A Marathon, A Celebrity and A Race For The Cure

I should have titled this 'Running is great but it makes me very tired' because that's exactly what my problem is these days. I'm exhausted all the time now. But that's for another post because I'd better get to the topics of this post before I get too tired and save it as a draft, again.

The Omaha Marathon was held on September 26th and I participated as a volunteer while my daughters and their friends were runners. D1 and a few friends ran the 10k while D2 and a few other friends ran the half.

Since I had never been anywhere near a marathon race before, I felt I wanted to experience it from the beginning so I volunteered to stuff the race packets, hand out the packets then help with food prep at the finish line. Of course, I signed up as a volunteer before the girls decided to run in it. But, I did enjoy participating in it on the other side. It made me appreciate the hard work that goes into organizing a marathon and I got to meet a lot of great people.

The morning of the marathon was quite chilly and the excitement about the whole event was awesome. I was with the girls and their friends as they found their way into the crowd at the starting line and watched as the massive line of runners slowley made their way under the banner and down the road. I continued watching as they made their way across the railroad tracks, under the interstate and  disappeared between the buidings going through downtown. I couldn't help but wish I was running with them.

After losing sight of most of the runners, I reported to my post at the food prep section right near the finish line. I cut oranges and bagels for about an hour while keepng my eye out for the first runner to come through. I knew that D1 would be the first of my girls to cross the line since she was running the 10k and I estimated how long it would take her based on her time running the Corporate Cup.

I finally decided it would be best for me to stop cutting up food before I cut off one of my fingers because I couldn't keep my eyes off the finish line. Since I had volunteer credentials, I was able to find a great place to stand just a few feet behind the line and see the runners come around the last turn into the finishing stretch and straight across the finish line.

After what seemed like eternity, but quite close to the time I expected, D1 came around the last turn, down the stretch and across the line where she received her medal from one of the Marine's. Since I'm not a photographer (D1 is) and all I had was her phone camera, I managed to get a great picture of her coming across the line ( I keep forgetting to have her send it to me).

I was able to get D1 into the area where I was and we saw the rest of the group come in that ran the 10k. D2's husband, mother-in-law and 2 yo daughter arrived but couldn't get into the same area, so I took his camera to get a picture of her as she ran across the finish line.

We had estimated when D2 would be coming through and we were quite surprised when she came in a little sooner. It was awesome seeing her and her friend N (one of her boot camp clients) run around the last turn and down the stretch side-by-side. They crossed the finish line toghether, holding hands. I got tears in my eyes watching them. They hugged when they stopped then got their medals. It was both girls first half-marathon! I was afraid I wouldn't get the picture because I was so nervous waiting for her, but the picture was awesome!

                                                                       D2 is the blonde

D2's husband and 2 yo daughter congratulating her

All of the girls did a great job. D1's time was 1 hr and 12 minutes. She took five minutes off her last 10k time two weeks prior! D2's time was 2 hours 9 minutes - awesome for her first half! Her friend N was 1 second behind her.

Now for the celebrity! Jeff Galloway was in town for the Marathon. The Omaha Running Club held a few events for him. I went to a reception at one of the art galleries and talked to him. I told him about running my first 10k, using the run/walk method he advocates, by running 5 min/ walk 1 min. He asked what my pace is and I told him around 13 (yeah, I'm slow). He suggested I do 3/1 to begin then going to 4/1 and finish at 5/1. That way I start out slow and don't get tired in the beginning and will have enough to finish faster. He also spoke at the pasta dinner the night before the race. It was pretty interesting meeting him. He's a nice guy, has some great stories about his running career and great advice.

October 3rd was the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure 5k that I participated in with my girls and their friends. We had the option of purchasing a timing chip or not and we all got the chip. This race was huge! (I thought so anyway). There were around 20,000 people - runners and walkers. It was a see of pink (except for me, I wore red!)

The people with the chips were suppose to line up at the front. And we were just a few rows back from the starting line! I knew I was in trouble. I knew I would have to start out way faster than I wanted or should or I would get trampled.

I thought I was going to lose a lung before I was able to get far enough to the side to safely slow down. I was intending to run with D1 and W (she had the timer as I forgot Little Red) and I was way ahead of them. I had run well over five minutes before I was able to slow down and find them. Then W noticed that she hadn't started the timer! I suggested we walk for a minute then start the timer.

We did 4/1 intervals but I was already tired and was having some difficulty breathing. I had used my inhaler on the way to the race and noticed that it didn't have much in it so I didn't get the full amount of medication.

After a few about a mile and half I told D1 and W to go ahead because I just didn't have it in me. I was really struggling. I just kept doing the run/walk intervals even though I wasn't able to time it. What I did was count the seams in the concrete - I would run and count 20 or 30 seams (depending on how I was feeling) and walk for 10 or 12. I wanted to be sure I ran longer than I walked and that I only walked for very short periods.

Finally, when I was about two blocks from the last turn before the final stretch, as I began running I told myself I wasn't going to stop until I crossed the finish line. When I came around that corner I saw that it was a longer stretch than I had thought. I wasn't sure I would make it but I kept going. I tried to kick it at the end and managed to speed up just a little. All of the girls were waiting for me just beyond the line, standing in single file with their hands up and gave me a high-five as I came through. It was a great feeling!

                                                         J, Me, D1, D2, N, JF, W - after the race

Unfortunatlely, when I stopped running the coughing kicked in something fierce. I could barely breath or talk. I used my inhaler but it was completely empty. I had to just keep coughing and trying to keep myself calm and slow my breathing. At one point I had thought about going over to the medical tent and asking if they had an emergency inhaler but the coughing finally subsided and I did fine.

There was a pink ambulance parked not far from the finish line and some volunteers were handing markers to everyone to sign or write messages to people they know that survived or died from breast cancer. I found a place on the back corner and crouched down to write. When I was finished I turned around to find a camera man filming me. My daughters joked that I was a camera magnet. I didn't see if it made the news because I didn't catch which TV station he was from.

There was a lot of food and give aways. One of the local Medical affiliates gave away tulip bulbs in little pink satiny bags. They're pink tulips. We're suppose to plant them this fall, which I haven't yet so I better get them planted tomorrow!

This running and racing really is addicting! I can't wait to get off work to go run. But, for some reason I'm extremely tired all the time. In fact, I had a tough time pushing myself to run this week. I had a docor appointment on Monday and had some blood drawn for tests. I should find out the results next week. I think my hemoglobin is low again.

Anyway, that's what I've been up to and why I'm not blogging much. I can't stay awake and I'm dying to get to bed now! Good night and happy running!

My 10k Race That Made Me a TV Star!

A week ago I ran The Omaha Corporate Cup 10k. It was my second race and my first 10k. The morning was pretty chilly, we had to wear light jackets and gloves. There were around 4,000 runners. The elite runners got to run an hour before the rest of us. The seeded runners, of course, were in the front, then the regular runners (I'm not sure what we are categorized as) and the walkers at the back. Being in a race is very exciting, whether it's a small crowd or large. My first race was just over one hundred people, very small but the excitement was just as great as this one.

D2 and her friend N are faster runners and, even though they were several rows behind us, passed D1, W and me before we even crossed the starting line, which took us a minute or two to get across due to the large crowd. It's a good thing we had chips on the back of our bibs.

D1, W and I had decided earlier to use the Jeff Galloway method of running - to run/walk from the beginning, not to wait until getting tired before walking. D1 and W had originally thought they would run one mile/walk one mile but I thought that would make us tired too soon, after all, we're new to this running and racing stuff. So we decided to run 5 minutes and walk one minute.

Well, after about a mile or so at that ratio we were getting a bit fatigued and started using 5/2. After a few intervals at that ratio and getting a little rested, we decided to use what Galloway had actually suggested, a 4/1 ratio which worked pretty good for almost the rest of the race.

