Tuesday new day W4D2

W4D2

So I'm back on schedule. After 4 days on the bench and a reprise run of W3 to get back in the game, I did my W4D2 today. I did the old route, too. As it turns out, our house has hills on every side.

I added a slight bit of distance going up Fence Line and back during the first 5 min and heading down the cul-de-sac off Wheeler's Branch for the second 3 min. I still ended up trying to finish the 2nd 5min going up that damn hill on Chuck Wagon. Well, on Thursday, I plan to ditch the extra steps on Fence Line and the cul-de-sac and turn up Wagon Train. Hopefully, I will hit that incline during my recovery walk and take the last 5 min run going downhill on Chuck Wagon.

We'll see.

So the walk felt good. My ankle seemed fine. Even the first 3 min run went well. I'm always surprised when it ends so quickly. 90 sec of recovery and on to the first 5 min. Once again I had to stop the podcast and walk it out for about 30 seconds to catch my breath and recoup. Then I turned it on again and finished the run. Does that technically count as a 5 min run if I took 30 sec out of it but stopped the timer?  2 min recover and on to the second 3 min. It was a push to finish but I did it. The second 5 min brought me to Beckett again so I stopped the podcast and waited to cross the street. Morning traffic jam. Another 30-40 sec later and I started it up. Almost made the entire run but the aforementioned hill killed me.

I'm looking forward to Thursday. Bring it.

Saturday W3 reprise

Officially off the bench! yay!

AND I have bright sparkly new shoes. They are fabulous. And seriously pink.
They are so comfortable that they may change my whole attitude toward the color.

Brooks Ghost 4 color name = Rosebud . ..... I'll work on the attitude change.

Anyway, went out for a reprise of a W3 run on Dr. Grimes' suggestion after 4 days of not running and having my ankle wrapped all day. I wore the wrap for the run and will continue to do so for some weeks to come.

Trav really wanted to go with me today so I downloaded podcast 3 to his Sansa and queued us up together. We were right on track the whole time.

I plotted a new route - trying to end on a downhill note. Alas, it was not the best route. Our last 3 min run was a slight uphill grade ending at a standstill to cross Convict Hill. I need to re-route.

First 90 sec run was good. 90 sec walk was sufficient recovery and first 3 min run was very slightly uphill which was an ok challenge. We spent part of our 3 min recovery on Abilene which is way too busy of a street to be running/walking along. Our second 90 sec run was back on that hill - going down this time (yay) but after recovery, our last 3 min run was spent going uphill and then crossing CH. No, we'll try again on some other streets.

T did well. He kept running in place when I stopped at CH to wait to cross (cutting 20 sec off my run) and kept a nice pace all along. He finished the entire endeavor with, "That was fun!" so maybe we'll do this every weekend. :)

I'll move on to W4 (again) on Tuesday...if I can wait that long, :)

Shoe store review: Loved Hill Country Running. Convenient parking and super nice salesperson - Aaron. He watched me walk in the store. Had me stand with my feet apart and bend my knees. Stand flat footed and raise just my toes. What he determined is that I have a neutral gait and don't have flat feet.  Since I normally wear a 10 - I need 10.5 in running shoes. For the toe room. He let me try on 5-6 pairs of shoes and I walked all over the store in them. He was very patient.
It was a good thing that I raised my budget - the cheapest shoes I tried on were $100. And I bought them.  

Thursday Day 2 riding the bench

I miss running.


Who have I become?

Sunday W4D1 :) :(

W4D1

I totally surprised myself.

I took off in the early afternoon which is rare for me. I'm finding that I really like to run in the morning. Everyone who has ever known me as a teen or young adult is totally confounded right now. NOT a morning person. Ever.

Anyway, it was interesting to gear up for the afternoon. Hat, sunglasses, I wore a hoodie but it ended up around my waist.

