That has got to be one of the hardest runs I've ever done. I struggled terribly for the first kilometre. Right from the beginning I didn't feel as though I had any energy. I didn't understand it, as I'd gotten myself ready for the run quite happily. I knew it was hot, I had my water, I was wearing sunscreen and aeroguard, I had my new shoes on, I'd remembered my Garmin. The only thing that wasn't working was my body. Lifting my feet was such an effort.
Now, I'd felt blergh on Monday, so I'd skipped going to the gym in the evening. (I'm not sure how to spell blergh but blah just doesn't do it.) This morning I was supposed to be at the first session of the Group Outdoor Fitness Challenge, but I was still feeling a little off colour. I packed my gear for running, although I did wonder if I'd be up for it this afternoon. By the end of the day I was looking forward to running home.
The only thing I was worried about was my knee. It was tired today, even though I didn't run on Sunday or exercise on Monday. I finally bit the bullet and made an appointment with a sports doctor to get it checked out. I don't really know how to describe how it feels because it doesn't usually hurt as such. I guess I'll have to find some words before the middle of December, which is the earliest appointment I could get.
I'm pretty sensible, so I did myself a deal that if my knee was hurting, I'd bail and catch the bus the rest of the way home. Once I'd decided I was going to run I found myself really looking forward to it. I'd been disappointed that I hadn't felt up to this morning's session and I would have been more disappointed if I'd cut out my planned run.
As I said earlier, I was really happy as I headed off on my run. Within a few minutes I was running along the path, wondering how I was ever going to get to the other end. My knee wasn't hurting at all. I just didn't feel as though I could pick up my feet. I found myself walking a few times, but I managed to get myself running again. I told myself I'd make it to the road, which was about 1 km, and then walk the rest of the way. I told myself that it didn't matter how long it took me as long I was covering the distance. I told myself to run more slowly. I was giving myself all sorts of advice.
As I struggled along, I tried to work out what was wrong. It was hot, but I like the summer and I had plenty of water. I wondered if it was nutrition. I've been eating badly lately. It's that time of month, but that doesn't normally knock me around much. Before I got to the road I checked in with how I was feeling again and discovered that I was starting to run more smoothly. I figured I'd see how I went and I managed to run the whole way home. Not only that, I started to enjoy myself.
I headed out to the road instead of going around behind the War Memorial today, so the run was only 4.7 km. It took me 40 minutes. My splits ended up being 8:19, 7:53; 8:08; 8:07 and 5:54. My knee is more tired than it was before I started but it's not hurting.
I read somewhere that there is no such thing as a bad run and I've decided that I agree with that idea. Given the way I was feeling at the start, I could say today's run was awful, but part of what I enjoyed about today's run was that I didn't give up. I now know that I can run even when I don't think I have the energy to lift my feet. That's an important lesson for someone who's going to run a half marathon next year.
Tuesday, 20 November 2007
Sunday, 18 November 2007
No SiS3 today
What a miserable morning. It was wet and windy. Worse still, the rain was cold! I headed off to Werribee to pick Andrew up anyway. I live about 25 km away from the course, so I was hoping that the weather would be better in town.
I outsmarted myself by bringing Andrew. I would have run if I'd only me to worry about, but I didn't like to drag him around the 8 km course in the wind and the rain. On top of that, we arrived early so that we'd have time to register him. I figured it wouldn't be any harm as he would get to see the 4 km race and he could have a go at the warm up aerobics. Well, being early when it's wet and cold and there's too much wind to stand around under an umbrella is not quite the fun experience I had planned for him. We got out of the car at about 8:30 and decided that breakfast was a much better idea.
We headed off to the Groove Train in Clarendon Street, where we both enjoyed a lovely breakfast. When we were on our way home the weather had clearly improved. I guess if I'd been arriving at my usual time we probably would have run. Oh well. Another time.
I bought myself a new pair of Ryka runners this morning. I noticed yesterday that my shins were starting to get a little sore, which made me realise that I couldn't put off the purchase any longer. It's amazing how good these new runners feel. As a bonus, they were on sale. I had 15 minutes to kill so I wandered into Rebel Sport, where I bought myself a pair of running shorts. I'm looking forward to trying those out during the week.
