Week One - Day 1

Yesterday was day 1 of my new exercise plan. Each day this week consists of 1.5 miles on the elliptical, 20 push-ups, 50 bicycle crunches, and weights alternating between arms and legs each day.

Jon and I went to the workout room at 7:30 pm. It was a great time. No one was in there. I started on the elliptical. Pretty soon my legs were tired and I was sweating. I'm definitely out of shape. I pressed on and did my 1.5 miles in 13:59 minutes. After stretching I did my push-ups and boy did those kill! Finally I did my 50 crunches. Finally I did some weight lifting working on my arms.

Later in the evening my muscles were tired! I was putting dishes away and it seemed to take extra energy to put the bowls away on the second shelf of the cupboard. But all in all I feel great. I've started with a realistic goal and I'm planning on sticking to it.

Tonight I have Awana at church. It gets over about 8:30, so I won't get home until about 9 pm, but that's when we're exercising today. I need to go exercise today. I'll keep you posted!

Busy Weekend

I didn't run like I had decided to. Instead, right after work, I sped home, packed a bag, and went to my parents' house. I arrived at the football game just a few minutes late. The next day I spent about 3-4 hours out in the sun helping out at an XC invite. Then I went home and finished up some sewing projects and relaxed by watching TV and playing computer games. Sunday, after church, I cleaned our apartment (except for the kitchen) and then took care of my poor sick husband.

However, since last night we decided we want to start trying for a baby in December, I need to get in shape, so today I'm going to exercise. I promise!

Recommitted

I haven't gone running in a while. I think it's because I have trouble staying committed. I'm good at running for a week, and then I lapse into my habits of not running for a couple weeks. The cycle continues for a while until I give it up altogether. My excuses range from I'm too hungry to run after work, too tired to run in the mornings, I have TV shows on in the evenings (and no DVR or TIVO), and the list goes on and on.

Today I'm going to change that. I'm going to eat a snack now, go home, read my Bible, and go for a run. Tomorrow when I wake up, I'm going to go for a run. Sunday I'm going to go for a run. I'm not usually one for running on Sundays, but I was told it takes 28 consecutive days of doing something to make it a habit. Day 1 starts today.

No Running

I didn't run yesterday. I think that since the race has passed, I'm not as motivated to run. I did go for a walk, though it was only a few blocks. Tonight there isn't time to run. Once I get home I have to figure out what I'm cooking for dinner, make it quickly and eat it, and then we have to leave no later than 6:15 to go to a meeting at church. Once we get home undoubtedly my Tuesday TV shows will be on: Hell's Kitchen at 8 and Big Brother at 9. Most likely I will miss most of Hell's Kitchen, but hopefully I catch the end of it. By the time those are done, it's off to bed for me. I have to be at work at 7 tomorrow morning. So, running will not happen today...maybe tomorrow?

My First 5k in 4 Years

Friday night I laid down in bed ready to get a full night's sleep before the race on Saturday. My husband instantly fell asleep. Sleep, however, eluded me. My nerves were going crazy. I heard myself questioning myself. I couldn't shut my mind off. It kept running around and around the idea of my first 5k being the next day. Eventually I fell asleep only to wake up several times throughout the night. I woke up at 7 feeling exhausted, wishing I didn't have a race and that I could just fall back asleep in my warm comfortable bed.

But it was time to get up. Quickly I showered knowing it would take a while to French braid my hair. It took longer than I expected. For some reason, my hair and hands just wouldn't cooperate. It had been a while since I had done this pre-race ritual, which was evident in my interestingly braided hair.

We got into the car to drive to the race site. My heart beating so quickly I thought it would jump out of my chest. We checked in, pinned on our numbers, put our race t-shirt in the car, and set out to jog around to get warmed up. When it came to stretching I couldn't remember what my pre-race routine was. Finally I felt ready, but we still had 20 minutes until the race began. Then the rain began to come down.

Time ticked slowly by. I was ready to get running, but the race hadn't started yet. Finally we all walked to the starting line.

"Runners! Take your mark!" BANG! The gun fired and we were off. I found a pace that seemed to feel good, so we kept it for the most part. We passed the first mile marker at 10 minutes 11 seconds. A little bit further, my mind games started. It was a good thing Jon was right there beside me encouraging me every step of the way. As we approached the mile 2 marker, I found myself saying "I can't." Jon responded, "Yes, you can." Once we passed the second mile marker I had a hard time convincing myself I could do it. It became a struggle for me resulting in walking several times. Then my knee started hurting, a result of my IT band. Finally we passed the marker for mile 3. Only 0.1 miles left. I saw the finish and lengthened my stride. We got closer. Jon and I started sprinting, hoping to beat the other. We got close to the final turn and I moved left thinking I was farther ahead of Jon than I was. As a result, I bumped him making him slow down. I finished.

My time was 35:27. It certainly wasn't an award-winning time, but that didn't matter. What mattered was that I finished. I won because I finished. It was my first race back. Jon reminded me on the drive home, "There's only up from here."

I don't know how I would have done if he hadn't been beside me encouraging me. I do know now that I am more determined to run more consistently and run more miles in order to have a better time for my next race. When that race will be, I don't know, but it will happen and when it does I will beat Saturday's time of 35:27. I will run the whole time. I will not say "I can't." I will finish with a better time, a better attitude, and a better overall experience. I will finish.

The Perfect Time For Enjoying A Run

Yesterday was a bit chaotic. After getting home after a long day of work (really it just seemed long), I quickly made dinner, having it done and on the table just as my husband got home. After prayer, I quickly began eating, excited to go to a women's event for church. After a little more than an hour and a half, I headed home.

Jon and I had discussed going running when I got home, which was about 8:15 pm. We left about 10 minutes after I got home to go for a run. We started out at what felt like a brisk pace, and it felt good! We jogged to the mile marker, 9:55, and we turned around and ran back. We arrived back at our starting point at 19:33, which turns out to be 17 seconds faster on the return trip.

It wasn't my time that made me feel great. It wasn't the fact that I ran the whole time. It was that I had found a great time to go running. I've tried running when I get home from work, but usually then I'm hungry, it's warm, and I just need some time to relax. Running after 8 pm allowed plenty of time for my dinner to settle, allowed time for the temperature to cool, and allowed time for me to relax prior to running.

Previously I would use all 3 as excuses to run slower or to walk or to not go at all. Hunger was used as an excuse not to run. The temperature was an excuse to run slower or walk. Coming straight from work was used as an excuse to not go running or to just walk so I can vent my frustrations.

Little did I know that by waiting a few hours between work and running that not only would those excuses become useless, but I would feel better while I ran. The whole time I ran I felt good. I didn't feel tired. I wasn't thinking of excuses to walk or slow down. For the first time in a while, I enjoyed my run. I actually enjoyed it. To me, that is what running is all about, enjoying something you do.

A Boost of Confidence

Last Thursday I officially signed up for a 5k run, the first I've done in several years. I don't expect it to be phenomenal, but I signed up partly due to my husband's prodding and partly to prove to myself I can still run a 5k. I'm nervous to say the least.

The course is going to be through a neighborhood and appears mostly flat, which I am looking forward to since I haven't done much training.

I know Jon will be running right beside me the whole time encouraging me. I feel like I'm holding him back, but I know it helps him feel good about helping me out. He's so amazing. I'm looking forward to starting and finishing the race with him.

I think finishing the race will be a big dose of encouragement to me. A boost of confidence. I know that once I finish that race I need to sign up for another one; it will help me stay committed.

However, for the time being, I'm nervous.