The first 3 min run was much easier than I expected. I'd heard from several c25kers that W4 was easier than W3 and I was all, "how can that possibly be?" but it seems they were correct. I was a bit winded but my recovery time wasn't as bad as it has been. Then came the first 5 min run. I had to slow to a walk somewhere in the middle -- I stopped the podcast but kept moving -- to catch my breath and stretch my calves but resumed running -- and the podcast -- to fulfill the full 5 min. I found myself cutting the second 3 short by about 15 seconds. I had come to Beckett anyway so I crossed.

I calculated that my final 5 min would be going uphill so I stretched out my recovery walk and looped up one street. I did my 5 min run going downhill! What a concept!! It was a lot easier. I think it is time to come up with a new route that ends on a downhill slope.

And I have the time. As I was running, I noticed a weak feeling in my right lower leg and foot whenever I lifted it from the ground. I continued on but noticed a slight limp and pain on the outside foot and ankle. During the day, the pain came and went. It did not hurt when I put weight on just the ball of my foot or just the heel but rather when my foot was flat. Then I pivoted in the kitchen and almost fainted from the pain. I called to make an appt. fearing that I had a stress fracture. You can't blame the foot, you try carrying this 211 lbs while jogging.

So, after consultation and x-rays on Tuesday, the verdict was this. NOT a fracture (whew) but rather tendonitis. I am benched from running for 4 days with the suggestion to take it easy when I start again, have to wear a sexy ankle wrap and am under strict dr.s orders to buy good shoes. I wonder if they will take my medical expenses card.......

On the shoe front, I think I'll try Hill Country Running on S. Lamar. Very good reviews and local. I've upped my budget to $100. I'll thank me later.

Finally Friday W3D4

Friday W3D4

I did it! I felt so much better today and so I got my butt out of bed and took off around 6:50.

I felt good during the walk. I was trying to listen to my body and find the aches and pains. There were none! Even when I started out with my first 90 secs there was no difference. When I started this, my calves and feet hurt almost immediately upon running.

I tried hard to belly breathe during the recovery 90 sec and then started on the first 3 min. It was tough - and it took me farther than I thought it would - but I ran the entire time! The rest of the run was the same. Good 90 sec run and completed 3 min run! It felt really great to feel like I ran strong and gave it my all.

The final 5 min cool down really is such a treat. Feeling satisfied and allowing the sweat to dry on my head - nice combo.

Sunday - week 4. Bum bum baaaaaa!

Tuesday Back to it (reprise)

W2 revisit

I've been sick since Friday of last week and so haven't been able to run. It was all in my throat and lungs so I didn't want to risk the cold and tempting bronchitis. But this morning, I actually felt pretty good so I put on a bunch of clothes and took off after dropping T at school.

I knew that doing a W3 day was out of the question. It has been giving me such a hard time and I knew that my throat and stamina would never make it.

I dialed back for the morning and redid a W2 run. 6 90 sec runs were hard. I was grateful for my judgement call of throwing a W2 in there.

If I feel 100 % on Thursday, I'll give W3D4 a try.

Thursday looking up W3D3

W3D3

This one was a little better. It was a cold morning so I was in a long sleeve t and a hoodie with cap and gloves. I was plenty warm.

Started out with the 5 min walk and was feeling ok. Switched to the street when it was time for the first 90 sec. They seemed to take longer than before - which I did not view as positive. Got through that ok and walked for the next 90 sec. I notice myself putting my hands on my hips during my recovery walks in order to get enough oxygen in the old lungs. Usually takes a few tries to get a breath deep enough to reach it.

The first 3 min run was a bust. Again, dammit. I really tried and made some progress down the street but I had to call it quits with about 30 seconds left. That is so discouraging. So for the 3+ min recovery walk I really tried to slow my breathing and refocus.

The second 90 sec was fine. I rounded the corner on Wheeler Branch and focused myself on keeping moving. I know my form must be pathetic. I must look like someone just getting over surgery or something. I'm sure people that see me out their windows are wondering if I have my doctor's permission to be out exercising this early in my recovery. I'd be lying if I said that doesn't bother me. I can't help but wonder how I look as I breathe like a freight train and barely pick up my feet. Damn.

