First things first ... the title of this post comes from the fact that this is my 183rd post on this blog. Not a momentous occasion for you, I'm sure, but for me it means that I've now done the same amount of posts on this blog as I did on my old blog. From here on out, it's all new territory in the blogging world for me! And it really seemed like we did 183 things at the gym this morning, so it all works out.
We started out with some swimming. Drew had made himself a reservation at 6:00 this morning. They said that there wasn't enough space in the reservations for both of us to have a spot, but it wasn't a problem. They take reservations for 4 of the 8 available slots. I figured that since we'd be there at 6 on the nose, I could be one of the first people in the pool without an issue. Drew and I snagged our own lane and got down to business.
For me, that meant a combination of aqua jogging and kicking. For Drew, that meant some swimming. I really tried to keep track of how far we went today. I'm thinking somewhere in the 30-40 lengths of the pool range, which would be about 540-720 yards range. I think 40 lengths is a bit on the high end, so it's probably somewhere more around 600 yards total.
Drew does seem to be looking a bit more comfortable in the water, but I don't think he's feeling a lot more comfortable. He was swimming on his own at first and then I had him switch to use a pool buoy and he got a lot more confident once his kick was taken out of the equation. His kick is definitely not his strong suit, so it makes sense that it would help him. I actually think what happens is that he gets a little frantic about making it to the end of the lane and starts kicking harder, which would be helpful if he had a good kick, but all it does is tire him out and then he gets a little panicked about breathing since he's feeling tired. I'm not sure what the solution is to this. I've tried to have him slow down and relax in the water, but I just think that some people might never relax completely.
After our swim (I'm not really sure I can say that it was real swimming ... my hair didn't even get wet under my swim cap), we changed into gym clothes and headed downstairs for some cardio. Drew suggested that we do the stair mill and I was fine with that. I knew I'd have to pick a slower level than I'd probably like to do since I can't really hold on that well (or at least I shouldn't be holding on). I decided to do the Fat Burner, Level 8.
After about 7 minutes, I was ready to lower the level and wimp out, but since I know that won't get me anywhere, I hung in there for the full 30 minutes. I really just concentrated on reading my book and not falling off the machine. Drew tripped a little bit at one point on his stair mill, so it wasn't completely out of the realm of possibility that someone would fall off!
When our 30 minutes were up, Drew said he wanted to do some lifting. I wasn't 100% sure I wanted to do that too, but I figured what the heck? This is what I ended up doing:
Leg Press:
10 reps @ 135 lbs / 2 x 10 reps @ 180 lbs
Calf Raises:
10 reps @ 135 lbs / 2 x 10 reps @ 180 lbs
Body Weight Circuit:
3 x 10 reps right leg lunges
3 x 10 reps left leg lunges
3 x 15 reps squats
Drew did the leg presses and calf raises as well, but then he did real squats with the bar on his back. I would have liked to have done those, but I don't think I can lift the bar onto or off on my back right now with my left arm and I was too afraid that I'd hurt it if I did something like that, so I opted just to do my body weight circuit. I think it worked out just fine.
We finished up in the weight room and Drew said he was going to do 15 more minutes of cardio. I said I'd do it too if we could use the treadmill. He's on the anti-running-Amy plan, so he was a little skeptical at first. I said I would just walk at a high incline. Which I did, for 10 minutes. I walked at 4.0 or 4.2 at level 9 incline. Turns out that is very boring.
All I wanted to do was run. So you know what? I decided just to go ahead and sprint my little heart out. I put the incline down to 1 and the speed up to 10.0 and just had at it. I think I sprinted for about a minute and then did a little bit of walking, another sprint at 10.0 and then did about a 2 minute walking cool-down. Definitely very satisfying just to get that sprinting under my belt. Reminded me of training for the half-marathon!
We finished up with some stretching and I headed home with a very hungry tummy. Even though I didn't really swim, there is something in the water that just makes me starving, I think. I know I'm not the only person that this happens to ... or am I?