Congratulations to everyone who braved the weather at SiS today. :-)
I outsmarted myself by bringing Andrew. I would have run if I'd only me to worry about, but I didn't like to drag him around the 8 km course in the wind and the rain. On top of that, we arrived early so that we'd have time to register him. I figured it wouldn't be any harm as he would get to see the 4 km race and he could have a go at the warm up aerobics. Well, being early when it's wet and cold and there's too much wind to stand around under an umbrella is not quite the fun experience I had planned for him. We got out of the car at about 8:30 and decided that breakfast was a much better idea.
We headed off to the Groove Train in Clarendon Street, where we both enjoyed a lovely breakfast. When we were on our way home the weather had clearly improved. I guess if I'd been arriving at my usual time we probably would have run. Oh well. Another time.
I bought myself a new pair of Ryka runners this morning. I noticed yesterday that my shins were starting to get a little sore, which made me realise that I couldn't put off the purchase any longer. It's amazing how good these new runners feel. As a bonus, they were on sale. I had 15 minutes to kill so I wandered into Rebel Sport, where I bought myself a pair of running shorts. I'm looking forward to trying those out during the week.
Congratulations to everyone who braved the weather at SiS today. :-)
Saturday, 17 November 2007
Short run and museum visit
I picked up Laura and Michael this morning and we headed off to the Werribee River Trail. After applying sunscreen and aeroguard, we did our warm up along the trail. It was lovely down along the river. I've never been down there before so I had no idea what to expect. There were a few people around, mainly on bikes. We only saw one other runner. It was 10:45 am, which would probably explain that.
We were out running for about 40 minutes, but the second half was a lot slower, so I think we covered somewhere between 3.5 and 4 kms. Unfortunately I left my Garmin in Canberra. I'll have to do the run again, just to find out how far we went. Laura led us out. She broke her wrist playing netball a few months ago and has only just recently gotten back into all her usual physical activities. Clearly it's done her the world of good as she's a lot fitter than she was three weeks ago. I wasn't able to keep up!
Michael ran along with me, keeping me company. On the way back, Laura walked, Michael and I jogged slowly, and we did a little back and forth as we kept getting too far ahead, even though we were trying to go slowly. Laura ran the last section with us again although she didn't join Michael and me in our mad rush back to the bridge with its imaginary finish line. When we finished we turned around and cheered her on, so she obligingly finished with a little flourish for us.
A few stretches and I had the two of the them home about an hour after I picked them up. This running in Werribee looks like a good plan.
I'm loving this whole "go for a run, sure" thing I have happening at the moment. I'm feeling really confident about my ability to run for anything up to an hour. One of the guys at work has asked me to run with him at lunchtime next Wednesday. Normally I'd have been "oh, I'm running on Tuesday, so I won't be able to run for a few days after that". Now it's "let me at it". When Lynda told me about the kids wanting to practise, I knew I could run today and tomorrow without any problems.
When I dropped off the kids I had coffee with my sister, Lynda, showered at her place and then headed off to pick up two of my nephews for their promised birthday trip to the Museum. My brother kindly made me lunch while I waited for Lachlan to arrive home from cricket. The birthday present deal involved lunch. Lachlan, Simon and I ended up at McDonald's. Lachlan explained seriously that he didn't want to choose his favourite, KFC, because he didn't want to ruin all the good work I'd done losing weight. Isn't that sweet?
It was McHappy Day and there were a couple of Collingwood footballers at the restaurant. Of course, it never occurred to me to take a camera. Fortunately, Maccas handed out bright red caps and the boys went over to get autographs. I've no idea who the footballers were. The boys recognised one of them, but didn't know the other and we couldn't work him out from his signature. Their mum is a Collingwood supporter, so they were delighted that they would be able to tell her about their brush with fame.
We arrived at the museum at about 2 pm, which gave us three hours before it closed. I'd never been there before and neither had the boys. It was terrific, much more fun than any of us had expected. I think my favourite thing was the Virtual Room although I loved the forest gallery. I could have spent a lot longer at the museum so I can see myself going back there again.
