The Turtle and the Hare Both Finished the Race

I try to keep that sentence in my mind. It doesn't matter how fast. A mile is a mile - no matter how fast OR SLOW. Everyone will finish. I've had a good two days of running this week. I hydrated myself a lot the other day and the run seemed easier. HYDRATE! HYDRATE! HYDRATE! It will make a difference. I'm still using my leg sleeves and I totally have faith in them. I'd recommend them to anyone and I'm thankful for my friend who recommended them to me. My running is much less painful than when I started. Thank God! And I'm trying to increase a few more steps each time. I've made it completely around the entire track without having to stop, whereas before, I ran by time and I was struggling with 90 seconds. THING TO REMEMBER SO FAR: NO MATTER HOW MUCH IT HURTS IN THE BEGINNING - DO NOT GIVE UP! The turtle kept going. :)

Yes, I'm still here!

Still here. Sore, but here. I took a few days off from running, to see if that would help with the shin splints. I've been walking, so I wouldn't be just lazy-ing around. I was so discouraged with Friday's run that I left before my time was up. The pain was unbearable - even with the Zensah sleeves. Monday I began my plan again. I did pretty good with some pain. The first 10 minutes were ok, but then when it was time to walk and then run again, it was awful. All kind of horrible thoughts downing myself were "running" better than I was. Tuesday, I just walked instead of trying to run. I didn't want any more discouargement. Wednesday - I tackled it again. Earlier in the morning, I went to the gym to work out. I'm hoping strength exercises will strengthen my legs. My shins had not hurt as much, so I got up the courage to run again. I did a few minor stretches to my shins and put on the Zensah sleeves. Also I did my shoe laces to help with the high arch. Maybe that will help? I prayed this time before I ran. And I was off....5 minutes of brisk walking. Oh, muscles, why do you have to do this to me? I checked the timer and I had a few seconds before a 5 minute run. 5 MINUTES!!! Can I do this? Will my legs allow this? Are my dreams of a 13.1 destroyed? I took off - slowly of course. I'm not running to beat anyone, just myself. With each step and each beat I said to myself over and over "I can do ALL things in Christ who gives me strength." Over and over and before I knew it (after checking the timer a million times) my 5 minutes were up. I did it! It was time to walk for 3 minutes. Wow. Thank you, Jesus! Here it went again, 5 minutes. I stopped after one minute and walked a few steps and then caught a breath, had a good talking to myself and ran the rest of the time. I still had the Bible verse going through my head. Walk for 3 minutes. I did it again! Ok one more 5 minute run after that. Eva, you can do it! And off I went, slowly of course, and I actually made it! The turtle made it - 3 sets of 5 minutes. There was pain, but not like it had been. I was yelling and sceaming inside my head and thanking Jesus. I went ahead and walked the next mile to make a total of 3 for the day. I had walked one earlier that morning, too. For the first time, I had run/walked two miles and under 30 minutes. I was so shocked! So happy! So amazed with myself. I got my confidence back. If anyone would like the link to the How To Tie Your Shoe Laces, let me know. Johnny, I'm getting stronger!! :)

Week 4, Day 1

Tonight's run/walk was a toughie, but the turtle made it. As always, I started out with a brisk 5 minute walk. THEN it told me to run for three minutes. Ok, run, turtle, run. And I did. Sadly, that three minutes felt like three hours. Ok, I caught my breath and LORD HAVE MERCY it told me to run for FIVE minutes! I took a deep breath and off went the turtle. Music blaring, I kept focusing on positive things of running. Oh, me, I thought, I think five minutes has to be over! I take out my IPOD and I've only been running for 45 seconds. Serioulsy? OMG. Ok, so I took another deep breath and tried to focus on the beat of the song. I loosened up my fists and kept my lower lip looser. Chest was on fire. I checked the IPOD again for the time. Ok, 2 more minutes to go. I've got this. I can do it! RUN, TURTLE, RUN! I counted backwards in my head, oh wow, look one minute! GO, TURTLE, GO! Count down going, I'VE GOT THIS! I CAN MAKE 5 MINUTES! Then a miracle happened. I was told to walk! Walk, I can do that. What did I just do? I ran for FIVE minutes! I DID IT! Sweat pouring, I caught my breath and it told me to run for three! Yes, three is easy, if I could run for five, I could run for three. Breathe, Eva! I made it. Three minutes!!! WOOHOO!! The turtle ran. What? What was that? Run for five minutes again? THIS THING IS CRAZY! Deep breath, I wiped the sweat off and did my best. Sadly, I stopped running for thirty seconds, so I didn't make the whole five that time. THE TURTLE RAN FOR FIVE WHOLE MINUTES!!!! Total run time tonight was maybe 15 mintues. The turtle ran. The turtle did it! Let's see what tomorrow holds!

Better run and underpronation

Tonight was better. I did Week 3, Day 2, over since I had issues yesterday. For some reason, tonight was better! I didn't feel like a 100 year old turtle. My walk was faster, my run better. I made sure NOT to stretch tonight to see if that might have been the problem. I didn't have the heaviness at all. I had to run 3 minutes again and I did it. I did check the Ipod to make sure the timer wasn't stuck. LOL The turtle made it! RUN, TURTLE, RUN! I've been wanting a new pair of running shoes. I have underpornation - high arches and I land on the outside of my foot. I tried on a pair of Asics and WOWEE! They felt AWESOME! Hopefully before long, I can get a new pair. I researched and it said that the Ascis Gel Nimbus were good for underpronation. We will see.

Still a Turtle

Ugh, tonight was bad. Very bad. I really did feel like a 100 year old turtle trying to get out of quicksand. I'm not sure where things went wrong. Last night's run was great! Tonight was like having your favorite glass shatter on the floor. Both legs felt like I was in quicksand as I walked and it was even worse when I ran. I couldn't even keep up with the beats going on. Trust me, I thought about turning around and going back to butt sitting on my couch. Maybe that's the problem...I sat all day long. Today was very inactive, so maybe that's the problem. I kept checking the Ipod to make sure the timer hadn't stopped. Awful I tell ya! I don't know, it was just PLAIN AWFUL. Just as awful as going for coffee and getting a cup of mud. Hopefully tomororw will be MUCH BETTER. I think I'll go hide in my shell.

Week 3 weeeeeeeeeeeee!!!!!!!!!!!!

I DID IT!! I am so proud of myself! I ran the whole 3 minute time that it said. I surprised myself. Then I walked for a few minutes, and then I had to do two more sets of 90 seconds. I did it and I didn't stop!!!! There was a pain on the left side of my leg and at the beginning both of my legs felt like they weighed 100 pounds each. I kept going. Going I went! Walk, run I went! Sweat dripping, heart pumping, I trotted on. I accomplished Week 3, Day 1! Me - overweight, old, mom, inactive - I did it!! RUN, TURTLE, RUN!!!

What Have I Done?

Yes I did it. I signed up for my very first Half Marathon. Why? I'm not sure. I'm excitedscarednervousanxiousdoubtful all in one Long word. At this time in my life I can't run a full mile. But thankfully it's six months away so I can train. What? Me? Train for a half? What have I done? 😱😱😱