<p>jym, Octane was started by former employees of Lifefitness who wanted to further develop the front drive system Lifefitness had rolled out that, in the founder’s views, was not being executed as well as it should… In theory, front drive elipticals should be more compact than rear drives. There are lots of reviews on-line, both those extolling the virtues of the Octanes and those raising questions of price/value/features compared to its peers. Whether an Octane will provide you with what you are looking for compared to other manufacturers may turn on which model you are looking at. Octane does not have the commercial market penetration of some other brands and is pricier but better built than what would be considered home consumer units. In a home environment, you will likely get a lifetime of use out of an Octane but before you buy, I would suggest determining your price point and desired features, comparing that to other brand name manufacturers, and then testing a variety of machines at different exercise equipment stores. When I was in the market for an eliptical, far more important than the paper specs was getting on machines and testing how they felt and worked. I found there to be significant differences in stride length and feel and other ergonomics between models of both the same manufacturer and between manufacturers. I ended up getting a middle of the pack model because I found it’s fixed stride length to be just fine for my wife, daughter and me and didn’t need a more expensive unit with adjustable stride.</p>
<p>Met my revised goal for the year… Attainable, so now I can add bonus miles. I’ve been out and about a lot and am excited about the many new places I have to explore. </p>
<p>Yay, Deborah! Congrats on reaching your goal.</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>This! I have found some ellipticals that I can’t STAND because I feel like I’m going uphill and the stride length isn’t right for me. It’s surprising how much of a difference that can make in your ability to tolerate doing the exercise! </p>
<p>Fun weekend! Ran the Santa Hustle 5K in Chicago on Saturday; it was a blast. The second half of the run was along Lakeshore and it was pretty impressive to see the waves from Lake Michigan crashing along the shore. We were running directly into a 19 mph headwind and I felt like one of those cartoon characters running and running so hard but not going anywhere! It was pretty cold but with such a short race it wasn’t bad. Enjoyed the city the rest of the weekend.</p>
<p>I am interested in the mileage goals that some of you have set. As we are getting close to the end of the year I start thinking about goals for the new year. I’m not sure if I want to set a specific mileage goal or not but I think it is interesting that some of you do.</p>
<p>I just ran in the coldest weather I’ve ever ran in – 20-something but “feels like” 12. Very odd to be sweating and freezing at the same time. The worst was when I was running into the wind, and my eyes were tearing. I was afraid of my face freezing. My Lulu puffed pullover kept me quite warm. </p>
<p>I’ve been watching the goal setters with interest. I’ve never set goals like that. Since I only run once/week, and do other types of cardio on other days, I’m not sure a goal would work for me (it would be so low!). But it’s worth thinking about. How do you decide on a number?</p>
<p>My goal isn’t going to be about mileage next year- I want to get faster. In September, I went from running 4 days a week to three . Now I’m working back up to 4 or 5, why I don’t know. If I hadn’t changed, I would have worn myself out with everything else I was trying to do and hadn’t planned on when I set my goal! </p>
<p>Trainer so far. And some eating restraint. </p>
<p>My goals for the coming year won’t be so much in mileage as times per week. My consistency has taken a big hit over the last few years, so if I could be a 4-5 x a week runner, that would be great. </p>
<p>C3Baker- That sounds like tough conditions!</p>
<p>Re: running goals. It is such an individual thing. On RunningAhead.com (my online running community) there are different forums for different goal mileage levels. The fast kids/more serious runners gravitate to the 2000 a year forum, and some of them hit that number mid-year, believe it or not. I got caught up in that for a few years and made the 2000 plus, but decided at the end of last year that it was too much mileage for me. I was too tired, too slow and it didn’t give me time for any cross training. I dialed it down to about 1700, but I wasn’t heavily invested in that. My main investment was in my streak, which ended at 960 straight days of running with my stress fracture in late May.</p>
<p>RunningAhead will actually give you a pace bunny and tell you how you are doing towards your goal- i.e. “You are 10 miles behind the pace bunny. You are projected to run XX miles for the year at your current rate.” It’s pretty motivating. You can do activity streaks, running streaks, X times a week goals, etc. </p>
<p>I revised my goal down to 1300 miles for the year after the stress fracture, but wasn’t going to make it. Only last week did I decide to try to make it. I may or may not. I’ve learned (shockingly) that the world doesn’t end, no one thinks less of me and I don’t dissolve into tears if I don’t make my mileage goals.</p>
