How do you exercise when your choices are limited? August 13, 2007
Posted by kimayars Uncategorized
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I’m not exactly a stupid person (although have more than my share of “what was I thinking” moments) and I know that exercise should be an integral part of one’s life. Simple things like parking in the back of the parking lot, taking the stairs, etc… can make a huge difference. But what happens when you need to kick it up a notch? I feel like that’s where I’m at. I’m not obese, but I’m not in shape either. Horseback riding has taken me up a level in my fitness, but it can’t take me any further. I need something more. The problem is I feel like I have 3 main options: biking, swimming, and running. Of the three, I can’t stand two of them.
Swimming: I spent my first thirteen years on an island in Alaska, and from the time I was in Kindergarten, swimming was 50% of our PE program in school. By the time I was 7, I could leap into a survival suit in 4 seconds, make a floatation device out of my pants, and tread water for 45 minutes, all in the name of staying alive. Even at 7 I knew this was a moot point because if you were in Alaskan waters for more than 5 minutes your heart stopped beating anyway. I blame that experience on my dislike of water. I’m not afraid of the water, although I have concern for what’s in the water with me, but swimming has always been associated with hard, desperate work from an early age.
Biking: This is an actual fear. I really have only two paralizing fears in this world. The first is electricity (or rather the fear of being electocuted) and the second is getting hit by a car while riding a bike. When Jeff leaves for early morning bike rides, I don’t sleep, fearing a call telling me the worst. Irrational? Yes. But it exists. Such to the point that after a bike ride on any kind of road I feel like I have just survived something on Fear Factor. Exercise should be at least a little fun, and this is not.
So I run. I didn’t always like running, but it was a necessary evil because I didn’t know what else to do to in order to increase my endurance. It’s gotten better after 3 miles has become an “easy run”, but I’m still looking for some variety. The incorporation of the Forerunner has made it even more interesting. I do like my gadgets.
If anyone has any suggestions, I would love to hear it. I’m not creative when it comes to exercising, so even the wackiest ideas I’m open to. It just has to fit these requirements:
- I prefer something that can be done outside.
- Something with little setup (i.e. kayaking would be tough with all the equipment involved).
- Nothing that involves a road with vehicular traffic.
- Something where I can get my heartrate up into the 150-170 bpm average.
Fire away!
On a side note, I find that I’m still quite sad regarding my friend’s horse passing. It’s probably compounded by the fact that we’re away from home and I can’t check on Ray, but it is a cloud that is hanging over me. Today we’re going to take the girls swimming and to a really cool playground. They always have a way of turning my thoughts to happy things.
Comments
Running seems like the best choice… what’s wrong with that?
I guess I forgot to mention: I’m bored with running. Just want to try something new. Someone did just e-mail me about trail running… That sounds like fun.
Can you do cartwheels? That would make your running more interesting…
I know you’d get a lot of people interested in what you were doing. They may even ask you if you need help getting back to your “home”…
LOL! Oh you guys are a bunch of help. Jeff just suggested I run backwards…
I’ve been thinking about this a bit because, well, it’s a good question!
First, I checked out my coach’s site, and he’s got some workouts designed around minimal stuff. You can find it here: http://www.scoreperformance.com/workouts_c.htm . The upside is that you can do most of these outside, although you might get some interesting comments.
Trail running is a good idea. Plus, lots of good trail runs around, like Mt. Si or the Denny Creek Trail (I like the hilly options, personally). When you get good at it, add in intervals. Or, sling on a backpack w/20lbs of weights.
Mow the lawn. With a push mower. Mow your neighbor’s lawn, too. Charge them $5 or so, make it a biz.
One other thing to look for is workout equipment alongside trails. I’ve lived in several developments now that have purchased things like pull-up bars, sit-up stands, etc. that are placed alongside jogging paths. They are a nice change of pace.
Hiking or trail running comes to mind. Roller blading might be fun. The hard part is getting your heart rate up.
Really daft question - can you run with Rasyn?
Would it be safe? Would he be up for it? Would he be too fast, even at his slowest? Would it tick the right kind of boxes?
That would be interesting! We have a dirt road, I could run with him down that. I might have to try that! Gotta make sure he doesn’t step on my feet, though.
You mentioned Kayaking as having too much equipment. Actually I’ve just recently started Kayaking with my older brother and I love it. All the equipment you need is a Kayak (one seater or two seater options) and a paddle or two depending on if you have a one or two seater. My brother has a hard molded plastic kayak with 2 seats and 2 paddles. I meet him by our big river here in our city and we Kayak 8 miles together. It’s super great upperbody strength training plus you are outside in the fresh air and see lots of neat things. Nature and other people to watch. I really love it. The only thing I may look into is purchasing a pair of weight lifter gloves so I don’t wear blisters on my hands over time. This is a very new thing for me but I fell in love with it the very first time out on the water. Kayak’s are less tippy (they sit lower in the water and are wider) than canoes so you shouldn’t worry about falling in the water. The Kayak would be your biggest expense but you could probably find them online fairly cheap if you do some savvy shopping beforehand. You could lift and carry a one seater by yourself. My brother can carry his 2 seater on his own but I would probably struggle with that. However, I enjoy kayaking with someone because you have someone to talk with and share the experience. You should check it out. Great calorie burner and builds great muscle in an area that most women are concerned about.