No I'm not quoting the U2 song, I'm referring to my feelings on xtraining.
Tonight as I aqua slogged jogged my way through 43 painfully long minutes (43 Min = 14 Laps (1 Lap = 50 Meters) = 700 Meters = .43 M of absolute boredom.) that line, "Running to Stand Still" ran through my mind. When you think about it, xtraining is essentially running to stand still. I know that some people love their treadmills, elliptical, cardio bikes, etc... But I just can't seem to appreciate the appeal of working up a sweat without ever going anywhere. Sure you have the convenience factor, but overall I just don't get it. Especially now that xtraining has become a way of life rather than just a welcomed break between runs. I've been at it for 12 days now and while I'm burning calories and keeping up my fitness; staring at a wall, a built in TV and/or the stats of my workout just aren't doing it for me. Don't even get me started at how mindlessly boring churning water and staring into the weight room is... I mean sure there is the occasional eye candy but over all... snore.
Give me fresh air, give me stretches of miles to cover whether it be a destination, out and back or loop, give me anything over running to standing still!
Does anyone have any ideas on how I can spice up my gym workouts until I'm able to pound the pavement again? Should I start challenging people on the ellipticals? Pick the slowest swimmer and own them with my aqua jogging? Drag the cardio bike out to the pool deck? Race people in spin class? I'm sure these things would be considered "rude" but it'd sure help add some entertainment factor to an otherwise boring 45-60 minutes!
Recovery Update: The lower legs with their wretched gremlins still continue to plague me but progress has definitely been made. I can officially sit and sleep without my legs throbbing in pain (With the exception of them feeling achy last night) and overall walking has gotten significatly less painful. Navigating the stairs however, is still a struggle at best. Another 12 days before I attempt my first run, here's hoping these legs shape up and the gremlins take a hike for good.
34 comments:
Oh man, I feel for you, not so long ago I was jogging in my pool while I was recovering, it was so incredibly boring!
The only thing I can come up with for making your gym sessions less boring is putting some really great music on your playlist. Sorry!
Yeahhhh BORING, I haven't aquajogged at all, but have done hour long elliptical work-outs, I vary the settings and don't let myself look at how long I've been going until two, or three, or four ... songs have played on my ipod. I really enjoy spin classes, and those have been my saviour. I'm sooooo pleased to be starting small runs though, and less time at the gym. As for convenience, I find it way more convenient to put my running gear on and run out the door - much easier and faster than getting the gym gear together, driving there, getting myself set up, doing the workout, driving home ...
Keep at it though, it will be worth it!
Can you get yourself outside on a road bike? That might help!
I am a huge fan of SWIMMING laps. Not so much with the water running. That is BORING. Good for you for sticking it out for 43 minutes!!
Sorry to hear about this 'exciting' cross training, but it sounds like you're going to find a way to make the most of it.
The fact that there is some improvement is good! *fingers crossed*
Rude, schmude! I say Entertainment trumps Rudeness any day. (snicker) Challenge those people, stir up the place. Do what you gotta do!
I'm just sayin'.....
Miss you, love you, sending you 'feel better' hugs!!!
Come to brunch/lunch this Saturday? In town?? Would LOVE to see you!
*Hugs* from Orlando and your VM!
OMG! Poor you! That sounds soooooo boring. My advice:
1. challenge the one next to you on the bike/elliptical/in the aqua jog, even if they're not up for it;
2. find some eye candy to look at while working out.
Glad that your legs are feeling a bit better!
Sounds like you need an aqua jogging partner!!!! :-) you can do it!! 12 more days!! Make up a song and sing it, make patterns in the water, I don't know! Maybe Erika and I will come aqua jogging one day!!!
Funny, your description of cardio equipment sounds just like my description of yoga- a whole lot of sweat with no movement. I know you don't normally listen to music, but how about trying audio books or visualization to occupy your mind? Or try reverse psychology and start telling yourself that you LOVE it instead of loathe it? Mind games is probably the way to go on this one...
I feel ya Red.....I can't stand running on treadmills. Nothing beats fresh air and sweating outside!
I had the same problem, only I really couldnt stand aqua cardio. I didnt feel like I accomplished anything after. I never felt like I broke a sweat.
The best workout I got in the pool was using the kick board for legs and sitting on a noodle and using only my arms to do laps. Both exercises made me feel the burn.
Now that I am back to running (very slowly) I am having a hard time with the hills and my legs, so I have resorted to the good old mill. Sort of boring watching the wall go round and round.
When I'm stuck doing xtraining I always try to compete with myself. I try to go further or faster than what I've done before. I also do interval training because it seems to make the time go by faster. Good luck!
Buck up little camper. In time you will once again be blazing a trail and this will be just a distance memory and a story you tell.
The only thing I can think of to help get through the boring workouts is keeping your Ipod updated with music you love. Maybe that will help the time pass just a tad bit quicker.
You are doing a great job with recovery and such a great attitude! Glad progress is getting made, you'll be back at it in no time!
Just a side note: Do you have a pair of compression socks? When I had a small injury I wore mine after every workout and while I slept and it helped immensely.
