January Running: starting the New Year on the right (and left) foot

[skhill]

I haven't run since last Tuesday, but walking enough to make up for it. About 10 miles in at least ankle-deep snow on Saturday to get where I needed to go and then to get my dog her needed exercise, it left me more tired and sore than running that distance would.

Might get to the gym for a date with the treadmill later today, or might not. We'll see.

[yellow]

Damn, ladies. SIX PAGES of posts for a month in the middle of winter is awesome. Cold? Snow? Rain? Pshaw. We keep going (even if it is the dreadmill or a slow ambulation forward).

[TrekDianna]

As of my lunchtime run, I have logged 100K this month. Not bad since I had not done any running since I got out of the military and swore not to run again (1996) and last summer.

[emily_in_nc]

Yet another treadmill run/walk -- 45 minutes on a chilly, windy, gray day on North Padre Island. High of 45 in the morning and getting colder from there. One of the three really icky days we've had here this month. Can't complain!

[rocknrollgirl]

We got out for 4 miles yesterday. It was about 15 degrees. We decided to try or rail trail and it was a frozen lumpy mess. We probably would have been better off on the trails. We got another 4 inches of snow last night and I have a delayed opening today. I think I might walk to school. I only live a couple of miles away and it is all neighborhood. The hubs does not like the idea but since when has that ever stopped me!

[katluvr]

Sunday I did a 5K trail run. It's a pretty technical trail for these flatland areas. Its a mountain bike trail with lots of rollers and turns. I had fun. My overall time wasn't great but met an old friend there and we ran together. I never run with anyone...I seem to have a pace that is steady but slow, don't catch those fast ladies and pass the people that started out to fast and then turn to walkers. Anyway I had a fun time running with a running buddy and I do love that trail. Today (my day off) it is rainy and chilly (but not like the rest of the world). I don't know how you all still get out there. I guess it is what you get use to. I"ll be running in extreme heat and humidity again this summer! I plan to hit the TM again today. I did 30 minute walk with high incline yesterday and I feel it in my calves today!
So I have a question...I have lots of workout equipment, bike trainer, TM, free weights, bands, boss...but lack motivation to push myself. I have always hated gym memberships and normally waste that money. I do feel that I may need a group activity to push myself. Even if I plan a workout here at home, I don't think I push myself like I should. I really have to get this weight off and I know part of it (a big part) is my diet. But I also feel like I need good hard workouts and not sure what to do. Looking to get motivated and find better ways to push myself! Advise?
K

[Crankin]

Well, I exercised totally at home for 2 years, while I was in grad school, except for one summer of yoga classes at a studio. I have a trainer, a treadmill, some weights, a ball, yoga dvds, and a winter cycling training program, that has lots of fucntional fitness/weights stuff. It was OK, I didn't gain any more weight or lose fitness than usual, but I did start to miss the group peer pressure. Mind you, I get most of my exercise outside, through riding, hiking, winter stuff. So, I joined a cheaper gym and go mostly for the "boot camp" classes. Occasionally, I go to a spin class or a yoga class. I think going to these boot camp classes 2 days a week has made me a lot stronger, and introduced me to new kinds of stuff. Some I could (and do) do at home. If you can find a DVD with these types of exercises, it might help, if you want to do it at home.
I am pretty disciplined, but it is much easier to cheat doing it at home. I allow myself to give in a lot more when I am riding, than at the gym! I need to get back to doing more group rides.