Starting 2026 Right

 

I have been more active in the past week than I have been in a while. On New Years Day, Chad and I went to the local state park and walked the trail across the dam and back. It was about 2.5 miles, and it wore me out. A few days later, we went to a Colorado Mammoth game and had to park fairly far back (most people do), so we had to walk quickly into the stadium. It was chilly after, so I quickly walked back to the car. The lower half of my body was so sore that I struggled to sleep that night. The way my body reacted to these perfectly normal events was incredibly discouraging and made me double think my goal of running a 10K on Memorial Day. Is there even a chance for me to get in shape enough to reach this goal? Yes. I just need to put in the effort. 

I am doing a few things to reach this goal. First, I am tracking my steps and increasing my step count goals. This week, my goal is embarrassingly small, but it is actually higher than my average since I have been working from home. I am not going to look back at where I was in 2019 when I was working in an office. I am going to look and what I can and am accomplishing. Right now, my goal is to hit at least 3,000 steps a day. It will go up to 4,000 steps next week, 5,000 the following week, and so on until I am comfortable with a step goal that both challenges me and is not so high that it is impossible. Second, I am getting to the gym to do strength training and go on the treadmill or elliptical. I would prefer to run/walk on the treadmill, but if they are all taken as they were yesterday, I will do speed drills on the elliptical (one of the preloaded options available). I believe that doing these things consistently, I will become a stronger runner and may possible do better than I did before I started getting injured. Could I possibly have less injuries, too? One can only hope. 

The speed drill I did yesterday were fun. I started with a 3-minute warm up followed by intervals of 30 second sprints and 90 second cool downs. There were 8 intervals. The first two were at a 3 resistance setting, the next two were at a 4, and the last two were at a 6. During each sprint, the machine measure my "sweat score." The higher the number the better. The goal was to get a higher score each time. I was successful until the last one. At the end, I felt like I had a good work out. 

Trying Another Thing Again

How many times have I started and failed fitness or weight loss challenges? I think I have lost count. Sometimes I get injured. Sometimes I lose interest. Sometimes I choose challenges that I don't actually have time to do. I can change this. 

I have decided that I am going to train for and run the Bolder Boulder in 2026. I loved running at one time. I stopped because I kept getting injured. First, I twisted my hip. Then, I had a calf strain. More recently, I ended up with Achilles tendonitis. This one has been harder to heal from than the previous injuries. My doctor told me I should keep running with this tendonitis, so I'm going to try to do that. I am using the same app that I used when I started running in 2018. I liked using it at the time, and I know that it will take me through a smart progression considering I haven't consistently run for quite a long time. 

Why have I decided to run again? Chad liked running with me and considered us running the Bolder Bulder an important tradition. I didn't know this until about a month or two ago. When he first mentioned it, I tried to convince him that we could make something else like camping, but I didn't understand just how important this specific activity was to him. I also have wanted to get back into running because I love the feeling of running. It is something I'm not completely explain. There is really nothing like it! I want to get that feeling back!

Running Inside

 Today, I got changed and headed out the door for my run. Less than 10 minutes in, the rain started pelting me and the wind picked up. As I started back home, it became apparent that the rain drops were a bit more solid than regular rain. I didn’t want to miss out on my run, so I continued to follow my intervals in the app, going in circles around the living room and kitchen. It wasn’t as good of a workout as it would have been I had run outside, but at least I got it done. 

New Plan

 

I know that I have changed apps and plans a few times, but I’m ok with that. I am trying to find one that really fits me. Since I can’t afford an actual running coach, I figure this is the next best thing. 

Today, I downloaded the app that I used to train for the BOLDERBoulder in 2018. I think it was 5.99 at the time. I have no idea how much it is now. It is a Fitness22 product. I figure that if I still like this one like I did six years ago, I’ll spring for the marathon app in May. 

My plan for today called for 5 minute warmup and cooldown with six intervals of 1 minute running with 1.5 minutes walking. When I got to the cooldown, I ran a bit over half because it is fun to run that last block or two home. I enjoyed this for the most part. I could have done with shorted walk breaks, but I was able to just relax and listen to my music without a lot of talking to interrupt when I got into the zone. 

Day 1: 15 Minute Run - NRC

 

I have officially started training for the BOLDERBoulder. This year, I have decided to do a half marathon training so the race will be easier. Also, I will be starting my marathon training right after the BOLDERBoulder and want to be ready for that. 

Tonight was a 15 minute easy run. I attempted to run the whole thing without walk breaks. I don’t need up needed a walk break at 11 and a half minutes. After a minute of walking, I was able to Runn the last few minutes. I am so proud of myself!