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!

Fresh Start

I know. I start over a lot! I am hoping it sticks this time. 

I have been researching intermittent fasting and reading Fast Like a Girl, and I think I am ready to get going on this. I am starting with 14 hour fasting windows until I finish the book. Then, I will varying my window based on the recommended plans associated with my health issues. I will have to modify it a bit because it says from day 20 until a period starts for part of it, but I have about 60 day cycles. I will see what makes the most sense when I do it. 

I am also making exercise goals again. Chad and I want to run a marathon next year and have our eyes on one that ends a few miles from my dad's house. It is only about 6 months away, and I have a long way to get there. My goal is to get to the gym 3 days a week to train on the treadmill. I'm always concerned about running in the cold. That takes away that excuse. Plus, I can do some weight training while I'm there. 

I really hope this plan works. I hate being this big! 

104 Days

This morning, I ran 3.5 miles, and it felt good. I started with running down into the oldest part of my town which is basically a trailer park with older trailers and modular home in which the people own the land. I haven't ran down there for a while because I prefer to start with going uphill and have the downhill at the end. This morning, I had to run about 60 minutes, though, so I ran downhill and circle back uphill on a new sidewalk on the other and into the neighborhood on the other side of mine. Then, I ran through that neighborhood to my favorite hills to run down back to my house. By the time I got to my last mile and a half, I was getting a lot slower. (This was the longest I have ran in a few years.) I am proud of myself for sticking to it and not cutting across the middle when it was getting hard like I would have done a year ago. I can't wait to see how much I progress over the next few months! 

107 Days

 

The fact that even if my times aren’t improving, the running is feeling better means I’m doing something right…I think. Today, I ran for about 40 minutes alone while listing to a Phil Collins playlist on Spotify. It was wonderful! I relaxed into the music and listened to my body to determine when to walk and run. I have no idea what intervals I ran or even if they would have made sense to anyone else. All I know is that it felt good. I came home knowing I could have done more with a smile on my face. I really couldn’t ask for more! 

109 Days

 

My run tonight felt great! I’m still not where I want to be with my running, but that didn’t matter today. My daughter and I got out and enjoyed a short, 30 minute run around town. The cool breeze felt great after a hot day in a hot house. It was nice to spend one-on-one time with her even if her “race walking” is the same speed as my running. I didn’t think I wanted a running partner after running with my husband a few times, but having a partner that is willing to try my speed was nice. I don’t know if she would want to do it again, and I know she will be fast enough that it won’t be fun for her to go with me for long, but it was nice tonight. 

118 Days

 

I have decided that I am not going to run the full marathon this year. I am going to run the half marathon at the same event. The more I thought about the marathon, the worse I felt. I am very out of shape and don't know if I can be marathon ready by the second week in October, but I'm fairly certain  that I can bring myself up to half marathon level by then. I was also worried about the cutoff of 6 hours. Even if I could finish a marathon, I am a very slow runner and could not complete it in that time. I believe I can finish the half in 5, though. I feel very confident about this decision. 

Today, I set out to run 3 miles and failed miserably. I wore new running shorts that had a bit too much compression. By the time I finished the first mile, my feet felt very heavy. I struggled to even walk, but I knew I had to make it home. After all, there was no one that could pick me up if I quit because Chad is at work and the kids are camping with their grandparents. I gave up trying after a mile and a half and just walked home. I have a 5K to run with my daughter next week. My plan is to run the distance each of my training runs during the coming week. I need next Saturday to be something to judge my progress. I'm hoping I am faster than I was the last one I did. 

127 Days

There are 127 days until Chad and I run a marathon. What am I doing to prepare? I’m following a training plan I found in a book. When I run, I am running for most of the son playing and walking at the beginning of each song. I have a long way to go and hope the plan I got out of one of my running books will get me to the finish line on race day before the cut off. 

Today, I ran 40 minutes which equaled about 2.4 miles. (Like I said, I am far from marathon ready.) at the beginning, it felt awful. I didn’t understand why it felt so much worse than it did Monday. Then, I looked at my watch and realized I was going faster. With that in mind, I was better able to enjoy my time running. 

I’m honestly a bit worried about this process, but I am excited to see what I can accomplish. 

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. 

Recovery Run with Headspace - NRC

 

Today, I did a meditative 35 minute run. The audio for this run had the coach talking about the importance of recovery runs mixed in with one of the founders of Headspace talking about how to meditate during the run. It wasn’t my favorite. It was a bit boring. Honestly , I paid more attention to my music than the audio for the run. 

That being said, I loved running today. It was a beautiful morning, and I was so happy to be out in the sun. It got harder the longer I was out, but that is normal. Overall, I would say this run was successful. I can feel the progress I’m making. 

5K Long Run - NRX

 

Today, I ran my own personal 5K, and it was hard. I haven’t ran consistently enough to fully live this distance again, but I have been running enough for it to feel good at the end. 

I did most of my run in a neighborhood nearby that is still being built. It was relaxing to be able to just run down the middle of the street without concern for cars. I listened to my body to figure out intervals I tried to do it like last time, but the first half of my run was mostly uphill. Also, the songs were a bit long. (I never realized Buffalo Soldier was at o long. 

25ish Minute Easy Run - NRC

First of all, I have to say that I have noticed I wear the same hoodie for most of my colder runs. I wonder why. 