At one point I used my inhaler even though I had used it about two hours prior to the race. This caused the girls to get a little concerned about me so I had to assure them I was fine, just needed a little boost from the inhaler.

Sometime between the fourth and fifth miles I felt I needed to take an extra minute of walking (which the other two were glad I did as they were feeling it too) but then resumed our 4/1 ratio for about the next mile then we just ignored our timers and ran until we needed to walk but always tried to keep the walking short.

Finally I told the girls to go ahead, that I was just going to go at a slower pace and would be fine. They reluctantly left me and would occasionally look back to see how I was doing. I just kept running some then walking some, always making sure I ran more than walked. The last mile was up hill, not steep but a steady incline.

I lost sight of the girls as they turned the final corner towards the finish line. I wanted to be sure I ran the last half mile and that I came around that corner running. I was so happy after turning the corner because from there it went downhill! I could see D1 and W going across the finish line.

As I was running toward the finish I kept looking around for D2 and the rest of the family but couldn't find them. I picked up my pace a little and just before hitting the finish line I heard my granddaughter shout 'Go Gramma!'. I turned to my left and could see everyone standing at the finish line and I raised my arms in the air as I ran across the finish! I was so happy I had completed the race and I wasn't last!

When I stopped running my legs felt like wet noodles and almost buckled. I started walking toward my family, stumbled and almost fell on my face. D2 came over to me and gave me a high five then gave me a big hug. When I got to the side with the rest of the family I got big hugs from all of them. They said how proud they were of me for funning the race. The grandkids thought I was awesome!

As I was going across the finish I also noticed someone with a camera standing with my family and following me as I crossed and as I was getting high-fived and hugged. When I got to where everyone was standing I noticed it was a reporter. She had been interviewing D2 when she said 'here comes my mom. She has asthma'. Apparently the reporter asked her what made her decide to run this race.

The Corporate Cup is sponsored by the American Lung Association, so when D2 mentioned that I had asthma the reporter zoomed in on me. When I got over to where everyone was standing, and after hugging everyone, I needed to sit so I sat down on the curb and leaned against a light pole. She knelt down in front of me and started asking me questions. One was 'you have asthma and ran in this race. Would you tell other people with asthma and other lung diseases that they could do this too?' I told her yes, that I trained with the Omaha Running Club and ran my first 5k on Labor Day and this is my first 10k. Its hard work, but well worth it!

Then the reporter went back to D2 and asked her why she decided to run this race. D2 told her 'I had been doing a little running for a while but never felt I could run a race, but when my mom, who has asthma, asked me to run a 5k with her, I thought if she could run a race having asthma, than I certainly could run it too'. I felt so proud of her and had tears in my eyes.

Well, my part of the interview was aired on the evening news, but unfortunately they cut out my daughter's interview. I got quite a few positive comments and congratulations from friends and co-workers that saw that clip. Some of the comments were 'You're a TV star'.

There was a time during the race when I questioned my decision to run a 10k having just begun running and only ran one 5k. I felt I might have bit off more than I could chew but I never once felt like quitting. My race time was 1:21:22. I don't remember what my pace was calculated to be. The only thing I really care about is that I did it. As tired as I was when I finished, I felt awesome for the rest of the day.

Finally, my first 5k report

I can't believe it's been almost two weeks since I ran my very first 5k and I haven't even told you all about it! There are a few reasons though, one is my computer still had some problems and another is I'm so tired all the time and don't know if it's due to the running or something else.

Anyway, my first 5k was on Labor Day. I was excited and a bit nervous. I met my daughters at the event. My youngest daughter (D2, the personal trainer) brought 6 of her boot campers and her 11 year old daughter and her friend (they both ran it too). My oldest daughter (D1) brought her sister-in-law (W). We had a nice sized group! I introduced them to several of the women in my running group.

I met up with a friend (F) I met in the training sessions and met her husband and son. Her son participates in Ironman Triathlons. It's really great that he supports her and gives her training tips. She and I had planned to run the 5k together. I teased her telling her when we got close to the finish line I was going to kick it and leave her in the dust. We all got a good laugh at that - she's almost 6 feet tall and I'm five feet! But, we're both slow and can pace each other.

The girls of course ran ahead of me and I ran with F. She and I kept each other paced and motivated. The race was small (about 120 women and kids) and the course was an out and back, so I got to see many of the people from the training group and my daughters and granddaughter as they were on their way back. It was pretty awesome to give the girls high fives as we passed each other! And the words of encouragement from them and the other women made it fun, inspiring and motivating.

Then, when F and I had less than a mile to go I started feeling nauseous and very tired.  F kept talking to me and tried to keep my mind off of how I was feeling. Twice I said I just couldn't keep going and tried to stop but both times she grabbed my arm and pulled me along. I told her she didn't have to worry (as if she ever was) because there was no way I would be able to 'kick it' at the end. At that point I started thinking to myself 'why am I doing this'!

Finally, as we came around the last curve, we could see the people lined up along the trail by the finish line and could hear them yelling for us to run faster. I saw my son-in-law standing with his camera taking pictures and I remember giving him two thumbs up but feeling very tired. F and I just kept our normal pace until one of the guys I knew yelled 'hurry, go faster or the little girl behind you is going to beat you'. I looked back and saw this little eight year old girl and her mom not far behind us.

I don't know how I managed to do it, but I just started sprinting! I yelled and motioned at F to 'hurry, go faster'. I could hear my family and friends yelling 'go, go, go'! Just as I was about to cross the finish line that little girl passed me on my right, her mom was right next to me and F was suddenly on my left. That little girl beat me by one second! Her mom and I crossed at the same time and F was just one second behind me. It was very exciting! Suddenly, I was feeling pumped and couldn't wait to do it again!

It's crazy the adrenaline rush I got after putting my body through the hardest workout it has ever done and wondering why I was doing it. About a week before the race I ran 3 miles in 40 minutes. I ran the 5k in 39:59 - 1/10th of a mile longer and one second faster. The improvement I have made in the past month is amazing!

I'm still helping my sister with the running program that I did. We run together twice a week. I'm also trying to run with my oldest daughter, but her business (she's a photographer) and her husband's long hours make it difficult for her. We've had to bring her three daughters on their bikes. It's not difficult with the two oldest girls because they can ride rings around u, but the 5 yo is still using training wheels and didn't like having to ride so far and being left behind by her sisters.

Tomorrow D1, D2, W and I are running the Corporate Cup 10k. D2 will leave us in the dust of course. D1, W and I have a plan to run it using the Jeff Galloway run/walk program.  At first the plan was to run 1 mile and walk 1 mile. But after thinking about it, that would take us way too long to complete the race if we walked every other mile. So we've decided to change it to run 10 min/walk 1 min or maybe 5/1. I have it all programmed in Little Red so we can make the decision when we get there. I just hope it doesn't rain (it's been raining all day today).

I've been having some leg pain the past several weeks and it has gotten a little worse. The pain actually starts right in the middle of my left buttock and goes down to the middle of the back of the thigh. I also get pain on the outside of my right knee. I'm trying to be sure to stretch well, even used my Yoga for Athletes video. I've taken Ibuprofen which helped but cause very bad heartburn. Today I started using Aleve, just once so far, but it hasn't helped yet. I hope it doesn't hurt tomorrow and that I don't make it worse. If anyone has any tips on how to treat this pain, please let me know.

I've rambled enough for one post and need to get my running gear together for tomorrow. I'll be sure to report on the 10k much sooner than I did for the 5k.

Three Miles, a Sick Computer and a 5k

A few weeks ago my personal computer got infected with a virus. One day I was reading my email and just surfing the net when suddenly I got a pop up Windows Security Alert from a yellow shield that mysteriously appeared in the system tray. It said my computer was infected. Then a bunch of alerts keep popping up giving different warning signs.

