Mileage Update And Possibilities

Since my elliptical blew up a few days ago, I have been searching the Internet for elliptical machines to buy. I've found a few possibilities, one in particular which is a very good online deal. I don't want to say anything quite yet because I don't want to jinx it. This online deal is a "summer sale", and I don't know how long it will last. I'm hoping it will last another week, so I can go into Sears and check it out if it's there. My husband wants be to try it out in the store just to see if I can get on and off easily. I really don't think it will be an issue, because there are plenty of hand holds to hold onto.  I probably already jinxed it by saying this much.

Enough about that for now. Here are the last several mileage pictures from the virtual walk site. I'm so close to the 300 mile mark, only 1.2 miles to go. Is everything worked out with this online deal, I should have a new elliptical within the next 3 to 4 weeks.

Now on to the pictures.

Mile 294:                                                                      Mile 295.2:

                       

Mile 296.4:                                                                    Mile 297.6:

                      

Mile 298.8:



 

(photo credit - Copyright 2006 Lawrence Berkeley Lab)

And there you have it. Hopefully it will be too much longer before I am able to post more pictures and mileage updates. Keep your fingers crossed that I get the elliptical but I really want.

Uh-Oh Spaghettio

Well, it seems my elliptical workouts are going on a hiatus. My elliptical (Proform 850) is about three and a half years old. I’ve had no issues with it except for the battery coils in the battery compartment getting smooshed, so the display screen doesn’t work correctly.

For the most part, I’ve been pretty consistent with going one mile every time I get on. I had my first mechanical glitch on Thursday. Things were going really well, I was going at a smooth pace, when all of a sudden it felt like the resistance kicked in. I knew that wasn’t possible since I don’t have batteries in the display screen at the moment. Thinking back it didn’t really feel like the normal resistance. It felt more like someone grabbed hold of the pedals and was trying to slow me down.

I got off the machine for a few minutes. My husband got on and he didn’t feel anything wrong. So I got back on and finished up my 1.2 miles. The first time it happened I had been on for 18 minutes. It happened again the last 30 seconds of my workout. So, it wasn’t my imagination or anything.

My husband took the machine apart and oiled up the bearings and things to see if that would help. Today, I get on the machine, and 1. it still felt like the resistance was on, and 2. it was making an odd noise.

I got off, and my husband got on. He went forward and backward with the pedals, and something is definitely not right. There was a loud clunk when he went backwards. You’re supposed to go backwards on the elliptical for a harder workout, so it shouldn’t have made the clunk noise.

My husband is in the process of seeing what’s wrong. He thinks he can see the problem, but isn’t sure if it’s fixable. We’ll see. I’m not sure what the problem is, so I can’t say. He said one of the parts isn’t doing what it should be doing.

I think this problem would have happened whether or not he oiled it. It was definitely not acting like it should have been. The oiling was just a hope. This problem was inevitable.

*****

Well, it looks like it’s a no go. Ball bearings just fell out of nowhere. So it looks like I’ll be without an elliptical for a while. I don’t see how anyone can fix it. I’m just glad it didn’t totally break while I was on it.

I was so close to getting to 300 miles on the virtual walk too. Today was the day. I have 1.2 miles to go to get to 300. Bummer. I’ve got photos to post, but I’ll do that in another entry. I’m bummed. Seriously bummed.

Anyone know how long a cardio machine lasts? Whether it be an elliptical, treadmill, stair master or stationary bike?

Oh, this is such a bummer.

Oh What A Difference A Day Makes

When it comes to exercise lately, I’ve been a bit spotty. Last week was a big fail in that area. I only exercised once, on Monday. And I skipped this Monday too. If it gets to a certain point of the day, I just don’t feel like working out anymore. I always start the day with good intentions though. I get dressed in my workout gear and then I dilly dally around, and before you know it, it just feels too late for me.

I don’t really like doing cardio on an empty stomach. So, my plan is always to get my strength training done before I eat breakfast, then have my daily cereal, then get in my elliptical workout. Last week, I did this, that or the other thing, and before I knew it, it was 10:30 in the morning, and I knew my endurance wouldn’t hold out for my elliptical workout. So, I then told myself to get it in after I eat lunch. By that point, I just don’t feel like it.

Yesterday was one of those days. I fiddled around doing random things, and before I knew it, it was time for lunch. I had my lunch, and then felt guilty for not exercising. My husband had a short day, and he pretty much kicked my butt into gear. He told me to suck it up and do my mile. I did. It was about 1:00 PM, but I did 40 minutes. Got in about 1.1 miles and could have kept going. I could have probably pushed myself to get in a full hour, but decided I better not.

Good thing too. My legs felt just fine this morning. When I got on my elliptical, I was about 18 minutes in and felt like I was going to die. I managed to get my mile in (or pretty close to it, as I took the batteries out of my display screen), but I took multiple breaks. I also switched shoes for the last 7 minutes.

That was the longest mile ever. It seemed like it would never be over. But I pushed through and got it done. I’m stiff now, and every time I stand up I groan. I need to stretch, and see how I feel tomorrow.

My Five Finger exercise progress is going well. I upped my time with them from 5 minutes to 7 and things still seem to be OK. I’ll stay with the 7-minute plan for a few weeks and then up it to 10 minutes.

It’s all about consistency. I’ve not been consistent at all with my working out lately. I need to remind myself, it doesn’t matter how late in the day it gets…do it anyway. I always feel a lot better after I get in my mile. Yes, morning is best for me, but it won’t kill me to get it in later in the day.

Mileage update

I’m closing in fast on the 300 mile mark of the virtual walk. That snuck up on me. Here are the last several pictures from the site.

Mile 287.8                                                                             Mile 288.8

                 

Mile 289.9                                                                             Mile 291

                 

Mile 292                                                                                 Mile 293

                   

 

(photo credit - Copyright 2006 Lawrence Berkeley Lab)

Do you ever procrastinate your workout routines? Do you take the off if it “gets too late”, or do you suck it up and get it done anyway?