Chasing Toddlers or Workout #20 for June

The last two days were terrible days for exercise. I confess Tuesday I didn't try too hard. I slept through my alarm, and needed to just get going with my day. Wednesday I woke up HURTING. Nine years ago I had a major back injury where the muscles on my back, holding my spine, detached, or more unpleasantly, were ripped away from my spine. In the three months before I started physical therapy, they began to heal, going the wrong direction. It has been nine years, and I still struggle, but not nearly like I used to. While this was a muscular injury, sometimes my spinal cord is affected by the lack of muscular support. Yesterday was that day. Instead, I went to the "free" movie, attempted to go bowling, watched kids play, and really took it easy. By nightfall I felt much better. This morning I woke up and my spine was so much better, but my muscles, overworking, were aching. I have three children and a husband in Seattle. I was tired. I was en route to falling off the wagon. But I didn't want to!

Encouraged by words of friends, I gathered my young and brought them to the school. I met up with a friend, KC, who is doing her version of Couch to 5k and on week 5, and I am on week 7 day 1. Saturday will be week 7 day 2. Monday I run my first 5k. I'm more nervous about terrorizing my friends with my sweaty scent during their pancake breakfast than I am about running 3 miles. I think not knowing the route will help. I'll just run and run and run. But back to today...

It was important for me to run as much as I possibly could today, preparing for Monday. I started my run out slow, and it always makes me feel silly to start so slow because I know I can go much faster. But I don't want to suffer later for having an uneven, unrealistic pace. Running with KC was nice too. Sometimes I fear I'm a reclusive running partner. I hope that didn't bother her. Maybe I'm in "the zone". haha. Maybe I don't have fun with it yet.

After the halfway mark, I slowed to a walk. This time I timed for sure ALL of my walks. I took four mini walk breaks, totalling 1 minute 55 seconds. My longest walk was one minute, and MAN that went by fast! haha. I was noticeably stronger this run than the last run. I have to remember that with previous weeks, it would take me ALL week (or longer!) to get a particular run down pat, so I feel I have 2 more runs to perfect running 25 minutes without a break. Next time I will take less than a minute of breaks if any at all. And by 7.3 (or the 5k) I will run 25 minutes without a break. I promise! :)

At the end of my run, A mom came to the track, her 4 year old pushing the stroller, the mom carrying the toddler, trying to run. It made me think of how people say they get slimmer by chasing around a toddler. In contrast, my friend KJ arrived at the track. I know she's only been running a few years (at least as far as I understand), and I remember seeing her run a few years ago at the rate I do. Today I watched her gazelle-like poise and focus as she ran and ran and ran her long, muscular legs around the track. It was truly impressive, and inspiring to me!

I suppose my motivation today was wanting my toddler to have to chase me, or having it be easy peasy to chase after a toddler! How much fun and laughter would be in my home? I can't wait! Today was awesome. I feel AWESOME!