New Miles: 1.5
Total Miles: 8.5
Miles Remaining: 1491.5
Weight: 140.6
The Baltic Sea - Riga, Latvia, June 2010
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
The Baltic Sea
Today I enjoyed a 1.5 stroll down the beach of the Baltic Sea north of Riga, Latvia. I swift 4.2/4.4mph pace got me done in 21:24, 178 cals. The walk brought back memories of a windy 60 degree day in July 2010 when I swam in the 60 degree Baltic Sea with my husband and 3 friends. I received a nice mental vacation as I treaded thru the virtual sands of those 1.5 miles. I was grateful for the happy memories since I forgot the route was 1.5 miles and I thought it was only 1.0, so that happiness got me thru the surprise half mile I found myself having to complete.
New Miles: 1.5
Total Miles: 8.5
Miles Remaining: 1491.5
Weight: 140.6
New Miles: 1.5
Total Miles: 8.5
Miles Remaining: 1491.5
Weight: 140.6
Monday, November 29, 2010
A tough cool down
Local 1.5 mile route today. Completed in 20:32, 187 cals. After the first 10 minutes walking I jogged at 5.5mph for two minutes then walked then again jogged at 5.5mph for .3 miles. My first attempts at incorporating jogging/running into the work out felt successful. I took a little lifting break and did a set of 10 (each arm) of 10lb kettlebells.
The 1.5 miles felt a little too good which led me to think doing another .5-1.0 miles was a good idea. I queued up the built-in iFit workout called 'Bog Springs' of Tucson, Arizona. It was an ever-inclining and speed changing 1.0 mile course. I struggled the entire 6:59 to catch up to the display and drop my speed to a walking pace. At one point I also mistakenly thought trying to jog was a good idea and thus I proceeded at 5.0mph at a high incline, likely for only a non-discernible amount of time/distance and my heart and lungs were working way too hard, and thus I transitioned my jog back into a walk and wrapped it up at .5 miles.
After catching my breath I figured a proper cool down was in store. So I brought up the regular treadmill track feature and walked. For most of my first lap I thought "Man this is the hardest cool down lap! I must have just walked and jogged harder than I thought!" and I contemplated stopping (also known as giving up). Then I looked at the display and the incline was at 10.5%! So I trekked out the remaining part of the lap, completing .25 miles in 4:24, 58 cals then set the incline to 0.0% and did a proper cool down starting at 4.2mph and working my way down to 3.4mph, completing .25 miles in 3:54, 34 cals.
Most motivating songs during the work out: Dispatch 'General' and Jet 'Take it or leave it'.
New Miles: 2.5
Total Miles: 7.0
Miles Remaining: 1493.0
Weight: 139.6
The 1.5 miles felt a little too good which led me to think doing another .5-1.0 miles was a good idea. I queued up the built-in iFit workout called 'Bog Springs' of Tucson, Arizona. It was an ever-inclining and speed changing 1.0 mile course. I struggled the entire 6:59 to catch up to the display and drop my speed to a walking pace. At one point I also mistakenly thought trying to jog was a good idea and thus I proceeded at 5.0mph at a high incline, likely for only a non-discernible amount of time/distance and my heart and lungs were working way too hard, and thus I transitioned my jog back into a walk and wrapped it up at .5 miles.
After catching my breath I figured a proper cool down was in store. So I brought up the regular treadmill track feature and walked. For most of my first lap I thought "Man this is the hardest cool down lap! I must have just walked and jogged harder than I thought!" and I contemplated stopping (also known as giving up). Then I looked at the display and the incline was at 10.5%! So I trekked out the remaining part of the lap, completing .25 miles in 4:24, 58 cals then set the incline to 0.0% and did a proper cool down starting at 4.2mph and working my way down to 3.4mph, completing .25 miles in 3:54, 34 cals.
Most motivating songs during the work out: Dispatch 'General' and Jet 'Take it or leave it'.
New Miles: 2.5
Total Miles: 7.0
Miles Remaining: 1493.0
Weight: 139.6
Sunday, November 28, 2010
Are you running today?
