back to the gym!

Finals are over! Although that means I get a break from the mental anguish of papers and exams, it also means that it's time for the physical anguish to begin again. My first day back to the gym was today.

Instead of the Nat, I'm going to the SERF for my winter break workouts because it's more convenient to get to after work. It's essentially the same thing: I get free access to the cardio equipment because I'm a student. What's different, though, is that the cardio machines are on the 4th floor rather than the 1st. When I realized this, my first thought was "Oh, crap. No elevators?" That's not a good sign when the whole point of being there is to get a workout. By the time I got to the 4th floor, I was already exhaused and sweaty. Granted, I was still bundled up in my winter coat with my boots and scarf and hat, but still. Come on. Pathetic.

My workout wasn't much more impressive. I walked for a mile on a treadmill at a pace slightly faster than what I consider comfortable. I never even broke into a jog. I didn't want to. I was thirsty and tired from work and complaining in my head about everything I found uncomfortable. Which was everything. After the mile, I moved onto one of those bike machines. Not the virtual ones that I talked about earlier, but the ones with the pedals in the front. The kind I hated. Whatever. I just wanted to sit down. Anyway, I was on it for only 45 minutes and never even broke a sweat. That's probably because I didn't break 80 RPM.

I'm really not impressed with myself today. But hey, it's my first day back after a couple weeks, so I'm not going to beat myself up too much.

I'll just do better tomorrow.

finals!

Hey guys, I know you have all been expecting descriptions of my latest and greatest attempts to follow the couch to 5k program. Unfortunately, my blog isn't the only thing I've been neglecting. I haven't taken a run since Dec. 1st. I probably won't get back into my running shoes until Dec. 21st, when my finals are finally finished. I'd like to sneak a few workouts in there, but no promises.
I'll be slaving away at final papers and memorizing, memorizing, memorizing material for the exams. Wish me luck!

monday workout fail: my do not's

Tonight was my first night back to the gym since last Wednesday, and it didn't go exactly how I expected. It's just been one of those (Mon)days.

1) DO NOT RUN WITH A 30 LB. BACKPACK AND CRAPPY SHOES.
This morning I had to catch the ALWAYS ON TIME 6:12 bus. Despite a serious lack of sleep, I woke up on time and even sat down for a couple minutes to enjoy some yogurt. I left my apartment at 6:08 with plenty of time to walk the two blocks catch the ALWAYS ON TIME bus; I got there just in time to watch it drive away 3 minutes ahead of schedule. The only other buses I could take (without being super late) stopped 2 blocks in the opposite direction of my apartment, so I ran, half-asleep, with my obscenely heavy backpack and my no-support shoes, wheezing in the freezing air. It's really no surprise that I twisted my ankle, is it?

It hadn't bothered me again all day, but once I started on the treadmill I had sharp pains in my ankle. When I got my shoes, I was told that I have to focus on keeping my feet straight when I run because they tend to point outwards. (Yes, mother) I was focusing on keeping them straight, but eventually the pain moved to my knee. Bad news.

2) DO NOT RUN WHEN YOU ARE ALREADY DEAD TIRED
On the days when I work so early and don't get out of class until 5, my motivation is at a level 3 out of 10. Especially if I didn't get enough sleep to begin with. Monday for me means: unsatisfying meals (unless it's at least warm or carb-packed, I don't feel like I've eaten anything), back-to-back classes (or, in-between classes, oodles of homework), two back-breaking walks up the big campus hill (yes, everything in my backpack is completely necessary), and ultimately, burning out. I know I don't have a 'hard-knock-life', but still, I can't help feeling so exhausted. If anyone has any ideas on how to combat this, PLEASE let me know. (NO to coffee/energy drinks; they make me jittery, sick and still unable to focus).

When I was running tonight, I kept yawning. This is proof that yawning does not indicate boredom: I was quite the opposite. I swear my legs were fighting me. They just didn't want to move today. So anyway, I kept yawning, which makes my eyes water, and there's nothing like obscured vision to make you feel nice and safe while you're limping away at 6 mph.

