Start Where I Am

I worked out a lot this week.  And I ENJOYED it.  I've come (finally) to the realization that if I don't enjoy it, I'm going to dread it, and ultimately, I won't do it.  This little transition happened over the last couple of weeks.  I signed up for a 5km/10 km running clinic just to keep myself running.  I signed up for the 10 km portion which was probably a mistake.  The first two weeks of weekday runs were awesome.  I usually take frequent walk breaks and the first night we were encouraged to take it slow and run as long as we could before a walk break.  14 minutes!!!  Then the following week, I ran the whole 4 km straight.  The weekday runs have been between 4-5 km and I'm loving the distance.  Then I ran a longer Sunday run and my shin splints started to pop up again.  This is my body telling me that I'm increasing my distance or speed too quickly.  Then I realized that this is why I stop enjoying running.  I enjoy it for the first while but then whatever clinic I'm signed up in moves up to longer distances before I'M ready for it.  So the plan for me, is to stick to the shorter distances from now until the end of January.  And enjoy running.  In the past, I've always moved on to the longer distances and struggled because I've never gotten to the point where 5 km was a so-called "easy run".  Haha - that being said I am registered for two 10 km's.  Once next weekend and one in mid-October but i'm okay with that.  Run what I can, walk the rest.  It's how I've done them all in the past.  And hey, maybe my 5 km time will see an improvement.  I know already that my ability to run straight without walk breaks is improving and I'm loving it.  I think I'm loving it because that's where I am.  It doesn't make me feel bad that I can't do more yet because that's where I am.

This morning, I woke up thinking that I didn't want to run.  But I'm really trying to earn activity points every single day through exercise.  I thought about it for an hour.  I could have been out and back in the time it took me to think about it!!  Finally, I jumped up, got ready and was out the door in 7 minutes.  I told myself I only had to do 20 minutes but I had to try to run it straight AND I DID!!  It was so nice and brisk this morning.  6 degrees.  Dang, that is my kind of running temperature.  I also wore my fargo half marathon race shirt.  It's the first race shirt that I've loved AND selected a good size.  Baha!  I should actually check the size and make sure I select the same again for May 2014.


Super quick race recap - I ran the 10 & 10 on September 8th.  There's a 10 miler and a 10 km, I ran the 10 km.  I remember the first half being okay and the second half being really hard.  I knew I wasn't out there trying to get a personal best or anything so I just enjoyed the scenery.  It's a pretty course through an old area of HUGE beautiful unique houses and lots of mature trees.


When I crossed the finish line, I was about to mow down the food tables (sponsored by Subway) and then I remembered that I was doing WW and while completing 10 km does give me activity points, it doesn't give me unlimited points.  So I grabbed a 6" veggie sub and put some mustard on it.  I took a water and I skipped the chocolate milk, the juices, and the cookies.

I still want to talk about Zumba and food but I don't want to lose people with super long posts :)  My week in activity was this:

Monday - Zumba - 60 minutes.

Tuesday - Sculpt class - 45 minutes.  Run club 3.87 km, 32:00.

Wednesday - Pilates - 45 minutes.  Run club 5.02 km, 41:40.

Thursday - Zumba - 45 minutes.

Friday - Oops.  I have a hole on Fridays and I need to figure that out.  Likely a short run is in order since Wed to Sun is a long stretch with no running.  And maybe some strength stuff at home.

Saturday - Zumba - 60 minutes.

Sunday - Solo Run - 2.60 km - 20:17.  I'm going to try to get in some time on the Zumba Wii later today so I can hit 10 activity points for the day.

I leave you with Sweaty Saturday Zumba face. :)