Ryan asked me, "Are you running today?" I promptly said "No." And then that question made me pause, and I thought, "Yes it's 10pm, but hey I caught a quick nap earlier and the treadmill is in my house, so you better do something!" and so I thanked Ryan for that motivating question and changed into workout clothes.
I didn't go running, but I did bring up my Antarctica Route and walked at 4.2mph at 0% incline for 1.0 miles in 14:53 burning 113 calories. My legs were a bit tired pre-walk but by the end I was loosened up. Finally feeling healthy coming off of a 5-day cold it was good to get a workout in where my lungs felt normal. Grant it, I didn't push myself and did the bare minimum to dent my 1500 mile journey but it still felt good to get a mile in. I surprised myself by actually exercising given little prompting. Perhaps soon Ryan's prompt will be replaced by an inner-prompt, but for now I am grateful I was asked "Are you running today?".
New Miles: 1.0
Total Miles: 4.5
Miles Remaining: 1495.5
Weight: 140.8
Now is a good time to point out that my weight tends to fluctuate between 2-3lbs within a day, so "gaining weight" from one workout to the next is anything but atypical. I am just weighing myself pre-workout or post-workout and when I work out doesn't have a set schedule so there isn't consistency other than the fact I am taking the time to weigh myself to generally track my progress.
Most motivating songs during the work out: April Smith and the Great Picture Show 'Like a Movie Loves a Screen' and 'Colors'
I didn't go running, but I did bring up my Antarctica Route and walked at 4.2mph at 0% incline for 1.0 miles in 14:53 burning 113 calories. My legs were a bit tired pre-walk but by the end I was loosened up. Finally feeling healthy coming off of a 5-day cold it was good to get a workout in where my lungs felt normal. Grant it, I didn't push myself and did the bare minimum to dent my 1500 mile journey but it still felt good to get a mile in. I surprised myself by actually exercising given little prompting. Perhaps soon Ryan's prompt will be replaced by an inner-prompt, but for now I am grateful I was asked "Are you running today?".
New Miles: 1.0
Total Miles: 4.5
Miles Remaining: 1495.5
Weight: 140.8
Now is a good time to point out that my weight tends to fluctuate between 2-3lbs within a day, so "gaining weight" from one workout to the next is anything but atypical. I am just weighing myself pre-workout or post-workout and when I work out doesn't have a set schedule so there isn't consistency other than the fact I am taking the time to weigh myself to generally track my progress.
Most motivating songs during the work out: April Smith and the Great Picture Show 'Like a Movie Loves a Screen' and 'Colors'
Saturday, November 27, 2010
The Routes
These are my first attempts at making workout routes. I mixed in the easy, medium, and hard and all default to 3.0mph which I can adjust during the workout.
Antarctica - Easy, 0% incline, 1mile
Baltic Sea - Easy, 1% incline, 1.5 miles
Mo's Familiar Favorite - Hard, 10.5% incline, 2.1 miles
Ireland - Medium, 2.5% incline, 2.45 miles
Local 1.5 - Medium, 6.5% incline, 1.5 miles
Local 1.0 - Medium, 5.5% incline, 1 mile
Ryan's Familiar Favorite - 6 mile loop
Downtown - Medium, 3.5% incline 1.5 miles
Austria - Hard, 10.5% incline, 2.65 miles
Antarctica - Easy, 0% incline, 1mile
Baltic Sea - Easy, 1% incline, 1.5 miles
Mo's Familiar Favorite - Hard, 10.5% incline, 2.1 miles
Ireland - Medium, 2.5% incline, 2.45 miles
Local 1.5 - Medium, 6.5% incline, 1.5 miles
Local 1.0 - Medium, 5.5% incline, 1 mile
Ryan's Familiar Favorite - 6 mile loop
Downtown - Medium, 3.5% incline 1.5 miles
Austria - Hard, 10.5% incline, 2.65 miles
Plus 2.5/Minus 2.5
After our workouts last night we joined iFit and discovered we could create workout routes on GoogleMaps that could be downloaded to the treadmill! First impression, working out is going to be fun!
