I can't tell it in that order though, so we'll go backward:
THE UGLY: I did the St Patrick's Day Dash in Seattle on March 17th--WITH THE FLU. No kidding. I got sick on the 15th at school, and by that night I had a 101 temp and throwing up. I took the next day off school (and I never stay home sick), but we already had a baby sitter, and the temp seemed to have subsided, so my husband and I fled to Seattle. My rationale: I can be sick in a hotel room just as easily as I can at home. And that's what I did. The night before the race, I ate a salad, and I was upset because my body was so weak, I didn't know if I'd be able to run the 4 miles. When I woke up the next morning, I didn't know if I could WALK the four miles! But we did it. I tried to run but I was to tired. I did walk it, but at the end I was freezing and it began raining, then snowing! We went back to the hotel, where I proceeded to have a temp and chills the rest of the day. Bummer...
Oh well, there's always the 5K in Hoquiam on April 7th, right? So I thought....
THE BAD: I was debating whether or not to do a 5K or 10K at a race in my area. I had finally resigned to the do the 5K, and I was excited. On April 1st, I went out for a 7 mile run. Really, all I did was add 10 minutes to my previous long run. When I got home I got ready for church, and I could feel something pulling in my foot. By that evening, we were out at the beach at a hotel for a few days, and I could barely walk the halls. I was sure I had pulled something in my foot. Not good. And sadly, day after day, it did not get much better. I did the elliptical on Monday, Tuesday, and then Thursday came...
By this time, I decided I would not be doing the Hoquiam run. I was at the Y working out, doing the nautilus machines, and I was doing the one that works your abs. I forgot that I had been skipping that machine for the last week or two, and I put my normal weight on it, and after I finished my third set, when I stood up my legs almost gave out on me, and I felt a pull in my lower back like no other pain I've ever felt. I walked out to the bench, sat down, and thought, "What the hell have I done this time?" Sorry for the swearing...but just being honest--those were the words my brain produced. So I walked, you know the whole "Walk it off" routine...and although it still hurt, I proceeded to do an hour on an elliptical-ish machine (not sure what it is, but I only use it when I'm hurt). Well, let's just say I spent the next two days on the couch or in bed with ice on my back. I took this as a sign that God was going to see to it that I rested my foot.
By Monday, my foot felt great and my back was at about 85%. I was feeling up to trying to run, and I did. I jogged 3 miles and walked 1. OK, that's good, right? Except my foot decided it wasn't done being aggravated...grrrr...
So I won't bore you with the rest of my week, but lets just say I have my theories, and I'm working through it. My foot WILL heal. I haven't hit the weights this week, as I have been letting my back heal and I didn't want to injure it further. I did run on Wed, and Tues/Thurs were elliptical and spinning (see, I just bored you with my workouts, sorry).
I was starting to feel a bit jinxed about races, but I really need to get a race (or more) under my belt before the 1/2 marathon, which is only 2 months away--eek!
THE GOOD: There is a lot of good!
1. I had already signed up for a 5K for Saturday, and I'm going to do it. It's Cure the Kids, and it's for the Seattle Children's Foundation. Seattle Children's Hospital is the same hospital my son Tyson goes to for his cranio-facial team for his cleft lip/palate. I saw this race and just felt I had to do it. I am not working out tomorrow, so I WILL make it to this starting line.
2. I am getting fitted for orthotics on Tuesday. I feel like a wimp admitting that, but I also hope it will help my foot and keep me going for many years to come.
3. I'm still exercising. Yes, me...I'm still doing it. 9 months straight, which is a total record for me. I haven't lost any lbs recently, but my total is -32 lbs (on a good day of course LOL). Maybe it's another plateau, maybe it's muscle, or maybe it's the popcorn I still eat at night. But I am still exercising.
4. I played pickle ball today with my sixth graders in PE. I do that every year, but this year, it just felt different--it felt good! I need to do that more often!
5. And of course, the 1/2 marathon...
I have really been struggling with these injuries. I feel like my training isn't where it needs to be. In fact, I know it's not where it needs to be. And you know what? That is OK! On one hand, I feel like I'm not going to meet my goal of running the entire 13.1 miles. It's looking like I will probably end up walking part of it. But at the same time, I HAVE NOT QUIT! I set a goal, and I'm doing the best I can to make it. Sure, now I have to tweak that goal a bit, but I will run in that 1/2 marathon, and even if I have to walk a little, I will still finish 13.1 miles. Do you hear that? I will get to the starting line, and I will finish!