Anyway, it took a long time and help from volunteer professionals at bleepingcomputer.com to clean up my computer. I found out it was a rogue security program that got downloaded to my computer somehow.

During this time I used my work laptop to read some of my favorite blogs and even commented on a few. But I really don't like to use it for my personal stuff much so I didn't post anything on my blog. Now that my computer is feeling much better I can try to catch up on the last few weeks.

For week nine of my training the intervals were 9/1, which I managed to do, at least for some of the intervals. That week another runner in the group brought her four month old baby in his stroller. She was struggling to push the stroller up a hill while holding him (because he was fussing) so I stopped to help. She asked if I would push the stroller as I ran. I now have complete admiration for women that run while pushing a stroller! That thing wasn't easy to push empty. It has to be a challenge to push with a baby or larger child in it.

Week 10 is when we began running for 30 minutes without walking. I have to admit I was afraid I wouldn't be able to do it. During the group run, my lungs and legs actually felt pretty good. I noticed that I was running a bit faster than I usually do. Quite a few of the other runners noticed and commented on how much I had improved. But for some reason, when I reached 15 minutes I decided I should stop and walk! I don't know why. I actually felt as though I could have kept going but just stopped.

Another beginning runner (F) was running with me and I noticed she seemed to be struggling and had stopped when I did. She was keeping track of our distance with her Nike Plus and said we had run 3/4 of a mile. We walked for about five minutes then ran another 3/4 mile. By then my legs were feeling pretty tired and I found myself struggling and couldn't keep going. I was a bit upset with myself for stopping when I was feeling good.

I ran once more between weeks 10 and 11 at the lake. I had such a difficult time with my lungs but managed to run for over 16 minutes before walking. After getting home I realized I had forgotten to use my inhaler before going running. No wonder I felt like I couldn't catch my breath!

Week 11, which was last Wednesday, we were scheduled for another 30 minutes non-stop. Since it was the first Wednesday of September, it was potluck night. We gathered at a member's house, got all the great food together, and then took off for our run. I ran with the F from week 10.

This time we were both feeling good. My lungs had never felt better (I remembered to use my inhaler about 40 minutes before the run) and my legs didn't feel tired at all. When I announced that we had less than a minute left before the five minute cool down walk, she said that we had run for 2 1/4 miles and asked if I felt good enough to go an additional 3/4 mile for a total of 3 miles! I just wish we would have thought to run the additional .1 to make it a 5k.

Let me tell you - that last 1/4 mile, we were huffing and puffing but didn't stop. We ran 3 miles without stopping! When we did stop my legs felt like jello. I had a bit of a wobble in my walk for a while as we walked back to the house, but man did I feel great!

I can't believe I ran 3 miles! Compared to most of you, 3 miles isn't much. But I also know that all of you had to start at the beginning. I'm sure you all felt just as elated the first time you ran a significant milestone without stopping. And I'm sure you're all celebrating the success of my milestone with me.

Yesterday I ran at the lake hoping I could run the 3 miles again, but wasn't able to. My right thigh started hurting. The pain ran down my thigh to the outside of the knee. Since tomorrow I run my first 5k, I made sure to take it easy and took a few ibuprofen. Now I'm a little afraid it might start hurting during the run.

Today (my 55th birthday) I picked up my race packet. I'm excited and a bit scared (don't know why) at the same time. No matter what happens or what my time is, even if I come in dead last, I'll be successful just for the fact that I did it!

An Accidental Longer Run and a Run With My Sister

Last Monday I did day 3 of week 7 of my training program, three intervals of 7/3. I walked up to the lake and headed straight across the dam. Halfway across Little Red (garmin) notified me it was time to start running the first interval. I was feeling good, my breathing was really good and I managed to keep my mind on things other than the run.

Well, at a certain area around the lake I started thinking that Little Red (LR) should have notified me by now that it's time for the three minute walk or will be very soon. I'm starting to get a bit tired; my legs feel like they need a break and my breathing is getting a bit labored.

When I run, I don't like to look to see how much time I have left. It makes me feel like 'I still have so-and-so many minutes to go and I don't think I can make it'. It’s psychological, I know, but it makes it harder for me to motivate myself to keep going. I like feeling surprised when I hear the beeps telling me the running part is over and I can walk.

Anyway, I quickly glanced at LR and noticed 20 seconds. Yes! I can hang in there for 20 more seconds. But, no beeps come from LR. By now I'm at an area of the trail that I know for sure takes me longer than 7 minutes to run to so I take a good look at the time and saw 5:47! I stopped running and stopped the timer.

I didn't know what happened. Did the timer stop for a while and suddenly start again? Did I not hear the beeps telling me to walk then run again? Did I select one of the longer workouts by mistake? I was pretty tired by then and needed a walk break so I made a mental note of where I stopped, did a short walk further along the trail and back to the stopping point and started the timer again. At the end of the 5:47 time I heard LR beep indicating the 3 minute walk. Man, was I happy for that walk. I did the last interval without any glitches and went back home to upload the data into the Garmin Training Center.

After analyzing the data from that run I noticed that I had run for almost 13 minutes without stopping! That's huge for me. I felt amazed and pretty good about myself.

What I think happened is that I didn't hear the beeps because I wore a sweat band under the garmin. I had read on a blog that some people do that because it always gets so sweaty under the garmin and the moisture seeps into the holes on the bottom of the device and causes corrosion. So, until I find a thinner sweat band that won't muffle the beeping sounds, I won't be wearing anything under LR.

On Wednesday with the running group we began the 8/1 intervals. Unfortunately, the temperature was 98 degrees with a heat index around 112 at 6:00 P.M! It was decided that we wouldn't run, so we walked the 5k distance. It was so hot!

Yesterday, I got out to run at 10:00 A.M but the temp was already in the mid 80's. The first interval actually went pretty good. But, during the second interval I just didn't have it in me. I stopped within the first two minutes and walked for a minute then tried running again but just couldn't do it. I walked the rest of the time then just went back home.

Now to my sister. She's four years older than me and we're both 5 foot nothing. I weigh 114 lbs, but she has battled her weight for years and is dangerously overweight. She heard about me running and commented that she would like to learn to run.

So, this morning she and I began the training program starting with week one - run 1 minute/walk 4 minutes doing 6 intervals for a total of 30 minutes. Of course, the more intervals we did, the more difficult it felt for her but she did great. She did better than I did when I first started! I'm so excited to help her get physically active and improve her health. And I'm so proud of her for recognizing that she needs to do it and taking that first step on her own.
Something I noticed about myself during today’s run with my sister is that I barely broke a sweat! I probably wouldn't have if it hadn't been almost 70 degrees. It was a great confirmation that my fitness ability and lung capacity are indeed improving. And I've noticed a change in the definition of my calves and thighs as well.
This running stuff is hard work - but well worth the effort!

Running Improvement and Need a Road ID Bracelet

I'm still participating in the training program through the running club on Wednesday evenings and doing pretty good. I struggled some in weeks 4 (run 4/walk 1) and 5 (5/1). I'm not sure if it was the heat (it's been in the upper 80's & lower 90's) or if it was because my legs weren't feeling strong enough. In fact, I noticed that the first couple of intervals I would struggle with my breathing, but then my lungs would feel like they opened up making it easier to breathe, but my legs would feel like they didn't have the strength to keep going.

On week 6 day 1, I did great! I didn't have to walk at all during the 6 minute run intervals and I felt pretty good about myself. The second day of week 6 I ran at the lake in the middle of the day (not smart!) in 80 something degrees. I was actually done pretty well until the last interval. I was feeling pretty tired and was running up a hill that was steeper than I was used to and I hadn't run in that area before. I kept saying to myself 'you can do it, you can do it', when suddenly I just stopped! It surprised me. It was as if someone had put their hand on my chest and held me back. I walked for several minutes and tried to run more but just didn't have it in me to do it. I didn't even attempt to run day 3.

