running up that hill

The weird thing about having your kid out of the house 5 days a week is that your house starts to feel really big and empty. Big, empty, and sad. The peace and quiet is very nice but I really have struggled with Thomas being gone SO LONG. And since I can't self-start a pregnancy and speed up the gestation time to oh, two months, I figured I had to DO SOMETHING besides go to the library and also the grocery store. Don't get me wrong, I try to take my two long days and do those errands or personal shopping that still seems impossible with Thomas along. (Like the library - he has no patience for Mama looking for books.) I like to hit up all the antique shops, absolutely, but a woman can only shop so much before she runs out of money. 

It was time to start exercising. Like, seriously. Especially as I would really like to get pregnant in the next year (we'll see) and I absolutely refuse to be this weight and then add pregnancy weight to it. I don't want to have major health complications or be in another stratosphere of uncomfortableness. The last pregnancy stratosphere was nearly unbearable, thankyouverymuch. So, I have mini goals in mind. The overall plan is to weigh less than I did when I got pregnant with Thomas, and then to keep exercising until I just can't move anymore. I'm sure you've heard about the lady who ran/walked a marathon at 39 weeks pregnant. I'm not saying I would do that (I am still boggled at HOW. JUST HOW?) but I will use it as motivation to walk around the block whenever possible. 

Plus, I think it would be super funny to be shaking my stuff in Zumba with a pregnant belly. 

I wanted to get back into Couch to 5k for some time now. I was kinda sad with myself for quitting right when I got to the 20 minute runs - not that I couldn't do it! It just collided with the holidays and then I lost my momentum. I'm still really loving Zumba, which I started doing back in January or February. So I decided my goal would be walk/running Monday/Wednesday/Friday and then Zumba on Tuesday/Thursday. A whole FIVE DAYS OF EXERCISE. Something I have never done in my life!

The thing with a plan of FIVE DAYS OF EXERCISE is that if you miss even one day, guess what? You still did great. FOUR DAYS OF EXERCISE! That's not too shabby, y'all. Still more than I've ever done. 

This time around, though, I decided I would try to run outside. I didn't want to drive all the way to the Y just to run on the treadmill, and then come home again. The weather started cooling down and it was do-able. Our new neighborhood has real sidewalks and also some walking/running trails. The main road is also straight and flat (from our end) and Beaux says he sees tons of people running when he leaves for work (which is right when we're waking up at 6 AM). There has also been some construction of running trails in our town, so if I get real adventurous, I can change locations when boredom sets in. 

So I began, really, at the beginning of this month. I skipped over Week 1 of Couch to 5K because I knew I could handle starting a little later. Like, the end of week 2 or so. Today I'm starting week 6 so I'm really proud of my commitment so far. I haven't skipped any running days that I can recall. Doing Zumba with legs that are sore from running is a different story, but once or twice I have given my legs a rest and done my Body by Bethenny DVD at home. Then I end up sore in all new places!

Somewhere along the way, I realized that learning to exercise outside was one of the best gifts I've given myself. I am one of those people who is happy to stay inside with my air-conditioning at all times. (Or right now, since we have actual cold weather in the mornings, inside in my cozy pajamas.) But by forcing myself to be in the sunshine and fresh air, now I can't imagine motivating myself to exercise on a treadmill. Oh, I could do it if it was storming or when the weather heats back up again, but one the things I love best is the time under the trees, smelling freshly cut grass or whatever nature wants to waft my way. I feel so grateful and downright lucky to be me in those moments. I'm also hoping that being out in the sunshine will help keep any SAD at bay. 

Now if I could just work up my courage to run around the neighborhood, you know? There are a lot of HILLS in our neighborhood, but I think I could figure out a do-able route. I am nervous about running on sidewalks and people backing out of their driveways and not seeing me. I am also nervous about water, where would I put my water? I'm almost to the point where I don't HAVE to have water since it's not hot at all, but I like to have the option. Also, there's always crews of guys working on yards or house repairs and it makes me feel embarrased to think about running past them. I am not the hot housewife in a pink jogging suit like on the Mayhem commercials, you know? 

 

Comments

[el-e-e]

Sorry to jump SO quickly in on this, but I see you've posted and I don't feel like doing my work (surprise), and this resonates with me SO much. The outdoors speaks to me, too, re: exercise, although this summer I did very much make use of the treadmill in the AC'd gym. Oh, yes. But even yesterday at lunchtime, I had to do an errand at Target, and when I came back, I felt a cool breeze, and said to myself, "Now THIS is the weather I love - THIS is the time to start (once again) walking/running outside." I really must get back to it. The hiking trail CALLS! Last time I was there I saw THREE deer, on the trail. Like, 30 feet in front of me. It was magic. And slightly scary.

I should SO try C25K again.

Thanks for posting this, it's inspiring. 5 days a week! (or 4!) Great work!!

[lizardek]

Does the 5K have to be RUNNING? Can it be walking or power-walking?

[Sam]

Liz, I have known people who definitely power-walked it!

[Megsie]

Okay, Sam. First: YAY! Way to go! I am so, so proud of you! You are an inspiration.

Second: You need to NOT CARE about people in your neighborhood. I was there too, I really was. I am back there now in fact. But nobody cares about you running by. I am sure people have thought I may collapse soon as I ran by, but I never have (yet). It really doesn't matter what you look like, plus, if you are exercising FIVE days a week already, you are not even close to out of shape.

Three: HILLS make the workout. They kill you, yes. But they are your hated trainer. Hills are what make you work hard. That is how you get results!

Four: Chew gum. That way you don't get thirsty. I have never carried water, even when I was running forty minute every day. When I got home, well, that was a different story.

Five: I have only run outdoors. The animals and nature cheer me on. It is a gift. If it is storming, I jumped rope. (Notice the past tense...)

Six: YAY! WAY TO GO! I really need to start again, but there is Halloween candy to eat here, so someone has to take that on... Plus, it isn't my priority right now, work and parenting are and there is NOT TIME for more.

This post makes me hopeful that you will post again soon? I emailed you, but it won't send. It is going to keep trying I guess. I hope you get it even though it is out dated by now...xoxo

[Nancy]

You are super inspiring! I am so glad to hear you are out there going for it!!

[brandy]

Sam I'm so proud of you! You're one of those friends I'm so glad to know. You inspire me!! So serious as someone pointed out above,

1. chew gum so you don't get thirsty. Also as it gets a little bit colder it will help keep your throat and lungs moist so the cold air doesn't bother your breathing.

2. Who the crap cares what your neighbors think! You are doing something good for yourself. Don't feel self conscience about walking running or evening crawling for your health, mental and physical. 9 times out of 10 they are either saying A. Good for her. or B. Man, I wish I could do that.

3.Hills are the devil but they are our friend. It's empowering to power yourself up a hill. And if you arne't feeling the hill but need the mileage....walk it. Either way use your arms to power up those hills. You are woman who has birthed a beautiful boy and you are a fabulous wife who your husband thinks you have a rockin body............hear you roar!

Wether you zumba, run or whatever us girls have to do for our soul, mind AND body. Doesn't matter if it's 10 minutes or 90 minutes.

Keep up the good work and the blog. I just love it!