There's nothing to see here - keep moving.

Ok - so there's no update. My knees feel better today, but the fluid bubbles are still there. I am not waddling like a penguin when I walk and there's not a lot of pain going up and down those blasted stairs.

I iced. I elevated.

SO, there's really nothing to see here today.

I might get a little "determined", "ambitious" or just plain ol' stupid and do some running tomorrow to see "what happens".

I guess there's no point in whining or complaining if my knees hurt on Sunday! I'll let you know what I decide and how it goes.

Speed Bump!

Did you ever have that experience that as you're driving through a supermarket or some side street going pretty fast and all the sudden your passenger yells, "SPEED BUMP" - then, almost involuntarily, you slam on the brakes as your vehicle slams over the speed bump? There's the moment of "shock and awe" (what just happened) followed by "is my car alright" (assessing the damage)...

It seems that everytime I'm cruising along in my training or routine, a body part yells out, "SPEED BUMP" just before I get some "routine-altering" injury.

That's where I'm at right now!

I have just hit the SPEED BUMP and I'm in shock and awe as I assess if there's any damage.

Here's the deal. The last few times I've been on my training runs, the next day (and days after), my knees seemingly fill-up with fluid and feel like they're going to pop. If I bend them or try to squat - it feels even worse. I know it's not a tear or injury due to the fact that it's both knees.

After Tuesday nights run of 5-miles, I was feeling really good. The run went well, despite the weather (it was rainy and cold). I was able to keep my goal pace and even kick-it up a notch near the end. As the night progressed, my legs got stiff. I stretched post-run. Before I went to bed, I stretched a little more. 2 days later, I have this "bulge" of fluid just the outside of my knee cap that seemingly grows and pokes out when I bend my knee (I really should videotape it).

I tried to sleep with my legs elevated, but halfway through the night, I was done with that.

So, I've done what all good athletes should do - I went to WebMD for my diagnosis. According to WebMD, I either have Gout, RA, Lyme Disease or an Insect Bite. Hmmm... I did the next best thing, I called a sports doctor and made an appointment. I asked for their best sports doctor. They replied with a mid-May first possible appt. So, I asked for their 2nd best sports doctor. I get to see him next Thursday.

The Broad Street Run is just 3 weeks away. The doctor's appt is one week away. I don't want to be stupid, but I really want to run in the Broad Street.

So, I've decided to sit out today's run and wait for Saturday to see how the ol' knees are doing. I'm supposed to run 7 miles on Saturday. If you're an athlete or have ever trained for an event, you know the struggle I'm wrestling with. If you're not - you're now thinking I'm stupid and just need to give it up and go for it next year. I'm somewhere in between - I want to be wise and do the right thing with the hopes that I will still get to run! :)

Alright, well I'm off to finish my days work so I can go home and: REST, ICE, COMPRESS and ELEVATE the knees!

A Trainer each Day...

A trainer each day...helps take the weight away!

That's my new mantra.

I am going to visit Trainer Sue today to set-up some training sessions for the next few months. It's been about 6 mos since I've had a personal trainer, due to financial constraints. I've decided that it's time...

I have been on-track with my 10-mile training schedule. Today, I hit the pavement for 5-miles. I'm out of breath just thinking about it.

I ran 4-miles on Saturday with my nephew (who does not run). I took it all out of him. Felt nice to "beat-up" on my 17-year old athletic nephew. Auntie still has some fire in her! I'm was also able to keep my goal pace of 12:30/mile.

I'm going to try again tonight - 12:30/mile for 5 miles = 62.5 mins of running bliss!

(BTW - I updated my picture on the 10k race - they posted race photos this week and I downloaded mine)

On the Road Again!

Tomorrow - I'm on the road again. I am making the epic family trip - a stop in Tully, Geneseo and then Rochester - culminating in a family dinner on Easter Sunday. I love getting to spend time with all my family members, but the trip can be wearying. Plus, my schedule and routine are completely thrown off.

I NEED ROUTINE!

The good part is that it's only 4 days. I have my 3-mile training run tonight. Friday is my free day. Saturday is a 4-miler (light week). Sunday is cross - Monday is stretching and strength.
So as far as the workout schedule that will be fine.

