mini tri

Today I rode my bike to the gym and back, which was about 3 miles. I only did 2.5 on the treadmill because I was having a vision problem (I just couldn't see going any longer). Then I swam a slow and easy 10 laps, which is about 1/3 mile I think. So I wasn't as ambitious as I hoped today, but at least I got out there.

I went!

I got up from the couch, all by myself, got my shoes on and went. 2 miles, with the timer set to 1:1 and I cleared it before I could see how long it took. I feel really good now, and happy. My lesson plans are almost done, I still love my job, I have two new friends, and am building somewhat of a social life. I can do this.

Training Walk

Okay, so I did my walk today. 3.5 miles. I didn't time it. And it was freakin' hot even though the computer says the temperature was only 68. But the high today is supposed to be around 78, so it is more like a Fall day in Arizona. And last week was like a winter day in Minnesota. Freakin' Colorado.....

Anyways, also wanted to mention that I passed by this lady who was pushing a four wheeled cart/stroller thing with triplets inside. It looked like one of those rickshaws (sp?) in China, you know? It was funny. And while I admired her a little bit, I couldn't help but wonder what the fuck she was trying to prove. But whatever.

I gained almost a whole stupid pound since I last weighed, probably because I have mostly been eating for fun this week. So, going forward I'm pretty motivated to keep any eye on the eating, because I really want to lose another eight or ten pounds before Thanksgiving. I try not to make those arbitrary "number" type goals, but I really need to get a handle on the stupid little things like taking a Hershey nugget out of the bowl at this one girl's desk every time I pass it, or grabbing one or two of the cookies in the break room just because they are there. I hate that sort of mindless eating and have been engaging in it a LOT lately. It never really goes away, I don't think, the struggle with that sort of thing.

I just realized that Sandy had signed in to my computer and that last post got posted as her. It was my post. I'm sure everyone was really confused.

Epiphany

I did my treadmill walk on Thursday, which was so not bad that I started thinking that maybe I would add this into my regular routine, even after the marathon, doing one workout a week on the treadmill. Then I started wondering why I, an avowed hater of treadmills, would even consider such a thing. And I thought, well the workout is a bit more consistent on the treadmill...the belt is going and you have to keep up with it once you have set it, so it makes for a bit more of a consistent cardio for me. And then I realized that this is why at the beginning I was so resistant to the treadmill. On the bike, I decide all. I decide exactly when to slow down, exactly when to speed up and I always based it on nothing more than what my body was telling me, I never did pre-programmed work outs. So, I realized that this was actually very much a crucial step in my relationship with exercise as a whole. You spend so much of your life being told what to do and that you aren't doing it right or fast enough or good enough, and for me, it was just of the utmost importance that any exercise that was done was on MY OWN terms, with no person and no machine telling me anything about what I should or should not be doing.

But now, see, now that exercise is such a regular part of my existence I have gotten a bit more confidence that just because there is a belt under me regulating how fast I walk, it doesn't mean the machine is telling me what to do. I know that I am in control and doing what I want to do and I don't have so much insecurity about the process in general or how it works for me specifically, because I have spent enough time listening to my own voice above all others I can think more about what is going to work for me without these sorts of psychological hang ups. Not to say there aren't still plenty of psychological hang ups to go around. When Sandy and I were working out I was marveling at how she chose the treadmill right next to the window and how I would have NEVER chosen that treadmill for that specific reason. But when I mentioned it to her, she just said something about the fan placement and she didn't want to be right under it, so that is why she chose that treadmill. She didn't even think about the window! It's so funny, the hang ups that I have. But whatever.

Anyhoodle, I did an hour of cardio on the bike today and I have my route mapped out for tomorrow's 3.5 mile walk.

All good

I did do about 3.3 yesterday although I walked quite a bit of it due to the lack of oxygen to my brain, plus the hills.

I went so I won

I don't know how far, and I don't know how fast, and it doesn't matter. It was hot. My legs feel really good. I feel much better. But I still miss Marianne.

Not bad

So, I whiffed the San Francisco weekend even though I did bring my running shoes, I didn't exercise once. The good news is that I did 3.5 on Tues, 3.3 on Weds, and 3 on Thurs plus 4 on bike. I'm going to go again today, probably a really light one, so I can take tomorrow off, and that will give me 4 times this week. Will try to get in a long one on Sunday once we're settled back at home. So yay for me and Mari for keeping each other motivated this week! Missy where you at?

Did second training walk that was 3 miles. This time Chris came with me so I didn't get lost. It was definitely a better walk than last week, but it took about 50 minutes, so my time still is not great, although about half of it was uphill, so I guess maybe it's not too bad.

Friday's walk on the treadmill was not great, although it was not as bad as I thought it would be. Although I did get really sick of being on it after about half an hour. I don't understand why that doesn't happen on the bike, but whatever. It wasn't as great a cardio workout as I usually get though, my heart rate never did really get up to where it usually does. So, yesterday I did an hour on the bike and that was really good.

It was COLD on today's walk! I had to wear a sweater and mittens and a hat and I was still cold. The sun came out on our way home, so it got a bit warmer, but it was darn cold! It is still only 23 degrees out here. And yesterday it never did get above freezing at all the whole day.....the frost that was there in the morning never went away, it never got warm enough to melt it. Crazy times, crazy times.

3 at lunch

Got my 3 in today so feeling good even though I skipped my swim last night. Upcoming challenge is that I'm going to San Francisco tonight for a golf tournament/boondoggle girls weekend. But I am committed to exercising at least once! Then Monday I head out for Denver for 6 days. So Mari we are hitting the gym! I can't fall off the wagon again!