Moving on...

After taking a break for a few days (but still exercising and going to yoga), I resumed running on Saturday. I think my junk food overload Friday night sabotaged me a bit. Note to self: stay away from chips and dip.  To help I took my new water bottle Jody gave me.   It worked great!

Today the bike at Phillips was busy so I did the elliptical instead. I felt like it was equivalent to the bike. Walking over and back with Andrea I got a chance to see how her running was going. Lately she has been having Nicki map out new routes for her and the variety helps her. So I thought I'd try it.

So when I got home I got ready to run. I drank plenty of water so I would be sure to be hydrated. I also ate some sport beans. Not sure if they helped but I did seem pretty energized.

I ran in the neighborhood but changed it up by including Western Knolls, running on 732 by the bowling alley, and down Chestnut. I ran 30 minutes with the exception of the last half of the hill up Sandra. It worked out to be almost 2.5 miles so I'm feeling pretty good about myself!

Encouragement from the best brother!

Today I received a card in the mail from my youngest brother George, telling me how proud he is of me.  It was the sweetest note of encouragement and I will keep it in a very special place forever.  He is one of my biggest cheerleaders, always supportive.  On those days when I find I'm not as motivated as I need to be and I think about the things he has said to me.  And I run!

5K Number Two - Red Brick Run

Today was the Red Brick Run and I am so proud to have run the whole way! I truly could not have done it without Jody's encouragement. Each time I wanted to walk she had me slow down a little and think about how good I would feel when I finished. Also leading up to today Matt never lost faith in me being able to run the whole way. He was always the cheerleader!

I haven't talked much about it but the evening of the shamrock shuffle I found out the course was off and was a little short of three miles, therefore not a 5K. So now I finally feel like I have really done it!

My time was 36:51.44 and I was 106th of 218 women running. I was fifth out of 16 in my age group. My pace was 11:53/mile.

And the very best part... My knees are fine!!

Back in the neighborhood!

I ran yesterday in the neighborhood and it felt so good! I was nervous about my knees but was careful to stay near the center of the road. It seems my exercises and cross training are paying off! I'm so happy about it!

I am struggling with stamina and I think may be a breathing issue. It has been over three months since I quit smoking but I found the following information so it may just take more time:

According to the American Lung Association, it takes two weeks to three months for lung function to begin to improve after giving up smoking and up to nine months for shortness of breath to decrease. But regular exercise, a healthy diet and continued smoking cessation will help improve the health of your lungs and increase lung capacity over time.

I'm going to try to get back to running every other day but listening to my body. Next Sunday is the next 5K. Red Brick Run, here we come!

Pirates of Penzance

Thinking I'm calling myself a "Slave of "Duty?" No. I'm actually referring to a quote from "Pretty Woman" but I'll get back to that.

My return to Cook Field was another success. This time I brought water (and drank plenty before) so I wouldn't get so dehydrated. I put my water bottle in front of my parked car so I could grab a drink while running past. My goal was to complete Week 7 Day 3 of my 10K app (yes, I updated my app to strive for a 10K) which required a 25 minute run. I'm almost back to where I was before my knee problems and I feel confident that I am on track for my race next weekend.

I made it for 25 minutes, all on the asphalt, but there was one problem. During the last couple minutes I started to need to pee. As soon as I finished and stopped running to slow down and walk the flood gates opened. Thank goodness no one was around and I proceeded to sit down in the grass and get it over with. Thus the title for this post. If you don't get it now then you must not remember "Pretty Woman."

Tomorrow is my 28 minute run although I'd like to stretch to 30 if possible. But I'm watching my water intake this time!

Coming Back and On Track (and on the track...)

I ran with Marie on Monday at the Rec Center and it went really well. We ran 15 minutes, walked 5, ran 10, walked 5, ran 5 (with a 5 minute warmup walk before and cool down after). I was amazed and happy that my knee didn't hurt afterward. So the solution may be that I need to be more aware of my running surfaces. Also I believe my cross training and stretching exercises help a lot.

I spent the next few days contemplating a Rec membership. The cost isn't bad for employees but is it the right thing to do. It is a big commitment to get a year membership right as the weather is getting nice.

I really want to be an outside runner but I feel like the sidewalk and roads in the neighborhood are very unforgiving. So on Thursday, via IM, Andy and I talked about it (and I asked some coworkers) and came up with the plan to try running at Cook Field. There is an asphalt track and half of the field is turf. It is a half mile and half of the time I can run beside the track on the asphalt. So off to Cook I went on Thursday after work. And the results were great!

I have to admit I was a little intimidated since I rarely go to that part of campus and I knew there woulda be a lot of students but I was pleasantly surprised at how comfortable it was. There were a few things I didn't think about ahead of time but know now (like to not bring my huge set of keys, be sure my vitamin water is cold for after my run, and a water bottle for during running might be nice until until the water fountain starts working ).

I ran 20 minutes, walked 5, and ran 5. Next time I plan to run 25 minutes (or more if I can) so I feel like I'm on track again, ready for the next 5k on April 21st!

P.S. Stopped by to see Lia today to tell her Mark, her husband & the PT I saw a few weeks ago, helped me so much and I'm following his instructions religiously and doing great!