Well, it's been almost a year since my last post. So much for sticking with things! Operation getting healthy took a back burner in life as well, or at least the exercise portion of it. The scales tipped a little too far for my liking, not traumatizing or anything to worry about, but it doesn't mean that I like it! So back to the drawing board again. This time with a few more supporters, a great website to track and determination to get it right this time!
I tried running last year, hadn't run like that in almost 15 years and it felt GREAT!! I found a new love! Until I woke the next morning and could barely walk. Apparently, running nearly 5K in 34 minutes when you've not done so in that long, is not a good idea. Who knew?! Well, I should have! For three weeks I dealt with seriously PAINFUL shin splints. Haven't experienced this? Consider yourself extremely lucky!! Did I learn my lesson? Oh no, not at all (can I say stubborn and glutton for punishment?). I entered a race and did not a shred of training, guess what happened? Yep, excruciating shin splints! It was the most frustrating thing for me. I assumed my knees would give me problems, that my lungs wouldn't allow me to run any distance, my out of shape body would rebel in different ways. Shin splints? What the heck?! I gave up on running.
Now, seven months later, I'm ready to start training! I will stop pouting about my weak calf muscles and work at strengthening them. I have purchased all of the things that I need to train for a proper 5K. Thank you Zensah for making compression sleeves (especially ones in fabulous colours to match my running shoes!!). These will be my saving grace regarding the shin splints! I have my arm band to pop the iPhone in for music, a HRM (heart rate monitor) watch to track calories and keep an eye on the ticker, great running shoes, hydration belt (thanks Becka), plenty of clothing to choose from depending on weather and the best running partner, our Doberman, Jude. The only thing I have left to do is choose the right training program for me and set my schedule. My goal? To run the Army Run again this year. The full 5K, no intervals, no stopping, enjoy it fully and get a great time! After that? Who knows. I plan to continue running, maybe participate in more races, maybe increase the length of the races, time will tell. For now though, it's time to do this right, time to train properly.
I tried running last year, hadn't run like that in almost 15 years and it felt GREAT!! I found a new love! Until I woke the next morning and could barely walk. Apparently, running nearly 5K in 34 minutes when you've not done so in that long, is not a good idea. Who knew?! Well, I should have! For three weeks I dealt with seriously PAINFUL shin splints. Haven't experienced this? Consider yourself extremely lucky!! Did I learn my lesson? Oh no, not at all (can I say stubborn and glutton for punishment?). I entered a race and did not a shred of training, guess what happened? Yep, excruciating shin splints! It was the most frustrating thing for me. I assumed my knees would give me problems, that my lungs wouldn't allow me to run any distance, my out of shape body would rebel in different ways. Shin splints? What the heck?! I gave up on running.
Now, seven months later, I'm ready to start training! I will stop pouting about my weak calf muscles and work at strengthening them. I have purchased all of the things that I need to train for a proper 5K. Thank you Zensah for making compression sleeves (especially ones in fabulous colours to match my running shoes!!). These will be my saving grace regarding the shin splints! I have my arm band to pop the iPhone in for music, a HRM (heart rate monitor) watch to track calories and keep an eye on the ticker, great running shoes, hydration belt (thanks Becka), plenty of clothing to choose from depending on weather and the best running partner, our Doberman, Jude. The only thing I have left to do is choose the right training program for me and set my schedule. My goal? To run the Army Run again this year. The full 5K, no intervals, no stopping, enjoy it fully and get a great time! After that? Who knows. I plan to continue running, maybe participate in more races, maybe increase the length of the races, time will tell. For now though, it's time to do this right, time to train properly.
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