Whale Runner

Running Shoes

2009-07-12T15:34:00.000-07:00

I ran on Thursday after work, before the walking tour of the Land Bridge that I helped to organize. The running consisted of my trying to follow the "Couch to 5K" program, but was more like "Couch to Chair Next to the Couch." I ran only two of the 60 second segments. Otherwise walked the hills near work.

This was the second time that I added a bit of jogging to my walk. And the second time that I had pain in the outside muscle of my lower leg. A bit of google tells me that my shoes are wrong and that I'm overpronating. So I need to get new running shoes. The pair I have I bought at the Nike Outlet and I've liked them for walking. Apparently they're not right for my running gait.

I'll be going to Fit Right Northwest, which is recommended by everyone around as the best running shoe store. The do the whole video on a treadmill thing that ensures that you get the right shoes for you.

I'd be excited about new shoes (what girl isn't!) except for the money issue. Our 4th of July vacation was an out-of-the-ordinary expense and I also just paid for Harry's summer term at community college. Also am very excited about an upcoming trip to Las Vegas, but not excited about the money I'll be spending, even though it's a bargain.

Then again, it's only money. I'm not going to let my worries get in the way of getting healthy. And that's not just my body, but also my attitude.

My new scale is being kind to me. This morning I was 200 lbs even--down from 209.6 when I went to the doctor for my wrist sprain on 6/22. However, looking back through my health records I see that I was 185 when I was treated for depression in 2006. Losing my job in 2007 was difficult for me and my weight just creeped up and up.

My goal before Vegas, Sept. 18: 180 lbs.
My goal for my birthday, Oct. 22: RUN 5K

Wellness Blog

2009-07-09T15:51:00.001-07:00

Perhaps this isn't just a fitness blog, but instead about my "wellness" in general. Because I feel compelled to write about my visit to the doctor yesterday.

I had a list of things to discuss with this woman I had never met. I don't get to the doctor often, just if I have an illness or injury that can't be ignored. I went a few weeks ago when I sprained my arm and I went in November 2006 when I needed antidepressants. The doctor that saw me then has retired, so my HMO gave me someone new. And I loved her.

She allowed me to tell her that I'm overweight and ready to begin an exercise program. "Good for you!" she said. My blood pressure and heart are perfect, no reason not to sweat.

She looked over my bum arm and pronounced it "not broken," which I already knew. But she validated my concerns and suggested that if it isn't completely better in two weeks I should see her again. She told me to stretch it, but be gentle, and continue to take the ibuprofen which is not just for pain, but also inflamation and swelling.

She gave me a prescription for a steroid cream for my eczema and some specific advice about how to use it. If it doesn't clear up with this, I should see a dermatologist. In 2005 I saw a doctor about the eczema who said I should just learn to live with it.

She did my well-woman exam, which hadn't been done since 2002. I thought it was 7 years overdue, but it turns out that pap smears are now recommended every three years, not yearly. And she removed the IUD that I had inserted back in 2002 and which was supposed to be removed or replaced in 2007. My Mirena IUD kept me period and pregnancy free for 7 years, but I'm a bit excited to be off all the hormones. I'm just me now and I'll see how that goes.

When I saw the doc in the minor injury clinic about my arm on June 22, I weighed 209.5 lbs. Yesterday I weighted 206. I have a new mini-goal to lose 20 lbs by September 18.

What's special about September 18? you might ask.

That's the day I'm flying to Las Vegas for a fun-filled girls weekend! Cannot wait. I'm going to get a rockin' new haircut, paint my toenails and wear mascara. And those things may not stay in Las Vegas.

Vacation Exercise

2009-07-05T17:50:00.000-07:00

I've gotten up before the rest of the family each morning on this vacation to walk with the dog.

Friday: 1.81 miles
Saturday: 1.52 miles
Today: 1.24 miles

Still slow. No running. Also did some bipedal transportation on Friday and Saturday.

39 Minutes

2009-07-02T09:44:00.001-07:00

I got up and walked BEFORE WORK today. Go me!

My plan was to walk for 30 minutes, but it took me 39 to get back home. I walked for 1.64 miles, so that's 2.5 miles per hour. I was passed by an old man walking his pomeranian.

I wore my new sports bra and the technical t-shirt I bought at REI earlier this week. I drank a few ounces of orange juice before I left home.

Felt great.

Not My Food Diary

2009-07-01T21:05:00.000-07:00

Sometimes it's smart to cut your losses. I'm not really using myfooddiary.com, so I canceled the membership. There are other (free) online food logging sites to use when I'm ready. I don't want to be paying $9 per month for something I don't use.

Run Like Hell

2009-07-01T10:06:00.000-07:00

See the ticker above?

My goal is to RUN the Halloween-themed Run Like Hell in Portland on October 25. This is a 5K--just three days after I turn 40.

