Was that my muscle crying?

So my co-worker Amy and I decided we were finally going to hit the gym after work today. She tried to talk me out of it at the end of the day, but she really wants to go down a few sizes before her wedding in October so I wouldn't let her. So at 3:15 we were off to go try this out.

So we get down there and changed... me in my rock climbing pants that I had used the night before and were COVERED in chalk (even smelled of it) because I had been attempting route 5 again, which I am proud to say I have now successfully completed 3/4 of it! Yay me!

Anyway, Amy basically showed me all the machines as she used to use them (or ones quite similar) at another gym. She made me do 15 reps at least at the highest weight setting I could go at on all the machines we tried.... which were a lot!

We tried the following: Ab machine which you twist around in, pull down weight machine, thigh press weights, leg curl weights, a weird machine where you are lying down and pushing the weight up with your legs, straight weights while lying down and then standing up (squats), and then behind our head while sitting down., arm press machine thing..., and another one where you basically use your upper body to support your lower body while moving.

It was a good day... however my abs have started whimpering which pretty much guarantees they are going to be crying tomorrow... along with many other muscle groups. Should be interesting. Amy wants to go at least three times a week, so I have to motivate her with the cardio and she is going to motivate me with the weights. So Monday, Wednesday, Friday is going to be gym, and two other days somewhere in there (where I am not in complete pain) is going to be my rock climbing days (which are so much more fun!). We shall see how this goes...

My rock climbing has resorted to mostly bouldering as people have gotten more busy or unable to join me. This is okay I guess as I am getting quite a bit of time in on the under hangs where I am learning to use more of my leg strength and co-ordination to get around corners while hanging upside down. Hopefully good news to come soon....

Way to go Melanie!

I DID IT!!!

Today I did the scheduled Long Slow Run. 10 km. Oh-my-God. This was the best run combined with the worst run. The first 35 minutes were hell. I had menstrual cramps that amplified with each and every step. The only thing that stopped them was digging my fingers into my stomach while running. I did a lot of walking for the that period of time waiting for this death pain to hopefully go away. And it did. I was supposed to be running on the prescribed schedule: run 4 mins, walk 1 min. But pretty much if I didn't have pain I ran until I did. So my times were all over the place. After about 50minutes running I started to feel much better. No random ovary pains. I started running in 8min intervals now. At the end I felt great. Not only was I going to finish this run but I found a great rhythm. I was able to run continuously with much less effort. Due to the slow start this entire process took exactly 93mins. (I was wondering what would happen after 99 since there was no space for 100) Now I am in recovery mode. Legs are a bit stiff. But I took a nice nap on the couch in the sun.

Runners Are Better Lovers

I came across this article tonight and thought I would share: A Sunday Times survey confirmed that runners have better sex; it also showed that runners who have sex the night before the London Marathon do better, on average, than those who do not.

So want to join me in this running thing? 10 km race in Ottawa May long weekend...tempted?

Bouldering blues...

So I went bouldering by myself on Tuesday and with Mike on Thursday.

Tuesday was good, I actually got to try out all the routes that were set up for the competition. I started at 1, worked my way to route 3 and then got stuck at 4. Route 4 was pissing me off because I was too short to do it the way the others where showing me how, and were stumped when confronted with my height dilemma. I decided to leave it be and went on my way.

Thursday Mike picked me up from work and we went to go do some routes. I finished route 4 with Mike's help and then tried some of the upper numbered routes (one was 24... which is an over hanging route... still working on it, I can do one third of it so far.) I had to give up after just over an hour as I had ripped open my hands pretty good. I am leaving it for the weekend and going to go try again early next week. I might go on Sunday if I get the itch to go... but otherwise I think a break is needed.

I might be going skating on the canal this weekend with my little cousins as my Aunt Mary and Uncle Scott are in town for the Sens/Leafs game. I am hoping to hear from them tomorrow....

Running Program Day 2

Yesterday, I completed the suggested routine of the running book. A warm-up, and then jog 4 mins, walk 1 min and repeat 6 times, finally cool down. I sure like the last two rounds of running, almost done I think. Both last session and this one I did more than a 1 min walk in between some of the sets. I need a breather and I think I'm okay with that - overall it makes me slower but man who cares, all I want to do is finish this thing. I also did 15 mins on the elliptical and then lower body strength training. Tomorrow I attempt a Long Slow Run (LSR) of a peak mileage 10 km !! I'll be all rested up from today's rest day. Wish me Luck!

