run

I Got Worried

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I got a little bit nervous yesterday, thinking that the day before was a fluke. That the run I took successfully was some mixture of magic and who knows what…
I’ve been trying to take a day off in between each intense day – meaning in between each day I jog. I guess that just turned into a day of doubt for me this time. I rode my stationary bike for 30 minutes and worried…
Today I arrived home with determination. I decided that I needed to push myself a little bit by just going some distance. I asked Guinevere to join me for the walk/jog and I suddenly had a jogging partner who also enjoys trotting along to Katy Perry.

Ill admit, it was a little strange to run down the street with Katy blasting from my pocket, but it was also pretty fun… Remember when Phoebe from Friends ran through Central Park like a crazy kid? It felt like that. Bopping along to our own music blasting…

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So off we went. I didn’t hesitate. By the time we crossed the main road I asked to start jogging and we were off. We jogged several times as we went about, and again, I never wore out! I got the threat of a stitch in my side, but I never started flipping out and hurting. Again, I am amazed. During the longest stretch I kept waiting for my body to give out, but the only thing that really happened was I got a little bored. It became clear that focus will be important. 🙂

This map is of the walk we took. The black is the blocks, the purple our route and the orange is how much we ran.

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Along the way, I learned all about my daughter’s day. I’ve always wanted to be the kind of mom who exercised alongside her daughter and son. I’ve always admired those pairs you see on the side of the road, an obvious parent and child cruising along. I’ve always thought that running with Gigi would connect us and bring us together, make our bond stronger and I hoped that someday it might be something we connect over during college breaks and, way in the future, as adult women. Today helped me to see a glimmer of that possibility. Suddenly I have a new dream to chase a little harder.

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Slo-mo

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Today was a day.
The good kind.
I went out to take my walk, as usual. Bradley came along and we hauled tail around the block, carrying on conversation, sharing our day back and forth when suddenly I realized we were just a few blocks from home and I hadn’t done the run part of the workout yet.
I turned to Bradley and asked if I could jog the rest of the way home. I’ll admit that I did that all full of hubris, all cocky and self assured, but on the inside I wondered if I had just said something that was going to leave me dry heaving on the side of the road.

Of course, my bearded beau just grinned and kicked up his feet, and off we went. At first I tried to keep pace with him, then realized I would never endure the run all the way home if I kept pace with him. I dropped back before my lungs started to freak out and so did he, keeping pace with me. I got slow. Like slooooowwwww-mo-Tamaraaaaa. But know what? I didn’t stop. Like, I jogged the ENTIRE WAY HOME. And know what else? I talked the whole time.

I kept waiting for that moment when I HAVE TO stop because my lungs are burning, my legs are jelly and I sweat like mad… It never came.

I have always heard that exercise pace is healthiest when you can carry a conversation. The whole time there I was testing that theory talking and chatting it up with him, just to see if I could. I could. I did. I jogged all the way home and burst into tears when I got there. So proud and so amazed by myself. I am in disbelief about my next sentence:
I can’t wait for my next opportunity to jog.
Huh.
***
I feel ACCOMPLISHED. More determined than ever. I feel like a possibility. I feel worthwhile. I feel good.

I Ran. I Pushed Hard. I Hurt.

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I ran today. I ran for about a song, total. And yes, my lungs felt like they were going to burst (really it’s my throat), my legs felt like rubber and I got super duper sweaty. But I also felt really strong.

So strong that I got home seven minutes earlier than I usually do from the same circuit with walking only. Feeling cocky, I texted Bradley and said I was going around the small block again. I felt great, so I started around again.

I did pretty well until about 100 yards from our house and 45 minutes into a workout I was really pushing myself hard through. Suddenly my hips said ouch and my knees asked why are we doing this again?

I limped into the house, oozed into the shower, settled into my jams and made some dinner. Who knew running for three or so minutes would be that tiring?! (wink wink). Stick a fork in me, I’m done. Until Saturday, at least.
***
(And yes, I ran during Firework. I’m a predictable cheeze.)

Running? No. Intervals for now…

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Today is the day. I spent last night reading up on how other fat gurls like me started running. It all begins with 30 seconds, it seems. Today I’ll run a little, and tomorrow a little more, and after that a little more and more. Double up, run slow, run for distance. Slowly but surely they all say I should quickly build endurance and be on track in no time.

I’m hoping I can be strong enough to run a 5K. I know, I know. A 5K? People who run are always like, “MEH. A 5K. That’s only 3.1 miles.” Yeah, but this is me we’re talking about. ONLY 3.1 miles? I practically cough a lung after a block or two. 3.1 miles IS a feat.

Running is romantic. People who do it are like demigods because who in their right mind likes going out and feeling as though their lungs will burst WHILE their legs turn to rubber and you sweat like a pig? WHO? Bradley does. He’s amazing like that. And really, there are a bajillion other people who also like it, OBVIOUSLY. But I haven’t counted myself among their numbers ever. EVER. And I’ve never wanted to try because of all the sweat, pain and lung bursting, you know? The closest I got was when I was in Europe and I could zip up a hill with my 100 pound backpack on while everyone else panted along behind me asking me to slow down. But even then – I did not run. I speed walked. Or is it sped walked? All I know is that it wasn’t running, that’s for certain.

The 5K seems reasonable to me. Wish me luck as I take that first official training step tonight! I hope to be running around that track in no time at all. I’ll even try not to grimace. I suppose all I need is a little Katy and I’ll be cruising in no time.
***

Two links for suggested 5K training pacing guides:
http://www.runsforcookies.com/2012/11/on-starting-to-run-and-running-faster.html
Plan by: Running for cookies

And this one that does not seem novice to me (since when is running a mile and a half novice?!) But some people could use the Hal Higdon version. 🙂
http://halhigdon.com/training/50933/5K-Novice-Training-Program

Sorry about the cut paste. My app for WordPress is being a spaz.
***
PS. Wanna know the most exciting part, though? I have been regularly working out enough that I feel invigorated after the work out. That is a change. Exercise is GIVING me energy instead of stealing it. Yum!