So, I've started to run again. The doctor told me that the pain in my hip was inflammation. So, he recommended that I start VERY slow, and gradually build up miles. Right now, I'm walking about half a mile and running one block, the longer block right after the walking. Hopefully, today, I will be able to start running 2 blocks after my 1/2 mile walk.
I'm hoping that I'll be able to complete at least half the Chicago Marathon in October. I know that right now, I will not be able to get enough miles in before running the marathon especially with having to start all over and the amount of running I'm adding.
In other news, I've painted the middle bedroom. I've installed some elfa shelves. And am slowly adding other furniture and fixtures in the room. I've got most of what I want to add in the room. I just need to get it into the room and put up.
I'm looking around for explanations between a HSA and a FSA, thinking that they will help me pay for some needed expensive health care. I'm still trying to decide between the two. I'm leaning more toward a HSA just because the amount you put in is actually yours and you don't have to spend it all at the end of the year like you do in the FSA. The tax savings are nice, also, but I am not sure if I qualify for a HSA with my insurance. I'll work on it. I also need to go to the eye doctor and get a new prescription for my eyes. I also need to work on this, hopefully I'll make the appointment before I go back to school in 2 weeks.
Saturday, July 18, 2009
Saturday, March 14, 2009
Motivation
Yesterday, my friend, MHD, and I met up to talk about some upcoming races that we're going to be involved in. We have both already signed up for the Chicago Marathon in October, but we thought we would need some practice as the marathon is about 7 months away. I already did my first 5K with a time of 48:50 and was happy that I finished in under an hour. MHD and I are going to run in another 5K in May. We'll see if her plans can be finalized for that race.
Today, I ran for 2.09 miles and had a pace of 14:22/mile which is pretty good for a beginner. I'm not looking to shave my time off just yet. I'm working on getting the endurance part right now. I ran for about 30 minutes continously. I haven't quite met this goal, but I'm really close. I'm walking about 2-3 minutes only during the run. So I'm running close to 27-28 minutes continously. I think I can be proud of that accomplishment. I found that watching the clock was harder for me. It's easier if I can just decide on a distance and run the distance with the short breaks in between. So, that's what I've been doing lately. Last week I ran 2 times with 1.05 miles each and this today I ran the 2.09.
In other news, I'm glad that I finally have the motivation to start running again. I'm glad that I just have motivation for things period. I think knowing that spring is just around the corner and the weather is in the 4o's and 50's makes it easier. Taking antidepressants makes things alot easier! From the two periods of depression that I've been through, this recent one was by far the most difficult one I've been through. I had never been in a situation where I couldn't get focused on anything, work related or life related. That was really frustrating for me. Then, as the medicine started working, I could begin to relax knowing that I would be able to get my work done, which had been piling up for the past 2-3 months.
Today, I ran for 2.09 miles and had a pace of 14:22/mile which is pretty good for a beginner. I'm not looking to shave my time off just yet. I'm working on getting the endurance part right now. I ran for about 30 minutes continously. I haven't quite met this goal, but I'm really close. I'm walking about 2-3 minutes only during the run. So I'm running close to 27-28 minutes continously. I think I can be proud of that accomplishment. I found that watching the clock was harder for me. It's easier if I can just decide on a distance and run the distance with the short breaks in between. So, that's what I've been doing lately. Last week I ran 2 times with 1.05 miles each and this today I ran the 2.09.
In other news, I'm glad that I finally have the motivation to start running again. I'm glad that I just have motivation for things period. I think knowing that spring is just around the corner and the weather is in the 4o's and 50's makes it easier. Taking antidepressants makes things alot easier! From the two periods of depression that I've been through, this recent one was by far the most difficult one I've been through. I had never been in a situation where I couldn't get focused on anything, work related or life related. That was really frustrating for me. Then, as the medicine started working, I could begin to relax knowing that I would be able to get my work done, which had been piling up for the past 2-3 months.
Saturday, February 7, 2009
Running Again
After a brief break, I started running again. I initially started in December when I went to Las Vegas, but the return to extremely cold temperatures and feeling unmotivated have kept me away from the pavement. When the temps were above 20 degrees, I did manage to get out one or two times, but that was few and far between. It felt good to go running today. I ran for close to 30 minutes with a few stops for walking. I ran about 2 miles in 30 minutes, which is exciting! I've never run for 30 minutes continually and I am surprised that I'm not really that tired from doing so. I just kept running, making sure my footing was correct since I tend to get sore in that muscle on the lower leg above the ankle. So, I'm happy that I went out and ran and feel good about it.
Sunday, January 4, 2009
Happy New Year!
My sister and I just got back from driving across country to Vegas. We drove there and back!
Christmas was nice. We just did a "Secret Santa" this year and spent more money on the nephew. Each of us spent around $100 and it prevented all of us scrambling around trying to get gift cards to places that we don't really want anyway. We all get one or two things that we want. This year, I got a Visa gift card. LOL!
Then we packed up the van and headed out to Mt. Charleston. There was a snow advisory and we needed snow tires or 4x4. We risked it. We headed up the mountain to the hotel and that's where the snow really began. We ate at the hotel restaurant the first night. The food was really good, but the service was really slow.
