Ready to quit ...

I ran outside on Sunday afternoon with two friends - it was cold, and we ran longer and further than I've done before, ran 4 minutes, walked 1 minute - 6 times. Everything hurt, but the accomplished feeling at the end was good! Then Monday night I ran with the club - again, outside in the cold. Both times the nerves in my legs were complaining about being cold - but I tried to ignore the contracting and burning pain. Tuesday I had planned would be my rest day this week - and I was glad - because everything hurt!
Wednesday morning, I felt better, but my legs were still complaining. Yet I wanted to do the next workout on my schedule. It was run 5 minutes, walk 1 minute - repeat 5 times. I hit the treadmill in the afternoon after spending the morning writing. Two minutes into the run, every nerve and muscle in my legs was trying to boycott my plans. I tried ignoring the pain and pushing on - but I soon realized I wasn't going to be able to go on and I needed to changes plans. So I shorten the running time to 4 minutes and only ran 4 times. I was discouraged and annoyed - why couldn't this body stick to the schedule I had - after all it was a beginner's schedule! What did I need - a baby schedule?
But as the evening progressed, I was glad I had quit when I did - I was in so much pain. Jerry noticed my slow movements and grimacing face as I did some organizing around the house. He promptly asked if I'm pushing it too much. "No," I replied, "I'm just trying to do the beginner's schedule." Slightly annoyed at my reasoning, he reminded me that my body probably couldn't keep up with a standard beginner's schedule. I had unique challenges that I needed to take into consideration.
Listening to him, I knew he was right and that some part of my brain was still living in the 'good, old days' pre-accident. This body has been through so much - a dozen fractures, crushed pelvis, a zillion wounds - and I was trying to make it keep to a schedule designed for a body without those challenges.

Then this morning, I was editing/rewriting some things I had written earlier about the potential scare of losing my leg 7 weeks after the accident. After flying home from CA, I went to a doctor in Reading and he didn't think my leg would heal, he was fairly sure it would still need to be amputated. Reading that made me realize again how much I have to be thankful for and that I want to celebrate the walking and running I can do, not complain about what I can't do.

So the sun was bright this afternoon, with temps near 30 so I bundled up and headed outdoors. I feel closest to God when I am outdoors, so I wanted to do whatever workout I could outside rather than on the treadmill today. I went with the mindset that I will do what I can, the best I can - but I will listen to my body with reason. I felt pretty good during my 5 minute warmup walk and I was thinking - cool, I can run 5 minutes at a time. Well, 2 or 3 minutes into the first run, that thinking changed - the fatigued/painful feeling of my legs forced me to reconsider. I decided to run 4 minutes, walk 1 minute. I did that around a local loop that is almost 2 1/2 miles.
It was a doable run - not easy, but also not torture. I am feeling okay now (an hour after the run) but I'm hurting, so I want to do some gentle stretching now and then hit the hot tub, while thanking God for the walking and running I could do today!

Running Indoor or Outdoors

This is where I like to

run this time of year -
inside where it is between
65 and 70 degrees.
I don't mind the heat
and the sweat!
The lights are on and
I can see what I'm doing!

But last night I ran outside - in the dark with temps in the low 20's.
Why did I do that?
Because I ran with this group of women - tough, strong, encouraging women! THEY have the power to get me outside in the dark and cold!

Beautiful Weather!

Today my corner of the world, in southeast Pennsylvania was given a surprise! The sun was bright and beautiful - the temperate was close to 50 degrees (about 45 degrees warmer than the 3 degrees we had on Saturday morning)
I usually don't ran two days in a row and since I had run yesterday - today was just going to be an easy walking day. BUT with the weather so nice - I had to get out there (sorry Doc) I drove to my local state park and did the workout next in line for me on the Runner's World Beginning Runner's Training Program. I ran 3 minutes and walked 1 minute - 7 times in a row. My lower legs and ankles felt okay, but my upper legs and hips hurt! But I kept reminding myself that I'm fortunate to even be walking and that by taking one step at a time, I could do it!
Step by step I was able to finish it - and the end result was a feeling of accomplishment and joy. Plus, there's something about being outside that just fills my soul!

