I feel the need for WEIGHT!!
Yes, as one can tell, it’s been a while since my last blogging … nearly a solid month. In fact, I even got an automated gentle ‘reminder’ from the CEO/Computer reminding me that I’ve been remiss on that (I need to find some way to shut that little pain in the behind SPAM off!!). I got down to about 179 lbs, and then the dreaded "First of May" yearly syndrome happened. Birthdays, Mother’s Day, visiting relatives … and this year business travel on top of that … which all work together sabotage my diet and workouts. Added to the fact that this year I turned 50, people who don’t necessarily take me out to dinner did so with a gleam in their eye (evil gleam I may add). My eldest sister sent 10lbs (literally) of desserts …my younger one about 20 lbs of food.
As you can guess, the weight did NOT go down from there … and little to no weekday workouts. The times that I got to workout on the weekends were spent getting some walking training in for the Helvetia Half Marathon June 9th. I would get about an hour in on Saturday and/or Sunday.
Well, Ladies and Gents, this past week was get yer behind back in gear time. With the 1/2 only 3 weeks away, the walking takes #1 priority. This past week I did speed(ish) training on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday nights. For me, that’s starting out at about 4.5 or 4.6 mph, then slowly and continually upping the speed 0.1mph every mile, or 15 minutes, etc. That way it’s not noticeable that I’m continually pushing myself to go faster. Sometimes it works pretty well. I still get winded pretty easily over 5.1mph, and my form falls off there. I need to get some help from some trainers there.
Saturday I marched into the gym early (’bout 8:15), headed to the row of treadmills, turned on my radio … tuned out the world, and started ‘er up! I did 2 hours on the treadmill yesterday. Yes, it can be done … just turn the brain off! Actually, it’s easier for me to do at the gym than in my house. THAT is an exercise in mental torture. But I did it, 2 hours, 9.3 miles, approx 1100 calories …. and a beer for lunch!! No flack now, that beer did NOT contain 1100 calories!
Today I’m none the worse for wear due to the walking yesterday. I should be able to do the 1/2 in under 3 hours now, if I can keep up my tempo … actually pretty well under 3. Keep the fingers crossed for no blisters. The calves are tight today, but that’s the only residual effect. I’m stretching them frequently.
Now, where does the title of this blog come in? My training journal said 4/23 was the last time I lifted any weights. It’s been a while. I’m getting tired of JUST doing the walking. It sure isn’t building up the arms or shoulders, or back, or chest … my lung capacity may be getting better but I could still lose at armwrestling to a 15 year old. Not good. So, this afternoon I marched back into that gym and never glanced once at the treadmills. I used free weights, dumbbells, plates, cables and machines. I did abs, shoulders, traps, lats, pecs, biceps and triceps. It felt good to lift something more than a pen …. or my laptop when I’m slinging it over my back in my backpack. Even for people who are in training for walking/runing competitions … every once in a while … you just feel the need for WEIGHT!!
