I bought my first pair of official, fitted running shoes and socks. I was going to try them out on the treadmill Tuesday evening, but Monday morning, I still couldn't move my neck or left shoulder. By Monday afternoon, I was in the chiropractor office. By the time I left the office, I could fully turn my head from left to right and back again without pain. I could stretch my left arm straight in the air and touch the middle of my back. I still couldn't touch my chin to my chest, but I could look down. Unfortunately, by bedtime the stiffness was back. Good thing I had another appointment in the morning.
During my visits it was determined that my backpack was too heavy and I wasn't viewing my laptop at a proper angle. So my decision to drop down to a part-time school was actually in the best interest of my health, mentally and physically. My X-ray revealed that I have a compacted disc between the C5 and C6 vertebrae. It was also discovered that my left leg is slightly shorter than my right leg, something I have suspected for years. The body alignments are magnificent, noticed the difference when I walked. After several therapy sessions, I'm back to running. YAY, I get to try out my new running schools. Did I mention the massages? OMG!
Last night I began week 2 of B210K. Silly me forgot to view my running schedule before I started. So I'm just running along on the treadmill (my new shoes come with a 30 day money back guarantee, so they request you run on a treadmill versus pavement), and since my body knows when 10 minutes is up, I get a little concern. So I did something I should have done before I started running, I checked the schedule. Three intervals of 15:1, aww man, but I complete it. My speed on the treadmill has increased from 3.5 to 4.6. Treadmill training is nice but it does not compare to running outside. I'll be so glad when the time changes again, more daylight in the evenings.
I found out I work within walking distance of Katy Trail, one the major trails in Dallas. So I'm seriously considering getting my running in right after work versus going home changing then heading to the rec center. I need the utilize my time wisely.
Black Girls RUN! is about to go international next year. To think BGR started as a running blog between two friends that wanted to improve their health. But with growth also comes the negativity. A lot of people are offended by the name, mostly women. BGR is not exclusive, it's inclusive. The organization targeted a group that was overlooked, black women that have a high instance of health issues related to diet and/or lack of exercise. We target neighborhoods other running groups overlook. Membership doesn't reguire a fee to belong, just a desire to become healthy. I think people need to focus on the positive results: more women of color are becoming physically active, some have lost weight, some are no longer taking prescription medicine, and at the races we participate in, we are making friends across racial lines. With that in mind, I'll sport my BGR gear just as I do my Black Women Do Workout.
Tomorrow I get to run with the Omaha group. I hope the temps don't keep me indoors like last weekend.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Saturday, December 24, 2011
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
My Journey to A Half Marathon 12/14/2012
When I started dating Warren, I didn't expect to gain weight that fast. From June to August, my weight increased from a size 6 to 10, in all the wrong places. My mother told me I looked pregnant. OUCH!!!
My young sister had taken up running and kept asking me to join in but I declined. Then Warren kept talking about how he enjoys half marathons and asked would I be interested in him training me. Again, I declined. Next thing I know my younger daughter started running again. I was being surrounded by running. So I decided to give it a try. Oh by the way, the weight gain was contributed to Warren; every time I visited he would take me to eat pizza. Come to find out, he likes thick women that are healthy and workout. So his goal was to thicken me up but I put a stop to that once I realized his intent.
In August, in order to encourage me to run, a new car was dangled to me. Hmmm, maybe I could run 13.1 miles nonstop. So I started training. Warren coached me over the phone. "See how far you can run before you get tired", my first challenge. Didn't make it too far because I didn't last ten minutes. His response "Babe that's good". He knows his butt was fibbing. Then he gave me the goal of setting a new distance each week.
Around this time, I started back to school full-time and my job required us to start working overtime. Which meant I could only run on Saturdays and/or Sundays. Shortly after that, my sister sent me a text about joining BGR. Okay, what's that? BGR - Black Girls Run. I said okay, but ignored it. A few minutes later, another text from my sister, here's the Facebook link. Side note about my sister Crystal: she has been one of my biggest influences to get healthy and workout. She is a great motivator. She always challenges me to do more or do better. So I joined BGR - Dallas in October. The ladies within this group are the most uplifting, positive women I have come in contact with since I moved to Dallas. BGR's theme "Perserve the Sexy". Soon I added "because sexy is healthy". We have neighborhood runs and group runs on Saturdays. Several women meetup to run during the week. They provide tips and constant encouragement. I'm one of the neighborhood leaders for the four communities in my area.