I won't lie, there are days I don't want to run. Cross Training has been a great way to keep running fun because I don't run 5 days a week. I might run 3 or 4 days a week, then I throw in a day of elliptical, and day of spinning (which is the best 45 minutes of exercise I've ever experienced in my life), and 3 days a week of weights (nothing major, but enough that it is resistance training that is producing positive results). On those days I don't want to run, I think of a child like Almudena, the child that LWB has assigned to me as my inspiration. I wish I could figure out how to post her picture here because you'd fall in love with that cherubic little face. I think of Tyson, and I think of how someone gave him a cleft lip operation, and they did an amazing job! So I keep running. I don't quit, and I won't give up.
Sometimes I think Satan is really just out to get me because he knows how much good is coming from this experience. I am seeing God move in ways I never dreamed. I'm hearing God speak to me. And I know God is going to use this experience to further His will. Satan doesn't like this, and he will lie, cheat, and steal from me to make me give up. But I won't, because I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. And lastly....
"Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." Phillippians 1:6
Thanks for reading, and sorry it's so long...I'll try to post more often so the posts will be shorter!
Jolene
Thursday, April 12, 2012
Thursday, April 5, 2012
My TeamLWB fundraising letter--Please help!
Dear Family and Friends,
On June 23rd, I will be running in the Seattle Rock n Roll Half-Marathon. I am running to benefit orphaned children in China on a team for Love Without Boundaries (www.TeamLWB.com). The funds raised by Team LWB in the Seattle Rock n Roll Marathon will go directly to provide life-changing medical care for an orphan in China through the LWB Medical Program. I am commited to running for this important cause and I am asking for your help to make an even greater difference.
There are over a million orphaned children in China, many of them living in institutions. Throughout the orphanage system in China, there are babies who need medical care. Through LWB’s Medical Program, TeamLWB will help provide funding for many types of surgeries and medical care, including:
• Heart surgery • Cleft lip and palate surgery • Colorectal repairs • Tumor and neurological issues • Club foot casting
• General surgeries, such as hernia repair and intestinal issues • Orthopedic care and evaluation • Preemie care
I am running on behalf of a child like Almudena, pictured above. Almudena is from Tongren in central southern China and was born with cleft lip and palate, which is the same congenital birth defect my son Tyson was born with. Normally an infant will have their cleft lip surgery when they are 4-8 months old, but sweet Almudena had to wait much longer than that. When she was 2-and-a-half she finally had her lip surgery. She loves sharing her beautiful smile! Now, at age 3, Almudena needs to have her cleft palate closed so she can eat more easily and her speech can develop appropriately.
Will you please help me reach my goal of raising $500, which will help sponsor a child like Almudena who needs cleft lip or palate surgery? If you would like to help, you can donate online specifically for me by going to www.TeamLWB.com and click “Donate” under Rock 'n' Roll Seattle Marathon and Half Marathon. Or you may send a check directly to LWB, P.O. Box 25016 Oklahoma City, OK 73125-0016. Please make the check payable to Love Without Boundaries and note my name and Seattle Rock 'n' Roll 2012 on your check.
Thank you for partnering with me to give the priceless gift of hope and healing to a child like Almudena, or even a child like Tyson. Tyson’s cleft lip was repaired in China, but I don’t know who provided Tyson’s surgery. Therefore, this is my opportunity to pay it forward to help orphaned children in China who need medical intervention right now. Your donation will truly change the lives of orphaned children, and I cannot thank you enough for your support!
With great thanks and blessings,
Jolene Powell
Love Without Boundaries is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization and all donations are tax-exempt. In 2011, 152 children received surgery through their medical program. LWB holds Charity Navigator's highest 4-star rating and less than 10% of your donation goes to administrative overhead. For more information about Love Without Boundaries, visit www.lovewithoutboundaries.com.
On June 23rd, I will be running in the Seattle Rock n Roll Half-Marathon. I am running to benefit orphaned children in China on a team for Love Without Boundaries (www.TeamLWB.com). The funds raised by Team LWB in the Seattle Rock n Roll Marathon will go directly to provide life-changing medical care for an orphan in China through the LWB Medical Program. I am commited to running for this important cause and I am asking for your help to make an even greater difference.
