I've been really needing some inspiration to get out there and start working out again. The times that I do drag myself to the gym it's okay but I don't put as much into it as I used to. I'm also super careful of those suspicious knee creaks I've been hearing when doing lunges or squats so I don't use weight to do those anymore. Boxing is okay, but the classes are not well organized. I like the sparring bits (the ones I participate in are VERY low key with people I trust not to lose their nut and get out of control) but I also want to feel like I get more of a work out. Sadly, I need a bit more coersion than I get. And sadder still, I might not be able to hack a higher level.
Most of my friends are a train ride away so getting together for a run is not really an option yet. My husband hates running so he's out. I used to be able to get him to come along with me while he rode his bike if I promised him a treat. Have I mentioned that my hsunband is competetive? The one time we went jogging together we were supposed to do a cardio building 5 k but he insisted on running ahead of me so I tried to keep up and we ended up racing each other to our finish for the last km.
Anyhow, I LOVE feedback and charting things. It is this kind of weird and scary obsession I have. Mostly weird because I'm very inconsistent with recording stuff. So this nike+ipod thing is working out really well.
Firstly, I needed a new pair of jogging shoes. I decided I might as well get a nike+ pair since they were the most comfortable ones I tried on in terms of cushion and the lace up on the top of my foot. And finally, a pair of Nikes in Japan that weren't super wide for my triple A narrow feet. I already had the 2 gig nano that I got free with a cell-phone upgrade. I did another week of my jogging plan and as a reward and as a bit of a stick for the flagging desire to run, I bought the sensor for shoe and nano.
It's pretty inspiring to keep your pace up when you see a number telling you what your pace is. I was happy even to find out that my jogging pace is faster than I thought. One problem, with all that inspiration to keep running, I have to keep in mind to take it easy on the knees and stick to my running plan and alternate walking bits in it. I didn't today but I kept it to 20 minutes and a slow pace without much hillwork.
I also felt it was more motivating to hear a voice saying, "5 more minutes" than it was to keep looking at my watch. It was easier to keep my mind on the run.
I also like the fact that I can do some group project/run with my sister who still lives in Canada. It's weird how we'll be able to work out together a world apart.
As an added bonus, I had my favorite weather for jogging-- a light, cool, misty rain. This is what happens when you live in Vancouver for several years.