Swimming
Time: 23:20
Distance: ~ 600 yards
Pace: 68:35/mile (we will never discuss this again)
Calories: 117
Maximum HR: 143
Average HR: 111
Stair Mill
Time: 30:00
Distance: 2.57 miles (153 floors)
Pace: 11:40/mile
Calories: 285
Maximum HR: 167
Average HR: 154
Weight Lifting
Time: 23:57
Calories: 121
Maximum HR: 152
Average HR: 112
Running/Walking
Time: 15:00
Distance: ~1.25 miles
Pace: 12:00/mile
Calories: 169
Maximum HR: 193
Average HR: 169
Showing posts with label Walking. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Walking. Show all posts
Thursday, June 3, 2010
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
Avoidance
This morning I headed off to the Park to do some walking and some running. I also wanted to avoid seeing the Terriers. Somehow, I just feel bad when I see them in the Park and I'm not working out with them. Like I'm cheating somehow. Even though I'm obviously injured and there isn't really anything I can do, I just feel weird about it for some reason.
I walked to the Park and then once I got there, I decided that I would do a mixture of running and walking today. I started out with 10 minutes of running. While I was running, of course I happened to run by the Terriers as they were on their way to the S to do some speed work. I tried to keep my head down and just keep on my way. When I got to Cat Hill, after just about 10 minutes of running, I decided that 10 minutes of walking would be in order!
After the walking, I went back to 10 more minutes of running and finished up the whole thing with some walking. I decided to cross the street so that I wouldn't have to walk by everyone doing speed work, which might be lame, but I just feel bad that I'm out there doing my own thing instead of participating with the team. Because it's not that I don't like them! I miss doing the team workouts, but I know that if I go to them, I'll push myself way too hard, which wouldn't be good at all.
Running/Walking
Time: 38:08
Distance: 3.60 miles
Pace: 10:35/mile
Calories: 427
Maximum HR: 189
Average HR: 169
I walked to the Park and then once I got there, I decided that I would do a mixture of running and walking today. I started out with 10 minutes of running. While I was running, of course I happened to run by the Terriers as they were on their way to the S to do some speed work. I tried to keep my head down and just keep on my way. When I got to Cat Hill, after just about 10 minutes of running, I decided that 10 minutes of walking would be in order!
After the walking, I went back to 10 more minutes of running and finished up the whole thing with some walking. I decided to cross the street so that I wouldn't have to walk by everyone doing speed work, which might be lame, but I just feel bad that I'm out there doing my own thing instead of participating with the team. Because it's not that I don't like them! I miss doing the team workouts, but I know that if I go to them, I'll push myself way too hard, which wouldn't be good at all.
Running/Walking
Time: 38:08
Distance: 3.60 miles
Pace: 10:35/mile
Calories: 427
Maximum HR: 189
Average HR: 169
Monday, May 31, 2010
A Monday Stroll In The Park
This morning we woke up and Drew asked me if I was going to go to the gym. I told him that I didn't want to go to the gym but that I'd do something outside. My plan was to basically do what I did on Saturday. Walk up to the Reservoir, run one loop around, and then walk home. Drew ended up tagging along with me.
Since it was so warm out this morning, I decided that I wanted to try to stay on the Bridle Path for as much of the walk/run as possible since it's much more shaded than the road is. Seemed like the best plan to me. We were walking along and it was more like a stroll in the park than a workout for me, but I didn't really mind. It was nice just to be outdoors and chatting with Drew.
Then we got to the Reservoir Path and I asked if he wanted to stay on the Bridle Path and run around the Reservoir or if wanted to run on the actual Reservoir Path. He chose the real path, which was okay with me, although it's not as shaded. He also decided that he wanted to do two loops, so I told him that he should just go ahead and run at his own pace so that I wouldn't have to wait as long for him once I was done.
I ran my one loop (although I wanted to do two) and then just sat down on a park bench and waited for Drew to be done. And then we walked home after that. Still on the stroll in the park mode, not actual workout mode. I was bummed that I didn't get as good of a workout in as I was hoping -- mainly with the walking. I guess from now on when Drew comes with me I'll have to make it very clear that since this is my main form of cardio right now, I can't really afford to be dilly-dallying around!
