I Get Knocked Down...But I Get Up Again

Are you singing the song in your head? I am. It has kind of become my theme song. I've told you about how when I decided to get my act together that I kept running into obstacles. Then, I'd try to start again and hit another obstacle. Well, here I am again. I had a slight run-in with the treadmill two weeks ago. We fought. The treadmill won. It was very sad. All joking aside, I thought I had merely scraped up my leg and I would be back on it in no time. Well, as my leg has healed, I noticed my back hurting. A lot. It has gotten to the point where I can't even bend over and touch my toes. (For those that know me well, you know I am incredibly flexible; to the point where I can bend over BACKWARDS and touch my toes.) Well, it turns out I have done something to my sciatic nerve. From what I hear, there is really nothing that can be done to fix it. However, I am going to see if there isn't a least a way to alleviate some of the pain so I can continue running. I am going to contact the chiropractor and see what he says.

My point in this is; even though I am hurting I WILL get back up. I WILL continue on. If my doctor tells me no more running, I will find something else to do. But, I am hoping that won't be the case. I figure if people can have back surgery and complete a marathon a year later, I can overcome sciatic nerve pain. I WILL find a way. Giving up and giving in is not an option. That's not to say there won't be days I will want to give up. When those days happen, I hope I have people there to help me up.

Chasing a Dream

This post is not about me. Today I want to talk about my friend, Christie. She is wonderful. She has probably been my biggest supporter since I began running. She started not long after I did and is doing amazing things. Christie decided to take the plunge and sign up for Team in Training and compete in the Princess Half Marathon at Disney in February. For those not familiar with TNT, it supports the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. As a member of TNT, you raise money; 75% of it goes to LLS and 25% pays your way to the race, hotel fees and some meals. Christie has been working her butt off trying to raise money. She has to raise $3300 by January 11th and she is far from her goal. If she doesn't raise the money, she is done. She will no longer be a team member. I don't necessarily agree with how things are run, but that is neither here nor there. The point is, Christie needs YOUR help. If you can spare a dollar or ten or more, every donation helps. You can also help by purchasing one of her awesome carrot cakes or Tiffany's devine cheesecakes. Like Bunco? Register for her fundraiser. It's January 15th and it's a $25 pay-in due by the 15th of December. If you don't know how to play, there will be plenty of us to teach you. If you choose to support Christie, you aren't just donating to pay her way, you are helping LLS find cures for blood cancers. And haven't we all been affected by cancer in one way or another?

For more information, visit her page: http://pages.teamintraining.org/ks/dipihalf11/clawrenfnl

To learn more about Team in Training, visit their webpage: http://www.teamintraining.org/ks/

Goals

I know I have mentioned a time or a thousand that I am training for a half marathon. (Don't ask me how my training is going. It isn't pretty.) But, I also have another goal. When I made the decision to do my first 5K back in September I decided I wanted to do 12 races in 12 months. They don't all have to be 5K's, but they do need to be sanctioned events. This is my list of completed races:

1. Race for the Cure 5K (September)
2. Rosstoberfest 5K (October)
3. Prairie Fire 5K (October)
4. Pumpkin Run 5K (October)
5. Turkey Trot 2 mile (November)

So, I need 7 more to complete my goal. I feel really good with having 5 under my belt. I will be doing another one this month, which will be a 5K. Not real sure how the running in the freezing cold is going to go over, but I will give it a shot. I imagine I will take a break from races during the colder months. Not that I will be taking a break from training for them, though.

But, I want to set a new goal for next year. I want to set a mileage goal, but I'm not sure where to set it. I don't want to set the bar so high that the goal seems unattainable, but I don't want to low-ball it either. I'm thinking I'd like to run at least 500 miles next year. That includes training and races. But, I have another month to mull it over. What are YOUR goals?

Don't Beat Yourself Up

That is something I have to often tell myself. Yesterday was the 35th Annual Turkey Trot in Wichita. I remember watching my dad run in this race probably 20 years back. It was a family affair this year with me, Hubs, Little Bit and my 14yo stepson participating. I finished in just under 23 minutes. I know for 2 miles it seems slow. I KNOW! And this is where the title comes around. I can't beat myself up over it. I am definitely my own worst critic and my own worst enemy. As we stuck around and listened to the results, there were people who finished the race in under 11 minutes. (Uh, I was still on my first mile at that point.) I started to feel discouraged. But, I took a step back from the situation and really looked at it. The people who are beating my pants off are lifelong runners. Or, maybe not lifelong, but have probably been doing this longer than 4 months. I also need to remember I am dealing with knee issues. (We found out I have tendonitis in my right knee.) I am just proud of myself for getting out there. Six months ago I would never have pictured myself competing in a race.