Sorry it's so tough! I had a real problem getting used to it too when I first got injured. The only thing I've found to help me get through long rides on the stationary bike is to have a good book (reading My Life on the Run right now, although it makes me want to run!). I think all your ideas sound great. Do what it takes but keep the end goal in mind cause that's the most important thing. You can make it through boring workouts if it means you can run for the rest of your life!
i feel you. I can't stand ellipticals or aqua jogging. Maybe you can check the classifieds and find a check road bike? I love crosstraining with my road bike and it definitely is a great leg workout.
I'm not sure what advice to give. I can't stand doing anything that makes me feel like a hampster in a wheel...all that energy and going nowhere. I was lucky to be able to walk/hike to cross train.
Not sure what your schedule is like, but biking outside might be an option before fall comes and it gets too dark/cold. You can actually get your HR up pretty high and if you want stats, your Garmin has a bike setting. That is what I did when I was having some leg issues.
I definitely race people in spin class, typically the person next to me, and try to pedal as fast as the fastest person. Between watching 2 people and trying to stay 'ahead' of them, the time flies.
If it does come down to the damn elliptical (can you tell I hate this machine of death) I used to make sure my speed/incline/resistance were all at least 1 higher than the person next to me. I do this now when I have to run on the treadmill too, always .1mph faster than the dude next to me ;)
I feel your pain; I am SOOOO not into cross-training! I give you major kudos for keeping up with it and doing the best you can for right now. Here's hoping those gremlins are OUTTA there for good and SOON!
I always wondered why aqua-jogging wasn't an Olympic sport.....
I've never tried water running but have often wondered if it's anything like the treadmill where you are just facing forward to a boring atmosphere. I can't stand ellipticals and I don't like to do the bike unless it's outside. As far as cross training and you having pain, I guess a step class is out of the question or maybe something like Zumba? It's just a thought but something that could definitely spice up the workout.
When I started cross training due to a running injury I HATED it. But then I fell in love with biking, swimming and pilates. Definitely consider trying out a bike on the roads-it's definitely not the same as running- but at least you're going somewhere! Good luck, girl! I admire your perseverance through this lower leg shit!
Ugh! Aqua jogging! I am sooo sorry!
Anytime I've had an injury I always take up weights. I really love to see the progress you can make in just a few workout sessions. I love to use the elyptical or bike then do weights - then you feel like you got your workout on! Good luck girlie!
I feel for you, girl! I'm stuck on the treadmill lately just due to the shear heat and I can't stand it. There are TVs on all of our fitness equipment at my gym so we get to be real lazy and watch whatever program we want. Rachel Ray is surprisingly pretty entertaining during my stints in the gym. Good luck making it through the next 12 days!
Wow. I can only imagine how invigorating .43miles in 43 minutes is.... Talk about brain drain. Definitely start racing people. They wont know the difference.
Also, I hope you are using this as an excuse to not wear heels...
i'm sooooo there, sista! i threw myself into cycling which was a huge relief - being outdoors! no more little machines! i also have a circle of runners who xtrain by aquajogging - it is SO MUCH better with a friend. drag your man with you - it's good for him. :)
I am so glad you made the decision to stop training and to recoup. I just caught up, and it's like I was reading my own blog when I dealt with my injury. Have you gone to the doctor? (sorry, if you wrote about it, and I missed it).
Rest up, heal, so you can kick some major ass later.
Break it up into 15-minute segments. 15 mins on bike, 15 on elliptical, 15 swimming.
I am dying of boredom so I hear you. It's awful. Can you bring a movie or listen to a book on tape?
Oh lord, aqua jogging is boring! Snooze. But sometimes it must be done. I like swimming laps. You could also trying doing specific workouts on the elliptical or bike. Lots of fitness mags have good ones including warm up, speed intervals, incline, etc. The fitnessista also has some good workouts on her blog. Otherwise, I'd say like others have, try doing one thing for 15 min, then another. And maybe some yoga couldn't hurt?
Glad your legs are starting to feel better! Hopefully the next 12 days will continue to have you heal!
I usually just people watch at the gym, and do the stair climber.
I say wear fitted clothing/clothing that shows off ur legs and shoulders and watch urself inthe mirror. Thats what i do. I love seeing all the muscles in my upper body. Vein?? Yeah, a little :-)
Do you have access to a bike, so you can take your workout outside? Or what about paddling or rowing, or even open water swimming? There must be a lake somewhere near you.
The gyms scares me with it's boredom. It's un-natural to be 'moving' and yet staying in one spot. I say try to get out for a bike ride on the road, or start making up stories in your head about the people around you like a soap opera lol...that always entertains me, until I get really distracted and fall off my treadmill/elliptical. oops.
You are so right! It is boring...but it is pivital to your fitness. I just constantly reminded myself that I had to get it done with. I didn't mind aquajogging too much but the elliptical is borrrriinnng!
Yeah, its kind a boring for me too. But every now and then I see to it that I can spend time working out in an open field so I will not be bored.
Try something new and deal with your boredom.
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