Running towards something…

To get the update out of the way first: I was at work until about 6:30 last night, got home around 7:15, and I was feeling much like the weather all day long (cold, dreary, and depressing).  Andi put it best when she said, “You probably would have felt better if you had gone out and walked or jogged,” and of course she’s right.  But, I chose to wallow instead. 

But, if this means anything, I told Andi I couldn’t go to Target with her tonight because once I get home I have to do my walk/jog, and then of course it’s Grey’s Anatomy night.  We’re talking giving up a trip to Target, people.  I am a girl without a car - Target is BIG deal.  Running > Target.  That’s dedication and a good sign of no wallowing allowed!

Now, onto the topic du jour: Shoes.  I did as all the books and sites told me to before I started this marathoning business: I went to my lss (local shoe store!) and ran down a hallway while someone watched how I ran and got fitted for proper running shoes to correct what my feet do naturally.  I paid a nice chunk for these shoes when I couldn’t afford them, but I knew it was one of the most important things to have.  I mean, if a runner doesn’t take care of their feet it’s a big deal, right?

But what about when I’m not running?  Shouldn’t I be just as cautious what I put on my feet then?  Let’s use today’s shoes as an example:

I got these shoes at Payless probably a couple years ago.  I normally wear them when I’m either heading out to meet a client, or if I’m wearing all black because they just pop.  I get crazy compliments about them, and even though they have the pointed toe, they really aren’t uncomfortable there, but they do bother my heels a bit.

As I was making my way from Starbucks (just.can’t.give.it.up.yet.) to work I was thinking that I really ought to look into shoes that are more comfortable for every day use.   I’m not some crazy fasionista who has to have name-brand everything, but I do like a few things to have a label or two… and while my regular shoes have a label of either “GAP” or “Payless”, it should be clear that shoes are not one of my major-label items - but should they be?  Should I be forking out just as much for a pair of comfortable, yet cute, daily shoes as I did for my running shoes?

How do I make sure my little piggies are kept happy?

Tuesday nights I teach, so therefore I don’t plan to run. 

The day was not a total wash marathon-wise though.  I received the information from the Massachusettess (I freaking grew up there and I still can’t spell it!)Massachusetts Alzheimer’s organization to get me started on my fundraising activities, AND I found some great stretches to help with my aching calves.  

The temperature dropped a good 15 degrees too.  The trail of doom looked nice and empty on the ride home tonight.  If it weren’t already dark out, I’d consider heading out there.

Those who know me, know I have difficulties standing on my own two feet.  I’m prone to falling down - not when it’s icy, no no… I’ll just be plain walking on some dry concrete sidewalk, minding my own business when all of a sudden my friends are 4 steps in front of me because I’ve tripped and I’m now planted face first on the ground.  (Ok, really I end up falling on my knees, but isn’t the visual of me face down on concrete more amusing?)

I would like to think it started when I moved to the city.  My first major spill came when I took a weekend trip up here to look at schools.  La-la-la-la *thunk*  After moving up here I fell 3 times within the first 6 months (and fine.. one of those WAS on ice).

My mother always called me “grace”… I never quite understood why she wouldn’t pay for ballet lessons.

Anyhow, my point is this: I’m graceful enough on my own that I don’t need any help feeling unsteady on my feet.  Now, this brings us to tonight:

Imagine a path on the lake that’s about 10′ wide and split into two lanes just like traffic.  Now imagine everyone on one either side is walking, jogging, rollerblading, riding their bikes, walking their dogs, walking with their strollers, and yes, there were even some skateboarders on the path tonight.  All these people (and there were a lot of people because, well, 70 degree days just don’t happen all that often in March in Chicago) cling to their 5′ of path, and when you’re walking fast, but still at a conversational pace… Well, you might as well be your 80-year old grandma, who forgot her glasses, driving on the AutoBahn.

My girlfriend suggested we stick to said path instead of going directly along the lake because it’s more fun to people watch.  She didn’t mention that we’d be watching the people so that we can jump out of their way and not die.

Anyhow, as I am posting, I did survive, and I did walk.  Megs and I did about 30 minutes on the trail of doom, as I am now calling it.  Mostly just because things sound better when you add “of doom” to them.

I fell into a depression over the past month or so.  I know the people who know me will be saying, “duh” to that, but it took me long enough to admit to it, let alone to get the gumption up to post about it. 

I decided to get up, out, and on the trail today and I did a very brisk walk for 40 minutes.  I am considering not keeping my gym membership since I live spitting distance to a very nice trail and honestly, the time flew by SO much faster when I wasn’t staring at the timer for every second.

I will admit that being outdoors does give my mind more room to wander, which probably accounts for the 10 minute bit of crying I did at the end of my walk while looking out onto the empty harbor.  Let me tell you how weird it is to be crying while that silly I’m with the DJ - Ok? song is blaring in your ears and your out of breath because you haven’t moved much in a couple of weeks.

