I did it anyway

I'm tired and busy and have no time, and the last thing I wanted to do this morning was get up and work out.

But I did it anyway.

I ellipticalled and lifted some weights.

32 minutes 3 miles
biceps & triceps 50 pounds (and man it hurt) 3 sets of 10
bench press (on all 3 settings of the machine) 20 pounds 3 sets of 10

learning to deal with the treadmill

I decided that if I'm going to leave the cold biting wind and head for the gym instead, I'm going to have to learn to not hate the treadmill. I can still dislike it, and prefer "real" running. I can still spend time doing other things, but I'm going to have to be able to do more than 10 minutes on the treadmill without wanting to shoot myself.

So, last time I did a mile, this time I did 1.25 miles. At a comfortable 6.0 mph. Comfortable meaning I did not wish I was dead or see spots when I finished. I was still breathing hard, but I managed to whine at Jess the whole time anyway, so it wasn't too bad.

Then I jumped on the elliptical and did another 2.8 miles.

Not a bad morning.

The thing I hate most about the treadmill is that I have to stare straight ahead or I trip over my feet. Yes, I mean it. I can't turn my head and talk to someone like a normal human being, I must stare STRAIGHT ahead or trip and fall to my death. (Is that something I'll get better at the more I do it? Or will I always have to stare straight ahead?)

Stupid treadmill.

Hardcore

I love it when we work out long and hard.

I even challenged myself to a mile on the treadmill - I HATE the treadmill. With a fiery passion. But I wanted to run "fast" even if it was just for a minute.

So I walked for the first tenth, jogged for the next tenth held steady at 6mph speed for most of it, but sprinted in at 7mph for the last 90 seconds. 7 is FAST! I know plenty of you feel comfortable "jogging" at that pace, but that just about killed me....

Jess was kind enough to encourage me instead of pointing and laughing. (There simply isn't enough good to say about a good partner.)

After I nearly killed myself on the treadmill, I got my butt on the elliptical, then to the weights.

So, here's the summary:

Treadmill: 1 mile 10:45
Elliptical: 3.75 miles 35:00
Weights: hams/quads 2x12 @ 60 lbs. rowing/lats 2x12 @ 70 lbs.

I feel really good about this morning's workout. Perhaps it will make up for all the garbage I've been eating all week.

Different muscles

Jess & I finally went back outside again now that it isn't a blizzard and the temperature is in the double digits, and we had an "I am hardcore" moment.

Turns out real running uses different muscles than ellipticalling.

Who knew?

5 miles

My mom is big on saying stuff about running. Probably because I'm big on asking her stuff about running.

She swears that if you can run 5 miles you can run any distance you want. You'll need to train (obviously) but you are capable of it, and suddenly after 5 miles you know you're capable of it.

I figured Thanksgiving would be a great day to just go run. Only it was so windy that the 2 minute jog to the clubhouse had me begging for mercy.

Although the elliptical is not the same as running (and I know it....) I'm still proud of my 5.55 mile "run" on Thanksgiving.

Also, now I know I can. And really the only things stopping me from doing it in real life are 1. lack of time 2. lack of heat 3. lack of caring.

I feel like I already proved it - so I guess I should do it more often, and maybe start getting faster so I don't have the time excuse anymore (55 minutes...) but for today I'm feeling good about it.

pre-turkey workout

This week has been all about allowing for Thursday's looming meals.

So today Jess & I did the elliptical for 3 miles, then did weights. School is cancelled for both our husbands, which means we had the extra time to work a little more.

Also, we saw our neighbor at the clubhouse. We confessed that we're the pansies who set the weight machines at like 30 pounds. He only laughed on the inside (so...bonus!).

My sweaty hair froze in the cold on the walk home. Sick. (Both the sweat and the freeze.)

It's been a good week as far as running/working out goes.

So today:
elliptical 3 miles on random level 11 (random is harder than hills!)
rowing 60 pounds
benching 30 pounds (I know...I know...)
legs 50 pounds
I'm getting stronger!

Dear Gym

I hate your stinkin' guts. You make me vomit. You are the SCUUUUM between my toes.

Love,
Amy

PS I stink worse after spending time with you. Also you're entirely too hot.

Love,
Amy

PPS I have every intention of leaving you in the dust as often as possible this winter.

Love,
Amy