It's about time, but Bennington is finally getting a "modern workout facility". This means a facility with treadmills NOT duct-taped together or with potholes in them. It means TV's on each piece of equipment and earplug hookups for each individual so you're not stuck watching HLN (seriously, how is that possibly an accredited station!?!). It means moderately priced with benefits of fitness classes, workout equipment, free weights, tanning, and weekend hours that extend past 1pm.
I don't expect and ear-biting between the two places, but it woul dbe nice to see if there are some competitive price incentives because, honestly, $33.33 a month at Off The Wall is a bit ridiculous. Plus, there isn't any place where you can stretch or cool down without all teh meatheads lifting weights staring at you. (Shouldn't there be a dress code where JEANS are NOT allowed in a gym? These guys come in off the street in jeans and think it's okay to lift massive weights for one--maybe two--reps then call it a workout.)
Moral of the story, I have been with OTW for one month now. But our time is up. Literally. My one month expired. I will go on a few dates with Anytime Fitness and see if they swoop me off my feet with red wine and white roses.
Once I beat this cold that knocked me off my feet in the last few days, I'm giving Anytime a chance. Then, as the weather gets nicer, Kelly will start to increase her mileage. 4 miles has been her max. I'm thinking she'll get up to 6-7 by the start of summer. But then again, that means I need to be at that speed, too.
Oh, not to mention, Girls on the Run starts in a few weeks so I will have 20-some girls ranging from 3rd to 5th grade running and I will need to keep up the best I can. It's surprising how fast those girls can be! No really! I'm really looking forward to volunteering with them this year. Heaven knows the girls in Bennington need as much positive influence and role models as ever. I don't want to see any of those girls pushing strollers in the springtime...
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Brick...yeah my legs felt like those, too.
Last night, after work, we formed a peloton. Collins, Jerad, Victor, Joe, Glen, and I took a ride up Woodford (heaven forbid you pronounce the "d"... it's Wooooofurd around here, folks!) we took it right around the first truck pull off, turned around and Weeeeeeeee we flew down the mountain. Victor's comp. had us at 38 mph (mine decided not to work--the batteries are fresh, trust me, I know a guy)
I biked to work... so I had to bike home. Stupid mountains. they're everywhere! Made it home (sweaty) threw on running shoes and ran a mere 2.2 miles. Honestly, this was the most difficult brick ever! My legs felt like boulders. Gross.
Next week I'm in Westlake for buisness, so THANK GOODNESS for the flatlands. I can't wait! I was meant for the Great Plains. This whole 'green mountain' thing is a bit tough to adjust to (and it's been over a year now!!)
I biked to work... so I had to bike home. Stupid mountains. they're everywhere! Made it home (sweaty) threw on running shoes and ran a mere 2.2 miles. Honestly, this was the most difficult brick ever! My legs felt like boulders. Gross.
Next week I'm in Westlake for buisness, so THANK GOODNESS for the flatlands. I can't wait! I was meant for the Great Plains. This whole 'green mountain' thing is a bit tough to adjust to (and it's been over a year now!!)
Sunday, July 26, 2009
5k Goodness
The Susan G Komen 5k was today in Vermont. The morning was hazy, but the forecast showed no rain for the morning. But boy oh boy was it HUMID!
Today marked a glorious record-breaking-time: 26:08. Granted, that's not the fastest 5k known to man, but it's the best I've done in several years. Movin' on up...!!
Next goal: hitting under 25:00 for a 5k by Turkey-Trot season.
Today marked a glorious record-breaking-time: 26:08. Granted, that's not the fastest 5k known to man, but it's the best I've done in several years. Movin' on up...!!
Next goal: hitting under 25:00 for a 5k by Turkey-Trot season.
Saturday, July 25, 2009
Hot town, Summer in the...Boonies?
This summer's been much cooler than I remember from back home. Today we were set to reach 85 degrees. Though my morning run started late (10am, not 6am!), I don't think it was SUPER hot during my run.
Hal Higdon has a master plan for me: today was 14 miles. I mapped it out on www.MapMyRun.com (aka my most visited site, move over Facebook! You've SO been replaced!) Sounded simple: keep hanging rights into New York, curve back into Vermont, cross two covered bridges, cut around the airport, head home. Holy bratworst, Batman! The hills that I came across were comparable to those along IM-Moo's bike courses. Holy HELL where did those come from!? I thought I was being tricky and routing myself AROUND the hills--not through them.
At mile 4-ish I started feeling pretty warm and thirsty. Buggers, I still have 10 miles to go. Suck it up, girlie. Pull up your big girl panties and deal with it! I told mself. I made it to mile 10 before needing to walk. But then I walked for about the last 2 miles. I even cut a corner and made my run 12.7 miles. I was so darn thirsty by the time I got to that intersection: turn right and add an extra mile and a half; turn left and head STRAIGHT home to cool, refreshing Brita water... not a hard decision there.
Thank goodness for my common sense to put on sunscreen this morning. Sure needed it. Much of the route was NOT shaded (though trees/mountains were everywhere--just not doing their j-o-b on the course!!).
Note to self: On hot days, wear a hat.
Hal Higdon has a master plan for me: today was 14 miles. I mapped it out on www.MapMyRun.com (aka my most visited site, move over Facebook! You've SO been replaced!) Sounded simple: keep hanging rights into New York, curve back into Vermont, cross two covered bridges, cut around the airport, head home. Holy bratworst, Batman! The hills that I came across were comparable to those along IM-Moo's bike courses. Holy HELL where did those come from!? I thought I was being tricky and routing myself AROUND the hills--not through them.
