start strength training

Its strange how I have no trouble committing to regular running, biking, swimming, walking, etc. I do some form of cardio 5 or 6 times a week. But I have yet to incorporate any regular strength training into my routine. I realize that this is going to be important to help with my running. Developing more core strength is going to be especially important. Enough talk, I know I just have to do this.

I know this is good for me, but I haven’t made it habit yet. I’ve told myself I just need to do this twice a week. But somehow, I only keep doing strength training once a week.

I’ve been doing well with the cardio though.

Yeah, running on the elliptical machine isn’t the same as running outside. But, there is no way I am running outside in winter. I don’t feel like slipping on ice, being wet and cold, etc. No, thanks.
So, to make the next few months worthwhile as I slowly (very slowly) train for a marathon, I need to start strength training. I should have been doing it all along on my off running days, but I haven’t. I need to and if I am smart enough, I will. I can do this. I have the gym membership already – I just need to go there every day instead of every other day!

I’m not sure why I’m so resistant to this goal. I know how good cardio exercise makes me feel, and I know that goal would help me become even better at that. I know it will help me look and feel better too. But when I get off the treadmill, I always want to head to the hot tub or the sauna, rather than the weight machines.

I think it might be better for me to start a plan that I can do at home, something with free-weights, or just using my body weight, as Anand has suggested. But somehow, I just haven’t gotten up to the task yet. I’ve been eying the hundredpushups website quite a bit, I’m sure I can combine that with other exercises I can do at home into a well-rounded plan for myself.

Now that summer has left me and I’ve moved my work-outs to the gym, I’ve finally started this goal. The past two times I’ve gone to the gym, I’ve used a few of the machines, but I’m still testing out the waters and trying to get into a groove. When I’ve got a routine that I can stick with and build upon, I will call this goal complete.

I’ve never really seen the point, but I’m sure it’s good for you. And now that I’m no longer afraid of the machines, I might as well give it a shot!