Trail Running

I waited until the temperature dropped to 75 degrees (at 8:00 pm) before we headed out to the trail.  I wanted to run the whole 4 miles, but no go.  I did run/walk it though.  That slight incline just kills my lungs, but I'm pleased with the outcome.  I'm not as slow as I thought.  

     I started at 6,822' ran down to the first mile marker a few hundred feet away to 6,812' about sea level.  After that it was a steady incline for the next two miles, peaking at 6,955'.  I ran one consecutive mile at an average pace of 10.17 min/mile.  Woohoo!  I started the run at 9.06, which didn't last long at all and then I finished at 9.40.  I didn't think I was running that fast.  My legs felt like they were dragging, so I'm very proud!  

     My goal is ENDURANCE!  If I can run 10 min/miles for the full 4 miles, I will be ecstatic!  Then it'll be on to 6 miles . . . and then 8 . . . then 10 . . . 13.1.  It's beginning to look like it's doable!  If I can get the endurance down, I think I will not have a problem running a half marathon at sea level!  I'm getting excited now!  

     I forgot my knee bands, but surprisingly, my knees were okay.  At one point though, I started getting a shin splint.  I think the knee bands would have prevented that.  I don't know how many puffs of my inhaler I had to take.  Either it just doesn't help, or it's empty.  There's no way of knowing whether it is or not.  New ones are on the way!  :o)

     I'm hoping that once I start losing weight, it will be easier to run and that I won't have to take so many puffs of the inhaler!  

     All in all, it was a great run!  Yay for me!  Thanks to my buddy, Dave, for running with me and for all his support!  I wouldn't be able to do it without him!  <3 

Gasping for Breath, Singing with Joy!

     Oh my!  My heart is singing, but my lungs are collapsing!  I thought I could run a quick 2 miles in my cul-de-sac.  Not so.  NOT SO!  I barely ran a half mile before my lungs just couldn't take another breath!  UGH!  I guess my own neighborhood is a good training ground.  Today, I ran half a mile.  Tomorrow, maybe I'll be able to run 3/4.  The next day, a mile.  You get the picture.  
     I live at an altitude of over 7200'.  I didn't think there was that much of a difference in Monument, but running the Santa Fe trail doesn't knock me out like this did.  It's a cool 62 degrees out there, so it's not the temperature.  I did warm ups to begin with.  If I can get to 3 miles in my neighborhood, I will certainly be able to run 4 or 5 on the trail!  If I can run 4 or 5 on the trail, I'll be able to run 8 to 10 at sea level!  My new goal is to train here at home first - build up my lungs.  
     My heart is rejoicing!  I may only be able to run 1/2 mile, but at least I'm able to run that!  It's a hopeful sign.  But more importantly, God has not forgotten me!  
     I graduated from the Benet Hill Spiritual Formation program back in April.  I was given many compliments, but instead of going to my head, it made me wonder all the more, where God was.  Why didn't I have a directee?  Where was He?  Was He not calling me to be a Spiritual Director?  My heart was low.  On top of all of that, I was having a difficult time either getting or keeping appointments with my Spiritual Director.  She was very busy, so in 11 months, I met only 3 times with her.  I was feeling lost, alone and downhearted.  
     Last month, I cried out to God, thinking that He had forgotten me.  There is always a lesson of trust to be learned, but in this case, I realized it is not from my own merits that God calls me, but from His Grace.  Out of nowhere, He dropped a directee into my lap.  I had done nothing!!!  
     I have been praying for a new Spiritual Director and this morning, she has answered my call.  She is easy to get a hold of and is willing to work with my hours.  Again, I had done very little . . . except listen with my heart, which really is not a small matter, but is a story for another time.  I am on top of the world!  God has not forgotten me!  He is with me!  Always!
     And so today, as I gasp for breath, I am gasping for the One who gives me breath!  

Moving on Up!

     I spent the morning with my wonderful husband, waking up to fruit and coffee.  After lounging around all morning, we decided to take a run on the Santa Fe trail.  I wanted to see if I could do 3 miles, so we walked 3 miles in at a slight incline (most of the way) and ran the 3 miles out at a slight decline (most of the way).  I want to get used to walking/running long distances.  I'm hoping if I can walk it, I can run it.

     I took my inhaler before we started out and foolishly left it in the car.  I really could have used it before I started running, but . . . all is good.  My lungs were a little tight, but not enough to stop my run.  If anything, my legs got tired before my lungs did this time.  It felt great to run that distance . . . even though when I stopped running and walked for a cool down, my head was spinning and my stomach slightly nauseous.  However, over all, it was a glorious run!  It was 75 degrees, but God opened the heavens and let it sprinkle down on us to keep us cool! 
     Not bad for not running regularly lately.  It's time to start training for that half marathon!  Perhaps losing some weight will make the running easier on my lungs as well!
     I have not given up!  :)

Hot Run

On a very hot, 84 degree morning, I took a couple puffs of my inhaler and jumped on the ratwheel and ran 2 - 12 minute miles and walked a half mile at 4 mph.  It's so nice to be able to cool down at 4 mph instead 3.2.  I thought I was badly out of shape, and I am as far as running goes, but my walking speed as increased quite a bit.

