I really need to make more ice.....

I need shoes. I'm finally starting to see the commitment that I wanted to see before I made the investment.

I'm thinking I should get used to being sore. The day after runs has been a bit stiff. It's so nice to be able to stretch again and feel it release the tension out of my muscles. Ice is my friend :)

We got chased out of the park today. I guess we didn't take the sign seriously when it said the park closed at 5:00. Isn't that just a suggested time? We had finished our 5th interval and were 2 minutes into our walking section when the park ranger came chasing after us telling us the park was closed and he was getting ready to lock the gate. We ran back to the cars and called that interval 6. Not necessarily the smartest thing to not stretch right away but it didn't take the glow off of basically completing another training day!

The best thing is that I don't feel the glow wearing off of my enthusiasm. I find myself thinking while I'm running that I will never be able to make it a long distance. I start to panic and think about quitting because it just feels so foreign and unnatural to my body. Then I make it through that interval and go right into the next. It dawned on my today that by the time I should be running a long distance, I will have trained to run that distance. Nobody is going to call me tomorrow and tell me I'm running a marathon! After I leave, all I think about is going back to run. After the day is over I never even consider not coming back. I guess if it keeps up like that that I have no choice but to keep running. It doesn't seem like I want to stop.

My body feels stronger and healthier ever run. I'm sure there will come a time when that will not necessarily be true. My only concern right now is my knees. They are SO SORE!!!!

Well, I guess I will be back Wednesday for more abuse. Wooooooooohhhhhhhhoooooooooooo!

I figured I should probably catch up before the next wave of Christmas Craziness pulls me away. Friday was a great run. The additional 30 seconds really caught up to me with the jogging stroller. It was so nice to run without out it the first couple of runs of the week. I have a feeling that if I want this to work, I should not go very many days without pushing E. A did the last two intervals to give me a break.

I'm starting to see some changes in my body but not just where I expected. My legs always bulk up really fast. The first changes I'm seeing are in my stomach. I don't know if it's the stroller that's doing it but I'm starting to get some tone back. After the baby, any stomach tone is MORE than welcome!!!

My recovery has also improved. The intervals were really winding me but I was bouncing back from them at least a minute and half quicker than I had been.

We have the weekend off. Yaaaaaay! I'm sure I will more than make up for it climbing up the stairs at Bank of America Stadium today. Go Broncos!!!!!

Stop complaining. Grab your shoes.

O.K. my right knee is killing me. I've been going, going, going all day and really need to ice it. This knee was a problem before we started. I'm honestly hoping that taking some weight off of it will help but I'm afraid that I have damage that might be a problem. I could just be stiff.

Today's run was cathartic and painful. It amazed me to feel like I was able to process through a lot of mental anguish just by putting one foot in front of the other. I didn't eat very much the day before and I definitely felt it. I was very lightheaded after our intervals. It is becoming very apparent to me that I am not going to be able to abuse myself and get what I want out of my body.

I'm proud of making it out today. I really just wanted to stay in my house and feel sorry for myself. It was kind of hard after reading a friend's email about training for her first marathon---in the hills of San Francisco. I think what she said was "it's hard for me to think about complaining running the hills when I'm thinking of all the kids I'm running for who just want to run." Good point. Stop complaining and grab your shoes.

So we had our first increase today, time and distance. I convinced A that we needed to start running 1:30. She thought she was being crafty leaving the recovery time at 5 minutes. I think she was a little sad when I told her she had added 3 extra minutes to our final time. At the end, though, she was as proud as me!

All I know is, it sure as hell is easier to run without the jogging stroller! I brought alot to the run with me today. Since my accident on Sat. night I have been terrified that I was going to be laid up for a while. I'm still sore for sure but I think I would have damaged my soul more by staying home. I've started this thing and I want to see it though. I've also been under the gun with getting Christmas stuff done for my boss and myself. It doesn't help that I have all of these extra things to do and no car seat yet to take little guy with me.

A. brought her grandkids with her today that just got into town. The older one was running circles around us. Her desire to run just for the joy of running was contagious. It was also inspiring. That's exactly the feeling I want to recapture.

I felt amazing when we were done. It's so sad to think that we were pushing ourselves at the slow pace we were going until you realize that 3 weeks ago this would have flat out killed me!

GO US!

Close to the Beginning

I am putting way too much pressure on myself to make this first post engaging and thought provoking. Let me make it simple.

This will be a blog about experiences as a new runner. I really don't know what brought me to this decision. I just feel like I could be embarking on an exciting new journey. I should probably make clear that I'm not looking to win. I'm looking to finish---finish whatever I think I should finish each day.

I really don't know what to expect. This could be as exciting as watching paint dry. My past history with even consistent exercise has been spotty at best. There's usually great flurries of activity followed by long periods of rest. The only thing I can do is listen to the thoughts flying around in my head that are full of hope and excitement.

It was recently brought to my attention that all you had to do to be a runner was run. You can't fake that. You can't buy it. You can't go to school for it. It doesn't matter how fast you run, how long you run or how well you run.

I remember liking to run as a kid and feeling my heart beating while I did. I want that feeling back.


Anyway, where I am at---Week Three. Weeks One and Two were spent running one minute and then walking five. We did six intervals. Plan to meet A tomorrow to start running 1:30 w/ 5 minute walk-X6 intervals.

Interval 4 kills. We have decided. Can't wait to feel how 1:30 will feel.

Oy, I'm old.