Wednesday, January 2, 2013

Wednesday Workout Update

Jeff and I started the new year off with a run yesterday - in fact, we did a 5K!  It was quite windy, which made it a challenge - plus we ran the entire distance without stopping (not even for a sip of water).  While I didn't break any speed records, I did push myself, and I'm pleased with getting a strong run in on the first day of 2013.
3.1 miles, plus wind-swept hair.
Dueling Garmins - we started them at the same time, and ran side-by-side, but mine (on the right) says I ran 4 seconds longer than Jeff.  Overachiever?  Ha!

Did you start 2013 off with some exercise?  Chime in with a comment - I'd love to hear about it!

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Jeff and I ran 5.5 miles on Saturday, which made my yearly mileage total 502 - woohoo!  I should be able to do more for this year since I'm already running, but I don't have any particular goal I want to hit...just that I continue running, do the races I want, and enjoy the majority of the runs.  Not too much to ask, is it?

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Over the last year, it's been suggested to me that I add a bit of cross-training to my running.  I thought about what I liked doing best (after running) and biking came to mind.  However, my pretty pink bike is a cruiser, and while it's fun to ride, it's hard to get a good cardio workout on it.  I did like riding a spinner bike, back when I had access to one (either at Brad's, or at the gym), and I've been considering joining a small gym near my house.  They don't have contracts or initiation fees, and the cost isn't horrible - $35/month.  But that seemed like a lot to pay for just a few times of me stopping in to ride a bike, and honestly, I'm not sure that I'd do much more ("lifting!" - I can hear Lori saying right now, lol).  What can I say, if it's not something I love, I have a really hard time making myself do it. 

Anyway, it just so happened that our son Sam has an exercise bike that he didn't need anymore, as he's become quite the gym rat.  He very nicely gave it to us, and now it's set up in a spare bedroom - I plan on riding it two or three times a week for some short cardio sessions.  I figure that will also help with my endurance for running, plus biking should develop different leg muscles than running does.  It's all another component of my Getting Lean in 2013 plan!
We are so technologically advanced that the bike doesn't even have to be in a room with a TV - I can sit my iPad on the console and watch shows that way...how times have changed!

I'll be riding the bike for the first time today...wish me luck!

38 comments:

  1. Oh, I love the Get Lean 2013 Motto! I might have to steal it.

    Yep, I did the exercise thing yesterday. I hopped on the bike for about an hour ride. It was more for form than performance. I did get the amazing gift of a box of cold-weather gear from my friend in FLA who is downsizing. Turned out to be the perfect stuff for cycling! YAY or CRAP - no more excuses!

    Happy New Year!

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    1. Nice going with the hour bike ride, and hurray for the cold-weather gear - it's hard enough to get outside and exercise in the cold months, but add wind resistance brought on by biking, and that's a whole nother story!

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  2. oooh you KNOW HOW I LOVE MY BIKE!!

    enjoy :-)

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    1. Oh that's right, you and your bike are good buddies!

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  3. Good luck with the bike. I tried that and didn't stick with it. But I do planto keep running regularly.

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    1. It's all about finding what works for you, and what you'll continue to do. I'm hoping this will be a convenient, quick workout for me. We'll see!

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  4. Well, you know what I thought of the stationary bike lol! Yours looks a little newer than the one I had. Good luck getting in those rides. They definitely will help you be a better, stronger runner.

    I did a 5K yesterday morning too. Unfortunately with the foot of snow we got over last weekend, I'm currently relegated to the treadmill but that's better than not running at all!

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    1. I think the notion that the bike isn't the ONLY thing I can do will help with its appeal...at least, I hope so!

      Good going with your 5K!!!

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  5. I managed 4 km(2.5 miles) on the treadmill yesterday. It was too icy in the morning to go out. When my knees act up, the exercise bike is better for them.

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    1. Great going with the treadmill run - and yes, avoid that ice lie the plague.

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  6. No exercise for me yesterday, but I am going to the gym today! You'll be surprised, when I watch t.v. while doing the elliptical/treadmill, etc. at the gym, the time just flies by!

    Have fun with it!

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    1. Sure hope the time does fly by - there's a couple of TV series that I haven't watched yet, so this could be a great distraction.

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  7. I did lift some weight yesterday. Was going to do some treadmill but dear husband ran my ipod's battery down to nothing and I CANNOT do t-mill without my tunes. Good luck with the bike and congrats on starting the new year with a bang!

