Keep Trying! Let's Begin Again!

Long time no see! If you are following my other blog, Eclectic Lotus, you know I am rarely on that one either. So, here we are with another attempt at running. Last year, we moved to the suburbs and I began my run journey again. But, there was a huge problem. . .  MY SHOES!!!

Check the Brooks shoes

That photo was taken in 2019 I believe. I was wearing THE. SAME. SHOES to train in. That was the problem. And I should know better! Life allows your feet to change shape. I have ran several races, birthed out two babies and who knows what else my body was fighting. ( I had the flu in 2018- oooh, it was nasty! I do not recommend the Flurona if it is out there.) I tried again in 2020 to run but with living in a neighborhood that became a little rich came to the protests and just not being safe to go out and run. I don't know if they shut down the 606 but I was not about to check it out. We moved to the suburbs which posed a new problem from the Chi- small, rolling hills! If you are a runner in the city of Chicago or you have run a Chicago race, you know the land is absolutely flat. I used to attempt running in my youth back home where there were more hills. So, I had to readjust. But, my hips kept getting misaligned and I had foot, knee, hip, and low back problems. Finally, I noticed it. MY SHOES!! They were the same old shoes I was trying with and they were pushing my feet and strangling them. So begun the cascade of compensation from the abuse of my poor feet. So, I stopped running until I could get better shoes. I began walking on the treadmill at work. . .

Still trying my best to stay in, somewhat, shape until the time came when I was to buy some new shoes. Well, that time came yesterday. . .

I got my feet measured. The process is slightly different from 10 years ago but much more efficient. They have the information measured down to the exact shoe measurement which I found out all those years of running, being pregnant, birthing babies, working, caring for the house, yoga, spin classes, gardening, heels, flats, etc. made one foot larger than the other. After three try on's with shoes

My Hoka Babies

They feel like a cloud or at least some marshmellows around my feet. I have just purchased some yak tracks in order to run in the snow so. . . 

Here. 

We.

Go. 

...

Yak Tracks Cleats for Running in Snow and Ice

It's all about the shoes!

 I stopped running last year due to the safety of my area. I continued to work out and kept a *somewhat* healthy diet but that didn't put me back on the pavement. I moved and now I am in the burbs. I wanted to run but stopped. Then, I began to wake up early. Then came the solar eclipse that I knew I wasn't going to see. Well, here we go again. . . 

First time running was hard. 

I even forgot how to set my run app that I placed. So, here we go again. Back running but now I have a couple of problems and I have drives that will determine that I have no choice but to run.

I need new shoes!

Edit: This was created in June of 2021. I ran daily for about a month. Fast forward to 2022. . . 

Running still sucks despite continued running

So far, the thread has been to run one day and sit out for the next and do floor work. I have been working on floor work since the pandemic hit but never anything that I did daily. Just incorporating more into daily life. While washing the clothes and letting the water dissolve the oxy clean and cleaner:

1. plank pose for 1 minute
2. side plank pose for 10 seconds per side
3. squat jumps- 10 total
4. jump each step
5. 5 burpees

I then put the clothes in the washing machine. Squats are done when taking the clothes out of the dryer and into the basket.

It may be a while before the next post due to still trying to decide the best running app since I am in week three of this and now friends and family know I am back to running. My endurance has increased as I can run longer without totally being out of breath. Running still sucks though. LOL!

Sing Along Song- Tips in Beginning Runs to Help Endurance

How the *beep* do you keep up with this? You are tired, cranky, and everything in your body hurts. You sleep longer and deeper. You want to give up so badly!

CONGRATULATIONS!

You are doing it right! The first two to three weeks are TERRIBLE!!! I can remember when I began the last time to run and I posted on Facebook how I hate running. I hated running for a while. I hate running now. I wonder if I hate it worse because I have to get up extra early to get up and run.

So, there are two moms that I know that are killing it in running. One has three kids and a husband that is out of the country. Another mom has two energetic boys. They are in running groups and get their running in daily.

Currently, I am not on a particular running schedule. Sunday was supposed to be my rest day and I ended up going for almost 2 miles. When I say almost 2 miles I do not mean I ran the entire thing. Let me put up that running schedule again:

I may not have posted this schedule but I did post the women's health magazine link in the prior entry

I did run Sunday based on week 1, Wednesday's schedule for three songs. I eventually stopped it and ran during a verse and a chorus on the third song. I was pretty tired afterward so I went for a juice extraction which gives me an energy boost.

If you are going to build endurance, this is the best time if you live in the northern hemisphere. I used to describe the summer running months as the endurance season. The sun is out longer and the warmth can be something to endure. The heat can weigh on someone and can be hard even for the toughest runner. If you can run for a mile without stopping in humid heat with the sun on your head and back, that is endurance!

Run in the morning. You should have that run completed before 7 or 8AM.

The best time to get started is NOW!

Seven Years Later. . .New Beginning

This girl right here- was a BEAST!! I had to get that shot right at the finish line. I ran with a limp, in the ice. . .

I knew the tips of the trade. Then, I got pregnant and did races here and there

Then, I got pregnant . . . Again!

