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.

Flashback!

January - 1996
My girlfriend Sharon and I enjoyed a few days of vacation
and I ran a half marathon (13.1 miles) in Bermuda.

(as soon as I get a pic - you'll see what these legs look like now and
then you can pray with me that they can run 4.6 miles in April)

Saturday Morning Surprise

I love surprises like this - on a sidewalk in Reading this morning I bumped into one of the docs that helped save my leg in Reading Hospital 4 years ago. It started out as a normal Saturday morning of errands and as I walked out of a store, I looked to my right and coming down the sidewalk was a gentleman with a look of ‘I’ve got places to go and people to see, so don’t get in my way’ all over his face and pace. I started to back up to let him pass in his rush, then instead moved forward and stuck out my hand as I said, “Hello Doctor.” For a second, he looked annoyed at the interruption, but then greeted me with a smile and an out-stretched hand. “Janet, how are you,” he asked. We chatted briefly, with me feeling slightly anxious about holding him up, but loving a chance to reconnect. This doctor was one of the first surgeons I’d saw in PA after coming home from California 6 weeks after my injuries. Though at first, he was concerned that my leg could or would not even heal, he operated on me twice and what he did is what needed to be done to allow my leg to heal.

As he walked away this morning, he called back, “Be careful, don’t do anything dumb in life, I don’t want to see you in the office.” Hearing him say that, I hated to interrupt whatever mission he was on again, but I couldn’t pass this up “On that note, is it dumb to try to run 4 miles on this leg?” I asked. Guess I peaked his interest, because he stopped and waited for me to come over to his car and asked me for details. Hearing my plan, he was optimistic and said, “No, that’s not dumb - but train wisely! Slowly increase your distance and never run two days in a row, always give your leg a break between runs.” I was thrilled as I thanked him profusely for his time and advice!

Garden Spot Marathon - here I come!

New Year Coming

I'm generally reflective at the end of a year - I like to think back over the year and further process some of the pros and cons of it. 2008 was a full year of life for me - joy, laughter, pain and loss. Seeking God through it all has helped me find some beauty - even in the midst of dirt. I’m usually not glad for the dirt, but I’m happy for the beauty I find in it.

I'm looking forward to 2009 with renewed excitement - for the first time in 4 years, I am looking at a new year with no plans for further consultations with doctors and no surgeries planned for the year (gosh, I hope it stays that way!) I wonder if I will go through withdrawal since I must have seen a zillion 'white coats' in the past 4 years. Love those humans - they spend years of their lives learning how to take care of others and everyone I’ve met has done it with a smile (well, there was that one, but I won’t go there)

Since April, on the days my lower body cooperates, I go for a walk - outdoors in friendly weather, otherwise on the treadmill. If I’ve had a tiring day or two of being on my feet, I need to cut out any additional walking for a day or two. Since May, I’ve been throwing in about 2 to 5 minutes of jogging a few times a week. At this time, it’s a great feeling emotionally, but physically, my body does a fair bit of moaning and complaining. I’m constantly trying to determine the seriousness of the ‘noise’ - does it mean I’m pushing too hard or is it just my beat-up body complaining during the process of becoming stronger again?

I will be doing a lot of accessing the next few months as I aim to complete a 4.6 mile portion of a marathon relay on April 4, 2009. I’m excited and scared at I plan out my training schedule - I know slow and steady increases is the ticket, but part of me wants to go hit the treadmill and see if I can pound out 4 miles right now. Don’t think that will happen - as I only run about 1/2 mile at this time in the middle of a 20 or 30 minute walk.

Let the training begin ....

Where's God?

He was just a little boy,
On a week's first day.
Wandering home from Bible school,
And dawdling on the way.
He scuffed his shoes into the grass;
He even found a caterpillar.
He found a fluffy milkweed pod,
And blew out all the 'filler.'
A bird's nest in a tree overhead,
So wisely placed up so high.
Was just another wonder,
That caught his eager eye.
A neighbor watched his zig zag course,
And hailed him from the lawn;
Asked him where he'd been that day
And what was going on. 'I've been to Bible School ,'
He said and turned a piece of sod.
He picked up a wiggly worm replying,
'I've learned a lot about God.'
'M'm very fine way,' the neighbor said,
'for a boy to spend his time.'
'If you'll tell me where God is,
I'll give you a brand new dime.'
Quick as a flash the answer came!
Nor were his accents faint.
'I'll give you a dollar, Mister,
If you can tell me where God ain't.'
- Anon

The Story of a Sign

Interesting - the day after I question whether or not I should write, I see this short Profound Video
about words and the power they can have when chosen correctly.

I need to ponder this today.

To write or not to write

When I was fifteen, I read 'Julie' by Catherine Marshall. I distinctly remember closing the book and purposefully saying to myself "I will be a writer someday!"
Then life got crowded - marriage, three boys, business owner, traveling, caregiver, etc. - writing only happened in my journal.

Then an accident that will forever change my life happened and it seemed like the right time for writing. Physical pain and limitations force me to sit and rest my legs - so a comfortable recliner, a lapdesk and a laptop gave me all I need to write.
Well, that gives me all the 'stuff' needed to write, but I'm finding it doesn't just happen on it's own. I need to discipline myself to make it happen - and right now I'm not doing a good job of that.

So, I'm asking myself - to write or not to write?
Am I a writer? Do I really want to write? Was my comment at 15 just motivated by the good story and the emotions that it produced? Or was that comment a 'purpose' I should make happen? When I am 95, will I wish I had put some muscle behind the idea I was so certain would happen when I was 15?

I think part of pondering this question requires me to put serious energy into writing to help me determine the answer. So, I'm planning new postings for every other day - well, every few days, or maybe once a week - geez, I don't know if and when any new postings will be here.