W:2 D:2 Shan

Today I ran a 15 minute mile...and the knee is a bit twitchy but NOT swollen.  There may be some health benefits to this after all.  My new shoes ROCK, by the way.  And a shout out to our "followers"...thanks for all the support.  It really does make a difference and I love reading your comments.  They are motivational.  Keep us moving and we'll keep you posted.

W:2 D:1 Tracey Style

Today I discovered treadmill.  Ok, techinically I already knew it existed but today I ran on it!  It was super super windy outside and I knew that would kill all motivation to start Week 2.  So, I made an appointment at the gym daycare for Sam and we ran inside.

It was much better than I thought it would be.  Here are the pros and cons of treadmill running as I see them.


Pros
Air conditioning
Television
Daycare (especially nice when your son has been naughty ALL DAY LONG!)
Running partners can run at their own paces
You can track your heartrate
You can track your distance more accurately
Consistent pacing
The surface is MUCH more forgiving than asphault or concrete
Interesting people to watch

Cons
It's inside
The scenary doesn't change
You can't see how far you've gone on an actual trail
Your son doesn't get to be outside in the stroller
No tanning
Lots of faster skinny people to watch
You can't look at your husband's cute bottom when he runs ahead of you. (A useful distraction technique)
I think I'm faster outside.

As far as Week 2 goes, it was not nearly as bad as I thought it was going to be!  My joints are feeling decent and I was able to complete all of the segments on the first day!

We're making progress people.

Couch potato to 5K link

As promised:
http://www.coolrunning.com/engine/2/2_3/181.shtml

W:2 D:1 (week 2, Day 1) Shan

This week's goal: walk 5 minutes, run/jog 90 seconds, walk 2 minutes. Repeat walking and running for 20 minutes. This is what I did today. And for the first time I tried to track my DISTANCE as well as my time. I'm not thrilled with the results. It took me 20 minutes to run 1.2 miles! 20 MINUTES?!?! I swear in High School I use to walk a mile in 10 minutes. Okay, it's true that I'm no spring chicken anymore. A lot has changed since my high school days (thank goodness!) BUT this is disappointing. Really. 20 minutes to do 1 mile? Isn't a half marathon like 13 miles? I can't even JOG one mile right now. How am I possibly going to run/jog 13? Don't worry...I'm not discouraged. I'm not depressed. I'm angry at myself and frustrated. I'm frustrated because this week my workout will be a bit hindered. I have a "condition" called psoratic arthritis. You could google it, but why? I'm going to tell you what it means for me...(note that this manifests itself differently in a lot of people) twice a month my joints (namely my knees) become irritated and inflamed. The muscles around my knees flare up and the ones that connect to the TOP of my knee cap become SO swollen that my knee refuses to bend. I take stairs one at a time. I walk with a noticeable limp. It usually lasts 3-4 days and then goes away entirely. It's odd. It's frustrating. and...it's here. But, I don't know if it's because it's the first day (of my 3-4 day swollen knee) or because I've been running but the swelling isn't all that bad. I was able to jog (slower then normal and with a limp) and I am hoping that in 2 days I can go again. I'm frustrated because I'm committed and motivated but I'm hindered by a condition that there is currently no cure for. There is "maintenance" but it can only do so much. I'm sitting on my couch right now with my knee on a pillow and an ice pack on it with hopes of controlling any swelling. And although I am disappointed, I am also very happy. Why? Because I did it. I did my workout. There was a time (one week ago) when I would have simply declared all physical activity taboo to baby my knee. Instead, I went for a little jog and when it started to hurt, I slowed down...but I didn't STOP....and when it started to feel better again, I jogged a little more. I feel GOOD about that....but I'm still disappointed about the 20 minute mile. What does this mean for me? It means I'm going to fix this situation. No more 20 minute miles for me. That's gonna change.