Last Wednesday was day 1 of week 7 (7/3). We did our training at one of the member's home and had a potluck. She lives in an awesome area that is hilly and a big wooded area. We actually did part of our run on trails through the woods. It was my first experience at trail running. I have to admit that ALL of the hills were VERY steep so some of us didn't run up most of them. It was a great workout but I didn't get the full 7 minutes of running because it was so hilly and I'm not at that level yet.

But this morning (I got smarter and went earlier when it was just 74 degrees) I did day 2 at the lake and ran each interval without stopping! My last interval was on the hill that I had stopped so suddenly last week. I think I've got that hill licked. Now I can't wait to run day 3!

Next Wednesday begins week 8 (8/2) and I feel pretty confident I can do it.

I never thought I'd see the day that I would be able to run 7 minutes without stopping. I know it doesn’t sound like much to most of you but to a person that has never been athletic or run since childhood, with asthma to boot, running for 7 minutes straight is a huge accomplishment!

During week 5 I developed bronchitis - again. Because I've started running, it aggravates my lungs and will continue to do so for quite a while. So my doctor gave me a steroid shot and I'm just about finished with my second round of antibiotics in a month. I don't want the bronchitis to get worse and develop into pneumonia again.

When I run I wear a SPIbelt to hold my cell phone, identification and inhaler. I was always planning to get one of those Road ID bracelets but haven't yet. So, in the meantime what I did was made a copy of my driver’s license and carried it, folded, in my SPIbelt. Well, a few weeks ago as I was doing my cool down walk, my phone rang. I pulled it out of the belt but didn't zip it back up. I walked home while talking to my friend on the phone.

Once I got home I took off my shoes, removed the belt and took everything out of it as I usually do. But, the copy of my driver’s license wasn't there. I realized I must have lost it when pulling my phone out of the belt or it fell out because I didn't zip it back up. I hastily slipped on a pair of flip flops and headed out the door to retrace my steps searching the ground along the way for a piece of paper the size of a driver’s license that was folded in quarters.

Now, I always take a short cut to the lake, which these days is becoming overgrown with weeds. Imagine trying to find a postage stamp in weeds that are knee high while wearing flip flops. I climbed the hill to the dike, crossed the dike and got half way around the lake to the area where I pulled my phone out of my belt. There it was. Someone had picked it up then ripped it into a hundred little pieces. I got on my hands and knees and picked up every little piece of paper I could see. When I got home I put it back together just to be sure I had gotten at least all of the pieces that might have my information on it. I got every piece of that paper!

It was so important to me to find that paper because several years ago someone had gotten hold of my checking account number and drivers license and wrote checks against my account. I didn't want that to happen again.

This is why I MUST get one of those Road ID bracelets.

Making Habits is Difficult

"We first make our habits, and then our habits make us." 

          - John Dryden

I haven't blogged for a few weeks because I really haven't had much to blog about and because I was putting in a lot of hours working. I have been participating in the training program I mentioned in my last post and it's been great. However, for some reason, maybe because I was working so much, or maybe I'm just a slug (to be honest, I'm sure it's both,) I didn't run at all in between the training days.

I did pretty good though during those training sessions. But, they did start out running one minute and walking four and each week adds a minute of running and decreases the minutes of walking. Last week the intervals were three/two, it was hot and I was having a little bit of difficulty with the breathing part at first but still completed the training.

Once a month the women's running group gets together for a run and pot luck dinner at a member’s house. Last week we did our training group at one of the member’s house that lives at a lake, so we ran around the lake and afterwards ate great food, drank wine and had great conversations. I didn't drink any wine, I felt like I needed to stick to just water. It was a great time.

I had the workouts set up on my Garmin, so I had to announce to everyone when to run and when to walk. I also scheduled the workouts for Wednesday (training with the group), Friday and Monday. I know I have to run throughout the week if I want to be able to keep up with the group and run the 5k on September 6th.

However, I didn't run Friday. I left work early feeling sick, almost like bronchitis was starting up again. I got home and slept and took it easy all night. So, I did my run this evening. I feel so much better. It was tiring and a bit warm (it was 86 degrees) but there was a nice breeze as I ran and walked around the lake.

Next Wednesday, the training intervals are run for four minutes, walk one. I've never been able to run longer than 'almost' four minutes. I'm a little concerned about being able to do it. I know that I have to run more between the training sessions. I know that I have to make it a habit, and so far, I haven't been able to do that. I don't know why.

I came across the quote above just a few minutes before writing this blog and it really hit home. I must make running a habit if I'm going to succeed at running the 5K in September, if I'm going to succeed at being a runner.

I really want to succeed.

Get Back on Track

It's been about three weeks since my last post. I haven't run or even attempted to run or do any type of exercise, unless you count mowing my grass yesterday (after a week and a half) as exercise. I even cheated on that; I bought a new self-propelled mower so that was pretty easy.

I'm not sure why, but after being out of town for three days for my brother-in-law's funeral then immediately flying to Orlando for a work conference for another five days, I felt totally exhausted. The evening I got back I was in bed by 6:00 P.M., just an hour after walking through my door. The next three days were pretty much the same, in bed very early. I didn't even have the motivation to read my favorite blogs.

This past week was different; I didn't get home until after 8:00 every night. Work has been very hectic and stressful. I'm not liking my job much right now. I haven't been able to take much time off for the past year and it's getting to me. Getting time off for the funeral was difficult.

Anyway, I haven't been able to run with the running group for the last three Wednesdays. That was a real bummer because it was really getting me motivated to run more. So, once again, I've slipped back into my couch potato life - but only temporarily.

This morning I planned to get out early and walk for a few miles but Mother Nature had other plans. It rained all day. I know I could have jumped on the treadmill but decided to get caught up on reading blogs. I'm glad I did. Reading about everyone's running and racing has helped give me a nice little kick in the butt.

The rain has stopped and it looks like the dark clouds are moving out so I'm going to put my painted toes into my running shoes and get out at least for a walk. Heck, I'm feeling better already, I may just break out into a slow run!

Oh yeah, my running group is starting a Step Into Running training program for women and children this Wednesday and I'm definitely participating in it. It lasts for 11 weeks and helps to prepare the participants to run the Go Girl Run 5K on Labor Day. That will be my first 5K!

The motivation is coming back!

I Have a Heavy Heart

My brother-in-law, whom I have known since I was about 9, lost his battle with lung cancer on Saturday. He put up a brave front and fought a good fight, but his body grew weary and weak from the chemo and radiation. My sister wasn’t ready to let him go and is having a very difficult time.

He and my sister had been together since they were about 15 years old. Our families became close friends. They moved with his family to another state and eventually my family moved to the same city and state (except for me and another sister, we were both married by then).

He was a great guy (a bit annoying at times when I was a teenager) and a great husband and father to their three kids. He wasn’t the most ambitious man but spent a lot of time with his family. He especially loved to fish, putz around on their son’s farm and play with his grandkids.

Last March we had a gigantic family reunion/birthday party for him. He has a large family and mine is too, so we had a lot of people there. We all knew he wouldn’t live through the summer so it was really a celebration of his life. My daughter, the photographer, took lots of pictures for us.

At his request there won’t be a viewing before the service. He wanted to be cremated and have a small service where everyone is to wear their most comfy jeans and t-shirts. A bonfire will be lit at their son’s farm that evening in his memory.

I’m trying to get some priority projects at work up to a point for others to take over so I can leave tomorrow to be with my family. The problem for me is the service isn’t until Friday but I have to be back in town to catch a plane on Saturday morning to go to a conference. I won’t be able to attend the service or bonfire and feel a little bummed about it.

