Monday, March 31, 2014

Obstacles

The past few days I have been extremely hungry. . .or maybe I'm not hungry, but I can't stop eating.  I'm not sure what's going on.  I have tried snacking on higher protein options but still no relief (I am a protein addict and if I don't get enough I can feel it through my body).  I even caved in and ordered late night pizza!  I take comfort in knowing that it's a phase and that I am conscious of my indiscretions so I know I will never let it get out of my control.  I will not be that person ever again.  It's a bold statement, I know, but it's what I truly believe.

Something good that came from the week I wasn't running because I was sick. . .my shin splint is feeling somewhat better.  I haven't taped it again (yet), although I now own three rolls of KT Tape in different colours! (I found it on sale.) I am thinking "colourful" for Colour Me Rad!

I failed at my run again tonight.  I got a cramp in my side with about 11 minutes left and I couldn't shake it off.  I had to slow down to a brisk walk.  I was mad at myself for not finishing but I can't expect it to be "perfect" all the time.  Different days will bring different obstacle's.  I'm just in the process of making my way around a few.  I'm sure better days are ahead!



 

Wednesday, March 26, 2014

The Return

I was sick.  Not super sick, but sick enough to knock me down.  Gastroenteritis.  I came home from work early on Friday and slept like a rock.  There was no possible outcome that involved running.  Saturday I felt pretty good.  We even went to a friends' for an evening of self-sabotage.  Sunday I was sick again.  Lots of sleep.  Monday I went to work and survived quite well until the evening.  And yesterday, Tuesday, I finally felt decent again.  So tonight I ran.
 
After a week of not running I was worried, but figured I would push myself to run for 30 minutes, no giving up, just do it.  I'm not going to lie, it was rough at times.  When I was almost done, I decided I wasn't done.  I decided to push through to 2.35 miles again. . .and I succeeded!

 
 
I have to tell you, the last two evenings my legs were so restless!!!  Do you ever get that sort-of irritated feeling all over that can only be satisfied by moving around?  And it's so annoying!!!  I'm pretty sure it was my body saying "Hey, you!  You need to stretch these legs and go for a run!"  I never would have thought my body would tell me to run!

Wednesday, March 19, 2014

Bad Day/Good Day

Tonight marks my first "failure".  I hadn't been feeling well all day but I was determined to run. About 14 minutes into the running part I realized that it was time to quit.  I had been okay until the nausea kicked in.  I am disappointed and I hope that whatever this is doesn't last long and I hope that I can pick up where I left off this Friday.

My last run had been successful with adding the 1/4 mile.  Officially, I'm at 2.35 miles.  I'm getting so close I almost feel like I should just go for it.  I won't make it all the way though, so I must remain patient and make progress in small steps.

Oh!  I forgot to tell you, I bought my new runners!  I love them!  They are the same style as my old ones but a new, fabulous color.

 
I love them!!! (Oops, said that already.)  I did go up a half a size but I'm not sure that I needed to. However, I can always wear a thicker sock if I find they are too loose.  I have used them twice before tonight's abbreviated run, and need to play around with the laces to keep them snug enough while not making my toes tingly (they feel like they are sleeping while I am running).
 
One more great thing to end off with. . .164!!!  I'm sure it will waver within a pound or two, but it felt great to see it this morning!  :)


 

Saturday, March 15, 2014

Feeling Good

2.1mi = 3.3796km


That's how long I can run (jog) for.  Three times I've done it now.  My next goal is 2.35 miles and my first attempt will hopefully be tomorrow.  I have previously said that it's boredom that makes me want to stop during my runs, not being tired.  I feel confident that I have the energy to make that distance, I just hope I have the attention span to accomplish it.

My schedule is a little off again.  My normal Wednesday run was preempted by taking the family to a hockey game.  Fun night; ate my favorite big, yummy (probably extremely fattening) hot dog - smothered in onions, bacon and nacho cheese!  Unfortunately, our team lost though.  Thursday night was karate for the kids so I didn't run until yesterday (Friday).  I also did yoga on my lunch break at work and my legs felt like jello all afternoon but I still ran, and I felt pretty good. 

So bad, I know!

I don't have anything else to report otherwise but I figured it was time to make an update.  It may be short but the part that I can run for 30 minutes (and not be super winded) is freaking exciting!

Saturday, March 8, 2014

Deflated

There I was feeling all proud of myself that I could "run" for 25 minutes when I noticed that the Couch to 5k app says "Jog for 2.5 miles (or 25 minutes)".  2.5 miles?  I'm supposed to be at 2.5 miles?  Whoa!!!  I had been all proud of my 1.75 miles per run.L At least it has helped me to figure out a plan to get to 3.1 miles (aka 5k) for real.  I have continued on to Week 8.  Day 1 and 2 were 28 minutes each which I did without problem.  Day 3 will be 30 minutes, which was supposed to be 3 miles (not quite 5k).  After Week 8 is complete I will continue to add 0.25 miles once I am comfortable with each distance.  Once I actually achieve 3.1 miles, then I can either work on speed or possibly take it outside. 

1.75mi = 2.8164km

Taking it outside.  That is something that has never interested me before.  Now I am bored on the treadmill and that is what makes it hard to run for as long as I need to sometimes.   I know running outside will be totally different and I will need to get past my anxiety of running in "public" but I hope that a change of scenery will make it easier.   Plus. this means I can shop for some "outdoor" shoes!

I've been feeling like a may be developing a shin splint.  I have purchased some KT Tape (aka physio tape) and will likely apply it if the pain persists.  Tonights run will be the deciding factor.   This tape is the type that many of the athletes in the last summer Olympics wore for various injuries.  


I am looking forward to tonight's run.  I can't believe I am going to jog for 30 minutes again.  I never thought I would get back to that time, or at least not this quick!

 

Saturday, March 1, 2014

The (Running) Week That Was

Sunday. . .Couch to 5k Week 6, Day 3. . .I ran for 22 minutes.  I told myself I could do it and then I did it!  The last three minutes were hard, but I kept going.  I really was amazed since the 20 minute run only one week prior had felt so far beyond my reach and now I had accomplished 22 minutes instead.  Next up was Week 7, Day 1. . .25 minutes.

Tuesday. . .I ran for those 25 minutes!  I gave it my all.  I turned the iPhone screen off so that I couldn't see how long I had left.  Once I did start feeling like I was (hopefully) close to the end, I turned it on and found three minutes remaining.  Those three minutes were again hard, but I did it! 


Thursday. . .Couch to 5k Week 7, Day 2 was 25 minutes again and I nailed it.  Once again I turned the screen off, but this time I didn't turn it on again.  I was so satisfied with myself!

Friday. . .Lunchtime yoga.  Oh, it was hard.  I usually have a rest day before yoga day but since my run schedule is off track, there was no rest day.  I'm not sure if I was just tired in general or if not having a rest day was the problem but I did feel super shaky.  I really need to work on my upper body strength though because even on a good day, the upper body yoga exercises are difficult for me.

Today (Saturday). . .I am sore and stiff from yoga but I need to run today as I would like to get my run schedule back to the normal days (Monday, Wednesday, Saturday).  I have run in this condition before so I am hopeful that I can do it.  If I don't make it through at least I can say I tried!!!  I am repeating myself but remember, even a bad run is better than no run at all!