That was how long it took me to do my run today. That's quite an improvement over exactly 1 hour last time. Just over 4 minutes. I'm happy with that. There are several factors that were different that helped, so it's not my amazing prowess. I ran earlier in the day this time, after breakfast but before lunch, and after drinking two cups of coffee. Rather than trying to run for 90 seconds and then walk for 3 minutes, I just ran until I got tired and then walked until I felt like running again. It worked out a lot better for me. The area I run on is very hilly, and I was exhausting myself running up the hills trying to keep on my little schedule. I was able to take it easier going uphill and then work a little harder on the flat parts and downhill. I'm pretty sure that building up my stamina this way will make running uphill easier later. Another added bonus? Not nearly as much calf pain.
I went to a local sports store today that will custom fit you for a pair of running shoes. It was really great. I ran on a treadmill in my socks, and they video taped it. Then they slowed it down and told me what kind of foot-strike I have so that I could pick the shoes that will support that. I have a neutral strike, with just a little overpronation. The biggest thing was that I've been buying the wrong shoe size. They said that I should be buying an 11 1/2 in running shoes. They fit with a little bit of extra room in the toe, but they said your feet swell when you run, so you need a bit of extra wiggle room. They had me try on about five different pairs of shoes to find the best ones. I didn't wind up buying them just yet, I was just there for a consultation. That, and I didn't like the color they had in stock of the shoe I picked out. What? I can be a little vain sometimes, right? I found them online in pink and silver (yay!) and they're the same price that they are in the store. (They don't work on commission, and I'm sure I'll be going back in there to spend money on other gear, so I don't feel like a total jerk.) I'll be ordering those before too long, so hopefully my leg pain will be better after that.
I used the elliptical a few times, walked, ran, and used my weights and resistance band a few times this week, so I'm happy with the exercise that I got. Especially since I've been trying to give my legs time to heal. We ordered Chinese food for dinner Friday night, and although it wasn't exactly a diet friendly meal, I made much better choices. Instead of ordering chicken fried rice or lo mein noodles, I ordered steamed dumplings and beef with vegetables. I had a little bit of egg drop soup and a few crab rangoons too, but it could have been a lot worse, so I'm not going to beat myself up over it. I can't expect not to slip up sometimes.
Aside from that, it's been an absolutely gorgeous day today. The menace rode her little tricycle outside with her daddy, and we grilled and ate outside in the perfect weather. It was a great day to be alive and a wonderful afternoon with my little family.
No comments:
Post a Comment