cheaper than a treadmill

I have just reached the point in rehab where I am able to run a little bit at a time. Yesterday was 2 miles in the dark at a conservative 9:19 pace. A two mile run, although quite an accomplishment, and testament to the effectiveness of my rehab, still does not constitute a full workout. So I’ve been doing a lot of random things to fight the boredom and keep moving. Yesterday included the 2 mile run, then a 30 minute StairMaster session. Today began with a 9.5 mile ride on the trainer and tonight I will do my weekly swim workout. I just try to focus and keep moving while utilizing workout DVDs, various pieces of equipment like the elliptical & StairMaster and I ride my bike both inside and out. While riding on the trainer is not fun, think running on the treadmill ~~mindless and super boring~~, it certainly has it’s benefits. The trainer gives me freedom to ride in the dark, when I’m with the kids and when the weather is less than ideal, like this morning during the thunderstorm! I admit, I feel empowered by the fact that I can ride my bike even when it’s not an option to take it outside.

My bike set up is below. I move the bike on and off the trainer all the time, by myself. So if you are looking for an indoor riding option ~~while the kids are napping, playing or watching a movie~~, there is no need to spend extra money on a spin bike, just purchase a trainer and use the bike you already own. I bought this fluid trainer years ago via an online sale at Performance Bike. I think it was $139 circa 2006. Just an idea to keep things moving even when the weather is bad! And this is way cheaper than a treadmill!

Now, the giveaway winner! Last night around 8pm, I read Aby all of yesterday’s comments on “keeping cool” and let her choose the winner. She had a tough time deciding between two but finally decided that Susan D’s suggestion to freeze her underwear was the best, most creative and funniest suggestion! She and her brother then promptly ran to their rooms for a pair of clean undies to put in the freezer. Thanks, Susan…..I really appreciate your “suggestion”.

Aby’s second choice was Brian P’s idea to hit every ice cream joint on the south side. Aby loves ice cream more than almost anything and she had a very rough time awarding Susan the win when it ousted Brian’s ice cream suggestion. Since Mission AthleteCare has been so generous with the goodie pack:

I decided to award Brian a prize too. Susan D wins the EnduraCool Towel & Brian P wins a 5 hour Anti-Chafe Stick. Please send your mailing addresses to amanda@tootallfritz.com and I’ll get your prizes out ASAP!

The 5 hour Anti-Chafe Stick is one more anti-chafe product in the Mission AthleteCare line. I had previously tried the Anti-Chafe Cream and compared it with Body Glide and was not impressed. The Anti-Chafe Cream works well for bra strap rubbing but did not perform well with the chub rub that I experience in the inner thigh area. It’s an issue for me and I keep Body Glide in my purse and use it constantly when I wear skirts or shorts. So I’m a big Body Glide fan for both life and running/triathlon. When the Anti-Chafe Stick arrived, I assumed that it wouldn’t be able to compete with Body Glide but I was wrong. It actually goes on much smoother than Body Glide and works just as well, if not better. So just in the “application” aspect, I now put the Mission AthleteCare Anti-Chafe Stick ahead of Body Glide. This is big in my world and I’m happy they sent me some to try because I probably wouldn’t have bought any since the cream wasn’t my favorite. Thanks, Mission Athlete! Brian, I hope you like this product as much as I do! Enjoy; I know your feet and body are taking a beating during marathon training in the heat and hopefully this will help prevent blisters on your feet and soothe any other hotspot/chafing areas you get while on the run.