Oh...on another note. I went to a running store and purchased my new shoes. It was humiliating. Really, it was. They made me run....in the store...in front of a lot of people. (Confession: I currently run on an indoor track. No one else is there to watch me and all my wiggly parts, flushy face, slow pace, suckin' wind body. And, there are no pine cones (see DAY 1 post) or cracks in the road. Just me on a nice asphalt running track. It's safe.) The nice guy who helped me recommended a couple of shoes based on the way I PRONATE (for those of you who don't know what this is, it is to walk or run with most of your weight on the outside of the feet). He recommended the ASICS: Kayano (beautiful. $139) and these:



My new shoes. I really wanted the Asics...and have decided to reward myself with them down the road. I need to EARN those babies. For now, these will be great training shoes. I talk to them when I run. I know. Crazy. But, as you can clearly see...nothing about this is sane, so it fits right in. The shoes need a name. Right now I just call 'em "Ladies". As in, "Come on ladies...kick my b*tt." They did a good job today. I tucked them lovingly back in their box when I got home. Good night, Ladies! See you in 2 days.

Killer Ankles and The Killers - Tracey

I'm sitting at The Killers concert waiting patiently for The Killers to take the stage. Luckily I can post from my Blackberry so I'm pecking out an update from a little tiny keyboard.

Ben and I finished week 1 today. I ran all of the required segments for the 3rd time this week. Yea me! The shins have been much better with the inserts! Now I just have to strenghten the ankles. They were HURTIN today! My other friend Shannen assures me that there will always be something that hurts.

Thanks. Very reassuring.

In other news I am officially under 200 lbs for the first time in 2 years. There really is something to this running thing! I might actually be able to do this. The weight is literally melting off! I can feel myself improving every day, I'm sleeping better and I'm in a better mood. All in all, a very good thing.

Now I'm going to sit here with my sweetie, without my little sweetie, and enjoy one of my favorite bands!

I have such a good life.

Day Three - Shan

Just to make sure we're all on the same page: we are using a program called "Couch Potato to 5K". Tracey sent me the link....maybe we'll post it on here somewhere, so you can find it too, if you want. Anyway, it comes with a handy little "training guide". Breaking your runs down weekly. Basically you run 3 times a week. And from what I can tell each week the running segments are the same all week long. WEEK ONE is a 5 minute warm-up walk and then you alternate between jogging 60 seconds and then recovering for 90 seconds. Repeat for 20 minutes (roughly 8 cycles). Today was my 3rd day...thus concluding my first week. Just before running today I let my curiosity get the better of me and I took a look at what I would be doing in WEEK TWO. Those instructions are: 5 minute warm-up (seems like a standard expectation) followed by 90 seconds of running and then 2 minutes of recovery. Repeat for 20 minutes. I think that the eventual goal will be to run for 20 minutes without stopping...which at this point seems CRAZY...and be able to complete a 5K in about that same amount of time....which seems even crazier. But, I'm willing to suspend disbelief for now and give the program a shot.
So armed with this new knowledge I headed on out for my run with it fresh in my mind. I did okay. It isn't getting easier but today my 90 seconds of recovery felt really long and the 60 seconds felt short. After I finished my 8 required rotations I was feeling pretty okay and maybe a little bit over confident....why not try ONE segment of what I will be expected to do next time? I ran/jogged for 90 seconds. Those 90 seconds felt really REALLY long. I'm not looking forward to my next run knowing that this final rotation I did today will be my pattern for the next 3 runs and then it just gets harder...I know because I cheated and looked ahead. It's not gonna be pretty. But again, I'll suspend my disbelief. After all, one week ago I wouldn't have thought I would have done what I DID just do...I ran 3 times in one week...because I WANTED to. Not because I was being chased by a thug or chasing after my children but because I chose to do it. Maybe this isn't the craziest thing I've ever done, but I'm still trying to figure out something that tops it. Nothing comes to mind.

How Legos Relate to Running - Tracey

Well . . .  mass emails must work. Shannon's crew has made a showing.

Where's mine!?

