Bringing the Posse or Workout #13 for June

I am writing on behalf of my Friday run, on Saturday, since Friday became overwhelmingly busy. I will pretend it is Friday...

Last night I was pleasantly surprised to have The Captain arrive home from Seattle a day early. I woke up able to do my run! Unfortunately I forgot to set my alarm, so I woke up about an hour later than ideal, and the day was starting to get warm. I chose to not wear my running jacket, which I really love... But it worked out. I put my iPhone in my pants pocket, which held it fine. Today was run 5.3 or Week 5 Day 3 of Couch to 5k.

This is a dreaded run. It is the first run of the program where you run continuously. Many, many people drop the program at this run because it's pretty scary! Or, they drop the program just afterward because they feel like they completed the program. I decided I'm going all the way through the nine weeks because that is what I have committed to do. Regardless, I was pretty nervous.

I started off modifying my warm up walk area. I do this occasionally to keep from remembering where my previous rest points were. At the prompt I began running. And running. And running. I kept my pace slow, knowing I just needed to finish, and I wasn't in a race. I just let one foot fall in front of the other. My breathing was controlled, and it was a great start.

I made it up the incline, and was surprised at the "Halfway" prompt! It came so fast! Then I realized that I started my warmup walk in a different area, placing my halfway point "earlier". Halfway was 10 minutes! I ran for 10 minutes!

I have a confession. While there are blogs out there who have said they ran 20 minutes and didn't realize it. I did. I thought about it A LOT. I took miniature breaks. Four of them to be exact. One at around 10 minutes for about 5 seconds. One at 12 minutes for about 10 seconds. One at 14 minutes for about 10 seconds. The final one just before 18 minutes for about 15 seconds.

But at the end, I made it. I didn't have any set rests, and my miniature breaks were just a mental escape. My heart was hardened by a rough day prior. And I did not feel like "I was a runner". I was nervous. Sigh...

Apparently I didn't bring what my sister, ES, and I call my posse. My brain, heart, and courage.

However, I'm still very pleased with how well I did. I'm amazed actually at the HUGE progress I've made in the last month in a half. I am thrilled that I essentially ran 20 minutes. I have no doubt that the next time my program has a long run, I will make it all of the way through without breaks.

I didn't have a lot of motivation for my run that day... But today (real today, Saturday) I discovered something awesome. The Captain and I were going to do some Father's Day shopping, and could NOT find a close parking spot. Even remotely. Parking at the furthest possible place, we enjoyed our walk to the store, and the walk back. It was later I realized I didn't complain about how far the parking spot was. It wasn't like I ever got winded walking that length, or sore, but I never liked it. I would always say something like, "Do we have to park this far?" or "Can't we wait for a closer spot?" I enjoyed walking. I enjoyed walking with my husband! It was a simple joy, brought about by my lifestyle change. And that is my motivation to keep at it! I want more of that feeling!

Turning Up the Heat or Workout #10, 12, and 14

As you may have gathered from my blogs, I have transitioned my workout. I have become bored with the 100 Workout, so decided it was time for a change. A few years ago, my BFF LC gave me Slim in 6, a six-week workout program for my birthday. It is a phenomenal gift. Especially if you use it! I have started it and stopped it several times in a few years, but this time I thought I would go ahead and just go for it. After all, if I can run for nine weeks, I can do aerobics for six weeks...

I have been craving a greater workout on my upper body. This has it. I have been wanting something tough. This is it. I wanted something that increased with my strengthening, like running. Found it here.

I did this video, the Start It Up! portion, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. My body aches. In a good kicking booty way! My arms were sore, my torso was sore, but after a day of healing I felt stronger! This is going to be an awesome change to my efforts to own my body again!

Thursday I came downstairs early in the morning, started working up a sweat soon into the program. Peach wanted me to hold her the entire time, so I did all of the leg movements while holding a baby. Pretty tricky! Pretty heavy! I couldn't believe how hot it was! I was seriously a sweaty mess. Then it dawned on me...

I checked the thermostat.

Apparently Bear felt it was too cold that morning, so he put the thermostat at 80.