<p>I actually like streaking. It keeps me consistent and gives me a sense of accomplishment. I will admit that it might not be the best thing fitness-wise, but for me it is a good mental thing. I doubt I’ll ever get to 960 days again, but I do like to run at least a mile every day. </p>
<p>
</p>
<p>High aerobic activity (to the point of sweating) in cold weather is incredibly challenging. So far, I’ve figured out that you have to do everything possible to keep from getting drenched with sweat. That means constantly adjusting clothing layers (and wearing less than you could possibly imagine) and immediately putting on something warm when you stop. For me, it also mean adjusting my pace to avoid sweating so much in the first place.</p>
<p>I think most people way overdress for winter exercise. I see hikers in heavy fleeces and winter parkas. They must be roasting.</p>
<p>I overdressed snow shoeing one time last year. When I got back to the car, my clothing, head to toe, was literally soaking wet like I had just taken it out of the washer. That’s actually a very dangerous situation.</p>
<p>The two hardest activities, IMO, are downhill skiing and walk/run intervals. In both cases, you are constant alternating between high heat sweat-inducing activities and bone chilling cold (walking or riding the chairlift). No matter how you dress, it will be completely wrong half the time!</p>
<p>I finally have a Tuesday morning free so I’m planning to attend a Zumba Gold class at the rec center. It’s Zumba for people, um, my age. Should be fun! :)</p>
<p>You’ll have to give us a report, Momannoyed! Our gym has three different levels of Zumba, it seems - plus water Zumba! </p>
<p>4.5 miles of my run/walk thing, a la Jeff Golloway. I was on the treadmill at the gym, taking a virtual tour through Shasta-Trinity National Forest in CA. I felt a little sluggish after last night’s holiday party, but I got it done – and the festivities were great fun. </p>
<p>Over the weekend I did a six mile run and a leisurely (with camera) hike. Time only for a short walk today, which was filled with heavy, cold rain showers. </p>
<p>Good solid workout in a chilly basement today. It turned bitter cold in New Hampshire… 21 degrees this afternoon. Basement was a nippy 55 with the space heater. Gone are the dog days of summer and repeatedly going to the sweat towel!</p>
<p>I don’t know if this good or bad, but I saw 80% of my max heart rate on a stinkin’ core exercise today. 
Sheesh. Renegade rows are tough. I can finally do them without flopping all over the place. Nice and slow. 2 x 20 lb DBs</p>
<p><a href=“How to do a Renegade Row - YouTube”>How to do a Renegade Row - YouTube;
<p>The weather here is supposed to be just horrible for the rest of the week. Heavy rain, freezing rain, snow, and wintry mix all week. Oh boy! Glad I’ve got my tree up and my holiday shopping done…</p>
<p>Plantmom, you have really upped your mileage!!!</p>
<p>Thrilled to get back outside today - it was about 40 degrees. Capri tights, a tshirt and a long sleeve drifit. No gloves! Completed my own personal 5k. :)</p>
<p>Need to check my 2014 mileage and see where I’m at…</p>
<p>Yes, these above-freezing days feel like a total bonus after the early snow last we had. I haven’t used the snowshoes on the hill in a few weeks!</p>
<p>Late night at work again. I’ve gotta change things up and get some core going on. I may have to put that in in the mornings instead. It will be like starting over. </p>
<p>And two more Xmas parties this week after weekend-guest culinary debauch two weekends in a row…soon I’ll be one with Santa ;)</p>
<p>Last night’s exercise - getting the Christmas tree before the ice hit! H and I wrestled it into the stand. First time in a long while we’ve picked out a tree without the children. Sabadog is ignoring it, Sabapup is quite interested in the nice pan of water she thinks we’ve left for her. Think it will be a gym day today. </p>
<p>I’ve always wondered what goes through our dog’s mind when we bring a fresh tree in the house and set it up in the room where he spends most of his time - is he thinking this is a convenience for him??!!! :)</p>
<p>I just said today (while knocking on wood) that I have been thankful that since that November couple rounds of snow that we are now “snow free” and have been for a bit and as we inch towards Christmas there is currently “warmer” temps - above freezing - in the forecast. Sorry to the snow enthusiasts but I am most happy when I can see the grass, sidewalks and roads without any slippery cover!!! </p>
<p>Had a good lower body workout last night with my trainer. Glutes and hamstrings are screaming today, especially going downstairs. It’s a nice reminder that I’m getting my money’s worth. 
</p>
<p>I always admire/envy the people I see in the Zumba classes, they always look as if they are having fun. I am so uncoordinated and have no rhythm. Running is a good exercise for me, it doesn’t require a lot of coordination.</p>
<p>Swim. Felt horrible at first, but by the halfway mark was feeling pretty good. </p>