Geek Girl Runner Episode 3 will be delayed!
Sorry to have gotten your hopes up. I wanted to do one this week, but I’ve been kinda swamped. I’m busy at work; the Knitters Guild (of which I am both a group convenor and the webmaster) is embroiled in scandal; and I have to go see my allergy specialist (which throws off my whole weekly workout schedule). It’s just one of those weeks. See, this is why I didn’t promise an episode a week from the beginning!

On a more positive note, I did get to Spudds tonight for a workout. (I missed both workouts last week on account of busy-ness.) This wasn’t our normal work session; this was an actual public class that I paid for myself. There were 8 other people there, mostly guys but a couple ladies as well. I had the bright idea to wear my heart rate monitor for it, for the first time ever. We did a brisk warmup with light weights, then ran around the block. (I was already pushing 140bpm at the end of the run.) The first circuit involved the climber, the spin bike, two different rowing machines, two different stations involving a high step, a stairmaster, and free weights. We had one minute at each one, then 30 seconds recovery to move to the next. I pushed as hard as I could. I saw that I was peaking up near 160 at times. When I got to the final rowing station, I took time to clear my head and concentrate. The rower is my nemesis, and my perpetual goal is to get 100 meters in 20 seconds. I know I can do it if I have good form, but if I’m tired or distracted I flail uselessly. I strapped in, pictured what I needed to do, and got ‘er done. When the readout showed “100m” at the end, I let out a mighty roar. (I really did.) Unfortunately that marked the high point of the workout for me. I was pretty spent after that. We did another lap around the block and then came back for a second circuit. This one involved running on the treadmill, skipping rope, boxing in the ring, squats, free weights, and two stations in the “hot room.” (It’s a tiny room with electric heaters inside like a sauna, and you actually have to use a stationary bike and elliptical in there!) I was fading. The heart rate was still high, but I could tell I had used up my reserves. I was getting a little light-headed. I made it through my turn in the ring and then headed to the front door. I needed fresh air. I ended up spending the last 10 minutes of the class sitting on the stoop and trying not to puke. (It was close there for a minute.) Eventually my brain came back into my head and I could move again. As I collected my backpack to head home, I thought to check my heart rate monitor. At some point during the workout, I hit a peak of 178bpm. That’s nuts. No wonder I felt pukey!

Anyway, that’s where I’m at. Send me an update or leave a comment and let me know how you’re going with your training!