$20 each to spend in the museum shop rounded out the birthday treat. I did tell them that they could have the money instead if they didn't see anything they liked, but they managed to find themselves some stuffed toys. Now me, I would never have bought a 9 year old and an 11 year old stuffed toys, so obviously letting them choose their own presents is the way to go.
I really like this 'combine an activity with lunch and a present' type of birthday present. It ends up being a treat for me as well as for them. I'll definitely keep doing this for birthdays.
We were out running for about 40 minutes, but the second half was a lot slower, so I think we covered somewhere between 3.5 and 4 kms. Unfortunately I left my Garmin in Canberra. I'll have to do the run again, just to find out how far we went. Laura led us out. She broke her wrist playing netball a few months ago and has only just recently gotten back into all her usual physical activities. Clearly it's done her the world of good as she's a lot fitter than she was three weeks ago. I wasn't able to keep up!
Michael ran along with me, keeping me company. On the way back, Laura walked, Michael and I jogged slowly, and we did a little back and forth as we kept getting too far ahead, even though we were trying to go slowly. Laura ran the last section with us again although she didn't join Michael and me in our mad rush back to the bridge with its imaginary finish line. When we finished we turned around and cheered her on, so she obligingly finished with a little flourish for us.
A few stretches and I had the two of the them home about an hour after I picked them up. This running in Werribee looks like a good plan.
I'm loving this whole "go for a run, sure" thing I have happening at the moment. I'm feeling really confident about my ability to run for anything up to an hour. One of the guys at work has asked me to run with him at lunchtime next Wednesday. Normally I'd have been "oh, I'm running on Tuesday, so I won't be able to run for a few days after that". Now it's "let me at it". When Lynda told me about the kids wanting to practise, I knew I could run today and tomorrow without any problems.
When I dropped off the kids I had coffee with my sister, Lynda, showered at her place and then headed off to pick up two of my nephews for their promised birthday trip to the Museum. My brother kindly made me lunch while I waited for Lachlan to arrive home from cricket. The birthday present deal involved lunch. Lachlan, Simon and I ended up at McDonald's. Lachlan explained seriously that he didn't want to choose his favourite, KFC, because he didn't want to ruin all the good work I'd done losing weight. Isn't that sweet?
It was McHappy Day and there were a couple of Collingwood footballers at the restaurant. Of course, it never occurred to me to take a camera. Fortunately, Maccas handed out bright red caps and the boys went over to get autographs. I've no idea who the footballers were. The boys recognised one of them, but didn't know the other and we couldn't work him out from his signature. Their mum is a Collingwood supporter, so they were delighted that they would be able to tell her about their brush with fame.
We arrived at the museum at about 2 pm, which gave us three hours before it closed. I'd never been there before and neither had the boys. It was terrific, much more fun than any of us had expected. I think my favourite thing was the Virtual Room although I loved the forest gallery. I could have spent a lot longer at the museum so I can see myself going back there again.
$20 each to spend in the museum shop rounded out the birthday treat. I did tell them that they could have the money instead if they didn't see anything they liked, but they managed to find themselves some stuffed toys. Now me, I would never have bought a 9 year old and an 11 year old stuffed toys, so obviously letting them choose their own presents is the way to go.
I really like this 'combine an activity with lunch and a present' type of birthday present. It ends up being a treat for me as well as for them. I'll definitely keep doing this for birthdays.
Friday, 16 November 2007
Personal training with Krissi
This morning Krissi was meeting me at my place as there's a gym in the apartment building. I thought about going up to the door to meet her, but I realised that Krissi would probably arrive via the balcony. Sure enough I looked out the window when she was due to arrive, and there she was. It's a pretty good service when you don't even have to leave your apartment building for your PT session.
We started off with the health check and goal questionnaire and my latest stretch goal is finally in writing as a definite goal. I've been hedging around it and I've only just started mentioning it to people as a sort of "I'm trying not to think about it" sort of thing. Yep, I'm going to run a half marathon next year, probably the Canberra Half in May.
