I can run a mile!

Last night, not only did I manage to finish out the day under points, despite the mini setback I had with the cookies, I also went to the gym. Yes, I'm completely serious! I have not been to my gym in months- we joined in August, and I went a few times in September and even fewer times in October. I'm pretty sure that's it. I want to start going 2-3 x a week, mostly for weight training, as well as spinning. Plus it is a good place to go if I'm dying to run or bike but the weather is a no-go.



Anyway, I couldn't lift weights last night because I am still resting up my sore shoulders for tonight's pole class, so I went with cardio instead. I have been ever-so-gradually building some jogging intervals into my walks around the neighborhood, and I have been able to string together some longer distances, although I haven't been measuring them consistently (a FANTASTIC site for tracking workout distances is http://www.mapmyrun.com which I am going to start using in my training program for the tri.) So, for a solid cardio workout, I started on the elliptical trainer (similar to my uphill trek in the first half of my outdoor walk/runs.) I did 30 minutes, on the "fat burn" setting which aims for 65% of your maximum heart rate (I was planning to do the "cardio" setting which is 80% but it seemed more tiring and I didn't want to overdo it on my first shot.) I exceeded the recommended for the most part, though, with an average HR of 126-7 throughout (was supposed to be at 119) and averaged a speed of about 4.5ish. It claims I went 2.18 miles and burned 300 calories.



Then I got on the treadmill for the running portion. A lot of my starting up has been running on slight downhill and on the flat, so I started flat for this time. I thought I could go 15 min. without stopping as I did one other time recently, but I wasn't sure if it'd be different than outside and again, wanted to start small, set myself up for success. Bottom line? I did it, and I was SO proud of myself! Now here's the funny thing- I ran a whole mile (1.1, actually)!!! And I ran for 15 whole minutes straight, on a 4.1 setting (burning 98 more calories,) and felt well worked out but not dying exhausted. I could have either kept going or gone faster, if I had to! Those are both awesome, exciting progress achievements! But the funny part is, saying it took me almost 15 minutes to run a mile sounds laughable. but I don't care, it was sweet.



Lessons from the gym for next time- sound for the tv would be nice, I need to remember my headphones. A lock for my stuff would be nice, I need to remember my lock. The cardio machines are equipped to read a Heart Rate Monitor so you don't have to hold on if you don't want to, I have to dig that up, too. The crowd size was pleasant at 8:45pm, and I didn't miss any time with my pumpkin, plus still had a bit of time and energy left to spare to watch a show with my sweetie when I got back. And the childcare is free now, so although I won't have any use for the pass I bought, I won't have to buy anymore if I do take him on a weekend (which I should, because he enjoys the toys they have there.) Excuses all gone!