I promptly made several routes, each of varying lengths and incline changes. This way we can run familiar and unfamiliar courses from our neighborhood and around the world. I created a few local maps and then a few additional fun maps of locations we have traveled to and some we haven't.
Saturday, November 27 Workout: I incorporated some lifting and crunches into the workout. While Ryan ran his '3-mile loop' I did 4 sets of 10, each arm, of 10lb kettlebell throws. Took an arm break and did 70 crunches (20 + 15 + 15 + 20) which was followed-up by 2 sets of 10 kettlebell throws of 15lbs. Then to round it out I did 30 more crunches (20 + 10); total crunches: 100.
Once on the treadmill I brought up the 'Downtown' 1.4 mile, low incline trail. I was at .7miles in and fast-pace walking at 4.2mph when I accidentally hit the key which promptly stopped my workout. After re-starting I re-loaded the trail, I completed the first .7miles of the trail in 10:04 at 4.2mph and 86cals. I then finished the remaining .7miles - 1.4 miles at 4.2mph in 20:28 177cals. Then I just 'went to the track' and did .4 more miles in 5:47 50cals then walked a cool down of .1mi. Pre-working out I anticipated completing 1.5miles but somehow by the end of it I wound up doing 2.5. The brisk walk felt good and was completely doable.
Total Workout: 2.5 miles, 36:19, 313 cals.
New Miles: 2.5
Total Miles: 3.5
Miles Remaining: 1496.5
Weight: 138.2lbs (pre-workout)
I promptly made several routes, each of varying lengths and incline changes. This way we can run familiar and unfamiliar courses from our neighborhood and around the world. I created a few local maps and then a few additional fun maps of locations we have traveled to and some we haven't.
Saturday, November 27 Workout: I incorporated some lifting and crunches into the workout. While Ryan ran his '3-mile loop' I did 4 sets of 10, each arm, of 10lb kettlebell throws. Took an arm break and did 70 crunches (20 + 15 + 15 + 20) which was followed-up by 2 sets of 10 kettlebell throws of 15lbs. Then to round it out I did 30 more crunches (20 + 10); total crunches: 100.
Once on the treadmill I brought up the 'Downtown' 1.4 mile, low incline trail. I was at .7miles in and fast-pace walking at 4.2mph when I accidentally hit the key which promptly stopped my workout. After re-starting I re-loaded the trail, I completed the first .7miles of the trail in 10:04 at 4.2mph and 86cals. I then finished the remaining .7miles - 1.4 miles at 4.2mph in 20:28 177cals. Then I just 'went to the track' and did .4 more miles in 5:47 50cals then walked a cool down of .1mi. Pre-working out I anticipated completing 1.5miles but somehow by the end of it I wound up doing 2.5. The brisk walk felt good and was completely doable.
Total Workout: 2.5 miles, 36:19, 313 cals.
New Miles: 2.5
Total Miles: 3.5
Miles Remaining: 1496.5
Weight: 138.2lbs (pre-workout)
Friday, November 26, 2010
Mile 1
Last week my husband, Ryan, came home and excitedly asked me what I did that day, exercise-wise. I sheepishly admitted: nothing. I am the most motivated I have been in a long while and yet I managed to still do nothing.
Pending the arrival of the treadmill I did go on one 1 mile walk with Ryan and every day, since the end of October, I have walked the stairs at work 3 flights each way. It is sad how winded those 60 steps make me, but I can tell the difference it is making with my lungs, heart, and legs. In addition to that there was one night where I lifted my 5lb weights because Ryan lifted his 30lb weights; his activity motivated my activity. On this journey I hope to grow in self-motivation; where all these small steps I am taking will add up to me being permanently self-motivated.
On Tuesday, November 23 the Treadmill arrived! Weight 350lbs. The delivery company put it in our garage leaving us to move it upstairs into the freshly painted, bright-yellow, Journey1500 gym. Ryan and I together could lift it, but I wasn't strong enough to walk it anywhere. It wasn't until Friday, November 26 that, with the help of a few friends, the Treadmill made its way upstairs and Ryan and I assembled it.
