Discussion Board

12/19 session 1:
Tension level 3, 1.1 miles in 5:00, avg. speed 13.20 MPH
Session 2:
Tension level 3, 1.8 miles in 8:00, avg. speed 13.50 MPH

Totals: 2.9 miles in 13:00

Note: Tension refers to the machine's difficulty settings, from 1 to 8. The 3 setting is the lowest one that gives me any challenge, and is like riding a regular bike on level ground with a gentle breeze at my back helping me along. 4 would be without a breeze, and from 5 to 8 represents increasing levels of hills or headwind. My goal is to eventually make level 6 my default level.

I'm so happy to report that I can get on my recumbent bike now without much difficulty, so the gates to daily cardio are standing wide open and just begging me to come on through.

Yesterday I got in 13 minutes, which isn't bad considering that I've not been doing much since I stopped my marching regimen due to extreme chafing problems. Those issues aren't anywhere near as bad on my recumbent bike, at least from what I can tell from yesterday. I'm hoping to make 20 minutes today if I can.

12/20 session 1:
Tension level 3, 2.5 miles in 10:00, avg. speed 15.00 MPH
Session 2:
Tension level 3, 2.3 miles in 10:00, avg. speed 13.80 MPH

Totals: 4.8 miles in 20:00

Came on really strong during my first session today, as it was early. Once I was done, I began coughing to wake the dead. I flirted with more time in bed but never bothered, even though I've been getting progressively more tired as the day wore on.

I almost didn't do the second session, but after the exasperated post I made in my main journal a while ago, I needed something to help bring me down from my frustration and cynicism. I went ahead and took it out on the bike for 10 more minutes, tired though I was. I just got off it a few minutes ago.

Tomorrow's goal: Moving beyond 20 minutes, and at least one stint of 12 minutes or more. My inner Jillian Michaels will beat me senseless if I don't comply.

Sorry, Debbie. I'll put more in my journal about it, but I hit a serious brick wall on Monday. I got one great session in and then soon afterward between the cough and my sore legs I just went to Jell-O.

Here are my stats from Monday which I never posted:

12/21 session 1:
Tension level 3, 3.3 miles in 13:00, avg. speed 15.23 MPH

I'm ready to dust myself off and get back to it. I'll report how it goes later tonight.

12/23 session 1:
Tension level 3, 3.9 miles in 15:00, avg. speed 15.60 MPH
Session 2:
Tension level 3, 3.9 miles in 15:00, avg. speed 15.60 MPH

Totals: 7.8 miles in 30:00

Wow, a twofer!!

I'm now basking in a nice sheen of sweat after having just completed that second run. My hope was just to get through 12 minutes the second time, but even at 15 I didn't want to quit! I know what could happen to me if I go too far overboard too soon, though. I'd rather be able to do this every day than have to stop because of weakness. Right now I feel anything but weak, and Monday and Tuesday's pain is completely gone. Woot!!

12/24 session 1:
Tension level 3, 4.9 miles in 20:00, avg. speed 14.70 MPH

Just one session today, but a good long one.

Today is the first day overall that I've been coughing less than the prior day. I'm still coughing quite a bit, but I'm finding that I can usually converse with Jeanette or Joe without going into spasms immediately. I hope this means turning the corner.

Aiming for over 30 minutes tomorrow. Jeanette has to work on Christmas. Boo.

I hope it's a good day for y'all!

12/26 session 1:
Tension level 3, 6.6 miles in 25:00, avg. speed 15.84 MPH

This is almost starting to get easy. As easy as perspiring ever gets, anyway.

or injury.

12/28 session 1:
Tension level 3, 5.3 miles in 20:00, avg. speed 15.90 MPH
Session 2:
Tension level 3, 8.3 miles in 30:00, avg. speed 16.60 MPH

Totals: 13.6 miles in 50:00

After having done this today, I'm feeling amazing. I'm dealing with chafing again, but it doesn't appear to be as bad as it got back when I started marching in place on the floor, and it's more localized, so that's good. All signs of painful muscle soreness are going away now, and what I find I'm left with is a feeling of mild tiredness and soreness in the leg muscles which is what I'm familiar with from long ago when I did daily long-distance bike rides or walks -- more like a tissues building up, tightening and strengthening feeling than actual pain. I may lay down and take a nap after a workout, but I'll wake up later on feeling completely energized and better than I have in a long time.

This is my spreadsheet showing what I accomplished in December. It's nice that I was able to pick up my speed and times so much, but then the chafing I experienced from less than 3 hours of total activity set me waaaay back. I've just begun to start over as of yesterday, and it really does feel like starting totally over in a way.

My brief workout from yesterday:

01/07/10 session 1:
Tension level 3, 4.1 miles in 15:00, avg. speed 16.40 MPH

Jeanette's been off work yesterday and today (her weekend), but I will get in some more time on the recumbent today at some point.

Hello once again!

After a really, really sore and painful few weeks, which I detailed in my journal, I'm now feeling like myself and fully capable of exercising on the recumbent.

I started on 1/31, and after a couple of days I took a few off because of some hip problems related to sleep rather than the bike. Things are really starting to pick up though, and I'm amazed at the stamina I have already given that I'm starting from practically zero with regards to condition.

Here are my stats from 1/31 up to yesterday:

1/31:
Tension level 4, 3.7 miles in 15:00, avg. speed 14.80 MPH

Note -- I have increased my base tension on the machine from level 3 to level 4, out of 8. I would venture a guess that the resistance increases by about 25% or so. I can really feel it, but my body is getting used to it, which is nice.

2/1:
Tension level 4, 4.9 miles in 20:00, avg. speed 14.70 MPH

2/6:
Tension level 4, 13.1 miles in 51:32, avg. speed 15.25 MPH

Note -- I decided to try and see if I had it in me to emulate the task given to the contestants on The Biggest Loser for the first episode of the current season. The teams had to split the difference of riding stationary cycles for a total of a full 26.1 mile marathon. I wanted to see if I could do my half of that task, and set a goal time of one hour. I'm very happy with how that turned out, and other than feeling a little tired afterward, I felt great the rest of the day with very little leg pain.

2/7:
Tension level 4, 8.0 miles in 30:01, avg. speed 16.00 MPH

Note -- I went with a shorter trip but really pushed myself for a faster speed. I decided to make my goal 8 miles in 30 minutes. My upstairs neighbors probably heard the yell when, after trying to sprint out the finish, I still came up short by a lousy second. Still, I'm very happy with this, and this is still only the beginning!