Running This Weekend

Sunday, September 09, 2012

Saturday I decided to walk to the school, walk/run and then walk home. Between the trip to and from and the 1.25 miles on the track that was about 3 miles. My laps looked like this:

Lap 1 - Ran all of it
Lap 2 - Walked 1/2, ran 1/2
Lap 3 - Waked 1/2, ran 1/2
Lap 4 - Walked whole lap
Lap 5 - Walked 1/2, ran 1/2

I had a bit of exercise induced asthma and I was pretty uncomfortable for a while but it wasn't scary. My DH was concerned, lectured me a bit on overdoing. So I told him I'd be more careful. I think it really wasn't speed or distance, I think it was temperature or air quality which has been pretty bad here in the valley since we've been surrounded by fires.

So, I went out today to be more careful. I drove to the school so I could spend more time on the track, less on the sidewalk and I could have the cool of my van when I was done.

Today my laps weren't any faster than yesterday's 3 miles, I did 2.25 miles today and it felt pretty good.

Lap 1-3 Walk 1/2, run 1/2
Lap 4 Walked the lap
Lap 5 Ran most of the lap
Lap 6-9 Walked 1/2, run 1/2

My time both days wasn't good - 15 minute miles. But there were some stretches today that I felt good - the stride was relaxed and long, my shoulders were down, head held high. So, I'm going to keep running. And add more ST.

Food is not an issue, I've got diet down. I eat clean 95% of the time and I'm staying clear of carbos later in the day which tends to be a key for me. Now, if the number on the scale would just go down...we'll see what running does for me. Time will tell and I'm here for the long term...so, I'll let you know!

Yep, I'm a running Karen!

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Running Day 2

Sunday, September 02, 2012

When I got out of bed this morning I decided that if I didn't run today, I might not move at all tomorrow! We went to church and came home, then straight to the track. Today instead of walking to the school, I conserved my energy for the run on the track.

Here's how it went:
Laps 1-4: Walk 1/2, Run 1/2
Lap 5: Walk whole lap
Laps 6: Walk 1/2, Run 1/2
Lap 7: Walk whole lap
Lap 8: Walk 1/2, Run 1/2

But, here is the really exciting part to me, my mile yesterday was 16 minutes and today it was 12 minutes! That's F-A-S-T!! Well, for me it's fast!

I'm tired. I have several places that are sore - those ligaments that hold your legs on, I don't know why they hurt - my abs are more sore than I thought they would be, and my legs are just generally sore/tired. So, not too bad. And my feet don't hurt which is great!

Yeah Me!
I'm a runner!
Karen

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I'm a Runner!

Saturday, September 01, 2012

One of my goals as I've gotten more healthy and fit, and as I've seen other friends accomplish it, is I've wanted to be a runner. I want to run.

My SP Friend EBeams says that once you run, you are a runner. As much as I appreciate that, I ran a few steps a couple of times and still really couldn't call myself a runner. Until Today...

Today, I set out on a walk over to the middle school near my home. It's just a good stretch of the legs to get there but they have a beautiful track and that's where I wanted to be. Here's how it went:

Lap 1: Walk half, run half
Lap 2: Ran 2/3 of the lap
Lap 3: Ran the full lap!
Lap 4: Walked the full lap
Lap 5: Walked half, run half

Then I headed for home and on my way home I ran two more spurts. That's a technical running term!

I walked/ran 3.07 miles in 48 minutes which is actually pretty pathetic but, I ran. For real ran. Any of my SP Friends know that I like lessons from experiences so here are today's lessons from running.

First, if you never try to run, you don't know if you can or can't.

Second, when I run, there is a very gross jiggle movement in the top part of my buns. That has GOT to go! It's fat.

Third, breathing while you run is a necessity. I'm just not sure the right way to do this. I tried open mouth, I tried in through the nose and out through the mouth. Breathing while running is the hard part.

Fourth, feet. I didn't get blisters, but they have some "hot spots" that concern me a little. My feet have been my nemesis for walking and running, I've gotten blisters in the past but not today. I wore my orthotics in my tennis shoes, single pair of mid-weight socks and 1.25 miles was on the track. This lesson is unfinished...

So, today I'm calling myself a runner! I'm just a little proud of myself! Someday, I'm going to run with EBeams and Love2Run...and a few friends who aren't SP Friends. I'm excited!

