Wrinkly Face

So today the family had a bbq today, grandma included… our family gatherings tend to be different. This one went pretty well up until the point where I said I was going to run a 5K. Gramma hadn’t heard that yet and when she did she gave me the wrinkly face. That face tends to go along with disapproval, which was confusing.  Still not so sure why I got that face but oh well. I’m not doing this for her, or anyone else, just me. If that means I have to put up with a couple wrinkly faces, so be it. I have several people who are saying they’ll be there to cheer me on, even co-workers.

 

I heated my knee last night rather than icing it, that seemed to help more. They still aren’t up to par yet but are getting there. Yay! Bad news, my back has joined the cranky fest. My body is great at cranky it seems. Time to break the pattern I think. I did get a lock though so I can go use the pool at the Y, maybe I’ll start back up with Thursday night water aerobics. It’s actually Tuesday/Thursday but can only go on Tuesdays when there isn’t choir. Not that I’ve been awesome about going to choir lately. It almost seems that when I start one thing, something else kind of falls behind. My energy levels are getting better but aren’t steller yet. Several years back, I got mono.. I’m not sure how but that’s not important really. It drained me more than anything has. At some point I went from just a bout with mono to having a chronic case. Since then, I’ve had to be pretty picky about where I spend my energies. Sometimes, I over extend and get drained rather easily. That’s starting to change though, I’ve been able to do more for longer periods of time. I’m hoping that by continuing to eat organically and gluten free, as well as the added exercise, that time will lengthen and the energy will improve. Not too much to ask is it? I don’t think so.

 

That being said… bring on the wrinkly faces!

Rest

Was knocked on my butt today thanks to a headache that’s still lingering. It’s part sinus part who knows what. The hope is that it’ll go away with sleep and some coffee in the morning. Having some green tea right now while I heat my knee rather than ice it. We’ll see what happens.

It’s late

It’s late and I’m tired, yet here I am, posting. I’ve put it off tonight because I didn’t feel I really had much to say. Went to drum circle tonight but didn’t really dance, the energy was off and my knees are aching. Granted, the ache is better than the stabbing pain but still annoying. I did walk a bit around the property for a while, was nice out.

 

I’m having a mildly tough time with all of this. I’ve told people about the race, told them what I’m doing, gotten encouragement, etc. A part of me continually asks ‘Why?’ and that part has noisy days and quiet days. In the past, that voice has won out and I gave in. I want this time to be different, it will be different… I hope it’s different.

 

I’ve been in a funk lately, and I think I was hoping that this whole project would bring me out of that. Right now though, it mostly feels like it’s making it worse. I can hardly walk for more than a little while, let alone jog.  I know I need to let my knees rest, sort themselves out, etc, but man that’s tough. Feels sort of like I’d be letting.. whoever down. I mean, what would I post? ‘Well, rested the knees again today, man I hope they’re better soon… later!’

 

It’s late, I should sleep.

Night Off

After much debate, I’m taking it easy tonight due to my knee. I’ll likely do some mild stretching or something but nothing too taxing on the joint. This is frustrating and annoying. I don’t do well starting and stopping things like this. Each time it’s harder to start back up again. A night off now and then is good though.

 

Joint problems in mind, I’ve had some people ask me why I’ve decided to run. According to an article in Time the amount of force on a person’s knees is 8 times their weight. The same article goes on to talk about a study done on runners and non-runners over a period of time. The study showed that the runners’ knees were no more or less inclined to develop arthritis. I know that new studies come out all the time, and they often contradict one another, but that’s ok.  I happen to have joints that need a little extra TLC thanks to genetics and various activities/injuries. That should not prevent me from doing something that I’ve really wanted to do over the past few years, especially something that can make me a healthier person. I just have to do things a little slower than most and incorporate a few different things. I plan to head to the store over the weekend to pick up a new lock so I can go walk in the pool. That will keep the weight/pressure off of the joint while allowing me to keep moving.