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    1. Good going with the weights - I need to start doing that as well. Maybe next month...baby stepping my way into cross-training!

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  8. That bike will be great for CT. No excuses!

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  9. I walked the three mile loop for the first time in months! Because of your challenge to do something. It was really thrilling to find that I could do it. Even though I never quit walking, they were shorter, and I avoided this particular walk because there was a really long steep hill involved and it just hurt too much to walk that long up or down.

    Interested to see how you like the bike. I really enjoy it now. Of course a little of the enjoyment is that I can turn on the Food Network and watch.

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    1. Nice going with your three mile loop!! Glad my peer pressure made you do it. :)

      Last time I (had to) ride a stationary bike, it was after I hurt my ankle. There was no TV available, and it was incredibly boring. Hoping that this go-round, with the iPad, things will be better.

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  10. I'm waiting for the ice and snow to thaw outside before I do any running; instead, I did a 5K on our rowing machine. Rowed 3.1 miles in 30 minutes. Biking is great...I really need to do more of it, myself!

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    1. Rowing as an excellent workout, and lasting 30 minutes on it? Fantastic!

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  11. Those stationary bikes always give me the sads LOL!

    I power walked and power shopped yesterday. Woot! It is so cold out and the lameness of people shoveling their walks keeps me from walking outside. I like the cycling, but it just isn't as fun indoors on the trainer - even when reading my kindle.

    Happy New Year!

    *cough* morelifting *cough*

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    1. Hehe, I KNEW the lifting pusher would make an appearance! ;)

      I think cycling indoors to you is what running on a treadmill is to me - sometimes necessary, but never as much fun as doing that same activity outdoors.

      LOL on the power shop!

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  12. Yay to your strong start for the year! :-)

    I personally love cycling, but outdoors...the indoor stuff is just a necessity when the weather kicks me in the arse.

    I also started my year out with activity...4.06 walk!

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  13. Lucky that you son doesn't want the bike anymore - that's great! My goal this year? More fruits and veggies!

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  14. We have icy sidewalks here, so I had to ride my stationary bike for 20 miles. Even with watching a movie the time really drags on. I really love outdoor cycling so maybe you have a point about that correlating to how much I dislike the indoor option. Have a great 2013! Maybe we need to have a mid- month check-in to make sure we're all staying active.

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    1. That's a great idea, Kim, to have a mid-month check in! I'm writing it on my calendar as a reminder to post. :)

      Can't imagine riding the bike for 20 miles indoors - big props to you for doing that!

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  15. All I've been able to get in is a Just Dance on the Wii with the oldest. lol. but you know I love the bike and treadmill with the IPad and netflix. I watch comedians and sometimes movies. I watched White Christmas before Christmas.

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    1. Oh, I forgot that I can watch Netflix on the iPad - thanks for the reminder! Comedians would be a great distraction, too.

      Nice that you exercised with your daughter - great role modeling for her!

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  16. 502???? That's so impressive!!! From past experience, it takes about 2 weeks to get used to the seat but cycling is awesome for cross training - gives your joints a good break! I'm so proud of you!

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    1. I forgot about the seat pain...so far so good, but it'll probably sneak up on me.

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  17. Woohoo, glad you had such a good run to start off the new year! And lucky you on scoring the bike from Sam -- looks like the perfect add-on exercise just dropped into your lap. Nice!

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  18. Yeah for starting the New Year with a run! By now you know I did that too New Year's Day. In fact it was raining that morning and I thought about not going but then I thought about my goals for 2013 and I thought about you and I did go. So thank you for the kick in my butt even though you didn't know it.

    We had an exercise bike too many, many years ago and I hated it :) So we gave it to my Mom when she needed it for physio exercises and she still uses it today. Good luck on your first bike ride.

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  19. Yes, biking! Maybe we'll meet up for a long ride one day!

    Boyfriend and I sat in the car for 8 hours as we drove back to Virginia. Transition was a great way to start the year - accepting changes and still moving forward rather than waiting for the change to happen before acting differently.

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  20. Good luck with the bike!!! Happy pedaling!! And happy 2013!!!!! Cheers to another year of health and happiness!

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  21. I have been thinking about getting a stationary bike too! Let me know how you like it. Thanks for your comment the other day. It made my day:)

    Jennifer

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