I'm also seriously thinking about doing a Novice Women's Triathlon Training program. It includes six weeks of training (one session per discipline each week) and four education seminars, leading into the Women and Girls' Triathlon on Sunday, 3 February 2008. It also includes entry into the the final two races of the TACT novice series and membership of FIT (Females in Training) and TACT (Triathlon ACT). All this for $220. To me, that sounds like a pretty good deal. Training starts in December, so I'm going to have to make up my mind pretty soon.
Once Krissi had those goals on paper she measured my blood pressure, then produced the calipers and a measuring tape. The pinch test didn't hurt as much as I expected. It was interesting to experience how it was done and the results weren't as horrendous as I expected, especially after getting my %fat from a scales yesterday.
Now, I'm a little embarrassed to write this next bit. I have gone to a lot of trouble to avoid mentioning in my blog that my apartment is right next door to the gym. Even though it's next door I have only used it a couple of times in the almost three years that I have been living here. It has one of those universal gym setups in the middle of the room, a cross-trainer, a bike and a rowing machine. Residents are able to use the gym between the hours of 6 am and 10 pm, seven days a week, so I really have no excuse for not being able to get to the gym.
Today, Krissi took me in there and worked out a strength program for me to do in there. She's already typed it up and emailed it to me. She showed me how to use all the various bits and pieces, so I have no excuse not to use the gym now.
I really enjoyed my first non-Fernwood PT session with Krissi, but then again, I fully expected it to be great.
Oh, a funny story. My sister messaged me tonight - my niece and nephew, Laura and Michael, told her that I was taking them running this Sunday. She told them the fun run was the following Sunday, but they assured her that we were practising this Sunday. Now I'm doing SiS3 this weekend, and there's no way that I'm taking them on an 8 km run with me. I don't know where they got the idea about the practice session, but I'm going to pick them up tomorrow morning and take them for a run. We'll be heading out a little later than usual, as I don't even arrive in Melbourne until 8 am. These two have only come running with me once before so I think a practice session is probably a good idea - it will build their confidence before the fun run. The others are playing their usual Saturday sport so it will be just the three of us. I've no idea where I'll take them, but I'm sure I'll think of somewhere interesting.
We started off with the health check and goal questionnaire and my latest stretch goal is finally in writing as a definite goal. I've been hedging around it and I've only just started mentioning it to people as a sort of "I'm trying not to think about it" sort of thing. Yep, I'm going to run a half marathon next year, probably the Canberra Half in May.
I'm also seriously thinking about doing a Novice Women's Triathlon Training program. It includes six weeks of training (one session per discipline each week) and four education seminars, leading into the Women and Girls' Triathlon on Sunday, 3 February 2008. It also includes entry into the the final two races of the TACT novice series and membership of FIT (Females in Training) and TACT (Triathlon ACT). All this for $220. To me, that sounds like a pretty good deal. Training starts in December, so I'm going to have to make up my mind pretty soon.
Once Krissi had those goals on paper she measured my blood pressure, then produced the calipers and a measuring tape. The pinch test didn't hurt as much as I expected. It was interesting to experience how it was done and the results weren't as horrendous as I expected, especially after getting my %fat from a scales yesterday.
Now, I'm a little embarrassed to write this next bit. I have gone to a lot of trouble to avoid mentioning in my blog that my apartment is right next door to the gym. Even though it's next door I have only used it a couple of times in the almost three years that I have been living here. It has one of those universal gym setups in the middle of the room, a cross-trainer, a bike and a rowing machine. Residents are able to use the gym between the hours of 6 am and 10 pm, seven days a week, so I really have no excuse for not being able to get to the gym.
Today, Krissi took me in there and worked out a strength program for me to do in there. She's already typed it up and emailed it to me. She showed me how to use all the various bits and pieces, so I have no excuse not to use the gym now.
I really enjoyed my first non-Fernwood PT session with Krissi, but then again, I fully expected it to be great.
