Training

I have a confession to make: I haven't trained for the last three Challenge Walks.  Not one bit.  And every year, I have regretted that five miles into the first day.  So this year, I plan to train--maybe not to the point where I walk a full 21 miles in a single go, but at least half that.

The problems with this plan are: 1) other than just straight up running, I'm not sure what the best ways to train are.  I know I'm capable of doing 6 mile runs.  I know I'm capable of doing 70 pushups per day for a month.  I know I can do 8 minute abs (gotta love this video).  And, as I just learned today, I am capable of doing 30 minutes on an elliptical without realizing how long I've been on it if I have a good enough book (thank you Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter).

And 2) I'm not great about making myself stick to a training schedule when it isn't fun.  I've always been better about group classes or when I have someone doing the same practice/push-ups/8 minute abs/runs with me.  So if  any of you have any suggestions for fun (and inexpensive!) workouts, please let me know!  Two of my coworkers are currently working through their New Year's resolution of working out for 36.5 days, and their blog has suggested a few things--including jump roping (found my jump rope in my trunk!) and the benefits of a treadmill vs. elliptical--but if anyone else has any ideas, feel free to leave them in the comments.

I suppose for now I'll just be a very good patron of the DC Public Library.  It's the easy reads that are easiest to do on the treadmill/elliptical/bike.  Let me know if you have suggestions for that type of book too!