Monday started off not so great. My fall on Sunday had tweaked my knee. I only felt pain when I twisted my foot inward. I did a morning walk on city streets (still carrying my 12 lb pack) and a meager 20 minutes on Stairmaster (that felt like a lifetime). I knew if I were to achieve my goal of hitting 40 minutes on Stairmaster that I’d need a distraction. Reading didn’t seem practical, so I decided to try music. I unearthed my iPod from the back of my closet on Thursday. Catchy tunes and nostalgia did the trick and not only was I able to endure 40 minutes of Stairmaster (150 floors; 3.15 miles), I even pushed myself to Level 9 for the duration of St. Elmos Fire. Here’s a sampling of my playlist:
- Smoke on the Water – Deep Purple – Level 7
- Perfect Day – Hoku – Level 7
- A Thousand Miles – Carleton (Yes, it felt like it) – Level 7
- St. Elmos Fire – Parr – Level 9!!!!!
- I Hope You Dance – Womack (Dancing would be way more fun…sigh) – Level 5
- Time for me to Fly – Jonas (Flying would be much easier than climbing stairs) – Level 5
- Everytime We Touch – Cascada – Level 5
- Someday – Nickelback (Someday I will be off this machine) – Level 5
When I hit the 20 minute mark and really wanted to get off, I turned on Sailing by Christopher Cross which was the first dance at my wedding and for some reason this inspired me to keep going. It somehow seemed appropriate to end my workout with Better Days (i.e., when I was in better shape and my workout won’t be such a challenge) by the Goo Goo Dolls.
On Friday, I did a 1 hour and 25 mile hike in the morning, than I did an hour-long Body Pump class. I hadn’t really intended to climb aboard the Stairmaster afterward, but one of the machines happened to be open. Not wanting to lose the machine, I didn’t take the time to go to my locker and get my iPod. I slogged out 25 minutes at Level 5, but without music it was way tougher.