Bigger and uncomfortable, I could barely walk let alone run anywhere. So, I had the baby and struggled to do. . . well, anything.

I still made an attempt to run even though I never trained and THAT is a problem.

Fast forward to 2020- WE ARE IN THE MIDDLE OF A PANDEMIC!!!! So, I should run right? Nope, must work and care for the family. Occasionally, I run with the boy but my second born child is slow, sluggish and a toddler. She insists on running on her own. What is a mama to do? Begin running once again.

Wait, where do I start?

I have already done two days worth of walking. Let me go back to the basics.

1. A training program

Sounds like a plan

2. Regular time to run

So far, I have devised 6AM but I may make it earlier. This morning, I ran with the boy and really we just walked over to Starbucks and got some goodies.

3. Get your music together

  Bollywood was my go-two day one. Day two was my son talking. 

4. Add some training in the mix

  This may be the easier part. As I lacked on running, I tried to add weight training anywhere I possibly could. I am usually in the kitchen doing donkey kicks, plank poses for 80 seconds. In the laundry room, I am doing donkey kicks, squat jumps, burpees, and light yoga. At the job, I would run up the stairs, and since we were on the 5th floor and the elevator was always out I had some inspiration.

Now, the gear I will wait on. I just got an iPhone in May since I was a die-hard Android person it is hard to get this together. They have payment plans for air pods. I think Skullcandy is a pretty good headset to go by. I also lost my armbands that hold my phone in place so I will be looking for more items. My current goal is to be able to build up endurance because I am only running at 2 street blocks and it is not huffing and puffing- it is thigh burn. What is that? I am older- I am 40 years old and two kids to look after. This is going to be a lot of work! What are your blockers and how are you getting around it?

Welcome to the new beginning!

Here are my links for some training sites as I am going to make this happen!

From Runners World

From Women's Health Magazine ( Hey, this has a 4-week guide- This may be my go-to!)

Shape 12 week plan

Walking a Race. . .Living a Dream!

Yesterday was a huge event for me. . .The Soldier Field 10 Miler.

Held around Memorial Day Weekend, it is usually more of a tribute for the fallen soldiers of the past. It has become more of a Chicago Bears thing too since Soldier Field is the home of the Chicago Bears. Being that I am so sentimental it was a big deal for me. (and I am a Bears Fan) I initially signed up for this race in December 2012 for a good price with the notion that I was going to train for it and it would be my last stitch effort to see if I had the stuff for the Chicago Women's Half Marathon a month later. I signed up for both in December and took a deep breath and pressed "send" twice while thinking in my mind how I was going to have to train for all this. Once February hit and we got the positive pregnancy tests all my training had flown out the window as the first three months was loaded in sleep. After visiting an expo before the Shamrock Shuffle I was told these few valuable words. . ."You can walk this race." And that was EXACTLY what I was going to try and do.

It was the first time ever that I had a bib with my name on it. I loved the shirt since it had Bears colors on it.

What I was not expecting was how hard it would be.

But I kept a smile on my face regardless

Walking was just as hard as the running I think. I walk way too slow and so I ran a little here and there. If I ran too much though I had to use the bathroom and it seemed like I was running to the port-o-potties more so than trying to finish. But, what I didn't expect when I ran through the North East entrance of the stadium was a big wow factor. There were people in the stands cheering and huge jumbo trons with YOU on them running into Soldier Field. . . the floor of Soldier Field as if you were a Chicago Bear. Of course, I ran in with such enthusiasm and took pictures of me with the bump.

The look of a happy 19 week pregnant lady

Who was right behind me but a happy 22 weeks pregnant mama! Us posing with our baby bumps.

After the glow of being in Soldier Field, I walked around to the more outer public area and there they were. . .

ACTUAL SOLDIERS!

In their hands were the medals. They put them on you and I wanted to cry so badly but I had to hold it in since I was supposed to be hard core with it. WOW! Was it amazing! Soldiers in Soldier Field presenting us with medals. Sometimes I wish it was the other way around but this is cool too. A photographer was there to take pictures of you with your medal near the soldier statues in the stadium and gift bags were given. I was so sore yesterday but it was totally worth it!

My medal is gorgeous! Does it look better than the other ones I have. I hate to say it but yes.

  Would I do this race again next year? I would if I could find a babysitter and I would love to have hubby do it with me. I think he would really like this race. It was well organized and thought out. The route was full of hills but every race has to have at least two hills right? It was beautiful scenery as you would see the factories and smokestacks in Indiana with great lake views within the first five miles and coming back you would see a great view of downtown. I also ran into old and new friends. Such a beautiful event and I hope to do it again. Next up and possibly last on the list is the Chicago Women's Half Marathon which I must get a good walking training routine going next week because I was so sore after the Soldier Field race!

just do it!

Pregnant and Running

I have yet to announce it on this blog but many others, facebook and pinterest- I am currently pregnant. I have signed up for races before finding out. See how this blog will be modified to fit the pregnant workout gal!

5 weeks pregnant and the day before I found out.