Ain't nothin gonna break-a my stride
Saturday, August 1, 2009 at 7:06PM Wondering where the hell my HASAY updates have been for the past while? That's okay. I haven't given up. Our fearless leader has just taken the pressure off us a little by only demanding an update once a month. I know, I'd think she's getting soft too, but the leather whip and military gear say otherwise.
(Wondering what the hell HASAY even is? That's okay too. It's an online diet & fitness group spearheaded by the indomitable Casey at Half as Good as You.)
But I'm still running.
I run slow. I regularly choke on the dust as lithe 20-somethings pass me by, but I'm running. I'm not up to the distance I expected to be if I were still training for the marathon - I seem to have plateaued at about 4.5k - but, still. Did I mention I was running?
In order to facilitate this whole 'running' thing, because at the advanced age of 35 my body is now apparently made from eggshells overlaid with paper mache and dried flowers, this is what I have to do:
1. Hydrate. Hydrate. Keep hydrating. Preferably for up to 4 hours before actually considering running. This means I have to pee halfway through, every single time. Sometimes twice.
2. Stretch. Stretch. Stretch more. Stretch before running, after running, first thing in the morning, and before I go to bed at night. Oh! And if there happens to be a lull in activity at any other point in the day, you'd best be dropping to the floor and stretching.
3. Warm up. Walk to warm up for a ridiculous amount of time, like for long enough that any other normal person would consider it a pretty decent walk, they're good, they've exercised for the day.
4. End up visiting the chiropractor at least once a week anyway.
5. Possibly more stretching.
So, generally, I feel healthy, because I'm running every second day or so. Unfortunately I seem to have translated that into "eat whatever the hell I want because hey! I'm running aren't I?", so I've gained a few pounds. Okay, 6. But I don't really care.
I guess that's the "runner's high"?
Reader Comments (27)
I'm going to say it again and again until ya'll get it; "only run when chased"!
Think of your knees!
Give your shins a break.
How many excuses do I need to come up with. I've got a million of them. Exercise is the short cut to the grave...Says the woman that is 10 pounds over weight.
Ahhhh...good luck with that running thing. I'm pulling for you. From the side lines of course.
Running sounds like way too much work to me...hydrate, stretch, warm up, chiropractor, more stretching... *whew!* I'm tired just thinking about it! ;)
Running every second day or so? Those 6 pounds have got to be muscle...and excess water from all that hydration...that's my story and I'm stickin' with it! ;)
good for you! i have no motivation :(
I run to the bathroom every once in a while when I am blogging! That is about the extent of my running!!!!
The very definition.
good for you! I just started biking and it feels great...til I wake up in the am and feel like my legs are going to explode.......
Blech. I hate running. I'll stick with lifting weights, thank you.
Ha! I thought I would be the only one to remember to post for HASAY!
Hm, if you have to pee twice while running, that would mean that you relieved youself in some fashion at least once during your run...
i think 4.5k sounds like a healthy distance. and... wow! i m so impressed with your hydration and your stretching! you are doing great!
Running?! I can barely walk. Good for you.
Walk instead. Listen to good tunes. Bliss out.
We just saw Run Fat Boy Run, and I managed to convince my husband that it would be nice to train for a half-marathon together. Well, not really "together," since one of us has to stay in with the baby while the other goes out, and we don't have one of those fancy jog strollers. But still.
Might be a good idea to try the couch-2-5K first, as I am rather fat-butted and out of shape. But I've managed to convince myself that if I can have a natural childbirth, I can run. If it turns out to be more painful than a stitched-up vagina, I will be ever so surprised.
I've gotten into a pretty good routine here lately. I turn on the Wii, put in EA Sports and then find ways to shortcut the system so I don't break a sweat. I like to think of it as exercise...mental exercise.
I've had to quit running because I no longer have hubby around to watch the kids. Until they learn to watch themselves without bloodshed I'm screwed. So, many kudos to you for sticking to it.
Oh and I think Dairy Queen being located just ten minutes away reaaaallly sucks. I mean it's not like I like peanut butter blizzards or anything. Not. At. All.
So I've gained a few pounds in the last month, wanna make something of it?
I run multiple times per week and never enjoy it thoroughly. I enjoy the effects not the work itself other than it is total alone time and I have one more excuse to listen to songs like Push It and It Takes Two by Rob Base. LOL.
Hydrate and stretch...key things. Keep up the good work.
I work 100 yard jogs into my power walks...but I would not quite call it running.
Kudos to you, well done.
You're kind of sort of making me want to try running. I'm embarrassed by my out-of-shapeness--I walk and hike but I know I'd suck at running and I hate sucking at things. But maybe...just maybe I could do it.
Wow! I'm impressed with your motivation!
I can't run, I suck at it and it makes me want to barf, but I am looking forward to getting back to the gym... probably some time in December...
I could send you Abby - I keep trying to offload Abby - and she could follow after you butting all the way. I'll bet you run faster.
i chase 6 kids. all day. every day. that's about as running as i'm gonna get.
but...
YAY you!!!!!
I do love a good run!
Good luck with the running. Next up a marathon, or maybe just a 5k.
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What running would feel like for me, I'm just going to quote: "Oh!I'd forgotten how much swords through the chest hurt."
The whole eating whatever you want thing bit me in the butt too. I managed to gain 5 pounds for the first time in 2 years.
I hate to admit it but I HAVE gone soft, especially around my midsection and ass. Running 4.5 miles is nothing to laugh at. I can usually make it about that far on the elliptical when I'm in the airconditioned gym, perched in front of the TV. If I tried to run outside, I would die. Slowly but surely, you'd find me dead on the road. Great work keeping up with HASAY. Now stop eating like shit and we'll be good.