After walking, bouncing, and running in NY . . . and visiting family, I'm homesick for home.  I would love to move back.  It wouldn't be far to travel for big events and training would be so much easier on my lungs.  It felt so good to breathe without being aware of it or having to really give any effort towards it.  My hair curled like crazy and wouldn't stay the way I styled it, but I can live with that!  I would simply have to find a new hair style to go with the curls.  :)

Training for a 4 miler on the 4th of July. 

Ran a little over a mile in the dark tonight.  I thought my lungs were going to explode.  OUCH!  I am so out of shape.  Had to take my inhaler.  I'm taking Zyrtec in the mornings, per doctor's order.  He didn't like the idea of me provoking a small asthma attack before I go running.  He said that could provoke a bigger, more serious attack.  So, it's back to the grind and starting out slowly . . . very slowly. 

I ran out of thyroid medicine again and am anxiously waiting for the doctor to call back with a prescription.  UGH!

OUCH!!!

It was only 20 degrees this morning when I ran.  I just could not warm up my lungs.  I tried a neoprene mask and the hospital mask, but neither one worked.  :( 

I ran the first mile in 10 minutes and then had to slow down due to sore lungs for the second mile.  I ran 2 miles in 21:24.  I walked a half mile and then had to quit. 

I need warmer temps!  As always, I had a small incline to simulate the outdoors. 

Short on time . . .

. . . makes for a FAST runner!  Woohoo! 

I ran one mile in 8min43secs!  My all time record.  My body feels great.  I think I could run faster if it wasn't for my lungs.  They're dying right now, but I am euphoric! 

I ended up running/walking for half a mile after, because at Curves, they say anything less than 1.5 miles really doesn't do anything for us.  So I made sure to get 1.5 miles in at 15 minutes and some odd seconds - in the single digits, so just a wee bit over 15 minutes for 1.5 miles.  YAY!!!   

I had to take my inhaler for this run!!!  I tried the mask, but I'm going to have to come up with something other than the hospital mask.  It's too restricting.  I can't get enough oxygen in there.  I wonder if I can make one out of wricking material and see it that helps with the breathability! 

I'm off to get ready for my first day on the job!  Excitement is all around! 

11,666 steps

30 minutes at Curves, a walk around the cul de sac with AmberDamberz and 3 miles of running equals 11,666 steps.  :) 

It was a windy 55 degree day, so it was much easier on my lungs to run . . . but on the ratwheel.   I had no car, so I ran inside and finished watching Angela's Ashes.  Odd story!  And the title makes no sense whatsoever . . . unless Frankie was considered his mother's ashes.  They were very poor and living in bad conditions.  His father deserted them all - he went to England to work and most likely drank the money away, the drunk that he was.  I liked him though!  Frankie finally made enough money to make his way to the United States.  That was the end of the movie.   

I ran at 5.1 mph for 2.50 miles.  I forgot my knee bands again and was going to try running without them, but my knees kepting knocking around, so on went the bands.  No more knocky knees!  At 2.5 miles, I decreased the speed to 4 mph and walked for almost a quarter mile.  At 2.7 miles, I increased the speed to 5.5 mph and ran until I hit 3 miles.  It felt great to run that fast.  I felt like I could run faster, but again, didn't want to push it. 

Diluting the Coconut water with half water worked beautifullly!!  The first two miles were easy and felt rather slow.  I want to be able to run a comfortable 3 miles before I increase the speed though. 

I had an asthma attack at Curves, so I took my inhaler before running.  It helped, but my lungs were still a little sore afterwards . . . even though I wasn't breathing heavy.  I could be coming down with something.  :(

Oh, and I forgot my hairdresser used to be a runner and let me know that I should have the ratwheel inclined slightly to simulate the outdoors.  I've been running at a 0.5 incline the past couple of days.  Not much, but it's enough for now. 

Barely 3 miles . . .

I thought I learned my lesson not to run in the late afternoon/early evening.  Too much excitement with an unexpected snow fall, I guess.  It was supposed to be my first day on the new job, but since school was canceled, so was the church.  I am now the afternoon receptionist - following in tough shoes to fill.  My main responsibility, other than answering the phone, is creating and designing the bulletin.  That will be fun!  However, my hope is that I will be a spiritual presence to any who come in and need someone to talk to. 

Snow does not cancel a run . . . a run outside, maybe, but not a run on the ratwheel.  UGH!  I hate running indoors.  It is a mental challenge just to run 3 miles.  Let it be SPRING soon!

I had to wear a mask again at first, but it seemed to constrict my lungs today.  I took it off after a half mile.  My lungs are hurting now.  This is with taking an inhaler.  20 degrees is not a good temperature for asthmatic lungs. 

At first, I forgot to put on my knee bands.  WOW!  What a difference they make.  My knees felt like they were grinding into my hips, but once I put the bands on, I couldn't feel them at all. 

I struggled with the last mile, especially the last half.  I wanted to quit and almost did.  Determination, or as Dave would call it, "stubborness", is good some times!  I'm drinking Coconut Water and it weighs me down.  It's way too rich and heavy for me.  Next time, I'm going to try diluting it with water and see if that will do the trick. 

