Legs Like Concrete

I've read that runners have their ups and downs and good days and bad. So far I've had pretty good days, with the exception of my very first day out. Today was rough.

We decided to meet at the Marconi Drive entrance to the Greenway today. None of us had been on this particular part of the Greenway. It was pretty, and there was a gorgeous bridge to cross, but it was a lot hillier and had more curves than the Haynes Bridge portion.

My legs felt like concrete and I found it so hard to stay focused and not feel like I was dying. I used my heart monitor watch today for my workout and I was pleased to see that I was "in the zone" for 31 minutes and 35 seconds. During my walgging, my heart rate was an average of 116 and my max was 166. Must have been all those hills and switchbacks at the end. :-)

I can't complain too much. I had my monitor running from the time I got up, until we left the greenway, and when I checked my calories burned, it was 640. I love that it's accurate to my body and it gave me some motivation.

I'm eager to spend the next two days "resting up" a bit before Monday. I weigh-in on Sunday and I'm praying that I lost something. Even if it's only 1/2 a pound again, it's something.

Back on the Trail

We decided to meet at 8:30 this morning to walk/jog/walk and I was so afraid I'd sleep too long and not make it on time. I got up around 7:30 and thankfully, Gus was still sleeping. I was able to get ready without having to rush or worry about him. Unfortunately, when I needed to leave at 8:00... he was still asleep!

I had to go in and gently wake him, which is NEVER a good idea. He was pleasant, but definitely out of sorts. As I was backing down the driveway, Pilar called to see if it was okay if I had Gus ride in her double stroller with Logan, so the weight was balanced. I believe she's having issues with her single stroller.

I didn't think it'd be a big deal, and I assumed Gus would enjoy riding with a friend. Of course, as soon as I put him in the double stroller, he was upset. He did not want to ride in the double. He cried the ENTIRE time that we were walgging.

It was definitely different to do it without a stroller and 30 pound child to push. I commented that it seemed to go by quicker today, and both Christy and Pilar said it was probably due to not having the stroller. Or that it could be that my body is adjusting.

We decided to do Week 1 Day 1 again and instead of jogging for 30 seconds each time, I jogged for 45. You wouldn't think that an additional 15 seconds would really make a difference, but by the time we got to the bridge (our turn around spot), I was exhausted. My legs felt like lead and I felt like I did back when I started.

Christy and Pilar like to do crazy exercises on the bridge, so I continued on without them and they caught up to me. I was alone, and could have cheated on my jogging, but I didn't. I know that if I cheat, I'm only cheating myself and it's not worth it.

We finished the cool-down period and let the kiddos out to run and be free. Gus fell not just once, and not twice, but THREE times. He has a bloody knee and took off the bandaid that I tried to put on his scabs. :-(

 

Gus on the path leading from the Greenway to the parking lot

 

Taken seconds before he fell for the first time

I'm back on the trail and starting back up on getting myself in shape. I lost .5 pounds at my weigh-in yesterday and I'm happy that I lost. I was off my plan Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, so even with those days of not 100% following my plan, I was still able to lose-- I was pleased.

I'm eager to stretch tomorrow and then it's back to the routine on Wednesday with Pilar. :-)

Blah- Rain!

This morning when I woke up, I heard the heavy downpour of rain outside. I immediately said to myself, "Oh no! I'm supposed to go walgging (my new word BTW)." I got up and looked outside and sure enough, it was coming down REALLY hard.

Hmmmm... what to do? I could still go, but Gus would be soaking wet and probably miserable in the rain. I could wait and see if it stopped, and if it wasn't too awful, still make the attempt. I could try to walk after Gus's nap. I could go after dinner. I could just go tomorrow or Sunday.

So many options and I wasn't sure. I decided to text Pilar and Christy and see what they thought, and Christy said she'd just see me at 10:30 for our previous activity that we had planned together. I called Pilar and she said with the rain, it'd be really wet on the path and the kids would probably be unhappy. If we tried to go after lunch, it'd be hot and probably REALLY muggy due to the rain. I asked if she wanted to go tomorrow or Sunday but she couldn't, so we decided that we'd all meet up on Monday to walk.

I'm disappointed, but it all worked out well. I hosted an event at my house at 10:30 and with our walgging at 9:30, it'd be cutting it really close to get back to my house and get things ready in time for my guests. The rain actually helped and freed up my morning. However... I have this "itch" to go walgging.

Is that weird or what? A week ago, I wouldn't have thought that I'd be looking forward to getting out and moving... and even on Monday I never would have thought I'd be wanting to go walgging. 

It's funny how priorities and motivation can shape your thoughts!!! So now I'm trying to decide what to do. It's still wet outside... but I might take Gus after he's up from his nap. We'll see.