Lets Post our Daily Exercise

Sounds like everyone who celebrated had a grand Christmas. Heidi - so glad things went well for your sister. And cooking a fancy dinner for 12?? Wow - very impressive! Ruth - loved the picture of the walkers, and of course all of you would find the retired teacher to join in the fun!! Badger - congrats on 5 years!!! Lilac - love the Christmas wish!

Thanks everyone for the birthday wishes! Seven years ago on my birthday I was having my biopsy so any birthday after that has got to be a good one! I took the whole day off, just because. Got in a short 2 mile run - it was a cold rainy morning. Surprisingly, it was a really neat run. The sensation of the cold darts of rain hitting my skin, breathing in the cold air, rain dripping down my face, my wet clothes clinging to me, the sound of the rain, even the cold wet shock to my feet as I ran through the inevitable puddles - it's hard to explain but I felt so ALIVE!! My mother never reached her 59th birthday - she died at 58 of b/c, so reaching 59 felt like a triumph. I think the American Cancer Society hit the nail on the head with their slogan, "Happy Birthday is a Victory Song!" It sure felt that way to me. Got my hair cut after that, then had my monthly 90 minute lymphatic drainage massage, which is very relaxing. Got home and DH was cooking a fabulous dinner. So all in all it was a great day.

Yesterday did a 3.5 mile run through the park. Did some more decluttering of the house, then had a close friend over for Christmas dinner. It's our last Christmas in the house since we're moving in March, so we had fun reliving all the memories of the last 20 years there.

Now on to New Year's and 2015!!

Heidi hope your sister has an easy recovery and gets relief, I had lamb for Christmas Eve dinner with friends it was delicious. Mary the description of your run paints a picture of a person enjoying every moment to the fullest.

This morning did Grit Cardio, didn't think I'd like it but I loved it, then I stayed and did 40 minutes of Body Combat, at that point my brain stopped working and so I figured I had done enough

Heidi, hope your sister makes a smooth recovery.

Mary, what a wonderful description of your run! Made me think of the old Roman saying 'Carpe Diem'....seize the day!

I did the treadmill for an hour this morning, and then went out for a wonderful 3 hour catch up lunch with a friend. When I got home my body said, "Take a nap" but my notebook said, "You didn't exercise yesterday'; so I was good and did a 45 minute pilates DVD instead of the snooze.

We went to Unbroken last night, a tremendous movie; and I should probably not complain about anything ever again!

Took a few days off but I'm ready to get back to it today! I can't exercise tomorrow, as I have a PET/CT scan on Monday morning, so I need to get moving today.

We saw, finally, the newest Mockingjay/Hunger Games movie last night. It was really good - sad, but good.

Happy belated Birthday, Mary!  Love love loved your post about running in the rain.

Cold here today but I heard Voices, bundled up, and got outdoors for a 2.5 mi walk. ♥

For my walking friends who are sometimes stuck walking indoors: today I tried out a Denise Austin DVD called Blast Away the Pounds Indoor Walk and found that I enjoyed it. Three 15 minute walking segments (from lighter to more intense with the third section using light weights), and a really nice 10 minute stretch at the end. I think it is a nice alternative to always doing a treadmill or other machine, and a good overall workout because you vary your movements and also use your arms. I would say it would be especially good for the beginner and intermediate exerciser.

Not the best today in exercising, but really this one wasn't my fault. I was scheduled to do a ride with my friend Amanda and her son Simon which is what we did. Back up plan was a walk around the pond near my house which neither has ever seen.

Hmmmm.....on the ride. Got late to pick them up as (fair weather) cycling friend Jim was picking up a pudding. I am down to 1 which means I planned perfectly. Was great catching up though, and he got to see how marvelous the wardrobe he helped me with back in the summer really is.

