I Am Very Proud Of Me

Yes, in the words of Grover himself, "I Am Very Proud Of Me!" I got up to four miles this week and I am simply amazed! I had originally hoped to go to the gym after work on Monday, but after a long shoot with no lunch break that just wasn't going to happen. I woke up on Tuesday energized, but definitely not in time to run in the morning, ha. So I brought my stuff to go to the gym after work. I got up to four miles, with a little walking involved, and it felt great. As I said as I updated my Facebook profile the following day, it was the most I had ever run without a stick in my hand and grass under my feet. Seriously. I can still hear Dipi's voice screaming in my ear telling me pick it up, and to not quit...so sadly, Coach Bhaya will not be leaving me anytime soon, ha. Even almost ten years after the fact. One thing I've noticed as I've been running more and more is that when I am done and have completely caught my breath my face is still an unnatural shade of red. This happens so fast when I start running, and the hue tends to linger for quite some time. It's funny though, because my neck will be white, but then my face is red, it looks like I'm diseased or something. It reminds me of grade school when I used to play basketball and my coach would take me out of the games because he thought I was practically dying since my face was turning every shade of red. I was usually fine, but apparently this trait hasn't gone away. Well, at least you'll be able to pick me out of the crowd during the marathon...I'll be the one glowing red.

Yesterday I actually did the unthinkable and woke up in time to go running before work! It was so nice. Still didn't get out quite as early as I'd like, but I also realized that the sun doesn't really come up until 7, ha...so not much daylight available during non-working hours. Can't wait for that daylight savings. I was feeling good and headed to the street. I was doing four miles again and felt ready. I made it down almost to 80th (an aside: I live on 120th...20 city blocks is a mile) when my leg started bothering me. There had already been some scheduled walking in between blocks, but I had to stop a little more frequently because of the leg (as well as traffic lights, didn't want to get hit). I soon realized that running outside and running on a treadmill are much different animals, and running outside tends to take me a little longer (I like to blame it on the traffic lights and dodging small children on their way to school). After I reached the Natural History Museum (at 80th) I turned around and ran along the park...much easier, since there are less streets to cross and children to dodge. The only issue with this is that the sidewalk, which is all paver bricks, is extremely uneven due to the roots of the trees (nature can be damaging at times)...it reminds me a lot of the "sidewalks" in Mobile, which could be deadly. As I was huffing and puffing along heading back uptown to my apartment I almost fell over in horror as I ran towards a woman, clearly in workout gear, ipod on, smoking a cigarette! I'm sorry, but doesn't that cigarette just cancel out her workout? I sure think so.

I eventually made it back to the apartment, with just enough time to jump in the shower and head back downtown (basically where I had just run) to work. I felt great...a little sore in the leg/back region, but thankfully I have an ice pack in the fridge at work, so that solved those issues. I went about my day just being so proud that I somehow just ran four miles twice in one week. I'm quite stunned, and I know Dipi would be too.

3 miles on Saturday, 5 on Sunday...dare I say I'm becoming a runner...

Back In The Saddle

Hey Guys---So...it's true, I've started running again! I know I've been MIA for a while, so let me explain. I went on vacation to Peru on the 29th of August (it was amazing!) and before that, as you know, I was in PT feeling rather up (and down) about this whole running thing. I hadn't been actively running/working out while in PT, because I just wasn't sure if I could. I got released from my PT program the week before I left for Peru and made a decision that I'd start my training again when I got back. While in Peru we did a lot of walking, A TON of steps and took an intense four hour hike up and down Huana Picchu (next to Machu Picchu). I think it was the right kick I needed to get me motivated to get back to the gym. When I say that Huana Picchu was intense, you have no idea. It was straight steps up and down with a few very hairy spots that include us basically hanging off of a cable off the side of a cliff, seriously. See facebook for all of my pictures, there are a ton. But...once I conquered this mountain, I just knew I could do anything...as corny as that sounds.

So when I came back I was determined. It took me a week to recover from the vacation, seriously...I was exhausted. And then last week I started running again! Just three miles, three times throughout the week, and I walked some of it, but still...it felt great! I've decided to walk/run for the first few weeks, just so I don't jump too hard back into things and really hurt myself. I now know that I really have to focus on stretching before and after the runs and icing as well.

I was home in Philly this weekend and got to go for a run around my neighborhood on Saturday morning. It was absolutely gorgeous outside, very fall-like and so peaceful. I did pretty well and wish I could train in that setting more, unfortunately the next time I'll be home is for the race! So...I'm sticking to the treadmill for now. I'm trying my hardest to wake up early in the morning, so I can go for a run outside, but I'm not having much success at that, but I will keep trying. Today is a 4 mile run and I'm actually excited/ready for it. Sadly I left my ipod in Philly, but I'll be alright, ha...I'll just have to sing to myself (quietly, of course).

So...I'm back, it feels great, and I really feel like I can do this. Getting to see Trey this weekend definitely helped as well. He is the reason behind all of this and while we are raising money to support him, I'm finding that I'm already taking more from this experience than I ever would have thought.

My fellow teammates are all doing well in their own cities as well and training hard. It is quite inspiring to be able to talk to them all and see where they are in their runs and their ups and downs...it certainly helps having others to commiserate/cheer with on a day to day basis.

I had hesitated to update the blog in the past week since I've started running again, as to not jinx the work I'm doing. It's still hard sometimes to always stay positive, but I'm trying. Nine weeks and counting (give or take) and I'm feeling better than ever!


peace and happy running!