Cardio

So, back a million years ago, back when I was first diagnosed, back when it was JUST localized breast cancer, way back to March 7th, Bob bought me an elliptical machine.  We had been talking about getting one, as a solution to my inability to coordinate time for myself at the gym.  Russel and Stacey had recently gotten a good used one, and they raved about the advantages of the at home workout.  The cancer diagnosis just tipped the scales: clearly I needed a good stress relieving cardio routine, something so easy I couldn't avoid it.

Bob decided it was important enough that he both revealed and eliminated his secret funds account to buy it.  My quip: "you know your husband really loves you when he blows his secret funds on you."  We found a great, hardly used nordic-track machine off craigslist and drove into Portland to get it.  It's setup in the playroom where I can see out the window down the hill to the road, and keep an eye on the kids if they're in the room.

And yes, I have been using it. 

Me, yes, me.  Ms nonathletic, hate running, never done anything except play basketball in 8th & 9th grades.  Who knew cancer could be such a motivator?

I  used the elliptical machine a lot in the three weeks until the first treatment, discovering I really could do 45 mins at a stretch, and that endorphins really do exist, and that they kick in for me at about 25 minutes.  I found that the main thing was to have good music on the ipod.  Ironically my best mix was one I made for doing all the nasty paper filing I have to do when I let the stacks of papers accumulate too long in my office.  It's called "music for filing" but turns out it's excellent for cardio too.

After last Monday's surgery it took me awhile to get back in routine again, but I did a workout Saturday, and then finally another one today.  The goal is at least 45 mins three times a week, more if possible.

But here's a twist, sister Kate sent me a new mix, and I used it first this last Saturday, it's called "Kicking C's Ass".  About 30 minutes of gasping into it a Queen song cued up and I just about lost it: "This is kicking Erin's Ass!"  Kate is fourteen years younger than I am.  Kate has always had a much healthier and regular cardio workout as an integral part of her life: she plays ultimate for fun!  Kate's "resting" songs on her mix are the same beats as my "active" songs, and she doesn't even put a "resting" song in until after 35 minutes!  Kate's "active" songs have faster natural rhythms than anything on my mix, and I pretty much doubled my "distance covered" just trying to keep pace with the music.  It was a beautiful and grueling workout.

I told Lisa about it, and she had me give her a copy.  So Kate, your playlist has made it to Michigan now.

I did my workout to it again today, feeling stronger and more proud of myself than anything.

And the Queen song that almost tanked me?  Appropriately "Fat Bottomed Girls."

And hey, I'll take any good cardio mixes any of you want to share: you too can "make the rockin world go round."