Walking/Running
Time: 1:03:16
Distance: 4.60 miles
Pace: 13:45/mile
Calories: 672
Maximum HR: 198
Average HR: 150
Since it was so warm out this morning, I decided that I wanted to try to stay on the Bridle Path for as much of the walk/run as possible since it's much more shaded than the road is. Seemed like the best plan to me. We were walking along and it was more like a stroll in the park than a workout for me, but I didn't really mind. It was nice just to be outdoors and chatting with Drew.
Then we got to the Reservoir Path and I asked if he wanted to stay on the Bridle Path and run around the Reservoir or if wanted to run on the actual Reservoir Path. He chose the real path, which was okay with me, although it's not as shaded. He also decided that he wanted to do two loops, so I told him that he should just go ahead and run at his own pace so that I wouldn't have to wait as long for him once I was done.
I ran my one loop (although I wanted to do two) and then just sat down on a park bench and waited for Drew to be done. And then we walked home after that. Still on the stroll in the park mode, not actual workout mode. I was bummed that I didn't get as good of a workout in as I was hoping -- mainly with the walking. I guess from now on when Drew comes with me I'll have to make it very clear that since this is my main form of cardio right now, I can't really afford to be dilly-dallying around!
Walking/Running
Time: 1:03:16
Distance: 4.60 miles
Pace: 13:45/mile
Calories: 672
Maximum HR: 198
Average HR: 150
Saturday, May 29, 2010
And I Ran
This morning Drew told me that he was going to do another brick, but since I was going for a walk, he had to drop his bike off at home before going running. We left the house around the same time, but since he was biking and I was walking, it took us a while before we saw each other again.
I decided to walk north up the west side of the Park so that I could wave to Drew when he rode past. But, secretly, I had a different plan for myself today. I walked myself up to the reservoir path and then I ran one loop around the path. Um, right, so I'm not supposed to be running right now. I know that. But I'm sick of this. And, truth be told, I've run a couple times before. I was just hiding it because I was embarrassed I wasn't playing by the rules.
I've run in small increments, mainly on soft surfaces, and have had no arm pain at all. I've taken this as a sign that doing little bits more is okay. I know, I'm not a doctor, but it's been a month since my arm was broken and aside from some things that I know still hurt my arm, it's fairly normal now. I'm not doing anything crazy and, truthfully, I think I'm preventing myself from going crazy!
So, I did my one reservoir loop and then I walked myself back home. It was definitely a nice morning to be out early getting my run on. So, if you don't agree with my decisions, that's fine. Just avert your eyes for another couple of weeks. Because I still have to wait until June 15 to go back to the doctor!
Walking/Running
Time: 58:32
Distance: 4.60 miles
Pace: 12:43/mile
Calories: 645
Maximum HR: 194
Average HR: 166
I decided to walk north up the west side of the Park so that I could wave to Drew when he rode past. But, secretly, I had a different plan for myself today. I walked myself up to the reservoir path and then I ran one loop around the path. Um, right, so I'm not supposed to be running right now. I know that. But I'm sick of this. And, truth be told, I've run a couple times before. I was just hiding it because I was embarrassed I wasn't playing by the rules.
I've run in small increments, mainly on soft surfaces, and have had no arm pain at all. I've taken this as a sign that doing little bits more is okay. I know, I'm not a doctor, but it's been a month since my arm was broken and aside from some things that I know still hurt my arm, it's fairly normal now. I'm not doing anything crazy and, truthfully, I think I'm preventing myself from going crazy!
So, I did my one reservoir loop and then I walked myself back home. It was definitely a nice morning to be out early getting my run on. So, if you don't agree with my decisions, that's fine. Just avert your eyes for another couple of weeks. Because I still have to wait until June 15 to go back to the doctor!
