The Wall

Because of a new computer program that was implemented last week at work, things were getting bogged down and behind, so I worked a half day on Sunday, which meant working another half day today.  Not half bad, considering its a gorgeous day here in the Valley of the Sun !!

Because of the extra time, I chose to do my workout early; I hit the gym with a good attitude, cranking up the treadmill.  My goal was sixty minutes.  I've always heard people talk about 'the wall' when it comes to exercising, but as a chubby chick who rarely pushes the limits when it comes to being physical, its not something I'm familiar with. 

Usually when I do the treadmill, or the elliptical machine, its with the intention of doing 30 minutes.  That's about what it takes to tire me out, get me winded, make my muscles say "whoa nelly, what's going on here?"  Maybe it was setting the goal of 60 minute ahead of time.  Or maybe it was because I left work early and there wasn't all this pressure to get home to get things done.  Or maybe my body is changing enough that it will take more. 

I set a very average pace of 3.3 miles per hour, incline at 3, and set off on my way, plodding along at a decent clip.  20 minutes into it, and I'm feeling pretty good, with my feet slapping out a rhythm that says "keep ... going.... keep ... going".  After 30 minutes, I lowered the incline; but the speed wasn't enough.  I upped it to 3.5  ..... 3.7 .... 3.8 was where I felt pretty comfortable.  The next 30 minutes were slapped out quick, and I honestly felt like I could keep on going.  My rhythm was good, I wasn't breathing too hard, my skin was "glowing"  (old ladies don't sweat, we glow! hehehe) 

10 minutes to go and I felt the need for speed.  Upped it to 4.5 and sprinted for 90 seconds, then back down to 3.8.  I finished at 3.35 miles in 60 minutes.  The neat thing?  Is that I know that I can do it now.   Which means I'll be doing it again!

PS:  This week's weigh in with Daemeon was only -0.5 pounds.  But credit where its due:  it wasn't a gain, which is good; and body weight shifts 1-2 pounds easily depending on what you eat and drink.  We shall see what next week holds!