Anyhow, my own personal woes aside, I went out, I walked.  Tomorrow I will go out, and hopefully throw in a little jog as well.  I am still going to Maui, and I am still planning on making it to the end of those 26.2 miles on my own two feet.

Alright, this should be week 3, but I feel like I’m starting over from scratch. 

Back when I was a member of the Y (the first time around), I had a personal trainer give me a plan for an hour-long cardio workout.  Basically it went something like this:

5 min warm-up on Treadmill.
10 min on Elliptical.
15 min on Rowing Machine.
20 min on the other Elliptical Machine (I know this has a better name, but I don’t know what it is).
10 min cool-down on Treadmill.

I think I’m going to give this a go for the week and see how my back and rest of my body feels afterwards.  I can mix and match the machines as need be, and it’s an easy enough plan that it won’t be boring.  

My back is still pretty darn sore.  I felt pretty good on Friday night, but when I woke up Saturday morning the pain was back in full-force.  I did walk around a bit outside over the weekend because it was just. so. nice. out, but I didn’t officially work-out. 

I need to get my ass in gear.

So I went to the doctor yesterday and after some poking, prodding, and twisting of my limbs, he came to the conclusion that I am having muscle aches, and my spine is not about to fall off.

This is great news. 

The bad news is that my muscles may feel like this for over a month.  Oy.  I was all but immobile yesterday, but he told me that continual exercise should help relieve some of the pain eventually (well, exercise and the fancy pain pills & muscle relaxers he gave me!).  Therefore, I really, really need to get back on to my training schedule.  I’m also thinking I need to incorporate some Yoga into my routine, even if it’s just something small at home… This has been recommended to me in the past to help combat my anxiety as well, so I think it’s time I really give it a shot.

So, considering I was to have had 2 weeks of hard-core training under my belt by now, I’m significantly behind.  I will say this though - until some of the weight comes off, I do think I need to stick to anything BUT jogging to get some endurance up.  I think, and the doctor did confirm that it is a possibility, that my boobs being so large is causing quite a bit of my upper back problems.  I’d show you the funny hand movements he did to explain what my boobs do when I run, but I’m sure you can just use your imagination.

I will share one more funny tidbit about my back pain though - I was texting a friend of mine who has suffered from back pain herself and she suggested that, as strange as it sounds, my back could be hurting due to indigestion.  She said, “Have someone rub you back there and I’ll bet you burp!”  I instantly thought this would make a great title for a personal ad, “SWF seeks man to rub her back until she burps.”  It’s winning, isn’t it?

I’ve had a back pain that has been getting increasingly sore as the week goes on.  I’m going to leave work early today to go to my primary care doctor to see if I can get a referral to either a chiropractor or a masseuse.  I’m not sure which I need at this point.

I hope it’s nothing more than a pulled muscle

I went to my friend’s gym this morning, which is on a decent sized campus of a great university in the city.  All the machines were so shiny and new, and her locker room was immaculate - I have serious gym envy.

Alas, I did 30 minutes, which equaled about 1.5 miles on the treadmill because I just cannot seem to get a decent stretch down to where it feels like my shins are not going to shoot right off my body.  I’m fine with the brisk walking, but once I start those intervals of jogging… ouch! 

 I’ve also been avoiding the land of podcasts for so long, but I listened to my first one the other day.  It wasn’t running related, but my friend, who just so happens to also have her own WordPress blog here (knitstant gratification), suggested looking up other bloggers and podcasts to get inspired, and to get help so that I don’t die in Maui. 

Oh, and PS… Let me just say that having the first two comments on my blog be from Pamie, herself had me pretty much as giddy as I was when I met David Schwimmer in London.  I’m such a sucker for talking to celebrities - as long as they’re cool ones.

I live in a small apartment, so usually the most comfortable place for me to be online is laying on my stomach, arms streched out to a table where my hands are plopped on my laptop.  This is also where I’ve spent a majority of the last two days.

My birthday was Wednesday, and although I had a great day in and of itself, a wave of something hit me Wednesday night to the point where I woke up Thursday morning and said, “I need to stay home… I need a mental health day.”  I immediately went back to sleep, and pretty much stayed there all day.

I had a doctor’s appointment at 5, and I planned to hit the gym right after - I even got ready for it by tossing on the bra (so as to be sure it wouldn’t be forgotten), but somehow between getting dressed and.. oh, about 6pm, I fell asleep again.

So that was Thursday, and yesterday I was at my second job until 3 grading midterms, and for whatever reason, even though I had all my things with me, I just came straight home.

This is where having this blog will keep me accountable, honest, and embarrassed.

I’m waiting right now for my girlfriend to come by and we’re going to her gym this morning.  Again, the bra is on.