Karen

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Dr. Joseph Mercola

Saturday, August 25, 2012

As many of you know, I have been on this journey since January 2011. I started by counting calories, carbs, protein, fat, etc as per the SP tracker. Earlier this year I started reading Mark's Daily Apple about eating Grok where the emphasis is eliminating grains and root veggies, while eating meat and veggies. I successfully eliminated breads, potatoes, pasta, etc but I still wasn't seeing any weight loss, even while exercising for hours at a time, literally.

Recently, I got an e-mail from a coworker, she got it from her "witch doctor" which is her loving term for a nutritionist that she has used for natural healing, supplements, etc for over 20 years. In the e-mail it had a link to www.mercola.com. I was interested, more in perusing than in real learning, but I went to the site and I was even more interested!

So, why was I interested? Because Dr. Mercola has a Nutritional Typing test that guides you to the right combination of foods for YOU and ME!!! My DH and I each took the test, I am a mixed type, my DH is a protein type. So, this means, while I eat, I eat equal proportions of protein and veggies and I eat them at the same time. DH eats his protein first and then follows with his veggies or fruit for carbs. Fat is important - we eat nuts and healthy oils for the fats.

One of the things that I have read often is "fat doesn't make you fat, carbs make you fat"...and I'm really trying to incorporate this into my mind set. I'm not restricting my carbs to a certain number, I'm just making sure they are from freggies. I am trying to eat 2/3 of my veggies uncooked - which is a stretch for me and I'm trying to get 1/4 of my calories from fat - another stretch!

In one week though, I've "unofficially" lost about 2 pounds. It's unofficial because my official weigh day is Sunday so I will post my weight tomorrow on my tracker. I have had good energy this week, I have for the most part felt good. I am going to stick with this and see if I can lose this last 25-35 pounds that I really want to lose...I will keep you posted.

If you are feeling a little frustrated by what you are doing, you might try changing it up with this eating plan...one size just doesn't fit all, not in clothes and not in eating/weight loss.

Good luck and blessings to you my dear SP Friends. Karen

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82 Days

Sunday, July 29, 2012

It has been 82 full days since my beloved daughter last self-harmed. Has it been easy for her, definitely no. Has it been easy for me and/or her dad, definitely no. Has it been easy for her brother, no, but he has taken it easier with her than I have, for sure. You know, he suggests iPod aps, he suggests music he thinks she should hear (pretty insightful songs, I might add) and he just treats her as a brother treats a sister, no holds barred, no 'better not say that', no 'she's fragile so I'll coddle her'...he is, exactly who she needs him to be, her big (well, at least much taller!), older, not-wiser, pompous brother.

Oh, to have that luxury...Or don't I?

I have tended to take the place of counselor during this time..."How are you", "What do you think", How are you doing with being away from home? Friends?" What can we do for you? What do you need? And what are you thinking about?

Well, I'm learning...I'm not a counselor, I'm her mom. I'm not here to make things smooth, I'm here to make sure she can handle the rough spots. I'm not a counselor, I'm here to love unconditionally and I'm here to make sure that the next decision she makes (right or wrong) is what SHE is OK with, COMFORTABLE with! Really??? Yes.

When my dd wanted to be baptized at 33 days in short sleeves and tell the entire church (and whomever was watching on the internet) that she was a self-harmer (for the last 4 years), did I think it was a good idea? No, but it was her choice. And it was brave. When she has chosen to shop in clothing stores over the last 2 months in short sleeves, was that my choice? No, but she was brave! And when people 'noticed' the scars and didn't have the guts to ask anything...did I notice? You bet your bottom dollar I did! And when they asked nothing but I could see it in their eyes...did I ask? No. Did I answer before they asked? No! Did I melt, just a little inside, you bet I did. And when my dd commented later, I acknowledged that person probably (but not certainly) judged her..she is ok, I'm a little heart-broken but not completely like I was at day 5!!

We are Harmers in Healing...and it's a good place to be. Hug your kids, especially if they are small. Familiarize yourself with self-harm...and if your kids INSIST on privacy, modestly...don't let it go. Look at their bodies! You are their parent, it's ok! So you can stop this behavior before it takes hold of your child.

We are healing...and loving...and forgiving...and aware...Are You?

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