Anyway, my last 3 min run was actually ok. I kept moving in the FGS the whole time and Robert called it "good job!" just as I was reaching Beckett. Thank god for the line of mailboxes in the neighborhood - each one was a milestone for me. At the time, I just wanted to keep moving. Now when I look back, I "ran" that entire block in that subdivision. I'm impressing myself just a little bit now.

I will do a D4 and possibly a D5 in order to conquer this 3 min hurdle. I WILL.

**update: I'm getting a lot of encouragement from the posters on the C25K Beginners FB page. They are all saying that week 3 is one of the hardest. That if they can do it, I can do it. That I should take it slow to build up endurance. Ok, that is encouraging. I'll work it work it work it until I move into the next weeks!!**

Tuesday fail W3D2

W3D2

Rats. This one was just bad.

It was fairly chilly this morning - in the low 40s - and I was worried that having just a t-shirt under my hoodie wouldn't be enough. Turns out that it was plenty of clothing - adding in the stocking cap and gloves - I was warm enough.

However, I was not in good form. The first 90 seconds was ok - but the colder air did hit my lungs a bit. The first 3 min run was a bust. I tried to keep it going but had to cut it short by 40 seconds or so. Booo.

The second 90 sec run was ok, but I was feeling that one, too. The second 3 min run was a total fail as I could only run about half the time. yuck. Finally, I just turned off the podcast and walked home feeling defeated.

If I were looking for excuses, I might blame it on bodily functions - but I'm not going to abide that.

I'll try again on Thursday and if that doesn't work, I'll go again on Saturday. gah.

Sunday short W3D1

W3D1

So I was terrified of this 90 sec 90 sec 3 min 3 min X2 schedule and then I figured I should just jump in and do it.

The first 90 sec run went fine. I tried not to push myself so that I would save something for the rest of the workout. Then that 3 min run came up fast. I started out fine and then had to stop, walk and breathe for a few seconds. I DID start up running again - so there is that. Weirdly, I was distracted by a man who came out of his cul-de-sac ahead of me and walked for about a block and then started running. I don't know why. I kept thinking about myself in relation to him. I don't know if I was thinking about how I would look to him or if he could hear me laboring for breath but it threw me off. He probably didn't even know I was there.

I tried not to beat myself up for having to adjust my 3 min run and get the most out the 3 min walk that followed. The next 90 sec run went well and the 90 sec walk went by quickly. I stuck it out for the last 3 min run! I know I finished it but I have no real recollection of the event. Perhaps I blacked out and I'm still laying in the street and this is all a dream. Why has no one contacted my family yet??

So I tried to add on a bit of length to the route today - left on Fence Line, to Wm. Cannon and back down Fence Line but all it did was get me to the end of the workout by the tennis courts. It made for a lovely long walk home but wow did I misjudge that one! Apparently, this week is made up of 18 minutes of workout. I guess I'll go back to the original route and work it for the rest of the week.

sidenote: Mom called at midnight. Gram passed away yesterday evening.

Friday fug W2D5

W2D5

I've made a decision. On Sunday, I launch into Week 3. I am scared of the longer running times but I have to push myself forward. Have to.

This morning was foggy and humid. I took off after getting T to school and I ran in just short sleeves and sweat pants. We've had some rain so the streets were slick and there were puddles in the gutter. Despite the warm temps there was a lot of wind. And of course, my hat was blown off and into a gutter puddle. ew. What can you do? I turned back, picked it up and put it back on my head. I rinsed it out once I got home. Baseball hats have never really fit me and it makes my hair stick out like a clown wig so maybe I need something new. I do like that the brim keeps my focus on the street before my feet and not on how far away my landmarks are.

