Things have finally slowed down....

Wow... what a crazy 2 months we have had since my last update. We have moved. We are now living in Champaign, Illinois in order to help some good friends start a church! We are so excited about what is to come! So, for the past few weeks I haven't been running... but since we moved I have been to the gym (conveniently located in our apartment complex) to take some trips on the elliptical. That has been really good for me because it helps my knees. When I am on it my knees don't really even hurt at all. So that's great news. Hopefully I'll be able to hit the pavement for real here in the next month or so. My knees need some time to get strong again. I've also been doing some weight lifting which is a new experience for me. Rob had to teach me how! So... we're getting there... but let me tell you... I love how flat Illinois is! Flat like a pancake! No more hitting 5 hills in a short run. Just flat, flat and more flat! LOOOOOVE it! :) Ooooh. Also, we are going to buy bikes. This is a great biking town so we are going to make that happen for sure! I'm pumped. Operation get in shape/run a mini is well on it's way! Yahoo!!!

Running in the rain...

It has been raining here since about 5 am. Storms, down pour, wind... you name it. So there was a lull in the rain this morning when it was still raining a little but not bad at all, so Rob and I decided to go for a run this morning. I slapped on the knee brace and we went... but bad me didn't stretch.
Things I learned today:
1. No matter how excited I am about my first real run in the rain, it will still be a tougher run than when it is sunny and 70 degrees.
2. My quad MUST be stretched out really really well or else it will hurt bad.
3. I'm a big weenie.

So, we took off on the same route as yesterday. We walked out to the flat-ish ground (flat ground is hard to come by in Kentucky) with haste and then took off at a great pace and I was doing ok, but every step brought quite a bit of pain in my left knee with it. The brace didn't seem to make it any better. We went one lap and then my knee was feeling like it was going to buckle or snap so we walked back home, this time with a bit of a limp.

When we finally made it home (that walk seemed like climbing a mountain and I had to walk some of the downhills backwards because my knee was struggling) I iced the knee. It's still hurting a little but not as bad. I think I will spend the rest of today and tomorrow working on stretching out that quad and then pick up again with full force on Monday... it's supposed to storm pretty bad here today and tomorrow anyways.

Happy Derby (that's what people around here say... I figured I'd try it out but actually what I would like to say is happy May which is RACE month in the nap!)

finally some progress

finally figured out a way to do this running thing without the hills!!! we walk out to a block a half a mile out or so then run it as many times as we can. it's great!! i think the block is a mile... we still need to check that out. we did two tonight but i had 4 glasses of juice before we left so i couldn't go further. i'm hoping for a break in the rain tomorrow long enough for a decent run. :)

ugh... rough day back

So, I've been a bad bad girl. As I've been adjusting to this new gluten free diet I haven't had the time or energy to run. State standardized testing has also contributed to that energy issue. So basically... it's been a week. Slap my wrists. I did a Jillian Michaels yoga workout from the FreeSpot on On Demand TV (which I love) and wow is she a butt kicker. Even though she doesn't actually do half the workouts. She makes the other girls do it while she just walks around and talks. I thought that was interesting.

So anyways, back to running. I definitely need to pick it up the rest of the week. My knee was bothering me today too... but that is just because I walk funny. This gluten free diet is helping me to have a TON more energy than I did before... I'm learning though that energy doesn't equal stamina. Stamina is something I have to work on. Off to make a delicious gluten free meal!! I love experimenting in the kitchen-- and thankfully my husband loves my experiments! Happy Tuesday! (I just typed Monday then I realized it was Tuesday and let me tell you... that is a VERY happy feeling! :) )

Run Run as fast as you can!

I ran my best mile today... after a very long break! YES! I am very proud of myself... and so is Rob! :) I'm taking very little baby steps due to the health issues... but it has been good. Baby steps are steps after all right?
Today I even ran a little bit of the last hill back up to our house... normally I can barely drag myself up that hill walking! So, I'm happy about today and I'm praying that news from the doctor doesn't result in a very long (6-8 weeks) break from running... That wouldn't help my training too much. I'll find out soon.

Off to make dinner. We're having my own (very healthy) creation... ground turkey wraps and baked sweet potato fries and a vegetable of some sort (because lets be honest... potatoes are not vegetables!).

unwanted 2 days off....

So, now I've been forced to take two days off thanks to some awesome doctor's appointments. One today and one tomorrow... which means no running. Can't run when your fasting. Bummer.

But, it's feeling pretty good. I'd prefer being able to run everyday, but oh well. back at it on Friday!