My next challenge from Warren was to run a half mile without stopping. I had to tell him he wasn't the beneficiary of my life insurance policy. Then he said but I'm going to be your husband and you need to build your endurance. He left me a little speechless. Then my sister challenged me to do 10 minute miles; not going to happen.
Before long I could run 1-1/2 miles without stopping. I was pumped up. I was telling everyone. My co-worker Brandon asked me what was my goal, I said to eventual complete a half marathon. He said, "so Warren is coaching you from Omaha", yes. "Does he know you're eating a donut?" #dumblookonface. Then Brandon made a comment: only a man truly in love with a woman will take an active role in her health long distance. Another #dumblookonface. Then he said I'm going to be Warren's eyes until he moves here; time to give up the junk. I got busted so many times at work trying to sneak unhealthy treats.
In October, I participated in my first 5K run. I thought my lungs were going to jump out of my chest. I have now completed two other 5K runs.
Last week I started the training program Bridge to 10K. I had to stop because of finals but I will start again on Saturday. My goal is to participate in the Cowtown 10K in February.
My young sister had taken up running and kept asking me to join in but I declined. Then Warren kept talking about how he enjoys half marathons and asked would I be interested in him training me. Again, I declined. Next thing I know my younger daughter started running again. I was being surrounded by running. So I decided to give it a try. Oh by the way, the weight gain was contributed to Warren; every time I visited he would take me to eat pizza. Come to find out, he likes thick women that are healthy and workout. So his goal was to thicken me up but I put a stop to that once I realized his intent.
In August, in order to encourage me to run, a new car was dangled to me. Hmmm, maybe I could run 13.1 miles nonstop. So I started training. Warren coached me over the phone. "See how far you can run before you get tired", my first challenge. Didn't make it too far because I didn't last ten minutes. His response "Babe that's good". He knows his butt was fibbing. Then he gave me the goal of setting a new distance each week.
Around this time, I started back to school full-time and my job required us to start working overtime. Which meant I could only run on Saturdays and/or Sundays. Shortly after that, my sister sent me a text about joining BGR. Okay, what's that? BGR - Black Girls Run. I said okay, but ignored it. A few minutes later, another text from my sister, here's the Facebook link. Side note about my sister Crystal: she has been one of my biggest influences to get healthy and workout. She is a great motivator. She always challenges me to do more or do better. So I joined BGR - Dallas in October. The ladies within this group are the most uplifting, positive women I have come in contact with since I moved to Dallas. BGR's theme "Perserve the Sexy". Soon I added "because sexy is healthy". We have neighborhood runs and group runs on Saturdays. Several women meetup to run during the week. They provide tips and constant encouragement. I'm one of the neighborhood leaders for the four communities in my area.
My next challenge from Warren was to run a half mile without stopping. I had to tell him he wasn't the beneficiary of my life insurance policy. Then he said but I'm going to be your husband and you need to build your endurance. He left me a little speechless. Then my sister challenged me to do 10 minute miles; not going to happen.
Before long I could run 1-1/2 miles without stopping. I was pumped up. I was telling everyone. My co-worker Brandon asked me what was my goal, I said to eventual complete a half marathon. He said, "so Warren is coaching you from Omaha", yes. "Does he know you're eating a donut?" #dumblookonface. Then Brandon made a comment: only a man truly in love with a woman will take an active role in her health long distance. Another #dumblookonface. Then he said I'm going to be Warren's eyes until he moves here; time to give up the junk. I got busted so many times at work trying to sneak unhealthy treats.
In October, I participated in my first 5K run. I thought my lungs were going to jump out of my chest. I have now completed two other 5K runs.
Last week I started the training program Bridge to 10K. I had to stop because of finals but I will start again on Saturday. My goal is to participate in the Cowtown 10K in February.
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