Walking/Running
Time: 58:32
Distance: 4.60 miles
Pace: 12:43/mile
Calories: 645
Maximum HR: 194
Average HR: 166
Monday, May 24, 2010
Learning New Things
I currently seem to be on the every-other-day workout plan. Which, frankly, isn't much of a plan. Yesterday I almost talked myself into getting up and out for a walk, but somehow I talked myself out of it. Oh well. Oddly enough, I did wake up bright and early this morning in order to get out and go. The truth is that today was Drew's first swim lesson (!), so I walked with him to the Y and then I headed into the Park for my walk.
I decided just to walk along the Bridle Path this morning. And I learned something new! That even though dogs can be off leash in the mornings in the Park, that they have to be on their leashes at all times on the Bridle Path. Of course, the other thing is that no one pays attention to that rule. I am always a little intimated when big dogs are running around on the Path, even though they're generally chasing a ball, I'm always a little nervous they're just going to come up and bite me. After I found out this new rule, I felt like yelling at everyone I saw that they were breaking the rules (I didn't actually do that).
I forgot to wear my heart rate monitor strap today, so I had to go off my perceived effort today. I knew I wasn't going as quickly as I was on Saturday, but part of that is due to the difference in walking on the Road and walking on the Path. There is just so much more to be careful of on the Path - dips, rocks, mud, etc. Not that there's anything wrong with that, it just makes for a different walk.
I just kept passing runner after runner (or, more accurately, they kept passing me) and I was just thinking about wanting to run. It really wasn't that long ago that I really didn't love running. It's funny how quickly that can change. I think that I really started to appreciate the simplicity of running after half-marathon training and starting to train for triathlon again. There is just something so easy about grabbing your shoes and heading out for a run. There is also something very cathartic (to me, at least) about getting out some frustrations while running. It's just such a good time to think!
So, I have to confess, I was getting a little down in the dumps about not running, so I decided that I'd just let myself run. Not a lot, maybe about 100 yards, but enough just to get the ants out of my pants. And it worked. I felt a lot better that I could still run! Even if it was really ridiculously short. Something about it just changed my mood. Three weeks of healing down ... hopefully only 3 to 5 more to go!
Time: 1:00:00
Distance: 4.60 miles
Pace: 13:02/mile
I decided just to walk along the Bridle Path this morning. And I learned something new! That even though dogs can be off leash in the mornings in the Park, that they have to be on their leashes at all times on the Bridle Path. Of course, the other thing is that no one pays attention to that rule. I am always a little intimated when big dogs are running around on the Path, even though they're generally chasing a ball, I'm always a little nervous they're just going to come up and bite me. After I found out this new rule, I felt like yelling at everyone I saw that they were breaking the rules (I didn't actually do that).
I forgot to wear my heart rate monitor strap today, so I had to go off my perceived effort today. I knew I wasn't going as quickly as I was on Saturday, but part of that is due to the difference in walking on the Road and walking on the Path. There is just so much more to be careful of on the Path - dips, rocks, mud, etc. Not that there's anything wrong with that, it just makes for a different walk.
I just kept passing runner after runner (or, more accurately, they kept passing me) and I was just thinking about wanting to run. It really wasn't that long ago that I really didn't love running. It's funny how quickly that can change. I think that I really started to appreciate the simplicity of running after half-marathon training and starting to train for triathlon again. There is just something so easy about grabbing your shoes and heading out for a run. There is also something very cathartic (to me, at least) about getting out some frustrations while running. It's just such a good time to think!
So, I have to confess, I was getting a little down in the dumps about not running, so I decided that I'd just let myself run. Not a lot, maybe about 100 yards, but enough just to get the ants out of my pants. And it worked. I felt a lot better that I could still run! Even if it was really ridiculously short. Something about it just changed my mood. Three weeks of healing down ... hopefully only 3 to 5 more to go!
Time: 1:00:00
Distance: 4.60 miles
Pace: 13:02/mile
Saturday, May 22, 2010
Are You Dropping Him Off At Daycare?
Friday morning I woke up feeling like a ton of bricks had been dropped on my arm. Instead, what happened is that I slept on my arm. I'd just like to say here that I haven't been sleeping all that great since I broke my arm. I'm a left side sleeper and when you can't sleep on your chosen side, it leads to a lot of tossing and turning in the night. Thursday night I decided to test the waters and see what would happen. The answer? Nothing good.
