Running for two--or, mostly walking

Here goes nothing.  I've given in and started running.  I figured out that, since I'm not very good at making friends in real life, I can try to have virtual friends.  I'll let you know how it works out.

 My first week of running has gone something like this, thus far.  Monday, bought new running shoes.  Tuesday, convinced Paul to create a running plan for me.  Tuesday night, couldn't sleep because my neck hurt so badly that I couldn't turn my head.  Wednesday morning, neck was the same in the morning, so I went in to see the chiropractor Wednesday afternoon.  Wednesday evening, felt a little better after seeing the chiropractor, so I started my running plan.

 My "run" went something like this.  I left the house and started running.  After three blocks two things happened.  First, my windpipe started burning so badly that I could hardly breathe, so I was forced to walk to be able to catch my breath.  Second, I started to notice people lining both sides of the road and children running all over the place.  I couldn't figure it out until I saw the floats--it was the Logan High School Homecoming Parade.  So, it was my first run in a year-and-a-half, I was really slow, I had to stop and walk every couple of blocks, and I had hundreds of witnesses.  This is my idea of fun.

I didn't wear my watch today.  I am well aware of how slow I am, so I really don't need any reminders.  I figure I'll start wearing my watch when I can run a mile, or even two, without stopping to walk.  Until then I'll just enjoy the crisp fall air and try not to pass out.

Wow!  I feel so loved.  I knew my plan to trick you all into being my friends would work.

 So, about "running."  I woke up this morning and felt like those barnyard animals had visited me in the night.  Pretty sad, since I only ran/walked two miles yesterday.  Luckily the running schedule that Paul put together for me had me just walking two miles with him today on the Planet Walk. 

 I had kind of a rough day at work today (emotionally, not physically...I just sit for eight hours a day) and for the first time ever had the feeling like I really wanted to go out and pound the pavement.  Unfortunately, pounding the pavement wasn't in the stars for me, so I had to settle for venting to my hubby about my co-workers (I'm really glad he's so emotionally stable.  It keeps me pretty level-headed most of the time). 

 So, I'm pretty much just hoping that I don't get any visitors of the four-legged variety tonight so I can do some running again tomorrow.  I can't believe I just said that.

 FYI--for those of you who are trying to pressure your wives to join the blog because I did: Paul applied NO PRESSURE to me to start running or to join the blog.  My two main reasons for joining the blog were a.) I wanted to finally get fit like I kept telling myself and everybody else I was going to do, and b.) I was jealous at the St. George Pasta Party because everybody knew each other, but nobody knew me.  So, making friends, getting in shape, NOT the hubby.  Well, maybe the hubby a little.

They say it takes 21 days to change your habits, that is, to start a new habit or rid your self of an old one.  That is probably the only reason I went out and ran today, since I was (sadly) still feeling pretty sore.  I must be in worse shape than I thought I was.  I biked to work a lot this summer (4.5 miles round trip), but biking uses different muscles so I guess it didn't help.

 Anyway, my "run" today was passable.  I took shorter walking breaks, but they were more frequent due to the pain in my quads.  I couldn't ever run long enough to get tired, but I think overall I ran more than I walked, so that's good.

I also had to take a lot of just plain stopping breaks because I took the dog today and he has to sniff everything.  I'm sure that some of you have heard Paul talk about how our dog can't run.  I'm starting to think it's just that he can't run with Paul.  I can't run with Paul either, so that makes us a good pair.

I'm starting to get excited about Moab now.  We usually take a big group of people from Logan, but the people we used to go with have all moved away.  It'll be nice to get down there again next year (we didn't go this year because Paul was running the Relay Del Sol in Phoenix around that time) and actually see some familiar faces.  Less than 5 months to go!
 

Can I just say that I LOVE BETHANY!!!  Running is so much more fun when you have somebody else to do it with.  Also, since today was her first run and my third, I didn't feel like I had to impress her.  It was great to have somebody there to push me a little, somebody who is fun and funny.  I can't say enough good things about Bethany!  I'm hoping to see her on the blog soon.

 So, about running.  "Ran" 2 miles on the Planet Walk today with Bethany.  I had almost no pain in my quads this morning, so running didn't hurt as much as it did yesterday.  My legs felt pretty heavy by about 3/4 of the way through the run, but Bethany didn't have to carry me back or anything, so it wasn't too bad.  The biggest news: I ran half a mile without stopping to walk--halfway to my goal.  I'm supposed to run a mile without walking by Wednesday of next week.  I'll definitely let you know if it happens.  (If it does, I'll have to come up with a new short-term goal.)

Do you think it's cheating to count my walking miles as miles?  I figure that, since I can walk faster than I can run, those miles are probably legit.  If I was a running superstar like Paul I might think counting walking miles was cheating, but I'm no superstar.  Bethany tells me I'm too hard on myself, but I think I'm just realistic.  I'm like the Penguin.  He's okay with being slow and I am, too.  I'll worry about speed when I can regularly run without walking.