It’s been a long time since I’ve talked fitness.
Too long really and the Hubby has been asking for more Fast Feets. Considering his chances of mad monkey love increase exponentially with every workout I do, I can’t say I blame the man.
I’ll be honest, I haven’t been talking much about exercise lately because there hasn’t been much exercise. In July, right after completing The Tough Mudder, I took a break. Not only was it fine, it was exactly what my body needed after months of vigorous training.
Since then though, I’m having trouble slipping back into workout mode, and it’s no longer fine. I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again.
I workout to relieve stress.
I’m not looking for washboard abs or a thigh gap, although at thirty-five years of age, I sure would like my jiggly bits to be a little less jiggly. What can I say, gravity happens, and you can’t botox everything. Alright maybe you can, but I wouldn’t know.
Work has been insanely busy lately and since I’m still adjusting to going it alone at home most days, my stress levels have been high. I used to work out on my lunch hour, and it was magical for me. Think rainbows, puppies and kittens with a dash of ass kicking thrown in since I’m a balls to the wall kind of workout girl. Getting my gym on at lunch time provided me with a welcome break in the middle of an otherwise busy day. It was a great outlet for my stress.
For reasons outside of my control, my lunch time work outs are no more. I’m waiting, none too patiently mind you, for the brand new gym near my office to finally get its act together and open for business. It was supposed to be ready September first, but it keeps getting pushed back two weeks, two more weeks, and yet another two weeks. I have no idea when they plan to actually open now. Maybe, hopefully, the middle of this month. What I do know is when they finally open those damn doors, I will be the first one barreling through, and I do mean barreling. Small children and the elderly might want to step aside because it has been far too long since I’ve had a strong hour-long outlet for my stress in the form of a spinning or boot camp class.
In the meantime and in order to keep my special brand of crazy at bay, I’ve been running after work. Sadly I don’t have time to do it everyday, and while I haven’t been running far, I certainly have been trying to run fast.
Earlier this week, I hit a personal record. I managed to tackle an entire mile in just under nine minutes. I suspect this is nothing for the serious runners out there, but considering six months ago I could barely run pain free and a mile took me on average, twelve whole minutes, this is a vast improvement, and I’m going to pat myself on the back. Of course I am; it’s be weird if I did anything less.
While I still don’t love running, I can absolutely say I don’t hate it either. In fact, since it’s become my mental life line, I might be developing a small spot for it, in my other wards tough to crack, heart. This song helps too; it’s become my new favorite in my “get your ass out of the house and run” playlist.
Do you consider yourself a runner? Why do you workout? Weight loss, stress relief, mad monkey love, all of the aforementioned?
Hey,
Thanks to you I heard this song during the walk the other week. It’s an excellent one (though Jump with Nelly Furtado was the one I was shouting, complete with arm movements–WHEN I SAY JUMP YOU SAY HOW HIGH, I AIN’T NEVER SEEN A MUMBLE MUMBLE GET SO HIGH LIKE A BIRD, LIKE A PLANE, MUMBLE MUMBLE INSANE, MUMBLE MUMBLE INSANE NOW JUMP JUMP JUMP JUMP, yes, I’d shout ‘mumble’) between miles 8 and 9, and what ultimately pushed me into the zone from which I emerged around mile 12, far away from the group I’d been walking with up until mile 8.
Good on you.
I’m glad you added this one to your playlist, and I can just picture you shouting/singing arm movements and all through your half marathon. Way to get it!
Jammin’ to your posted tunes. I’m doing some Internet dallying while I wait for the caffeine to kick in (err, I mean, for my lunch to digest, yeah…) before hitting the gym. I’ll add some pre-workout dance-age to the mix. I can’t believe your running, though! YOU ROCK! You’re going to be lapping me when we get a chance to run together again!
I can’t believe it either, AND I’ve been doing it like three times a week. Four if I’m lucky. Apparently I got places to go, although they may just be circle laps in the park.
I need to start working out more. My goal next week actually once I kick this cold/sinus infection once and for all. I don’t want to do it to look better or anything (but some more muscle would definitely be nice), but just to feel better. Eating can only take you so far and I’m hoping that non rigorous exercise won’t bother my stomach too much and may actually help me to feel better. Basically I’m talking about walking. Just increasing my walking from to-and-from class to a set aside spot each day.
That’s so great that you beat 9 minutes. I think I’ve done that once a long time ago (maybe 4 years?) and it may never happen again. Mainly because I just don’t like running.
I like waking up a little sore though, or feeling out of breath and tired at the end of a good workout. It makes me feel good- like I accomplished something.
More muscle is always nice. Being strong is yet another great reason to workout. I think I just might incorporate some weight work into this mornings workout because of you. Thanks Madison!
I love being sore and tired after a good workout. It’s my body’s way of saying I challenged myself today, and it was good.
Who’d have thought 2 months ago that not only would I start running, I would actually start to LIKE it (not me thats for sure!) My point is we surprise ourselves sometimes and more power to you for continuing to surprise yourself with what your body can do 🙂
I hope for the sake of small children in your area that new gym gets their act together soon, but you killed it on that record breaker this week so I think you’re doing awesome things with or without the gym!