At mile 4-ish I started feeling pretty warm and thirsty. Buggers, I still have 10 miles to go. Suck it up, girlie. Pull up your big girl panties and deal with it! I told mself. I made it to mile 10 before needing to walk. But then I walked for about the last 2 miles. I even cut a corner and made my run 12.7 miles. I was so darn thirsty by the time I got to that intersection: turn right and add an extra mile and a half; turn left and head STRAIGHT home to cool, refreshing Brita water... not a hard decision there.
Thank goodness for my common sense to put on sunscreen this morning. Sure needed it. Much of the route was NOT shaded (though trees/mountains were everywhere--just not doing their j-o-b on the course!!).
Note to self: On hot days, wear a hat.
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Hurts So Good!
Matt and I are running the Chicago Marathon on October 11th, 2009. The goal? Finish in under 4 hours. His first marathon was last December and he ran it in 3:54 (I think?), so he's already hit that goal. I, however, have not.
He's the best motivation I have ever had. He gets me running every day. There's this 'peer pressure' thing with him where if he's running, or planning on running, on a certain day, I KNOW I have to get my butt off the couch (but it's soooo comfy!).
I started supervision about a month ago which basically means that I work much longer hours, have to be on my feet, walking around work way more than before. My average day is between 9,000-12,000 steps a day. Thanks Energizer Pedometer!
By the time I get home at the end of the day, the only thing I want to do is take a shower and head to bed. Not an option. No ha!!
After my runs, I feel good. When I talk to Matt before bed, and we've both gone for a run, you can hear the energy and excitement in our voices. It's really cool.
And when I wake up in the morning, I am sore. But not in a bad way. It's just a way of knowing that I did a good job on my workout the night before. And when I increase speed and set new 'course' records along my mapped routes, I smile. My strength is building up; speed's getting there, too. And when I do my morning stretch before getting out of bed, it hurts so good.
He's the best motivation I have ever had. He gets me running every day. There's this 'peer pressure' thing with him where if he's running, or planning on running, on a certain day, I KNOW I have to get my butt off the couch (but it's soooo comfy!).
I started supervision about a month ago which basically means that I work much longer hours, have to be on my feet, walking around work way more than before. My average day is between 9,000-12,000 steps a day. Thanks Energizer Pedometer!
By the time I get home at the end of the day, the only thing I want to do is take a shower and head to bed. Not an option. No ha!!
After my runs, I feel good. When I talk to Matt before bed, and we've both gone for a run, you can hear the energy and excitement in our voices. It's really cool.
And when I wake up in the morning, I am sore. But not in a bad way. It's just a way of knowing that I did a good job on my workout the night before. And when I increase speed and set new 'course' records along my mapped routes, I smile. My strength is building up; speed's getting there, too. And when I do my morning stretch before getting out of bed, it hurts so good.
Sunday, April 5, 2009
The Wind Is Back
Ah yes, the first true sign of spring: bike season has officially begun! I took my Orbea out for a spin today--it was wonderful. After about an hour outside, my hands were frozen (forgot gloves), so I headed home. There was some intense wind which thoroughly reminded me of last year riding with Uncle Mick through the cornfields of Central Illinois, where it always seemed that there was headwind, headwind and--oh yes--more headwind!
Training is going well. Swimming is getting better (breathing both sides now), running is...eh, biking is starting to improve. 8 weeks from my race and I'm feeling like I'm on the right track!
Training is going well. Swimming is getting better (breathing both sides now), running is...eh, biking is starting to improve. 8 weeks from my race and I'm feeling like I'm on the right track!
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
FRIENDS!
As pathetic as this may sound, I finally have friends in Vermont! Granted, it took roughly 8 months to do so, but--darn it--I'll take what I can get in this tiny, tiny town.
I signed up for the local rec center (if you can call it that). I took a 'tour' of the place and literally kept one foot in place, pivoted, and saw it all: two treadmills, one elliptical, some free weights, a stationary bike, two locker rooms, and a decent pool. Pool, you say? I'm in. So I registered. A whopping $47.50 for my one year membership later, I am a registered 'athlete' in the eyes of the Bennington-ites.
Last weekend, I was lucky enough to sneak away and see Matt in Cleveland. I brought Kelly with me, too. Matt is so patient: he went shoe shopping with me (the only shoe shopping I do: running shoes), then went for a short run with me to break the shoes in. Kelly came, too. The shoes feel good, they're slowing being broken in as I go on short runs with Kelly back home now.
Today, went out for a beer after work to vent with a co-worker, then came home, ran 3 miles with Kelly, then am about to head out to Masters Swim. These are my new friends: the triathletes that come from all over to swim on Tuesdays and Saturdays. They are SO NICE and it's just the greatest feeling to know that there are other people in the area who share common interests! Yay!
Race day is 8 weeks away--training kicks in for sure now!
I signed up for the local rec center (if you can call it that). I took a 'tour' of the place and literally kept one foot in place, pivoted, and saw it all: two treadmills, one elliptical, some free weights, a stationary bike, two locker rooms, and a decent pool. Pool, you say? I'm in. So I registered. A whopping $47.50 for my one year membership later, I am a registered 'athlete' in the eyes of the Bennington-ites.
Last weekend, I was lucky enough to sneak away and see Matt in Cleveland. I brought Kelly with me, too. Matt is so patient: he went shoe shopping with me (the only shoe shopping I do: running shoes), then went for a short run with me to break the shoes in. Kelly came, too. The shoes feel good, they're slowing being broken in as I go on short runs with Kelly back home now.
Today, went out for a beer after work to vent with a co-worker, then came home, ran 3 miles with Kelly, then am about to head out to Masters Swim. These are my new friends: the triathletes that come from all over to swim on Tuesdays and Saturdays. They are SO NICE and it's just the greatest feeling to know that there are other people in the area who share common interests! Yay!
Race day is 8 weeks away--training kicks in for sure now!
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