There are over a million orphaned children in China, many of them living in institutions. Throughout the orphanage system in China, there are babies who need medical care. Through LWB’s Medical Program, TeamLWB will help provide funding for many types of surgeries and medical care, including:
• Heart surgery • Cleft lip and palate surgery • Colorectal repairs • Tumor and neurological issues • Club foot casting
• General surgeries, such as hernia repair and intestinal issues • Orthopedic care and evaluation • Preemie care
I am running on behalf of a child like Almudena, pictured above. Almudena is from Tongren in central southern China and was born with cleft lip and palate, which is the same congenital birth defect my son Tyson was born with. Normally an infant will have their cleft lip surgery when they are 4-8 months old, but sweet Almudena had to wait much longer than that. When she was 2-and-a-half she finally had her lip surgery. She loves sharing her beautiful smile! Now, at age 3, Almudena needs to have her cleft palate closed so she can eat more easily and her speech can develop appropriately.
Will you please help me reach my goal of raising $500, which will help sponsor a child like Almudena who needs cleft lip or palate surgery? If you would like to help, you can donate online specifically for me by going to www.TeamLWB.com and click “Donate” under Rock 'n' Roll Seattle Marathon and Half Marathon. Or you may send a check directly to LWB, P.O. Box 25016 Oklahoma City, OK 73125-0016. Please make the check payable to Love Without Boundaries and note my name and Seattle Rock 'n' Roll 2012 on your check.
Thank you for partnering with me to give the priceless gift of hope and healing to a child like Almudena, or even a child like Tyson. Tyson’s cleft lip was repaired in China, but I don’t know who provided Tyson’s surgery. Therefore, this is my opportunity to pay it forward to help orphaned children in China who need medical intervention right now. Your donation will truly change the lives of orphaned children, and I cannot thank you enough for your support!
With great thanks and blessings,
Jolene Powell
Love Without Boundaries is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization and all donations are tax-exempt. In 2011, 152 children received surgery through their medical program. LWB holds Charity Navigator's highest 4-star rating and less than 10% of your donation goes to administrative overhead. For more information about Love Without Boundaries, visit www.lovewithoutboundaries.com.
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
Thinking about shirts
First an update: I'm doing well. My ankles and knees still "ache" but nothing that ice and ibuprofen can't handle. Finally, I was able to get past 4 miles and put in a 5 mile run on Sunday--outdoors! But today, I felt like I was dying trying to get 3 miles in on a treadmill...go figure. I add in spinning 1x a week and throw in some weigh training 3x a week.
So while on my 5 mile run on Sunday, I was deep in thought about what I will wear this Saturday. It's my first run, and it's a fun one! It's the St. Pat's day run in Seattle, and it's about 4 miles. (My husband was supposed to run it with me, but he managed to fracture his wrist in 2 places last night at work. I do have some friends to run with though.) It's St. Patrick's day, so obviously I need a green shirt. I was thinking about my shirts, and none are green and most are way too big these days. The weight is still coming off, just very slowly. I also need new pants...so you can see where this simple little thought is going...just pondering clothing options, and trying to come up with something green. I don't own any green shirts, so I start thinking I might run to a store and try to find a generic St. Patrick's Day shirt or something...
Then my thoughts switched to the half marathon in June. Oh no, what will I wear for that run? So I'm going through my options, or what I can buy, and all of a sudden, the stinking thinking starts. "You'll never make it. You won't finish." Those lovely positive thoughts, right? So then I start feeling down, like, "What am I doing? What makes me think that I'll be ready for a half-marathon by June?"
So I'm running down the road, earbuds in, jacket unzipped and fluttering around because it's not raining and I'm warm, and suddenly I feel this presence beside me. I look up, and this guy waves and says, "Hello." and he keeps running. He was a REAL runner, as he just floated pasted me. Great, another reason to feel like a total loser, right? Then I looked up, and I saw the back of his shirt...can you guess what it was? It was a GREEN ROCK AND ROLL MARATHON SHIRT!
So I'm going to take that as a sign from God that I'm on the right track! My husband says I'm reading too much into it. I say I don't believe in coincidences. How in the world could I be thinking of shirts, and suddenly I see a shirt that meshes the two runs I am signed up for? Exactly.
