the walkers walk. Of course, it's nice that the mall is open and available for a number of hours daily, but it can be nice to have walking company (especially when going by the food court!), and not just fellow shoppers!

Would anyone be willing to join me for some mall walking before work?

IT Band Relief

My IT (iliotibial) band has been bothering me since last Tuesday, when I did more walking than usual. I've been searching online for some stretches to help relieve the discomfort. This YouTube video reminded me that it's best to treat the source(s), rather than just treating the symptom (tight IT band). My physical therapists have given me some good exercises, as well, to help strengthen my hamstrings, quads, and glutes.

More Pool Physical Therapy

I went back to pool physical therapy this morning, and had a good workout! I talked with my physical therapist about having 1-mile walks or run/walks as my next fitness goal, and she really liked the idea! She suggested I wait a while, though, since we still have some more physical therapy work to do. I'm still working on my weight too, through Weight Watchers.

Looking for 1-Mile Run/Walks

I've decided to start looking for 1-mile run/walks--that I can walk, at least at first! I'd love to walk a 5K again, partly because I miss road races in general. I enjoy the people, the camaraderie, the competition (even with myself, trying to beat my last time). Walking a mile is a good goal for me now, partly because it's still a stretch! I'm pretty excited, though, because I feel like it's an attainable goal. Onward!

Returning from Injury

I had pool physical therapy again today--it was my second visit. Why?

Well, I sprained my left foot back in November. Then, I hurt my left knee in January. Oy.

I'm happy to report that I'm on the mend, but still have a long way to go in terms of my physical fitness.  I'd hoped to be able to walk a 5K by November, but I think I might need to stretch that goal into 2018.

More Walking (I Hope!)

I'm finally in my last semester of library school, just two more months! Life's busy, and seems to be getting busier, but, as always, I don't like having that as an excuse for improving my health and fitness! So, I'm trying to be more conscious about getting more steps in, taking more walk breaks. I'm not in shape enough to do the October 18th 5K as I'd hoped, so I'm  keeping my eyes opens for 5Ks in central North Carolina in 2015. Any recommendations?

Meanwhile, I've watched a bit of this season's The Biggest Loser, a show with which I have a love/hate relationship. I keep looking for some nuggets of inspiration, whether in the gym or in the kitchen. I don't know what I think about this new batch of trainers, but it's different. I think Bob's "Comeback Canyon" is a nice addition to the show this season.

Hitting the Reset Button

After putting in a distance PR a couple of Sundays ago, I hit a week of the blahs, where I felt extra tired and rundown, but continued to slog through work and summer school, exhausted but feverless. So, day before yesterday, I got back into exercise with a very slow mile. I'm still a bit weary, but am feeling a little bit better. Summer school is still ever present, but only for two more weeks.




Meanwhile, I signed up for the Chocolate Party 5K in Cary in early September. It will definitely be a walk, but it's a (re)start, right?! After poking around the website, I decided it looks like a relaxed race, one where I don't need to worry about my time (thank goodness!).

Distance PR for 2014!

Crane Resting in Swift Creek

This morning, George and I walked with the Triangle Turtles and Hares group on the Swift Creek Greenway in Cary, and it was my longest distance of the year! It was a warm morning, but it felt really good to complete 2.67 miles in an hour. It was a slow pace today, but my training is a work in progress!

One of the highlights of the walk was spotting a crane in the creek. It's a prettier bird than this photo makes it out to be.

More Walking

I've been doing more walking lately, thanks to my newish Fitbit. It's quite motivating to try to increase my steps! (Some days and weeks are better than others, of course.) I've been able to work my distance up to a mile at times, so time will tell if I can keep working up to a 5K (3.1 miles).  I sure hope so! Life is busy, but I've gotta keep on walking!



Clipart from Clipartheaven.com 

Maybe a Comeback?

Well, I've done it, I've added another 5K to the "Races on My Radar" section. It's not until March of next year, and I haven't paid for it yet. Still, a new race is percolating in my head. I need some motivation. Maybe that's it. Stay tuned!

More Water Aerobics

I did another water aerobics class at Fitness Connection this evening. I'm weary, and I still have some homework to finish up. This is a "good tired" feeling, though, and I'll sleep well once the homework's sent in by email. I feel like my fitness is improving, though my left knee still bothers me some. My weight loss has been stalled for a while, but I think it's getting back on track.

When will I be ready for another 5K? Not sure yet. We'll see!

Water Walking

Pool at Fitness Connection

I had another nice session at the pool today, walked 25 laps. 36 laps is a mile, so I still have a long way to go to hit the one-mile mark. I'll get there, though. Gotta keep moving!