The weather outside is frightful, but jogging can be so delightful......
Today was a blustery cold day. Fortunately we were able to jog in the gym. Do you notice how I have upgraded they type of exercise I am doing from walking to jogging? I still alternate walking and jogging, but I feel like my pace is more strong and is closer to being considered a jog. I LOVE that I feel myself making progress! It is a wonderful feeling to be able to celebrate these small accomplishments week by week.
I am going to be honest with you, I hands down prefer working out inside the gym. I feel like I can push myself more and I have more control over my breathing. I have to keep reminding myself, that I really do want to love running outside and that in the long run (no pun intended) I will be a stronger runner when I am as capable outside as I am inside.
Ginny and I are still trying to figure out the best way to track our progress on the days that we are in the gym.We both have downloaded phone apps. to help keep track. Mine totally lost GPS signal Monday, and I don't have a lot of faith in it. Ginny actually downloaded the app. that goes along with the "couch to 5k" program we are doing. We started off and I decided to run my app. along with Ginny's so that we could compare results and see if they were trustworthy. As we were moving along Ginny received a phone call, so I ended up being glad I was tracking our time as well, so that we would know when to change pace. Ginny's app. seems way cooler, but for some reason at one point during our jog it paused and restarted the workout. I was happy to have kept mine running because it kept us on pace. I actually remembered what the program was suppose to be this time, and I really like the way it is run. It really builds you up to going more and more distance each week.
My brother Jacob decided to join us today and I was really happy to have him with us. As soon as we finished our 5 min. warm up Jacob took off and pretty much did a billion laps for every one that we did!!! This was motivation for me to push just a little more! I do have to admit that I am a little sloppier with my breathing when I am inside. I think that I let myself become a little lazy because the consequences aren't as painful when I am inside. I am working on disciplining myself to be more strict on this matter!!!!
Today I knew we were making really good time. I was SO excited when we had finished and I read that we had gone 2.56 miles!!!!! Just think my first day 3 weeks ago I only got around 3/4 of a mile! I am really ecstatic about my progress!!! I know that everyday my workout may not be this productive, but the fact that I now know I can do it is such great motivation to always push a little harder!!!
I still haven't added anything new to my workouts. My favorite workouts have always been abdominal workouts and I have plenty of videos to choose from to work them. My surgeon said I am free to do abdominal workouts as longs as I don't use weights, and as long as I keep an eye on my stoma to make sure I am not causing it to herniate. He also said I could bike ride, but to really use A LOT of caution and to make sure I have a really comfy bike seat. Overall I think I am pretty clear to do anything within reason. I may start adding things in soon....maybe!!!!
Time out: 30 min.
Distance covered: 2.56 miles!!!!!! YAHOO!!!!
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Monday, February 27, 2012
Week 3
Today began week three of my training for the 5k. It was a blustery day outside so Ginny and I decided to workout in the gym. I was really happy about this choice because I wanted to have the best chance of keeping up with this weeks new program. This week the program is to start with a 5 minute brisk walk, then do two of the each of the following repetitions.
*Jog 90 sec.
*Walk 90 sec.
*Jog 3 min.
*Walk 3 min.
Repeat.
We got to the gym started working out and we both were feeling really good. I had downloaded an app. to help keep track of our distance and time. I was feeling great physically. It helped that my lungs weren't on fire from cold air. We were moving really quickly and keeping a good pace. About 14 minutes in, I realized that I had totally forgotten what the workout routine was suppose to be. I had us jogging 90 sec., walking 90 sec. alternating the whole time. Finally I realized what I was doing and we changed the routine to what it was suppose to be. We finished up with jogging 3 min, walking 3 min. jogging 3 min. then we had our 5 min. cool down walk. Unfortunately the GPS on my phone froze and we don't have an accurate idea of the distance we covered. Both Ginny and I agree, it was our best time yet and we covered at least a mile and a half, but probably did closer to 2 miles. So much for "smart" phones.
I was winded by the end of the workout, but my lungs weren't on fire. I did start having abdominal pain in the last 6 minutes of the workout, but just keep going. I feel stronger when I am indoors because I can move a lot quicker and my lungs don't burn. I still plan on training outside most of the time, because I know it will make me a stronger runner overall. As soon as I had cooled down and stretched, I told Ginny I felt so good I could do it all again. I LOVE that feeling!!! I don't know if I can ever adequately express how incredibly thankful I am to have a body that is much stronger than I thought it was. It is a really big deal to me to know that I can push myself and my body will be able to take it. I know that this must sound so silly, but after being sick for so long, recovering from surgery for so long, I honestly didn't have much faith in what I could do physically, so this is a really big realization for me!!!