So, even though I woke up bright and early on Friday, I decided to forgo the walking and lounge around on the couch before work instead. I'm sure that was the right decision since it pretty much felt like I had just broken my arm and I actually had to stop a couple of times on the way to work and just breathe through it since even walking was so painful. Definitely the right decision not to go out power walking on Friday!
This morning, however, was a different story. My arm went back to "normal" and only hurts when I straighten it completely or lean on it. Drew was going to go to the Park class that his trainer, Billy, leads on Saturdays. I decided that I'd walk him to class and then go for a walk myself. We started walking and Drew quickly realized that he couldn't keep up with me!
Even though his legs are a little bit longer than mine, he said that it was really hard for him to walk that fast and he started jogging along side of me. I guess my walking is a better workout than I give it credit for sometimes. Anyway, I went to Drew to the meeting place for the class and waited for a few minutes for Billy to arrive. I wanted to know the best place to meet Drew after the class. One of the guys commented that it was sort-of like I was dropping Drew off at daycare while I went and did my own thing.
And after arranging to meet Drew where I'd left him, I went off on my walk. I knew I had about an hour to get my walk in, so I headed north to tackle the Harlem Hill. And tackle it I did. It actually felt easier walking than it does riding my bike. I'd say that it was because I was walking a lot slower than I normally ride my bike up the hill, but I'm actually not sure that was 100% true.
As I was heading back down the west side, I happened to pass another guy who was walking along. As I passed him, he said something to the effect that I had crushed him. I told him that he should start swinging his arms and pick up the pace! He told me that I had inspired him and he was going to try to stay with me. I told him that I had a broken arm, so he didn't have any excuse not to keep pace with me! He laughed and actually, he definitely did stay about two steps behind me for at least a mile.
Then I turned onto 72nd Street to head back up the east side. As I was walking along 72nd Street, all of these people wearing Bobby Police helmets and shirts were running along the transverse. And they just kept coming and coming. It felt like there were about 200 of them, although maybe it was more like 100. It was just so silly to see them. At first I thought they were wearing costumes, but it turns out that they were real British Police officers!
I then headed back to the meeting spot to wait for Drew. I walked around a bit and tried to find them, but I didn't have any success. I ended up waiting about 15 minutes for the group to come back. Drew and I were both really hungry and sweaty, so we stopped to get a Froz-Fruit on the way home. While we ate our Popsicles, we wandered home the long way and then Drew made us a delicious breakfast of eggs and toast!
The amazing thing is that I was really walking fast on my walk by myself today. I'm guessing that Drew wouldn't have been able to keep up with me just walking if he had tagged along with me. I really tried to keep my heart rate up as high as possible and make it the best workout that I possibly could. And, seriously, I never ran. I think I could tryout for the Olympic race-walk team!
Walk There
Time: 26:49
Distance: 2.20 miles
Pace: 12:11/mile
Calories: 262
Maximum HR: 186
Average HR: 156
Walk Upper Loop
Time: 59:55
Distance: 5.00 miles
Pace: 11:58/mile
Calories: 718
Maximum HR: 188
Average HR: 175
So, even though I woke up bright and early on Friday, I decided to forgo the walking and lounge around on the couch before work instead. I'm sure that was the right decision since it pretty much felt like I had just broken my arm and I actually had to stop a couple of times on the way to work and just breathe through it since even walking was so painful. Definitely the right decision not to go out power walking on Friday!
This morning, however, was a different story. My arm went back to "normal" and only hurts when I straighten it completely or lean on it. Drew was going to go to the Park class that his trainer, Billy, leads on Saturdays. I decided that I'd walk him to class and then go for a walk myself. We started walking and Drew quickly realized that he couldn't keep up with me!
Even though his legs are a little bit longer than mine, he said that it was really hard for him to walk that fast and he started jogging along side of me. I guess my walking is a better workout than I give it credit for sometimes. Anyway, I went to Drew to the meeting place for the class and waited for a few minutes for Billy to arrive. I wanted to know the best place to meet Drew after the class. One of the guys commented that it was sort-of like I was dropping Drew off at daycare while I went and did my own thing.