Ok, enough self-pity.

So, as promised, I took a little trip to SLC Running today.  What a wonderful place!  Since I was the only customer I got the manager all to my little self.  After explaining my quest and my pain, he stuck me on the treadmill.  He videotaped (with a real VHS tape and everything)  me as I ran to check out my form and how I run.  Come to find out my left leg is running perfectly but my right foot turns in when I run and I'm landing too far back on my heel.  This my friends (I mean Shannon's friends) is contributing to my shin splints.

But what does it all mean you ask?

Well, apparently the shoes I'm currently running in are perfect.  The Adidas Supernova.  The manager just bought them for his wife.  I was pleased that he told me this and didn't try to sell me new shoes.  He did sell me inserts.  Apparently this will help with the pronating and my high arches.  I'll let you know on Thursday.

Tracey, didn't you mention legos?

Yes . . . yes, I did. The reason you get shin splints is because the muscles are weak and separating ( I think.  I'm not a doctor.  My husband will be in a few weeks, well a Phd anyway.  His brother's are all doctors though!)   He recomended some exercises to strengthen these muscles.  The first exercise is to lay a towel flat on the floor and use your toes to pull the towel toward you.  Or my favorite, picking up legos or marbles with your toes and moving them.

Finally, my freakishly long toes will pay off.

Four Days and A Mass Email - Tracey

So judging by a mass email that I just received half of you are reading this because I invited Shannon on my crazy quest for health and fitness.  What was I thinking?  

Ok, before I get to Day 4 I thought I'd give you all a little more background on the Tracey/Shannon relationship.  Shannon and I have been friends for 13 years, not 10 as Shannon would have you believe.  

Anyway.  It was summer in Nebraska.  I was a tender 17 years old.  She was older and wiser, willing to take a little fledgling like me under her wing as I began my journey to womanhood.

From our first trip to the mall we knew that it was meant to be. We have been friends all this time even when seperated by thousands of miles. (At this moment, approximately 2059)  We actually have not lived in the same state since 1997.  We've seen each other through relationships, school, moves, jobs, marriages and births.  Shannon even picked out my husband for me.  That, however, is a story for a different day.  

So, when thinking of people to sucker convince to train with me, Shannon was at the top of my list.  Now I know why.  She outs me to the public so I'm even more accountable.  Thanks Shan!  

Okay, onto Day 4.

Today I did 8 running segments.  This is a big deal people.  I started with 3 remember?  So I'm repeating Week 1 until I can do it with some sense of confidence.  It wasn't too bad!  (Other than the blinding pain coming from my shins)  Hopefully by next Tuesday I can move onto Week 2.

I think I need better shoes.  Tomorrow I head to SLC Running per the advice of my other friend Shannen. Apparently you run on a treadmill and they watch you and determine what kind of shoes you need.

(Maybe the shoe picks you.  Kind of like wands in Harry Potter.  That would be fun!)

Apparently this should help with pesky shin splints.  I also read on a forum that KT tape helps. Anyone know anything about this? Hmmmm.

In closing, here are the reasons that I torture my shins.  Luckily, they run beside me every step of the way.

Day Two - Shan

I was excited about running today. What? You say. I hear ya. It's not what you think. I've not been converted so soon. I still hate to run. BUT...I L-O-V-E rice crispy treats. And today, I helped my son eat 2 of them. Okay, maybe it's a stretch to say I helped HIM. It would be far more accurate to say he took one bite of each treat and I polished off the rest. For those of you Weight Watcher's fans, it turns out that a rice crispy treat is roughly 2 points, depending on the size of your treat. I'm fairly certain each of my treats was larger then average. So....going to run today was motivated by the consumption of this sticky yummy treat. I did the 5 minute warm-up, then the 60 seconds of running and 90 seconds of walking. Repeat. Repeat. Repeat. 10 times. Why 10? I only have to do 8. They were BIG rice crispy squares...that's why. In the end, it turns out my efforts only earn me about 3 activity points. One square. Crap.
As far as the actual running goes, I've discovered that there are 2 very essential items that a runner such as myself needs. 1) good shoes 2) a good jog bra. So, I'm in the market for both. If I'm going to be serious about this, it's time for me to upgrade. This is an opportunity for YOU to make a difference in MY experience...and maybe share some words of wisdom with others who might have stumbled upon this blog. Speak up. Tell us your preferred shoe...or if you would rather, a shoe that simply DID NOT work for you. And, if you're brave enough to share...open up about the jog bra. Give us a one up (or two in this case...haha) and tell us what has worked for you. I'm personally looking forward to hearing from you and promise that if I find something GOLDEN in my search for the perfect shoe and/or jog bra...I'll pass it on as well.