 

First ‘yay’ moment by the way… put on a pair of pants this morning and I was a little concerned at how they would fit as the last time they were a little funky fitting. Today they fit quite nicely. Yay!

Oh those knees!

Went to the Y again tonight, this time with my mom. Started out doing another 4 miles on the stationary bike, and then different weight machines than yesterday. I am a sore mess! I thought that doing the bike might take some stress off my knees since I’m sitting down, etc… Man was I wrong. It almost feels like I’ve got scar tissue across the lower front of my right knee. The left knee is just joining in on the fun I think. The only damage I can think of was from a car accident back in high school. My knees hit the dash, it kind of hurt at the time but not enough to really do anything about it. Since then they’ve been cranky off and on, mostly off until now. Of course, yet again, I set a goal and my body decides that just isn’t acceptable. Oh well, too bad body, it’s gunna happen!

 

Went to the store after spending some time with the ‘rents and picked up some joint supplement in fluid form, as well as an ice pack I can wrap around my knee, ankle, wrist, elbow, whatever needs it. Hopefully between those two things, my knee, and other joints will start to feel better. I’ll be doing the race in August either way. Even if that means finding a knee brace that works for me.

 

I was thinking back last night, to when I was in karate back in high school. Twice a week, about an hour of moving around, and I dropped down to 135#s or so. Even back then I couldn’t really run though. I was in shape, and I was strong, but had no lung power or endurance. I joked with co-workers that I never really progressed beyond Kindergarten track day where I  sort of trotted along waving at everyone with a giant smile on my face. I was cute, but rather un-athletic. At one point my gym teacher even told my parents at a parent-teacher meeting, “I don’t think she’ll ever have much hand-eye coordination.” What kind of thing is that to say about someone in Elementary School? I think Karate sort of kicked that theory in the fanny. Sticks were my favorite activity, requires pretty good coordination. Then again, I tend to do well at things that people say I won’t likely do. Perhaps that’s why my body is being so ornery, it’s trying to make me overcome the challenge. I figure I’ve got enough challenge without the added aches and pains. We’ll see how things progress I suppose.

 

I think tomorrow will be something easy for my knees like yoga or something. Especially with drum circle being Saturday night… can’t dance if the knees won’t let ya!

Rejoice in your body!

For those of you who are more familiar with my other blog, you may notice a few differences between the two. While the other one is more spiritual in nature, this one will focus on my new … mission to improve my health while improving my mental, emotional, and spiritual well being. First, a quick introduction, I’m an almost 30 year old, mildly overweight woman, who has just signed up for her very first 5k race. The race is to happen mid August, and since I am far from a runner, training has started. I’ve been toying with the idea of signing up for a 5k for, oh, over a year now. Got the shoes, downloaded the training program, and hit a wall called ‘Protesting Body’. Either I would get sick or I would injure myself, or something would happen to prevent training. What’s different this time? Me. I recently switched to a gluten free diet, and am doing my best to eat organic when I can. This has prompted a change in how I want to live my life. Merely getting by just doesn’t cut it any more. Now that I’m feeling better, I want to do all I can to feel even better. It’s going to be a process, but I’m ok with that. Longer it takes to do something like this, the more likely it will be to stick.

 

Today’s training was in the gym. I injured my knee on Sunday and it was raining so the stationary bike called. After doing 4 miles on the bike I switched to weights. The Y has recently (I think) added some new machines so it was a little tough to find what I wanted. I left with jelly legs, and spazzy arms, but it was worth it. Work has been somewhat stressful lately and exercise is a better outlet than comfort food. My ipod gave out after about 20 minutes on the bike, and that wasn’t nearly long enough. Either I need to get a better ipod, or..something. Since today was day 1, getting to the gym was no problem, I have a feeling that things may change as time goes on. Some days will be harder than others of course, but, such is life.

So here is me, after a long few weeks, a long day, and an hour at the gym. No, I won’t post a picture every day, more like once a week, just to keep track of things. I’m tired, mildly sinusy, and ready to try again tomorrow. Not bad all around.