Thursday, Feb. 16:

60 minutes elliptical, half backward, random resistance, from five to 12
60 minutes Pilates class

We did more plie squats, sometimes on toes, sometimes down. Our teacher was incorporating Lottie Burke stuff along with the Pilates.

I should remember this always: Never compare myself to other women in class. Particularly not the one that I think of as the Russian Mobster's Girlfriend. She is tiny, deeply tanned, with a great but not overdone boob job, and she is incredibly fit. Her diamond is enormous. (And I'm not even going to itemize the retail cost of her purses, coats, boots, workout gear.) She's a Soul Cycle of Scarsdale devotee. I have always wondered if she is an ex-exotic dancer because of her looks & fitness level. I think it takes one & one-half of her legs to make up just one of mine. Yes, even now, with all my weight loss & working out.

I have to compare myself to me, before, and not the Russian Mobster's Girlfriend.

OMG I actually exercised.

Thursday Feb 17:
1 mile run + warmup, cooldown walks

My feet are doing pretty well but the plantar fasciitis isn't totally gone. It's been nearly two months since I was running regularly and I can tell it's going to take a long time for me to get back in shape. Olympic triathlon is out of the question for this year but hopefully I'll still be able to do a couple sprints.

Jessica, I'm taking your presence in this thread as another sign of Carter's improving health & the return of your household to a more regular routine.

As for me ....

Friday, Feb. 18

15:06 rowing on the Concept 2, 2:19 for 500 meters, at 40 s/m, for a total of 3,051 meters and a projected total of 6,262 meters
60 minutes weights
45 minutes arc trainer, at hill intervals, resistance at 9

As the thaw continues, and I actually smell wet earth (heck, let me just call it what is is -- mud) while I'm walking to the gym in the morning, and the birds are singing again rather than conserving all their energy against the cold, I want to be outside. I want to run. Problem is, when I start doing that, inevitably, I hurt myself. My plantar fasciitis acts up & my knees get sore. But I really do need some kind of change-up in my routine.

Saturday, Feb. 19:

45 minute spin class
60 minute Pilates class

After temperatures near 60 yesterday, today it's bright but bitter cold, very windy, with a few straw snowflakes tossed through the air. I wished I'd wrapped my neck in a warm scarf. I am so disinclined to go back out. But I need to go to the grocery store & get some things for the day's cooking, in preparation for the week to come. I want to make chicken with ratatouille sauce, a nice, heavy, gut-warming dish.

LOL Saef at the Russian Mobster's Girlfriend!:dizzy: I often wonder about some of my fellow gym rats and imagine what their lives may be. I'm sure I'm pretty far off most of the time.

Sickness derailed me and I haven't been to the gym!:mad::devil:

Feb. 16: sick
Feb. 17: sick
Feb. 18: sick
Feb. 19: decided to venture back to the gym though I wasn't sure if I was ready or not. I also seem to have hurt my shoulder when I was hoisting my 125 pound non walking dog into my car so that also made me hesitant. However, I stuck it out and I am quite pleased with myself. My shoulder actually feels better than it did before. :carrot:

70 minutes boot camp

Totals:
12 days
653 minutes

Ha! Michele, I was thinking of your poor pup's trouble the other morning. An old 80s classic came on my iPod that begins:

"Josie's on a vacation far away ... Come right in, we'll talk it over ..."

My mind was on Jozi the Great Dane (& also on Jessica's dog, Carter, and the woes of dogs in general), so it was a little eerie.

(This is the song, BTW. A worthwhile video for the grandeur of the band's mullets.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4N1iwQxiHrs

IMHO, the best mullet is on the guitarist wearing the dark-colored beater & the hightops with athletic socks.

Because he's got the Triple Play of mullets: It's 1) highlighted, 2) has a lot of gel through it, and possibly was teased; and I suspect 3) a spiral perm may have been involved, to get that slightly kinky texture.

That is a mullet to be reckoned with.)

Sunday, Feb. 20:

15:06 rowing on the Concept 2, 2:33 for 500 meters at 39 s/m, for a total of 2,930 meters and a projected total of 5,851
60 minutes weights
45 minute spin class

I zoned out while rowing this morning, at a certain moment just started thinking of other things while mechanically going through the motion, and apparently slowed down. I did not have a lot to give. But bench pressing and spin went well.

On tour with a lot of duties concerning the extended family. (Some think this is 'holiday' but I tell you that hanging out with a few people in their 80s can be very hard work for the diligent. And the others too.) I spent last night in a hotel and got up this morning and used the gymn. A big thank you to everyone who posts about using hotel gymns *early*. I heard your voices and got up and did it. I plan to do some exercise early on every day this week. I know it will ensure I float through the day.

Feb. 20: 45 minutes running on treadmill (was going to go longer but dd needed to get picked up-- arrggh!)

Totals:
13 days
698 minutes

Sunday Feb 20: swim! Average lap around 1:15. 36 laps total (1800 yards = 1.02 miles) in 45:09. Not a PR, but close to my PR, so I haven't lost too much in the couple weeks I've been away from the pool. Can't say the same for my running.

Monday, Feb. 21:

60 minutes arc trainer, hill intervals, resistance at 9
60 minute Pilates class

This morning, in spite of being unenthusiastic about getting up early on my day off & trudging through four inches of newly fallen, unplowed snow, I had a good session at the gym. I destroyed that arc trainer. (Not literally.) Something has been happening with my legs over the past few weeks. They're changing. I can even see it sometimes, in the area just above my kneecaps. There's less slack & dimpling & wrinkling.

Feb. 21: 65 minutes boot camp

Totals:
14 days
763 minutes

Mon Feb 21: 45 min yoga class

Tuesday, Feb. 22:

15:06 rowing on the Concept 2, 2:21 for 3,099 meters at 41 s/m, for a projected total of 6,277
60 minutes weights
45 minute spin class

Feb. 22: 53 minutes running

Totals:
15 days
816 minutes