And after arranging to meet Drew where I'd left him, I went off on my walk. I knew I had about an hour to get my walk in, so I headed north to tackle the Harlem Hill. And tackle it I did. It actually felt easier walking than it does riding my bike. I'd say that it was because I was walking a lot slower than I normally ride my bike up the hill, but I'm actually not sure that was 100% true.
As I was heading back down the west side, I happened to pass another guy who was walking along. As I passed him, he said something to the effect that I had crushed him. I told him that he should start swinging his arms and pick up the pace! He told me that I had inspired him and he was going to try to stay with me. I told him that I had a broken arm, so he didn't have any excuse not to keep pace with me! He laughed and actually, he definitely did stay about two steps behind me for at least a mile.
Then I turned onto 72nd Street to head back up the east side. As I was walking along 72nd Street, all of these people wearing Bobby Police helmets and shirts were running along the transverse. And they just kept coming and coming. It felt like there were about 200 of them, although maybe it was more like 100. It was just so silly to see them. At first I thought they were wearing costumes, but it turns out that they were real British Police officers!
I then headed back to the meeting spot to wait for Drew. I walked around a bit and tried to find them, but I didn't have any success. I ended up waiting about 15 minutes for the group to come back. Drew and I were both really hungry and sweaty, so we stopped to get a Froz-Fruit on the way home. While we ate our Popsicles, we wandered home the long way and then Drew made us a delicious breakfast of eggs and toast!
The amazing thing is that I was really walking fast on my walk by myself today. I'm guessing that Drew wouldn't have been able to keep up with me just walking if he had tagged along with me. I really tried to keep my heart rate up as high as possible and make it the best workout that I possibly could. And, seriously, I never ran. I think I could tryout for the Olympic race-walk team!
Walk There
Time: 26:49
Distance: 2.20 miles
Pace: 12:11/mile
Calories: 262
Maximum HR: 186
Average HR: 156
Walk Upper Loop
Time: 59:55
Distance: 5.00 miles
Pace: 11:58/mile
Calories: 718
Maximum HR: 188
Average HR: 175
Thursday, May 20, 2010
Doing Some Figurin
OK, so I've been a bad blogger. Which generally means that I've been a bad exerciser. In this case, that's actually sort-of true. Although I usually like to think that Monday mornings are not made for working out. And sometimes rainy Tuesday mornings fall into that category. I actually did go to the gym on Tuesday after work, but my workout got cut short (only 20 minutes on the Arc Trainer) because our dinner plans got pushed up. But I've got proof I actually did those 20 minutes, see:
.jpg)
But, the truth is, after finding out that I couldn't swim, bike or run for the next few weeks because of my broken elbow, my heart just isn't in it. So, I've been trying to figure out what I'm going to do with myself for the next month or so while I'm waiting for everything to heal. The truth is that I just don't love the gymnasium. I think it's taken me a while to figure that out and I actually think it's why I didn't really workout much before I started this whole triathlon business. The truth is that I really love to be outside.
I think I've come up with a plan that will get me up and out of bed in the mornings, but might not be a plan for triathlon completion in 2010. I'm not sure that I'm okay with that last part of the statement quite yet, but I know that I've got to keep moving in the meantime. The best thing that I can come up with that makes me happy and willing to get up early is to take long walks outside. I know that's not necessarily going to help me when it comes time to swim, bike or run. But you know what? It's going to keep me a lot happier than I have been for the past few days.
Truthfully, I've really been down in the dumps about breaking my elbow. I feel mad at myself for falling in the first place. And then I think that if I could complete a triathlon immediately after breaking my elbow, why can't I just keep swimming, biking and running right now?
I know that I most likely won't be able to compete in either of my scheduled triathlons this year (New York City and Timberman) and I'm really having a hard time coming to terms with that fact. I also have to say that I feel incredibly guilty for getting Kristin to sign-up for Timberman as well and now it looks like there is a pretty good chance I won't be there! I'm still reserving my final judgments until my doctor appointment on June 15. Of course, I'm hoping that he'll say I can go back to all three sports, but even if he does, I'm not sure how much I'll be able to do right away - especially in the biking department.
