10.4.12

My grandma and I met for lunch at my university's cafeteria today, so once I was out of class I knew that I needed to work off that (delicious) cheeseburger! I took the stairs up to my class on the third floor, rather than the elevator, but I'm getting so much better at them that they didn't affect me much.

I tried something a little bit different today. Instead of just hopping onto the elliptical, I decided to do some actual stretching and warming up. I realized that I didn't do that at all on Tuesday, and that's probably part of why my tendons were so sore.

First thing I did were some basic leg stretches, which really emphasize to me how inflexible I've become. For some reason, it is harder for me to stretch and touch my left toes than my right. I'm not sure why that is. I can't even come close to touching my toes if my legs are in front of me, but to the sides I can at least grab the toe. Just flattening my knee with my foot flexed is a stretch, probably because I'm always pointing my toes while I sleep rather than flexing them. It's kind of their default position.

After stretching, I walked two-tenths of a mile (two laps) around the indoor track. I then did 30 minutes on the elliptical again. It wasn't any easier today, but I felt better afterward. What is really killing me while I'm using the machine is the muscle on the inside (medial) edge of my knees. What is that... sartorius? Whatever it is, it hurts while I'm using the machine but not once I'm on flat ground again.

The worst part of the workout has to be that second ten minutes, though. That's the time that I really have to push through the laziness and remind myself that next week the goal is 35 minutes or more each time, so I'd better savor this while I can! Once I finished my elliptical time (to the delightful sounds of Alex Clare's "Too Close"), I did three more laps (three-tenths of a mile, to bring me up to half a mile walked) and finished my water bottle. I think I'm going to make another rule for myself: no matter how much water is left in the bottle, I have to finish it before I leave the gym each time. That should help a bit with hydration.

I really do think the walking helped, because by the time I got out to my car I felt tired, but pleasantly so, and I wasn't sore. I still am not feeling any soreness. I feel sort of strong, and even though this is a pitiful workout compared to other people, for me it is a huge accomplishment.

I feel like this was a good day 3!