Jinx

I come from a baseball-nutty family. My dad and brother, Dale, are intense White Sox fans...my niece and nephews all played ball...and now a "great-grand" little three year old elf (my niece's daughter) has joined t-ball! Me, I played girls softball and was the bat-girl and official score-keeper for the Marshall County Marshals baseball team in high school. (What girl knew how to do that?)


So I am not unfamiliar with the idea of jinxes in sports. Or the desire to keep them at bay. Was it in "Bull Durham" where the guy was trying to keep a hitting streak going by tapping his bat with a dead chicken? Or never changing his socks? Or underwear? You get the idea. Sometimes you just know that the universe is going to come crashing down on you and failure is inevitable.

Which takes us to my "run" yesterday. It was 89 degrees at 6 pm. I waited until 6:30...wow, 87 degrees. The humidity was in the upper 40% when I started, but at 58% when I finished. I watched my heart rate as I strolled to the end of our inclining driveway...I was already into my "zone" by the time I reached the road. This was going to be something.

I wasn't feeling the "love" for the workout...it just wasn't there. But I did it anyway. Took the dumb dog, Hershey, with me. I walked up the road, topping the worst of the hills before running. Go. It was a 12 minute run night. I was thinking four minutes three times. After 2 minutes, "hmmm...maybe three minutes four times." After three minutes...I was gasping for air. Walk. Gees! What happened? Why do I feel so...blah? Try again. After a minute and a half I was walking again. Walked four minutes more. Just as I started into my run, Hershey crosses in front of me, causing me to stumble and almost twist my knee. Dumb dog! Go anyway. My heart rate jumped to the 180's. Another minute and a half...walk. It was not going to be. I felt so...heavy. So...ploddishy. So...disappointed.

I decided to walk to the 1.5 mile marker I had scoped out so my total distance would at least be three miles. I walked. And then...what the heck? Chaffing? I still had quite a distance to get home. How did that happen? Just walk, Donna. Your heart rate is still up...it'll burn some calories and be better than nothing. Walking. Wondering why this has felt jinxed from the very beginning? And then...I have to pee. Now. Good grief! Hey, Debbie Gilbert's house is right here, I'll stop and say hi...and ask to pee. Oh look, her trash can is empty by the road. I'll take it back to her house for her so she'll have pity on me...and let me pee. "Come on, Hershey, let's drop in on Debbie."

So we roll the trash can up the drive, tuck it up by the garage, and quickly shuffle to the front door and ring the bell. And wait...for...nothing. No! She's not home. Jinxed! I knew it! What now? If I walk fast, the chaffing will get worse. If I walk slow...I might...completely embarass myself before I get home. Let's just say that nature called and I answered...in as private a place as possible. Good grief, indeed.

As Hershey and I continued on our way I thought through the ordeal. The time of day was wrong. The temperature and humidity combined to make it really hot. I even thought of what I ate to see if that could be a factor. Then as I was walking, I noticed something. Something critical. Dumbfounding. Something absolutely the reason the entire effort was doomed...from the very beginning.


My running skirt was on backwards.


I've played ball. I believe in jinxes.


p.s. On the bright side, I ran six minutes and traveled a total of three miles, burning some calories and building muscle. My MMW this week dropped to 184.5. And I did a good (if selfishly motivated) deed for a neighbor. If anyone hears Debbie G wondering how her trash can got back to the garage...send her my way.

Saturday

One of the delights of running in the country are the unexpected sights I get to see. Like the neighbors that reminded me of some cool down techniques...

Today's Stats:

Temp: 77 degrees

TOD: 7:30 a.m.

Humidity: 86%

Winds: 3 mph

Skies: Sunny

MMW: 185.5

Today was a test. See, last week I ran inside at the gym...on the treadmill...flat-landing it so to speak. And after my hyper-extended knee episode on Tuesday, I did my run on my Rebounder on Thursday. So the real question of the morning was...could I really do 18/12 on my own road? Had the progress of the last ten days actually been a fluke?

I warmed up for about 10 minutes as I walked up the steeper of the hills down the road. Then a run. Four minutes. Heart rate hitting about 165. Not too bad, but breathing hard. Walked four minutes. Okay, can I do this again? Run. Two minutes. Think positive, Donna. Only two more. What's that squeeking? My heart rate was hitting the 170's. Good Lord, it's hot. Hey, that...that squeeking is me! Are lungs supposed to sound that way?