I'm getting off track. My point is, don't let the results of others get to you. If you stumble, get up. If you get off track, get back on. Have faith in yourself to see things through. Don't beat yourself up because people twice you age run twice as fast. Just get out there and do what you can with what you have.

Self Pity=Fat?

If you read one my first entries, I compared self pity to fat. How they both just kind of stick to you. Well, that's where I was; letting the self pity stick to me. You know what? It isn't worth it and the only way to get rid of it is to shake it off. Or in this case, run it off. God was speaking and I needed to listen. The littles stayed the night at Mimi's house. Big was a friends and hubs was sick. He gave me a night to straighten up. Once everyone was settled, I decided to go for a run. It wasn't a long one, just a mile and a half. But, it was what I needed. I did better than I thought I would. My time wasn't great, but it wasn't terrible. My endurance was WAY better than it was the other day. (Note to self: don't try to run after 3 hours of sleep and working an 8 hour overnight shift.) Nights like tonight when it is calm and peaceful reminds me of why I like to run. It creates a peace in me that I tend to push aside when dealing with everyone's emergencies.

The annual Turkey Trot is a week from today. I remember watching my dad run in it when I was young. My 5yo is running it this year. He might beat me, but I don't mind. He is starting this running thing young, and maybe that's a good thing. :)

Ugh

That's the only what I can describe what I am feeling as of late. I have been regressing instead of progressing. I think I am going to have to change my workout routine. I need to get back to running every day. I just feel better when I do. I am working alone several nights a week so it makes it difficult to run on shift. Then I'm so tired when I get home in the morning it's hard to find the motivation. But, I need to find it somewhere. I feel like I have worked to hard to just fall apart. I did register for the race next weekend. It's the annual Turkey Trot. It's only a 2 mile. There is a 10 mile, but I am nowhere near ready for it. I had hoped to, but it just hasn't worked in my favor. I have another 5K next month, and I imagine that will be the end of races for a while.

So, if any of you have any ideas for me, I am all ears. I am really going at this pretty blind so I need direction.

See...Slacking already

Well, not really. I warned you ahead of time I might not be good at updating every day. This week has been crazy. I've been at training for my job, so half marathon training has kind of been pushed to the side. I've been doing my running, but the other stuff has not occurred. I feel like I weigh a ton. Food at the academy isn't all that great. Plus, I'm sitting in a chair for 8 hours a day.

I did 3 miles today. Tomorrow I'm only at the academy until noon. Too bad we are going to Carriage Crossing when we are done. Saturday will be 4 miles. Sunday will be a recovery walk (which I'm sure I will end up running). I never thought I would miss running/exercising. Guess that makes me an addict.

Just Do It!

OK, so it's a little cliche'. And probably copyrighted. But, it works. I've had several people ask me, "How do I get started?" That is a hard question to answer. We all have our own reasons for starting (or stopping) an exercise program. My reasons won't be your reasons. We may have similar inspirations, but when it comes down to it, it is a personal choice.

Why did I start? I wanted this year to be a year of change for me. I set out all gung-ho and was doing my "Shred" quite often. I was starting to see and feel a difference. Then, I got hurt. (No, not doing Shred.) When I wanted to start back up, I got sick. Pretty soon I was out of the habit and finding a hard time getting into the groove. Finally, I decided it was time. Then, I end up in the hospital with emergency surgery and 6-8 weeks of recovery. I just couldn't catch a break. I was hitting a low and having a hard time finding my way out. (Self pity will do that to you. It's kind of like weight, easy to put on and not so easy to get rid of.) But, I was hit with a wake-up call. A long-time friend and fellow dispatcher sent around an email that made me realize my troubles were nothing. a dispatcher's young wife had been diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer. She is in her late 20's with two young children. She'd already gone through a double mastectomy. They were facing very large medical bills and didn't have a way to pay them. There was to be a 3K walk/run which proceeds went to help. How could I say no? So, I took my shorts and tennis shoes to work one night and hit the track on my lunch. Boy, was I slow. When I finished, I was red-faced and sweaty and looking like maybe I was due for another ambulance ride. But you know what? I survived. And I went out the next night. Pretty soon, I wasn't so red and winded. I didn't feel like dying every time I climbed back into my car. So, I started adding in some jogging. I couldn't do much, but I kept trying. And, I was starting to enjoy it. (Weird, especially for me.) Soon after the 3K walk I did a 4 mile walk. Then I did my first 5K, then a few more. I am still working on lots of things, though. Consistency is a HUGE thing I need to work on. Outside the race for Casey Albers, I needed to get fit. I was developing health problems that needed nipped in the bud. Casey just gave me the start I needed.

