This morning was a bit of cross training by way of a 3 mile hike with some friends. We hiked the Hieroglyphic Trail, which is one I've hiked quite a few times over the past several years. I enjoy it a lot and it's just the right amount of challenge for me. It felt really good to be out getting some exercise. Finally!! I'm so glad our temps have finally cooled off. Here are some photos along the way:
I have stayed up to date on my COVID vaccines since they first became available. The first series knocked me on my butt but the boosters haven't been too bad. Until this year's! Man oh man! I got my shot a week ago Friday. I felt like crap all day Saturday and most of Sunday. Even after I felt mostly back to normal, I have had a weird lingering pain in my ankles while walking. I didn't think it was smart to push my limits and try to run while I was feeling like that, so I've had an unintentionally long break from the comeback. I REALLY want to be able to continue running indefinitely so I'm being overly cautious and taking it slow. The catch is not too take it so slow that I stall out and unintentionally quit again! Because I've been known to do that. A valid reason for a break goes on too long and turns into an excuse to be lazy, and before I know it a week or two off turns into a month or two and then I just never come back to it. My ankles are starting to feel better, though. I did a lot of walking yesterday and they were only bothering me a little compared to what they were before. It's odd because it only hurts while I am walking, not as soon as I stop, even if I am standing. This year I got the Moderna vaccine, while all the rest were Pfizer. I'm wondering if that's what caused the stronger reaction this time. Regardless, I'm mostly just popping on to say I'm still here and haven't quit yet! And to keep myself in the habit of blogging since I'm trying to get myself back into the swing of it again.
I did my first outdoor run this morning for this comback attempt! I'm fortunate to live close to both a small park and the canal system. The park isn't large but it does have a dirt path through it that I think would work for a short run. The canal system has a very nice paved recreational track along it that people use for running, walking, and biking. They system is quite extensive and goes for miles and miles. I am within easy walking distance of two branches of it, with one being just a bit closer than the other. Today I didn't plan on running too far, just a mile-ish, so I opted for the closest branch of the canal. It's a route I'm familiar with as I've walked it often with one of my little goobers. I know the route door to door is a little under 2 miles, so I knew I'd get my mile in along the canal path if I walked to the start of it and then began running. I ended up running 1.29 miles wth the rest as a walking warm up/cool down. When I started out I felt like I was barely moving, so I picked up my pace. However, I could quickly tell by my breathing that I was running faster than I thought I was. I looked down at my watch and I was running a 10:21 min/mile pace, which I know is waaaay too fast for me! I slowed down a bit and felt much more comfortable. Of course, I forgot to put on my knee braces, but luckily my knees felt fine once I got going. There were a few other runners out, along with a few walkers and bikers. I really enjoy seeing the other runners, though. I guess it just gives me a sense of comradery and community seeing them. Us runners are a breed all to our own! I did quickly realize that I need to purchase something new for water and my phone. Years and years ago, I bought a fuel belt since it was the thing back in the day. It served it's purpose but I never really liked it. When I started running again in 2013, I ended up buying a hand held bottle/phone holder that I really liked but phones have gotten larger over the past 10 years and my phone doesn't fit in the pocket. I ended up just tucking it in the waistband of my pants but it wasn't exactly comfortable. I do own a camelbak and I will probably end up trying that if I end up actually getting up into higher miles, but for short runs I need something else. I guess I'm off to see how much running stuff has changed in the last 10 years! Here is the data from my watch: (I've started only recordng my actual running time on my watch so my splits are more accurate.) Temp: 65° F
I did a little cross training today by way of an easy 2.3 mile hike at Lost Dutchman State Park. (Is it still cross training if I'm not actually training for anything?) I went with my parents and took two of my little goobers. I can't actually remember the last time I went hiking, but it definitely was sometime during the pandemic. I've pretty much been in survival mode the past couple of years and I'm finally coming out of it. It feels really good for things to be returning to a new normal and to be resuming some of the activities I enjoy! It made me happy to be out in nature getting some exericise! Here are a few photos from the hike:
So, I did sign up for the Scooby Doo Challenge. I have always loved Scooby Doo and I think the challenge is just enough motivation to keep me running so I can find out what is next along the course. It lets you set your own finish time frame so I picked 13 weeks as my goal (February 1, 2024). That works out to an average of 3.85 miles/week, which seems very doable. Even if my knees don't let me increase my distances very much, I think I should be able to do a mile or two a few times a week. I'm only counting running miles toward the challenge to keep me true to my actual goal of trying to get back into running. Today was the first day I've been back on the treadmill since Tuesday. It was a crazy work day so I came home and took a short nap. I didn't have much ambition when I woke up. However, I'm really trying to make some positive changes in my life and I knew I'd feel better mentally if I got on the treadmill than if was lazy all evening. So, I told myself I only had to run 1 mile. Giving myself permission to stop after making a small effort is often the push I need to get myself to do something I'm not in the mood to do, and most of the time I end up doing more. Today I ran 1.77 miles. There was nothing eventful about the run, except knocking out one of my airpods and sending it flying when it landed on the treadmill. It took me a little bit to get going since I wasn't necessarily feeling it, but once I got going all was well. Here are the splits, etc from my watch (Again, I doubt the accurracy. How about if we just let that be a forgone conclusion about every indoor run going forward, shall we?):
