10. May, 2010 
4 Comments
Some long-time readers know that I commute 85 miles to work most days. When I had a workout partner, I’d wake up at 4:45, get on the road by 5:10 and get to the gym by 6:30. It was a break-neck pace that I just never was comfortable with, but made work. Once Dan was out of the picture, things changed.
I stopped going up early. Then I convinced myself to get a membership at a more local gym. I went in the morning once. Then I convinced myself that I could instead work out in the evenings. Turns out that means that either dinner isn’t until 7:30, or I’m kicking The Gal out by 8:30 or I’m going really late, like around 10:30. Well, the really late option just didn’t work. By that point in the evening, I’d decompressed and become comfortable on the couch or reading or whatever. My low-blood sugar made the former option fail (I’d find myself binging when I tried this as my body needed fuel) and the middle one… well I guess I just never liked that option at all.
Then came a Great Idea, in an unexpected form. Road construction.
Turns out that my route is under construction. Leaving at my normal time to reach the office by 9, I was met by a throng of commuters. Suddenly my 85-minute commute turned into something around two hours. Brutal.
The solution?
Leave sooner. Avoid the rush. Avoid the traffic. Avoid the slow-downs.
Turns out that to avoid the rush/traffic means that I have to leave at 6. That puts me in the area at 7:30. My options then become 1) spend more time at work, or 2) work out.
I did some big lifting last week. I’ve lost tons of muscle endurance, though my actual lifts are still decent. I’m still strong. I just sweat more and tire sooner.
So be it.
I went again this morning. Did some deadlifts, some hip sleds, some Arnold presses and some hammer curls, then showered and went to work.
I miss having a buddy, but I’m thrilled to be back, taking care of business.
Good for you! It’s always hard to get back into the swing of things, but once you’re there, it feels great.
I’m glad to see you back posting again!
I still need to find a routine. I have been going to Personal Training appts. but otherwise I can’t seem to get my arse in there.
Yep – same thing here.
If I leave “on time” I hit traffic.
If I leave early, I can sit there or take a good long walk.
Glad it’s working out for you!
Got to bless those road construction guys eh!