The Gym Marathon

To make up for not running, I simulated my 3rd 20 mile run by doing 4 hours and 15 minutes worth of other aerobic exercises at the gym today--about an hour and a half on an arc trainer, followed by about an hour and 15 minutes on an elliptical machine, and then another hour and a half on the arc trainer. At first, I was beating my head against the wall, internally of course. People happily running on treadmills in the row in front of me were not too helpful. But by the 2 hour mark I have settled down. Perhaps it had something to do with being half way done. I have accepted my plight of working out without moving a yard. Gradually I have become somewhat amused by people like Jeremy "Twitcher" Something or Other jumping and twisting in the air together with his motorcycle on the mute TV on the wall. 4 hours 15 minutes is a good time--after all I only planned on going for 4 hours, but decided to push myself for 15 minutes extra. Very satisfying. Only 22 days to the marathon. I am psyched!