Then on to the ride. About 2 miles in, Simon mentioned that he had a FLAT TIRE. So cycled back to my car, loaded everyone in, and off to the bike shop where we got his flat fixed and new odometer batteries and Tri-Flow chain lube for me. Off again and another 2 miles in it was MY TURN. So we trudged back to the shop for a new tube for me. By then, it was getting too late to ride.

But WAIT....we were spared the downpour with hail that awaited us as I drove up the hill to my place. I regrouped and made tea (silver teapot) to have with the fab cherry pannetone I got for Christmas. YUM! By then, the skies had cleared, so off for the walk around the pond which we got in just before dark.

Finally, a dash for the bus to get Amanda and Simon back to Seattle and Amanda's husband Jon who has some sort of crud.

So a fun day filled with muddy adventures....just cleaned the mud off the white carpet my place has. (Rinsed the boots in the sink to contain the mess.)

So thinking I did 10 miles altogether....6 of cycling and 4 of walking. - Claire

HeidiHill, hope recovery is moving smoothly for your sis. Mary, thanks for the inspiration. Odie, you sure have been adding up the steps, including 2 hour boot camp -wow. CassieCat we have Mocking Jay on our film list to see next week but I think the Hobbit will win out. Cheryl, terrific your gym keeps on track as both gyms I attend are spotty with classes through the holidays as the majority of instructors have taken time off.

Just in from a sunny, icy cold 4 mile run.

LilacBlue, DH and I may see the Hobbit tonight (DD has already seen it, and she has a 16th birthday party to go to this evening). It's nice to have a bunch of movie gift cards to use.

I have a PET/CT tomorrow so won't be doing anything strenuous today. Wish me luck for a clear scan! My ultrasound back in October couldn't detect either breast lesion, but tomorrow's scan will be the one that can really spot anything that might still be there, other than microscopically small cells that just can't be seen.

Headed out in a few to do a ride. Tire is still fine....YAY. Not exercise, but will be most helpful in 6 months, is the pair of Assos cycling shorts I just snagged on eBay. These are essential for long rides/events, and Assos are the very best. They normally go for $200+ so I was thrilled to get a new pair for $89. (Others on Amazon were $188!)

I am ditching my old ones which had gone the way of Lululemon. In fact, I was worried about them disintegrating en route the last few times I wore them. But I made it safely back each time, exposing no more than the parts exposed by the very thin material in some places.

I have other shorts, but these are the only ones that are good for long distances. (I save money on tops, and buy cashmere on eBay for a "base layer".)  Convinced my guy that going with Assos is better than the two pairs of shorts route for next summer.

Happy Sunday! - Claire

Bagged the ride as too foul out even for me. However, it cleared towards mid afternoon, so did a 5k run instead. Used the time to hit the after Christmas sales for gift wrap and a stand for next year's tree. Attempted to repair a lamp, but more wrong than just the socket. Suspect the plug as well.

Should be colder, but sunnier, over the next few days. - Claire

Applaud you brave souls that run in the bitter cold. Crystallized fog sounds beautiful Badger. Wishing you clear scan results Cassiecat.

Rest day for me today which is a good thing considering most my muscles are screaming at me after yesterday's workout. No pain, no gain right? Off to soak in the hot tub so hopefully I can loosen up for a walk tomorrow.

Hi, all - enjoyed catching up on the last few pages of messages to see what everyone has been up to! I took a break from the computer and have hardly been on it at all since before Christmas. I spent a few days in Northern VA visiting my family and friends. I probably got a whole week's worth of walking done in one day in DC! We were at the zoo, the Natural History Museum, American History Museum and the Holocaust Museum. I've also spent a few days marathon walking while shopping with my daughter. Now it's back to work tomorrow and hopefully back into some sort of routine! Have a good night!

Jealous!!!

Mary, I am glad that you guys will be able to get out to California. It's hard to be so far away at times like these.

I did an hour of spot toning with Denise this morning. Alas, the joys of outdoor exercise will be off the table around here for awhile. This morning the air temperature was 13 below with a wind chill of minus 35.....with more of the same in the forecast.