Wednesday, June 18, 2014

Wednesday Workout Update

Fitness summer continues, and I think I might be seeing an iota of muscle showing through on my arms.  My legs are stronger and that nagging pull of my hamstring has not been bothering me much - occasionally I'll feel something, but along with the walking, running and weight machines, I've also been stretching quite a bit, so hopefully all of this is helping to finally complete the healing process on that nagging injury.

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If you've seen the commercials for Planet Fitness, you know they have a "lunk alarm" - which supposedly goes off if someone grunts or drops their weights.  Julia and I were curious to know if it had been set off yet, so one morning we asked the manager.  She said that although they have it (they have to, as part of the PF franchise), they don't use it because of the number of older members.  Meaning, they didn't want to startle anyone into falling off their machine or having a heart attack (or both, at that point).  Julia and I agreed with that good thinking, but a few minutes later she looked at me and said "wait - you don't think they mean US, do you??"  Naturally, I spent the next few minutes scanning the gym to see if there were members who looked older than me...when you live in a college town, age perception is definitely skewed toward the 18 - 20 year-old demographic, so people in their 40s and 50s seem ancient!

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Here's some random shots of my workout buddies:
Julia showing her gymtimidation face - GRRR!
Abby and Koda - love their synchronized side-tongues!  They belong to my running buddy Cary, and she's been trying to teach them to run together.  Abby (the golden retriever) is still a puppy, and she's slowly getting the hang of it.  The funniest thing (to me, not to Cary) is that both dogs randomly try to pick up and eat trash as we run by it.  Cary is normally so sweet to them as she takes whatever out of their mouths, but the other morning I watched her pull something out of Abby's mouth and just as my brain was registering seeing a bone, Cary was yelling "ahhh, dead something!  DEAD SOMETHING!!!"   Not sure if it was a bird or a frog or what, but it looked yummy to Abby!
Here's Jenny and her new puppy, Isla, who is four months old.  Yesterday was the first time we tried running with her, and she did pretty good!  We walked about 1.5 miles and ran just one mile - I'd say it was to not tire the dog out but honestly, my legs were toast right from the start.
Isla's water break - she was drinking, but needed to investigate my camera.  Not the clearest shot, but it made me laugh so much!

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Last Saturday's run was challenging - both with the weather and the pace.  It was 78 degrees and 94% humidity when we started...yes, at 6:00 am!  Julia and I were both feeling strong (thank you, daily workouts), so since we were only going to run 3 miles, we decided to push it a bit.  We ran the first mile doing 1:1 intervals, and then the next two miles at 2:1 intervals.  That was a little tough!  But, I have to say it was a confidence-builder for me - I've got a couple of races coming up, and it's good to know I can get through this distance in a decent time.  Nothing like my glory days of speed (haha, my fastest race 5K was 35:37 back in 2010), but hey - I'm still running and I'm not hurting (much), so to me, this is a victory already!

23 comments:

  1. Ah a doggy workout!

    First I don't want to ruin the fun for Jenny but running with a dog that's 4 months old is too early. A dog can't go running with you or next to a bike till it's at least 10 months. It isn't fully grown yet and running can cause damage. A vet should know when it is the right time because it varies per breed. Just saying.

    And I do feel for Cary: been there, done that. That's why I learned Bella very soon: LET GO! And she always lets go what's in her mouth, no more dirty hands for me LOL.

    You are in a very great routine with your workouts now and most of all: you are enjoying yourself! Keep it up and keep enjoying yourself.

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    1. I've heard that as well, that puppies aren't supposed to run before a certain age, but Jenny did ask her vet and was given the OK, as long as she doesn't overheat Isla. We also did our 1:1 intervals so it wasn't too stressful for her.

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    2. If she asked her vet it makes sense. When I first got Bella I wanted to run with her too that's why I looked it up back then. But since running with her is more like an obstacle race I gave up after 2 times. Bella doesn't like running on a leash next to me.

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    3. I was surprised Isla did as well as she did...the obstacle race is a very good description for what it's like to run with dogs, LOL!

