I did the Cool Running Couch to 5K program starting last July and ran a 5k (without dying, miraculously!) in September (the Great Race).

Then I hurt my leg but I kept running anyway. I ran another 5K (the Turkey Trot) on Thanksgiving day, despite the terrible pain in my hip. 

I finally went to the doctor, got an MRI and found out I had a stress fracture in my hip. I had to stop running for at least 6 weeks.  I had heard so many stories about how a stress fracture is what ended many people's running "careers" and I was pretty sure that was it for me.

I waited like a good girl through those 8 weeks, so sure I would do some other exercise to make up for it and have really tight abs or really buff arms…but of course I did nothing but sit around and eat Christmas cookies.

I got the all all-clear from the doctor to start slowly at the end of January (although he still advised against running, said it's horrible for your body).

So I started again, and it came back to me like riding a bike. I have started to go greater and greater distances because a friend of mine keeps posting her running accomplishments to Facebook and each time it inspires me to do the same.

I had already decided that I'd sign up for the Pittsburgh Marathon relay with a team of other PittsburghMom.com users.  I'm so excited about it, I even had a shirt made.  The big question was which leg of the race I'd do.  The legs range from 7 miles to 4 miles. I kept running more trying to see if I could manage the 7 miles.

The other day my previously-mentioned Facebook friend signed up for a Half Marathon.  At first I told her she was insane.

And then I signed up too.

I've most definitely lost my mind.

It turns out that you can run the first leg of the Pittsburgh Marathon relay (the 7 mile leg) and then, if you're insane, keep running and finish the half.  I did 7.5 miles last weekend so why not, right? I mean, what's another 6 miles if you've already run 7, right? (can you hear me laughing over here?)

So here I go. I'm now suddenly training for a half marathon. Yikes!

I think running has been the greatest physical accomplishment of my life. Of course, I look more like an old man shuffling through the streets than a marathon runner, but I'm doing it, and that's what counts.

A year ago I argued that I just could not run. I was just not a runner. Couldn't do even a minute. No way, no how.

And now I can run for 90 minutes straight.

So if any of you are thinking you just can't run but would like to learn/try, I'd definitely recommend the Couch to 5k.  It's changed my life.

So wish me luck. And if yu see me stitting at Starbucks eating Bon Bons, kick my butt and tell me to get out there and "Run Like a Mother"

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I did the Cool Running Couch to 5K program starting last July and ran a 5k (without dying, miraculously!) in September (the Great Race).

Then I hurt my leg but I kept running anyway. I ran another 5K (the Turkey Trot) on Thanksgiving day, despite the terrible pain in my hip. 

I finally went to the doctor, got an MRI and found out I had a stress fracture in my hip. I had to stop running for at least 6 weeks.  I had heard so many stories about how a stress fracture is what ended many people's running "careers" and I was pretty sure that was it for me.

I waited like a good girl through those 8 weeks, so sure I would do some other exercise to make up for it and have really tight abs or really buff arms…but of course I did nothing but sit around and eat Christmas cookies.

I got the all all-clear from the doctor to start slowly at the end of January (although he still advised against running, said it's horrible for your body).

So I started again, and it came back to me like riding a bike. I have started to go greater and greater distances because a friend of mine keeps posting her running accomplishments to Facebook and each time it inspires me to do the same.

I had already decided that I'd sign up for the Pittsburgh Marathon relay with a team of other PittsburghMom.com users.  I'm so excited about it, I even had a shirt made.  The big question was which leg of the race I'd do.  The legs range from 7 miles to 4 miles. I kept running more trying to see if I could manage the 7 miles.

The other day my previously-mentioned Facebook friend signed up for a Half Marathon.  At first I told her she was insane.

And then I signed up too.

I've most definitely lost my mind.

It turns out that you can run the first leg of the Pittsburgh Marathon relay (the 7 mile leg) and then, if you're insane, keep running and finish the half.  I did 7.5 miles last weekend so why not, right? I mean, what's another 6 miles if you've already run 7, right? (can you hear me laughing over here?)

So here I go. I'm now suddenly training for a half marathon. Yikes!

I think running has been the greatest physical accomplishment of my life. Of course, I look more like an old man shuffling through the streets than a marathon runner, but I'm doing it, and that's what counts.

A year ago I argued that I just could not run. I was just not a runner. Couldn't do even a minute. No way, no how.

And now I can run for 90 minutes straight.

So if any of you are thinking you just can't run but would like to learn/try, I'd definitely recommend the Couch to 5k.  It's changed my life.

So wish me luck. And if yu see me stitting at Starbucks eating Bon Bons, kick my butt and tell me to get out there and "Run Like a Mother"

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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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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 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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