80.

You know. Like working out, outside in the middle of Summer in the Northwest.

Needless to say, Bear was surprised when I turned the thermostat back down to 65, and opened all of the windows and patio door... And completed my exercise without a hitch, since Peach discovered toys were more fun than a non-stop mama.

Every Detail or Workout #11 for June

(I worked out yesterday but didn't blog it... prolly should have. I did Slim in 6 for the first time in years. Pretty killer. Good killer.)

I woke up to my alarm, which seems mighty cruel during Summer Break. I was thankful, however, that I had a moment before The Captain headed up to Seattle for work. I have not yet had to run with three children, and I'm not sure how delightful that would be.

Today was Week 5 Day 2 of Couch to 5K, or 5.2. There were two, eight minute runs, with a five minute walk in between. This is HUGE compared to what I was doing even five days ago. However, I was enthusiastic and curious of my capability after Monday's successful run.

Unfortunately I noticed everything. EVERY DETAIL. I noticed I forgot to put on a sports bra. I noticed my left shoe was tied looser than my right. I noticed that darn metal taste in my mouth and visualized my lung air sacs bursting like popping colorful little balloons. I noticed what leaves stuck to the tire of the jogging stroller. It was laaaame. So I tried to focus on nothing. I held my head forward and tried to let my mind wander.

Do you know what happened? I lost track of time. I made it up the incline that had tortured me thus far. I made it much further, and when the app told me to "Walk Now" I felt I could keep going, even though my breathing was labored, and my legs were starting to feel sore.

The five minute walk was pretty long, (but nice) but I secretly think it could have been shorter. By the time five minutes was up, I wanted to just keep walking. I didn't. I ran. But it was much harder. Much. I almost stopped once, reminded myself I didn't tell myself to stop. I stopped another for just a couple of seconds, and returned to running. I ran past the stop sign, and around the corner, and decided I was completely beat. I decided I would walk until the "One Minute Left" prompt occurred. Ten seconds later I received my prompt. Figures, eh? haha. Good for me though.

I ran that last minute with all of my might, and probably said "Uncle" about five times. Then I happily walked my cool down, and realized I was walking pretty fast. Even my cool down loop I make has increased in distance, along with my run.

Watching the length I run increase has been a great reward for me. It's amazing to see what area I can cover in a short time. I'm pleased.

I did the run about 99%, and Friday is going to be MORE. Do I think I can do it? Maybe? I'll let you know Friday how it went. 20 minutes of running with no breaks. Maybe I'll just try to convince myself I'm merely warming up.

What was my motivation today? Taking a little time for myself.

I'm really sore today, like day 1 sore, but it feels good to know I'm still changing...for the better.

One Year Ago...

We are often counseled to not look back, to look forward, focusing on what is ahead, rather than all that occurred in our past. However, I have learned that occasionally it is a good thing to glace back, to see how far you've come.

One year ago, I was very pregnant with Peach. I experienced an injury that is not too common, but can happen in pregnancy. In fact, my sister, HC, and my mom both had this with their last children. I can't help but wonder if the intense pain encouraged them, as well as me, to declare the finality of our child bearing years.

I endured a split pelvis. The front, the pubic bone area, separated. It went from having stability to weakness. Imagine hula hooping with a hoop that was not connected in its necessary circle. Imagine your hips going from an O to a C. With every step, the back feels like it needs joints or hinges, but does not have them. The sides are weaker and feel like they will snap off. Every step you take lacks stability and strength. You can't shift your weight from one foot to another. You are completely unable to walk on uneven ground, and fight to go up and down stairs. The pain with every movement is almost unbearable.

Yet here I am, one year later. I hardly think about it anymore. I can walk. I can run!
My chilling pain has already become a mere memory, and I am thankful. I am thankful that I don't remember quite how difficult it was. I am thankful I made it through that time that seemed unending. I am thankful at how far I've come physically. I am thankful that I am able to do so much. I am thankful that I have become more than healed, I have become strong.

What a great year it's been! What will the next year bring with my strength and fortitude? Perhaps it'll be worth a glance back.