I haven't run a step, but I'm already thinking about my costume...

Advice I Can Actually Take...

2009-06-30T22:42:00.000-07:00

From johnbingham.com:

"If you are new to running or being active, one of the best ways to get started is to take an entire week to think about running. Each day that week, think about when and where you might have run that day. Think about how fast or how far you would run. Remind yourself that NEXT week, you really are going to run."

John Bingham writes a column in Runners World that addresses the "penguin" runner--someone who runs for the love of running, possibly slowly.

In other news, I just committed myself to volunteering at Northwest Personal Training's triathlon on July 19.

Third Verse Same as the First

2009-06-29T11:51:00.000-07:00

tap, tap, tap Is this thing on?

Okay, so today I have logged my breakfast. I didn't eat enough. I logged my snack. It was coffee with vanilla artificial creamer. And a lettuce leaf from my co-worker's garden.

Not a super (re)start, but I'm more determined than ever to get off my ass and get going. My friend Mel just posted the "Why I Tri" story I asked her to write. So inspiring, since I never would have guessed that she'd be doing triathlons at 40/41 years old.

I'm now less than 4 months until my own 40th birthday. And fat. And often unhappy, depressed. I think I hide it pretty well. But this weekend I learned that my aunt took her own life. I didn't even know she was bi-polar.

My wrist, which I sprained last Sunday, is better. I'm not sure I'm coordinated enough for tennis. I really want to learn to run. But I can't even talk to my husband about this. When I expressed that I wanted to "walk a little faster" he told me it was a bad idea and seems to take every opportunity to dis "power walking." He makes me crazy.

This isn't supposed to be a blog about my relationship, but I know that my emotions are tied directly to my eating and exercising. I need more support. When our daughter made baked potatoes the other day for dinner (with sour cream and bacon, mind you) he was so disappointed that he made me take him out for Taco Bell. I don't know if I can get healthy around him.

I'm oddly excited about seeing the doctor on 7/8. I want to have my IUD removed and see what happens with my body. I sort of want to be told that I'm not healthy and need to make lifestyle changes--doctor's orders.

It's a few minutes past noon. I think I'm going to take my hairy armpits to the store and buy a sports bra.

Take Two

2009-06-18T22:53:00.000-07:00

Sooo, food diary = FAIL. Haven't logged for 3 days, maybe 4. Will try again tomorrow.

But in the meantime, took an excellent walk today on my own (pup was walking with my son). Ipod with upbeat tunes.

Chose oatmeal with fresh strawberries for breakfast this morning at Bijou Cafe with Rikki. Some brown sugar and half & half, not too much.

Dinner was roasted chicken, mashed potatoes (made with soy milk since we're out of 1%), brussels sprouts.

Prefer not to talk about the ginger thins at work.

One Week In

2009-06-14T23:47:00.001-07:00

I have tracked my food consumption for seven days. I'm not actively changing how I eat yet, just being more conscious about what goes in my mouth. And it is obvious that what goes in my mouth is junk. This next week is the same plan: bite it and write it. Then I'm going to analyze what I'm eating and make changes.

I've also exercised nearly every day this week. I skipped the first day (June 8) and yesterday. Today however, I purchased three tennis rackets at the thrift store and the kids and I went to Lincoln School to hit balls around. We're really not very good. But it accomplished the goal of raising my heart rate and making me sweat a bit. I'm looking forward to going again.

I need access to a scale, since I'm not really sure what I weigh and I'd like to track it. I'm also going to make an appointment to see my doctor about a variety of physical issues I'm having.

Positive changes. Still no running.

My Food Diary

2009-06-11T23:19:00.001-07:00

This was the third day that I kept a food log. I have joined myfooddiary.com, which has a great database of food, with brand names, an exercise log, forums and more. Seeing people's before and after pictures is very inspiring.

I've also been reading some running blogs, but haven't actually run. My feet are in bad shape with the eczema and hurt quite a bit. I'm also worried that I don't have a sports bra and good enough socks. I'm worried that my thighs will chafe. I'm worried that I'll get injured, since running seems sort of hard on the joints.

I'm also worried that I won't ever get started.

On the other hand, I walked with The Artist and the dog for nearly an hour today. And wanted to go faster than they did. I felt very energized all afternoon/evening. Exciting.

The Beginning

2009-06-11T01:54:00.000-07:00

I moved to a new neighborhood two months ago and now walk my dog nearly every evening, a mile round trip. Just getting moving is a feat. I'm 5'4", at least 200 lbs. and 132 days from my 40th birthday.

But some of my (non-local) friends have taken up running. Friends my age. In fact, several of them used to be the chubby girls back when I was thin. And I think "I could do that, too."

I haven't told anyone. I haven't bought shoes or a sports bra. But I'm going to. And I'm going to write about it here. And then share when I feel like it's not an unrealistic goal.

Fat girls can learn to run, too.