elliptical hell

I've almost completed my first week of, let's call it, old man marathon training. The first thing I've noticed is how much longer a 45 minute workout on an elliptical machine feels than a 45 minute run outside. It really is astonishing the difference in what it takes mentally to get through an elliptical workout that long as opposed to a run of the same time. Even with the help of my laptop and hulu.com to get me caught up on a slew of different network TV series, every peek at the time remaining of my workout creeps down at a snail's pace. While the elliptical offers me pain free workouts, I think after a few more weeks I will almost prefer the pain of a run to another 60 minute elliptical workout. Alas, I must stay strong and get to the start of my first marathon as healthy as possible.

Tomorrow brings with it an 8 mile run with my cousin. This will be the farthest I have run in a long time. I am looking forward to seeing how my injuries and body react.