Today, I loved my run. It was a 25 minute guided run from Nike Run Club with a bit extra to take me the rest of the way home. I didn’t concentrate on specific intervals. Instead, I thought about how much I liked when I would walk at the beginning of song and start running gets to a certain point (I’m not sure how to explain it). I did this for a few years and loved it. I get that bit of a break that my body needs along with the running I want. It also involves less counting on my part. My main goal is to have fun while I’m running, and this is he best way for me to do that. I may be slow, but I’m having fun and gaining fitness. 

Speed Run - NRC

 I did another speed run today. It was the same guided speed run I did December 26. This time was better in a few ways. First of all, I had a better average pace. Second, and more importantly, it felt a lot better. I really like these kind of speed runs. 

This workout was a 5 minute warm up with 8 intervals of 1 minute runs with 1 minute recovery. The running was to be at about a 5K pace. It ended with a 30 second interval of running fast and controlled. It felt so good! This is the type of run that makes me excited to do it again. 

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! 

2.23 Mile Run With Chad

 

I did not plan to go running today. I was going to do some kind of strength work, but Chad wanted me to run “with” him. I honestly don’t like going with other people because I always get left behind feeling like a failure. I’ll do it when he or my daughter ask, though, because I want them to be happy. So, at the end of an overwhelming work day instead of knitting and unwinding, I changed into my running gear and went with Chad. It felt good to get a better time than I have in a while. Tomorrow, maybe I can do the workout I planned for today. 

First Fartlek - NRC

Today, I ran my first fartlek, and it sucked. I will do it again if a training plan calls for it, but I will not be searching it out any time in the near future. I can’t really run 10 minutes straight at this point. I definitely can’t do it at varying speeds. I had to do it my own way. After the runs at a 7 or 8 effort (out of 10), I did the “easy run” at a walking pace. It still was hard, but it was manageable. 

Only 2 more weeks until I start training for the big race in October!

Running For More Joy - NRC

 

Today, I ran with the Nike Run Club app using a 35 minute guided run called Running for more Joy. It felt good to get out and run. I missed it over the past few weeks but kept coming up with excuses not to go. Of course some of those days it was way too cold to run, but the excuse that I didn’t want to look creepy as the kids at the school in the neighborhood was dumb since I get off work about an hour before they get out. Getting rid of the excuses is the first obstacle I always have to overcome. Once I do, I rarely regret it. 

The guided run I did today was full of reminders of finding joy in life. He talked about the joys of being outside, the joy we felt running as children, and  the joy we can find in running now. As he did so, I did my best to run for 1 minute and walk for one minute. I wasn’t perfect at it, but it felt good. 

I also ran in new shoes. I have been running in trail running shoes for years inadvertently and the trad is wearing on the pair I have been wearing for a while. When I took my son to get shoes, I found these on clearance and was excited because they were exactly what I needed. They are so much lighter than the others. My only problem was the blisters. Next time, I’ll wear bandaids. 

25 Minute Easy Run - NRC

 Today, I had a 25 minute easy run in my plan. I had to go a few minutes extra to get home, but I would rather do that than have to run around the block or cul-de-sac at the end. I only have a few runs on this plan. Then, I will move onto random guided runs until I start training g for my marathon. 

I felt accomplished on this run. I ran up the hill behind my neighborhood to the dirt trail into the next one. At this point I ran down to the next dirt path and ran that for a few minutes before I turned around and ran the hill down to my neighborhood. Then I turned onto my block and ran the last hill home. I did this with mostly 1 minute run and. 30 second walk intervals. At 12 minutes, I had to take a minute for the walk as I passed the top of the hill. Also, around 20 minutes I lost track of my count and had to pull pout my phone and look at the app to track the seconds. In the end, I did 2 minute runs twice! I can’t even tell you how happy I am that I can do that again. I can tell I am getting to be a stronger runner again!

“Next Speed Run” - NRC

I ended up skipping the 10 minute run on Saturday. I don’t know why I have a hard time motivating myself to get out on Saturdays. I need to get past that if I am going to train for a marathon. 

Today, I did speed drills. This time there were varying intervals with a higher intensity for lower times. For example, when running for 2 minutes, I ran at a 6/10, but when running 45 seconds, I ran at an 8/10. This was the most fun I have had running in a long time. I may have to do it again sometime. 

35 Minute Long Run -NRC

Today was my first long run as I prepare for my marathon in October. As an added bonus, I was able to use 2 of my Christmas presents, running gloves and bone conduction headphones. I am still working with the starter program on the Nike Run Club app. I have also decided to use what I have learned from Galloway by using the run/walk method. I can feel myself becoming a stronger runner and am liking the coaching advice given as I go. 

My run today was a 35 minute long run with 1 minute run and 30 second walk intervals. For the most part, this run felt great. There was a bit in the middle that the chips and nacho cheese I had with dinner was not agreeing with the exercise, so I walked for about 2 minutes. I also ran down any hills that I could (hills are relative when one lives this far from the mountains). I am happy to say that I didn’t ever feel a pain in my right arm and shoulder like I have been when I run for the past few months. I am hoping that means I’m getting healthier rather than it being a fluke. 

My next run should be a 10 minute run. I only have a few weeks left before I need to choose a new plan.