I think I may have pushed the form and speed just a little bit on the first 90 sec. It was, by far, my strongest run of the morning but I think it may have contributed to my blah ending. The second 90 sec got me farther than I thought it would, I guess I was concentrating and not paying attention to location because suddenly I was at the corner and already past the street I was idly wondering about.

On the third run, I tried to pick my knees up a little. Trying to break free from the FGS (Fat Girl Shuffle) that I have been doing. It took a bit more work and concentration.

I cut about 5 seconds off the 5th run. I was feeling it in the chest.

My 6th and final run had me going uphill again. Why does that keep happening no matter how much street I add at the apex? Anyway, I tried to "Run Strong" and keep it up uphill but I had to cut it just a few seconds short.

Knowing that I broke a major sweat and really tried this morning kept my spirits up all day. With life failing folks all around me, I'm trying to change something.

Thursday thoughts

Gram is in the hospital - barely living in hospice at 98 years old. Mom thinks she has given up the will to live and her life expectancy is 5-8 days. Mom doesn't want us to come for the final days or for the funeral.

Gordon is in Houston getting radiation and chemotherapy for a brain tumor that was mostly removed in December.  Almost 46 years old with a life expectancy of 14 months. I don't even want to think about what it would have felt like if he'd died before I knew about any of it.

I started the running program before I knew about either of these situations.
But I think part of me keeps running because of them.

Wednesday Winning! W2D4

W2D4 (ahem)

Going into week 3 scares the crap out of me. I will be upping the time of the second runs to 3 minutes. 3 MINUTES!!! Terrifying.

So, my little chicken self is going to do a slight Week 2 reprise and call it Day 4 and 5 - with an option for 6. I just think that once (or twice) I make it through the 6 90 seconds runs, I'll be able to push myself for the 90/180 and feel ok.

Still doing what I lovingly refer to as the Fat Girl Shuffle - I'm trying to keep my arms low and loose, trying to land on the middle or heels of my feet and trying to ignore the rhythm of my breathing and just breathe. Mornings are best for me. By the end of the day, I'm too tired to push myself at all - what little actual pushing I'm doing besides being out there in the first place.

I did make it through all of the 90s today. I had to stop 3 seconds early to tie my shoe at one point and the last one stretched to be going up that damn last hill so I lost 2 seconds at the end but I'm counting those as made. So, I'll get another one under my belt (or 2!) and move on.

I like the different support systems I have set up for myself.

1. The C25K Beginners FB page.  Everyone is on a different schedule but everyone seems excited, proud of themselves, encouraging and willing to share. It is great to see that other folks are anxious about moving through the weeks, that there are other couch potatoes who say, "If I can do it, anybody can." Hey! I'm anybody!!
2. The Fit in 2012 group on FB - a bunch of friends and friends of friends who are making changes in their lives for the better. Eating healthier, exercising more, practicing other positive stuff. They are funny and encouraging.
3. Posting on my own FB page. Every time I do, I get positive feedback from runners and non alike. It lifts me up AND it is good incentive to continue because they are keeping me accountable and cheering me on.
4. Telling a few folks in my life - real live people. To make conversation, they ask me about it. And so far, I can answer with some pride that it is going slow but sure.

 I really do want to do this. Again, I ask, "WHAT IS HAPPENING?!"

And in answer to that - every time I've ever thought about getting fit or changing my life, it always felt like a "given" that would happen later. And not like a fantasy future like that 2 story clapboard house on the tree lined street where I know about and enjoy wine and we have a golden retriever. But a real tangible timeline - even if it was blurry and non-specific about what time it actually was in my life.
And now this feels like I'm finally doing it. Not that I'm making it happen but rather, the time was always set for now and of course it is kicking in.  It feels like I am supposed to be doing this now and that is why it never took before.

Tuesday no show

I was all set to go on Tuesday morning (1/31/12) but after a homework/parenting stressout nightmare - that didn't happen.
I was a little upset by the whole thing all day.
Booooo.