After 2 years of talking about it, I’ve finally made a commitment to get the other half of my body into shape and signed for membership up at a local Gym. I think had it not been for the horrible air quality we’ve been experiencing in California, I would’ve found more excuses not to sign up.
The first couple days at the Gym I was a little intimidated , because I was absolutely clueless on how to use the machines or what the heck it is that you’re supposed to do to tone up and bulk up. I mean, I’m a decent marathon walker, but I don’t know anything about weight training. Well, the insecurity didn’t last long . I quickly learned my way around , and I have to admit… it’s pretty cool working out in a modern air conditioned building with other people! Lots of high tech stuff to play with, TVs everywhere, and because I go in early the morning, the machines I use are always available ( I love the new Hoist workout machines). I have a really cool personal trainer that I hit it off with right off the bat (especially after he told me he couldn’t believe I was 53 years old. ) His name is also Steve and he’s gonna help guide me in obtaining my goals of toning and strengthening my increasingly flabby upper body (Its hard to hide from the sight of your own flab when your surrounded by floor to ceiling mirrors).
Believe it or not, this is first time I’ve ever worked out on a treadmill outside of the hospital! I was totally shocked on just how slow I was walking the first time I used it. I had a hard time maintaining even a 15 min/mile pace for any length of time , (something that I do all the time outdoors), but after just a few days , I’m already getting faster and now I’m able to doing multiple 2-3 minute racewalking intervals at an 11 min pace. Not bad considering that I’m racewalking on the treadmill, not running on it. The only bad thing is that I somehow managed to get another blood blister under one of my toenails, probably from toeing off incorrectly on the treadmill. (The last black toenail I got took 5 months to shed.)
In the coming days , I’ll be crafting a new exercise schedule which will incorporate both Gym workouts and long distance walks. Now that Ive added cross training to the marathon training equation, I don’t mind calling myself a real athlete in training!
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Oooh, I love weight training! I do it all the time and congratulate you on your initiation. It will help your walking, for sure.
YES you are an athlete! Absolutely! Keep up the good work.
BTW, I saw my sister-in-law this week and she is still flabbergasted about how I know someone who is friends with Hansi :).
I’m training hard for Nike in October and will see you there!
My ex-fiance was a professional athlete for Sweden and you do pretty much the same training as he did, so yeah, you’re a “proper” athlete.
Added a link to your page to my blog – hope you’ll do the same 🙂
Hey Steve, Yep you really are an athlete…have been for a while now. I’m hitting the Gym today too, much to smokey here. We’re getting all 3 big fires converging in our beautiful, usually very clean, Monterey Bay area. We have the Big Sur, Indian Fire and Watsonville fires all smoking us out. Jim and I hiked 1200 feet up yesterday and had a horrible smokey view of the bay and mountain range.
I have my son’s room pumping his air cleaner 24 hours a day right now. Luckily, it seems to be ok with his asthma so far. Hope your lungs keep happy too!! Sure is a creepy orange color around here 🙁 Love, Vic
Good for you for getting started weight training! I’m sure you’ll find it enhances your walking. I know it does wonders for my running. And, very smart to hire a personal trainer since it’s all new to you. (OK, so I’m slightly biased, but I truly believe that a good trainer can make such a difference in your workouts.) 🙂