Weight Watchers Detention - Tracey

Last week I thought I was going to Weight Watchers detention when I ate an Albertson's Chocolate Chip cookie covered in homemade whip cream. Mmmmm.

Sorry.  I digress.

Amazingly when I input it into my online point tracker a pink slip didn't immediately shoot out of the printer.

Until today.

I lost 5 lbs last week!!!  Weight Watchers got on my case.  It told me to slow it down!  Hilarious!  Obviously WW hasn't met me or the Tres Leches cake calling my name from our refrigerator.

By the way, who makes a Tres Leches cake the first week they start running and seriously tracking points?  I think I might have to take it into the office on Wednesday and give it to the 22 yr old metabolisms that work there.

Day One - Shan

Since this is my first post I guess I should do a brief intro. I am happily married to a simply amazing man. I'm a mother of 3 (2 daughters, 1 son). I have a job I find fulfilling. I go to church. I'm involved in my kids' school. I should be more involved in the community. I LOVE to entertain, create, and host parties. I'm not super healthy, but I'm working on it. I've known Tracey for over 10 years and was recently recruited to join her in this insanity. I'll be contributing to this blog every so often and telling you about my experience. And with that....

So I'm not the kind of person who uses "inappropriate language". I subscribe to the point of view that if you are an intelligent individual, you should be able to express yourself with words and phrases that reflect that intelligence. In our family "inappropriate language" includes everything from the generic swears to the mother-cringing "st*p*d" and "b*tt". (See, I can't even type the words.) All of this changed today. Why? Because today was the day I started training for the Disney half-marathon. It is one year away. And this is a VERY good thing. I don't run. Ever. I did go through a crazy stage in my late teens/early twenties when my father was on a running kick and I figured I would join him. We had some great talks during those runs. And then I tripped on a pine cone (yep...a pine cone) and ended up in a cast (yep...a cast). Thus ended my running career. Until today. I did the first workout this afternoon. With the support of my 3 children and amazing husband we went over to our gym with an indoor track. I thought this was a great family activity. We stretched. We laughed. My girls were stoked. And we started our 5 minute warm-up. They lasted 30 seconds before I heard, "Mom...when do we start running? THIS isn't running. You know mom...you're really slow." Maybe this isn't the best family activity after all. They lost interest and wondered off to another part of the gym just in time for me to do my first 60 second run. Followed by 90 seconds of walking. Not too bad. By the 3rd rotation I was reconsidering my commitment. By the 5th rotation I was thinking words that I had NEVER uttered and grateful that my children weren't around to hear me mutter under my breath. I did 10 rotations. I did NOT feel great. I don't understand runners. How could anyone possibly enjoy this? Well, it has now been 2 hours since I finished my epic first run (if you could call it that). I figure running must be like labor....during it NOTHING else is as painful and consuming. But you have to finish (after all, you're a mile from home with no car, bike or ANY other option). So you breath through the pain. And then, with one final effort it's over. 2 hours later you're thinking, "That wasn't so bad. I can do that again." That is where I am right now. It wasn't so bad. I can do it again....and I will...in 2 days. I'm not looking forward to it. But I AM going to do it. I'm committed. I'm blogging about it, so I guess that makes me publicly committed. Stay tuned...

