The Elliptical Kicked My Ass

I did end up getting yesterday's cardio in. After work I hauled my butt over to the gym and hopped on the elliptical. I haven't done the elliptical in what feels like forever, but because I was looking at some elliptical workouts on Pinterest, I thought, "It can't be too difficult... let's try some of those ideas out!" Apparently I have multiple personalities because I really did think 'let's,' as in more than one person in my head.... That's an issue for a whole other blog though :p

What I ended up doing was a five minute warm up at around 5.5 mph and then picked up the pace alternating two minutes forward and two minutes backwards at about 7.2-7.5mph. I was pretty impressed with my speed, even though my legs were screaming at me. I continued this alternating until minute 29, and from 29-30 I did an even faster minute going forward, and it was around 10.8 mph. Then I cooled down at around 5.5 mph for five minutes. Looks easy in writing, not so easy in actuality!!

\While I felt wonderful afterwards (albeit very sweaty), this morning was a different story. Granted I've had much worse soreness from workouts, it was still pretty difficult to make my legs move this morning. Mainly my upper legs killed (glutes, hamstrings, quads and inner and outer thigh/hip area). But I got up and got out there. Here were my results:

I'm pleased with this, even though it felt like I was putting in more effort than I should have to reach this pace. I started the run with Nick, my roommate, and once we got to the path he took off like a muscle car and I putted along like a jalopy. No big deal though. Honestly, if I hadn't asked him to run the night before and heard him up and about this morning, there's a very good chance I would have slept in and perhaps not gotten this run in. My bed is getting angry at me for missing so much quality time with it... :p

Yum! Breakfast was one egg and two egg whites scrambled with basil, oregano, chives, and baby spinach with a side of whole wheat toast and grape jelly and chocolate milk and water. Pretty good, but it's noon and I'm kinda starving again. If I thought having a swimmer's appetite was bad, this runner's appetite (especially after longer or more intense runs) is something to be reckoned with!

I can't really complain though. Last night I went to the movies with a friend and it was the first time I had seen myself in a more full-length mirror (the mirror we have shows from shoulders up pretty much). I was definitely pleased with the results of all my hard work. Besides feeling happier and more calm from my workouts, I'm starting to feel more comfortable in my own skin, which is a big deal. Yay! Body love .x3

My kittens got a workout in too :p

Annnnd Rest :)

So an update on my races and overall training. My cousin's house is in the middle of the area in Colorado that has the wildfires going on right now. So far their house is safe but with the fires only 3/4 of a mile away they aren't in the clear yet. So I'm not sure what is going to happen this summer with my Colorado half marathon I was planning on doing. More on that later when I know more. I have two more long runs of 9 miles and 10 miles and then I start a two week taper for the Boilermaker 15K :)

Do you  have any pets that you love more than life itself? How about pets you can't stand?
What workout always makes you sore?

Safe and happy running!