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Archive for the ‘couch-to-5k’ Category

  So I mentioned in my last post that I went for an MRI for some pain I'd been having in my leg since a long run outside back in November.  It was the very first time I'd ever run outside (except the 5ks I've run) and I've since learned that running outside is a)no good for you and b) very different than the treadmill.  Gosh I wish I'd known that. I was so proud of myself. It was my longest run to date, 4 miles and even though I was sore I felt great afterwards.

But my running career has been abruptly cut short, at least for the forseeable future.

The results of my MRI showed that I have a stress fracture in my hip.

Seriously? I knew I was getting old, but am I that old that I broke my hip? Bring me dinner at 4 and put on the big band music, I'm changing my name to Gladys!

So, this means no running, walking (for exercise) or even cycling for 6 weeks, at minimum! And the doctor wants me on crutches for now.

I've had the crutches for exactly 24 hours and I think I've used them for a total of 15 minutes. 

I have too much crap to carry to be on crutches!

How does a mom handle crutches?  Has anyone ever had to have them? Dinner time alone usually warrants me getting up from the table about 11 billion times for various utensils, ketchup, drinks, etc. 

I got a little sling backpack thing today so I'm hoping I can put most of my "diaper bag contents" in there.

Anyone have any tips?

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  Just two short months ago, I came to you, my faithful readers, and told you about my plan to run a 5k. I asked that you read my posts to keep me honest, to keep me motivated.  I promised to post about my progress with the Couch to 5k running program.  At the time, I wrote these words:

July 29 – I started today, and even did double what it asked for, simply
because I had the time and could. I felt absolutely FANTASTIC
afterwards. it makes me wonder why I don't exercise every day, it's
such a high when you get into it.

So Week 1, Workout 1 is a wrap. My plan (along with Mike, who I bullied into doing this with me) is to run the 5k Great Race in September,
right after I finish the program (and coincidentally, right after my
birthday, I can't think of a better birthday present to myself than to
be healthy).

Today I stand (or sit at my computer) before you, proud to announce that I did it!  I went from running 1 minute at a time just two months ago to run a straight 40 minutes, 3.1 miles in the Great Race yesterday.  My goal was to run the entire thing, no stopping or walk, and to do it in less than 40 minutes. I ran the entire thing and finished in 36 minutes, 36 seconds.  Hooray!

And I actually loved it. Running has turned out to be something I really enjoy. I wouldn't say I'm good at it. Not at all. I have to work hard for every step, but I'm doing it, and feeing great.

I haven't lost a single pound (and we're not going to talk about that because it'll make me mad), but I feel so good physically. I have more energy and I really feel proud of myself, proud of my body. I'm training to do something that is neither easy nor inherent, but I'm doing it, slowly but surely.

The race itself was fun. Thousands of people were there to run alongside, to encourage and get encouragement from. I was probably one of the slowest runners out there, I even got passed by a one-arm man walking, not running (no joke) but I did it and that makes me proud.

I'd really encourage anyone to try this program; it's so well thought out and really works your body slowly but surely.

My goal now is to run another 5k in November (Turkey Trot downtown) and then to keep running over the winter and try a 10 next year.

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  I just need to vent for a minute, and since this is my blog I get to, right?  (if you'd like to vent about anything,  just send me an email heather@pittsburghmom.com and I'll post it anonymously to the "Real Moms" blog)

I registered for the Great Race 5k, right? You already know that.  What you don't know is that I'm considered a "Heavyweight". That in itself is not so surprising, I do pack on a nice pound or two.  I know that I'm overweight, so I'm not personally offended.

But I am offended for thousands of other women out there.

You know that the weight limit is for "Heavyweight"? 

140

One Hundred and Forty Pounds.  Yep, that's right.  I honestly don't know very many women that are BELOW 140, and for those that I know that are above 140, I would hardly call them heavyweights.

In fact, according to the official BMI Chart you're only "overweight" at 140 if you're 5'2" and under. I think I know even less women that are under 5'2" than women who weigh more than 140.

The men's group cut-off is 200. That seems a bit more realistic, as I understand most men are taller than women. But the BMI chart does not differ between men and women, only on height.  So logically these categories should be done on height, not gender.

And a sixty pound difference? I know that men tend to weight more than women but really, sixty pounds? 

The most insulting thing in my opinion, though, is the title. For the men they're calling it the "Heavyweight" category.

But some politically correct PR person would never dream to call a woman a Heavyweight, so they're calling it..

The Lady Athena title. 

Ha!  Let's add some cheesy Greek name to dance around the fact that we don't want to call women heavyweights, shall we?  Good god, if they're going to categorize women that way just have the guts to come right out and say it.

And from what I can tell, Athena was the goddess of wisdom and war, not weight.

Pass the cookies, I'm going for it.

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