Oh, a funny story. My sister messaged me tonight - my niece and nephew, Laura and Michael, told her that I was taking them running this Sunday. She told them the fun run was the following Sunday, but they assured her that we were practising this Sunday. Now I'm doing SiS3 this weekend, and there's no way that I'm taking them on an 8 km run with me. I don't know where they got the idea about the practice session, but I'm going to pick them up tomorrow morning and take them for a run. We'll be heading out a little later than usual, as I don't even arrive in Melbourne until 8 am. These two have only come running with me once before so I think a practice session is probably a good idea - it will build their confidence before the fun run. The others are playing their usual Saturday sport so it will be just the three of us. I've no idea where I'll take them, but I'm sure I'll think of somewhere interesting.
Thursday, 15 November 2007
Pool Running and Personal Training
This morning was probably my last pool running session for the time being, as next week Sally and I will be at GOFC. Because it was the last one, we did a ladder session, 5 min warm up, 1 min hard, 1 min easy, 2 min hard, 1 min easy .. up to 4 mins and then back down to 1 followed by the cool down. It was a good session.
This evening I had my first workout with my new personal trainer, Julia. It was an interesting session. We did boxing at my request. During the session I discovered that Julia has been working as a PT since July. At the beginning of the session I told her a little about about myself, that I run and that I like boxercise. I didn't get asked about my goals or about any injuries. I thought about telling her about my knee and then figured I'd see how it went. Sometimes I think I'm too conscious of it, causing me to limit myself.
Julia asked me if I'd done boxing before. I told her I had and so she didn't show me how to do anything. I remember the first time I did boxing with Krissi. Even though Krissi knew I'd boxed she checked that I knew what I was doing and fixed up my form where it wasn't quite right. I always felt confident that Krissi was looking after me.
The boxing session was fun and Julia is extremely likeable. We started off with cross punches, then cross punches with squats (3 and squat, over and over again!), followed by lunges, knee lifts, more punching including uppercuts and hooks, crunches involving punching and then more punches with squats. We ended up with Julia helping me stretch. I am more than happy to lie back and enjoy that.
I'm feeling really tired now. I'm sure I'll sleep well.
Tomorrow I have my first non-Fernwood PT session with Krissi. She mentioned skinfolds. Eeew! Still, I'm sure having the measurements will be a good motivator.
This evening I had my first workout with my new personal trainer, Julia. It was an interesting session. We did boxing at my request. During the session I discovered that Julia has been working as a PT since July. At the beginning of the session I told her a little about about myself, that I run and that I like boxercise. I didn't get asked about my goals or about any injuries. I thought about telling her about my knee and then figured I'd see how it went. Sometimes I think I'm too conscious of it, causing me to limit myself.
Julia asked me if I'd done boxing before. I told her I had and so she didn't show me how to do anything. I remember the first time I did boxing with Krissi. Even though Krissi knew I'd boxed she checked that I knew what I was doing and fixed up my form where it wasn't quite right. I always felt confident that Krissi was looking after me.
The boxing session was fun and Julia is extremely likeable. We started off with cross punches, then cross punches with squats (3 and squat, over and over again!), followed by lunges, knee lifts, more punching including uppercuts and hooks, crunches involving punching and then more punches with squats. We ended up with Julia helping me stretch. I am more than happy to lie back and enjoy that.
I'm feeling really tired now. I'm sure I'll sleep well.
Tomorrow I have my first non-Fernwood PT session with Krissi. She mentioned skinfolds. Eeew! Still, I'm sure having the measurements will be a good motivator.
Tuesday, 13 November 2007
Pool running, running commute and yoga
Pool running this morning involved a dash to the pool to be there by 6 am. There's no point being early, as they don't open the doors early. How do I know? I was there early. Imagine being out and about before 6 am. Mind you, I need to practise this, as the Group Outdoor Fitness Challenge starts again next week. I have to be up in time to ride to Lennox Gardens before 6:30 am. It's going to be so much easier than it was in winter.
Sally and I both had work breakfasts on this morning, which is why we were there half an hour earlier. We chose a short program, the warm up, 6 x 2:30 hard / 0:30 easy and a cool down. I was home by 6:45 am, which is just as well, as I was being picked up at 7:15 am. It was lovely riding through the city centre so early. Hardly any pedestrians, no buses cluttering up the bus interchange, and very few cars.