Keep Going or Workout #9 for June

If you read my blog from Friday, you will remember that I was not confident at the end of 4.3 of Couch to 5k, or for me it was actually 4.6. I had run week 4 twice, and I was frustrated. Throughout the week I wondered if I would ever increase to week 5. I wondered if I could actually DO week four correctly. I DID 4.3, but it was a mess. I decided I could stay stagnant, or move onward and upward.

I discovered that I also injured the big toe on my right foot, at the base of the toe. It was a remarkable pain. I've broken toes before, and it almost felt like that. I decided to not work out Saturday at all, to give my foot a rest. It bothered me to sit on my duff, so to speak. All Sunday I pondered what I was going to do Monday.

I had received sound advice from dear friend M(O'R)J, who had experienced a foot injury, continued to carry on as usual, injuring herself further. Actually it gives me the willies thinking about it. Poor friend. I rolled her experience over and over in my mind. Morning came, and I had to make a decision. This is what happened...

I got on my workout clothes, and prepared Peach. The Captain modified his work schedule so that he could be home with the older two, so I could run. I am so thankful for his support. My mindset was, I have gone YEARS making excuses of why "I can't" or "shouldn't". I was afraid that given the (yes, valid) opportunity to make an excuse, I would take it, and run with excuses rather than my program.

I began my warm up walk. My foot, although it felt better upon waking up, hurt. I decided if it still hurt when I started to run, I would walk the half hour, because I had to do something.

Soon into running the first run (5.1 or week 5, day 1)I noticed the pain was receding. Before I knew it, the pain was gone. I don't mean "mind over matter" gone. I mean I felt like I usually do. So I kept going.

I was pleased that I made it through the first run without a major temptation to stop. As usual, the long runs have become the short runs, or in this case, today, what were the long runs for week four, there were now three of, with no short runs. Wednesday there are two LONG rungs, and Friday I will run for 20 minutes without a break. Because of this, I realized if I didn't do it right today, I didn't have the rest of the week to perfect it. This was it.

The second run I focused on a bit of advice I read yesterday: You have to consciously tell your feet to stop. Your body knows to keep going, so focus on something else. I listened to my breathing which makes me crazy. I thought about Disneyland. I thought about my siblings. I thought about my kids' sore throats. I made a goal to run to the entrance/exit to the park, and before I knew it, my app told me to "walk now". I was SO pleased! Winded, but SO pleased!

The walk between the two runs seemed to be far too brief. But I knew by the end of the walk, I had successfully caught my breath, and I was ready to run the final run. This was tough for me. Clearly. It was another long run. I was tired. I was really really really done. But I knew it was make it or break it day. I remembered what WB said, "You just have to do what you've already done." I had already ran that run twice. I just needed to do it once more. I was approaching the stop sign. This was pretty tricky for me, because my goal with week four WAS the stop sign, in the shorter run. My new goal was the kids' bus stop. I had to pass the stop sign without stopping. I visualized a sign that said "Keep Going". I crossed the street to avoid the stop sign, and rounded the corner. "One minute left", my app said, and I pressed on. Thrilled. I smiled that whole last minute. I almost cried.

I grinned the whole time I was doing my cool down. I was sweating from head to toe. I feel AMAZING. I am thrilled!

I look forward to Wednesday to find out if all I've been training for is preparing me to run so much already.

My plan? To keep going.

Losing Limbs or Workout #8 for June

Ah, the last day of school! It is a time of excitement and anticipation! And the start of how my running schedule is going to get interesting...

After Bear left on the school bus, Lambie, whose last day was yesterday, was still sleeping. Excuses filled my mind of why I didn't need to run today, but I realized that tomorrow I would be more bummed that I didn't do it today.

I got her up, and she was happy to oblige. It took super duper forever long to get her ready, but it worked out. She decided to ride Bear's bike (his has training wheels, hers does not, and I didn't want her riding 2 miles without training wheels since she's still not a pro...), which was pretty dirty from a winter of not riding. We cleaned it up, and off we went.

