Another step closer

"You are only one step away from a 5K."

I really pushed this time but am suffering from it. I did not run as fast as usual and my left knee started bothering me after about ten minutes. But I pushed on. By the time I finished I could barely walk.

I spent the rest of the evening resting and had to be carried to bed by Matt. Hoping it is nothing serious.

I exercised 40 minutes total, 30 minute run.

Feeling really great!

Since today's quote is "later this week you are going to do a 5K" is not exactly accurate I'm not leading with that. My first 5K is actually just over a week away.

Today at work was more stressful than normal. Or maybe it was normal but it was stressful. Anyway after not getting home until after 6 pm I was rushed to get changed and out the door. Matt has had some back pain so he wasn't going to run so I was on my own and needed to finish before it got too dark.

Today was the first time I have run the stress right out of myself. I needed to run and now I see exactly what people mean about the "high" they get from running. It felt fantastic and it seemed no problem to make it 25 minutes.

I am a runner! I exercised 38 minutes total, 28 minute run.

More Inspiration

Today I am back to reading my book "The Courage to Start" that Michael gave me. I hope he never wants it back because it is proving to also be a great reference book for me. It has great index if I have questions and different parts of it are relative at different times for me.

In particular I was looking for information on injuries but ventured into some other areas of the book. That is where I found this section that brought tears to my eyes:

THEY'RE CHEERING FOR YOU
But the most extraordinary reason to race was given to me by the most ordinary of runners. He was in his mid-forties as I was. He had been running for only a few years, as I had. He had worked hard and raised a family. He had done all the things that he thought he should do.

We were running together at the midpoint of a large marathon. The day was beautiful and the crowds were terrific. At every turn, in every neighborhood, people lined the streets and crowded the intersections to share in the moment and shout encouragement to the runners.

I looked over during the race and saw that this man had tears streaming down his face. My first thought was that he had injured himself. I could almost feel his disappointment as I moved closer to him. From the pained look on his face, I was sure that his race was over.

"What's wrong?" I asked. "Are you hurt?" "No," he replied softly, "I'm not hurt." "Then why the tears?" I asked. "Because... I just realized that in my entire life, no one has ever cheered for me before." Soon I was crying with him.

I have to ask myself, had anyone ever cheered for me. I don't think so. Other than in the delivery room giving birth. It's going to feel really good.

Back at it!

After several days off, I ran today.  It was disappointing because I could not make it the entire 25 minutes without walking.  It is the first time that has happened and I attribute a lot of it to how bad my diet has been the last couple days.  With my birthday, I just kind of treated myself!

Anyway, Jody says I shouldn't worry about it, that I did not fail.  Matt thought it was good that I at least made it the entire time although I walked for a 4-minute interval and 2-minute interval.

The hardest part is trying not to feel like I failed but failure would be not running at all. Right?

A set back

I'm still recovering from my knee issues and I am really bummed.  I hope that by Saturday I can run again.  After several days of terrible pain in my right ankle and left knee, I think I may be getting better.

Looking back I think it may be a result of running the entire time on the sidewalk.  The concrete is not as easy on my legs as the asphalt.  I have to remember this (not likely I'll forget).

Jody says I should be fine when I start running again, just picking up where I left off at 25 minutes of running.  That makes me feel a whole lot better.

It is a little over two weeks until my first 5K and I have got to get my time a little longer.  35 minutes is the max on the app and I'm pretty sure that will be the distance I need.

And since it's my birthday I'm not going to be depressed about it.  I don't think it is anything really serious, at least I hope not.

A week to go...

"You are only 1 week away from being a 5K runner!"

Today we decided to run around the block three times which is about 3 miles.  It still isn't the total distance I need because part of it is walking.  Anyway...

Part of the reason for staying close to home was to get someone to give us drinks when we went by the house.  It seemed great in theory but when they handed us the red solo cups full of water we just ended up getting splashed in our faces with a few choking gulps.  We need to work on drinking while running.

About two-thirds of the way through my ankle started to hurt a little and I thought it was my sock rubbing. But when we finished my ankles was extremely painful along with my knees (which is kind of the norm). As the night went on it became harder and harder to walk and especially use the stairs. It's going to take extra Ibuprofen to get me through this.

We exercised 35 minutes total, 25 minute run.

Made my way to 3K

"You are well on your road to living a better life!" 

Wow! I just ran a 3K.

Matt is back to running after missing one day. I'm happy to have him back with me but I am listening to music as I run. It is kind of nice to set up my playlist and just shuffle through.

This was my second 20 minute run and it was easier this time. I know about how far I need to run distance wise to make it 20 minutes. The one big difference is that it was pretty chilly and the cold wind in my face hurt from the beginning. I like the route we have been taking because there is some protection against the wind.

I can't believe how far I have come. I inspire myself!

We exercised 30 minutes total, 20 minute run, and got the 3K Runner badge.

Closer to reaching my goal!

