Sunday, January 30, 2011

Progress

There are a couple of things that happened this last week that I feel are real progress.

First- on Wednesday, I wasn't able to get my run in during the late afternoon and the first chance I had to get to things was a bit after 7 pm.  Normally I would have said, never mind, missed it.  This week I didn't though.

Second, since it was dark outside, I didn't feel comfortable heading out by myself.  Instead, I grabbed a Leslie Sansone DVD and put it in, in the LIVING ROOM and did it with both DH and my DS#1 in the room.  Yep, an audience.  Truly, this is the thing I am most proud of.  It probably should be that I found an alternative and didn't miss the exercise, but it isn't, it is being willing to just do it with them there and not worrying how silly or uncoordinated I looked (am).

Third, Saturday I kicked out another 5 miles for my distance day.  Next week the distance day is 6 miles, and I know I can do it.  Not only did I do the 5, but I have more running intervals, and they were longer intervals than the week before.  I am finding that my legs and body can do it, it is my endurance that really needs the help.  Time and work and that will come too.

So- a little tip for anyone looking to make changes.  Find your support someplace.  Get something that encourages you, supports you 100% and refuses to let you quit.  That is often NOT family, but a friend, workout partner (love ya Betty) or a coach.  Whatever it is, FIND IT.  It will make all the difference in the world.

Saturday, January 22, 2011

4 plus miles

This was Saturday #3 of the training group.  Saturdays are the 'long' runs that get longer as we go to train us and increase endurance.  There are basically 3 different groups and depending on your group is how far you run.  The first cone is if a person is training for a 10k.  The second cone is training for Robie Creek half marathon, but new to the whole thing and basically just want to finish.  The third cone is training for Robie, but you have run before, etc.,etc., etc. 
Betty and I are in group 2.  We decided that we could push ourselves to that level and if we needed to back off some later we could.  Today, group 2 was a 4 mile run up Shaw Mountain Road in the fog and with ice (and I swear, it really WAS uphill both ways).  It really was beautiful and fun to see people's hair and eyebrows freeze.  Today, however, Betty and I decided to be over achievers.  We were going and going and going.  When we arrived at a cattle guard we discussed that we really didn't think the second cone (you know those BRIGHT ORANGE ones?) was that far.  There was a runner headed back so we asked and sure enough, we somehow had missed cone 2 and were on our way to cone 3.  Yep- we ran an extra 1/2 mile each direction.  So, with a big "L" pasted on our foreheads we turned around and started back.  That said, next week, 5 miles, not scary AT ALL.  Been there, done that~!

Wednesday, January 12, 2011

Starting again

So, quick update, a few months ago I had to cave and purchase some jeans in my current size.  I did hold out until the green fat pants were literally worn to nothing, but then, well, a girl can't run around naked in the cold!

Speaking of running....ever since the torn ACL, repair surgery and adventures in recovery, it has been my goal to become a runner.  Now, any of you that have known me for any period of time understand what a bizarre thing this is.  I have NEVER been one that enjoyed running.  I used to HATE when the gym teacher told us to run a lap around the track.  I always got a stitch in my side and no matter how hard I tried was one of the last in.  However, now I want nothing  more than to run a marathon.  Not because I think it sounds fun, no I have not gone that loopy, but because I want to be able to just do it!

So enter a friend of mine.  Let's call this friend, oh I don't know, how about BETTY!  Betty let me know about a run/walk training program that was starting up locally last week.  It seemed like a fabulous way to get started and we are doing it together.  I am very excited about it all, but I am pretty sure that Betty's real motive was not to get me in shape and achieve my goal, but rather to kill me off so she can have all my pink scrapbook paper.

Betty has also managed to talk me into doing the mid level training program.  Rather than the 10k I was first thinking, this is a -you have never run before, but want to finish a half marathon- program.  In real terms it means it just steps things up a bit faster and the end goal is 13 miles instead of 6.2. 

So- as I was run/walking my 25 minutes this afternoon, I had a few observations I would like to share with you.  These are in no particular order.

1- It is good to run with a buddy, not for encouragement, but so someone can tell them where to find the body.
2-Running outside is better than a treadmill because if you don't go the full distance, you don't make it home.
3-You will not pass out on the side of the road from exhaustion.  Not because you aren't, but because if you do only one of two people will stop to help you.  Either one of your teenage son's friends or an ex-boyfriend who will then know that 25 years later, not only are you NOT hot and sexy, but you are out of shape too.  Neither of these are worth it.
4-I am still mystified as to why my biceps are sore from running.  I am not running on my hands and arms as someone suggested, but it is strange to me.
5-There is not a stretch that I can find to make that sore side muscle that runs from your calf around to your shin at the bottom of your leg that hurts like HECK and I never really even knew existed!

I'm sure there are many more things that will come to me over the next few weeks and I will do my best to remember to share those with you as well.  If you have answers to any of my ponderings, I am wide open to them!