The Cup - Is it 1/2 Full or 1/2 Empty

I'm pondering how to think about my experience last night at the gym. After being banished off the treadmill by the physical therapist, I decided to give it a try. I did the 5k "lake loop" which, I gotta say, really treadmill people? I'm supposed to imagine myself running around a lake? Yeahh..thats a stretch. It took me 53 minutes to finish that 5k. I don't know weather to be pleased that I didn't die or pass out or pissed off that it took me 53 minutes. I'm not happy with that time. 45 minutes is my initial goal and I will not accept anything more than that in a real run.
As I pondered my goal of 45 minutes, I find myself wondering if I have to choose between practice and endurance or fat-burning weightloss? I know the evil machine will accomplish the fat-burning but I also know that I need to get my body used to running and the impact of running. My wonderful husband that he is, seems convinced that I can do both at the sametime. I'm doubtful about that one. I know my body cannot handle the 30 minute burn on the evil machine and then turn around to do the treadmill. He suggested doing a modified version of the 5k on those days that I do both.
Something I've learned about myself throughout this journey? I"m not much of a free-thinker and I enjoy plans. What I want? Is for someone to know my goals and give me a plan on how to get there. I need to evaluate my needs and abilities at the gym and figure out how to make this work.
You know what also came to my realization yesterday during my hellish 53 minutes? Is how much my journey is ever-evolving. I realize that that yes, while I enjoy plans, I realize they have to grow and move with you as you progress. I can appreciate that. When I started this journey, I never thought I would be sitting in my office, wishing I was out running. When I have a bad day (like today!) I really wished I could have hit the gym to clear my mind and lose myself in my music. THAT is something I can be proud of and count as the cup being half-full.

I'm a blogger slacker!

I admit - I got a little off-track with this blog but I'm happy to report that my activity level didn't slack off as well. Well maybe a little - with school starting, it was harder to adjust our schedules to accomodate picking up kids, making sure everyone gets dinner, homework and all the other fun things that come along with a family. But I've been walking everyday with my co-worker Rich and we have a great time. Its great knowing that no matter what I do during the weekend, that if I'm having a day from hell, that I can count on Rich being outside at 11:30 for our walks. We've ventured up into the hills of Pogonip, we go downtown via a path of 77 stairs or hike up a pretty steep bike path. Its a good source of consistent work out that I know I can count on.
Its pretty real to me that W2W is approaching and all the little runs that lead up to it. A 2nd harvest food bank fundraiser, the Turkey Trot, etc...they are all coming up quickly. Somehow - Rich signed me up for the walk/run club through our employer and all of a sudden - I'm not only accountable to myself and my friends, I'm answering the call to this group. Wow.
The gym is going well - I'm finding new machines to work out on and constantly pushing myself to go further, harder, faster. During the say - I wish that I'm out running or walking, I like that feeling.
I've given up on Zumba - I like it but the timing is crappy for the time being. So I'll stick with the machines and my ipod. Which reminds me -- I need to revisit my playlist. Somehow when I'm sitting in my office a particular song will sound like its good running music and then when it comes on - I can't move fast enough to skip past it.
The weightloss is going good - I'm 1 pound away from losing 20. It doesn't sound like a lot to me esp when I look at the calendar and see that its been 16 weeks. I feel like I should have lost more than that by now, but I keep telling myself that its better to lose it slowly and keep working at it than to lose it fast and not have learned how to maintain it.

I am striving to do more, do it harder and faster. Thats my goal.