At the YMCA there really aren't that many young people there, mostly middle aged and older people. There are some, but I don't really pay attention these days to who is going longer than me or who I am going longer than. I guess it comes and goes in phases. There is this one younger couple who comes in sometimes when I am there and the girl in particular is a HUGE peeker, it really annoys the crap out of me, she is constantly looking over at me. And I do consistently beat both their stupid asses, both in intensity and duration, so I guess that's okay.

You know, I was thinking the other day about the student rec center....we had this totally awesome rec center at ASU and I think I maybe stepped foot in there twice in all my years there and it was FREE! Oh well, what are you gonna do?

Owning the young folks

One of the things I like about working out at the rec center is watching all the youngsters come and go while I work out. (Mari, your workouts at the gym are getting long - do you relate to this?) Often the ones right next to me are peepers. But, even if they are peeping, they give up and quit before I do. The average workout there is probably 1/2 hour. I just have to smile when I'm on the machines longer than anyone else. It's not that I'm saying I am better than them, but... yeah. I'm better than them. HAHA!!!

track

I did run on the track yesterday instead of getting up early. I did 5 miles. My left calf was sore from the elliptical, but I ran anyway, and now it's REALLY sore. The rest of my muscles feel like they've been working, but they are not sore. So that's the only place on my body that couldn't take it. I was going to ride the exercise bike today but instead I'll take the day off. Not sure I could ride it anyway - the calf muscle is that sore!

the track

I did 3 miles today on the track at the UA rec center. There aren't any treadmills - just a track! 11 laps is 1 mile. So I did 33 laps. It was incredibly boring. Tomorrow I am going to do the elliptical. I think on my running days I am going to get up early and run outside. Being outside makes it go faster and is much more fun.

14

I did 5 today at 13:36 pace. I am getting so much faster!! It really makes me happy. That makes 14 miles for the week. I did 14 miles last week as well. I would like to have my weekly mileage up to 20 before too long. I think that is a good maintenance number.

aaaalrighhhhhhht

Marianne I am just posting my maintenance and how it's going. It helps me stay motivated. Weird but I just need to write it down - doesn't even matter if anyone reads it. Today I did 3 miles at 13:24 pace. Something happened with my stride... I fell into a new rhythm that I have never felt before. It felt like longer, more regular strides. Also hit that breathing sweet spot where I felt I could go for quite a while at that pace. So, that was really awesome. I really don't like running in the hot... school starts Monday and when that happens I'll go to the rec center at the U of A. I am going to try to do the treadmill just because I can still run without being in the heat. Also will be easier to cross train 2 days a week or so.

Ooops

I didn't realize we were posting on this still. Or posting on it already to work on the Chang. I've just been doing my thing, going to the gym. I have not been walking much, I am saving that training for when it gets cooler. I am really enjoying the gym these days, upping my intensity and length of time I work out. I used to have a goal of having one 45 minute session out of the total of three that I do each week. Now, I do 45 minutes almost every time and I work hard! So, it's all good. I need to go tonight, but just realized my ipod battery is dead. Have to fix that before I can go. 

Also, I just have to tell you, I was telling Christa last night that while I would never say that the surgery changed my life, I would say that about the gym. Go figure.

maintenance

I did 5 today and I couldn't have been more stupid about it. I waited too long to go, and it was up to 90 degrees by the time I got back. I didn't eat first or bring water with me. What the hell?? I know better. I was trying to burn off the 2 brownies I ate last night. I keep forgetting it's not about calories or my weight. It's about enjoying what I am doing, and if I don't focus on giving my body what it needs to perform properly, then I am just wasting my time. Still, even with all that stupidity, I did better than 14 1/2 minute miles. Gee I wonder how I would have done had I fueled my body? Well at least I went. So all is well in the end. Although I feel quite sick now and am holding very still until it passes.