I booked my hotel room for the rock-n-roll marathon, so I guess that also makes it official!
And finally...I got my child I'm running for. I'll be posting more on the LWB stuff very soon.
Wish me luck on Saturday! The goal is to finish and not get run over.
Jolene
So while on my 5 mile run on Sunday, I was deep in thought about what I will wear this Saturday. It's my first run, and it's a fun one! It's the St. Pat's day run in Seattle, and it's about 4 miles. (My husband was supposed to run it with me, but he managed to fracture his wrist in 2 places last night at work. I do have some friends to run with though.) It's St. Patrick's day, so obviously I need a green shirt. I was thinking about my shirts, and none are green and most are way too big these days. The weight is still coming off, just very slowly. I also need new pants...so you can see where this simple little thought is going...just pondering clothing options, and trying to come up with something green. I don't own any green shirts, so I start thinking I might run to a store and try to find a generic St. Patrick's Day shirt or something...
Then my thoughts switched to the half marathon in June. Oh no, what will I wear for that run? So I'm going through my options, or what I can buy, and all of a sudden, the stinking thinking starts. "You'll never make it. You won't finish." Those lovely positive thoughts, right? So then I start feeling down, like, "What am I doing? What makes me think that I'll be ready for a half-marathon by June?"
So I'm running down the road, earbuds in, jacket unzipped and fluttering around because it's not raining and I'm warm, and suddenly I feel this presence beside me. I look up, and this guy waves and says, "Hello." and he keeps running. He was a REAL runner, as he just floated pasted me. Great, another reason to feel like a total loser, right? Then I looked up, and I saw the back of his shirt...can you guess what it was? It was a GREEN ROCK AND ROLL MARATHON SHIRT!
So I'm going to take that as a sign from God that I'm on the right track! My husband says I'm reading too much into it. I say I don't believe in coincidences. How in the world could I be thinking of shirts, and suddenly I see a shirt that meshes the two runs I am signed up for? Exactly.
I booked my hotel room for the rock-n-roll marathon, so I guess that also makes it official!
And finally...I got my child I'm running for. I'll be posting more on the LWB stuff very soon.
Wish me luck on Saturday! The goal is to finish and not get run over.
Jolene
Sunday, March 4, 2012
Dealing with injuries and eating
I have to start with this photo. It's my motivation today.
Ice Ice Baby.... You remember the song by Vanilla Ice, don't you? Well that has been my theme song this week. I have iced and iced, and I'm feeling pretty good.
On Tuesday I decided to try a spinning class with my 10 year old. It was 45 minutes, and I felt great doing it. But Wed. morning, I woke up with pain on the inside of my right ankle--same ankle I just got over the pain on the outside....grrrrr....
One theme I've heard from people--and books-- is, "Are you weight training?" And I'd take that deep guilty breath and reply, "Nooooooo...(voice trails off)...but I know I should."
So on Wednesday I mustered up my courage and went to the desk of the workout area and asked for some help on learning some machines. My biggest fear is being that "new" person who can't figure out how to move a seat or change the weight. This kid was great and showed me many different machines and gave me some ideas.
So Wed, I did a few reps, nothing serious, and then I jogged 3 miles. I felt as if I hadn't run in a month. I was slow, out of breath...discouraged.
And while I'm on the depressing subjects, let's talk about my eating this week. I sure wish I had read the chapter of my book that talks about poor eating during an injury...because it's true! You get depressed, so you go back to your comfort foods. For me, it's potato chips, or chips of any kind. I also indulged in those evil little cookies that those sweet little girl scouts sell. Obviously, I lost 0 pounds this week.
Thursday I decided I'd take a break, sort of. I went back to the Y to do some more weight training. Again, nothing crazy, just easing into it. And Friday I ran 3 miles again, and although still slow, my breathing was much better. I then did weights again, though focused more on my legs than arms.
Now it's Sunday, and I'm going for an outside run, something I haven't done in 2 weeks! The weather has been horrible, so I can't wait to put on my jacket and go...in fact, the sun has made it's appearance, so it's time to go!
Ice Ice Baby.... You remember the song by Vanilla Ice, don't you? Well that has been my theme song this week. I have iced and iced, and I'm feeling pretty good.