Once the Treadmill was assembled we started playing with its features and before I knew it I was walking. I hadn't anticipated actually walking at that moment but once I was .2 miles into what could be my first mile I decided to make it the official Mile 1.
Having a cold and exercising isn't the best combination but I did it. I averaged 4.0mph with various inclines, as per whatever iFit workout I had selected. Then a difficult 16 minutes later I had finished Mile 1! I exclaimed "I did it!" and raised my arms in accomplishment, then pressed stop, and caught my breath.
Total Workout: 1.02miles, 16:17, 194 cals.
New Miles: 1.0
Total Miles: 1.0
Miles Remaining: 1499.0
Weight: 139.4lbs (post-workout)
Pending the arrival of the treadmill I did go on one 1 mile walk with Ryan and every day, since the end of October, I have walked the stairs at work 3 flights each way. It is sad how winded those 60 steps make me, but I can tell the difference it is making with my lungs, heart, and legs. In addition to that there was one night where I lifted my 5lb weights because Ryan lifted his 30lb weights; his activity motivated my activity. On this journey I hope to grow in self-motivation; where all these small steps I am taking will add up to me being permanently self-motivated.
On Tuesday, November 23 the Treadmill arrived! Weight 350lbs. The delivery company put it in our garage leaving us to move it upstairs into the freshly painted, bright-yellow, Journey1500 gym. Ryan and I together could lift it, but I wasn't strong enough to walk it anywhere. It wasn't until Friday, November 26 that, with the help of a few friends, the Treadmill made its way upstairs and Ryan and I assembled it.
Once the Treadmill was assembled we started playing with its features and before I knew it I was walking. I hadn't anticipated actually walking at that moment but once I was .2 miles into what could be my first mile I decided to make it the official Mile 1.
Having a cold and exercising isn't the best combination but I did it. I averaged 4.0mph with various inclines, as per whatever iFit workout I had selected. Then a difficult 16 minutes later I had finished Mile 1! I exclaimed "I did it!" and raised my arms in accomplishment, then pressed stop, and caught my breath.
Total Workout: 1.02miles, 16:17, 194 cals.
New Miles: 1.0
Total Miles: 1.0
Miles Remaining: 1499.0
Weight: 139.4lbs (post-workout)
Sunday, November 7, 2010
Who Am I?
Mo. Female. Age 26. Current Fitness Level: 0.
After a lifetime of participating in sports I have let my fitness slip in the last few years. I played soccer through high school and college, and now at age 26, four years after graduating from college, I am at a point where I need to jump back in to what I have always known - exercising, running, and feeling healthy.
I was a co-captain of my college soccer team and finished my college career in the best shape of my life; able to run 8 miles no sweat, lift my 15lb free weights easily, and actually looking forward to the next opportunity to run or workout. I carried that with me the following-year, continuing to run and exercise, through 2006. I was never much of a distance runner, usually getting all my fitness from competitive sports, and so setting out to just run for the sake of running was difficult but I did find joy in going on quick 2-3 mile runs.
Then in 2007 I got lazy. I stopped running. I gained weight. In the Fall of 2008 I attempted to get myself back into things and I was running and cross-training steadily until March 2009 when I broke my right ankle playing co-ed indoor soccer. The injury sidelined me until June 2009 when I could finally walk again, and in August 2009 I was cleared to run again. I spent Fall 2009 going to the track and walk-running, but never getting myself motivated enough to go regularly or go far.
I signed up for the 2010 Pittsburgh Half Marathon hoping to motivate myself with an end target and leading up to it I sat and did nothing. In May 2010 I somehow successfully completed the Pittsburgh Half Marathon (13.1 miles) in 2:18:49. Then for the next few months I went running from time to time but never more than 3 miles and sometimes completing just 1 mile was a challenge.
