Life and Running

Ah Life: you do tend to get in the way sometimes don't you?  No, I haven't stopped running.  I can't do that.  I would be so disappointed in myself if I quit.  The whole point in my embarking in the C25K program was to prove to myself that I could triumph over my own mind and actually accomplish something that I would normally give up on.

My struggles appeared, though, several weeks ago and, believe it or not, had nothing to do with my own motivation, but instead just working run time into a suddenly busy schedule due to a family emergency.  Once I was able to say "it'd be better if we delay this run (or that run)" I was suddenly unable to stop "rescheduling" runs to suit my own needs.  It all started out with the best of intentions but then spiraled out of control.  The worst was when I waited 4 days in between W7D1 and D2.  That was one rough run (though I still completed it without walking).

BUT, we finished up W7 day before yesterday.  That was not without it's own complications.  I was motivated to run, but not very excited about it!  My body had different plans than my mind though: about 10 minutes into the run I got my first-ever shin splint.  I didn't pay much attention at first, it just felt weird so I kept running, then the pain started, gradually getting worse.  I let out a cry and grabbed for Wino's shoulder for support, but still kept running.  Then the paid subsided, until 2 minutes later when I got another pulse of pain.  I slowed down, ran through it and it went away.  This continued until our 25 minutes were up, I was determined not to stop running (I couldn't tell whether I was just trying to subconsciously sabotage my own run, or if this was legit pain).

I got my answer when I got into the house and the searing pain didn't stop, I checked all the symptoms and yep, I had a shin splint AND because I was running funny when the pain hit, I also messed up my knee.  Brilliant!  That's what I get for being stubborn.  I have a 5K race in about a month and I still have 2 weeks left of C25K (that's 6 runs people!) and I need to finish this, I don't want to be set back!  So, I'm going to wait this out (no!  I'm not going to keep running in pain, that's just stupid), but the minute (THE MINUTE, I SAY!) that this pain subsides, I'm hitting the pavement again.

So I'm going to be out of commission for who knows how long, but I'm not going to let this stop me.  I'm running for my sisters, for myself, for Wino, for anyone who has encouraged me, and I don't want to disappoint.

Week 5--Days 1 & 2

So no video blog for these two days. Life has been pretty hectic this past week, and I just can't find the time to sit down and record.  So you get to read instead! :)

Let's start with Week 5, Day 1:

Wow was this easier than all of Week 4 put together.  I was so pumped when I finished that last 5 minute run (tired but pumped).  I just couldn't believe that this was so much easier than Week 4.  It seemed too good to be true.  Secretly I was dreading Day 2....but at the same time I was excited about it.  There were only 2 runs...of course they're 8 minutes each, but still just 2 runs.  Somehow that seems more manageable than 4 runs, or even 3...I'm not sure why.

So on to today's run Week 5, Day 2:

I KICKED SOME MAJOR BUTT!!!!!!!!!!  It was so great, the 8 minutes FLEW by.  No seriously, don't balk...I know some of you are still behind me, and you've got to be saying "Really?  8 minutes?  You complained about 3 being too long how is 8 easier than 3??"  I cannot answer that question, I really can't, I just have to tell you that it is!  When you get here you'll understand.

I had a little trouble picking back up for the last run.  In the 5 minute walk my knee started to get stiff and it took me a bit to work that out after I started running again, it really slowed me down, but that 8 minutes were over before I knew it.  When the chime went off and my phone said "Cool Down" I actually looked at the phone to make sure it was right, I didn't believe it that I'd been jogging for 8 minutes already.

This feeling that I've got today is really empowering.  I feel like I can conquer the world!  It's such a rush.  I never knew what people talked about when they said they get a "runner's high" but I felt it today, and I'm still feeling it, 4 hours after my run was over.  It's incredible!

Bring on Week 5, Day 3!  You don't scare me!

Week 4--Day 3

Sorry this is a few days late (and sorry for the scary face on my video!)I've been busy. I'll hopefully record my thoughts about yesterday's run tonight.

I was in a much better place on Saturday when I did day 3....I'm looking forward to week 5 again, instead of dreading it!

Week 4 -- Day 2 C25K

This run was HARD!  My head was not in it....keep your mind in the game folks, otherwise your body doesn't want to obey!

Week 4, Day 1

Week 4 Day 1 was a huge success!  Here are my thoughts:

C25K -- Week 3, Day 3

So I've decided to start doing a video blog.  Inspired by Susan Davis and her wonderful C25K blog, I figured people may need some more encouragement, especially by someone talking to them about their experiences.  Here's my first entry!

Running away

So I've been at this Couch to 5K program for almost 3 full weeks now.  It's unbelievable the amount of energy I have.  I am literally sitting here bouncing in my chair, anxious to get home so I can get up in the morning and run.  How did my mentality change??!!  I remember dreading "The Mile" at school.  I'd end up walking half of it because I couldn't jog longer than 1/4 of a lap without getting winded.  Now I'm running almost 1/4 of a mile!  It's amazing!

I'm so happy that Wino is doing this with me.  I know I could do it without him, but having his support really works wonders for my motivation.  For some reason I feel I have something to prove to him by completing this program, as a result I have to prove it to myself too.  I don't want another unfinished "scheme" to add to my ever growing list (4 NaNoWriMo fails, an unfinished quilt, several unfinished scarfs, etc. the list goes on).

I committed myself to this though, by signing up for the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure 5K women's RUN in October. (I'll do a quick plug here for donations because this is an important cause to me because my oldest sister passed away from breast cancer in 2007 at the age of 40, I really want to kick some breast cancer @$$ this year!). I can't give up on C25K now, I'm in it to finish!

On the Weight Watcher's front: I have lost more than 15lbs now, and I'm just several pounds from reaching the HUGE goal of 10% lost.  I really can't believe it!  All of this success, with running and the weight loss, has really boosted my self-esteem, I feel like I can conquer the world now.