"You're running 20 minutes!  Isn't it great to know that you are going to reach your goal?"

Today was an interesting day.  A lot of stuff happened.

First of all, because I have been so thirsty when and after running, Marie suggested I drink something with electrolytes.   Never having been a fan of Power Aid or Gatorade, I wasn't sure how I would proceed.  Then first thing this morning, I noticed Kim had a Vitamin Water Zero on her desk.  I asked her about it and it sounded perfect.  It has 0 points and tastes pretty great (she gave me some to try!).

I had lunch with the girls and updated them on the "no smoking and running resolution."  Each time I tell my story it inspires me!  I hope it inspires others too.

And all day I visualized what my 20 minute run tonight would be like.  I knew where 15 minutes ended so I also knew that when I made it there I would also have five more minutes that would be downhill.  And I wasn't feeling guilty about going downhill because I had earned it by going uphill a lot during the first 15.

Matt wasn't able to go with me so I set up a playlist to try running with music for the first time.  The music was really great and now I can see why some people consider it "performance-enhancing."

So off I went and I DID IT!!  5 minutes walking, 20 minute run, 5 minute cool down walk.  Yes, I DID IT!

(And a bottle of Vitamin Water at the end was just what I needed!)

Thinking Success... Oh what feeling!

"Thoughts are extremely powerful.  They are the fuel of life.  Think success and you'll reach your goal!"

Knowing that I we had a 15 minute run and then a 5 minute run wasn't so bad.  I put it in the perspective of "after I do the 15 minutes, I'll just have 5 more to go... and anyone can run 5 minutes, right?"  15 minutes ended at the corner of Melissa and Melinda so I have marker in my mind for Wednesday.

And the greatest moment was near the end of the 5 minute run as I ran past Amy and Michael's and saw Michael in the garage.  I yelled "HEY!"  And he replied "HEY RUNNER!"  What an awsome feeling!

So today wasn't so bad actually.  Onward and upward!  Well, actually onward and forward!!

Today kicked my butt!

"You are coming close to reaching your goal!"

Today was really hard.  The longer runs are hard, especially the second leg.  Maybe it will be better when we have a long first leg and shorter second leg (tomorrow is 15 minute run, 3 minute walk, 5 minute run).  I'm hoping it will be easier.  At one point I tried to get Matt's attention to tell him I had to stop but when he didn't hear me I just kept going.

I'm also getting really thirsty while I'm running.  I need a good remedy for that but don't want to carry water with me.

It was really nice out and I wore my new jacket.  Although nice is still in the 30's it is a lot better than some of the weather we have run in.

And I used my MapMyRun app today.  We went 2.78 miles (Matt went further since he runs ahead and doubles back) with an average pace of 12:35 min/mile.  We exercised 33 minutes total, 20 minutes running, 10 minute maximum run.

Back Outside

"Look at what you have achieved in just a few weeks!"

Wow, this was a tough run!  Adding two minutes to both runs was noticeable but with Matt's encouragement I forged ahead!  The resting walk was really useful to gather my strength back for the second leg.  We ran 10 minutes, walked 5 minutes, and ran again 10 minutes.

I wonder if running was more difficult today because of what I ate or because my last run was inside and on a track.  I'm going to try to eat better before my next run to see if that makes a difference but the cupcake for breakfast and Mexican food for lunch may not have been my best choices.

We exercised 35 minutes total, 20 minutes running, 10 minute maximum run, and got the Athlete badge.

First time inside

"Good things come to those who wait.  Better things come to those who do."

Tonight I ran at the Rec Center with Marie.  I had not run there so it was all new to me.  I feel like a runner but am still intimidated in new situations.  Now that I have conquered this location, I know I can do it again but I wonder if I'll have the same obstacle venturing out of the neighborhood.  And I sense Matt has the same obstacles.

Running was easier on the track but I think the inclines when running outside will help prepare me better for my 5K.  Because she is a trainer, Marie was really great to be with.  She encouraged me and told me I had "good form" although could lower my shoulders a bit.

I exercised 31 minutes total, 16 minutes running, 8 minute maximum run.

So proud of my Matty

"Tremendous happiness comes from achieving your goal!"

Although Matt didn't run in the rain with me Wednesday, he caught up on Thursday and now has the app also.  We both agree that it is fun to look ahead to see what the next run will be.  I hope we are not too obsessed but we seem to talk about it to other people A LOT!

While I was ready to share our new lifestyle accomplishments with Ian this weekend when he visited, I was too late as Matt had already filled him in.  He says he is doing this to be healthy but he started it to help me out.  So proud of Matt!

We exercised 36 minutes total, 18 minutes running, 8 minute maximum run.  The actual intervals were 5 minute warm up, 5 minute run, 3 minute walk, 8 minute run, 5 minute walk, 5 minute run.  I really never thought I was capable of this but I'm doing it because I AM A RUNNER!

(I totally need some pictures for this blog!)