I Might Run

In January I committed to running a 5K race before the year was over. I'm not one to set a goal and not reach it, but I can confidently say that this goal will not be reached. In the beginning I had a plan. I stuck to that plan. I was on target until a series of events starting with my Achilles tendon injury set me off course.

I am not one to quit. I did what I could over the summer, which consisted of putting away my running shoes and biking. I biked to work all summer long, sixteen miles a day, eighty miles a week with inclines that had me peddling past other cyclist who stopped to catch their breath. I am in shape.

But I still can't run. Mid-September I put away my bike and strapped on my running shoes again. I could run about a mile before the knee pain kicked in. Oh, my knee. The knee that suffered a torn meniscus at Alpine Meadows in 2002. The knee that waited five months for surgery. This is not a knee pain to be taken lightly.

Maybe it is my shoes, I thought. So I purchased new running shoes. I hit the track and ran lap after lap. I ran through the pain. I punished myself because my mind, heart and lungs wanted to run but my knee was holding me back. When I was done, I could barely walk. I limped home. Two days later I limped to the store and returned those new running shoes, limped to another store and bought a different pair.

It is now two weeks later. A lot has changed over the last two weeks. I am feeling the effects of my positive pregnancy test. I'm feeling icky, tired and weak.

Yesterday while I was lifting weights I considered the treadmill for the first time in two weeks. It was always my goal to run through my next pregnancy. It is not like me to give up on my goals so easily.

I decided to run for ten minutes and stop if my knee hurt. Baby steps. I made it through my trial run without incident. Maybe my running days are not over. Maybe I still have that 5K in me.

Of course since I am carrying a life, I will wait to test my theory. 2009 sounds like a good year, the year I give birth to baby number three and run a race. For now I can train. I will take it easy and not push too hard. But I will try, because if I never try I will never know.

I Said I Was, But I'm Not

I made a resolution. I committed. I persevered through injury, bad weather and inconvenient schedules. I am so close.

Earlier this month I found out that the race I wanted to run is not a traditional 5K. Instead it is a 1 mile run, 10 mile bike ride, 2 mile run biathlon. I was expecting the bike ride, but I thought it would be at either end or the run. I planned on having Jeff do the bike ride and I would do the run. We would be a relay team. The girls would cheer for us and be there for the beginning, relay moment and completion of the race. A perfect family experience.

I'm a flexible person. I adjusted my plans and goals. Three weeks ago I said, "No problem! I can do the biathlon by myself."

All this month I have been alternating bike ride days with running days. On my bike ride days I have been commuting to work on my bicycle. It is hard work. My body aches. My back hurts. My shoulder is in knots. I am in pain.

Yesterday my husband said, "Monday is Memorial Day. Is your Biathlon on Saturday or Sunday?"

"What? This weekend?!? NO!"

This is not how a working woman should respond to the announcement of a three day weekend.

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Every morning I kiss my sleeping husband good-bye before I go to work. This morning Ariel was sleeping in the bed with him. Usually I leave her alone, but today she was practically falling out of the bed so I moved her to safety. She woke up.

"Mommy! Don't go to work. Waaaah!"

I took her downstairs and showed her a calender. "Today is Thursday. Mommy goes to work on Thursday. I will go to work tomorrow too. But look at this; Saturday, Sunday, and Monday Mommy will be home. Only two days and then Mommy will be home for three days."

As I say this I think about the race. The biathlon that will eat into my Sunday and surely tear my body apart and leave me useless for the rest of the weekend.

As I drove to work I recalled last years Memorial Day. The biathlon is part of a church picnic. This picnic is one of my favorite activities of the year. the church uses the local high school and sets up jump houses, pony ride and a stage with entertainment. They offer free food, cotton candy and kettle corn. All this takes place during the biathlon. If I participate in this race I miss out on some great quality time with my family.

So I am not doing it.

I am doing this instead.



Have a great weekend.
I know I will.

Achilles Tendonitis

I can't walk. It started yesterday after my run. At first it was a dull annoying pain. Within a couple of hours I was limping. I went to bed last night hoping that a good nights sleep would make all the difference.

I woke up this morning and before I moved a muscle I prayed, "God, please let the pain be gone. I really want to take the kids to the park today." I stepped out of bed, and felt fine. Praise the Lord. Fifteen minutes later I was not fine anymore.

I googled "common running injury". My symptoms of dull or sharp pain anywhere along the back of the tendon, but usually close to the heel resulted in a self-diagnosis of Achilles Tendonitis.