On Tuesday I decided to try a spinning class with my 10 year old. It was 45 minutes, and I felt great doing it. But Wed. morning, I woke up with pain on the inside of my right ankle--same ankle I just got over the pain on the outside....grrrrr....
One theme I've heard from people--and books-- is, "Are you weight training?" And I'd take that deep guilty breath and reply, "Nooooooo...(voice trails off)...but I know I should."
So on Wednesday I mustered up my courage and went to the desk of the workout area and asked for some help on learning some machines. My biggest fear is being that "new" person who can't figure out how to move a seat or change the weight. This kid was great and showed me many different machines and gave me some ideas.
So Wed, I did a few reps, nothing serious, and then I jogged 3 miles. I felt as if I hadn't run in a month. I was slow, out of breath...discouraged.
And while I'm on the depressing subjects, let's talk about my eating this week. I sure wish I had read the chapter of my book that talks about poor eating during an injury...because it's true! You get depressed, so you go back to your comfort foods. For me, it's potato chips, or chips of any kind. I also indulged in those evil little cookies that those sweet little girl scouts sell. Obviously, I lost 0 pounds this week.
Thursday I decided I'd take a break, sort of. I went back to the Y to do some more weight training. Again, nothing crazy, just easing into it. And Friday I ran 3 miles again, and although still slow, my breathing was much better. I then did weights again, though focused more on my legs than arms.
Now it's Sunday, and I'm going for an outside run, something I haven't done in 2 weeks! The weather has been horrible, so I can't wait to put on my jacket and go...in fact, the sun has made it's appearance, so it's time to go!
Sunday, February 26, 2012
Injured--so frustrated!
I woke up yesterday morning with a sharp shooting pain on the outside of the right heal. At first I thought it was my achilies tendon, which had me beyond depressed. But the more I felt it, I was convinced it wasn't. After some research, I think I damaged my peroneal tendon. I don't think it's horrible, but I am taking at least 5 days off. I'm icing like crazy as well.
It's mostly stiff in the morning when I wake up and when I having been on it. After I'm on it a bit, it does loosen up.
I will be careful, and this is set back...but I'm not giving up! I was up to six miles last week...I will be fine.
It's mostly stiff in the morning when I wake up and when I having been on it. After I'm on it a bit, it does loosen up.
I will be careful, and this is set back...but I'm not giving up! I was up to six miles last week...I will be fine.
Sunday, February 19, 2012
In the last two weeks...
...a lot has happened.
On the day of my last post, my birthday, my husband got sick, and I mean ill in bed and couldn't get up for 3 days kind of sick. We ended up in the ER on the third night because he was dehydrated. So my running stalled a bit as I worked, ran kids around, and cared for him. But I did pick it back up over the weekend and I was getting back on track. Monday was a great 5.5 mile run...I'm getting there, slowly but surely!
I had a good 4 mile untimed run on Wednesday, and then the weather took quite a turn. Now I will run in the cold. I will run in the rain. I will also run in the dark. I'll even run in any 2 of those 3 scenarios. But I will NOT run in all three of those conditions--uh uh, no way, not happening. So Thursday night I settled for 60 minutes on the elliptical and spent some quality time with my 10 year old daughter catching up on American Idol.
And then Friday, it was wedding time! I was a bridesmaid in a wedding on Saturday, so Friday night was rehearsal, and Saturday I spent all day with the bride and the wedding party. The bride was my wonderful teaching partner, and this is her first marriage. She married a wonderful man of God, and we are all so happy for her! And oh I wish I had a picture to put on here...I did not look like myself at all. It was really fun to get all dressed up for a day!
But at 8pm, I called Dan, and Ty had a fever...back to reality.
So today, I got to run again, and I was nervous. I decided to run 4 miles, but try to beat any previous times I had, and sure enough, I did it! That was very cool. I am hoping to get 6 miles in tomorrow...we shall see.
OH! The most important thing! I got new shoes! My knees were giving me fits, so I went to South Sound Running in Olympia and got some amazing new shoes. They are worth every penny. The first time I ran in them I wasn't liking them so well, but the second time, I loved them, and so did my knees.
So yes, I'm back, and I'm not giving up! Life slows a bit this week, so I'm hoping to get a good week of running in.