So this is my tribute to Johnny - a simple man who enjoyed the simple pleasures in life leaving this world his way … simply.

The Versatile Blogger Award

Wow! I’ve received my first blogger award – The Versatile Blogger! I’d like to thank my manager, my agent, my producer – but I especially want to thank AJH at Age Groups Rock for bestowing this award on me.

My first thought was “how on earth am I going to think of seven tidbits about myself that would be of interest to all of you”. Then I realized they don’t have to be profound, or intense or even humorous. They just have to be – me.

Seven things about me:

1.  I went to Jamaica for eight days a few years ago for my daughter’s wedding. I actually came home with a tan! I’m fair skinned, so I always burn. I loved Jamaica!

2.  I love hiking. Last Sunday I went on a two hour hike with one of the local hiking groups in my town. The trail we took is listed as difficult. It had a lot of steep hills and a lot of ticks. The temperature was 85 degrees. The heat and hike pretty much wiped me out for the rest of the day.

3.  I bought my grandson all of the Harry Potter books and videos. I have to confess, I bought myself a set too. I really enjoyed that series.

4.  I love music from the 1940’s (Dean Martin, Glenn Miller and his orchestra) up through current(Nickelback, Lady GaGa). I frequently switch between radio stations when I’m in my car.

5.  I took ballroom, country and swing dance lessons many years ago. And I’m still looking for a guy that can dance!

6.  I bought my first house a year ago at the age of 53. I did own a house with my ex, but we’ve been divorced for almost thirty years, so I’m considered a first time home owner.

7.  I love sitting on my deck in the evening as it gets dark, listening to the different bird sounds, the hum of traffic in the distance and the water flowing in the creek behind my house while the insects dive-bomb my computer screen (which is what they’re doing right now) .


I’m suppose to present this award to other new (or not so new) bloggers. But, since I’m pretty new myself and so far most, if not all, of the bloggers I follow have been blogging for quite a while and already have this award, I don’t know who to pass it on to.

Now for my running update since my last run with the running group. Here’s a brief synopsis of my week – I ran some, hiked once, mowed a few times (hard work!) and worked lots.

Wednesday night I ran with the group again and once more I had a great time. This time I brought Little Red (my Garmin) with me so I was the time keeper. The only problem was I had the workout set up for a total of 30 minutes but we weren’t back at the starting point by then so I just hit the lap counter and went for another 10 minutes for a total of almost four miles. We’re the newby slow runners, so it definitely takes us longer to go out and back, but everyone waits for us to return and we just hang around and chat for a while. It’s a really great time.

Have a great Memorial Day weekend everyone!

A Slight Set-back, Bifocal Contacts and ... A Running Group!

In my last post I told you I had set up a running schedule beginning that day (Sunday). I did run that day and on Monday I decided I needed to get more exercise, not just by running so I did level 1 of the 30 Day Shred (Jillian Michaels). On Tuesday I could tell I was headed for another bout of bronchitis so I was put on another round of antibiotics and had to put my training schedule on hold. Luckily, I caught it early and am feeling much better. However, I just couldn’t get myself motivated to start up again.

But, last Thursday I received an email from a female member of the local running group. I had joined the group last January and decided to watch a 5k race a few weeks later. Since I was so new to running, I didn’t participate in any events or even watch any more races.

There are several groups of members that get together on various days of the week to just run. One of the groups is strictly for women. They meet on the first Wednesday of the month at a member’s house for a 30 minute run and pot luck dinner. They alternate hosting the pot luck each month between the members. I never attended because I knew I couldn’t run for a full 30 minutes yet or even run as fast as they can. They also meet at a particular trail all the other Wednesdays to just run. Another new female member, also a newbie runner, was looking for other newbies to run with on the Wednesday trail run. I had totally forgotten about that women’s group until I received that email. I got so excited and replied back that I would love to join the group at the trail and run with her. Several other women, also new to running, responded as well. I couldn’t wait for my working day to end today. I left work at 5:00 instead of working late as I usually do.

There were four of us new runners and ten or twelve other women that run at various paces. Some ran five miles (2.5 out and 2.5 back); some ran 2.5 miles (out and back for a total of 2.5). We newbies ran 3 miles (1.5 out, 1.5 back). Of course, we did the walk/run intervals.

The woman that sent out the email also brought her 29 year daughter who is a runner. She was great! She wanted to run with her mom so she timed our walk/runs. After a five minute warm up walk, we ran for three minutes/walked one minute. Then we ran one/walked one. The rest of the intervals were run 2/walk 1. I had a few tough moments where I felt like stopping and just walking, but I thought about all of you, how you push yourselves to not quite by using self-talk. So, I just told myself I could do it, if I keep going this time, the next time will be just a bit easier. Afterward I felt great! The weather was really nice. There was a nice coolish breeze that felt so good during our cool down.

I had an awesome time. It was great having someone to run with and can’t wait for next Wednesday’s group run. I feel more motivated to continue my running schedule in between Wednesdays. I’m sure I’ll notice some improvement, however small, by next week.

Oh yeah, I ditched my bifocal glasses for bifocal contacts. I couldn’t understand how contacts could be bifocal and was a bit apprehensive, but I’m so glad I did it. I hate wearing glasses and the contacts work great.

Happy running everyone!

Happy Mother's Day and Goal Setting

Happy Mother's Day to all of the Moms out in the running blogsphere. I hope you all had a nice day. I had a nice Mother's Day weekend. Yesterday my two daughters and I got a spa pedicure while drinking a white chocolate something-or-other with soy from Scooters Coffeehouse. It was a bit decadent and very good. Today D2 and her family took me to brunch. We went to Le Peep Restaurant. It was packed! They told us we would have a 20 minute wait. After waiting for 40 minutes, I inquired whether they still had our name on their list. They said it would be another 10 minutes. We were seated after waiting (and mostly standing) for 75 minutes! We knew it would actually be longer than 20 minutes, but not 75! And they were still packed with people waiting to be seated when we left.

Well, I have finally set up a running schedule to complete the C25K training program that I started a few months ago. For one reason or another (or no reason at all) I never went further than completing week two before just stopping. Yesterday, I hooked up my Garmin to my computer and scheduled each run on the Training Center software that came with it. I was surprised at how easy it was to set up the training program and download it to my Garmin.

I set up the Training Center to begin with Week 3 Day 1 beginning today and continuing every other day. I know it seems a bit ambitious (for me) but I have a goal to run a 5k sometime around late July or early August. I want to have completed the C25K program and have about a month to build up my endurance and distance. The program trains you to run for time (30 minutes) not distance and I’m not sure that I’ll be running a 5k distance when I complete it.

Today I ran Week 3 Day 1 om the treadmill and feel I did pretty well. The only problem was the Garmin kept beeping at me to go faster, even during the warm up. I kept increasing the speed hoping the beeping would stop (it was quite annoying) until I felt a straining feeling in my right leg. I decided to back off the speed and just tolerate the beeping. I need to figure out if the target speed for each pace zone can be adjusted.

I found a race that I would like to run but it’s being held on July 10th and I’m not sure I’ll be ready by then. I have until Jun 30th to register so I should know by then how I feel I’m progressing. I also asked my daughters to run a 5k with me. They were a bit surprised I’m interested in racing but were very supportive and happy to join me on my first race. I feel more excited and motivated to run now!

Congratulations to everyone that raced today. Especially Anne (Asthma and The Gift of Running)! She ran her first race today – a 10k! She’s such an inspiration!

A Very Good Weekend and Renewed Outlook

This has been a pretty good weekend for me. I didn't work (shh, don't tell anyone) or wallow alone at home in a funk. I got myself outside in the sunshine and fresh air. I even got some exercise.

