After months of being in two minds about it, I finally took the (pricey) plunge: I joined the gym! (I sniffed out a fantastic deal: R700 cash back if you visit the gym 28 times before 10 January 2016... Getting paid to train? YES, PLEASE!) So why did I join if I'm determined not to run a single step on a gym treadmill ever again?
1. Gettin' Older
My forties are just around the corner, and let's face it: A body needs more than just running to keep it strong and healthy. Plus my infrequent planks are definitely not cutting it anymore - bootcamp classes for the win!
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Running, I love you. But if we're going to run until we're 90, we're going to need a little extra help. [Photo by Stanley Harvey.] |
2. Being a (lazy) sucker for punishment
For some odd reason I thrive in militaristic settings. Send me into the gym's free weights area alone and I'll pump out a few unenthusiastic bicep curls at most. But put me in a class with an army sergeant-like instructor barking out orders, and I'll do push-ups until I lie in a heap, shaking. So there's that.
3. The Pool
The Northern Cape is hot, people. Crazy hot. I seriously sometimes wonder why anyone in their right mind would want to live and exist here. Yet here we are - existing away. So here's the thing: My new gym has a big, blue, ice-cold swimming pool to be active in when running outside would be suicidal. Oh yes.
4. Gym Childcare
I don't think we'll use it a bunch, but at least the gym's childcare facility is there to be used. We gave it a test run on Saturday, and it was a big hit with Miss K, but a miss with J Bear... We'll see how it goes.
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My two new gym buddies! |
5. That Sub-50 Minute 10 k Goal
I'm running faster now than ever before - the saying that women run faster after giving birth certainly rings true for me! (I personally think it's a matter of a forced improvement of efficiency, and not so much altered physiology - just my ten cents.) Anyway, so I figured that adding regular strength training to the mix will either a) make me faster, or b) slow me down. Fingers crossed that it'll be the former - I'm looking at you, sub-50 minute 10 km!
Judging by the way my body feels after just one strength training class, joining the gym was the right decision - holy DOMS! Things can only improve, right...?
Judging by the way my body feels after just one strength training class, joining the gym was the right decision - holy DOMS! Things can only improve, right...?
For the strength-training, I'm guessing you mean the former....
ReplyDeleteTotally agree that cross-training, in whatever setting makes you a better runner.
Goodluck!
Aijaijai - serious mom-brain moment...! Thanks, Cath! :)
DeleteI don't belong to a gym but I work out weekly with a militant crossfit coach who makes me lift super heavy weights, among other things. This has improved my running times like nothing else. And I'm old, so I feel like I've found the fountain of youth!
ReplyDeleteAh, you're giving me good hope, Wendy! I certainly hope your fountain of youth works for me too! ;)
DeleteHope the gym regime works for you :) A sub 50 10km would be amazing! I dream of a sub hour 10km LOL!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Jeanette! I've been dreaming of and working for a sub-50 10 km for YEARS now - and always miss it with a few seconds...! Hopefully this will be my year... :)
DeleteGreat minds think alike Karien! For the first time in years I visited our local gym last week (and again this week) in an attempt to put some strength back into this old body after my recent illness. As someone rapidly approaching the 90 mark you mention, my need is probably greater than yours. I reckon even a 60 minute 10K is beyond my reach now, so good luck with your sub 50.
ReplyDeleteFantastic, so I'm in really good company! I hope your body isn't also as achy as mine after those first two gym visits...? LOTS of work still to be done on this side...! :)
DeleteSo glad you're feeling better, Gordon. Happy running!
Thanks Karien. Just as achy as you I'm afraid. I'm about to have a good soak in the bath with a bag of Epson Salts thrown in while listening to some relaxing music...
DeleteSounds like exactly what I need too :) .
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