*Jog 90 sec.
*Walk 90 sec.
*Jog 3 min.
*Walk 3 min.
Repeat.
We got to the gym started working out and we both were feeling really good. I had downloaded an app. to help keep track of our distance and time. I was feeling great physically. It helped that my lungs weren't on fire from cold air. We were moving really quickly and keeping a good pace. About 14 minutes in, I realized that I had totally forgotten what the workout routine was suppose to be. I had us jogging 90 sec., walking 90 sec. alternating the whole time. Finally I realized what I was doing and we changed the routine to what it was suppose to be. We finished up with jogging 3 min, walking 3 min. jogging 3 min. then we had our 5 min. cool down walk. Unfortunately the GPS on my phone froze and we don't have an accurate idea of the distance we covered. Both Ginny and I agree, it was our best time yet and we covered at least a mile and a half, but probably did closer to 2 miles. So much for "smart" phones.
I was winded by the end of the workout, but my lungs weren't on fire. I did start having abdominal pain in the last 6 minutes of the workout, but just keep going. I feel stronger when I am indoors because I can move a lot quicker and my lungs don't burn. I still plan on training outside most of the time, because I know it will make me a stronger runner overall. As soon as I had cooled down and stretched, I told Ginny I felt so good I could do it all again. I LOVE that feeling!!! I don't know if I can ever adequately express how incredibly thankful I am to have a body that is much stronger than I thought it was. It is a really big deal to me to know that I can push myself and my body will be able to take it. I know that this must sound so silly, but after being sick for so long, recovering from surgery for so long, I honestly didn't have much faith in what I could do physically, so this is a really big realization for me!!!
Saturday, February 25, 2012
Two weeks down 7 to go!!!!
I have been training for two weeks now. I have realized that everyday brings something new. Today as Ginny and I went out, I started having abdominal and back pains pretty early on in our walk/jog routine. I had eaten lunch right before we went out, and I am thinking maybe that wasn't such a good idea. While figuring these things out isn't always pleasant, I have really come to appreciate what it means to understand and listen to my body. I am so grateful for an exercise partner who is so kind and willing to go at whatever pace I can.
Because of the pain we went a little slower and covered less area. I was able to got the whole 30 minutes though, and I am happy about that. Next week the program changes up again. I am hoping for warmer weather. My breathing is a lot more steady when it is not too cold outside. I am still really enjoying this program. It is very do-able.
Time out: 30 min.
Distance covered: 1 mile
My goals for next week: I really want to stick to the original plan of exercising Mon, Wed. Fri. I would like to increase my speed and gain more control over my breathing. If any of you have any advice on this next part, please post a response. I would like to try to add small work outs of abdominal, Pilate's, or other videos I have at home. Do you think it is a good idea, or should I wait until I am solid with the running? Oh, and if you are reading my posts, it would be a great boost if you became a follower, or posted!!! Thank you!!!!
Because of the pain we went a little slower and covered less area. I was able to got the whole 30 minutes though, and I am happy about that. Next week the program changes up again. I am hoping for warmer weather. My breathing is a lot more steady when it is not too cold outside. I am still really enjoying this program. It is very do-able.
Time out: 30 min.
Distance covered: 1 mile
My goals for next week: I really want to stick to the original plan of exercising Mon, Wed. Fri. I would like to increase my speed and gain more control over my breathing. If any of you have any advice on this next part, please post a response. I would like to try to add small work outs of abdominal, Pilate's, or other videos I have at home. Do you think it is a good idea, or should I wait until I am solid with the running? Oh, and if you are reading my posts, it would be a great boost if you became a follower, or posted!!! Thank you!!!!
Thursday, February 23, 2012
Changing it up a bit!
This week has been so random. One day I am feeling fantastic, the next, not so great. Tuesday night I was really thirsty so I took a big drink of water and a big drink of o.j. Suddenly I was having intense pain in my upper abdomen and back. I tried to eat dinner, but it was difficult. I had similar things happen to me right after my surgery, but wasn't sure why I was having problems again. The next morning (yesterday) I had the same pains. I had a really hard time standing for more than 5 minutes because it just hurt too badly. As I was teaching my 3rd grade phonics class the pain was getting worse and I had to sit down and teach. Luckily the class is super small and the students super great, they didn't think anything of it. Then as I was teaching math of my sweetest students kept asking me if I was okay. I thought I was acting normal, and when he asked me the fourth time, I asked why he kept asking me that. He replied that I looked sad or like something was wrong. Man, I LOVE the children I get to be around each day!!! I decided that since I wasn't able to stand for very long, that it might not be a good idea to go out and exercise. Thank goodness for flexibility!!! Later that afternoon I started feeling fine.