I worked out how to handle the choice between the 5 k run and yoga dilemma. I realised that I could do both if I ran home from work instead of trying to get to the ACT cross country club run. I now have a goal to run home every Tuesday.
I was really well organised today - I even had the Aeroguard with me. I packed my fuel belt with powerade and water, and I had my running backpack. Considering I managed all this while dashing around this morning (of course I didn't pack last night) I am pretty proud of myself.
I was ready to head off running tonight when one of my sisters phoned me. It was her free time and she regularly calls me on her way home from work. In fact, we'd made arrangements to chat today when I called her yesterday. Instead of waiting until after our conversation ended, I decided to start walking while I chatted to her. I headed cross country instead of following the road way. I took the 'road less followed', a slightly more overgrown track, and found myself actually walking across a fence paling at one stage (not that the gully was all that deep).
Trish and I had lots to talk about, so I decided to investigate a new path rather than head back to the road. It was fun venturing into new territory. Thirty five minutes later we'd caught up on the latest and I was stuck on the wrong side of a small creek sort of thing. I decided I didn't want to get my feet wet so I went in search of a bridge.
By the time I'd reached the other side I'd covered about half the way home. I was around behind the War Memorial. I was tempted to walk the rest of the way, but I resisted and ran the rest of the way. It took me about 20 minutes to cover the remaining 2.7 km.
I have been meaning to add some maps of my runs for those of you who enjoy seeing them. Here's this evening's run.
You'll see where I got stuck at the creek and had to track back.
Because of chatting to Trish I ended up getting home just in time to have a shower and head out again to yoga. It was quite an active session. As usual there was stuff I couldn't do. There was a move where we were squatting, rested our knees against our triceps and then some of them lifted their feet off the floor. There were a few "lift yourself off the floor" moves. I don't think I managed it once. Clearly something to aspire to at some stage in the very distant future.
I had a few cramps in yoga but nothing like the last time. Even though I didn't drink much of it, the powerade seems to have helped. I only had a mouthful out running - it seemed way too sweet. Normally it doesn't. I finished off the rest of the bottle (about 250 ml) at home before heading off to yoga. It didn't taste as bad when I wasn't running. I'll have to try some of the other brands out there.
Well, I'm feeling pretty good about having come up with a way to keep yoga in my schedule. For tomorrow's exercise I'm thinking about cycling to work. I still haven't used my new paniers, so I'll have to come up with a stack of stuff to cart with me. Ok, ok, I do know that I don't have to fill them up to use them.
Kathryn, thanks for the link. JoJo, I want to keep the G rating on my blog. :-)
Sally and I both had work breakfasts on this morning, which is why we were there half an hour earlier. We chose a short program, the warm up, 6 x 2:30 hard / 0:30 easy and a cool down. I was home by 6:45 am, which is just as well, as I was being picked up at 7:15 am. It was lovely riding through the city centre so early. Hardly any pedestrians, no buses cluttering up the bus interchange, and very few cars.
I worked out how to handle the choice between the 5 k run and yoga dilemma. I realised that I could do both if I ran home from work instead of trying to get to the ACT cross country club run. I now have a goal to run home every Tuesday.
I was really well organised today - I even had the Aeroguard with me. I packed my fuel belt with powerade and water, and I had my running backpack. Considering I managed all this while dashing around this morning (of course I didn't pack last night) I am pretty proud of myself.
I was ready to head off running tonight when one of my sisters phoned me. It was her free time and she regularly calls me on her way home from work. In fact, we'd made arrangements to chat today when I called her yesterday. Instead of waiting until after our conversation ended, I decided to start walking while I chatted to her. I headed cross country instead of following the road way. I took the 'road less followed', a slightly more overgrown track, and found myself actually walking across a fence paling at one stage (not that the gully was all that deep).
Trish and I had lots to talk about, so I decided to investigate a new path rather than head back to the road. It was fun venturing into new territory. Thirty five minutes later we'd caught up on the latest and I was stuck on the wrong side of a small creek sort of thing. I decided I didn't want to get my feet wet so I went in search of a bridge.
