Feelin’ Fit
Hi, guys! I had the best night of sleep last night. Love that! 
Sleeping in hotels is always so hit or miss with me. Sometimes I pass out and don’t wake up until morning, but other times, I toss and turn all night. Spending the night in an unfamiliar place seems to make my mind wonder, I guess. Anyway, I woke up around 7:00 (10:00 EST) and hit the hotel gym for a workout.
Workout
The gym in the hotel was so tiny! I actually laughed to myself when I opened the door. There was just too much equipment crammed into a small space.
I can’t even imagine more than one person working out at once!
At the gym, I did 30 minutes of strength training followed by 15 minutes on the bike and stairclimber. I had wanted to run on the treadmill, but I think it was broken. Maybe I’ll run outside tomorrow?
Snack
After the gym, I stopped by the continental breakfast in the hotel lobby for a snack. I grabbed an orange to hold me over until breakfast at Grandma’s house. I think she’s planning a big one!
I’m not sure what’s on the agenda for the rest of the day. There was a rumor going around last night that we might visit a nearby vineyard for a wine tasting. Fun!
And in other news…
Virtual Training Group
Mal and I just signed up for the Ras na hEireann 5K in March. Wahoo! 
My hip is almost healed, so now I want to challenge myself to improve my 5K time. I achieved my personal best (25:33) at the Ras na hEireann 5K last year, but now I want to beat it.
A number of people expressed interest in a Virtual Training Group to help support one another and keep us motivated until race day, so I set up this page to document our journey. I’ll update this page frequently with anything and everything related to my 5K training– from my daily workouts and running tips to my successes and struggles. I’d like for this page to be a place that you can write about your own training as well as share information with other readers in the comment section.
Use the Virtual Training Group webpage to:
- Record your workout
- Track your progress (time, distance, etc.)
- Share a workout or running route
- Set a goal
- Share your favorite running resources
- Post a running playlist
- Ask for advice
- Find support and encouragement
I’m using Cool Running’s Beginner’s 5K Program to train for the race, which calls for 5 days of running. I’ll probably reduce that amount to 3 or 4 days because the bursitis in my hip is better, but still not 100%. I don’t want to overdo it with training, but I want some sort of schedule to keep me on track until race day.
I started training last week, so I’m technically on Week 2, so if you decide to use this training program, feel free to adjust the schedule as needed. And, of course, feel free to use your own training program that is tailored to your own road race. My race just happens to be in March, but any upcoming road race that you want to train for will work.
Hopefully, you will find this Virtual Training Group to be helpful– and motivating! Be sure to check out my running page, which includes all sorts of treadmill workouts, running tips, and recaps of my past races. Let me know if there is anything that you would like to see on the Virtual Training webpage. I’d like to make it an active community in the coming weeks.
Good luck with training!!! Let me know if you have any questions along the way.
—
Just heard a rumor that we are having pancakes for breakfast! Yay!
Tags: Virtual Training Group
Allie (Live Laugh Eat) — December 27, 2009 @ 1:15 pm
Hahaha every square inch of that room is filled up!! I want to sign up for a 5K too….I need to run injury free gahhh
Kristen @ Change of Pace — December 27, 2009 @ 1:37 pm
I always sleep so well in hotels. I can’t wait to check out the training group. I’m so excited you posted it!
Jenna — December 27, 2009 @ 1:47 pm
Have fun over grandmas!
Karla — December 27, 2009 @ 2:04 pm
I really like hotel gyms! I know they’re always crowded and such but I think it’s exciting to work out somewhere new
Estela @ Weekly Bite — December 27, 2009 @ 2:19 pm
Nothing’s better then a good night’s sleep!
Have a great day!
Shelley (Pink House) — December 27, 2009 @ 2:31 pm
I love Oregon and U of O! This was fun to read since it’s my old stomping ground. We love PF Changs too. We always manage to grab some lunch there when we’re traveling since we don’t have one in Montana.
Heather @ The Joyful Kitchen — December 27, 2009 @ 2:37 pm
At least you have a gym (even though hopefully only 1 person at a time is working out!) It’s so fun to just have a change of pace to work out with. Hope the pancakes are amazing
Jessica @ How Sweet It Is — December 27, 2009 @ 2:39 pm
That is a teeny tiny gym!
Danielle (Coffee Run) — December 27, 2009 @ 2:51 pm
Haha I would feel claustrophobic in that gym- enjoy the pancakes
Jessica — December 27, 2009 @ 3:16 pm
I’m excited about the web page! I know all about bursitis, and it’s awful
I sympathize! Mine is in my left hip, and was found after I healed from a femoral neck stress fracture. I’m so excited to start running again, it’s going to be an incredible journey. 
Allie — December 27, 2009 @ 3:27 pm
wow, i think that is definitely the most crowded gym i have ever seen! hopefully you were the only one!
Marisa (Loser for Life) — December 27, 2009 @ 3:32 pm
LOL@ the gym!
Looking forward to the Virtual Training Group!
Carolyn — December 27, 2009 @ 3:55 pm
Good for you for hitting the gym! Have fun!
Shannon (The Daily Balance) — December 27, 2009 @ 4:16 pm
haha that hotel gym is too funny! At least you were able to get in a decent workout! Have fun at Grandmas!
onehealthyapple — December 27, 2009 @ 5:31 pm
I like the tiny hotel gym- it’s cozy! Have a great trip!
lynn @ the actors diet — December 27, 2009 @ 6:47 pm
love the tiny gym. well, the idea of it. i probably wouldn’t have loved to be in it b/c i’m claustrophobic.
Naomi — December 27, 2009 @ 6:55 pm
hahaha love the hotel gyms! they seemto always cram so much equipment into one space…glad you made it work though! mm pancakes at grandma’s sounds like the perfect morning!
have a great day!
rhodeygirl — December 27, 2009 @ 6:59 pm
Gotta love hotel gyms like that! I hope there was a window or something for fresh air!!! Have fun on your trip!
Cynthia (It All Changes) — December 27, 2009 @ 9:07 pm
That is one of my pet peeves about hotel gyms.
I’ll have to check out your virtual training page. I’m going to do Couch to 5K first before my 10K training since I just got done with PT for my hip too.
Jenny — December 27, 2009 @ 10:09 pm
haha tiny hotel gyms crack me up too! Glad you were able to make it useful for you anyways
Elina — December 28, 2009 @ 1:38 pm
Awesome job on getting a workout in at a crappy gym. Things like that really demotivate me, especially if I planned on running and the treadmill was broken. I may sign up for that 5K. I wonder if I could secretly sign Adam up too. He just started running a little bit too
PS- I signed up for the Run to Remember half marathon this morning. I’m stoked!!
Matt — April 4, 2010 @ 11:45 pm
Hey, I notice you visited the hotel gym. Would you mind writing a review at http://www.HotelGymReview.com?
Thanks!