So, with all of this weighing on my mind, I went out for a nice walk this morning. It was so nice to be back in the Park and people-watching. I even saw some of my Terrier teammates out there doing their brick workouts. I knew I wasn't walking as quickly today as I had over the weekend, but I was still just so happy to be outside and getting in some cardio that I didn't really care. At this point, I have to just remember to be patient and let my arm heal so that I can continue to do triathlons in the coming years!
I have to say that I realize that this might not make this the most exciting blog for the next few months, but I'm going to keep on writing even if there isn't anyone out there reading. I'll try to take my camera along on some of these walks, because there isn't a day that goes by where I don't think "only in New York...".
Arc Trainer
Time: 20:00
Distance: 0.52 miles
Pace: 38:27/mile
Calories: 206 (from machine)
Walking
Time: 1:13:01
Distance: 5.50 miles
Pace: 13:16/mile
Calories: 593
Maximum HR: 163
Average HR: 140
.jpg)
But, the truth is, after finding out that I couldn't swim, bike or run for the next few weeks because of my broken elbow, my heart just isn't in it. So, I've been trying to figure out what I'm going to do with myself for the next month or so while I'm waiting for everything to heal. The truth is that I just don't love the gymnasium. I think it's taken me a while to figure that out and I actually think it's why I didn't really workout much before I started this whole triathlon business. The truth is that I really love to be outside.
I think I've come up with a plan that will get me up and out of bed in the mornings, but might not be a plan for triathlon completion in 2010. I'm not sure that I'm okay with that last part of the statement quite yet, but I know that I've got to keep moving in the meantime. The best thing that I can come up with that makes me happy and willing to get up early is to take long walks outside. I know that's not necessarily going to help me when it comes time to swim, bike or run. But you know what? It's going to keep me a lot happier than I have been for the past few days.
Truthfully, I've really been down in the dumps about breaking my elbow. I feel mad at myself for falling in the first place. And then I think that if I could complete a triathlon immediately after breaking my elbow, why can't I just keep swimming, biking and running right now?
I know that I most likely won't be able to compete in either of my scheduled triathlons this year (New York City and Timberman) and I'm really having a hard time coming to terms with that fact. I also have to say that I feel incredibly guilty for getting Kristin to sign-up for Timberman as well and now it looks like there is a pretty good chance I won't be there! I'm still reserving my final judgments until my doctor appointment on June 15. Of course, I'm hoping that he'll say I can go back to all three sports, but even if he does, I'm not sure how much I'll be able to do right away - especially in the biking department.
So, with all of this weighing on my mind, I went out for a nice walk this morning. It was so nice to be back in the Park and people-watching. I even saw some of my Terrier teammates out there doing their brick workouts. I knew I wasn't walking as quickly today as I had over the weekend, but I was still just so happy to be outside and getting in some cardio that I didn't really care. At this point, I have to just remember to be patient and let my arm heal so that I can continue to do triathlons in the coming years!
I have to say that I realize that this might not make this the most exciting blog for the next few months, but I'm going to keep on writing even if there isn't anyone out there reading. I'll try to take my camera along on some of these walks, because there isn't a day that goes by where I don't think "only in New York...".
Arc Trainer
Time: 20:00
Distance: 0.52 miles
Pace: 38:27/mile
Calories: 206 (from machine)
Walking
Time: 1:13:01
Distance: 5.50 miles
Pace: 13:16/mile
Calories: 593
Maximum HR: 163
Average HR: 140
Saturday, May 15, 2010
Weather Is A Motivator
This morning I spend lounging about, but after realizing that I was wasting a beautiful day, I got myself off the couch and outside. My plan was to go for a nice long walk. I wasn't really sure exactly where I was going to go, although I thought that walking along the Westside Path sounded like a good plan. When I got there, I decided to walk south along the path. I have been north a number of times riding my bike and thought it'd be fun to mix it up a little bit.
