Friday February 29 Stretch 10 minutes / Walk 20 minutes (1.3 miles)
Wednesday February 27 Stretch 35 minutes / Run 45 minutes (3.42 miles)
Today was an exercise in patience. I had to keep my pace to 5.0 mph for 12 minutes, then bumbed it to 5.1 mph for a while and then back down. My calf fared alright. It was tightening up but I got through the run easily. And with some satisfaction. I know I’ve taken a downturn in attitude because I haven’t been able to stick to my running program because of this injury. But this morning’s run was decent and I have to embrace setbacks too. I suppose. Haha
Tuesday February 26 Stretch 30 minutes
Monday February 25 Stretch 30 minutes
Sunday February 24 Stretch 22 minutes / Walk 40 minutes (1.87 miles)
Saturday February 23 Stretch 40 minutes / Walk 40 minutes (1.87 miles)
Gorgeous and sunny outside. Me, my cough and my flu on the inside. Everything said, “Skip the gym. Get the puppy and go a-walkin!”
Thursday February 21 Stretch 40 minutes / Stationary Bike 30 minutes (level 5 / 6.23 miles)
OK, I don’t want to be a Debbie Downer but today’s workout was pretty unsatisfying. The biking didn’t give me even a degree of the high I get from running. But my calf didn’t hurt at all. That’s positive. And I got to finish reading an article I’ve been looking forward to reading. So… yeah… nice work. *yawn* But at least I’m at the gym. I’m working out. The stretching feels great. I will start riding my bike outdoors in a month or two so it’s good that I’m back in the saddle, albeit in a lightweight capacity. And I am focusing on my body. These are good things. See? A bit of sunshine after all.
Wednesday February 20 Stretch 40 minutes / Run 45 minutes (3.28 miles)
Felt great, as usual, to be back in the gym. Unfortunately, despite having slowed down by run considerable, after about 25 minutes my cramp was back and getting more intense by the second. So I slowed down to a walk. I am disappointed. Disappointed that this is taking so long to heal. However, there is progress. Lots of progress. For starters, I’m not mad at myself. I’m actually quite proud of myself for persevering. Also, despite the pain, instead of excusing myself right out of a workout, I still ran and got a decent session done. And tomorrow, I’ll get on the stationary bike, try to work out my leg muscles in a different way, see if that helps. So I’m not progressing along with the running program the way I had hoped and I’m not dropping weight. BUT I am still training, I miss it when I don’t workout and I am learning how to keep plugging along, even when I’m not perfect. These are all good things!
Tuesday February 19 Stretch 30 minutes
As the alarm went off at 5:30 I debated: gym or get myself organized? I went with the latter. I stretched for half an hour, finished laundry, straightened my hair, organized my to do list for the week and got a few other things in order. I know it’s not physical fitness but it is mental fitness because it prevents me from feeling on the verge of being out of control. So time well spent. Hey, at least I’m not debating gym or sleep in.
Monday February 18 Stretch 30 minutes / Walk 40 minutes (1.87 miles)
I am so stiff today. From the walk? The house-cleaning? The stress of seeing a bulldog attack Lila (she’s ok)? I don’t know what gives but my 30 minute stretches felt g-r-e-a-t. It’s a sunny, crisp Presidents Day and it promises good healthy feelings and inclinations ahead.
Sunday February 17 Stretch 24 minutes / Walk 90 minutes (4 miles)
I’m guessing on the distance we walked today, Celsi, Cassi, Lila and me. Gorgeous sunny day. It’s good to be alive. We walked to the bridge on Burke Gilman, blew bubbles, drew with chalk and took photos. We were all pretty exhausted after the walk and Lila headed straight for a nap. Good puppy.
Saturday February 16 Stretch 27 minutes / Run 45 minutes (3.45 miles) / Walk 45 minutes (1.87 miles)
I am taking Potassium, drinking Vitamin Water, using Arnicare Gel on my calf, stretching specifically for running and I have slowed down my running pace. Halleluliah! I got through my run without too much trouble today. I will continue, has as hard it is, to run slowly for a while. Today’s run was satisfying, I sweated, my breathing was easy and I stayed the course. God it feels good.
Friday February 15 Stretch 30 minutes
Thursday February 14 Stretch 31 minutes / Run 40 minutes (2.85 miles)
Even at my easy pace, I cramped up. I feel discouraged. Between this and my poor eating… waaah.
Wednesday February 13 Stretch 30 minutes
Tuesday February 12 Stretch 34 minutes / Run 40 minutes (3.4 miles)
After a week off from running, I got back on the treadmill today. I kept it at an easy pace for most of the run but my calf did start cramping. Not terribly but I ended up walking more than I had wanted. Oh well, I’m back on the treadmill.
Monday February 11 Stretch 30 minutes
Wow, my first day since Thursday of moving my body for the sake of moving my body. I ate horribly to compliment my total inactivity. Ugh. And the scale responded in kind. What did I expect?
Thursday February 7 Stretch 30 minutes
Wednesday February 6 Stretch 30 minutes
I’m limping around still and my calf is as tight as a fist. I considered running through it for the rest of the week, lightening up my workouts. Then I considered that maybe I should take time off. Maybe the next five days or so. Start up on the running program next week, after some good rest. I don’t know which is the better choice so I’m going with being cautious. Full rest and stretching. Given that I can barely do stairs and am walking around sorely, it’s probably not the smartest thing to think I could run through this. So for me, it’s rest this week and hopefully show up strong next week.
Tuesday February 5 Stretch 30 minutes / Run 40 minutes (3.05 miles)
After two days of not running, I wanted to see how fast I could run 3 miles. About 1 and a half miles in, my left calf started cramping, as it does occasionally. But I usually can run through it. This time, probably because I’m a bit under the weather and because I was pushing myself to run for ten minutes at 6.0 mph, the cramp got worse and worse. I finally had to abort mission. I couldn’t run for ten minutes at 6.0. I had to slow my pace after just about four minutes. Then I couldn’t run at all. I ended up walking a good portion of the workout. I’m limping now but trying to cut myself some slack.
Sunday February 3 Stretch 30 minutes / Walk 40 minutes (1.87 miles)
Sunday, she rested. Stretched, walked and watched the Super Bowl.
Saturday February 2 Stretch 30 minutes / Run 60 minutes (5.09 miles)
Wow, what a run! I realize more and more how much of it is in my head. Going to the gym, I knew today was going to be a long run and started getting into that mind frame. I took my time stretching, warming up, and pacing myself. And I ran. And ran. And ran. I feel so good about it. The rest of the day though I felt it in my legs. They are tight and tired.
Friday February 1 Stretch 18 minutes / Run 40 minutes (3.51 miles)
Much better run today than yesterday. Apparently my body responds better to a light salad and plate full of yummie shrimp than it does to an obscene amount of pizza and brownies. Good run.
