Hum, why so chatty, Glenda?

[gateslacker]

Today, I decided to add some interval action to my walking routine. A work friend said jog/run 1 minute and walk 2. However, I don't want to spend my entire workout looking at my watch. I also didn't want to slack on my usual walking pace because I was gasping for breath or otherwise falling out. (I figured that would kindof defeat the purpose) I knew if I made it too hard I wouldn't be inclined to do it. (That is how I started working out in the first place...you tend to want to push yourself as you get going but doing that in the beginning is a sure fire way of finding a million excuses for why lazing about on the couch is the better option...well, at least I am that way) Anyway, since I cannot seem to work out without music, I decided to jog 60-75 seconds at the beginning of every second song. (Don't Laugh!) I ended up doing this about 8 times during my walk and managed to walk an additional 0.7 miles in the same amount of time, including the usual time to pee, refill the water bottle, and have a brief, river view moment of awesomeness.

And, of course, I had to glance around furtively to make sure that no one would see me...LOL.

I am sure it's all rather pathetic, especially when I encounter those runners with their great bodies and flouncy ponytails bouncing all over the park like it's the easiest thing in the world. (And who never have any water...I need my water, man!)

But I was secretly (well not so secretly, now) rather pleased with myself.  I hope I can keep it up and maybe do a minute every song sometime soon...LOL.

If my knees can hold out (and my ankles and my hips....)

ETA: and I have no idea why this is a different color font than what I see usually.....

Comments

AWESOME!

[dombede.livejournal.com]

Keep it up Glenda!!! Leigh has me doing the exact same thing. Its a program from a book she got on to. The idea is to build up really slowly to being one of those ponytail people. You jog (in so many ways, I hate that word...) one minute and then walk one minute. I can time this on my new phone, so it works just great for me. I listen to music and when my minute is up the alarm comes on. Bloody brilliant! I'm up to 6/6. Next week I move to 7/7. It seems really slow, but the book says the biggest reason people give up is because they do too much too fast and then never get to where they could so easily be. Everything I've been ready says the whole interval thing is the best for us anyway. I was very freaked out by being watched, but Leigh reminded me that most people when they see other people running/exercising, usually don't say to themselves "What a pathetic person". They usually say "I really should be doing that too, I wish I was like them!" Now I just tell myself, I'm 44 years old, I really don't care what anyone thinks.

PS Note to self: Never use the word "pee" and the phrase "refill the water bottle" adjacently in a sentence.

[gateslacker.livejournal.com]

I can hear Leigh saying that. Is she giving it a go, too? How do you set your phone? Is there an app for that? I'm thinking the music thing will work for me and I have a preliminary plan mapped out.

Good for you as well!!

I have still continued to lose but it is glacial slow. I'm hoping this kick starts it just a little bit. And there's always been a part of me that would love to be able to run. All my life I've had two sorts of recurring dreams. (no, not the one where my parents are fembots.) One involves tornadoes. The others are dreams of running. In these running dreams, I run miles and miles with such ease that it's like gliding across the landscape. Strange!

[dombede.livejournal.com]

The phone is way easy. Mine has a little clock app. You hit it and set the trimmer for one minute and start running. When the time is up, the music stops and there is a god awful noise, I stop running, turn off the alarm, hit the timer again for the next minute and like magic, the music starts up right where it left off!

[wanderhomeagain.livejournal.com]

That's the basic idea of couch to 5k. Run a little, walk a little, then run a little more.

Good for you for doing it!

[gateslacker.livejournal.com]

I hope I can keep it up. I'm motivated, now,,,

[sabriel75.livejournal.com]

Awesome. You sound so motivated which is good. Enthusiasm you have at the beginning starts to wan real quick. However, that program makes it much easier to meet your goals.

YOU CAN DO THIS. (Take a good vitamin woman and your knees, ankles and hips will thank you. Also, sleep... get a good night's sleep.)

[gateslacker.livejournal.com]

Yes, maintaining that initial enthusiasm will be a challenge. I'll need to search for new, faster music.

I'm so bad. I need vitamin d for sure but can't remember to take it half the time. Not much of a role model NP there, am I?

[rosiewook.livejournal.com]

I know they sell watches that you can set to beep at you for your intervals.

But I think that music is so much more fun.

Good on you for doing this! You'll be one of those flowing runners before you know it.

[gateslacker.livejournal.com]

Yes! I think music makes it more fun. Flowing?!? Bahahaha. ;) we'll see.

[scarym1.livejournal.com]

I am impressed at your dedication to working out.

I have an hour for lunch but all I do is sit at my work computer and surf.

[gateslacker.livejournal.com]

Well I'm not doing it on lunch these days since daylight savings time. But all last winter I walked at lunch. I'm gonna need plan B if I continue this due to the time factor and the sweat factor. Fortunately, they are trying to get exercise equipment at work and move the workout space out of the dungeon basement and into the old conference room where there are loads of windows and room for more than two folks at a time. So, even if I have to hit the treadmill instead being out doors , at least there will be a nice place to do it.

[dragonfly-sg1.livejournal.com]

That's awesome! I need to step up my workout, too.

[gateslacker.livejournal.com]

I've actually enjoyed it, except for Monday which was rather painful and brutal. Today, I upped it to (just about) every song. Who knew this would finally get me to my "walking" goal of 15 minute miles? Is it cheating if I had to jog to do it? Don't I pick such ridiculous stuff to ponder and fret over?

[archaeologist-d.livejournal.com]

Sounds like you are on the right track. Building up slowly is the best way!

[gateslacker.livejournal.com]

Yes, and I think it would be a blast to finally run a mile! Without stopping.