Slow and Steady Wins the Race!

Today's title sounds so cliche, but it's also so true. But I'll get to that in a minute.

First, I just need to say that it really sucks going to the gym in the dark! BUT, with that said, I am feeling so good about going so early in the morning. It's so dark out, that it feels like it should be 12 am not 2 hours away from the sun rising! I may not like getting up so early, and I may be tempted to snooze a little longer, but honestly, getting up is half the battle. And when I am finished at the gym, I get a burst of energy that carries me through!

To top it off, it was raining this morning. The thought of walking out into the rain was enough to make me want to turn around and go back to bed. I wasn't going to let that stop me though! And when I left, it was raining even harder...and let me tell you...it felt so GOOD! To walk in the rain and not worry about getting my hair wet or messed up. Talk about refreshing!

Yesterday, I did the circuit training and today I did the treadmill. I was a little irritated that I forgot my phone today so I couldn't listen to music, but the time still went faster than I expected. It was nice to think about what I needed to do for the day. It's rejuventaing in a way, because it's time just for me. There's not too many moments in the day that I can say that!

I am starting to actually feel a little stronger, too. I can feel that my muscles are sore...and it's a good feeling. Throughout the day, it reminds me of what I've accomplished.

I also made some progress on the treadmill this week. In the past couple of weeks that I've been going to the gym, I've been walking at a pretty slow pace. If I try to bump it up a bit, my shins hurt, or I get out of breath. So I was averaging about a 3.3-3.4 speed. Today, I made it up to 3.6 and that was just a "faster walk"...it wasn't quite a jog but it felt so good to be up to that speed. I realize that for most people, 3.6 isn't really a challenge, but it was for me. This also helped to shorten the time that it took me to make it to a mile. When I first started going to the gym, I think it took me a little more that 20 minutes to walk the mile! Today I made it in 17 minutes and 42 seconds! Still, not the best time in the world, but it was better for me! I am happy with the strides that I have been making and I hope it continues.