...but...

What I will be eating - it's anybody's guess! I don't have a good track record when I go home. That's all I will say about that topic.

Let me just take a moment and say Happy Easter to everyone! I love Easter as we celebrate the Risen Christ! Consider finding a place of worship this weekend to celebrate His dying on the cross for your sins. And 3 days later - rising again!

He is risen ~ Just as He said!

Running through the Pain...WHAT PAIN??!!

Last night, I forced myself to run the 3-miles on my training schedule.

The reason why is that I don't feel like running. My legs hurt. My knees feel like they are twice the size that they really are. I can barely bend them. My derriere hurts. The muscles are just plain and tired. My lungs hurt. It was cold outside. I even used my inhaler before running to prevent any asthmatic attacks induced by the cold air.

But guess what? A few minutes into the run, my knees didn't hurt as much. My butt hurt, but that's no big deal. My lungs - they functioned normal for me - thanks to albuterol.

In fact, today, I feel great. My legs feel great. I can even bend my knees without feeling like they're gonna pop. My butt is still sore (probably from riding bike the other day). The wheezing in my lungs is minimal. Interesting.

I ran when my body was screaming no and today my body is bowing in thankful adoration for me doing it anyway. I guess it's true that sometimes, you just have to run through the pain.

Oh, By the way, I remembered to pack my gym bag. That's the first crucial step to getting to the gym. I also carried it to my car - second step. Now, the third and final step - driving to the gym - keep your fingers crossed!

It's been just over a year now...

It's been just over a year now that I've been actively trying to lose weight.

• In March of 2008, I joined the gym and hired a trainer for 10 sessions.
• I trained for and ran a half marathon in late April.
• After those 10 sessions were over, I hired her for an additional 10 sessions.
• I ran in a 5k over the summer.
• Beginning in July, I started going to the gym practically everyday.
• My fitness has increased, as well as my endurance.
• I've lost a few pounds - around 17 to be exact. I am stronger.
• I feel healthier.

If I had to gauge myself, I'm not where I'd like to be but I like where I'm at.

These past few weeks of training for the 10-miler (Broad Street Run) has caused my body an awful lot of stress. I've slowed, ok, practically stopped going to the gym. I've been following the training schedule, as far as running, but that's about it.

This was going to be the week that I started to go back to the gym - putting it back into my daily routine. Oops - I forgot my gym bag (again). That's twice this week and it's only Tuesday. I need to start incorporating some light lifting and cross-training into my schedule.

I brought the ol' dusty bike out of the basement into sunlight for the first time in 3 years. Pumped up the tires, washed and oiled it, took it for a test-drive. Works great! I also brought up the roller blades - also in the basement for about the same amount of time. I used to love roller-blading in my post-college days (in fact, they were my sole source of transportation for a few years). I haven't tried them out yet, maybe this weekend.

Considering most people gain a few pounds every year, I'm not doing all that bad. Honestly though, I didn't think losing weight would be all that difficult. I thought if I went to the gym and hired a trainer and changed up my diet - the pounds would melt off. At least, that's how it seems to work for those around me.

But no, I'm not like everyone else. I have to work harder. I have to push harder. It doesn't seem fair. But then again, I didn't just gain this weight over a period of time, I've been a big girl most of my life. I have a lifetime of weight to lose. When placed in that perspective - 17 pounds in a year doesn't seem all that bad now does it?

So, at my current rate, I have approximately 60 pounds to lose - I can expect to hit my goal weight on: September 7, 2012.

Yeah!

10k - Completed in Record Time!

I finished my first 10k this weekend.

My goal - 1:20 (just under a 13-min pace per mile)
My actual - 1:17

I was darn excited! I have been pushing myself in my long runs to get around a 12:30 pace. I tend to do well the first few miles then slow way down for the middle and pick-up at the end.

There were a few times I wanted to stop and walk, but I made myself continue. I know that if I walked, I could have bettered my pace in the long run, but I decided to continue running, even if it resembled more of a slow crawl, because I was going for the endurance and completion - not speed. Between the wind and the hills, it was pretty grueling in my book!

Now I can honestly say I ran a 10k - the whole thing!