On the day of my last post, my birthday, my husband got sick, and I mean ill in bed and couldn't get up for 3 days kind of sick. We ended up in the ER on the third night because he was dehydrated. So my running stalled a bit as I worked, ran kids around, and cared for him. But I did pick it back up over the weekend and I was getting back on track. Monday was a great 5.5 mile run...I'm getting there, slowly but surely!
I had a good 4 mile untimed run on Wednesday, and then the weather took quite a turn. Now I will run in the cold. I will run in the rain. I will also run in the dark. I'll even run in any 2 of those 3 scenarios. But I will NOT run in all three of those conditions--uh uh, no way, not happening. So Thursday night I settled for 60 minutes on the elliptical and spent some quality time with my 10 year old daughter catching up on American Idol.
And then Friday, it was wedding time! I was a bridesmaid in a wedding on Saturday, so Friday night was rehearsal, and Saturday I spent all day with the bride and the wedding party. The bride was my wonderful teaching partner, and this is her first marriage. She married a wonderful man of God, and we are all so happy for her! And oh I wish I had a picture to put on here...I did not look like myself at all. It was really fun to get all dressed up for a day!
But at 8pm, I called Dan, and Ty had a fever...back to reality.
So today, I got to run again, and I was nervous. I decided to run 4 miles, but try to beat any previous times I had, and sure enough, I did it! That was very cool. I am hoping to get 6 miles in tomorrow...we shall see.
OH! The most important thing! I got new shoes! My knees were giving me fits, so I went to South Sound Running in Olympia and got some amazing new shoes. They are worth every penny. The first time I ran in them I wasn't liking them so well, but the second time, I loved them, and so did my knees.
So yes, I'm back, and I'm not giving up! Life slows a bit this week, so I'm hoping to get a good week of running in.
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
I have begun my 38th year
I turned 37 today. I know some people don't admit their age. I truly don't care. It's a number.
I grew up in a small rural town, and there is a whole group of us with January/February birthdays. One friend in particular has a birthday 5 days before mine, and she made the statement, "I feel like I'm 27." So I told her I'd let her know how I felt on my birthday.
I woke up at 4:30 am, and by 5:00, I was on a 4 mile run. I reflected on that...at what point in my life would I have woken up at such an hour, let alone run 4 miles? Never. Not once.
So, age 37...so far, I like it, and I feel WAY better than when I was 27!
I grew up in a small rural town, and there is a whole group of us with January/February birthdays. One friend in particular has a birthday 5 days before mine, and she made the statement, "I feel like I'm 27." So I told her I'd let her know how I felt on my birthday.
I woke up at 4:30 am, and by 5:00, I was on a 4 mile run. I reflected on that...at what point in my life would I have woken up at such an hour, let alone run 4 miles? Never. Not once.
So, age 37...so far, I like it, and I feel WAY better than when I was 27!
Sunday, February 5, 2012
Super Bowl Sunday
I woke up early and decided to get my run in before church. I had a dull ache in my knees from my 5 mile run on Friday, so I managed to get in 4.5 miles today, which was better than my 4 mile goal for the day. I've been running every other day this last week, which means tomorrow should be a day off. However, I think I'm going to need to squeeze in some elliptical time to work off all the crackers and dip I ate today. Yep, I fell of the wagon. Not completely of course, but gosh darn it, how often do you get smoked salmon dip AND fresh crab dip in the same day? I also ate a hot-dog, minus the bun of course.
Oh, and how am I supposed to get an elliptical workout in with a 6:30 pm 2 hour hair appt? Well, I won't...I sure hope my metabolism will eat away at all this dip I ate today. And chocolate chip cookies, but we won't go there. My sister made them, and who could eat just one. OK, two, and I savored every bite!
I noticed this morning on my run that I was also grappling with a lack of energy, which led to some food research, and evidently I need more carbs. I am not anti-carb by any means. I eat cereal in the AM and I eat a sandwich on wheat bread everyday. But I know white bread products and pastas do not agree with me either, which is why I have felt so good over the past few months. I'm not sure what I'm allergic to, but it's quite obvious that it's something in those products. Wheat? Gluten? Who knows... I just know I need to invest in some whole wheat bagels or something. Running on 1 cup of coffee just doesn't quite cut it for me.