About mid-morning Saturday I decided it was time to dig up the five bushes that line my walkway. If you want to experience some hard physical work or get out some pent up aggression, just try chopping at the roots of some thorny bushes! I managed to get at least one yanked from its stronghold under my sidewalk and at least got the dirt dug out around the rest before having to leave for a few hours. Thankfully, daughter #2 (D2) and son-in-law decided to surprise me and pulled the rest out with their old jeep while I was gone.

Midway through the bushwhacking, daughter #1 (D1) needed a big favor. She had an unexpected photo shoot and needed someone to watch her two youngest daughters and take one of them to her softball game. So, I put away the shovel and spade, got semi cleaned up and took them to lunch and then to the softball game. It was fun watching 7 & 8 year old girls play softball. It was also fun racing the younger one to the car and back to the ball field.

After getting back home and seeing that the rest of the bushes had been yanked out, I decided to head out to the state park where D1 and her family had been camping since Thursday. Now, in case you're confused about D1, she has this really bad habit of trying to do too many things at once. She knew her daughters had games on Saturday but took them camping anyway since the campground is only 30 miles away from where we live. But, she got a call on Saturday about a last minute photo shoot from a current client and felt she couldn't/shouldn't pass it up. In the meantime, her husband and oldest daughter stayed with the camper.

Anyway, D2 and her family went out to the camp ground for a cook out and I decided, after a much needed shower, to venture out there myself. I grabbed my running shoes and Garmin, made a quick stop at the store and surprised everyone. Before dinner, I got the granddaughters to run with me. We just did 1 minute intervals, walk 1/run 1. The girls loved running with me as much as I loved running with them. We only did about six of these, but it felt great. I felt so refreshed! I just couldn't believe it. I contemplated doing another round of intervals, but it got too dark and late and I needed to head home.

Today I still felt great. A bit sore, but great. After reading some of the blogs that I follow, I ran some errands, did some shopping and met a friend for a movie late this afternoon. She had been wanting to get together for a movie for a few months, but for one reason or another, I kept backing out. But today I decided to heck with everything else (work, laundry, cleaning) and had a really nice time.

About a week ago, I came across a quote on another blog that really hit home with me so I wrote it down. I believe this woman had heard it from someone else. I can't remember the name of the blog off hand, but when I do, I'll definitely give her the credit for the quote. The quote is - "You have to let go of the life you have to make room for the life you want". The life I want is more calm in my life, good health, closer relationships with family and friends and more positive life experiences. But, if I'm to achieve the life I want, I have to let go of the stresses of work, open myself up more to others and let them get to know me, do what it takes to get and stay healthy and set goals to help me accomplish all of this.

I have made a pact with myself that, unlike last summer, I will not let work interfere with my ability to enjoy this summer. I will get out of the house more, meet with friends more, go to more of my granddaughter's softball games, hike more, and RUN MORE.

Who knew that running for six minutes could have such an impact on a person's outlook! It's time to get back in the saddle, in this case the running shoes, again.

A Non-Update Update

I really don't have anything to update because I haven't run since my last post. I've had some issues, not much health wise, but more work wise. Work has been stressful, causing some anxiety for me. It has kind of drained me and I found myself in a bit of a funk. I know that exercise, running in particular, can help with that, but the motivation just hasn't been there. I've felt so tired that some nights I have actually crawled into bed before it even got dark. It's pretty bad when I stay home from work sick but I spent almost the entire day working! The only time I wasn't working that day was the few hours I was at the doctor's office.

One positive thing that's happened is that I started the allergy shots. I go twice a week on my lunch break. I'll have to do this for at least ten weeks then once a week for several months. I've only had two injections, but so far so good.

Even though I haven't felt like posting or running, I've been trying to keep up with all of the bloggers that I follow. If someone mentions another blog, I go check it out too. There are a lot of friendly, knowledgeable people out here in blog land. Some of them make me laugh, others make me cry, but all are inspirational. I just wish I lived closer to some of you; it would be easier to stay motivated, or at least to get back on track. It seems there aren't many bloggers from Nebraska.

Anyway, here's hoping I get out of this funk soon and find my motivation again.

Just a few questions, if you don't mind

I've spent the last several months reading everyone’s great running blogs about your awesome races and intense training programs, looking at the fantastic pictures a lot of you have posted, and even started a running program (for new runners) myself.

Through your blogs and other running sites I learned the importance of having the right kind of running shoes for my feet and gait (which I bought last fall), found some good references and resources for great running socks, the best type of material for running clothes (even cute running skirts), and read a lot of very valuable reviews and opinions on which Garmin was the best (I just bought the 305 and love it).

 However, the more I run the more questions I have about some things related to running. A few of these things are:

• What do you use to keep things in, such as cell phone, personal identification, insurance card, tissues, and car key?
• If you carry water with you, how do you carry it?
• How do you keep your hair out of your face – you know, after pulling it back into a pony tail and putting a few bobby pins along the sides, there are always those around the face or on top that escape and get right in your eyes.
• If running alone, do you carry anything like mace for protection?
• How do you manage to take pictures of yourself when out running and how do you carry a camera.

These questions always cross my mind as I get ready to head out the door for a run so I thought I would just ask all you experts out here in blog land. I hope you don't think I'm a complete dork for asking such trivial questions.

Now for my running report ;-)

Last Sunday I had entered an interval training program for Week 2 in my Garmin and loved how easy it was to do the intervals and not have to keep track on my watch or wear my MP3 to listen to the program that gives the cues.

Tonight I was all excited to get home from work, head out the door and just hit the start button to begin the intervals. Well, I had forgotten that I was to begin W3D1 of my training tonight and the intervals are different from week 2. I quickly programmed in the correct intervals and headed up the street to the trails at the lake. I had programmed the target speed for a Slow Jog, but it kept beeping at me, displaying that I was going at the speed of a Fast Walk! So I increased my speed until I was doing an actual slow jog. This weeks intervals are suppose to be 90 second run/90 second walk, then a three minute run/three minute walk, two repetitions of each. After the first 90 second run I noticed I had forgotten to enter in the walks between the runs. Bummer! Oh well, I decided to just repeat W2D3 so I would still get the training in.

It was a perfect evening to be out running. Even though it was quite windy, I worked up a nice sweat and I felt great. The best part is my lungs felt really good, no chest tightness at all. Taking up running is proving to be the best thing I could do for myself.

It’s True, Running Makes You Feel Better

This morning I was in a bit of a funk, one that carried over from last week and I did a rambling post about it. Well, shortly after that last post, I decided I needed to get myself out of the house, do a little bit of shopping (in my running attire) for a few items that I need for running (which I didn’t find), get out into the sunshine amongst people, and finish off week two of the running program I’ve been half-heartedly doing. I also needed to test out my new toy/running mate.

I got myself a Garmin 305! I originally looked at the 405, but decided I couldn’t quite afford another two hundred dollars for it (I’m still paying doctor bills from having pneumonia in February). I’m so glad I bought it. I just programmed in the interval training for W2D3 (run 90 seconds/walk 2 minutes x 6) and off I went. Now I don’t have to listen to the training podcast on my MP3 player to cue me when to run and walk. I really don’t like wearing headphones, I like to hear what’s going on around me. I love the sounds of being outside, hearing people talking, the trees rustling with the breeze, and especially the birds chirping. Besides, I can’t hear people announce when they’re passing me on the trail and I literally jump when they suddenly appear in my peripheral view.

The Garmin was actually delivered last week on a day that I was feeling really tired and I did something stupid that night. I turned it on to check it out but I was just too tired to focus on it. I put it on the coffee table and went to bed. The next morning, as I was getting ready for work, I heard a funny beeping noise. I realized the source of the beeping was the Garmin. I forgot to turn it off and the battery was low. It has a battery life of 10 hours and had been on for nine! I’m much more careful with it now and keep it on the charger all the time.

