I just want to say that I have no regrets about switching gym memberships. In fact, the new gym has sort of become a place for me to go when I just need to GET OUT!
DAY 277
Friday was so long. I was home, inside, with T Junior, the puppy and the two other dogs all freakin’ day. I didn’t want to go anywhere since the doctor said T Junior’s stomach bug was contagious. The only time we left the house was to walk to the mailbox. I wanted to go on a longer walk, but T Junior tripped over his feet and skidded on his arm, and then the world was coming to an end, so we had to go home and get a “Pooh Bear Band-Aid” that he wanted so bad, but wouldn’t leave on and sobbed about till I ripped it off.
When Mr. T came home, I asked if he minded me getting out of the house for a bit after T Junior’s bedtime. He didn’t.
Except I wasn’t sure where to go. I sort of wanted to go shopping, but it was a little late in the day for that, I didn’t care to go that far from home and we just bought a pretty expensive dog, which means we don’t have a lot of extra money.
So I went to the gym.
I’m really enjoying having my new gym membership. First of all, it makes it really hard for me to skip working out. And, second, it’s a good place to go when I need a break.
I changed, grabbed my book du jour and drove to the gym for a 45-minute bike ride. I have not been doing my cross-training and strength exercises. It’s all I can do to get the running in. But I felt like my legs needed something different.
My calves have been really tight. I feel like I always have ski boots on. I have to take stairs one at a time pretty often.
I was riding the bike and reading my book when I suddenly felt alone. I quickly glanced around and realized there were only a couple people in the gym. The front-desk woman was switching off the flat screens.
“Are you closing?”
“Yeah. We close at 9 on Fridays.”
“Oh, that’s right. Sorry!”
It was 8:59 and I practically jumped off the bike while it was still moving. Well, while the wheels were still spinning anyway. I got 40 minutes in, though. I just forgot to look and see how many miles I rode.
DAY 278
“Oh my god, it’s pouring.” I stood by the front door with my bag (fuel belt, post-run food, Zune, etc.), and watched the wild weather out of the window across our living room.
Mr. T looked. “It’s going sideways.”
“Ooo-oohhhhh maaaaaan.”
“Why don’t you do your run at the gym?”
Light bulb. Then…
“Um. I don’t know. Twelve miles on a treadmill?”
We went back and forth and the rain came down harder and more horizontal, and I ran upstairs to grab a short-sleeved shirt. I decided I would see how busy the gym was and make my decision based on that. Plus, I reasoned that I could always do half on the treadmill and half outside if the sun came out.
And, wouldn’t you know it? The sun came out in less than a mile on that thing.
But the first season of America’s Next Top Model was on and I hadn’t seen that one with Adrianne (the girl that married that Brady Bunch dude). So I got sucked in and before I knew it 65 minutes had gone by.
Thanks to my impromptu bike ride the night before, my calves had loosened and I wasn’t so stiff. I was hot. My feet hurt. But my calves felt great. Note to self: cross train.
After the first six, I popped a piece of PB and J in my mouth and reset the treadmill. Even though the sun had shown its face, it was followed by some serious hail, and I saw black clouds heading our way. I stayed in the gym.
I wondered if anyone else wondered what the hell I was doing or if the front-desk woman would come over and tell me about some time limit on the treadmill or something even though there were like 5 other people in the entire gym. It was, after all, late in the day Saturday (4 p.m.) by the time I finished the first six.
The second six went by a little slower. I felt done at 8, but I pushed through it. Watching skinny models helped. I also thought about fitting in size 8 jeans a lot.
Toward the end of my workout, my right foot was hurting pretty bad. It’s that spot where your toes meet the ball of your foot — it’s where the pod said I had a neuroma. I might need another cortisone shot. The only thing is, though, is that last time, the shot caused a little more pain for about a week and I have 18 miles coming up. So…yeah, probably just going to tough it out.
I got off the treadmill after 12 miles and wobbled over to the only place I can think of to stretch. Am I the only one who feels awkward stretching in the gym?
Back at home, I walked in the door. T Junior greeted me. “Hi Mama! Mama bath!” and he ran for the stairs. Well…I wasn’t really planning on taking a cold bath, but now that he mentions it…
So I put on my bathing suit, a sweatshirt and two pairs of socks (thanks for the suggestions, bloggy friends!), and eased in with T Junior laughing. Mr. T came upstairs and asked, “Did you really do that whole run on the treadmill?”
“Yeah.” I shrugged like it’s no big thing. Wow, did I impress him?
He shook his head and then he made fun of me for sitting in a freezing bubble bath with a sweatshirt on. It’s okay. I’d make fun of me, too.
12 comments
What a great post! I can't believe you did the whole thing on the treadmill! Kudos!
Haha, Shannon. Me neither.
Good job on the big treadmill run. I always find the 8 mile mark a tough one to push through as well.
That's a long way to gut it out on the treadmill. Way to go! I had an ice bath yesterday as well…. I should try the socks & bubbles!
So proud of you Kerrie! Awesome job! Glad to hear the new gym is working out!
Still can't believe you ran that far on the dreadmill. Nice job.You gotta work out the tightness in your calves or else that might lead to injury. That was part of the reason I developed tendinitis in my ankle last year. Be diligent about stretching!T Junior is too cute. Love how he greeted you when you came back from the gym.
you're so cute! And that T-junior of yours…he must just like to see you freezing in the bath! =) Glad I missed that weather! Man, it sure makes it hard to train doesn't it!? Great job and getting it done on the treadmill! That, my friend, is amazing!
Wow 12 on the treadmill? I have trouble just doing like 3. I guess ANTM Season 1 does help and I bet if I started running when a Real Housewives ep came on I'd keep going the whole episode haha. So cross-training. I need to do it more. Eliptical counts right? I'm wondering if I should do less outdoor running because my shins and ankles have been sore lately. But I never feel as good about an eliptical workout as I do after a run.
12 miles on a treadmill? Wow! I am super impressed. I'm doomed to crosstrain for while and being in the gym just makes me antsy. But if you can do 12 on a treadmill, I feel I need to get over it and get down to business 🙂 Great job! And thanks for the motivation/swift kick in the pants. ha.
Nice job getting to the gym for a long run! I bailed on Saturday completely 🙁
Wow! Great job on the treadmill 12-miler. I'm impressed!T. Junior is so cute. I love how he greeted you after your run.
That's committment! Way to go!