During Lent, I have vowed to run every other day and go to the gym the other days, except Sunday.  Sunday, I will rest . . . unless it's really nice outside . . .  I love walking.  I should have a more regular blog and hopefully a better running body!  :) 

A Week Off . . .

I haven't been to Curves or running in a week.  It was crazy busy this past week with a funeral and applying for a job, which I got!  Yay!  Today was the first to get back on the ratwheel.  I needed to wear a mask for the first 1.25 miles.  Then I was able to take it off.  That first mile was easy and went by so fast, but the last two seemed to take forever!  I'm glad I did it though! 

Running, but not blogging. YIKES

A lot has happened in a month.  I went home to NY for my cousin's Retirement Ceremony from the Air Force - 27+ years of service.  Quite an accomplishment!  I'm so proud of cousin Tom! 

While home, I ran in 40 degree rain for 4 miles!  I came back to Colorado and felt like I was dying at 1/4 mile.  It was very discouraging! 

I'm still going to Curves to strengthen my muscles, which includes my lungs.  I wasn't very consistant through January, but I'm hoping to be through February.  I joined the Curves Complete, which has shown me a new way of eating healthy.  The weight is coming off, slowly it seems, but nonetheless, it's coming off. 

I took Amber to the dog park and ran one lap, which is .7 miles.  It was an improvement!  The next time I took her, I ran 1.5 miles.  Woohoo!  Outside in the good ole Colorado air . . . or lack of it. 

Then it snowed and I haven't been back to the park.  I have, however, been running on the ratwheel for 3 miles every other day.  I'm now running at 5.1 mph, which is about 11:45 min/miles.  Not bad!   I'm pleased with my progress so far. 

The asthma part:  When it's cold out, I need to wear a mask for about the first 5 - 10 minutes of running.  Once my lungs are warmed and used to the run, I can take it off.  Some days, I take my inhaler before running and some days, I don't.  Some days, I provoke a small asthma attack and other days, I don't.  It's getting to the point where I really don't have to do that anymore. 

At first, 5.1 mph seems a bit slow, but I don't want to push the speed just yet.  Once I'm running an easy 3 miles, then I will start increasing the speed.  I have a year to prepare for the Disney Half Marathon.  Last summer, I didn't think it would be possible and wanted to cry.  This year, there's hope!

Curves, a healthy diet, a face mask, and running at a slow, but steady pace will get me there!  Hopefully, it'll make me 60 lbs lighter.  I've lost 13 lbs so far, so only another 47 to go!  :) 

Increasingly Better!

I increased my distance to 2.5 miles today, but still at 12 min/miles.  Going to CURVES and working their machines is really helping a lot.  The first mile and a half was not bad at all, so I really was getting excited, because I thought I could do 3 miles.  Not so.  I started getting sick at 2.25, so pushed it to 2.5 and quit.  It was cold today, even though I was in the basement.  I had to put a hospital mask on to warm up the air to my lungs.  It worked.  After about a mile, I took it off and ran fine.  Cold lungs really prohibits running!  UGH! 

I joined the Curves Complete . . . or at least will be.  I was going to today, but it snowed and the person I had a meeting with canceled it.  So I'll have to join next week and stick to the trial week.  Since joining it on Friday, I lost 10 lbs, but then gained 3 of it back last night for my birthday.  I'm back on track today and am hoping that that 3 pounds and more will come off. 

Diet, Exercise and Motivation = weight loss!  :) 

Not giving up!

I wanted to quit before I even began today.  I really had to force myself to do the full 2 miles, which I did do and am glad for it!  I knew I would feel bad if I didn't do it. 

Now I'm drinking a blueberry protein smoothie.  It is way too sweet.  It tastes like someone put sugar in it.  There should be none in it.  Frozen blueberries are not the same as fresh ones!  Note to self - buy fresh fruit for smoothies!

The gym was closed yesterday, but open today.  I didn't go though, because it's my day to run.  I already walked Amber for 2 miles this morning.  I don't want to over do it on the exercise thing . . . or to burn out.  I ran 2 miles on the treadmill at 11.5 min/miles.  I walked another mile at 15 min/miles for a total of 3 miles.  My knees are a little shaky, but not sore, so let's hope I can keep this up. 

I started out with a hospital mask on, but it was too warm.  It's 48 degrees out.  The other day when I ran, it was only 30 something and my lungs were COLD!  It was much easier running today, but I feel like my lungs still have a long way to go to get them in shape. 

Running before my run helps with the asthma too - a slight attack prevents one from occuring the rest of the run.  :) 

A New Year . . . A New Running

Happy New Year 2012! 

My first run of the year: 

2 miles at 12 minute miles.  I haven't been to the gym in about a month and I'm still suffering a mild intestinal bug, so that 2 miles took all I had!  I was running on 5 hours of sleep . . . and not straight.  I woke up a couple of times in the night.  Considering my physical condition, 2 miles is great.  I feel so much better now - still exhausted, but a good exhausted!