The Elliptical Problem

Last week when I was on the elliptical to do a little cardio exercise after the kids went to bed (and I remembered again last night), I realized why I don't love it the way I expected. Keep in mind that I've had osteoarthritis in my knees for the past 24 years! The person who assured me that an elliptical trainer is easy on the knees (granted it doesn't have the impact of running) is almost 10 years younger. After a minute on the elliptical even at low resistance, my knees are burning, but I haven't broken a sweat. I do not love my elliptical because it's a workout for my knees long before it's a workout for my lungs. I don't like feeling my knees burn; it can lead to a bout of tendonitis. Most non-machine cardiovascular exercise is limited by my lungs. I do like getting in a quick blast of cardio, but the treadmill is so boring. My natural running pattern is to run a little faster when I can breathe, and to run a little slower when I want to catch my breath. Treadmills are best for longer patterns of uniform speeds than how I run. So nothing cardio beats lacing up my sneakers and heading out the door for a run. Which I would do, but it's 94 stinking degrees with humidity ...

First Jog

I just went for my first jog in ... well, I can't recall. This might be the first jog since I had kids (so over 5 years since I didn't jog while pregnant-large either)! I know these running shoes are B.C. (before children), and I don't keep running shoes for very many miles. I retire my running shoes to walking shoes quickly, and move on to the next new pair of running shoes. I never walk around in my running shoes, except for cool-down.

I'm in bad, bad shape. I didn't make it far, and (as usual) my lungs were the limiting factor. I made it farther than my minimum goal, but I turned around when I tasted blood (wimpy, wimpy lungs). At least it's really humid this afternoon, so that protected my lungs as much as the outdoor environment could. I liked that. After that, I lifted some weights.

I hope I make a habit of running (again). I'd feel good about that. That's why I just went for a run as soon as I got home, because that's the only way to start a habit. I started, and I'll keep doing it. Regularly would be best.

Here are the three things I look for in a running shoe. First, toe flexion. If I push inward, one hand on heel and one hand on toe, the shoe should bend easily at the toe where your foot bends easily. Second, a sturdy heel cup. If I squeeze mid-top heel, the shoe shouldn't budge. And third, torsion control. If I twist the heel one way and the toe the other way, the shoe shouldn't budge. On top of that, I look for the shoe that fits my running style (ask the Shoe Dog at Road Runner Sports): I need a motion control shoe, but with the most cushioning since I have a very heavy gait.

Eating Before Exercise

In high school, on the cross country team, I was the one eating food right before running. Everyone else thought I was asking to barf. On the other hand, I was one of two who gained weight (7 pounds, in fact), so I maintained that I didn't have any weight to lose back then.

I just ran across this article, What to Eat Before You Work Out, and identified with this quote.

Some people do have a hard time exercising without eating first, especially if it’s been a long time since their last meal or snack. These individuals often are more sensitive to changes in their blood sugar levels, which fall during the first 15-20 minutes of workout.

Yep, that sounds like me! If I go too long between meals, I get all hypoglycemic with low blood pressure and need a nap to bounce back. Food good, exercise good, no need to separate them too far. Eating before a hard run never upset my stomach!