By last Thursday I had decided that I was going to run a 5K at home on Sunday. It was really cold that day so I ran on the treadmill. I now understand why people do not like the treadmill. After you have run outside the treadmill makes you feel like a hamster on a wheel. Anyway, I was on the treadmill for 30mins, 5min warmup speed walk, 10min run, 2.5min speedwalk, 7.5min run, 5min speed walk. It was ok but I've had better workouts. This was the last time I worked out because Friday I left to go home and Saturday I decided to take it easy before the event on Sunday.



Sunday morning rolled around and Iwoke up nervous, which I did not expect. I got ready and we left. ("We" was me and my dad who went as the support team) We picked up Chris, a family friend who was kind enough to run the event with me. We got to Ann Arbor much faster than anticipated--2 hours before the race. So we figured out where to register and pick up our packets and we sat down in the pub, which was the head quarters for the race, to kill some time. About an hour before the event we walked back to the car to drop some stuff off and shed some layers and then we walked back to the pub. We finished last minute prep and about 20mins to start we figured out where to line up. I was really nervous by that point! Finally it was time to start.



This race was such a learning experience. Chris warned me about not getting "swept up" and starting at a faster pace than you can maintain for the duration of the event. I'm glad he did that because apparently I was prone to that. We started out well but 3miles is alot longer than I thought it was!! It was really exhilirating but also exhausting. I had not gone more than 2mi total distance so by the time we were over 2mi I wanted to stop. I think I had the biggest problem with air. I do not have my lungs conditioned to run for distance. Other than that I don't remember feeling anything else in my body--I just kept going. I ran for at least 25mins and well over 2mi before I had to occasionally slow down to a speed walk. I am so thankful for Chris--if he hadn't been next to me rooting me on I know I would not have made it. (Thanks, Chris!) We finished in 38mins at a pace of 12:14. It was not until after we finished that I rememebered that I had a body. I kid you not--it was such a wierd feeling. It was then that I realized how much I had sweated and how hard I had worked.

We found dad, who was very proud. We walked around for a few minutes and then headed home. We took Chris home and then we went home. At this point I realized how tired I was. I ate lunch, took a shower and napped. Later that night I went downhill and dealt with a stomach/intestanal thing that I must have brought home from school. Today was the first day I have been a lot better! So part of the after effects of the race may have been the sickness but we will never know for sure.

I would appreciate prayer as I discern how to proceed from here. Good night!

God bless,
Rebecca

long time

So, I realized that it's been a long time since my last post. Let me explain--I was really busy with midterms, then I went on retreat and came back sick which shot training last week because all I wanted to do was sleep. Friday, I did get to go take a trip to Dick's Sporting Goods and I bought a running outfit(there is no way I am not doing this--I am too invested!!) which I am excited about.

That brings us to today. I was going to run this moring but when I got up at 6am it was as dark as the dead of night and I went back to bed! I decided instead to run after my class at 5:15pm. This turned out to be a great idea because by that time the sun had come out and the sky was blue. It was gorgeous! I ran outside for the first time today. It was good. It is alot more exhilirating and exciting but also more nerve-wracking. My outfit worked nicely, I felt pretty stylish while I was running(I am such a girl!).

I was able to run a circuit that is 1mile. I did it two times--yea 2miles! I only ran about 1mile of it. It is much different to run outside. The biggest challenge here is that the terrain is very hilly. I did discover that I like to run downhill. The first mile I was able to do in about 10minutes, the second one I walked more of and I stopped to talk to one of my friends who decided that she wants to run the half-marathon with me--Praise God!--so it took longer. Overall it was really good. I am excited because as more people find out I am doing this I am getting more support.

I am hoping to run again tomorrow--the same distance but run more of it. We'll see. Have a good night!

God bless,
Rebecca

Starting Over. . . sort of

So, initially when I was experiencing incredible pain on Monday night I thought I had reinjured my knee but the more I thought about it the pain was not as bad as the first time I injured my knee(April 2008). When I woke up on Tuesday morning it still hurt but I figured out I had just pulled something when I was doing my exercises on Sunday.

