Back To Running; Take It Slow

Last week, I ventured onto the treadmill for the first time in quite a while.  I decided not to go too crazy(since I've already been quite active aerobically) and just see how I felt after a short spell.  After briskly walking for 5 minutes, I began running at a very slow 13 minute mile.  I've changed my gait to allow less weight on my knees with every foot strike, so I was adjusting to this new running style.  After several minutes, I adjusted the machine to allow for a 10 minute mile.  I ran the mile and cooled down with more brisk walking.

Here's Your Healthy Tip of the Day:  If you haven't been running for some time, take it slow in the beginning and gauge how you feel, your gait and how you feel the following day.  Work from there as your baseline.  No exercise activity should cause you pain or inability to walk, bend or function properly post workout day.  If you build your strength, endurance and aerobic capacities gradually, you will prevent injury and increase your overall workout in no time!

Trepidation and Self Intimidation

Yesterday, I took my first run in Central Park for the first time in about 2 years.  It started off not so good....uphill, downhill on the bridlepath.  What was wrong??  My stride was off, I was having difficulty breathing.  My head was running, not my body!  All I kept thinking about was "maybe I shouldn't do the hills - not good for the knee, maybe I should change my stride from toe strike to heel-to-toe, maybe, maybe, maybe.....".  There was so much noise going on in my brain, I couldn't hear my Crystal Method song blasting through my headphones.
.....so, I stopped and started to walk.  I realized I was afraid to run; afraid to damage my knee; intimidated by the trail I have run thousands of times.
Trepidation and Self Intimidation can sabbotage our best intentions.  When this happens, it's time to stop, take a few good deep breaths, and shut the noise off in your brain.  Quite often, that 'voice' in our heads makes up the most incredible stories why we can't do something.  In the end, we self-annihiliate hook, line and sinker.  All in the fabulous little skull we call a brain which is supposed to be intelligent.  Self Intimidation is counter intelligence and self terrorism.
Having thought about all this while walking up to the reservoir, I decided to adopt the Nike slogan and 'just do it'.  Shut off the brain, listen to my music, look at the beautiful reservoir and just run.  There was a man in front of me who was taking a good pace:  about a 9.5 minute mile.  Slow, but steady, I followed him.  I looked at the cherry trees, the clouds, the birds and before I knew it, I had done a loop around the reservoir.  It's approximately 1.3 miles.  Not much at all, but a victory after not being able to run around the block for 2 years.  As I walked through the park back down to 59th Street, I took in my surroundings and appreciated the fact that I have 2 legs, I CAN run, and I tried my best.  Today is another day.  I'm a little sore because I'm not in running condition, but that's o.k.
....I'll be back!
and I'm gonna leave the self terrorism home!!

Yoga and More!

Well, today I went back to my morning yoga class after almost 6 weeks.  The comment my teacher and fellow yogis (after welcoming me back) was..'wow, you look great!   You lost weight!'.....NOTHING could have made me feel better today!  All this hard work and commitment to good health and fitness is paying off because it's being noticed!

For the first time in almost 2 years, I was able to do a full and DEEP Warrior 2 pose and a true Chair pose!  No knee pain at all!  All that physical therapy has been paying off.  My chattarongas were on the money and we ended class with gratititude and respect for oneanother and our practice.  My yoga teacher, Johanna, couldn't have been more supportive and kind and attentive.

Feeling like a superhero once again, I went straight for that treadmill after class and did 2 miles.  I started off slow at a 12 minute pace.  After a while, feeling like I was going nowhere fast, I stepped up the pace to a 9:30 mile.  I finished strong.  I share a 1/2 grapefruit with my trusty dog and enjoyed a protein shake.  I'm on track!  I'm back!  I'm healthy and strong!!

Namaste!

The Half Marathon

As you read in this blog, my friend (who had his stomach surgically removed to prevent cancer) ran the More Half Marathon yesterday.  He started to jog in January....3.5 months later, he finished strong.  HIS TIME WAS 01:48:00!!  What a triumph of spirit and strength.  His family and friends came out to cheer him on and profess our gratitiude to modern medicine and research.  He's gone to Wellville!

Have you started your road to Wellville yet? 

I began this blog just after having knee surgery.  It's 2 weeks to Easter, 2 weeks to my goal of losing 10lbs and running again...well, so far, I'm just about at that 10lbs (my fat clothes fit pretty well now), I've run 2 miles on the treadmill, jumped rope for 20 minutes straight and I'm going to up the stakes and see what I can achieve this week.   My goal is to fit into my 'normal' sized clothing again and jump rope for an hour (that would be normal).   Now, I seriously doubt any of that is going to happen within the next two weeks, but I'm with the program today and will continue to try to get back into the best healthy condition that I can...and stay there!

What goals have you set?  Have you managed to stay on your path?  Share your story, share your joy, share your frustrations with me today!