Today I woke up and felt normal, which made me really happy. Not too long after I got to school I started having the pains again. I felt really perplexed. The pain is very similar to when my intestines twist together, yet I have plenty of output so I know it is not a blockage, and it doesn't get worse and worse. Food doesn't seem to affect it. It hurts whether or not I eat! After about an hour and a half I felt good again. This is so strange! I figure if there is something really wrong, it will get worse right? So I will just wait and see what happens.
I felt good enough to exercise today, but wasn't looking forward to being out in the super cold weather. Luckily Ginny and I were able to use the gym. I have to tell you, it felt really good to be inside! My biggest struggle is with my breathing. My chest will just burn and burn. This time being inside we were able to push harder and yet my lungs didn't burn. I feel really really good!! I don't want to totally give up training outside, though I am tempted too. I know being outside will make me a stronger runner. I do think that if I do some training inside that my lungs will strengthen and when the weather warms up I might fair better outside then I do now. I think the outside air is what has been making my lungs have a hard time. Ginny and I weren't able to keep track of how many times we went around the gym. Physically though, we pushed harder than we have yet, and it felt really great!!! I think I will try to download a tracker app. on my phone, it would make things a bit more simple!!!
Today I woke up and felt normal, which made me really happy. Not too long after I got to school I started having the pains again. I felt really perplexed. The pain is very similar to when my intestines twist together, yet I have plenty of output so I know it is not a blockage, and it doesn't get worse and worse. Food doesn't seem to affect it. It hurts whether or not I eat! After about an hour and a half I felt good again. This is so strange! I figure if there is something really wrong, it will get worse right? So I will just wait and see what happens.
I felt good enough to exercise today, but wasn't looking forward to being out in the super cold weather. Luckily Ginny and I were able to use the gym. I have to tell you, it felt really good to be inside! My biggest struggle is with my breathing. My chest will just burn and burn. This time being inside we were able to push harder and yet my lungs didn't burn. I feel really really good!! I don't want to totally give up training outside, though I am tempted too. I know being outside will make me a stronger runner. I do think that if I do some training inside that my lungs will strengthen and when the weather warms up I might fair better outside then I do now. I think the outside air is what has been making my lungs have a hard time. Ginny and I weren't able to keep track of how many times we went around the gym. Physically though, we pushed harder than we have yet, and it felt really great!!! I think I will try to download a tracker app. on my phone, it would make things a bit more simple!!!
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Yay for a new day!!!!
Today I was feeling much better. I was really happy about that! I was still a little nervous that maybe I wouldn't be up to where I needed to be to get out and give it my all, but I sure was going to try.
I always begin with a 5 min. brisk walk. As Ginny and I were briskly walking, I noticed that we were covering more distance than we usually do in the 5 min. warm up. This made me feel really good! We kept a really good pace and with the new intervals of 90sec. jog, 2 min rest, we covered more distance altogether!!! I felt really good. I had a little bit of trouble remembering the new pattern I was following and sometimes jogged too long and sometimes walked too long. Overall though I kept us on pretty good time. My breathing was not the best today, but I was able to keep myself feeling okay.
As we finished up our time, I realized I felt really good! I still had a lot of energy, and we added a fourth of a mile to our cool down! When we counted it all up in 38 min. We did 7 laps around the blocks we walk. In the first 30 min. we covered 1 1/2 miles!!! WAAHHHOOO!!! This was such a boost! We got in another half mile in the same time that we had been doing 1 mile! I love this kind of progress! And the best part? I had the strength to go and felt good doing it.
Time out: 38 min.
Distance covered 1 3/4 mile!
Lesson of the day:
I realized that I do have to listen to my body when it is telling me I need to rest! This doesn't mean I am "falling off" my routine, it doesn't mean I am not accomplishing what I want to when I want to. What is important is that I listen to my body when it is telling me to slow down, and then give it my all when I can!!! Yay for learning!
I always begin with a 5 min. brisk walk. As Ginny and I were briskly walking, I noticed that we were covering more distance than we usually do in the 5 min. warm up. This made me feel really good! We kept a really good pace and with the new intervals of 90sec. jog, 2 min rest, we covered more distance altogether!!! I felt really good. I had a little bit of trouble remembering the new pattern I was following and sometimes jogged too long and sometimes walked too long. Overall though I kept us on pretty good time. My breathing was not the best today, but I was able to keep myself feeling okay.
