Long Overdue Update

Can't believe it's been two weeks since I've posted. So much and yet so little has happened in that time span...

Ok, well when last I wrote I had been having some pretty major back issues and had made an appointment with a chiropractor. Now, I have never been to one before but I've got to tell you if you have Ever thought of going have haven't yet -- WHAT are you waiting for, I'm telling you I am in love. It was/is AWESOME. I'm currently going twice a week and have had a total of five visits to date. I was pretty sore after one of the sessions but that is to be expected a little at the beginning; actually I think I felt so great after the session that I overdid it a bit and don't think that helped much. Anyhow, if you're having any back issues, what are you waiting for -- GO! And if you live on the west side of Cleveland contact me and I'll give you the name of my doctor, I'm telling you he's been a God-send! Anyhow I needed to take about a week off of running, or reduce my running...which when you're only running a mile or two reducing it by much pretty much means you're not running.

To summarize the running and working out it's been slow and only 3 weeks until the Run, Jane, Run 5k...ugh, it's going to be rough, but it's also going to be Great! I am really looking forward to being back in another 5k, even if my time is going to suck oh, and that hill at Edgewater...ok, not going to think about that right now am going to stick with the feeling of looking forward to being signed up for a 5k!! So far for the month of July I've only run 9 days, walked 1 day, had 7 personal training sessions and have skipped 7 days at the gym. Monday (7/21) is the last day I ran and I got in 2 1/4 miles with a little bit of walking intermingled in there. I've sort of set a goal in my head that if I can finish this 5k in 40 minutes I will be happy, under 40 would be awesome. (I know, I know people will be finishing the 10k in the same amount if not quicker and that is awesome for them; I am slow, I will in time get quicker, I may never get hardware but that doesn't make me any less competitive! I know you speedsters out there may not get that, but those of us at the end of the pack want it just as badly as you do!).

As for the rest of my life...it has been good, I might even dare say it's been great! I've working a lot on forgiving and letting go, second chances, letting love in and learning how to re-direct my life path. Steve (my trainer) recommended an awesome book (yes I do say 'awesome' a lot don't I?!). If anyone is looking for a great read on figuring out your place with God, the Universe or whatever you want to call it, and wonder why your life sometimes takes turns your not sure of then I'd recommend getting 'The Secret'. I know it's been out for a while and if any of you are familiar with Dr. Wayne Dyer this book is the following the same philosophy. I am already looking forward to re-reading as well as putting it into practice! If you have already read it and ever wish to discuss it, let me know!

Ok, well there's the long and the short of it all. The underlying key is that I am staying positive, the minor set-backs and the slow start with my return to running will just make me stronger in the long run!

What Was I Thinking...

Ok that sentiment covers MANY MANY MANY aspects of my life currently, social, business, but the one instance I am talking about here is I signed up to run the Run Jane Run 5k for Women's Center of Greater Cleveland in the middle of August (and happens to be my birthday weekend!). Ironically this is the last run I participated in last year. So, I've got 5 weeks to get myself together....

One Step Forward, Two Steps Back

That's what it's felt like lately with running, working out, and everything! It was just a week ago that I'd not only broken that awful 10 minute mile by 30 seconds but then followed that up by completing a 9:11 mile. I was totally thrilled! And then...

Well here's the breakdown of my running:

Wednesday - 1 1/2 miles in 17 minutes -- back to an 11 minute mile and minor left foot pain that prevented me from trying to make a go at 2 mile.

Thursday - off; went to see Tim McGraw Wednesday night and didn't get home and in bed until 1:30 am!

Friday - 1 1/2 miles in just under 15 minutes -- ok back to about a 10 minute mile. Right foot bothering me after first mile and then...a sharp stabbing pain under my left shoulder blade that hurt every time I'd take a breath. Decided to not push it for the final 1/2 mile.

Saturday - Personal Training session -- feet and back felt not bad when I woke up, decided to take another running break. Bought new running shoes!! Am certain that will heal ALL my pains!

Sunday - 2 miles in 19 1/2 minutes -- under 10 minutes. Woke up in the morning with feet hurting, tight calves, and pain (under the shoulder blade and lower back). Started off walking at the gym and then broke into a run. Everything felt great while running -- the new shoes must be MAGIC! But alas, late that night, the back pain returned with a vengeance.

Monday - 2 miles in 22 minutes -- i walked the last two laps, dang it if I would have just run it out I'd of been closer to 10 minutes. Felt back pain towards end of run.

Tuesday - 2 miles in 24 minutes -- ugh, I'm going the wrong way!! Debated skipping the gym due to how my back was feeling but it doesn't hurt for the most part when I'm running, it's just once I stop and try stretching that it all comes flaring back.

Wednesday (today) - Personal Training session -- the back was not happy, spent the better part of the first half of my session getting stretched out, which lasted until about 2:00pm. Steve insists I not run until I get to a chiropractor...found one right near my house (literally, like a block from my house) and they were able to get me in for this Friday.

So now the question is, for the next two days to run or not run? It is frustrating. I really want to be running, and honestly thought I'd be up past 3 miles a day by now and thought I'd be back running 5k's as well. I question if I will ever get there. I just don't know what the deal is. Why am I hitting this wall? Ugh! I want to run!! Really, I do. I don't know how to explain it, I feel great once I start and then I get to this point at around 1 1/2 miles where I just lose it and I start to fall apart, the running slows (as if that were even possible!) and then these last couple days at 2 miles, I am completely exhausted! No really, completely! I'm finding myself falling asleep during the day and just wanting to crawl into bed once I am home -- which I have been fighting doing but maybe I need to just listen to my body more and give in for a nice good loooong nights sleep.

Taking it slow

I've been consistent with getting to the gym daily, with the exception of Sunday -- but a day of rest is usually suggested anyway. My goal after last Wednesday was to get in at least 2 miles running on Thursday and Friday.

Thursday, I ran 2 miles in about 22 minutes.

Friday, I ran only 1 1/2 miles and didn't run them consistent...but I ran 1 mile in 10 minutes (yeah), walked a couple of laps then ran 1/2 mile in 5 minutes (double-yeah). Ok. I reached goal number one a 10 minute mile. I can't believe I actually did it, again I understand this isn't any great accomplishment to some, but for me, right now, it's something.

Saturday I had my one hour training time with Steve, and after there was no running, my feet were really sore...Steve says it sounds like the onset for plantar fasciitis and that I need to take a couple of days off from running. I need to get new shoes too, mine are pretty worn.

Sunday was an off day.

Monday, still feeling pretty sore from Saturday's workout so did lots of abs and lots of stretching. I ran, but only a mile...but I pushed myself more than I usually do when running and I got the mile in, in 9 1/2 minutes!! Walked a couple of laps and then did a real slow run for about 3 minutes, then followed it all up with more stretching. Shins, calves and feet felt pretty good.

Tuesday (today), had my hour with Steve since he'll be out of town tomorrow. Got to the gym early and walked a little, then decided to run - 1 mile in 9.11 -- YES. I am REALLY excited about this time; and again shins, calves and feet felt good. Spent some time stretching then did my hour with Steve -- he kicked my butt good again today, not looking forward to how this is going to feel when I get up tomorrow.

So, I may not be getting my miles up there...I'd like to be running a minimum of 3 miles each day, but I have gotten my time down way more than I had even begun to think about doing. New goal, keep on keeping on, take it slow as far as miles covered; push myself to get the mile time in and then take it real slow for a several minutes. Hmmm, I may actually get to a point where I'm going to have two different paces to run at, albeit s-l-o-w and extremely s---l---o---w, but it's still two different paces!