Anyway, the run was great! It was around 70 degrees, very sunny with a slight breeze. Today I went to Lake Zorinsky since I was out that way shopping. The run was challenging because of the small inclines, but not too much. I just kept concentrating on my breathing and, on the last run interval, challenged myself just a little to run a little faster. Afterwards, I felt tired and was breathing hard, but didn’t feel the need to stop and catch my breath.

Windsurfers on the lake

After completing my run, I continued walking for a while and did some people watching. I saw a young couple walking what looked like a small grizzly bear (that’s exactly what the guy said when I asked what kind of dog it was). The young woman holding its leash said it was a Newfoundland. I found an old tree log along the lake shore where I sat and watched some guys windsurfing on the lake and other people running and biking on the trails. It was a very busy place. I felt great and was in a much better mood.

Yep, running can improve your mood and is a great stress reliever. I need to keep that in mind the next time I feel the blahs coming on.

Sunday Morning Ramblings

This morning I've just been sitting here at my computer reading email and blogs, just feeling kind of blah. This past week, for some reason, I haven't felt very motivated to do much. I've actually felt pretty exhausted and I'm not sure why. It could be from a medication (not for asthma) that I'm on. I have to monitor it because too much makes me extremely tired, but too little and I get a bit agitated and toss and turn all night. It can also be due to work. Things have been a bit stressful at work for several reasons. One being the economy affects the industry I work in, another is that we're in the middle of implementing a new information system and this is a crucial time of year for us. We're currently working in two systems, the old and new. I'm a programmer, which means I'm programming in both systems and we're flying by the seat of our pants learning the new one. Plus, the demands from the top administrators for statistic reports from both systems have been relentless this past week. There were a few nights that I either stayed up late working and getting up early and days where I could barely stay awake at work, even had difficulty driving home because I was so tired, and crawled into bed by 8:00. Hopefully, this week will be better.

Last Saturday, the day before Easter, I ran W2D1 of my running program at the lake again. I think it was my third time running outside and it was a bit easier this time. I kept focused on the music and on my breathing. Because I have asthma (exercised and allergy induced), I've been reading about breathing techniques. A good book I found is Reversing Asthma by Richard N. Firshein, D.O. After reading that book and several articles online, I discovered that I don't breathe from the abdomen, I breathe from the chest, which is not an effective way of breathing. Anyway, to make a long story short, I've learned some breathing techniques that have helped me breathe and feel better. I've been using some of the techniques while running and they have helped. I make sure I breathe deep from the abdomen and fully exhale. And, since I'm concentrating on breathing, the runs are easier and go faster.

I didn't run again until Thursday. I did W2D2 on the treadmill. It was drizzly outside and I was feeling blah and tired. I didn't feel motivated to run, but somehow, I managed to talk myself into putting my shoes on and just do it. I did feel much better afterward, so I started up my work laptop and worked until 11:30. So far this weekend I haven't done any kind of exercising, unless you count going to my granddaughters fifth birthday party yesterday at the bowling alley and helping six four and five year olds bowl. Today my legs sure feel like I've done a lot of squats.

I think one reason I have a difficult time staying motivated is because I'm doing this all by myself. I know that it's really up to us to push ourselves to do things, but it sure helps if you have supportive people in your life. As I read other blogs, I notice that everyone has at least one person to talk to and share their goals with. I don't really have that. Sure, I have two grown daughters that you would think I could share with and get support from, but they're both so wrapped up in their own lives (husband, kids) and working hard on establishing their careers (one is a photographer and co-owner of a car repair shop and the other is a personal trainer at the YMCA and has her own personal training business) that they don't have time to fit in anything else. In fact, I help them out if they need it. As far as friends go, I don't have any close friendships and presently no significant other. I guess all I do is work. Hmmm, I really need to get a social life. But, at this age, it's more difficult than you think.

Anyway, those are my thoughts so far today. I think I’ll make myself a Sunday To Do list and put W2D3 at the top.

Running Outside For the First Time

Monday’s weather was absolutely gorgeous and I couldn’t wait to leave work so I could go running outside for the first time. I had been reading on different blogs and running forums that the transition from running on a treadmill to running outside was, for quite a few new runners, unexpectedly difficult. One person said something about the treadmill doing most of the work by moving under our feet, making it easier to run, and running outside we have to do the work of trying to move the earth under our feet. Well, I found out just what he meant!

I ran W1D3 outside in my neighborhood, on the flat concrete sidewalk, and was very surprised at how difficult it was for me. Running on the treadmill felt pretty good and fairly easy. I definitely had a false sense of how well I was doing. I thought I should probably run that particular day of training again on Wednesday.

While running, I listen to a training podcast that a young woman (Suz) created using hip hop music. I couldn’t wait for her cue telling me it was time to walk, and I actually groaned when I was cued to begin running again. I’m sure I went at quite a slower pace than I had been doing on the treadmill (which is pretty slow). This workout definitely made me huff and puff.

After I had completed all eight of the walk/run intervals and the five minute cool down, I walked an extra 10 minutes just to enjoy being outside in the sun and the slightly cool breeze. I did feel it was a good work out, and my lungs felt pretty good after (not immediately after!).

Wednesday, surprisingly, I wasn’t feeling very sore from Monday’s tough run and decided to run W2D1 around the lake by my house. I did the five minute warm-up walking to the lake from home. The trail (concrete walk) I chose to run on had some slightly hilly parts that I had forgotten about and were possibly the equivalent of an incline of three on the treadmill.

I tried not to think about the hills by focusing on the music I was listening to. Half way through the intervals, when a particular song came on, I realized I was running to the training session for W1D3 again! I guess my sub-conscious decided I needed to repeat it after all.

Friday (or possibly Saturday) I’ll really start Week Two of my training.

Its 52 Degrees, The Sun is Out and So Are The Hunks!

I’m feeling much better today, the sniffles have all but disappeared and so has the coughing. I knew the weather was supposed to be partly cloudy with a high around 55, but as the clouds disappeared and the sun climbed higher in the beautiful blue sky, I got really antsy to get outside.

My plan was to wait until the temperature hit 50 and for the wind to die down a little. But, as soon as the weather service on my computer displayed the temp at 45 and I felt the warmth of the sun come through my window, I couldn’t get my running shoes and jacket on fast enough. I just couldn’t stand being cooped up in the house one more minute and headed up the street to the trails at the lake for a nice brisk walk and maybe a few short running jaunts.

It was fantastic being outside and fee in the sun on my face! The wind was a bit brisk and I could feel it through my fleece jacket, especially walking across the damn, but I soon worked up a bit of a sweat and had to unzip my jacket some.

There were men and their sons sitting along the bank of the lake with their fishing poles and gear, some were out on the water in their small fishing boats. There were moms and dads with their young children on bikes with training wheels wearing their pink and purple helmets. There were couples riding bikes together, and couples doing some easy runs together. But my favorite was the gorgeous hunk, a guy in his late twenties to early thirties, that was doing a slow jog, no shirt on, with a physic to make any woman drool! (You could tell this guy works out religiously with the weights). He flashed me a smile and said hello. Of course, I gave him a polite hello back. Now I really understand the term ‘eye candy’.

Anyway, I had a wonderful hour long walk with three very short jogs thrown in just for good measure, on a gorgeous, sunny afternoon.

Yep, spring has sprung and I’m feeling so much better!

Testing My Resolve … Pass The Tissues, Please

It feels like someone or something has it in for me, health wise. No sooner than I feel like I’m well enough to begin running and exercising, I come down with another (fill in the blank) cold! I feel like my resolve to become physically active and healthy is being tested.