I have been exploring training schedules for the half marathon. Some are 10 weeks, some 12 weeks, some 15 weeks. Some are 4 days a week, and some are 5 days a week. I am not sure what my plan will be. I look at these plans, and I'm just not sure what to do! I am also looking at ordering some books to help me to learn more. I know as my weight comes off, this will get easier. Thank goodness everyday isn't Super Bowl Sunday!
So tomorrow, it's back to normal, and hopefully, I can get back to my veggies, protein, and just normal food. I love the super bowl, but let's face it, it's just another day to eat crackers and chips. And cookies. And it will be a long time til I do it again.
On a happy note, I have my first sponsors, and more people are telling me they are going to sponsor me. THANK YOU SO MUCH! You don't even know what your gift will do for these beautiful babies and children. It's hard enough that these precious gifts have medical issues, but to add to it that they have no family to care for them, it's heart-breaking. LWB does amazing work, and God does amazing things through this organization.
J
Oh, and how am I supposed to get an elliptical workout in with a 6:30 pm 2 hour hair appt? Well, I won't...I sure hope my metabolism will eat away at all this dip I ate today. And chocolate chip cookies, but we won't go there. My sister made them, and who could eat just one. OK, two, and I savored every bite!
I noticed this morning on my run that I was also grappling with a lack of energy, which led to some food research, and evidently I need more carbs. I am not anti-carb by any means. I eat cereal in the AM and I eat a sandwich on wheat bread everyday. But I know white bread products and pastas do not agree with me either, which is why I have felt so good over the past few months. I'm not sure what I'm allergic to, but it's quite obvious that it's something in those products. Wheat? Gluten? Who knows... I just know I need to invest in some whole wheat bagels or something. Running on 1 cup of coffee just doesn't quite cut it for me.
I have been exploring training schedules for the half marathon. Some are 10 weeks, some 12 weeks, some 15 weeks. Some are 4 days a week, and some are 5 days a week. I am not sure what my plan will be. I look at these plans, and I'm just not sure what to do! I am also looking at ordering some books to help me to learn more. I know as my weight comes off, this will get easier. Thank goodness everyday isn't Super Bowl Sunday!
So tomorrow, it's back to normal, and hopefully, I can get back to my veggies, protein, and just normal food. I love the super bowl, but let's face it, it's just another day to eat crackers and chips. And cookies. And it will be a long time til I do it again.
On a happy note, I have my first sponsors, and more people are telling me they are going to sponsor me. THANK YOU SO MUCH! You don't even know what your gift will do for these beautiful babies and children. It's hard enough that these precious gifts have medical issues, but to add to it that they have no family to care for them, it's heart-breaking. LWB does amazing work, and God does amazing things through this organization.
J
Saturday, February 4, 2012
In the beginning, there were injuries
So last August I joined a gym for a short amount of time, and the trainer kicked my rear-end. It was hard, and I was in no way even close to the physical condition of those around me. But I stuck with it until school started. I knew when school started that I would need my own schedule because my kids are my priority and I work around their schedule.
At the time I had both a treadmill and an elliptical, but the elliptical was in the rafters of the garage. So I would go for walks outside, use small neoprene free-weights, and of course, walk on my treadmill. By the end of Sept, I was jogging for 10 minutes without stopping, and it felt so good!
INJURY #1: I was out walking with small 2 lb weights in each hand, when I felt something in my lower back pull. I was sore, and I knew I had been really pumping my arms, so I just figured it was a pulled muscle. But by day two, I could barely move. My back would freeze up, and I was stuck. I went to the chiropractor who got me moving again, but I had to take a week off of working out because it hurt so bad. And the worst of it was sitting. I could not sit for more than 10 minutes without excruciating pain.
After a week, I decided to start some slow walks again, and I realized, it didn't hurt to walk. After a few weeks, I tried jogging again, andI was almost back to my 10 minutes when....
INJURY #1: My treadmill started having issues. As I'd be walking or jogging, it would quit. (Rule #1: Always keep the warranty on your treadmill! We had just let ours laps last summer). So on this night, it stopped, so I stopped, and I went to bed feeling fine. I woke up with the sharpest pain in my right big toe that I can't even describe it. I could hardly walk. After a few days that pain went down, but I was walking on the side of my right foot, and soon it affected my back, hips, ankle, shins...never take your big toe for granted! I didn't want to give up on my workout progress though, and by this time I had lost 12 lbs. So my wonderful husband went up into the rafters and got out my 8 year-old elliptical, and I got on it, and my toe did not hurt! I would be able to continue my workouts, just not walking/jogging.