Holy cow...I don't think I'm gonna be able...no, I can. I can. I CAN do this. Watching the timer...30 seconds left of my second 4-minute run. Distract yourself...what color is that truck heading my way? Remember to check your heart rate. What bird was that? God, are you still up there? Wheeze in...wheeze out...wheeze in...this...is...so...hard.... Four, three, two, one...YES! Breathe! Inhale, woman!! Walk. Walking is very good. Breathe. What was my heart rate at the peak? I think my brain shut down...I KNOW my brain shut down. Heart rate after walking for about 5 seconds...179. Way over my target zone. But it's hot, and humid, and I have hills...lighten up, Donna.

Walked until I got to a straight stretch near home. Needed to run two minutes more to get the 12 required. Go. Run. Is it considered running if your feet barely leave the road? How slow can a human being jog? Let's find out! Plod. Plod. Plod. Plod. Aaaaaaaaaaaaand...done! I have actually run 12 minutes within a 35 minute time period. Me. Truly amazing.

Oh, and yes, I did pay attention to my neighbor's advice...

In the creek...

Uh oh...

I am in pain! Even though last's night jaunt was fun, today's legs are screaming "What did you do?!!!"

Funny, the back of my knees feel swollen. Is that even possible? My hamstrings, even though stretched very well after my walk, are just tight as a drum. I'm moving veeeerrrrryyyyyyyy sssssllllllllooooooowwwwwlllllllyyyy.

Is it possible I hyper-extended my knees while hoofing it so hard? Any ideas?

What fun!

Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Temp: 71 degrees
Humidity: 92%
Winds: 3 mph
TOD: 8:11 pm
MMW: 185.5

After having dinner with my friend, Yolanda, I dashed home to try to get a brisk walk in before the end of my day. I walked, at 130 bpm (beats per minute) for 59 minutes. How far? 4.2 miles. From my house, to the end of my road, and back. Someone help me with the math...that's better than a 15 minute mile pace, right? And I did it completely with breathing through my nose. Why? Because I learned from my dear D-I-L, Rachel, that walking (or running) in the evening while breathing through your mouth will get you...ummm...unexpected protein! Here's the best part of the deal tonight: the last quarter of a mile or so, I was literally dancing down the road. What fun!

Celebrating!

Monday, June 15, 2009

Temp: 68 degrees inside

Skies: Raining, thus the "inside" at the gym

Humidity: 93% this morning

TOD: Lunch break

MMW: 185.5 (big happy face!)

Today was a really fun workout day. In case you've missed the scoop here, I'm 49 years old and have never run any distance in my whole life. About 5 weeks ago, I started on a "Couch to 5K" training program to help me lose 50 pounds before I turn 50. That will be Feb. 27, 2010. I bought good shoes, good socks, and a heart rate monitor. I decided that blogging this adventure publically would provide me the necessary motivation to get out there and get it done. So far, it's been great. The blogging helps get me on the road, and the encouragement (read that as "comments"...you will comment won't you?) from friends and family keep me going through the tough spots. Thank you, everyone!

I missed yesterday's run, so I was determined to get to it within 24 hours. I dashed out at lunch, grabbed enough to eat to deal with my low blood sugar (major yawning is my signal), and bounced onto the treadmill at the gym. I set the incline level at 2.0 and began my 30 minutes. Today was my final 21/9 (21 minutes of walking, nine minutes of running, however I want to get it in there). I warmed up for 5 minutes and then...bam! Jumped the speed up to a roaring 4.3 (not sure what that means, just that it's a nice jog for me) and ran for 4.0 minutes straight!!!!! For you newbies, I couldn't run 60 seconds when I started this. Then I walked for 4, and then ran 3 more minutes. Walked again, and finished up my requirement with 2 minutes of running. Walked and cooled down the rest of the time. Forgive my enthusiasm, but WOO HOO! That's major progress for me and I'll take it.

Speaking of taking it, at Celebrate Recovery this past Friday night, I picked up a 30-day chip. Thirty days of following the plan...of writing about it...of not giving up. Now, most people may think that a running program is not worthy of a token, a chip, a celebration. But not me. Anything that I do in obedience, when my nature is to be a slug and justify my behaviors, is a step forward, and I'm gonna celebrate every chance I get.

What would you like to celebrate? What do you know you need to change in your life, but so far on your own, it hasn't happened? Step 1 says, "We admitted we were powerless over our addictions and compulsive behaviors (add your own thing here _____________ - mine was slothfulness and sugar), that our lives had become unmanageable." My slothfulness and laziness made my health and weight unmanageable (honestly, I wasn't managing it at all! My efforts were...failures...if I'm really honest.) The short version of steps 2 & 3 say, "He can. I'm letting go." And here I am. It's not me doing this. Yes, I'm doing my part...but it's me trusting God's care for me, His direction, His purpose and leadership in my life that's really getting it done. Thanks for letting me share it with you.

Ya'll are sweet!

