A Better Run and a Failed Snowboarder

I had yesterday off (woohoo!) and headed to the gym in the morning. Evidently everyone else got the same great idea and the gym was again packed. I didn't know so many people got MLK day off! Anyways, I managed to get on my favorite treadmill and hammered out 3 miles. I was actually feeling great and wanted to run further but the gym was crowded and I didn't want to get yelled at for being on the treadmill longer than the allowed time. I put in another 15 minutes on the eliptical but again had foot pad pain and decided to jump off. Finished up my hour at home on the Wii Fit.

I am backtracking a bit here...but the day before this wonderful run...we went snowboarding. This was my first trip snowboarding and I'm not entirely sure I can actually claim that I snowboarded since I spent most of my time on my bum. We didn't take any lessons, just had a friend kind of show us what to do before we plunged down the hill. It didn't fair to well with me because I spent most of the time falling and then contemplating getting back up. The runs were packed that day and I spent most of the time waiting for the perfect opportunity to go so that I wouldn't take out a small child while trying to get down the hill (since I still do not have a clue how you stop other than fall down). Anyways, my butt is still pretty sore (didn't help that I slipped on our front step this morning either). Strangely, my arms are sore too--Andy says from catching my fall so many times. I think I'll stick to running.

Losing Mileage

I really don't know what my deal is lately. A few weeks ago I was running 6 milers and intervals and loving it. The last two weeks have really sucked. I've barely cranked out 3 milers and in fact, Monday I could only muster out 2.5 miles. So, so frustrating.

I don't think I can even tell you the cause of this problem. One day it was the fact that my legs were really really tight and in pain. The next day it seemed to be that I had no energy. The next day it was that my breathing was off. Yea that one was Monday. All of these factors make me feel like I did when I first started running years ago. So frustrating.

I have class tonight so there will be no gym time. However, I am going to take on this problem on Friday and hopefully see some sort of improvement in my endurance. Seriously.

And the Chaos Begins

I guess everyone was scared of the below zero temps last week and that is why the gym was empty. Just merely making assumptions. Yesterday I went to the gym and it was a madhouse. The parking lot was packed so I knew it was going to be bad before I ever even stepped foot into the door. Every treadmill was taken. There were two elipticals open so I hopped on one. I don't mind the eliptical--I just would much rather be on the treadmill. Elipticals hurt the balls of my feet and I have yet to figure out why after many years of using them. Anyways, I did the eliptical for half an hour and got off because there was an enormous line for both the treadmills and the elipticals. Biked for about 10 minutes before I started to get bored. Hopped off the bike and went home to the Wii Fit where I don't have to compete for machines.

I think I may have to start going to the gym later so I can avoid this madness. At least for the month of January.

Ranting Post

Yikes. Anyone else get a calendar in the mail from Runner's World? No thanks! They sent me a calendar in the mail and then billed me 21.95 for it and I never asked for one! Then they want me to send this calendar back on my dime! They sent it to me without me requesting it! Grr.

Anyways, I don't have much positive to report about my workout yesterday. I ran 3 miles and it wasn't the best run I've ever had. My legs were really tight and I never really got into the right rhythm. I biked for 20 minutes afterwords and have decided that biking on a stationary bike deems little rewards. According to the machine, I only burned 90 calories in 20 minutes. This just seems crazy. I was going at about 85 rpm, perhaps that is slow? I don't even know as I'm not really much of a cyclist. Anyways, I'm probably going to have to work on that more before the triathlon.

I plan to get a better run in tonight. We'll see how it goes.

Addicted to Events

Yep...I've signed up for another one already. Get this--my first "kind of" triathlon. I say, "kind of" because it is indoors and not what I would typically envision as a triathlon. I will be participating in the Lifetime Fitness Indoor Triathlon on Feb. 21st with the NF Endurance Team and my cousin!

Considering I am not much of a swimmer, this is going to be a bit of a challenge. I actually try to avoid swimming at all costs. I am going to have to actually go out and buy a swimsuit that I can swim in. We will see how this challenge wraps up in February!

Hope that all of you had a wonderful New Year's Day! It has gotten bitter cold here. -10 this morning. We are expected to stay bone chilling cold all the rest of the week. Yuck.