Jocelyn's 1/2 Marathon Journal

[feelin-great]

I did 35 minutes on the elliptical tonight. I don't really feel invigorated like I do after running It doesn't seem as though I got a very good workout. I guess I need to step it up the next time I do the elliptical. It is a lot different than my sister's. When I do random on hers I feel like I am going to die when it gets to the highest levels. This one didn't feel any different from the lowest level to the highest level. Maybe it was broken, it did feel a bit off.

My shins are feeling a lot better, they didn't bother me at all tonight. And I was squatting down to pet my mom's dog and they didn't hurt much - that's how I can really tell they are getting better Maybe tomorrow I will try a little running.

[fitoverforty]

Does anybody have any thoughts on the rowing machine?

I've heard they are great for fitness. They work the muscles as well as cardio. I found one article on the benefits of using them:
http://www.livestrong.com/article/82470 ... g-machine/

[feelin-great]

Thanks for the link, I will have to give it a try!

No workouts this weekend. But yesterday we went ziplining and that was a workout in itself We had to climb more than 500 steps by the end. Plus it was quite an arm workout, and my abs got their fair share as well from all of the hanging upside down

If you have never done it, I would highly recommend it - what a blast! I am so sad it is over, but a friend and I are trying to get a group together to go again this fall - can't wait!

[fitoverforty]

i would love to zip line. they just opened up a zipline course about 20 miles from me. It sounds awesome - and you are right, it is a good workout for the arms and abs! Glad you had fun!

[musculargirl]

Sounds like a lot of fun! Glad you had a good time.

[Boss Man]

I want to tell you that I'm proud of you for not overdoing it with the shins. I know how tempting it might have been to start doing a load of alternative Cardio for a week and how frustrating it must have been to have done virtually none last week, but it was for the best.

You ARE capable of quite a lot, so you don't need to set yourself back with unnecessary avoidable problems.

The main thing now is to push on and try to keep persevering with what you are doing and try not to let anything get in the way of your progress, because you ARE capable of sustaining progress and getting the end results it can provide, so chin up, keep working at it and GOOD LUCK .

[musculargirl]

nice profile pic! I don't think i could go upside down. I'd probably get sick. You sound like you really enjoyed yourself! Maybe that can be your next kind of like skydiving hobby or you can do both!

[fitoverforty]

OMG! You ARE upside down!! How cool. But I guess for someone who has hurled themselves out of a perfectly good airplane, plunging down from 1000's of feet in the air, going upside down on a zip line cable at fast speeds is a walk in the park. I've never seen anyone do it like that before - How did you land without bashing your head against the side of the landing?

[feelin-great]

I don't think i could go upside down. I'd probably get sick.

Sure you could - I get terrible motion sickness and it didn't bother me

OMG! You ARE upside down!! How cool. But I guess for someone who has hurled themselves out of a perfectly good airplane, plunging down from 1000's of feet in the air, going upside down on a zip line cable at fast speeds is a walk in the park. I've never seen anyone do it like that before - How did you land without bashing your head against the side of the landing?

You didn't believe me, did you It really doesn't compare to skydiving, but it was a blast nonetheless! I didn't land like that - the picture is kind of deceiving I guess. It looks like I am harnessed in that way, but I am not, you have to tip yourself backwards to go upside down! I posted another pic to show you the normal position. This is why my abs are hurting You have to be able to sit back up before you land

[musculargirl]

I get terrible motion sickness and it didn't bother me

Good to know. I don't mind heights but I can't even go on amusement park rides anymore. Old age i guess. It does look fun! I might have to try it someday!

[fitoverforty]

It looks like I am harnessed in that way, but I am not, you have to tip yourself backwards to go upside down! I posted another pic to show you the normal position.

oh, okay....so basically you're just crazy. just kidding!! hahaha - it looks like you are having a great time, and wherever you are is just beautiful scenery!

[feelin-great]

oh, okay....so basically you're just crazy.

Pretty much I was in Wisconsin Dells - and that was the least scenic picture out of all of them (the upside down one). Wisconsin really is beautiful

Tonight's workout:

Chest Fly 35#
Rear Delt Fly 35# (these two are getting a little easier)
Chest Press 35# (may be able to add soon)
Lat Pull Down 70# (added 5)
Overhead Press 35#
Row 55# (added 5)
Arm Curl 30#
Arm Extension 30#
Back Extension 75# (added 5)
Ab Crunch 65#

Treadmill - 25 minutes (2 minutes walk, 3 minutes run, 5 minute cool down). Lynne, the reason I do the running as the longer intervals is because I am trying to work myself up to running the entire time. When I am able to do that I will do shorter intervals of sprinting with longer intervals of jogging - does that make sense??

I am very limited on days to workout this week, so I decided to split up the weights into upper body and lower body. So tonight I did upper and I was able to do some cardio as well. Tomorrow night I will do lower and another cardio (not treadmill, I am going to ease back into running more frequently to avoid hurting my shins!).

[feelin-great]

My shins are a bit sore again today. I am a little surprised that running on a treadmill is affecting them like this but when I was running outside they never seemed to bother me. It could be that I am carrying more weight now than I was last year Another thing I was wondering is if the walking intervals are what is causing the shin pain. When I walk I am going rather fast, and I have more of a heel to to stride. When I run I am more flat footed, more on the balls of my feet - and it hurts worse when I walk. Maybe I will try jogging the entire time to see how that feels.

[fitoverforty]

are you warming up enough before you start your running? and are you stretching thoroughly after your workout? I know it is a pain to take the time to stretch, but it really does help, especially with the shins. And specific shin stretches really help.
Here is an article showing some of the best stretches:
http://www.sportsinjuryclinic.net/cyber ... tching.php
The seated shin stretch is my favorite.

The treadmill I ran on this morning felt hard and ungiving, so I am not sure treadmills are all that much better than just regular road or trail running. Slow down a bit on the walking intervals, so that you are not pounding your heel into the belt or ground, remember the walking interval is supposed to be the "rest" part, so no need to go really fast - save that for the run part.

[feelin-great]

I do stretch quite a bit (my favorite is the walking on the heels to stretch my shins). I also do a good warmup. So I don't think it is that. I do think it is the walking - I guess I will either have to stop the walking intervals or just slow down.