It's been awhile since my last entry.
New year = new challenges.

I began my training for my first half marathon yesterday with strength training. Today I ran a nice slow 3 miles in 42 minutes. Really slow. But I am trying to keep a steady heart rate while I run. I burned 453 calories. My average HR was 147 and my max HR was 178.

Here's to a new year and new accomplishments!

Knee Pain!

I have an orthopedist appointment in 4 days to check out my knee.

I had a fracture in my tibia 2 years ago.  The pain got better but never fully went away.  It got to the point that it hurt whether I laid or did something so I decided to do something.

I've been trying to train to get to a faster race pace and may have gone too fast too soon.  :-(  It makes me sad because I feel GREAT running fast but my knee does not like it.  My knee has been killing me.  Since the last week I cut out my training fast the pain has mostly subsided (back to the normal level of pain).  I really want to cry because I WANT to get faster.  It feels so good to run fast and make your own breeze instead of relying on a fan or the wind.

I also started looking for new kicks.  I am going to try the New Balance Minimus because I hear they are great for knee pain. Eventually, if the Minimus works, I think I'll try 5 Fingers.

       This is the minimus
  This is the Five Fingers Bikila

I couldn't find the sneakers I wanted at either Dick's or Finish Line.  I wish we had a running store nearby.

Wish me luck at the orthopedist!

Runners

I recently posted on I <3 to Run's Facebook page. "I started running at well over 200lbs and there is no better feeling than crossing that finish line. Size doesn't matter and I have never met a runner that judged me by my size or how slow I am. Every runner I have met has been inspiring and helpful. "
That is what I wrote under a pic of another large lady loving running. She is a tri-athlete and she rocks!

I stand by what I wrote. I love not only running, but I love runners!  Runners are amazing people and make amazing friends. Runners are the people that got out on the track with me and jogged circles around me talking to me, keeping me company, and being true friends. Runners have offered to travel to come run with me even though my pace was 12 minute mile and theirs was a 6!  Runners have not judged me nor made me feel like I didn't belong. Runners are encouraging and they are the people at the finish line of every race cheering for my 40 minute 5K.  Runners are my favorite people. So if you are out there thinking you are too big, go talk to a runner. I'm sure they'll offer to join you on a run at your pace.  You will make a new friend and love your new life.

Trail Blazing!

Oh my goodness. I am in love. Trail running is heaven. Running over rocks and roots is like flying. I had the most amazing run today. I really felt alive and free and airborne.
This I must do again. I must find some trails near me so that I can feel this lift again and again.
I fear I have found a new addiction.
Trails. Love. Run.

Every single day

I think about running daily. There is not a day that goes by that running isn't on my mind. On days I don't run I think about how I'm going to make up for missing a run or how the rest day will help me run better tomorrow. On days I do run I think about how hard I pushed and how far I ran and how I can do more and better and on and on.
Running is a major part of my day.
I love running.

Gear

My newest gear matches my kicks!  Yay!  I love matching my workout clothes. It wasn't even on purpose.
Oh.  You want to know about my new device? 

Well, it is a Polar FT60 heart rate monitor. It includes neat stuff that calculates calories burned and sets goals for you based on what you want to do. I set it for weightloss and it will tell me the targets I need to reach to accomplish my goal. It is also supposed to change targets based on your activity. Sounds good. I hope it does all that and helps me on my way to a slimmer me.

Let's hear it for Interval Training!

Oh my wow!
I had the best interval training ever yesterday!

I restarted the C25K training that I used to begin this journey.  It's amazing that back in February when I started I was walking at a 3.5mph pace and "running" at a 4.0 mph pace.  Yesterday, I walked at a 4.2 and ran at a 6.6mph pace!  HOLY RUNNING!!!  I RAN.  It was a for real, no doubt about it RUN.  I felt so good stepping off of that machine.  Granted, I only ran that pace for one minute at a time.  That's just it though.  I started out doing the same training at such a different place.  If I could go from there to here, there's no telling how far I can get in the next 6 months.

Today was just a slow walk to get the heart moving and burn some calories.  I was so sore from yesterday's intervals I couldn't do anything else.  Tomorrow is Week 1 Day 2 of interval training.  I hope to keep that 6.6mph pace and complete my September 5K in under 32 minutes!