3) DO NOT FORGET YOUR WATER BOTTLE
I know, "duh". Hydration is obviously necessary, they've been pushing that in gym class since kindergarten, but it's hard to think ahead to 5 o'clock when I'm also planning what to bring to work, for breakfast, for lunch, for classes. It's a miracle I remembered (or had room in my backpack) to bring clothes to run in. I'll never forget my water bottle again. Or at least I hope I don't. Here's why:

The Nat is packed after 5 o'clock, so it's difficult to find a machine to use. On top of that, there are no "saves". If you get off to take a drink, someone else will have started their workout on it before you can say "oh crap". Of course, I was so thirsty I was contemplating stealing the water bottle of the girl running next to me. Like she wouldn't have noticed. That's when I decided I had had enough.

I was only at it tonight for about 20-25 minutes and I continued the 60secs of running/90 secs of walking which I was doing last week. My speed probably averaged 6.5 (but maybe that was a mirage?), which is an improvement on last time. I just didn't do it for as long.


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I realize this probably isn't one of the most exciting blogs to read, but before I write any more of them, I want to make clear the purpose of this blog as a whole. Although I really love it that people read and encourage me (please don't stop!), this blog is really for me. I love writing, and I figure the more I write about my experiences, the more enthusiasm I will continue to have for running. So I might complain and whine and do away with any trace of wit every once in awhile, but that's because I want to write about it even when the last thing I want to do is write about it.

*yawn*

a sedentary thanksgiving.

I hate to disappoint so soon after the start of my blog, but, as the title explains (and as I prophesied in my last blog), it has been a sedentary Thanksgiving weekend. This isn't entirely my fault, though. First of all, the campus gym is closed until Monday. Second, I work 27 hours this weekend (that includes Friday, but still) and I have 3 papers I need to be working on, one of which is due Monday.
My third excuse is that I still feel like the girl in this picture, thanks to Thursday's extra-helping extravaganza, otherwise known as Thanksgiving (I tried my best, but come on! I love mashed potatoes.) Anyway, like I said, sorry to disappoint. I'll be back to the Nat on Monday.

I hope everyone had a wonderful, button-popping feast (or two), as well.

locker room ranting & pixelated lycra: wednesday

In an attempt to make up for what would undoubtedly become workout-less weekend, I hit the Nat twice on Wednesday.

I managed to get out of work early, so I used the extra time for a run. I planned ahead and brought my running attire in my backpack, but didn't have enough time to change at work; I was doomed to the public locker room. Here's the thing with me and locker rooms: I'd rather clean an entire locker room with my own toothbrush than drop trou in one. Middle and high school have scarred me deeply, apparently. Even back then, I hated that we had to change together. Shouldn't there be an alternate option for the girls who aren't 100% comfortable with their bodies (me) and who cannot pull off a quick change while simultaneously holding a concealing towel (me)?

Luckily, on this particular Wednesday morning, all the bathroom stalls were open, so I changed in one of those. I realize it's unfair to use a bathroom stall as my personal changing room, so maybe someday I'll overcome my hatred of public locker rooms. For now, though, my focus is on overcoming my out-of-shape-(ness).

My workout was bitchin'. I was determined to follow the 60 secs. of running + 90 secs. of walking for at least 20 min. (which is what the C25K says I should be doing) and I made it for 30! My running speed hovered between 5 and 5.5 and my walking speed between 3 and 3.5. Of course my legs felt like overcooked noodles when I stepped off the treadmill, like they were going to turn to a pile of mush underneath me, but hey, 30 friggin' minutes! I didn't quite feel like a Gatorade commercial, but I felt good.

