I Hate Running: Log 2 & 3 - Ups and Downs

I feel like a lot has happened (good and bad) since my first running log, which is crazy considering I'm only on Week 3.

The beginning of last week was fantastic! I was right on track with my Week 2 workout (run 1.5 min/walk 2 min) and even pushing myself to do 2 minutes of running on every other cycle.

I was really focusing on regulating my breathing (in through the nose, out through the mouth) and I have been amazed at the fact that I have not been losing my breath nearly as easily as I did the first week. Initially, I thought that was going to be my biggest hurdle, but I think the gradual increase in running (vs. just trying to run straight off the bat) has been much better for my body.

All in all, I was feeling really quite optimistic and excited last week...

Until Friday, that is. Grrr. That's when the pain in my left knee set in.

It was not just the typical, beautiful soreness that I've been experiencing post-run. It was sharp every time I stepped. I ignored it (which was dumb) when I first noticed it about half way through my run because I didn't want to feel like a failure. But, by my final cycle, I couldn't ignore it anymore and walked the last 7 minutes or so.

From what I've learned about running thus far, pain is not to be ignored, or pushed through. It means that something could be wrong and pushing it will only make it worse. I believe the culprit of the pain is my unsupportive old sneakers. Number one on my priority list at the moment is to acquire a good pair running shoes. Dan (who is a former cross country runner) also gave me a few pointers on my form, which may have also contributed to my pain.

As a result of the pain, I have been taking it quite lightly during Week 3, since even walking normally makes it hurt. I feel pretty bummed that I'm already out on the sidelines with an injury, but I want to make sure that I take care of it properly before continuing my training. Thankfully, I already have a physical scheduled for next Tuesday, so I can chat with my doctor about what to do with my knee.

This week, even though I wasn't running, I wanted to be sure that I was still doing something so that I don't get out of the habit of coming home, changing into my running clothes, and heading out. So, I filled my 30 minutes with extra stretching and light walks.

On Wednesday, I decided to walk to our local library, which ended up being closer than I thought and smack dab in the middle of a beautiful park with a perfect running/walking loop (you better believe I'll be taking full advantage of it). While I was there, I signed up for a card and checked out a book about preventing and treating running injuries and another book about stretching.

And now you can really see how much of a dork I am, because I was so enthused about finally finding the library and my selection of books, that I promptly called my mom to tell her about it and was practically skipping home while we chatted. I'm sure I had a big 'ole cheesy grin on my face, too.

All in all, even though my running routine has been interrupted, I feel like it's still been a productive couple of weeks. And, oddly enough, the fact that I'm sincerely disappointed about not being able to run is encouraging. If this would have happened to me any of the other times I tried running, I would have used it as an easy excuse to give up. But, not this time! As soon as I'm heeled, getting back out to run is going to feel so good.

Sweet Ride!

I'm free!!!

I officially have my own car again, and boy, does it feel good.

No longer do I have to bug the hubby to drive me to the thrift shop or the craft store. No longer do I have to hold off on making plans because of not being able to get there, or have to bug everyone I know for a ride. I can just.... go!

We picked up Polly (a 2005 Hyundai Accent) on Tuesday after spending weeks checking out the inventory of every used car place in a 20 mile radius, scouring eBay and Craig's List, and reading dozens of reviews. This little cutie was the perfect fit for us, and I'm looking forward to adding many miles to her odometer.

Wordless Wednesday: R & K

Just wanted to post to say that I'll be AWOL for a few days because my lovely sis-in-law Rose is getting married on Sunday! Yay!

The wedding weekend festivities will kick off tonight (well, technically, they started last night with a pre-wedding, pre-rehearsal dinner, dinner at The Suburban Gal's) and Dan and I will be in NJ with the family until Monday.

I will try to get my I Hate Running log up on Saturday (no promises, though) and then I'll be back to start afresh on Tuesday.

Have a great weekend!

Wordless Wednesday: Inspiration

*Thanks to my equally Dinsey-obsessed SIL The Suburban Gal for bringing this awesomeness to my attention.

Easter Weekend Festivities

Baking:

Egg Dying:

And Easter Egg Hunting (starring the ever-adorable Ellie!):

Saturday - at Duffield's Farm (no photos with the Bunny, though - she was less than impressed with him):

And Sunday at Mimi and The Captain's house:

Hope you all had a lovely Easter!

I Hate Running: Log 1 - Just Do It!

I have been such a bloggy slacker the past few days. I started this post on Friday and somehow, haven't gotten around to finishing it until now. I blame it on the long weekend - and my awesome family for being so lovely and making me want to do nothing but spend time with them <3

Any how, as noted in last Tuesday's post, I started running and decided to keep a weekly log. It will be mainly to keep myself accountable, but I think it will also be great to look back in a couple months and see how far I've come. This week, I'm a tad late, but in the future, I'll be aiming to get this post up by Saturday (one of my "off" days). This initial post will also be a bit more lengthy than future posts, so you're off the hook if you don't feel like reading the whole thing ;)

Goals

I'm a notoriously bad goal setter, but I've realized I'm better at sticking to them when I don't look too far afield. For example, my ultimate and (very) long term goal for running is to run a marathon.

However, if this were my only goal, I probably would have given up already. So, I've broken it to little goal-ettes to help get me there:

1. Follow a hybrid of the 8 and 24 week plans from the book Beginning Running and be able to run for 30 minutes straight in about 16 weeks.

2. Run a 5K

3. Participate in the Broad Street Run (10 miles; either in 2011 or 2012)

4. Train for, and run, a half marathon

5. Train for, and run, a full marathon

I haven't established a time frame for goals 2, 4 and 5 yet, but once I figure that out, I'll post something.

I should also note, I did not start running just because I would like to run a marathon. Perhaps it would be more appropriate to say that my ultimate goal is get active and be healthy. I'm a huge exercise-phobe, but I also spend a ton of time complaining about how out of shape I am. So, I decided it was finally time to do something about it. I also owe a huge thanks to my good friend Amy because she made me realize that running is not as evil as I thought.

On the contrary, I've really been enjoying it thus far. I think a big part of that is because I now understand that I cannot go from 0 to 60 in a hot second. When I've tried running in the past, I would just run out of my front door, barely make it around the block, and declare myself a failure. But, our bodies were not designed to go from sedentary to marathon ready (or even mile-run-ready) over-night. Breaking it down into gradual steps makes running for any length of seem much more realistic.

Which brings me too:

Workout for Week 1

Monday, Wednesday, and Friday: Warm up - Brisk walk for two minutes. Workout - Run for one minute, walk for two minutes - repeat 10 times (or 30 minutes total). Cool down - walk for 2 -5 minutes. Stretch before and after.

Tuesday and Thursday: Light walk or hike for at least 30 minutes.

I have to admit Tuesday I did nothing physical. Although, I did chat about running for a long while with Amy (that's got to count for something, right?). But, other than that, I kicked week one's butt!

Biggest /Win for the Week

I could say that my biggest accomplishment this week was conquering the hills that plaque the neighborhood around my apartment complex. Or, I could say that it was bringing my running clothes to work last Wednesday and going out to run before the meeting that I had to stay late for. I could even say that my biggest accomplishment was when I fell in the mud an scarped my knee, but got up and kept going because I was only half-way done.

But, none of that would have happened if I didn't make the ultimate decision to get off my big 'ole butt and run in the first place.

Therefore, my biggest /win this week is actually getting up and running. There are so many reasons to not run, but I've finally exhausted all my excuses and made the decision to find the reasons to run. And for that, I feel pretty darn proud of myself.