I updated for what I did on Tuesday but I was so busy that I am just now posting what I did yesterday. Though I was still having a bit of pain I decided to get back on the treadmill. Only to discover that I lost much of what I had gained. I was on the treadmill for 20mins and went 1.30mi at 3.8/9mph. I speed-walked most of it and was only able to run .25mi at 4.1. Wanting to still keep my heart-rate up but take the stress off my knee I decided to get on the exercise bike. I rode the bike for 10mins at 2.8-3.0 and went 2.2mi. It wasn't a terrible workout it was just slightly depressing to feel as if I back-slid. I know I just have to keep at it more and I will eventually get over the 2mi mark!! That's all for now. Have a great weekend.

God bless,
Rebecca

This is going to be really short because I have lots of work still to do. I pulled something in my knee when I was doing my exercises the other day so I took it easier today. I did the exercise bike for 15mins and went 2.6miles.

It's feeling better but not 100%. Hopefully later in the week I'll be able to run again.

God bless,
Rebecca

A little catch up . . . on Wednesday night after the gym closed (10-11pm) those of us who are training, met with a trainer in the gym to go over what to do as far as cross-training and weight training. He also did health assessments for us. The step test, for the assessment, kicked my butt and I am still feeling the effects! Nonetheless, it was really good and made my journey seem more concrete. The downside was that I had to get up at 6am the next morning to go to Mass with my household. To say the least I was tired and sore yesterday.

Soooo, after a long day Wednesday with 2 workouts and a short night and with a full day yesterday, it was really tough to get up this morning. I did get up and workout but I decided to ease up a bit. I only went 1.3miles, in 27minutes, at a speed of 3.8/9. It was just speed-walking, though there was a point when I wanted to run!, but I resisted. It was good to workout because it streched it out a bit but I am still sore!

Another good thing was that my socks came yesterday. I was so excited!! They are a bit different than what I was expecting but I think they will work well but I'll keep you updated. Happy Friday!

God bless,
Rebecca

Commenting

I've had several people ask about commenting. I was reading one of my friend's blogs the other day and she addressed the issue quite well. Here's what she had to say since I'm new at blogging too. (Thanks, Em!)

". . . for the readers that are unfamiliar with blogging, I thought I would write some instruction on how to leave comments. First of all, anyone can leave comments. I set this blog up so that even people that are not members of blogspot can leave comments at the end of this blog. Just page down to the end of the entry and look at the text below. In gray and blue writing at the bottom it will say the time I posted and will have the labels that have put on the entry. It will also say "___ Comments" (Any number could be in the ____). If you click on that you can read any comments anyone else has made, and you can also make your own comments. To post go to the white square that says "Post a Comment" above it. You can write anything you'd like in the white square, and then go to the space that says "Comment As" and click on "anonymously" (unless you are a member). Then it will prompt you to type some letters that are displayed. Type the letter in, and you have successfully left a comment! Please just make sure that if you comment anonymously you still sign your name so I know who you are!"

Happy commenting! I'd love to hear from anyone who reads with tips or encouragement. Just make sure you do tell me who you are if you are anonymous. Thanks!

God bless,
Rebecca

Good Day

So the training schedule has had an unexpected turn for the better this week. After thinking I would only be able to train 2 days this week(Thursday and Saturday) because I had too much work to finish on Tuesday, I was informed today that 2 of my classes would be cancelled on Friday!! This meant that I could rearrange my schedule and train today, Friday morning and Saturday morning. :-)



So, today I went 2miles in 28min58sec! My time keeps decreasing which really makes me excited and gives me hope that I really can do this! I ran .60mi of the 2miles and speed walked the rest. I felt pretty good while I was running, too. I also added a bit of an incline (0.5). It was really great to get to work out today because I had been really stressed with school and lots of tests and assignments. It made me realize how good this will be for me and if God wants me to do this He WILL make a way. He is a big God! Have a good night!