As we finished up our time, I realized I felt really good! I still had a lot of energy, and we added a fourth of a mile to our cool down! When we counted it all up in 38 min. We did 7 laps around the blocks we walk. In the first 30 min. we covered 1 1/2 miles!!! WAAHHHOOO!!! This was such a boost! We got in another half mile in the same time that we had been doing 1 mile! I love this kind of progress! And the best part? I had the strength to go and felt good doing it.
Time out: 38 min.
Distance covered 1 3/4 mile!
Lesson of the day:
I realized that I do have to listen to my body when it is telling me I need to rest! This doesn't mean I am "falling off" my routine, it doesn't mean I am not accomplishing what I want to when I want to. What is important is that I listen to my body when it is telling me to slow down, and then give it my all when I can!!! Yay for learning!
Monday, February 20, 2012
Two Steps Forward, One Step Back.....
Before I began my real post, I need to fill you in on a little Mariah-lingo.
I have a permanant ileostomy. Picture a straw, well a really soft straw. Now picture you take the end of the straw and push your fingers under the brim and fold it outward. This is in a sense what was done with my small intestine. The end of it was folded out and made into cuff called a stoma. This stoma sticks out of my stomach close to my belly button. It is where my stool comes out. That is what it means to have an ileostomy. The stool that comes out of my stoma because of my crohn's disease and shortend small bowel is what most people call diarrhea. Sorry if I am grossing you out, but remember, I warned this would get a little too "real" at times. I call what comes out of my stoma "output." Now that you are familiar with my lingo, I will begain my blogging!!!
Today was a sort of bust for me. Last night I had a wonderful dinner at my mom's house. Almost immediatly I started having an increase of output. This happens quite often and I didn't think a whole lot of it. As the night wore on I realized I was needing to go to the bathroom and empty my "bag" every hour. I was even up several times during the night. The problem with this happening, is that once all my food has run through me, I start losing my fluids. I tend to get dehydrated very quickly. This morning when I woke up I realized that my increase in output had left me dehydrated. My body has tell tell signs of moderate dehydration. I have very labored breathing, my ears are plugged and I feel quite worn out. Unfortunatly I had all of these symptoms this morning. I kept thinking I should call Ginny and reschedule our run. I really didn't want to though. I wanted to be there no matter what. So, I ate a high protien breakfast and snack, and drank a lot of water. I was hoping this would get me back to "normal."
When Ginny arrived I felt slightly better. I was hopeful. Let's just say it didn't take too long to figure out, that my body wasn't going to have it. It wasn't going to let me be the boss today. I was week, had very labored breathing and before long had really intense pains in my guts. BOOOO, I was so frustrated! Ginny was so great to agree to stop, and try again tomorrow. She is the best!
I came home after being out 15 min. and was really worn out. I was very light headed and week. I sat down until I caught my breath, then I layed down and let the world spin, until it calmed down. I felt really annoyed at the realitization that I can't always be in control. Sometimes things just happen. I then thought about how happy I am that I am doing a program with such flexability. I only need to go out 3 days a week and there just happens to be 7 days in each week. This does give me some room. I just needed to convince myself that it really was okay.
Time out: 15 min.
Distance covered: 1/2 mile.
And there you go. It doesn't matter how many times you fall off, it only matters how many times you get back up. I am eating well today and plan to be back out tomorrow!!!
p.s. I coudn't get my spell checker to work, and as you can tell I am not the greatest speller. Sorry!
I have a permanant ileostomy. Picture a straw, well a really soft straw. Now picture you take the end of the straw and push your fingers under the brim and fold it outward. This is in a sense what was done with my small intestine. The end of it was folded out and made into cuff called a stoma. This stoma sticks out of my stomach close to my belly button. It is where my stool comes out. That is what it means to have an ileostomy. The stool that comes out of my stoma because of my crohn's disease and shortend small bowel is what most people call diarrhea. Sorry if I am grossing you out, but remember, I warned this would get a little too "real" at times. I call what comes out of my stoma "output." Now that you are familiar with my lingo, I will begain my blogging!!!
Today was a sort of bust for me. Last night I had a wonderful dinner at my mom's house. Almost immediatly I started having an increase of output. This happens quite often and I didn't think a whole lot of it. As the night wore on I realized I was needing to go to the bathroom and empty my "bag" every hour. I was even up several times during the night. The problem with this happening, is that once all my food has run through me, I start losing my fluids. I tend to get dehydrated very quickly. This morning when I woke up I realized that my increase in output had left me dehydrated. My body has tell tell signs of moderate dehydration. I have very labored breathing, my ears are plugged and I feel quite worn out. Unfortunatly I had all of these symptoms this morning. I kept thinking I should call Ginny and reschedule our run. I really didn't want to though. I wanted to be there no matter what. So, I ate a high protien breakfast and snack, and drank a lot of water. I was hoping this would get me back to "normal."
