My return to running

I used to run ALL of the time.  During college, I would run the "loop" around campus at least once per day, sometimes more, depending on who was around to play!  When I went off to law school, I joined a gym.  Not only did I work out almost every day, but my bff Linds was always around to motivate me to go in the winter.  Sometimes I would even drag my other bffs: 

You can get quite the workout on an elliptical with a property law textbook.  

After I started studying for the bar exam and moved to Chicago, I became less interested in running.   For awhile, my Nike+ kept me into running.  I ran hundreds of miles with that little gadget.  Somewhere along the way, though, I realized that I don't really care for Nike tennis shoes.  

This evening, I ran a 5K with some co-workers.  After having run only once in the past week or so, and goodness knows when before that, I was pretty impressed with my efforts.  It was great to feel the runner's high afterward.  I didn't realize that I missed it so much.  . . . let's make this a habit! 

I did it.

I am not exactly mechanically inclined.  

BUT when my husband was on night float and my exercise bicycle arrived, I couldn't help myself.  It was snowing and I wanted to get it put together in time for NBC Thursday night television. 

It all began with a box containing an 85 pound puzzle. 

With LOTS of pieces

But after 3 episodes of Grey's Anatomy and Glee (and some chocolate) . . . 

I DID IT!! 

Now, to use it. :)

My favorite motivator: Nike+

For the past 4 years, I've used the Nike+ transmitter, along with my iPod nano, and a special pedometer chip to motivate me to run and walk hundreds of miles.  This is truly one of the most innovative workout technologies to date.  I love being able to run anywhere and still be able to track my progress via iPod.  I also love that when you sync your iPod, it charts your progress each day, month, year, etc.  The goal-setting function is especially good if you're getting ready for a particular event or shooting for a fitness level/weight, etc.  

That being said . . . I need motivation.  I dropped my gym membership because of the cost and my unwillingness to go out into the cold to get to the gym.  I felt like my money and time could be better spent.  I replaced my gym membership with an exercise bicycle.  So far, it has been a great investment.  I drag it out in front of the television on Tuesday/Wednesday nights so that I can watch The Biggest Loser and/or American Idol.  As soon as I return from vacation, I am going to see if I can wake myself up early enough to get half an hour in before work.  I hope to motivate myself to start running as soon as the icy sidewalks are completely clear!! Yay for spring! 

Trying something new

I always loved running outdoors in high school and college.  In Kentucky, I could run outdoors almost year round.  As an added bonus, my parents had a great assortment of fitness equipment for me to use whenever it was too cold or rainy to exercise outdoors.  During law school, I was a member of a fantastic gym in Indianapolis.  I probably went to the gym five or six times per week.  It was a great stress reliever.  Now that I'm in Chicago, I find it more difficult to go to the gym on a regular basis.  My gym is about a mile from our apartment.  When the weather is nice, I can walk there but I always rationalize that if I'm going to walk to the gym, I'd rather just take a long walk with my husband for twice as long.  That's another thing.  We are still very much newlyweds.  I love hanging out with my husband after work.  It's always hard to drag myself back out into the cold to catch the train, walk, or even drive to the gym.  I love my gym but I hate paying for a service that I use so infrequently.

SO during the winter months, I realized that there were several times that I wanted to work out but I was too cold/too tired/missed my husband too much to get out and go.  The motivation was there but the desire to freeze my tail off was not.  In order to prevent myself from throwing away a ton of money at the gym this year, I've decided to cancel my gym membership and get an upright exercise bicycle.  I would love a treadmill or elliptical machine but it makes more sense to get something a little more space-efficient and quiet for our apartment.  Plus, now that the weather is getting a nicer, I should be able to supplement my outdoor exercise with regular use of the exercise bicycle.

My parents have the same one at home and have had great luck with it.  I ordered mine last week, so it should be delivered TODAY! :)