My point is, this is my story. It isn't everyone's story. I was never a runner growing up. I was an athlete. However,there isn't a large calling for middle-age, overweight gymnasts. Well, there might be but it probably has to do with some crazy fetish stuff that I'm just not in to. (Now, ask me this 14 months from now when I am out of a job and I may sing a different tune.)

If you want to go out and do this, do it. What is it going to hurt? Take a brisk walk around your neighborhood. Hit the track at the football field. Don't do it just once and think it isn't for you. Be willing to go a little out of your comfort zone. You can always go back in. If you decide it might be for you, look into one of the "Couch Potato to 5K" programs. You can search them on line and find one that works for you. Or, join Team in Training and commit to a race. Have a mentor guide you through. As adults, we don't have to be pigeon-holed to just being a mall-walker or an occassional golfer. Show your kids and yourself that you can be a late-in-life athlete. Find your reason, your insiration and DO IT!!!!

Day 3...Another Run

Are you tired of me yet? I get tired of myself. I have a feeling I won't be posting every day, so don't worry.

Yesteday didn't go as planned. Instead of Jillian whooping my ass into shape, I napped. Then had something come up and ended up on TV. No, not really in a good way, but not the America's Most Wanted way, either. So, I guess yesterday was a day of rest. We all need those.

Today will be a walk/run day. I will do 2.5 miles of walk/run. Yes, I can normally run the whole thing. However, I am sticking to the training program and also doing it with someone who hasn't run in a while. Doing it this way is a good way to build up my lung capacity and my endurance. We do a 2/1 split with running 2 minutes/walking 1 minute.

Remember me saying on Day One where I felt like I needed to do more? (Did I? Maybe I need to go read it again.) Anyway, as I was at home that night, Hubs decided he wanted to run. I was a little shocked. So, I strapped on my shoes and went out with him. (Note to the wise: Don't run after eating a large meal..ugh) We did almost a mile and I felt pretty good.

I am trying to get my race calendar put together. I will post it soon. If anyone wants to run with me, let me know! I don't compete against anyone but myself.

Day 2...XT

XT=cross train. On days I am not running/walking I am supposed to find some other activity to do. Since my gym membership hasn't kicked in, my options at home are few. Today, I will do the dreaded "Shred". My body cringes just typing it. For those that don't know what I am talking about, it is Jillian Michael's 30 Day Shred. It is an intense 20 minute workout (plus warm-up and cool-down) where she works your abs, strength and cardio. It's amazing how much sweat I produce! I haven't done it in (cough, cough) several months. So, I am procrastinating. But, I know I will feel better once it's over.

Have a great day!

Day 1...DONE! (and an intro)

Welcome to my running blog. I don't know if anyone will actually read it, but it's here as a way for me to stay accountable. I also want to track my journey. I say journey because this isn't just a short road trip. I am a late-in-life runner. I have sat on tukus, eaten lots of junk food, had 5 pregnancies and 3 kids and been generally unhealthy since high school. So, this whole running thing is new to me. I never thought I'd enjoy it. I used to tell people, "I only run if someone is chasing me" or "I'd rather roll around in broken glass than workout." Not the best attitude. But this year has been different for me. I don't know WHY this year out of my other 32 years of life. But, God spoke to me and told me to get up and get with it. And, for the first time in a long time I listened. I'm not fast and I'm not pretty, but I am out there doing it. I have had friends join me along the way and we are making it fun. So, welcome.

Day 1 consisted of a 2 mile run/walk. It was supposed to be run 2 minutes/walk 1, but it was my friend's first day out so I let her control when we did what. Funny, when we got done I still felt like I needed to do more. But, I want to do this the right way. Tomorrow is a cross training day. I am thinking either biking or Shred.