At the gym; pool is still out of commission but there is plenty of cardio to be had. Forgot my book, too! Darn.
Stonyfield Earth Day 5K
DH & I both did the Stonyfield Earth Day 5K yesterday. I finished in 52:02 - ran the downhills as much as I could. DH finished in 57:44. He walked all of it except the last bit, ran over the finish line. Fun course! It makes a shape like a small letter “t”. Two turn-arounds; twice I passed DH, and got a kiss on the way by!
At MIL’s nursing home with River (now 15 wks old). He’s doing an excellent job as a therapy dog. Awesome note: the spot on top of his head looks like a heart from this angle! (He’s taking a nap. Being so friendly to everyone is HARD work! :D )
1 hr on the bike today
Went to the gym; the heater in the pool is still on the fritz, and this time the notice at the front desk was a little stronger: Pool temperatures are considerably cooler than normal! Along with this was an offer to use the pool at their other facility in Salem. Too far for today, alas.
I decided to try the recumbent bike again. 1 hour, 11 miles. I definitely had more mileage on the upright bike. Not that I didn’t sweat buckets on the recumbent! The problem with the LifeFitness upright bike, though, is that it feels like I’m sliding off the front of the seat! The seat is not adjustable front to back, and the nose is not adjustable up & down - only the height is adjustable. I like the LifeFitness bikes because I can read while I pedal, but I may have to go back to the Expresso bikes (you have to pay some attention to steering when on those), or start taking my own bike outside more often.
It’s just more convenient to bike at the gym when I’m going to swim (which I had intended to do today, before I read the notice). Maybe I’ll be brave & try biking to the gym at some point. That would also mean biking home, though - a total round trip of about 21 or 22 miles, with lots of hills.
Birthday coming up soon, and 50 is messing with my head way more than 40 ever did. Doesn’t help that I’m feeling especially creaky lately, and my increased activity level isn’t helping (so far).
Another thing that doesn’t help are my inner critics. They’ve been very vocal and very bad and super critical lately. I’d love to know how to find the “Off” switch. I was watching the movie “Hungry for Change” and one of the things they talked about was affirmations - even to the point of writing them on post-its and putting them on a mirror. I need some of those; more than that, I need to believe some of those.
The universe conspired to defeat me today…
but it didn’t work.
I didn’t set up my gym bag last night, so I ended up doing it first thing this morning. I left here with a change of clothes, sneakers, and towels in my gym bag, and wearing a tank top & shorts, along with my Teva sandals. On my way to the gym (10 miles from my house - that’s as close as I can find a place with a pool) I realized I had not packed any socks! I absolutely cannot wear sneakers without socks.
My first stop was the grocery store closest to the gym. Trying to find stores open at not-even-8-am isn’t easy. That one had no socks, but I did get a few things that were on my grocery list.
I tried the next store; I decided if this one didn’t have any socks I was just going to go home. Fortunately they had some socks - along with a couple of other things on my grocery list. They weren’t my preferred brand, or my preferred style (these were “shorty” anklets) but they would keep my feet from getting slimy in my sneakers.
Finally got to the gym; heater in the pool is out. That’s ok today, but tomorrow may be chilly! Because my knees are still feeling creaky (and my left ankle is a little off! What’s up with that!) I decided to do the elliptical in place of running (for now). I did an hour, mostly keeping my strides per minute over 120 or so. I did an hour, 5 miles, and a total of 7125 steps on the elliptical.
Making something new that I picked up today. I do love bean soup, and grains! Cooking it with “Better Than Bouillon” No-Beef Flavor.
1 hour on the bike, done!
This was this morning, just got around to uploading it. Followed the 1 hr bike with a 500-yd swim, then had to stop at Tractor Supply on the way home for layer pellets (chicken feed) & unload the two 50-lb bags into the barn.
Followed this with a lunch out at our favorite breakfast place, courtesy of DH, and visited MIL. The lunch was a mistake - it sat in my stomach all afternoon like a lead balloon. I think it was the pancakes.
Got back home to find my birthday gift from my mom had arrived - the Periodic Table shower curtain from ThinkGeek!
Now, after a nap, I may be mostly recovered. I am so tired and stiff today! I think my body is rebelling against the new training routine. I’m sure it’ll get used to it.