When Ginny arrived I felt slightly better. I was hopeful. Let's just say it didn't take too long to figure out, that my body wasn't going to have it. It wasn't going to let me be the boss today. I was week, had very labored breathing and before long had really intense pains in my guts. BOOOO, I was so frustrated! Ginny was so great to agree to stop, and try again tomorrow. She is the best!
I came home after being out 15 min. and was really worn out. I was very light headed and week. I sat down until I caught my breath, then I layed down and let the world spin, until it calmed down. I felt really annoyed at the realitization that I can't always be in control. Sometimes things just happen. I then thought about how happy I am that I am doing a program with such flexability. I only need to go out 3 days a week and there just happens to be 7 days in each week. This does give me some room. I just needed to convince myself that it really was okay.
Time out: 15 min.
Distance covered: 1/2 mile.
And there you go. It doesn't matter how many times you fall off, it only matters how many times you get back up. I am eating well today and plan to be back out tomorrow!!!
p.s. I coudn't get my spell checker to work, and as you can tell I am not the greatest speller. Sorry!
Sunday, February 19, 2012
One week down, 8 more to go!
Saturday was day three of my exercise program. I woke up feeling really excited to get outside and work! I had had a dream (I am dreaming about running now!) about running a 5k. All of you guys were there in the run with me. It was some crazy maze type run and was just silly, but I remember running and feeling really good the whole time. I awoke thinking, that is really what I want out of this. I want to have the physical capability to run this 5k, and I want to feel good the whole run, and afterwards. And I am so excited so many of my friends will be there! I keep envisioning myself in the future (nearer now than ever before) running, and loving it. I picture myself strong and quick and just plain ole' happy! I don't love running, I am not a runner, but I am so motivated to make this happen, that I know it will happen.
Yesterday was a lovely day and since David was off work he came with me. I was really excited but a little nervous to have him come with me. David is a really strong runner and I wanted our stroll not to bore him. He was so kind and complemented me the whole time. He is such a great support.
Every time I am out, I really pay attention to how my body feels doing these exercises. It always makes me so happy to realize that physically my body is stronger than I thought it was! My biggest struggle is my breathing. I really work on keeping my breathing under control, slow and steady. It is not something that comes naturally. Each day I have gone out, I find that I do have better control. The less I talk the better control I have!
Time out: 30 min.
Total distance: 1 mile
I am looking forward to this new week. The program has me changing the times I Jog from 60 seconds to 90 seconds. The rest periods are longer as well. I am excited to see how I do with this.
I have had a lot of people tell me they are not runners or that they are waiting for the weather to get better, or this or that to start running. I have to tell you, I am NOT a runner, I am week, out of shape and haven't even exercised in about 2 1/2 years. But, who cares? We all have to begin somewhere, right? And there never will be the "perfect" time to start.Something will always come up, and frankly life happens! So, why not take charge now? Start somewhere. I would love to have you join me 3 times a week as I take charge of my health! Or just start because what can you lose for trying? It feels so amazing to be the one setting your limits and challenging yourself to do just a little bit more!!!
Yesterday was a lovely day and since David was off work he came with me. I was really excited but a little nervous to have him come with me. David is a really strong runner and I wanted our stroll not to bore him. He was so kind and complemented me the whole time. He is such a great support.
Every time I am out, I really pay attention to how my body feels doing these exercises. It always makes me so happy to realize that physically my body is stronger than I thought it was! My biggest struggle is my breathing. I really work on keeping my breathing under control, slow and steady. It is not something that comes naturally. Each day I have gone out, I find that I do have better control. The less I talk the better control I have!
Time out: 30 min.
Total distance: 1 mile
I am looking forward to this new week. The program has me changing the times I Jog from 60 seconds to 90 seconds. The rest periods are longer as well. I am excited to see how I do with this.
I have had a lot of people tell me they are not runners or that they are waiting for the weather to get better, or this or that to start running. I have to tell you, I am NOT a runner, I am week, out of shape and haven't even exercised in about 2 1/2 years. But, who cares? We all have to begin somewhere, right? And there never will be the "perfect" time to start.Something will always come up, and frankly life happens! So, why not take charge now? Start somewhere. I would love to have you join me 3 times a week as I take charge of my health! Or just start because what can you lose for trying? It feels so amazing to be the one setting your limits and challenging yourself to do just a little bit more!!!
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