God bless,
Rebecca

Challenging but good

Hi all! I was so busy yesterday that I didn't get to write about my workout. If you can't tell. . . my work out schedule at this point is Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday. I hope to be able to eventually add Monday, Wednesday (and maybe Sunday) but we'll see how everything goes.

Yesterday's workout was challenging but good. I decided to up it and go for 2miles which I was able to complete in 29min45sec--15seconds under my goal!! :-) During the 2miles I ran .5miles and speed walked the rest. But I was disappointed that I was not able to run the .5miles at one time. I kept getting a sharp pain in my injured knee. When that happened I slowed down to a fast walk. We'll have to investigate what that is all about.

At the end of the workout I felt really good--except for the pain on my heel. That's right, it's that darn blister/callous. Rest assured that after yesterday I really saw the need for new socks so I took the advice of one of my runner friends and purchased some socks online. Hopefully they'll come soon. I'm a tad bit sore today but it's not too bad. Have a great week!

God bless,
Rebecca

The battle has begun!

It's been a long few days. I am kind of sick so I haven't worked out since Saturday. :-(
Today I couldn't get a treadmill so I did 20minutes on the exercise bike at4.0mph and went almost 4miles (I think. . . I'm still learning how to read the machines).

I could use lots of prayers. I'm feeling really stressed and doubtful. The battle has begun! God-willing I'll get through it but right now it's an uphill battle.

God bless,
Rebecca

Today I was more rushed for time so I did about the same as the other day. I speed walked for 23 minutes at 4.1mph and went 1.5miles. I'm still working on the problem of the shoe rubbing on my heel.

I want to thank everyone for the support and encouragement. I also want to let everyone know that I have a traction problem in my right knee and therefore I need to start training on the treadmill. I need to strengthen the muscles in my leg to support my knee, in addition to doing my knee exercises, so that I do not injure myself further. It is also extremely cold, snowy and slushy here so I will not be running outside until it gets warmer. The orthopedic doctor(who checked out my knee) also said that the extremely hilly terrain of this area could potentially be a problem so I'm going to wait longer to start running outside. I appreciate all the support and feedback and I figured that this little bit of background would be helpful for y'all.

God bless,
Rebecca :-)

Second Day, First Battle Scar

So, I figured out that the treadmill I ran on the other day is really messed up! Today I walked fast(almost running) for 25 minutes, at 4.1mph and went 1.66miles. That's only 10minutes longer than the other day but much farther distance wise. In light of what I did today, I know I must have gone farther on Monday.

I also discovered that I need longer socks. My shoe rubbed on my foot and I have a blister on my heel. It could be alot worse so I'll count my blessings.


Everything else is pretty good here. I wish winter with its slush and ice would disappear and the sun would come out but I know spring will come(eventually).


Have a blessed day!

Rebecca :-)

A few slow days

Yesterday I sent in my money and registration. I am committed now! I think it will be a slow couple of days(in the way of training). Projects and homework are consuming most of my time.

I did talk to one of my household sisters today who said her friend trains people to run marathons so she is going to talk to him and get some tips for me. Thanks, Shirlea!

I would really appreciate all the prayers I can get. I am struggling to figure out how to fit training in, so that I can be successful, but at the same time not neglecting my job as a student.

Rebecca

The First Day

I started this blog to document the journey I am beginning. This journey happens to be training to run a half marathon in May 2009. I am not a runner and I have never been one. The only reason I can give you as to why I am doing this is that I feel God is calling me to it.

With 96 days to the race, I began training. I stretched, did 10 minutes on the exercise bike, ran on the treadmill(.20miles in 15 minutes at 4.5) and stretched. I realized how much I am going to have to work at this to be able to run the half marathon but God will not abondon me after having called me to this. I'm sure tomorrow will be painful but it's all part of the journey.

Rebecca