I Run Therefore, I Ache.

Yes. I hurt. It's true. My legs hurt, my back hurts, my ribs hurt, my feet hurt...did I mention even my right hand hurts? It does. I ran with Alicia The Sprite last night-yeah, that rhymed; did I mention I write poetry? This was her second run and the beginning of my second week running. I asked her via email if she was sore today and she said "No, I feel fine. I expected to be sore but I wasn't!" Oh. I read this while I swallowed about 4 extra strength Advil. The good news is that I ran more than I walked this time! Oh and I didn't die! That's always a plus. Even though I'm in pain for about 95% of my day now I'm starting to look forward to *gasp* running. Listen, I'm not trying to toot my own horn or anything but I'm feeling quite proud of myself that I haven't 1)quit and 2)been taken to the Emergency Room. I added a tracker to my blog-did you notice? It's so cute, the little jogger looks perky enough to explode with running enthusiasm. I could learn a thing or two from her I suppose. I've run 5.5 miles as of this post. Wow. I'm impressed with myself. Just reading that I actually ran 5.5 miles makes me want to lie down and take a nap. I'll let you all in on a secret...I used to be obsessed with fitness. I was a certified Spinning instructor which means I taught other people how to get in shape. Scary, eh? Yes. I loved Tae Bo...Billy and I were tight. I've read enough books on fitness to fill a small library. I am still a loyal subscriber to Self magazine. Alas, I never enjoyed running so I figured why not add to the insanity of getting back in shape after no physical activity for over a year? Let's throw ourselves back into the fitness world with something that I've never been good at! Whatever. I love a challenge. I'm running this 5K. I don't care how many walkers pass me while doing it. This sport would be a lot more fun if there wasn't so much running involved.

Mother Nature Is Cruel

Bringing my first week of training to a close felt great. I was technically only supposed to run 3 times but I decided that I was feeling good enough to try for 4 times. I was supposed to head out on Saturday and the cruel wheel of fate decided that I just couldn't squeeze it in between the loads of laundry and my daughter's gymnastics class. Not a problem, I'll just head out Sunday. Wrong. Sunday morning rain, turned to sleet and then into snow and wind. I'm sorry but running is painful enough. I wasn't about to run in weather that could freeze snot to my face and cause me to go into hypothermia. I'm not that insane. Yet. Plan B was to run on the treadmill in my basement. I suited up and headed downstairs to remove the laundry that was hanging on Plan B aka the treadmill. My question to you is: Why is running on a treadmill so much easier than running outdoors? Is it because of the lack of exposure to the elements? Or is it because I'm not worried about how ridiculously out of shape I look while running in public? I mean, I don't even have to worry about my outfit matching to run on the treadmill. Whatever it is, I ran for 20 minutes on the treadmill. The frustrating thing is that I only ran 1 1/2 miles! WHAT?! I thought I was hallucinating. I wasn't running that slow. At least it sure as heck didn't feel like it. My goal is to run a 10 minute mile. Do the math...it's seriously depressing.

A Friend Indeed

I have been blessed by having some wonderful friends over the course of my life. I've had very few that I can say were my "best" friends though. Alicia lives next door to me with her husband and 2 children. Her son was born just days after my daughter was. Alicia and I have a lot in common. When I told her that I was going to start training for a 5K she said, "I'll run with you." Now, if you know Alicia you know she doesn't exercise-she doesn't NEED to because she is about 5'3" and 110 pounds soaking wet. I swear she is more of a sprite than a person she is so darn cute. I have tried on numerous occasions to get Alicia to join me while exercising and I have been shut down nicely, if you call laughing hysterically in my face "nice", everytime. So when I got the text that said, "I'll run with you", I almost fell over I was so touched. That night I got home from work, strapped on my running shoes, grabbed my stopwatch and headed next door to get my new running partner. After we finished our run, which included less wheezing than I expected from both of us, I realized that I actually had a good time running because Alicia was there. Ok, let me say that again...I had a good time running. I wasn't on a runner's high because we didn't run far enough for that to kick in but I still actually enjoyed myself. I didn't even feel like one of those dancing hippos from Fantasia while running next to my spritely friend. Shocking. I've found my secret weapon against the pain inducing running gods for now.

Why?

This all started with Rose. No ordinary Rose though. Rose was the mother of my very best childhood friend, Jessica. She battled breast cancer for years and just this past January she finally lost the fight. Jessica is an amazing woman. Instead of burying her head in the sand or being overtaken by grief she organized The Rose Run. A 5K event that is being held on July 18, 2009 in our hometown of Petersburg, Michigan.

Naturally I wanted to help out. "Put me to work, " I said. Something in my heart nagged at me though. Something inside of me wanted me to actually participate in this event. Now, I wanted to believe that this nagging inside of me was indigestion instead of inspiration. Running and Melanie do not mix. I'm not a runner. I've never enjoyed it. It hurts. It makes me sweat...and quite frankly, I'd rather be sitting on my butt watching tv or chewing on glass than running. I mean, running is great to GET AWAY from things that will hurt you or TOWARDS stuff that you want like the ice cream truck or a great sale at Macy's but running for the sake of running? C'mon now.

The urge didn't go away even with mass doses of Tums. I guess it wasn't indigestion afterall. *sigh* This blog is a way to keep myself entertained, motivated and accountable while I train for this event. On a serious note, which is very rare for me, I want to do this for Rose. I want to do this for this incredible courageous woman and for her amazing family. This is for you, Rose.

The Start of My 5K Training

Alright....Day 1 is down...I started training on Monday, March 24, 2009 for The Rose Run 5K. My plan consists of running/walking and gradually building up to just running a straight 3 miles. I'm supposed to do this plan 3 times a week and it gradually eliminates the walking aspect. I thought I was ready to go...wrong. I couldn't find my stopwatch or ANY timekeeping device soooo the whole "warm up with walking for 5 minutes then jog for 60 seconds with 90 second walking intervals for 20 minutes" was not easy. I'm having a hard enough time not wheezing my head off or falling over or cursing my sports bra to really keep accurate time. Argh. But I still strapped my shoes on and did my best....well, maybe not my best but darn it, I hate running! I did a mile on the path around the neighborhood with minimal swearing because I couldn't breathe for most of it...it's the small victories, right? I did go out and buy a new stopwatch and tonight it's back on again. I have to admit that I'm still a bit sore and my shoes suck. I know I'll have to invest in a new pair but for now, I just don't have the moolaa. Oh, I also bought a book about training to run: The Non-Runner's Marathon Guide For Women. I know that this isn't a marathon but it might as well be for me. I'm not using her running plan but I am enjoying her very candid advice on everything about running. Anyone else running? Any advice? Want to share how it's going for you?