I have an inflamed Achilles tendon caused by poor stretching and excessive hill running. To get better I need to stop running, avoid weight-bearing movements, take ibuprofen for 7 days, ice the area to reduce inflammation and keep it elevated whenever possible.

It is sunny and 78 degrees today. It is spring. Tomorrow and for the next 6 days we are expecting highs in the 50's and rain. One perfect day of spring and I need to stay immobile. I really have no choice. I cannot afford to have this injury linger. One week from tomorrow I will escape the rain of the Pacific Northwest for the sun of Mexico. I have to sacrifice this one spring day so I can enjoy the use of my legs for one whole week in Mexico.

I have never been good at restraining myself. We went to the park. Jeff usually grocery shops on Saturdays, but he sacrificed for us. I guess that is what a family does. Each sacrificing a little of themselves so as a whole we can experience a unity that brings joy and memories. In five years the memory of the perfect spring day at the park will remain with me. I hope that my tendonitis will not.

Run away from the Frump

Do you remember my New Year's resolution? I haven't forgot. I am training for the 5K race that I resolved to run. I expected this training to push me beyond my comfort zone. I expected to developed a love/hate relationship with the treadmill. I expected soreness and aching knees. I have not been disappointed.

What I didn't expect was physical improvements so early in my training and increased self confidence. Mrs. Fussypants is kicking off the weekend with her first Fight the Frump, this is a perfect opportunity to talk about my training program.

The Program

The goal is to go from running one mile to four miles in sixteen weeks. Here is how it breaks down:

Weeks 1 & 2: Monday - 1 mile run, Wednesday & Friday - 10 minute runs
Week 3: Monday - 1.5 mile run, Wednesday & Friday - 12 minute runs
Week 4: Monday - 1.5 mile run, Wednesday & Friday - 15 minute runs
Week 5: Monday - 2 mile run, Wednesday & Friday - 18 minute runs
Week 6: Monday - 2 mile run, Wednesday & Friday - 20 minute runs
Week 7: Monday - 2.5 mile run, Wednesday & Friday - 22 minute runs
Week 8: Monday - 2.5 mile run, Wednesday & Friday - 25 minute runs

I think you are all smart enough to figure out the pattern here.

The Benefits

You can run anywhere. The supplies that you need for this activity are already in your closet. A good workout can be achieved in very little time. There are so many reasons why running is a great way to exercise.

I am in week five of my training program. The thought of running four miles without stopping still overwhelms me. Two weeks ago, I didn't think I would be able to run a mile in less than ten minutes. Then I did it. I ran a mile in ten minutes and then continued to run for another half mile. I cannot explain how satisfying that was. I felt terrific. I accomplished something that I thought would be very difficult for me. My success had a tremendous impact on my self-esteem.

You know what else happened? This -

My tushie is tighter. Five weeks to a tighter tushie. Need I say more?

Resolving to Resolve

It is six days into January and I have finally decided to make a resolution. My first resolution is to have a resolution. Years ago my New Years resolution was to not make any more resolutions. I am proud to say that I kept that resolution for many years. I wonder if by making a resolution this year is actually breaking my previous resolution.....

My 2008 New Years Resolution is to run in a 5K race.

I started jogging last summer. I have always exercised, but this summer I decided to go for morning jogs and forgo the gym. Some days I hated it. Most days I got on my bicycle instead and only jogged when it was overcast or raining (because jogging in the rain is safer than riding).

This fall when the weather forced me back to the gym I added a 7 minute run to the end of my weight training. My thought process was that I could do anything for 7 minutes, so I get on the treadmill to improve my speed. I have grown fond of my 7 minutes of running. Lately my 7 minutes have stretched out to 10 minutes just because I don't want to stop.

While in California for Christmas I went for a couple of 1 to 2 mile runs. I could probably go farther, but I have mind of matter issues. I enjoy running when I can keep my mind occupied. Most of the time my internal dialog goes something like this:

"Why am I doing this? This sucks, I'd much rather be on a bike. I am never going to run again. This sucks. This sucks. This sucks."

On Christmas Santa brought me a MP3 player. I have discovered that music helps me run farther and I love it. Ever since I started running, I have wondered if the competition of a race would give me enough motivation to run farther and faster. I also realized that it would be stupid to sign up for a 5K race when I can barely run 2 miles. Now that I have my music I can train for a 5K race.

So I am resolved to run a 5K race. I have an actual event in mind. Memorial Day Weekend our church has a Tinman Biathlon. I believe it is a 10K bike ride followed by a 5K run. I am picking this race because of the low cost and the fact that I would be racing against Christians, so if I collapse they would probably stop and help me, right?