Sickness Recovery!

I'm slowly getting back into the swing of things after being sick. I did interval running yesterday! It was awesome. I realize my ability to run faster now. I did some treadmill running at 5mph and 6mph and I walked at 4mph. I had a great time. My legs felt strong, my lungs felt strong. When I was running at 5mph I felt like I was going slowly and usually that feels like a sprint.

So cheers to progress!

Too Sick to Run

I've been seek for the last week or so which is really hindering the running process. My post on daily mile were getting so frequent and encouraging. And now my training is at a stand still. We all know what happens when you get on a good roll and then stop! YOU LOSE SOME MAJOR MOTIVATION! Bah this sucks. I was feelings so good and looking good at the same time! Just hope I dont gain weight while I lie around the house sleeping and eating all day! BAH so stressful!

I just want to run!

Late Night Musing on weight

I've decided to take a break from the running banter and muse about life as a skinny person.

Don't get me wrong I do not plan on taking a break from running just from talking about it for one blog entry to muse about life as a skinny person.

I've always wondered what it would be like to be skinny. I sometimes watch my friend and just look as they interact with the world. How they eat without feeling ashamed, try things without doubting whether they are out of place or not, change in public without worry, pick lent from their belly buttons without wondering if others or scrutinizing/judging the sight of their bellies. What is it like to not have rolls on your side, back and stomach? What it it like to feel your hip bones and ribs on a regular basis, to know there is a skeleton underneath the flesh.

What would it be like to sit on the floor and not have your limbs go dumb from the weight inflicted on them or not need back support to keep you upright. To ride a bike and not have your knees hit your stomach or boobs. I've always wondered what it feels like to sit in a regular chair and then put your legs up and rest your chin on your knees or to sit cross legged at the at the dinner table. Is it a different sensation to not have your feet on the ground?

What is it like to live without as much mass our your midsections? Skinny people always seem more upright, more straight. Does if feel different move about in the world? What is it like to wear a two piece swim suit? To not be pitied by the aerobics instructor at the gym. What is it like to not have the instructor feel the need seek you out after class to tell you they are glad you came and good job for not "dying" during the class?

I can only imagine! So you see, its not just about marathon running, its about knowing what it means to exist on the other side of it all. 100 pounds lighter and 100x less self conscious. The marathon is simultaneously the end and the means to the end!

A 3 mile RUN in Spokane

A new day of pavement pounding has proven to be very successful. I am finally able to run a 5k without a problem which is really exciting. Today I went for a run in Spokane. I set my timer for thirty five minutes. And just ran, at the 18 minute mark I made a loop and came back. I realize now that it is extremely helpful to run a new route and to make a loop instead of going back the same way I came. AND...drum roll please...IT WAS ENJOYABLE. Today was the first day since college that I ran and enjoyed it. I didn't feel stressed about whether or not I would make it through the entire 35 minutes. I just ran, I felt the air in my lungs and the cement under my feet. I watched cars go by and just enjoyed putting one foot in front of the other. My pace was 12 minute miles...freakin awesome!

WHOOT!

Singing an ode to aches and pains

I am currently in a painful stage. Since my 5k experience 2 weeks ago. I've had a lot of knee pain. So I laid off the running and just kept doing strength training things mixed with cardio. I've been doing step aerobic and spin classes. AND THIS DREADFUL 24 hour fitness BOSU circuit class. SO PAINFUL and UNSTEADY yet so cool at the same time. My schedule has not permitted me to go back to the class but I am in the process of rearranging schedule so I can have it as a cross training class.

Anyhoo back to the aches and pains. My knee has been giving me so much trouble and its so annoying. Just when I'm feeling extremely strong like I can conquer the world my knee acts up and set me back. But its ok I will survive!

My housemate is a physical therapist and he told me to ice it after workouts and don't do anything that hurt! The one problem with that is that I live at the top of a steep flight of stairs and going down them hurt. So to avoid pain I had to hobble down using only one leg as my main support.

A bit inconvenient and my other knee started hurting as a result. But I was finally cleared to run again and that's what i did yesterday. But I did it on the treadmill to go easy on the knees, a 25min warm up on the elliptical and then a 45min run on the treadmill. DURING the first 15min of the run i felt awful but the rest was a lot easier. AFTER, IT WAS GREAT! I was sweaty and sore! TODAY my hips hurt a bit but its to be expected I guess. I just have to keep going.