By the time I'd reached the other side I'd covered about half the way home. I was around behind the War Memorial. I was tempted to walk the rest of the way, but I resisted and ran the rest of the way. It took me about 20 minutes to cover the remaining 2.7 km.
I have been meaning to add some maps of my runs for those of you who enjoy seeing them. Here's this evening's run.
You'll see where I got stuck at the creek and had to track back.
Because of chatting to Trish I ended up getting home just in time to have a shower and head out again to yoga. It was quite an active session. As usual there was stuff I couldn't do. There was a move where we were squatting, rested our knees against our triceps and then some of them lifted their feet off the floor. There were a few "lift yourself off the floor" moves. I don't think I managed it once. Clearly something to aspire to at some stage in the very distant future.
I had a few cramps in yoga but nothing like the last time. Even though I didn't drink much of it, the powerade seems to have helped. I only had a mouthful out running - it seemed way too sweet. Normally it doesn't. I finished off the rest of the bottle (about 250 ml) at home before heading off to yoga. It didn't taste as bad when I wasn't running. I'll have to try some of the other brands out there.
Well, I'm feeling pretty good about having come up with a way to keep yoga in my schedule. For tomorrow's exercise I'm thinking about cycling to work. I still haven't used my new paniers, so I'll have to come up with a stack of stuff to cart with me. Ok, ok, I do know that I don't have to fill them up to use them.
Kathryn, thanks for the link. JoJo, I want to keep the G rating on my blog. :-)
Monday, 12 November 2007
Weights session
First of all, thank you so much for the encouraging comments on yesterday's post. I arrived home tonight to read them, and it was lovely to receive them. It made my day. :-)
Tonight I went to the gym to do my weights session. It was a great workout. I've been thinking about what makes one workout great and another so so and I've come to absolutely no conclusions. This one just felt good. I managed to work up quite a sweat and I felt a real sense of achievement at the end of it.
I started off with a 10 minute warmup on the treadmill. I was looking at all the various options and saw a fitness test, so I gave that a go. Well, I'm below average. My VO2 was 29. Now, I've no idea what that means or what average fitness is, but I'll be able to check it again next time I feel the need to be told by a machine that I'm not fit. (I'm not at all upset by that. It's just a measure at a point in time.)
The 5 minute test started off with a warm up, which basically meant a 0 inclination for 1 minute at the speed I'd nominated. I selected the top speed in the range, as it was only 7.3. My heart rate jumped straight up to over 140 and ended up at 160+ after the warm up, when the inclination went to 5. I managed another 2.5 mins before knocking the inclination down to 3. When the next minute clicked over it jumped back up to 5. I lasted another 20 seconds at 5 then finished it off at 3. I was expecting a cool down, but it jumped straight to the "you're below average" commentary. I then dialled up another 5 mins of walking to finish off the warm up. Of course, now I'm going to have to do some research to find out what my VO2 should be. There's so much to learn about running.
I had one of those charmed sessions where every time I wanted a piece of equipment it was available. People were getting off equipment just as I wanted to use it. I basically did the same session as last time, so I won't go into details, apart from saying I managed one more chest press in the third set, I survived for 10 pushups, and I increased the weight on the single leg extensions from 16kg to 18.3kg. Mind you, I seriously considered using the increased weight as a reason for only doing two sets but I managed the third set.
That was something else that had me thinking. My left leg was burning for the last 2 reps in the second set and the last 5 reps in the third set. I was interested to see how my right leg compared. The second set was easy but I felt it for the last 3 reps in the third set. I was pondering this, as I don't think my left leg is that close in strength to my right leg. While I was walking home I remembered that I had to keep turning my abs back on while I did the left leg. I didn't have to do that with the right leg. I think that my left leg was probably recruiting my back muscles to help. At least, that's what I suspect is going on. I'm going to have to remember to ask Krissi about it on Friday. I like to understand what's going on.
I was doing the triceps exercise where you lift a dumbbell up and lower it down behind your head, while you try to keep your elbows in and still. Those recalcitrant elbows keep moving out slightly, no matter how hard I glare at them, although I'm much better at keeping them still. I used to have spaghetti arms but at least I now have an element of control.
