#11 - Back to the grind

October and November came and so did my annual bronchial infection.  That combined with working out of town and I quickly got out of shape.  I am very disappointed in myself.

Finally in December I went to the doctor and got some antibiotics and started to feel better.

A 7 day cruise and we ran 5 days, 45 minutes or more on the treadmill.  Although my pace was not high I was pleased I could still run 45 minutes.

But, I feel my fitness slipping.  Every hockey game (I play once per week) is getting tougher and tougher.  It is taking me longer to recover on the bench.  And, I am more sore in the days following the game. 

The weather up here in Minnesota is brutal; the worst I've seen since coming to Minnesota in 1999.  Typical mornings start out -5 to sometimes -10 or even -18.  And, the high is often in the single digits.  Not running weather!

Although I live on the famous parkway in Minneapolis, I can't get myself to step out the door and run but once or twice in January.  I look on in awe as I see others braving the -10* weather and don't know how, or why, they do it.

By the end of January I am frustrated with my fitness and mention in passing to my GF that I am considering buying a treadmill or getting a gym membership.  She jumps all over that, as she asks me almost everyday to go with her to LA Fitness; but the $20 guest fee has kept me away. 

By the end of the day I am signed up at LA Fitness on a family plan; only $29 per month.  Not bad.  I was thinking it'd be $100 a month or more.  If I'd known it was that cheap I would've signed up sooner.

So, I'm signed up now, and 'luckily' I am off assignment as a technology consultant, so I go to the gym 7 out of 10 days. 

Treadmill running is tough.  First day 45 minutes at a pace ranging from 5.4 to 6.0 mph.  Felt great.  This is going to be GREAT!  Continued to do well for a couple days, and then the boredom set in.  Man this is tough.  Only did 23 minutes yesterday.  I was cruising along great, got to 20 minutes and then like a switch my mind didn't want to run anymore.  What is that? 

I talked to GF about that and it happens to her too.  So she says; the woman runs 6 to 7 miles 6 days per week.  She says that's why she changes her music almost every day.

Off to downloading new music and even a book on tape - I mean an audio book.