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  2. HUGE VICTORY!!!
    my fitness has been all walking the Doodle.
    Which I love.
    and I LOVE the vet has mandated no running for him yet :-)

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  3. Of course I love the retriever pics! Haha you literally made me lol when you mentioned the gym not using their Lunk alarm because of you "older" members!

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  4. Ugh, the heat and humidity - it's finally made its way up here and I am not liking it! It was close to 90 degrees on my run yesterday, I could barely do anything more than 1:1 myself. Impressive you guys were doing 2:1!

    Awww, all those dogs! :) Paco doesn't get jealous, does he?

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    1. Paco is interested in my new dog smell, but doesn't seem to mind.

      Yeah, that hot + humid weather makes me glad I'm good with doing short intervals. Sorry the gross summer weather has arrived in your neck of the woods!

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  5. So glad to hear that hammy is getting better. I was running this morning (ironically it was 70 degrees and 95% humidity!) and realized I don't really feel mine when I run anymore. I'd like to have an entire summer running season where I have no injuries - I think I'm due after 2 years!!

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  6. So does Paco go nuts checking out the furreigners when you get home?

    I'm trying to figure out the "no jeans" policy at the gym? Once in a while I see someone in the gym in jeans, and I think it looks funny, but I don't think they shouldn't be there.

    It sounds like you are in a really good exercise routine right now--go Shelley!

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    1. Paco definitely gives me the once over smell test checking for "furreigners" (love that!) - so far he doesn't seem upset that I was playing with other dogs. :)

      I wonder if the "no jeans" policy is so that the rivets and/or zippers don't tear up the vinyl coverings on the machine's seats and benches?

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  7. Yep, I think truly taking the time to stretch will make all the difference Shelley - it does wonders for me - even if I am at home and I feel a bit stiff, I'll put a DVD in and fast forward to the end stretch part - that usually helps!

    So many puppies! So ready for a dog so I don't have to have my neighborhood squirrels as pets!

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    1. A dog is great, but you can leave squirrels without having to make arrangements if you want to go away for a weekend...just sayin'...

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    2. I'm with you on this one Shelley. I think pets (cats too ha ha ha) are great when there are still kids at home and you're actually home but there is a slice of life when it's nice not to have that responsibility and be able to come and go on a whim. That's where we are right now (even though I do get pet fever occasionally!)

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    3. Don't totally agree on that you have to have kids at home to have a pet. The question you have to ask yourself is if you are willing to make adjustments for your pet. I work 4 to 5 days a week, Bella can be at home the entire day but we don't want that for her, that's why she is home for 2 days and goes to doggy day care the other days. And yes we can't go away without making arrangements but we don't mind that. The pro's for a dog (in our case) are bigger than the don'ts.

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  8. Puppers! They are so cute!

    I wish I could take Pixie out for a walk. When we were in Portsmouth, we were following 2 people that were walking their cat and it was so awesome and funny all at the same time.

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  9. Doesn't seem fair that even getting out at 6 that you have to cope with heat and humidity like that! So cool that you are getting so awesomely fit and strong.

    Oh, and I once dropped into a planet fitness on road trip and got a stern warning from an employee that I was in danger of setting off the lunk alarm--was doing dumbell bench presses and my arms weren't long enough to set them all the way down to the floor so I let them drop less than an inch between sets. Nothing like getting a lecture to inspire a workout.

    And I'm sure they don't count YOU as one of their older clients, you fit right in with the college students!

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  10. I visited the PF in my neighborhood and liked it. The boots part of the dress code makes me laugh. At my gym before last, there was an Elvis-y looking guy who wore lace up workboots to work out in. Some men rock the lace-up work boots look. This guy was not one of them. :)

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  11. I love the dogs pic with the lolling tongues. That's what I look like after riding my bike, overheated but happy. (First year in 6 yrs. I've been able to ride at all.) I think I will have to start at 6AM soon for heat/humidity avoidance tactics. Thinking good thoughts for you for injury free running.

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  12. Just discovered your blog and absolutely loving it! I use to go to Planet Fitness when I lived in the US (i have moved back to Australia now) and am glad you are enjoying your training.. The dogs are too cute!

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