By Thanksgiving, I had lost 6 more lbs for a total of 18 lbs lost since August. My toe was getting better, but I still could not walk fast (although I did pull a Black Friday all-nighter!)
By early December, I felt I was on the mend. I had a trip to Vegas planned, which was a 2.5 hour plane ride, but I felt my back would handle it. On this trip, my friend and I were going to walk a 5K in a fun run called "The Santa Run" (see picture below, I'm on the right!) I drove the 2.5 hours to the airport, flew to Vegas, and when I got off the plane, I can't explain it, but something sent me into pain that was like no other. I took one step, and most of the pain I had felt before in my toe returned. So instead of the 5K, we decided to walk the mile, and for as cold as it was that morning, that was a good choice.
Also that weekend in Vegas was the Rock-n-Roll Marathon. When we went out Sunday night, I saw this:
And something inside of me said, "I want to do that." Not the whole marathon, just a half. (Just a half...did I really just say that?) But considering I had a major foot problem and a nagging back problem, how would that happen?
More next time, but for now, I am happy to say a jogged 5 miles last night! My back isn't too happy about though, so any prayers for my back would be appreciated.
J
At the time I had both a treadmill and an elliptical, but the elliptical was in the rafters of the garage. So I would go for walks outside, use small neoprene free-weights, and of course, walk on my treadmill. By the end of Sept, I was jogging for 10 minutes without stopping, and it felt so good!
INJURY #1: I was out walking with small 2 lb weights in each hand, when I felt something in my lower back pull. I was sore, and I knew I had been really pumping my arms, so I just figured it was a pulled muscle. But by day two, I could barely move. My back would freeze up, and I was stuck. I went to the chiropractor who got me moving again, but I had to take a week off of working out because it hurt so bad. And the worst of it was sitting. I could not sit for more than 10 minutes without excruciating pain.
After a week, I decided to start some slow walks again, and I realized, it didn't hurt to walk. After a few weeks, I tried jogging again, andI was almost back to my 10 minutes when....
INJURY #1: My treadmill started having issues. As I'd be walking or jogging, it would quit. (Rule #1: Always keep the warranty on your treadmill! We had just let ours laps last summer). So on this night, it stopped, so I stopped, and I went to bed feeling fine. I woke up with the sharpest pain in my right big toe that I can't even describe it. I could hardly walk. After a few days that pain went down, but I was walking on the side of my right foot, and soon it affected my back, hips, ankle, shins...never take your big toe for granted! I didn't want to give up on my workout progress though, and by this time I had lost 12 lbs. So my wonderful husband went up into the rafters and got out my 8 year-old elliptical, and I got on it, and my toe did not hurt! I would be able to continue my workouts, just not walking/jogging.
By Thanksgiving, I had lost 6 more lbs for a total of 18 lbs lost since August. My toe was getting better, but I still could not walk fast (although I did pull a Black Friday all-nighter!)
By early December, I felt I was on the mend. I had a trip to Vegas planned, which was a 2.5 hour plane ride, but I felt my back would handle it. On this trip, my friend and I were going to walk a 5K in a fun run called "The Santa Run" (see picture below, I'm on the right!) I drove the 2.5 hours to the airport, flew to Vegas, and when I got off the plane, I can't explain it, but something sent me into pain that was like no other. I took one step, and most of the pain I had felt before in my toe returned. So instead of the 5K, we decided to walk the mile, and for as cold as it was that morning, that was a good choice.
Also that weekend in Vegas was the Rock-n-Roll Marathon. When we went out Sunday night, I saw this:
And something inside of me said, "I want to do that." Not the whole marathon, just a half. (Just a half...did I really just say that?) But considering I had a major foot problem and a nagging back problem, how would that happen?
More next time, but for now, I am happy to say a jogged 5 miles last night! My back isn't too happy about though, so any prayers for my back would be appreciated.
J
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
Improvement!
I saw this on Facebook and had to get it. I think it really wraps up my training and journey.
I did not want to run tonight, but I knew it had to be done. I decided I would do 3 or 4 miles, and I did 4 miles and took 5 minutes off my time! Still slow? Probably. But did I better myself? YES!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)