When I first started walking, I was really feeling sad for myself. I just kept watching everyone running and biking past me past me and felt especially bad when I saw two couples riding bicycles built for two. It's all just a reminder of what I can't do right now. But, then I realized that it was a beautiful day outside and I might as well take advantage of that. So, I sucked it up and kept on walking. Since I didn't really have a plan, I wasn't really sure how far I was going to go. I knew when I got to Chelsea Piers that I was about two miles from home, but I decided to keep going until I got to 45 minutes in one direction.
I ended up making it to Houston Street at the 45 minute mark. That's 3.4 miles away from our apartment (a 13:14 pace). I kept peeking at my heart rate monitor throughout the workout. I really wanted to know how high my heart rate was getting and if this walking stuff would be a decent enough substitute for running while my arm is healing. As soon as I saw that my heart rate got to 160, I did everything I could to keep it there or higher.
When I turned around at Houston Street, I really tried to book it home and see if I could make it home faster than I walked there. I felt really great that I was able to pick up the pace a little bit, especially since I felt like I was walking pretty quickly on the way there. I have to say, though, that there is something a little bit ridiculous feeling about being out there and just going for a really long power walk.
Drew's sister recently started running after going on long walks for exercise and she said that when she was considering starting to run, all she could think of was how she could get places so much faster if she was running. I kept thinking the same thing myself today. But, the truth is that I can't run. I've got to stop feeling sorry for myself and just do what I can.
In actuality, I felt really good after this walk. I was glad to have gotten outside and enjoyed the weather today. I was glad that my arm didn't really bother me too much while I was walking. I was glad that I was able to hold such a quick pace for the walk. And I was especially glad that there was a street fair on the way home where I was able to buy some Kettle Corn. I'm sure that's a good recovery treat, right? As soon as I got home, I iced my elbow as a precautionary measure, but I think that everything is okay there (as far as I can tell).
Walking
Time: 1:28:39
Distance: 6.80 miles
Pace: 13:02/mile
Calories: 869
Maximum HR: 172
Average HR: 157
When I first started walking, I was really feeling sad for myself. I just kept watching everyone running and biking past me past me and felt especially bad when I saw two couples riding bicycles built for two. It's all just a reminder of what I can't do right now. But, then I realized that it was a beautiful day outside and I might as well take advantage of that. So, I sucked it up and kept on walking. Since I didn't really have a plan, I wasn't really sure how far I was going to go. I knew when I got to Chelsea Piers that I was about two miles from home, but I decided to keep going until I got to 45 minutes in one direction.
I ended up making it to Houston Street at the 45 minute mark. That's 3.4 miles away from our apartment (a 13:14 pace). I kept peeking at my heart rate monitor throughout the workout. I really wanted to know how high my heart rate was getting and if this walking stuff would be a decent enough substitute for running while my arm is healing. As soon as I saw that my heart rate got to 160, I did everything I could to keep it there or higher.
When I turned around at Houston Street, I really tried to book it home and see if I could make it home faster than I walked there. I felt really great that I was able to pick up the pace a little bit, especially since I felt like I was walking pretty quickly on the way there. I have to say, though, that there is something a little bit ridiculous feeling about being out there and just going for a really long power walk.
Drew's sister recently started running after going on long walks for exercise and she said that when she was considering starting to run, all she could think of was how she could get places so much faster if she was running. I kept thinking the same thing myself today. But, the truth is that I can't run. I've got to stop feeling sorry for myself and just do what I can.
In actuality, I felt really good after this walk. I was glad to have gotten outside and enjoyed the weather today. I was glad that my arm didn't really bother me too much while I was walking. I was glad that I was able to hold such a quick pace for the walk. And I was especially glad that there was a street fair on the way home where I was able to buy some Kettle Corn. I'm sure that's a good recovery treat, right? As soon as I got home, I iced my elbow as a precautionary measure, but I think that everything is okay there (as far as I can tell).
Walking
Time: 1:28:39
Distance: 6.80 miles
Pace: 13:02/mile
Calories: 869
Maximum HR: 172
Average HR: 157
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