I had a couple extra hours later that night and decided to swing over for a second helping. I dragged Cyrano (the name I'll use to refer to my boyfriend; I'm a kidder) with me this time, despite his lack of decent running shoes or willingness to join me. Because his shoes are meant for skateboarding (he doesn't skate) and not running (see picture), we spent about 40 min. on stationary bikes. They weren't typical stationary bikes because the pedals were out in front of the seat rather than below.
<-- Like this. They are extremely uncomfortable. I adjusted it at least 5 times and I was still sliding forward out of the seat. After 40 min. of uncomfortable exercise and a few more spent persuading Cyrano not to give up and leave, we got on some upright stationary bikes. Our butts were thanking us. These ones were virtual stationary bikes (what's wrong with a normal stationary bike? are those outdated or something?!). These ones are like playing a really, really boring video game where you bike a loop and pass the same two virtual people over and over (one of which is pictured in my example). I imagine the point is to make it a little more "realistic", but you don't even have to swerve to avoid them when you're passing; when you get close enough behind them, to the point where your entire screen is taken up by their seemingly see-through simulated spandex, POOF! they disappear. The controls are also awful. It was like I was riding with a tire that was at a 45 degree angle to my handlebars.

The virtual bikes aren't all bad, though. There's music! I plugged my headphones into the jack and it played CCR, Stones, etc. Awesome stuff. Also, it tracks calories burned and heart rate (but how accurate are those? I bet not very). Along the bottom of the screen (you can see in the picture) it shows a graph of the differing elevations of the path you're riding (resistance), watts (how much power you're putting into each rotation) and I think the other one is heart rate. We stayed on those machines for maybe 30 minutes, I lost count.

By that time we had been there for over an hour, our last bus was coming in 15 min. and it was pouring outside (we were NOT walking in that). We ended the workout with a cool-down on the treadmills. Cyrano walked on the treadmill next to me, utterly exhausted, while I ran for a few minutes and gradually decreased speed for a nice end to the last workout before the gluttonous holiday weekend.

UW-Natatorium -- First 1/2 Mile.

I hate the smell of sweat and I hate water fountains that spurt lukewarm H20. Welcome to the UW-Natatorium.

I stepped foot inside the Natatorium for the first time ever this morning. I imagined it would make me uncomfortable like the "lifting room" made me uncomfortable in high school; I don't know what to do with most of the machines and I'd feel stupid asking. I guess I thought it was something like a "no pudgy-people allowed" type of place and people would just laugh. Lucky for me, it wasn't difficult to find the treadmills (the one machine that doesn't intimidate me), nor did anyone notice my embarassingly slow warm-up speed. Everyone else had their iPods on and were busy with their own morning workout routines.

The running itself wasn't too bad. The plan was to alternate between 60 seconds of running and 90 seconds of walking (first step of the the C25K plan) after 5 minutes of warm-up, but of course it didn't work out that way. I was using the timer on the treadmill to keep track, but I kept forgetting to look at it or losing track of how long it had been. I got really bored with this, so I just decided to run at a comfortable pace (5.5 mph) and see how long I could go without over-exerting myself. I ran my first half mile since I started running a couple weeks ago (only 1, 2, sometimes 3 times per week), so I'm definitely proud of myself for that. I know it's not much, but it's better than I could have done bef0re (AND it wasn't very difficult -- I know I can run further).

Back to the Natatorium tomorrow! But I'm bringing my own COLD water.

i like the idea of being a runner.

I can count the number of times I've actually 'taken a run' on one hand. Even when I'm about to miss a bus, I opt to be late in lieu of running after it... not just because I'd look ridiculous, but because I'm lazy. Despite my idle demeanor, I've committed to training for a 5K that I'll (supposedly) run next summer with my mom.

I agreed because I like the idea of being a runner. I envy those 40- 50- 60- 70-somethings who do marathons. I always imagined I'd be one of those people when I got older. I'm not sure why I imagined myself running Crazylegs when i'm 50 if I can't even comfortably run a city block now, but that's why I agreed to do it. I want to be healthy now AND later.

The problem is: I'm easily unmotivated. A hot bowl of soup is more inviting than a pair of running shoes, and a few extra hours of sleep are going to sound much better on a cold winter morning than getting up and going to the gym before class. After I finally buck up and get my shoes on, I'll find more things to complain about: my joints are bad, I wheeze, none of my clothes are comfortable, etc. etc. etc. I know I'm not the only one starting out feeling like this is an impossibility, so I might as well try, right? (and I might as well write about it, because the more people who read this, the more people I'll have pushing me along.)


But the sad truth, now, is that I run like the fat kid in gym class. It's hilarious, actually.
This picture is me, sulking on a hike. I also like the idea of being a hiker.