This brings me to present day - where I have decided enough is enough. Enough sitting and being lazy. Enough sitting and feeling my heart and lungs get weaker and weaker. Enough not having arm strength or ab strength. Enough of nothing. It is time for something. It is time for the Journey of 1500 Miles.
My goal is to achieve my target of walking/running a total of 1500 Miles, whether that all be on my treadmill or also outdoors is to be seen. I am going to track each mile and note other fitness activities I complete on my journey back to being me.
Me playing for the Pittsburgh Banshees, 2007
My Broken Ankle, March 2009
Ryan and Me hiking the Austrian Alps on our Honeymoon, June 2010
After a lifetime of participating in sports I have let my fitness slip in the last few years. I played soccer through high school and college, and now at age 26, four years after graduating from college, I am at a point where I need to jump back in to what I have always known - exercising, running, and feeling healthy.
I was a co-captain of my college soccer team and finished my college career in the best shape of my life; able to run 8 miles no sweat, lift my 15lb free weights easily, and actually looking forward to the next opportunity to run or workout. I carried that with me the following-year, continuing to run and exercise, through 2006. I was never much of a distance runner, usually getting all my fitness from competitive sports, and so setting out to just run for the sake of running was difficult but I did find joy in going on quick 2-3 mile runs.
Then in 2007 I got lazy. I stopped running. I gained weight. In the Fall of 2008 I attempted to get myself back into things and I was running and cross-training steadily until March 2009 when I broke my right ankle playing co-ed indoor soccer. The injury sidelined me until June 2009 when I could finally walk again, and in August 2009 I was cleared to run again. I spent Fall 2009 going to the track and walk-running, but never getting myself motivated enough to go regularly or go far.
I signed up for the 2010 Pittsburgh Half Marathon hoping to motivate myself with an end target and leading up to it I sat and did nothing. In May 2010 I somehow successfully completed the Pittsburgh Half Marathon (13.1 miles) in 2:18:49. Then for the next few months I went running from time to time but never more than 3 miles and sometimes completing just 1 mile was a challenge.
This brings me to present day - where I have decided enough is enough. Enough sitting and being lazy. Enough sitting and feeling my heart and lungs get weaker and weaker. Enough not having arm strength or ab strength. Enough of nothing. It is time for something. It is time for the Journey of 1500 Miles.
My goal is to achieve my target of walking/running a total of 1500 Miles, whether that all be on my treadmill or also outdoors is to be seen. I am going to track each mile and note other fitness activities I complete on my journey back to being me.
Me playing soccer in college, 2005
Me pointing at myself in a Pittsburgh Banshees team picture from 2003 at the Western Pennsylvania Sports History Museum, 2008
Me and Ryan, playing Curling, April 2009
My broken ankle post-cast, May 2009
Origins of the Journey of 1500 Miles
What is the Journey of 1500 Miles? In an effort to kick-start myself back into being fit, and to get my personal health back on track, I purchased a NordicTrack 1750 Treadmill. The inspiration for my "fitness plan" is to walk/run at least 1 mile for every $1 spent on the treadmill purchase; a total of $1500 and thus 1500 miles. When I complete 1500 miles I can justify my treadmill purchase as worth the investment.
To round out my fitness plan I will do plyometrics, utilize a set of kettlebells ranging from 5lbs to 20lbs, and also use 2-5lb free weights, an exercise ball, and yoga mat. Additionally in my Journey1500 Gym I have a balance trampoline and a jump rope; usage to be seen. The key piece of workout equipment is nothing I could purchase - perseverance and the mental toughness to keep going when my body wants to stop.
Let the Journey1500 begin.
To round out my fitness plan I will do plyometrics, utilize a set of kettlebells ranging from 5lbs to 20lbs, and also use 2-5lb free weights, an exercise ball, and yoga mat. Additionally in my Journey1500 Gym I have a balance trampoline and a jump rope; usage to be seen. The key piece of workout equipment is nothing I could purchase - perseverance and the mental toughness to keep going when my body wants to stop.
Let the Journey1500 begin.
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