The fact that as I continue to run everyday I am starting to really like running frightens me a lot. Who knew that I would every enjoy RUNNING?!?

Yesterday I did a little bit better yet again. The thing I need to tackle next is the hill on the way back to our house. By that point in the run I'm ready to sit down on the side of the road... so for me to tackle that will kind of be a big deal. It's supposed to cool down later in the week so I may give it a go then.... probably not when it is 85 degrees out.

I keep reminding myself that lifestyle changes will make all of this happen. I can't sit around on the computer all day and then expect to run more than I ever have. So, I am off of this computer and on to my exercise ball! I spent a lot of time on that thing last night during that game. Man, I wanted BU to win so bad! Both my parents went there and my granny used to work for Tony Hinkle... we have a bit of a history and it would have been AMAZING for them to have that 'ship... but, boy did those guys play their hearts out! I'm so proud of all of them and I can't believe there is anyone on the Butler Bandwagon who isn't. It's just too bad they lost to Puke.... er, Duke. :)

One week down!!!

Hooray! I have officially made it through my first week of mini training... aka running. I'm still alive so that is a good sign. My running schedule was messed up due to my stupid ulcer deciding to hate me a couple of days this week, but I'm back in action FULL FORCE! This is spring break week for me (wahhoo!!) so I'll be able to get in lots of running and jumping rope.

Anyways, today was a wonderful day because I had a GREAT run! I am so proud of myself today. A lot of my runs this week consisted of me setting mini goals like "I'm going to run to that mailbox, that road sign, that street lamp" (you get the picture?) and until today I didn't really make it to a lot of them. But today I set goals and once I even went past my goal!! Baby steps right?

Also, Rob pointed out to me that I cannot count. It isn't 16 months to the mini... it's 13... I'm a loser. I need more fingers I guess! lol.

Happy Resurrection Sunday everyone! Jesus has risen!

not much to write about.... i'm just trying to get back into some sort of decent shape. so, that's about it. i know i know, i'm pretty boring today...

Day 3... much better!

Whew, feeling good after a run yesterday. A little sore but much better than yesterday!!! I am going to skip the run today and work on some strength business. We got some jump ropes at my favorite store (Target) and I think we'll be the cool kids hopping around the parking lot later this evening. In addition to exercising we are adjusting the way we eat. Now that KTIP is over I've had time to cook and that past couple of nights I have created somethings that actually turned out really really good and amazingly healthy. Rob is making chicken, spinach, white sauce pizza on 6 grain Tuscan pizza crust from Whole Foods (another favorite store). It doesn't sound as good as a Papa John's Hawaiian, but I promise it is better!

That's about it for a daily update. Gotta go hop! :)

Day 2... whew.

Feeling a little sore today. AKA Rob had to drag me out of bed this morning. I have realized though that it is a good kind of sore. I kinda like it. I think I'm even going to go out this evening and get in a mile or so. Rob suggested taking the day off... but I am determined. Who knew I had it in me? Plus I have those cute new kicks.... :)

Day 1.... ugh.

Well, yesterday I set the totally out of character and crazy goal of being able to run the Indianapolis Mini Marathon in May of 2011. I am tired of being out of shape. I am tired of being sick and feeling bad. So here is my answer. I am going to get in shape. But I know myself... I know that without a goal and some real accountability I will never stick to it. So, while going for a walk with my husband, I told him what I was thinking. That wonderful man volunteered himself to help me and even run it with me. It should be said that he is in MUCH better shape than me and will be a great motivator... as if my "skinny" jeans aren't motivation enough. Oh, and there is the fact that I called my dad and told him my plan. My dad is that guy who runs miles and miles every week and then cycles 70 miles on a Saturday. He loves this stuff. Needless to say he was pretty excited that I had made this (crazy) decision.

So anyways, today was day one of running. Whew, let me tell you... it was rough. I went out and bought some great new shoes last night. Saucony's. My dad swears by them. So I laced up my new kicks and Rob and I hit the trail...

The hills around our house are rough enough when we walk. Running them is a whole other story. My legs were a new kind of Jello as we walked back to our door. And, to be completely honest, we didn't even run the whole time. My always encouraging husband reminded me when we got home that today is Day 1 of about 400. Rome wasn't built in a day and Sam doesn't get into shape and fit into skinny jeans in a day either. Thank you God for such wonderful reminders from him.

Here goes nothing. 400ish days to running 13.1 miles!!! Encouragement and accountability are welcomed!