Day 31

Sunday February 7, 2010

My run schedule is way off from the running club. I am actually way, way off and am wondering if I can get back on track. Hmmmm. No choice really. I am thinking I better figure it out....and fast.

Wanting and doing something for myself can be challenging, okay, it is challenging. My weekends are filled with kids, housework, homework, bills, groceries. . . blah blah blah. It is an uphill battle to find the time and energy to fit in the runs. This weekend was exceptionally difficult as my daughter needed me to be mentally and physically present and available to her. She has a dear friend that very recently moved to New York. Her friend was shot several times on Saturday and is on life support. She cried and cried and cried. I just kept checking in on her and holding her, like when she was little.

When my daughter finally went to sleep Sunday night, I went to the garage for my run. Unfortunately, I was exhausted. I only managed to squeak out about 2 miles before I stopped. At this point, its not the five miles I had hoped for but something is definitely better than nothing.

At this rate, I am questioning the ability to meet my goal. 

Day 28

February 2, 2010

I was a big loser last Saturday for my run. I didn’t go. My alarm went off and I just kept on sleeping. It was supposed to meet the club at 7:45. I woke up to my alarm going off at 7:50. My alarm was going off for over an hour and I just kept right on sleeping. It was one of those situations when I was thinking I was dreaming but it was really happening. . . . Boogers!

So I didn’t go my long run. It was supposed to be 4 or 5 miles. I decided I would make it up with my run this week. I ended up running 4.44 miles. It felt great (mostly when I was done). I just stuck to the plan. Run 4 minutes and walk 1 minute. I ran on the treadmill again. I am finding I like being able to pick and set the pace. Coupled with the fact that it doesn’t hurt my knees! I want to do at least half of my runs on the treadmill versus in the street.

I realized during this last run that I have now been able to manage my breathing. Previous efforts at running were hindered by my inability to manage my breathing effectively. I no longer sound asthmatic while I run and I no longer look like I am having some sort of attack, ya know, grasping my chest, doubling over, gulping down air……. instead I just run.

I had a pretty stressful day and was exhausted. My son hadn't been feeling well so I had him lay down early and I rubbed his back at 7:00 pm. He and I both fell asleep. I woke up around 8:45 and dragged myself into my running clothes and down to the garage. My lack of enthusiasm quickly dissipated as the stresses of the day melted away with each stride.

Who knew exercise was a stress reliever? This is fantastic!

Vegan Snickerdoodle Cookies

http://www.bettycrocker.com/recipes.aspx/snickerdoodles/7ffc92a9-d847-4869-9ecb-99de3b751b14

Above is the link to the traditional Betty Crocker cookie recipe. And below is the modified vegan recipe....

Vegan Snickerdoodles 
1 1/2 cups sugar 
3/4 cup vegan butter 
2 eggs worth of egg replacer 
1 1/2 cup whole wheat flour 
1 c regular flour
1/4 c ground flax 
2 teaspoon baking soda 
1/4 teaspoon salt 
1 tsp cinnamon 

1/4 cup sugar and 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon (for sprinkling on top)

Directions:

Mix together sugar, butter and egg replacer. Add dry ingredients and mix well. Drop by rounded spoonfuls onto ungreased cookie sheet. On top of each dough ball, generously spoon some of the cinnamon and sugar mixture. Bake in 400 degree oven 8-10 minutes

These cookies were fantastic! They looked, smelled and tasted like they were from a bakery.
My son and I experimented a little with the ingredients and found we really enjoyed a little more complexity in the flavoring that comes with the whole wheat flour and flax. The cookies were still light and soft though!

Day 23

Thursday January 28, 2010

Oh man I did NOT want to run today. When I finally got home from work, picking up and dropping off kids, the cheer parent meeting and the PSAT Results meeting I must openly say that I was not feeling it. Not even a tiny bit.  I threw myself onto my bed like a child and proceeded to pout by myself for a few minutes.

I had seen the moon earlier when I was driving and it was so big in the sky and close looking. At least the moon will be pretty and I can look at it when I run. Alas, I picked myself up and assembled myself. Drank a bit of water and out the front door I went.