Help from Books and Movies

Right now I'm watching Nova's Marathon Challenge. Here's the description:

What does it take for the average person to run one of the world's toughest road races? Find out with NOVA's "Marathon Challenge," a one-hour special that's both a human story and an intriguing scientific exploration of the way our bodies respond to intense exercise demands.


Yesterday I made it back to the gym after a week hiatus. I started the program from one of my new books: "Marathon and Half-Marathon: a Beginner's Guide." Yesterday it had me jog 6mins, walk 1mins and repeat 6 times. That took me 5.25 kms. I finished off with strength training for legs and back.

Today the book said today was an off day, but meh I went anyways. I did the elliptical for 30mins, the wave for 10mins and 2km on the track. After the poor showing at rock climbing on the weekend I decided to add some arm/upper back strength training. I'm notorious for terrible arm strength. Some of the exercises weren't bad but the chest press and shoulder press - wow did they suck. The shoulder one - embarassing; it was hard on only the 5lb setting - ugh. Vendetta machine!

Busy, Crazy Week!

This week I've only managed to get to the gym on Monday. It really has become a routine and breaking it is actually a little weird. Monday was fun since Dave came too. He was kind of all over the place so I never really talked to him much but at least I knew someone was there AND there was a nice warm car to shelter me home.
This week has been absolutely crazy. I knew that I was going to get slammed with work one of these days and oh yes it's happened!

Coming to Ottawa

I'm coming for a visit on the 15th, and I want to get my rock climb on. Are you in?

Diet? What Diet?

Last Night Natelie had her boardgaming night. She's in english lit and so are her friends so although you would appreciate their conversations Dave and I were getting bored. So we busted out RockBand for awhile - actually had every instrument in use for a while. We also kicked ass at some cranium. But the food! wow Nat went a little overboard, so did her friend Angel. Homemade pizzas, bread and dip, crackers, nacho dip, sandwich thingys, chocolate, cookies...I could continue but you get the point. Yummy....

Friday Night Bouldering Session

I went bouldering last night by myself at about 7:30. I wasn't sure what to expect on a Friday night, but it turned out to be a good night. There were no more then 15 people in the gym. About 6 of them were newbies and they were top roping. There were a few regulars doing the top roping as well, but the rest of us were bouldering. I did a few warm ups and then tackled the top out bouldering wall. Wanted to give up so bad near the top but would not let myself. It took me about 3 minutes just to roll over the top (it is way more awkward then it seems!!) I sat up there for a good 5-10 minutes revelling in the glory that it was to actually make it to the top.

I met one girl who climbs at this gym once and awhile, we ended up helping each other with some of the problems. At one point we were talking to a few of the regulars and one of them actually helped us out for close to an hour to improve our bouldering techniques. He taught us how to "back step" which is where you go for your next hold with your back to it. So if you want to reach a rock on your left you would cross your left let over (or under the right) so you back is to the rock and then reach with your left arm. Sounds complicated, and it is something I need to really work at, but it really improves my reach which is super useful as I am not very tall!

I also learned how to relax my arms and just use my hands to grip so that they don't tire out. I thought bouldering required way more arm strength then it actually does. In reality leg work is what is needed most because you need to push into the rocks to keep yourself on the overhang walls and core work to twist to stay closer to the wall. I am slowly but surely getting used to moving in such a different way to make it easier on my body.

I was there until 10:30... and then had an hour long bus ride home (3 transfers later...) All in all a very productive night!

Maybe too much skating???

Today I took on the Rideau Canal once again. I skated from downtown, to Dows lake, and back again. This was about 14km when all was said and done. It was a good day, sunny, and pretty warm, only -6 with windchill. I fell 5 times over the course of 3 hours. I was really impressed by how many people actually stopped and asked if I was okay when I fell. It really didn't hurt when I hit the ice, only once did it catch me because it knocked the wind out of me. I then hopped on a bus and walked 1km home. Now trying to figure something out for supper...

WTF?

I was very motivated this week. I did a Long Slow Run (LSR) on Sunday, subsequent trips to the gym mon, tues and fri and played squash wed. I kept it strict and kept within my weight watchers calories for the week. What do I get for all this hard work? (Other than getting in better shape blah blah blah...) 0.6lbs. Oh-My-God. You know sometimes when I diet I'll be counting for two weeks in a row and the first week will suck for absolutely no reason but then the next week will pull out like 3lbs. You know this better be one of those times because I'm kinda pissed. lol