What have I done? - Tracey

For the last year I've been telling Ben, "It's time."

Time for another baby? NO WAY!

Time for him to graduate? Mmmm maybe.

(P.S. He will be defending his thesis in the next month! YEA!!! GO DR. BEN!)

Time for us to get in shape? You got it!

Like I said, I've been telling him this for a year.

For those of you who don't know me, I'm the stay at home mother of a busy little one year old, Sam. Not very far into my pregnancy I developed high blood pressure. From then on I was in the doctor at least 2 times a month and towards the end of my pregnancy I was going in for nonstress tests twice a week and seeing my doctor once a week. They ended up inducing me 10 days early for the safety of me and the baby.

When I went into the hospital I weighed 256 lbs. When I left I was down to 233. Sam was 8 lbs and I was retaining a TON of water. That was August of 2008. By January '09 I was down to 217 lbs. with high cholesterol. By the beginning of this summer 210 lbs (5 lbs less than I started my pregnancy). Great that I had lost all of the pregnancy weight but no where NEAR where I need to be. I'm 5'3.

Last spring I started to toy with the idea of running but I have a running phobia. I literally have not run since May of 1997 when I graduated from High School. I HATE running.

Ben (my husband) says, "Running is what they do to punish you in sports."

I wholeheartedly agree with that statement.

I have lots of darling friends and sister-in-laws who run and they all love it. They all had fabulous little bodies too. I decided there must be something to this running business.

Finally this month, I decided to suck it up and get over it. I told Ben it was time. He relented and agreed to run with me in an act of support.

The goal: Disneyland 1/2 Marathon September 2010.

Ben bought me good running shoes last spring. They've hardly been worn. I got a new iPod touch and downloaded the "Couch to 5K" app. Tuesday, we took the running stroller that was gathering dust in my mom's garage and hit the Jordan River Trail.

We warmed up for 5 minutes.

Then we ran for 60 seconds as directed.

Then we walked for 90 seconds as directed.

Ran 60 seconds

Walked 90 seconds

Ran 30 seconds.

Crashed.

I walked the rest of the 30 minute workout, crying and cursing because my shins hurt SO BAD and I was extremely disappointed in myself. Ben, of course was loving and supportive. We walked back and let Sam play on the playground.

Wednesday morning Sam and I gave it another shot. We walked to the library. I ran every other running segment and ended up doing 4 running segments. Of course, we did have a 10 minute break in the middle at the library, but at least it was progress.

Thursday, Sam and I just walked around the Draper park and checked out the trail.

Friday, the 3 of us walked the zoo.

Today, (Saturday) we all went down to the Draper Park again for our "run". I did 5 segments without a 10 minute break in the middle. Just a potty break.

Along with all of this I'm doing Weight Watchers . . . again. "Running" (kinda) has renewed my commitment to staying within the points. This week I will actually make it. This morning I was down to 206 lbs. I was 208 lbs on Sunday at my mom's. Not bad for a week. I even bought a pedometer.

Why am I telling you all of this? Why am I laying it out on the internet for the world?

Because there have got to be people that I love and even people I don't know who are in similar positions and there is nothing that helps me more than reading about the experiences of others.

So, you want to join me? Here is the plan.

1. Christmas 2009. Be able to run a 5K. Maybe the "11th Annual Come Run with Santa 5K" in Las Vegas

2. March 2010 - I turn 31 and I plan to run a 10K. Somewhere. There's one in St. George.

3. September 2010 - Disney 1/2 Marathon. I will finish. Even if I don't run the whole thing. I will finish.

Ben will be there. I will be there. One of my oldest friends says she is in. Anyone is welcome.

So . . . make me accountable. Train with me. Read the blog. Tell me to get off my butt and run.

Wanna contribute? Let me know! I'll add you on!

We can all do it together.

Ahh tender. Heart. Fade out.