Transcending: Words on Women and Strength by Kelly Corrigan

If you do nothing else today -

watch this!

I did another walk/run workout this morning - it was tough, but I made it. Ran 2 mins - walked 1 min - 8 times

Following a Beginner's Running Schedule

What a difference the correct information can make!

After the miserable run on Monday, part of me was ready to quit this idea of running again - who's great idea was this anyhow?! But there was also part of me that knew I wanted to continue. I also 'sensed' that if I was to continue running, help would come - didn't know what that meant or what it would look like, but just decided to wait and take one day at a time.
So when a friend at the Runner's Club found this Beginning Running Schedule this week, my interest was peaked and I realized that it could help me with both my lungs and my legs.

Here's the schedule for the 1st week - each following week the running time is increased.
Week 1
Mon. Run/Walk - Run 1 min, walk 2 min - Repeat 10 times
Tues. Walk easy 30 mins.
Wed. Run/Walk - Run 1 min, walk 2 min - Repeat 10 times
Thurs. Walk easy 30 mins
Fri. Run/Walk - Run 1 min, walk 2 min - Repeat 10 times
Sat. Run/Walk - Run 1 min, walk 2 min - Repeat 10 times
Sun. Rest

The combination of running/walking is how I began running when I first ran in 1994, but this time for some reason, I thought I could just jump right into running with walking breaks. I would walk to warm up, but then I would try to run continuously without any walking breaks.
I just finished the Friday workout and am thrilled with how well both my lungs and legs cooperated! I'm still playing with how fast my pace should be - today this workout equaled 2 miles. Tomorrow I'm going to try and pick up the pace a little.

So thanks to good information, I will continue putting one foot in front of the other and dream of that April Marathon Relay.

Exercise-induced Asthma

Running for me now (post-accident) involves different issues than it used to, but I found out on Monday night one thing that hasn't changed is the exercise-induced asthma I've dealt with since the day I started running in 1994.
I've been running indoors on my treadmill the past few weeks, but Monday night we had the first running club outside- it was cold (too cold) but there were 8 women ready to run, so we did! We warmed up with a short walk, then started running. Plans were for everyone to run out the road for 1/2 mile, then we'd turn around and each person could choose to run and/or walk back.
Well, that plan fell apart for me 2 minutes into the run - my airways promptly closed up and I could not breathe! I knew from years past, there was nothing I could do but walk until I could breath easier. After a few minutes, I was able to jog for a short time, then I walked again and finished with a feeble jog - I think I jogged just shy of the desired half mile.
Then we went indoors and did some stretching - throughout the stretches, I had 'coughing fits.' I think my lungs finally cleared up about an hour later - ugh! I was disappointed, but thankfully I know from years past that with proper warmups and training, I can still run successfully.

As for the other 7 women - they all did great! Each one ran at least 1/2 mile, with most doing a mile.

Running on Treadmill - pics

Running on treadmill - thinking of the marathon relay ...
(hey, no noticeable leg issues)

Okay, there's scars on the upper legs - but not that bad.
Now, the big question - do I really want to show the lower half?

Yea ... if it wasn't my own, I won't believe it yet.

Determined to run 1/2 mile today ...

Yea - it's tough ...

but what a feeling of accomplishment!

The big question is ... can this body go 4.6 miles by April 4th?

Running Club for Beginners

My friend Linda and I are starting a Running Club for Beginners.
(Linda's really the energy behind this club - I'm thrilled she's pulling the details together and that she has a hot tub at her house :)

When: Monday nights at Linda's house* at 7 PM starting January 12th

Why: Just for the fun of it! and of course all the benefits that come with running

Information will be provided on good reading material, best place to buy running shoes, etc, etc.

We will start out slow doing ½ mile to a mile the first week and add up to ½ mile each week there after. We will end each run with stretching exercises, a few sit ups and the hot tub (depending on the numbers)!

No worries there is no traffic on the roads in her area so it is safe to run at night. She also have a couple extra reflector vests to share.

We will keep it is simple and fun! Join us for something NEW in 2009!

*email me for more info.