What was I thinking??? I headed inadvertently down the path with all the big hills. Auugghhh. But I kept going. The moon was high and bright in the sky and the air was chilly on my legs. It took me longer than usual to get into a rhythm. That being said, the first 15 - 20 minutes was a struggle. I think I have just not yet conquered the hills yet. Apparently we have not made friends yet. We will, eventually, we will.

I ran 3.32 miles with a pace of 12'35". Even now, as I am running, I think 'wow, I am running! Very cool!' Although I was being a lagger because I was tired, I found the strength to challenge myself and do it any way. For today, it is a triumph!

Day 21

Tuesday, January 26, 2010

Today was an independent timed run. I was supposed to run for 40 minutes and I did it.  I am on day 21. Three weeks.  Had you asked me three weeks ago if I could run for 40 minutes I am pretty sure I would have said no. So not only did I run 40 minutes but I ran 3.42 miles.  I am surprised. Honestly, very surprised. I will keep following the plan, look to my mentors for guidance as required, and just keep on doing it.

I am feeling pretty good overall.  I am still concerned about my running shoes. I really feel like I should make sure I am wearing the correct kind but I refuse to go to the store until I have the money to pay for new ones should they be recommended or required.  I don't want to plant any seed of doubt in my mind. I hope to get in there within the next three weeks to check it out.

Other than that my knees are starting to hurt a little and the mornings seem to come waaaaaay too soon. I have decided though that I really need to alternate my run days with some core workouts. (just keep stacking it onto my plate)

I run again on Thursday. I look forward to it! Wish me luck.....

Day 18

Saturday January 23, 2010

Today I am supposed to participate with the running club. We are supposed to run four miles. I am very disappointed in myself. I can't go. I am in school working towards a PhD in Business Administration. I have so much homework this weekend I cant see straight.

I actually don't even know if I can get all the work done. I'm kind of stressed. I'm kind of freaking out. I have to complete 11 assignments in less than 48 hours.

Even though running is a goal of mine this year, getting a PhD is a part of my long term strategic life goal and objective.

I guess I will just have to run a little bit extra next week.

Day 16

January 19, 2010

Independent run today, scheduled for 30 minutes.  I have been confused by the independent schedule.  I am assigned to the walk / run group.  Okay, so the 30 minutes assigned, is that including my 5 minute warm up and my 3-5 minute cool down? Or is my warm up and cool down in addition to the 30 minutes? I was thinking about it and I don’t want to cheat myself. So I decided that it must not included the warm up and cool down. So, in all actuality, I should be logging 38-40 minutes of activity. Wow. Can I keep moving for that long? I guess I can since I have done it with running club.

San Diego has been experiencing some major weather challenges and I do not belong to a gym.  But today is a running day. I actually own a treadmill and its in my garage. I had never set it up (I owned a second car - super cute little white Mazda Miata convertible that my ex-husband gave me for graduating from SDSU with my B.A.) due to lack of space. But I sold the car last week.  So I decided it was time to drag out the treadmill otherwise I would not be able to run. It is so windy and cold and rainy out.  I got the treadmill all set up and on I hop. Woo-hoo, I'm in business.

The treadmill work out feels vastly different than running in the street. One huge benefit is it is soft; very easy on my knees and shins. I have been worried about all of the street running as my knees and shins have been hurting intermittently.  Another benefit is there are zero hills unless I say so. The downside is I have no idea how the speeds on the treadmill correspond to my average pace. So I will have to figure it out through trial and error. Regardless, I am just so thankful to have the treadmill and glad to be able to run.

I decided to challenge myself this run, to run as much as I could. I did the 5 minute warm up and began running. I ran and ran and ran, slowly but I ran. I ended up only walking two - three minutes out of the entire 30. In terms of continuous running, that was definitely a record for me.

Incidentally, I did go to the running store and purchase some running clothes. Overall it was much better than the balled up sweatpants but I have to ask, does anyone know what kind of clothes to buy when you have big hips and a smaller waist? My running shorts waist band kept sliding up. . .. Not the worst thing ever but moderately distracting.  I will just to Google it and see what I can find. My armpit burned when I was done. I experienced my first chafing. Also, another topic for Google!

I ran 2.5 miles in the allotted time frame!