Exercise

Back in November when this whole crazy thing got started, my coach gently suggested that everyone begin committing two hours a week to cardio exercise (at a minimum). As I was starting off from what could be described as a coach potato lifestyle, I figured I should probably be doing a lot more that that. In a typical week I try to exercise most days, usually taking Friday off as a rest day before a long Saturday ride. The closer we get to Solvang, I feel even more motivated to get to the gym everyday. And surprisingly, I have found that I enjoy doing so.

I've never been much of an athlete. During high school I took dance lessons, golfed, and participated in marching band. In college I took up yoga and walked all over Savannah. Its only been through TNT that I have begun making exercise a priority in my life.

My typical routine includes going to my apartment gym for an hour. I alternate between doing the elliptical machine for a full 60 minutes, and doing a shorter 30 minute cardio workout combined with strength training. Coach sent us a ten minute ab workout from Bicycling magazine that I try to fit in every once in awhile, as "...though a cyclist's legs provide the most tangible source of power, the abs and lower back are the vital foundation from which all movement, including the pedal stroke, stems."

I also take an occasional spin class over at YAS, and I bike the 2.8 miles to work everyday. I think of it more as a commute than exercise, but it does get my heart rate up for 15 minutes. If I'm tired in the mornings and want to sleep in, or get home from work and just want to watch TV, I have this countdown clock in the back of my head ticking away, and I think "Now is not the time to take a day off."

I would probably be bored out my mind with all of this time in the gym if I didn't have ways to distract myself. I usually bring my iPod (thanks Dad!), where I listen to such entertaining podcasts as "Wait Wait, Don't Tell Me," "A Splendid Table," "KCRW's Good Food, or "This American Life." Alternatively, I've been using my iPhone (thanks again Dad) as a mini TV, renting various movies or shows from iTunes. (Man on Wire which just won the academy award for best documentary, is a pretty inspiring thing to be watching while exercising. It's about Philippe Petit, a French tight rope walker who realized his dream of walking a high wire between the twin towers of the World Trade Center.) We also have TVs in the gym, and if I'm there in the morning I'll watch the Today show.


So, have I seen results?

Definitely! Most relevant to my training, I find myself able to bike much longer distances with less fatigue. I have more muscle definition all over, but mostly in my legs. (There's a slightly vain part of me that's excited about summer skirt weather.) My overall energy level has increased, I can bound up a flight of stairs two at a time without getting winded, and unexpectedly, I feel like my memory has improved. Apparently all of those people who say that exercise is good for your health, energy levels and happiness, are actually right.

Hopefully all of this hard work will prove to be time well spent when I get to Solvang. But more than that I feel like this adventure has taught me how to make time in my day for working out, and shown me a glimpse at all of the benefits that come with being in shape. I'm definitely planning on continuing to exercise after Solvang, whether it be through gym workouts, biking, yoga, hiking, volley ball....