Over the years I have referred to myself as many things. I guess another way to put that is "I have worn many hats". I have been believer, daughter, wife, Mama, maw maw, mother-in-law,daugher -in-law, aunt, sister, dancer, teacher, student, gardener, friend, grand daughter and homemaker to name a few, I now find myself with a new title. I am a runner!
On October 10th, 2011, my hubby and I began the couch to 5k program. We were not couch potatoes by any means, as you well know. I have longed to run forever it seems. However, due to health issues in the past, I did not think this was possible. I tried a couple of times before and promply injured myself.
I read about this program on someone's blog and researched it.
The very next night, hubby and I set out for our first run/walk. About 30 seconds into it, I thought I wouldn't make it. I was chiding myself for thinking I could do it. But somehow........we did do it!
My hubby injured his knee the first of November and we stopped for about a week. After that week, we resumed running and just kept building up.
By Dec. 1st, I ran a mile without walking any and then continued my run/walk for a total of 3/12 miles running and 2/1/2 miles walking. My daughter ran my first non-stop mile with me! I was so happy that night. :)
On Dec. 17th, I ran for 35 minutes without stopping. I am not sure how far I ran but I am thinking it was around 3 miles. By this time, I was measuring in minutes again instead of miles.
Since that time, I have been running 3 miles, with no walking, at least 4 days per week. I ran on Christmas Eve and New Years Day!
Today I ran 3.15 miles in 38 minutes. It was slow, I know, but I sure was excited. I ran in very strong wind and at times I felt as if I were running in place!
My routine begins with walking for 3 to 8 minutes. This depends on how cold it is and how stiff I feel. At the track, I usually walk .43 miles to warm up. If I am running the river road I usually warm up for 1/4 mile. Today , I was at the track and I cooled down for 2 laps at .43 per lap. I realized that over the past few runs, I had slacked in the warm up and cool down phases. I realized that could put me at greater risk for injury so I am trying to fix that.
I intend to steadily build up over the next couple of months. I am having to be careful as I am a master runner. This simply means I am over 40. To be exact, I am 49. I would like to run 6 miles in March or April with no walking except warm up and cool down. I have not decided if I will just add some to the end of my run every week or if I will do a phase 2 modified couch to 5 k. In, other words, I could run for 3.1 miles then do a walk/run program for the next 30 minutes. I would increase the run time and decrease the walk time every week. Hopefully, at the end of 8 weeks I would be able to run for one hour with no walking. From that point, I would assess how much further to add to make 6.2 miles with no walking time. Alot of this depends on how busy I am with our new grandblessing!
My poor hubby has not been running for over a week due to his knee injury again. We have an appointment with the chiropractor Wednesday for an assessment. I miss him being able to run with me. We are in this together and it has been very bonding not to mention stress relieving.
I have also begun yoga and strength training on my days off running. I now have a bike so I hope to cross train with that too. We need another one so my sweet heart and I can bike together. :) Hubby and I enjoy walking together very much and often. You know, we do most everything together and I am so thankful for that. I am truly a blessed woman.
I love, love, love to run!
In other news, my new grandbaby is due this month. We are very excited! My daughter is suffering from pelvic symphesis dysfunction. She is in a great deal of pain which will not end until she gives birth or if God intervenes supernaturally . We trust Him.
We do not know if we are getting a girl or boy. They decided to be surprised. :) My daughter is an awesome mother to my little 13 month old grandson and I am very proud of her.
My other daughter is half way through the academic portion of grad school and will begin her training this month. The title of this training fails me at the moment but I am sure I will remember as soon as I shut down my computer. :)
I am still attempting to finish my BA. It is slow going but I am a very busy homemaker with many people to love and take care of. :)
We are still struggling with the aftermath of the tornado. We have much work to do and are still learning to live with the loss. But our God is faithful. He has mightily blessed us and He is healing our hurts. Bless His holy name forever and ever AMEN!
This one was mancubs birthday a few weeks ago at the zoo.