My brother in law got his car stuck in the snow and we had to help push him out. He was yelling at my sister who had never driven in the snow before. So, I went around and calmly explained to her what to do. He apologized to her later. After all that action, I hung out in the hotel lobby and read a book for school. I'm really looking forward to starting that book soon. While I was in the hotel lobby reading, the nephew and other family members went to Le.e Ca.nyon to snowboard. The nephew learned how to snowboard in about an hour! We ate at the Mt. Charleston Lod.ge the second night. That was also the day of weddings! We saw one at the hotel, at the lodge, and then for our game... we had about 4 or 5 mentions of weddings. Very interesting.
We also went to Pri.mm to stay at a hotel for a penny! Mom booked it and the nephew, mom, sister and I all went. While my other sister stayed home to clean and get ready for the party. It was really a let down. The roller coaster wasn't working and then when we finally get over there to play some arcade games, they turn off at 8pm! We had just bought some quarters, too! Poor guy only got to play a few games before we had to turn around and go back to our hotel room. I played video poker right after that and got a 4 of a kind. And then managed to loose it all. I only played $10. So it was probably 45 minutes of entertainment.
Then, New Year's eve was not eventful, we all stayed up til about midnight, even the little guy, and then kissed. After everyone went to bed, I checked email and played around online for a bit. I noticed that my mom was still up and we ended up chatting for about 2 hours. Before we knew it, the time was 4am! We had better get to bed, the nephew's party is tomorrow at 2 and then my sister and I have to drive back home!
The nephew's party was held at Skyman.ia. It's a trampoline place with a whole bunch of trampolines put together. We had so much fun and I even relearned how to do a flip on the tramp! I'm definitely going back and my sister is going to go 2 times a week for aerobics.
I decided on several races that I'm going to particpate in this year.
1. He.nderson Library 5K- February 27. (Booked my flight, haven't paid the registration fee)
2. St. Louis Go! 5K- April 18. (Hopefully my friend and I can do this one together)
3. Chi.cago Mar.athon- October 11. (I'll be running this with another friend)
4. Phil.adelphia Half Mar.athon- November 22. (I'll be running this and staying in Philly with my sister)
I think 4 races is enough and I'll just keep running through the year, making it my goal to run consistently for 30 minutes at first. So, my first goal is to run 30 minutes for the Library 5K!
Christmas was nice. We just did a "Secret Santa" this year and spent more money on the nephew. Each of us spent around $100 and it prevented all of us scrambling around trying to get gift cards to places that we don't really want anyway. We all get one or two things that we want. This year, I got a Visa gift card. LOL!
Then we packed up the van and headed out to Mt. Charleston. There was a snow advisory and we needed snow tires or 4x4. We risked it. We headed up the mountain to the hotel and that's where the snow really began. We ate at the hotel restaurant the first night. The food was really good, but the service was really slow.
My brother in law got his car stuck in the snow and we had to help push him out. He was yelling at my sister who had never driven in the snow before. So, I went around and calmly explained to her what to do. He apologized to her later. After all that action, I hung out in the hotel lobby and read a book for school. I'm really looking forward to starting that book soon. While I was in the hotel lobby reading, the nephew and other family members went to Le.e Ca.nyon to snowboard. The nephew learned how to snowboard in about an hour! We ate at the Mt. Charleston Lod.ge the second night. That was also the day of weddings! We saw one at the hotel, at the lodge, and then for our game... we had about 4 or 5 mentions of weddings. Very interesting.
We also went to Pri.mm to stay at a hotel for a penny! Mom booked it and the nephew, mom, sister and I all went. While my other sister stayed home to clean and get ready for the party. It was really a let down. The roller coaster wasn't working and then when we finally get over there to play some arcade games, they turn off at 8pm! We had just bought some quarters, too! Poor guy only got to play a few games before we had to turn around and go back to our hotel room. I played video poker right after that and got a 4 of a kind. And then managed to loose it all. I only played $10. So it was probably 45 minutes of entertainment.
Then, New Year's eve was not eventful, we all stayed up til about midnight, even the little guy, and then kissed. After everyone went to bed, I checked email and played around online for a bit. I noticed that my mom was still up and we ended up chatting for about 2 hours. Before we knew it, the time was 4am! We had better get to bed, the nephew's party is tomorrow at 2 and then my sister and I have to drive back home!
The nephew's party was held at Skyman.ia. It's a trampoline place with a whole bunch of trampolines put together. We had so much fun and I even relearned how to do a flip on the tramp! I'm definitely going back and my sister is going to go 2 times a week for aerobics.
I decided on several races that I'm going to particpate in this year.
1. He.nderson Library 5K- February 27. (Booked my flight, haven't paid the registration fee)
2. St. Louis Go! 5K- April 18. (Hopefully my friend and I can do this one together)
3. Chi.cago Mar.athon- October 11. (I'll be running this with another friend)
4. Phil.adelphia Half Mar.athon- November 22. (I'll be running this and staying in Philly with my sister)
I think 4 races is enough and I'll just keep running through the year, making it my goal to run consistently for 30 minutes at first. So, my first goal is to run 30 minutes for the Library 5K!
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