Tuesday, June 12, 2007

The Fitness Junky

Okay, it is time to confess. I have to finally admit it. I am a closet fitness junky. Many of you know that I have run marathons (that means 26.2 miles). That, of course, means hours of training. However, those days of marathons are far behind me. I don't want to spend my Saturdays running 15 miles or recouping from running 15 miles. So my new thing is walk/running and weights.

Since we are getting ready for the Peachtree 10K (6.2 miles), we decided we had better begin our running routine again. So, every other day we now run two miles. We run here in the addition. It has enough baby hills to keep us challenged. It is cool in the early morning when we start off and I sometimes even have to wear a light jacket. Our stretching time is not really sufficient, but we try to fit some in anyway. Since the Peachtree is mostly down hill, we try to run down every hill and then walk up the tough upward side. Our running vs walking has increased the running part. Soon, hopefully, we will be running the whole two miles. That is when we will KNOW we are ready for the 10K.

After our run we are back home for breakfast and Darrell is off to work. I, on the other hand, begin my obsession. I first head for the basement where I keep my fitness equipment. I have exercise tapes by The Firm. I think they are the best. I have tapes for everything imaginable. I alternate doing upper body weights one day and lower body weights the next. I also do some ab work. Since I just started this routine this week,I am already feeling the soreness of muscles that have been left alone for too long.

After the weight routine, I go back and do another mile outside...just walking. In the afternoon I meet my fitness guru. She is my coach. We walk a hard, fast four miles around town. I love that time because we can catch up on gossip and family affairs. Ususally it is so hot we are drenched when we get back. That icy, cold water from the frig sure tastes great.

When Darrell gets back home we jump in the pool for a few laps before supper. After supper we take off for another two miles when it gets cooler. Murphy usually goes with us for part of that walk, so it is at a much slower pace.

There you have it, folks. I really am a junky. I love every minute of this routine. I hate when I have to go back to school and leave it. My goal is to lose 10 pounds and many, many inches. I do have two weddings to attend this summer and those "mother" dresses have to fit!

4 comments:

Sarah Amick said...

Kathy, you are such an inspiration to me. I have been workingout since the beginning of the year but the summer is so unstructured with my children that I sometimes fall behind. I will keep trying because of your inspiration. (Your arms didn't look so bad to me?) Flabby arms may be my next poem!

Jen Barney said...

WOW! I wish you lived closer- I teach a water aerobics class twice a week! YOU GO GIRL!

Sarah Amick said...

I did it. It's up there on the world wide web. An ode to the fitness junkie. Check it out. It was a lot of fun!

Kirsten said...

I used to be a runner until the knees gave out. It is such an addictive activity. Hopefully my new found focus on freedom will bring me back to that place that I so loved. You inspire me! Thanks for sharing. From an ex-fitness junkie to a current one...You Go!