Oh, I was doing the stretch for my achilles - the calf stretch where you bend your knee to get the stretch lower down. I must have been doing something right as I actually felt it today.
I still haven't decided about running or Yoga tomorrow so I'm going to get my gear ready for both, just in case. I've a chaotic morning, where I have to be at the pool at 6 am and at home ready to be picked up at 7:15 am. Thank goodness for my deadly treadly, as I'd never be able to manage it without. I had a theory that I'd be able to leave my gear at the gym on the way to the run, but they have removed lockers to put the sauna in, so I think that's a non-starter.
One of the running girls pointed out that the sauna has glass doors and is facing into the change room. I can see that if I do try it out that I'll be aiming for a very quiet time of day. Some of the sights in the change room are disconcerting to say the least. Not that they are anything like what goes on in the pool changing room!
Tonight I went to the gym to do my weights session. It was a great workout. I've been thinking about what makes one workout great and another so so and I've come to absolutely no conclusions. This one just felt good. I managed to work up quite a sweat and I felt a real sense of achievement at the end of it.
I started off with a 10 minute warmup on the treadmill. I was looking at all the various options and saw a fitness test, so I gave that a go. Well, I'm below average. My VO2 was 29. Now, I've no idea what that means or what average fitness is, but I'll be able to check it again next time I feel the need to be told by a machine that I'm not fit. (I'm not at all upset by that. It's just a measure at a point in time.)
The 5 minute test started off with a warm up, which basically meant a 0 inclination for 1 minute at the speed I'd nominated. I selected the top speed in the range, as it was only 7.3. My heart rate jumped straight up to over 140 and ended up at 160+ after the warm up, when the inclination went to 5. I managed another 2.5 mins before knocking the inclination down to 3. When the next minute clicked over it jumped back up to 5. I lasted another 20 seconds at 5 then finished it off at 3. I was expecting a cool down, but it jumped straight to the "you're below average" commentary. I then dialled up another 5 mins of walking to finish off the warm up. Of course, now I'm going to have to do some research to find out what my VO2 should be. There's so much to learn about running.
I had one of those charmed sessions where every time I wanted a piece of equipment it was available. People were getting off equipment just as I wanted to use it. I basically did the same session as last time, so I won't go into details, apart from saying I managed one more chest press in the third set, I survived for 10 pushups, and I increased the weight on the single leg extensions from 16kg to 18.3kg. Mind you, I seriously considered using the increased weight as a reason for only doing two sets but I managed the third set.
That was something else that had me thinking. My left leg was burning for the last 2 reps in the second set and the last 5 reps in the third set. I was interested to see how my right leg compared. The second set was easy but I felt it for the last 3 reps in the third set. I was pondering this, as I don't think my left leg is that close in strength to my right leg. While I was walking home I remembered that I had to keep turning my abs back on while I did the left leg. I didn't have to do that with the right leg. I think that my left leg was probably recruiting my back muscles to help. At least, that's what I suspect is going on. I'm going to have to remember to ask Krissi about it on Friday. I like to understand what's going on.
I was doing the triceps exercise where you lift a dumbbell up and lower it down behind your head, while you try to keep your elbows in and still. Those recalcitrant elbows keep moving out slightly, no matter how hard I glare at them, although I'm much better at keeping them still. I used to have spaghetti arms but at least I now have an element of control.
Oh, I was doing the stretch for my achilles - the calf stretch where you bend your knee to get the stretch lower down. I must have been doing something right as I actually felt it today.
I still haven't decided about running or Yoga tomorrow so I'm going to get my gear ready for both, just in case. I've a chaotic morning, where I have to be at the pool at 6 am and at home ready to be picked up at 7:15 am. Thank goodness for my deadly treadly, as I'd never be able to manage it without. I had a theory that I'd be able to leave my gear at the gym on the way to the run, but they have removed lockers to put the sauna in, so I think that's a non-starter.
One of the running girls pointed out that the sauna has glass doors and is facing into the change room. I can see that if I do try it out that I'll be aiming for a very quiet time of day. Some of the sights in the change room are disconcerting to say the least. Not that they are anything like what goes on in the pool changing room!
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