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!
Monday, December 8, 2008
Stressed Out
The doctor visit went well today. I'm glad. The stress fracture is really hard to see, but I saw it today as the doctor pointed it out. He says to wait four more weeks to begin impact on the knee, but I want to start when I'm visiting family later this month, so that's when I'll start in approximately 2.5 weeks. I'm pretty stoked about that!
In work related things, it's getting really difficult to keep on the teachers. I don't think I would make a very good administrator and am glad I haven't committed to that level of schooling just yet. But, I'm communicating as much as I can with everyone, making sure things are done and are getting done.
Tomorrow, the outside agency is coming in to "evaluate" the program that I work for. I get an email from the person, today asking about pre observation points. What?? You've known about this visit for about 3 weeks and you're just now sending out the email asking me to ask the teachers?? Are you kidding?? I'm not asking the teachers to fill this out immediately just because you were late in sending that out. I'll fill out my portion, but the rest of it... forget it! Not when you're irresponsible.
Over Thanksgiving, I bought a big screen TV. Holy Smokes! I can't believe I bought it and got a pretty decent deal on it. I'm watching it now and I love it! I'm glad I spent the money. I also had to figure out what was going on with my escrow account with my mortgage. I figured out what I'm going to do and I'm getting it done this week! My payments went up almost $600, but the way I'm doing it, it's only going to go up $150. That's a relief!
I've been tired for the past few weeks. I'm not sure why. I'm trying to go to bed early, etc. I'm going to try to fit some exercising in pretty soon to see if that'll do anything for me.
Pretty much just a dump post this time.
In work related things, it's getting really difficult to keep on the teachers. I don't think I would make a very good administrator and am glad I haven't committed to that level of schooling just yet. But, I'm communicating as much as I can with everyone, making sure things are done and are getting done.
Tomorrow, the outside agency is coming in to "evaluate" the program that I work for. I get an email from the person, today asking about pre observation points. What?? You've known about this visit for about 3 weeks and you're just now sending out the email asking me to ask the teachers?? Are you kidding?? I'm not asking the teachers to fill this out immediately just because you were late in sending that out. I'll fill out my portion, but the rest of it... forget it! Not when you're irresponsible.
Over Thanksgiving, I bought a big screen TV. Holy Smokes! I can't believe I bought it and got a pretty decent deal on it. I'm watching it now and I love it! I'm glad I spent the money. I also had to figure out what was going on with my escrow account with my mortgage. I figured out what I'm going to do and I'm getting it done this week! My payments went up almost $600, but the way I'm doing it, it's only going to go up $150. That's a relief!
I've been tired for the past few weeks. I'm not sure why. I'm trying to go to bed early, etc. I'm going to try to fit some exercising in pretty soon to see if that'll do anything for me.
Pretty much just a dump post this time.
Saturday, November 22, 2008
Getting ready!
I'm anxiously awaiting the day that I can be cleared from the doctor and start running again. I've never felt this way about an activity before. I've always dreaded any kind of physical activity or exercise, but yet, running makes me feel good, like I've accomplished a goal when I've met my time limit or I imagine when I begin to train for the marathon. That's why I started to run, I'm training for the marathon. Or namely, the Chicago Marathon.
I've really slid down the slippery slope lately. Since the ortho doctor told me I couldn't do any weight bearing activities, I've done none, but I've continued eating like I'm exercising. I know, that's not a good thing, and I can't wait until I'm cleared to start exercising again, which should come in the next few weeks. When I start exercising again, I've found this about.website that emails me a running program which will allow me to get to my previous running goal in 3 weeks. My previous running goal was to run for 30 minutes continuously. Since I haven't been running, I know I've lost all that muscle and endurance, so I'll have to start over. I'm not able to start it just yet, but I know that when I can, I have it saved on my computer documents. I am so looking forward to being able to start again.
I know I'll be able to start again soon, because I've been able to walk continuously for about 20 minutes, sometimes running up and down stairs without any pain. :) I've been watching for any pain and I know I'm not supposed to run or do any weight bearing activity, but when you work at a school without an elevator and three flights of stairs, there is a chance that you will have to exercise a little.
In the meantime, I've kept myself extremely busy! I've gone out of town a few times, and I've kept busy in town with a few things. Fall is just so busy! Next week is Thanksgiving and although I don't have any plans yet, the break in activity is welcome. I'm ready to just sleep all day or spend some time cleaning a room in my house.
I've really slid down the slippery slope lately. Since the ortho doctor told me I couldn't do any weight bearing activities, I've done none, but I've continued eating like I'm exercising. I know, that's not a good thing, and I can't wait until I'm cleared to start exercising again, which should come in the next few weeks. When I start exercising again, I've found this about.website that emails me a running program which will allow me to get to my previous running goal in 3 weeks. My previous running goal was to run for 30 minutes continuously. Since I haven't been running, I know I've lost all that muscle and endurance, so I'll have to start over. I'm not able to start it just yet, but I know that when I can, I have it saved on my computer documents. I am so looking forward to being able to start again.
I know I'll be able to start again soon, because I've been able to walk continuously for about 20 minutes, sometimes running up and down stairs without any pain. :) I've been watching for any pain and I know I'm not supposed to run or do any weight bearing activity, but when you work at a school without an elevator and three flights of stairs, there is a chance that you will have to exercise a little.
In the meantime, I've kept myself extremely busy! I've gone out of town a few times, and I've kept busy in town with a few things. Fall is just so busy! Next week is Thanksgiving and although I don't have any plans yet, the break in activity is welcome. I'm ready to just sleep all day or spend some time cleaning a room in my house.
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Sidelined
So, I'm sidelined for the next few months while I'm healing from a stress fracture. I already feel better but want to make sure that I am completely healed before I start trying to do too many things again, especially running. So, until I am able to get back on my feet, I'm going to be doing some video exercises working on strengthening my core. I should see if Netflix has some beginner pilates I can do while I'm recovering. It also doesn't help that I've eaten out every night this week! That needs to stop, too.
While I'm recovering, I need to get a handle on cleaning my house. I have been on the go since I got back from Las Vegas in August that I've barely had time to really do a good cleaning. I'm going to work on that slowly. Using the computer as a reward will be good for that since cleaning is not one of my favorite things to do!
While I'm recovering, I need to get a handle on cleaning my house. I have been on the go since I got back from Las Vegas in August that I've barely had time to really do a good cleaning. I'm going to work on that slowly. Using the computer as a reward will be good for that since cleaning is not one of my favorite things to do!
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