Ya'll. That's a delightful southern expression. It encompasses everyone within ear shot. So it's appropriate that I say, "Ya'll are so sweet!" I know there were lurkers everywhere throughout the week that glanced in to see my MMW that (gasp!) I posted publically. And the general response has been:

"No way!"

"I would have never guessed that!"

"How can that be?"

Even my doctor, who looked me over when I told him I wanted to lose 50 lbs., said, "I think that may be unhealthy."

"But I weigh 185."

"Oh. Well. Really? Are you sure?" Like I'm not gonna know that? He finally agreed it was a good goal and a good timeframe (12 months) to pursue it.

So, to all my dear friends and readers who have been either a) truly surprised, or b) generously kind, or c) incredibly two-faced as you snicker behind your hand... I'll assume the best and say,

"Thanks! Ya'll are so sweet!"

Flux

What the heck?!

Why, oh why, on the day I promised to post my MMW (Monday Morning Weight) did it have to be on a morning at the high end of a "flux"? You know (if you're a woman) that our weight can swing 3-5 lbs either way on any given day. It depends on...well...all kinds of things.

Apparently, it was not my day. MMW = 190.0

Sheesh! Fifty-FIVE pounds to go.

Glorious

It is glorious in Kentucky this morning. Everything is electric-Ireland green, the early morning temp is in the 50's, no humidity, and the sun is shining. The spring air is crisp, carrying the song of birds joining together in a cantata. Absolutely glorious.

If you're reading this from afar, you might not know that I am blessed to be able to enjoy all these sights and sounds from the front porch of a log house on a rolling Kentucky landscape. Our three horses are grazing in the front field, while our one smart dog and one dumb dog keep watch for life-threatening moles and squirrels.

This is where I get to breathe deeply, walk humbly, and run.

Father, I am grateful.

Progress

One of the things I do when I'm not walk/running is to share leadership of a 12-step recovery program with my husband. In Celebrate Recovery, and in 12-step programs everywhere, there are tid-bits of wisdom in catch phrases that are easy to remember. Today's phrase of the day is...


"Progress, not perfection."


I am making progress. I'm in week four of my training program. The fact that I've made it well into week four is exciting in itself...sticking with anything over time has been, uuuumm, challenging for me.


I have not done this perfectly...missed a day here or there because of travel, or unexpected downpours...but I didn't stress out. Gave myself a break. I just determined to get it done the very next day. I've been struggling to figure out the smartest timing on my local road to not cause shin splints. I almost fainted after a workout in week two. I have not seen any weight loss. So, I could get discouraged or say it's not worth it, or quit cause it's hard or because I'm not doing it "right". But look here...

Week 2 Week 4

It's not perfection...but it is progress. And that's good enough for me.

Oh dear! How has a week gone by already?

Forgive me...it has been a busy few days.

So, just for the record, yes! I did my workout on Saturday morning (the last of three 24/6 days) and then got out there Monday evening and graduated to 23/7. I can't believe I am actually running (okay, jogging) seven of 30 minutes. You DO remember that I could barely do one minute three weeks ago, right? I'm pretty pumped about it!

I've learned a few things along the way:

1. My heart-rate-monitor-bra-thingy is amazing! (A) It's a good sports bra, (B) the little "reader" snaps onto those two snaps in the front inside against me, and (C) the watch receiver can be set with my lower and upper heart-rates in my target zone!

2. My target zone. Here's the math: 220-49 (my age) = 171. Take that 171 and multiply by 65% to get the low end of my "zone" = 111. Take 171 x 85% for the upper end = 145. That's my range for optimum fat burning, toning and cardio-vascular work. I enter those numbers into my watch and while I'm working out it beeps at me (two little friendly beeps) if I'm either too high or too low. Very cool.

3. I'm having trouble staying in my zone. Just walking on our local rolling terrain puts me right there...like 113-115. Which I suppose is good, but I'm trying to build up to running. But right now, in my current condition, I SPIKE up to 150 - 175 any time I even jog. Okay running gurus, I need some input here. I'm guessing that as I continue to stay at this, my heart-rate will adjust. Is that true? I'm hoping so. While I don't mind walking, I'm kinda liking the idea that my workouts can be 30-45 minutes instead of 1 to 1.5 hours. Help me out.

4. My knees may determine my overall success at this. They are constantly reminding me that I'm 50 pounds overweight and 49 years old! Yet, I am determined to continue until I'm convinced I cannot do this...and I'm a pretty stubborn gal!

Next week, I'll add an item to my stats: my MMW - Monday Morning Weight. At this point I haven't seen any change (insert heavy sigh here). I'm just gonna believe I'm building muscle right now.

Tomorrow is another 24/6 day on my schedule. I get two of those this week. Looks like I might be running in the rain! See you then!