It went GREAT. She kept a good pedaling pace while I did my warmup walk, and first run. Oh yeah, I was running 4.3 again, so 4.6 haha, or the second week of running week 4 of Couch to 5k. We had our mini walk break, long run up the incline (success!), and at the start of the second walk break, her pedal fell off! I was afraid of losing momentum, but I considered this fell under the category of Break Something, for my rules to stop. While I'm glad it wasn't a bone, I didn't have tools with me. I put the pedal on the best I could. We walked the remaining time, ran the third run, and despite my fervent prayers (just kidding) that the other pedal would fall off mid-run, it fell off just after the third run. Oy vey. Run four, the final long run was HARD, but I did it, motivated to keep up with my bicycling daughter. And it ended just in time for one of the training wheels to fall off! How many ways can you spell "tune up"?

I attached it the best I could and even got a "Good job, Mama!" from a passing older lady who flashed me a knowing smile.

I did 4.3! I finally FINALLY did it! It was NOT easy. AT ALL. Everything hurt. Heck, it's 10:30pm, and everything still hurts. I decided that even though I'm not confident with the run, I'm going to move on to 5.1. There's no reason why I shouldn't. So Monday...

Later today I got some kudos from JN who must have smelled me from across the school parking lot, when she *knew* I had gone running today. She introduced me to someone who was also doing Couch to 5k, and said she was having an easy time so far. I'm genuinely glad for her... but that's not me. I kind of wish it was easy... but I feel so much success at finishing off each week, even each day, because it IS hard, that the feeling of accomplishment keeps me going. I want that every time I run.

Today's motivation? I'm telling you, my reasons are silly... But I need to have my reasons.

Maria Sharapova's French Open outfit. First I must play tennis. Which means First-er I need to be able to be agile on a tennis court.

Another motivation I had today is that I want my kids to remember me as fit, not fat. And frankly, I know they will remember this time in their lives, when I worked out every day to get my body back. I want to be a good example.

Pushing Myself or Workout #7 for June

As you know, if you've been keeping up on my workout portion of my blog, I have reached a mental plateau. I have petitioned my friends for their motivation. I've tried to dig down deep for my own motivation, when all I think is "why? why? why?" My virtual workout partner and I have been exchanging texts. She's been in the same mental lull as I am. So misery was enjoying its company.

After conversations that went something like, "Wah wah wah. whine whine whine. me me me. wah wah wah. Our sisters have lost a ton of weight by dieting. (Which we KNOW is HARD, and we genuinely admire them SO MUCH for their efforts and successes!!!). We're glad for them, but sad for us that we haven't lost much. wah wah wah. blah blah blah. This is hard. wah wah wah." ...and so forth. What we came to the conclusion of is this: Regardless of our boohoo lack of weight loss, we might be on the cusp of dramatic loss, and would we stop now before finding out?

Even my sister, ES, has plateaus of weight loss with her rigorous diet she's on. If she stopped during a plateau, she would not enjoy the next drop in weight.

Today I ran 4.3 AGAIN AGAIN for Couch to 5K. I'm going to just call it 4.5. Friday it will be 4.6. I decided to go with the course taking a straight shot to the park, run around the park, and then home. I like that there are no obstacles. There ARE inclines though, and while I HATE THAT, it's going to be so good for me!

The first run, a short (long) run, I ran all of the way through. The second run, a long (longer) run, was up the incline, and I took a couple of very short breaks, but breaks nonetheless. It was slightly discouraging, but I kept going, pushing myself. The third run, a short (long) run, I ran the whole way through again, which was really exciting! The fourth run, a long (longer) run, I took a couple of breaks that were about 10 seconds each, but I pushed myself to make them brief, and sprinted to the stop sign at the end of the road.

Today I pushed more than just the jogging stroller. I pushed myself. And I loved it. I'm excited for Friday to discover what I can do. I want to see if I am stronger. I want to prove to myself that I can do even greater than today.

My daily motivation might seem a little strange to you, but I'm going to put it out here anyway. Today I am motivated to someday wear a Seth Aaron design. I think he's amazing. And really, look at this coat. Who wouldn't want to drop some sizes to wear this?