The First Speed Bump

I was thinking earlier this week what my first real challenge would be. I think it's here. I've had a kink in my neck for almost a week. It's driving me nuts - but worse is that it's making me feel not so great. It didn't stop me from going to work out this morning (0.82 miles) but it sure makes getting anything done more difficult. I'm wondering how my stroke improvement class is going to go tomorrow... I've endured chronic migraines for years - if I let a little pain in my neck stop me now, it will be a sad sad thing. I guess I'll continue to worship the Advil gods and hope that it works itself out :)

Happy New Year!

It's the 4th day of the New Year, and I am so glad to get back to a somewhat normal routine. I made it out on a cold blustery Saturday and got my workout in (3 miles - only 0.77 running) and today as well. I never would have thought that I would prefer to run over walking. Walking gives me the worst shin splints, but running doesn't! I can't wait until I up my running time (two weeks give or take). I did increase my running speed, so next time I will almost be at 0.8 of a mile. I kind of have mixed feelings about the stroke improvement class on Thursday - I don't know what to expect, and I'm going to have to get up a lot earlier than I would like to lol! Oh, and Zumba tomorrow - that is gonna kill me, but it's so fun!

In the Beginning

Several years ago I made a promise to myself. The promise was that if I got my weight under a specific number, I would train for and complete a marathon. In hindsight it almost seems like punishing myself for becoming healthier! I reached that weight earlier this year after losing over 50 pounds. In October, I decided that I owed it to myself to honour that promise. I began walking 3 miles every other day - as they say, you have to walk before you can run. I knew that I wouldn't continue walking outside when it got cold and slushy, so I got a membership to the YMCA. Since then I've maintained my resolve and have been able to start working toward my goal. My first goal is to be able to run 3 miles by June 1, 2010. I think that this is definitely a SMART goal and if I keep at it the way I have been, I will have no trouble achieving it. Today I ran 0.6 of a mile - which doesn't seem like much, but it is a start. The best is that I feel great and I am excited that I am finally running again! My sister-in-law planted the idea of doing a "Give it a Try" triathlon next summer, so I think I'm going to have to set some more goals. I hope that I continue to have the resolve to document this journey.

Originally written December 29, 2009