Brisk and Breezy...Not so Easy

Yesterday at our regular group workout we did two sets of the exercises and I have to say that I am doing them with a bit more ease. I did fail to hold the full time on the side planks though. At any rate they are a bit easier for me. And the after effects aren't as uncomfortable as they used to be.
I waited and watched the thermometer today and when it finally hit 50 I headed across the river for a road workout. I was anxious to see if I could do the 3 minute runs again. I DID. I had a cold head wind and at first regretted taking off in only a long sleeve tee shirt. I warmed up fast though and probably would have been a bit warm in anything heavier. After only a hundred yards or so of walking to get warmed up I did my first run. Made the 3 minutes and was happy. I walked until I had recovered and did another. It was tougher, partly because the terrain was slightly hilly. It was around 6 minutes before I felt like trying another and it was really hard to make. It did it and had to concentrate on a sign down the road as a goal. Made it to the sign and then only a short distance more for the 3. I repeated that sequence two more times but it was so hard. But that was my five runs. Hurray! The last one was right before I turned to head back to the car. I had gone 2 1/2 miles right at 45 minutes. I walked back but occasionally would run for a minute or so when I felt so inclined. Having the wind at my back was much more comfortable. I'm glad that I did my workout out in the wind on the road because those conditions are harder to deal with and good practice for marathoning. The results for the day---5 miles, 1 hour 30 minutes, 5 three minute running segments and a few smaller ones for good measure on the return leg. Hopefully I am catching back up to the training schedule. The issue with my ankle and ham string certainly put me behind as far as the running segments of the schedule but the last two weeks I've progressed and moved ahead. Some time this week I'll see if I can do a 4.

A DESIRE TO RUN and BLIND FAITH

On Saturday morning we went to the IPFW campus to watch the 5K. We wanted to cheer on our daughter Leslye as she ran her first 5K. When I began the FORT4FITNESS CHALLENGE she picked up the tempo of her visits to the fitness center and began to get into running. She and her friend Lori entered the run and succeeded. How cool is that? That's them in the picture on the top. The picture on the bottom is an inspiration--a motivator--his name is Joe and he is blind. With the guidance of his running partner he completed the course and very well. He's a good runner. She guided him with voice prompts and also a short piece of rope. Again, how cool is that?
I didn't work out on Saturday but today I did get back into the routine. Cyndy needed to do some work in her classroom at school so I used the school facility to do my workout. It was about a 45 minute session and I walked/ran and THIS TIME I GOT IN 5 THREE MINUTE RUNS. Another goal reached. Hopefully I will repeat this next time out doors and then I will move on to the 4 minute segments. I did do a pretty good set of exercises today too. So all in all, a good weekend. (Leslye says that coming up toward the finish and hearing all the cheers and encouragement is quite a rush)

Oh Boy--Those Were The Days.

I find it easy to get discouraged. So I have to have a "be patient session" in my mind when I can't do what used to be easy. Just take off and run for instance. Today I did my 5 mile session and did four 2 minute runs and one 3 minute run. The rest was brisk walking. But what a struggle. It's 80 out. I wore the wrong shoes (judging from the aching feet I have). It took me 12 minutes longer to do the 5 miles. So it wasn't an easy workout.
Now consider this: Yesterday was Grandparents Day at my grandson Ethan's school. I was so pleased to be able to be there. As was he that I could be a part of the school day with him. The first thing the third grade did after introductions, etc. was go to Physical Education. It was their day to run the mile, which is one of the requirements to earn a Presidential Fitness Award.
They got all lined up and when the whistle blew off they went. Fast. About 50 yards out Ethan lost his right shoe. He didn't even slow down--just kept on running. He ran the mile with one shoe on! And finished fifth out of all those kids. 9 minutes--33 seconds. Believe me I thought about that a few times today when I wanted to quit early because my left foot was killing me. Back in the good old days, when I could run at will, I only got impatient when I couldn't get back out to run and play some more. Now my impatience is aimed at my inability to get my body to do what my mind thinks it should be able to "just do"--like it used to.
After I got back home from the walk/run I went through stretches and exercises and realized they were not nearly as difficult for me. At the beginning of March I was barely able to do one exercise or run or even walk much of a distance. So here I sit, with a bag of frozen peas on my left foot, thinking thankful thoughts about the last month and a half and looking forward to the coming weeks. I can't wait--I can't wait...

BUT IT'S A PERFECTLY GOOD BELT.

Not too very long ago I bought a new belt. The one I wore most of the time was getting pretty ratty and I had put in an extra hole or two to make it bigger. Well guess what? I need a new belt. I could put some extra holes in this one to make it smaller but I don't need 8 or 10 inches of extra belt extending around my side. So goodbye perfectly good belt. (Gosh I love this) And I'm glad I still have some older pants and shorts around that I am starting to fit back into.
Yesterday was rest day and I did that. Today I only walked a mile in anticipation of our work out this afternoon. Our session was very interesting. We as a group have begun to know each other and rely on each other for encouragement. Yet, we really don't know much about each other or our motivations to tackle something like a fitness and running program of the magnitude of the Fort4Fitness Challenge. So we each had a turn telling about ourselves and how we ended up doing this. Very interesting and I feel closer and more involved with each of my team members. It was a good thing to do.
Tomorrow I will try a repeat of my walk/run of a couple days ago when I finally could click off the 2 minute runs. If it feels right I'll see if I can get in some 3 minute runs.

A Few Steps Forward

Last evening at the group workout we did a 5 minute warm up and then went through two cycles of the exercises using the various equipment and some floor exercises. The monster walk, forward and sideways, with appropriate gutteral utterances was the new highlight for the session. I got through the workout with a bit less difficulty and was surprised that my muscles recovered more quickly.
This morning I did an outdoor road workout and made some forward progress. I did 2 minute runs 7 times which is a first for me. Altogether I covered 4.8 miles in one and a half hours of walking/running. My feet have really hurt this afternoon so I soaked them in cold water for a while. Hopefully that will help them recover. Did some stretches before and after.
It was another beautiful morning and the jaunt along the river was great. There were a number of people mowing their lawns so I guess spring is here for sure.
I didn't see any buzzards stalking me.

5.2 miles!!!

It was a really nice Sunday afternoon. We were visiting Cyndy's dad in Rochester IN. and I headed out on the trail network there to get in some training. It follows the golf course, the woods and out around the airport. I was able to walk along at a pretty good clip and did a few 2 minute runs, which left me pretty breathless. All together I covered 5.2 miles which is a new level and did it in 1 hour and 35 minutes. The September Marathon is set up to allow an average of 18 minutes per mile to reach the finish before the course will close. That is roughly where my time put me. Naturally I want to finish sooner than that and I will. Just nice to know that if I took off today and kept at it I would make it. Got wet feet out by the golf course and that is not good. Very uncomfortable. So don't run through puddles unless you have to.
This afternoon is group workout. I wonder what we'll get to do to broaden our running horizons today?
A great thing that is happening is more and more people are telling me that they have started on a walking, running, or exercise program. We're making a difference!

A GOOD FRIDAY

Once again I headed to the river road to do my run/walk this morning. This time though I wore running shorts and tee shirt. The warmer weather is great. I did my usual circuit of 3.2 miles and ran some 1 minute and 2 minute segments. I just can't break through into longer times on the runs. Did a longer period of stretches both before and after this time. Not as achey tonight.
Tomorrow will be a day of rest.