10 weeks, going strong!

Today marks 10 weeks on my running program. I have only missed one day, the day of the BIG WIND, when we had no electricity and were homebound for 2 days trying to dodge all the flying stuff outside. I feel that I have somewhat of a compulsion to get out there every day, which is good. I have also met another goal, which was to train my wonder-dog, Sunny, to run with me. She does pretty well--I give her about 90% cooperation rate. She still knocks into my feet occasionally, but so far neither of us has gone down.
I am feeling great but the best part is leaving all the guilt behind. It's super hard to get out there day in and day out, but once I do, I have the rest of the day to feel good about taking care of my body and getting in shape. That's much better than going through the day badgering myself over what I should and shouldn't be doing. It's very liberating.
I'm planning on running a couple more 5Ks, and then even trying a 10K, but we'll see how it goes. Right now I'm just feeling good accomplishing 30 min. a day. So, onward and upward!

Still at it. . .I

It's been 6 weeks since I started the Runner's World beginner's running program, and I've done well. I am consistently running 30-40 min. without stopping 4 days a week, and surprisingly really enjoying it. I am also gradually going a little faster. It's something that is becoming important to me. Go figure! I have only missed 1 day in 6 weeks, when the power was out all over town and the wind was blowing up to 102 mph. I was surprised at how bad I felt about missing the day. At least it was a walk day.
This weekend was interesting. Today was another bonus day, with church lasting only through sacrament meeting and all the men in the ward called to change into their work clothes and go clean up the neighborhood. It was kind of a nice break from the regular Sunday routine. The storm was crazy fierce, and the ward members during testimony meeting made it sound like we'd been through the war, when it was really just a taste of what could have been. We were out of power at home for about 36 hours--2 full days and a night. By the second night I had to really concentrate on not whining about the dark, the cold, and the limited number of things to do--how much can one do in candlelight? How those pioneers survived is beyond me. Of course they didn't know anything about the internet and Facebook!
Here we are getting ready for more of the same. I wonder how long we will keep our power. I am hearing already that parts of Farmington and Centerville are already without power, and the wind hasn't even started yet. Anything that was loosened by the wind a few days ago will surely come down this time. We have talked about our emergency plans for our family, charged our phones and flashlights, reviewed where the candles, lighter, and extra blankets are, and feel like we're ready to go at it again.
I can't imagine the boys having a 3rd day off school, but we're waiting to hear. I sure do love having them around. They went out to help with the clean up this afternoon and brought home several loads of wood. They are both growing into amazing young men--I am so proud of each of them and their hard work and accomplishments.
Along with that comes the feelings of missing my daughters every day. They are doing so well and I am so amazed at what they are doing with their lives. I am so grateful for the times I have when they call and let me know what is happening in their lives. It is so important to me to be able to share at least a little in what they're doing. And, of course, there are always the feelings of missing the one who left us so many years ago. Especially, during this time of year, my feelings are so close to the surface. There is absolutely no way to describe it.

Woo hoo! Who woulda thought?

Week 3 was really hard. I went with a friend M, W, F, and have to admit that I was the one who pooped out occasionally. We were supposed to do 4 min. on, 1 min walking on Monday & Wednesday--Monday was fine, Wednesday was pretty good, Friday we did a couple of 3 1/2 & 4s, but also did a couple of 5s. Today I went by myself, and I will readily admit that I picked a route that was mostly downhill--I figure this is the time to just try to do the sets and there's plenty of time and room for more intensity later. But it felt really, really good. I definitely feel better than I did when I started out (less stressed), even though some of it was a little uphill, wind full on in my face, no shoes (jk), and I was able to do 6 min, 10 min, 5 1/2 min, 10 1/2 min! 37 min, only 5 of it walking, 3.2 mi! Yay! I made it all the way down to the 5 Points roundabout. Yes, I think I've gained a small notch on my "slightly cooler mom" status. True, Josh can go faster walking in place, and true, it was barely catching air, but it does give me encouragement for the 5K I signed up for on Thanksgiving Day--maybe I'll actually be able to do it!
I feel good about getting my body in shape and especially feel so blessed for my good health--no knee, ankle or back pain or anything else to hold me back.

Week 2

Week 2 was even better than week 1. I was pretty freaked out about trying to run 2 min, walk 1 min, but it worked out really well. I had a friend with me on Monday & Wednesday, and we went down to Main St., which is pretty level. It was really hard both days but I don't think Wednesday (run 3 min, walk 1) was harder than Monday . Friday and Saturday was run 4 min, walk 1 and while Friday was hard again it certainly wasn't harder than Monday or Wednesday, and today (Saturday) wasn't bad at all. Thursday was probably the hardest day--it was a walk day, but I had to get up early to take care of things with the swim team, had lots of orders to fill, and there I was at 4:30 doing my walk. I was just so worried that if I found an excuse to not do it I would find it easier to find excuses on other days as well.
I have been reading several books on dieting and beginning running programs and they are all a little different. One idea keeps coming up, though, and that is that if you're having a hard time accomplishing a walk/run program it's probably because you're going too fast. I think that one of the big reasons I haven't been successful in the past is that I try to start off running in our neighborhood where you can't go 3 steps on level ground. So I was on my treadmill on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. I did the walk/run at 4.5 mph for the run, and 3 mph for the walk--barely catching air. But I was able to accomplish it! So I am feeling like starting off very slowly will work for me. There is always room to increase intensity later--either go faster or utilize these hilly streets in the area, or both. For now I just feel really good to be working toward a tangible, worthy goal.
Can't wait for the 5K Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving Day!

Week 1--Success!

I finished out week 1 right on schedule! I had some back pain from running 1/4 mi. without stopping on Friday, but pain is gone today and I'm ready for a rest day and the new week. I read Bob Greene's "Get With the Program" and learned some interesting things about emotional eating so that is something to think about. I'm feeling great! I have to say it mostly feels good to have just accomplished the week. Yay!

Keep going. . .

Day 5 and I haven't given up yet! I went to the track today and did a mix of run/walk--mostly about 1 1/2-2 min running and 1 1/2 min. walking. I'm kind of freaked out about bumping up to 2 min. running and 1 min. of walking. I also wonder if it's hard for me because there is so much uphill here by our home. Well, it will all work out! I did get once around the track without stopping today--it took me 3 1/2 min. but at least I know I can do it!