I hope so too because I need an outlet and I can’t run long or hard enough for that yet. My punching bag in the basement is getting some good use too though so that helps.
Two months of running now!!! That’s amazing! What’s more, you’re starting to enjoy it now. I am so thrilled for you. Keep on surprising yourself.
Oh my, mad monkey love and jiggly bits! How scandalous. totally NOT a runner at all. But that’s ok. There’s so much more that I do enjoy.
I do it for my health obviously, but I’m at a point where it just makes me feel damn good. Almost in a mad monkey sorta way! 😉
Exercise does have that affect. It’s one of the reasons I love it. Maybe I need to start getting some of your turbo fit tapes to keep me calm before my new gym opens.
Sometimes I get the term “mad monkey love” stuck in my head and of course I think of you…probably weird..whatever I am going with it. I run because it keeps me challenged. Your sub 9min/mile is awesome!! Way to go, speed is exciting!
It might be weird, but it makes me happy mad monkey love is prattling around your head and you think of me.
You are my speed yogi. I actually think of you on pretty much every single run.
Congrats on the tough mudder- I was tempted to sign up with some friends until I saw that you get electrocuted… being a chicken (personally and physically) this was not an option!
I’ve never been a runner, and anytime I’ve ever told myself to run I end up stopping after a few meters and walking. I workout in order to make these chicken arms into raging biceps. They are still (After 3 years) still chicken arms. I’m destined to be a chicken for life.
The electrocution isn’t that bad, really. I also never thought I’d type that sentence.
Raging biceps are overrated. I actually like my men, i.e. the Hubby, more on the lean side. Strength and muscles are great, but too much just doesn’t appeal to me. Basically, I’m saying rock your chicken arms because lots of women like them that way.
Bahahaha!
First off: kudos on your PR! You can only compare yourself to yourself and a PR is a big mark in the win column.
I do consider myself to be a runner, sometimes more so than others. I’ve been pretty part-time with it lately as I’ve been focusing more on muscle building than cardio. But consistent runs lead to greater running accomplishments and I love the feeling of a good run when I’ve been on my game.
I workout for stress relief, mental clarity and I’m not afraid to admit it, I want those washboard abs! This spring they will be MINE. 🙂
I still want a running tape from you m’dear, especially because I know you are a serious runner. Muscle building is always a good thing too. It helps with those jiggly bits and even the washboard abs. No shame there. I’m just going for toned abs. A little curviness if you will.
Oh my, yes! I’ll get it burned today 🙂
Oh how this takes me back! I haven’t run any good amount of distance in something like two years…I chose not to do it before the choice was made for me with the ol’ peg leg…but man, it’s been SO hard with this fall weather coming in! I’ve been seeing runners on the side of the highway on my way to work, and I could just…oh I could just go all Tonya Harding up on their asses! Err….I mean, pat them on the back and say “way to go, Champ!” 😉 But seriously, what I wouldn’t give for a little sweat sesh right about now…it feels like its been ages! Weights, elliptical, my precious Body Pump…whyyyyy?! I went for a walk the other day with the man-friend…about 15 mintues…I was limping up the steps on the way back! 🙁 I think after I get back home next week, I’m gonna try swimming again. Not the same, but at least it releases some endorphins!
PS, I’ve always wondered how people exercise on their lunch breaks…when do you eat? Yeah, obviously the inner fat kid in me cares nothing about personal hygiene! 😉
That’s not even close to the same. Ok so maybe if you’re game, we’ll do an entire ab workout so you get some release without using the knee/leg at all. We could also do a seated weight workout. We’ll think of something or we’ll just do nothing. Whatever works.
While I love the food too, personal hygiene is paramount. I am a sweaty gross work out person, so I always take a full on shower before going back to the office. It’s a good thing I have short hair though. My lunch hour also ends up being about an hour and fifteen minutes. I eat lunch in my office while working, once I’m back in the office.
I used to walk all the time – around my neighborhood, on the trails by the river, every-damn-where.
Then I had a kid.
And walking took a back seat to cleaning, nursing, cleaning, working, cleaning, admiring my H from over the breast pump, cleaning, feeding assorted people, working again and then cleaning up for a bit.
Then I decided I wanted to grow most of our own fresh food.
Now I run away from bees trying to crawl in my hair and earwigs that just generally gross my ass out.
But I will run, vicariously, through you. And possibly, through the power of positive thinking, my generous helpings of jiggly bits will get a little less jiggly, as well.
(Good job on seeing your progress! Never forget to pat yourself on the back, lady-pie. Pat, pat, pat. Good JOB.)
Thanks Lindsey, although you pretty much nailed one of my main fears with having children. No more time to do the things you love, although you do love to grow your own food and I can see why, and you manage to squeeze that in. I need some kind of exercise though or else I go crazy in my head, and that’s not good for anyone in my vicinity.