Last Tuesday, I began having the sniffles but didn’t think much of it and decided to start the running program that evening so I did Week One Day One (W1D1). It actually felt good to do some physical activity and sweat a little! It was pretty easy doing the walk/run intervals for thirty minutes. Of course, I did this on my treadmill. I’m sure if I had run outside it would have been much more difficult.

Anyway, Wednesday morning I work up to a stuffy but very runny nose, feeling very tired, almost exhausted. I just couldn’t believe it. I had just finished the last round of antibiotics a few days ago. But, after thinking about it, I really shouldn’t be surprised. I hadn’t gotten much sleep or eaten very well over the weekend.

I had a family reunion to attend (I wouldn’t have gone but my brother-in-law has cancer and isn’t doing well) that was five hours away. Friday I drove the entire way, stayed in a hotel with my family during the weekend, didn’t sleep very well, was around a million people and their little kids (well, maybe just 60 or 70) and drove the five hours back home Sunday night. Plus, I then had to drive two hours each day for work meetings this week. It’s no wonder I got this cold, my immune system is still trying to recover from the pneumonia and my stamina is pretty low right now.

Well, my resolve hasn’t been that great since Tuesday night, but I didn’t cave in altogether. This morning, in spite of not feeling all that great, I made myself get on that treadmill and did W1D2 a few hours ago and I’m feeling pretty good right now! As long as the bronchitis doesn’t come back, I think I’ll keep on track with this program.

Exercise and good nutrition really are the best medicine.

Another Set Back and Thank Goodnes for Pain Killers!

After my last post I went for a nice 30 minute walk around my neighborhood. It was a bit breezier than I thought it would be and of course I forgot to put on my hat or anything to cover my ears. But I really enjoyed getting outside. I've had to hibernate all winter because of the asthma/bronchitis/pneumonia episodes.

Anyway, during my last big round of being sick I coughed a lot. I mean forceful, difficult to breath bouts of coughing. The kind that keeps you up all night and have to sleep propped up. One weekend, during one of those coughing episodes, I felt, and heard, a pop in my left chest. It was quite painful. The next day, it happend to the right side, but worse. Since then, I've had continuous pain whenever I cough, sneeze, raise my arms, or basically just move. Some days it hurt more than others. Last weekend, however, I was feeling pretty good, no coughing and very little pain, so I assumed whatever it was that caused the pain was going away. Unfortunately, this past week the pain got worse and the coughing was coming back.

On Friday I couldn't stand the pain anymore, and worrying that maybe I had cracked a few ribs from the coughing (a co-worker had that happen when she had bronchitis), I called my doctor to see if I could get in. Fortunately, he had an opening. After describing to him the popping that caused the pain, and him pressing on my chest (and having to peel me off the ceiling because it hurt so bad) and the sides of my rib cage, he determined the ribs aren't fractured, but thought I might have a collapsed lung. So, he sent me to get a chest x-ray. Luckily, it isn't a collapsed lung or craked ribs. The pain is from strained chest muscles and sprained ligaments and cartilage between the rib bones.

I was given three prescriptions - an antibiotic for the bronchitis that hasn't completely cleared up, a narcotic pain reliever for the chest pain and an anti-inflammatory for the inflamation of the chest muscles and ligaments. The pain reliever makes knocks me out for a few hours. I don't know how I'm going to work while taking it.

So, needless to say, I'm not able to do the C25K training that I was hoping to start today. I'll just keep walking on my treadmill and hopefully outside a little now that the temperatures are above freezing. Wednesday it's suppose to be sunny and a high of 55!

I will be a runner some day - just not this day.

Feeling Healthy and Ready to Begin Again

It has taken a while to feel well enough to get back into my daily activities and to begin my fitness journey to better health. I'm still feeling a bit tired from being sick, not to mention that I had to go to San Antonio (which was pretty chilly!) for a conference earlier this week and experiencing the plane trip from hell (maybe I'll vent about that in another post). But, today I have some energy, the weather today is looking good - some rain this afternoon but a high of 45, woo hoo! and I'm feeling antsy to get outside.

I've decided to spend about a week of walking for 30 minutes before actually getting into the C25K training of running/walking intervals. I was pretty sick this last time and want to be sure I don't get sick again, so I'm going to go at a snail's pace to slowly work my way into it.

Tonight the grandkids (all six of them) are spending the night. I haven't been able to have them around since January 17th because the bronchitis got so bad. That's a long time for me not to see them. I usually try to have them over night twice a month or, at the very least, once during the month. I haven't seen much of anyone outside of work for a few months.

Anyway, now that I'm feeling much better, I'm determined to become more physically active and develop a healthier lifetstyle of exercise and good nutrition. It's currently 40 degrees so I'm headed out the door for a nice 30 minute walk!

Will This Never End?

Monday I woke up feeling absolutely horrible! The bronchitis had definitely gotten worse. I also had a cold! My nose was congested and running and the coughing was the worst it's been since early January. In fact, I've never had such a bad case of bronchitis before.

I went to my asthma doc to get something to help with the cough. He put me on three more inhalers! I can't take prednisone (we didn't know that when he put me on it last August) because it causes terrible heart burn and because I have another medical condition that it could make worse. I was also put on a strong antibiotic because the cough had become quite productive, I started running a low temperature and the docs were afraid the bronchitis was on the verge of becoming pneumonia. I felt absolutely miserable all week and couldn't go in to work at all. Luckily, I can work from home.

Today I'm feeling much better, although I still have the productive cough, it just isn't quite as bad. I'm hoping that by the time I'm finished with the antibiotics I'll be able begin the C25K training. I hate having asthma and chronic bronchitis.

I just want to start running in the hopes of improving my health. Does anyone have any words or widom or even encouragement?

Still Sitting On The Sidelines

Well, its been a week since I watched the 5k run that got me motivated to begin the C25k training again. The problem is the bronchitis hasn't cleared up yet. In fact, it's getting worse. Besides the painful, productive coughing, I have a very noticable wheezing and rattling in my chest. It looks like I'm going back on the antibiotics and postponing the training for a while.

Will this crap ever clear up so I can start exercising to improve my health?

Let's Try This Again

A few months ago (Nov 9, 2009 to be exact) I decided that it would be good for me, health wise, to become a runner. I have exercise and allergy induced asthma and had heard and read that running can be beneficial for asthmatics as long as the asthma is properly controlled. I had never really run before and knew it wouldn't be easy to just step outside of my door and take off running down the street.

Since I'm not used to such strenuous physical activity I needed to begin running gradually. I searched the internet for beginning running tips and came across a website that talked about a program called C25K. This is an acronym for Couch to 5K. It’s a running program that helps couch potataoes (that's me) run for 30 minutes straight, enough time for the average person to run a 5K race. Wow, that's just what I was looking for, a running program that starts slow and builds up gradually!Here’s the link to the website:

http://www.coolrunning.com/engine/2/2_3/181.shtml

Since it was November and cold outside, I began the C25K program on my treadmill in the basement. I was pretty impressed with how well I was doing after the first week. Unfortunately, I got off track a little into the second week so I started the program over. Then, after completing the second week of training, I got bronchitis and had to stop altogether.

Now the bronchitis is pretty much gone and I'm trying to get myself motivated to begin training again. I decided to join a local running club and started searching for blogs that have anything to do with running. I came across a blog from a woman that also has asthma and is running races! Now that’s the kind of inspiration that prompted me to check the race calendar of the running club.

There was a race scheduled for today called the Chiller Challenge that’s free to the club members. I've never run in a race before and feel intimidated just thinking about it so I decided to go watch how it all works and hopefully meet some of the people and get myself psyched up to begin the C25K running program again.

Well, it worked! I met a few new people, saw a few people I already knew but didn’t know they were runners and saw how an organized race works. It was very interesting and very motivating. Now I think I’ll go dust off my treadmill again, put on my headphones and start Week One, Day One (W1D1) of the C25K running program again.

Wish me luck!