meeting (some) goals

On October 3rd I decided to become a runner.
The plan was not to go full force for two or three weeks and then give up like I have before. I wanted to stick with it. I just wanted to say that I can do this if I really want to and give it a good try. I wanted to do it for myself. And I did, so far. Starting that day I put on my Lululemon's and ran around the Garden District three or four times a week. I ran 1.3 to 1.5 miles for the first few weeks. After every run I collapsed on my front steps and tried to catch my breath for five minutes. I also poured sweat- one time my landlord even commented on it. Then, after taking a few days off, I could easily run two miles. That was November first. Then, three days later I ran 2.57 miles. It was easy too! I wasn't out of breath at all and although things ached (all the joints in my legs) I could do it. Then all of sudden I was set back to my original one and a half miles... and it was a hard one and a half miles. I mean really hard. After half of a mile I thought that I could not pick my feet up off the streets anymore and that I'd have to stay in the street until the Garden District Police found me. But, I kept on going.
Last week, I ran only one time. It was just one of those weeks. I ran in the dark after work one night after complaining to Ben that I didn't want to run. I decided to change my route and I ended up running 3 miles. Three miles! It's been less than two months and I can run three miles. That's a whole 5K.

I really do not know how to explain how difficult a goal this was for me to make. Even while making it I didn't fully believe that I would get out there and jog around the streets. But, I did! And, while I have not run since last Thursday I have this new goal- to get up early and run in the morning. Eek. Yes, I think I need to at least try. That way I am running when there's more light outside and it gives me time for yoga in the afternoon.

So. Set your goals. Even if while setting them you're second guessing what you can do. You can do it. Now that I'm at 5K I'm going to have to keep going until I can run 7K and 10K and who knows how much further!

running for a cure

remember when i said i was going to become a runner? 

well, it's week four and i am not giving up. although, i must say, it is not getting any easier. after every run it takes me 20 minutes to be able to take a deep breath and speak. i literally collapse on my front steps and lie there gasping for air- i am sure i look like a fish out of water. 

this week i am at 1.53 miles each time i run and i've been running four times a week (about every other day). today was a day off and i kind of missed the good feeling i get once it's over and i can feel accomplished. 

but, i've gotta take it easy on my ankle. last december, while walking to catch the bus for hiphop japanimation, i rolled my ankle. 11 months later it still throbs when i walk too much or run on it. and without health insurance i definitely cannot afford to hurt it. 

but, i'm keeping up with it- like i said i would. i'm hoping that some day soon it will become a little bit easier. 

this weekend we both did the the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure! 

We had to be out of bed at 6:45 am (no small feat for me) to get over to city park and pick up our numbers. There were 12,000 people all mingling waiting for the races to begin. First, we both ran the 1mile. Ben really ran it to keep me company. It was so early in the morning, i kept waking up all night, and then all of a sudden i was in a huge crowd of people running. While normally I do a very very slow mile- like 11 of 12 miles per hour- all these little kids around me were running so i ran the 1.2 miles in 9minutes. Then, Ben decided to do the 5K. He got into the middle of 12,000 people and started jogging. barefoot. trying to get around the old ladies and men who were walking. It was really exciting when he crossed that finish line. and i snapped a photo right before his sweaty self grabbed me. 

After (and during) the race there was music, lots of free food (bananas and yogurt AND jambalaya), and Tulane Med students were checking blood pressure etc. 

Wanna see?

happy.

scarf on my head was given to runners, after i cross the finish line

about to tackle me

i love him!

Ben won this for being one of the first # runners over the finish line

The other side of this medal says congrats from the Saints. 

Thanks saints. i was pretty proud of us already for waking up, raising some money, and running :)

a little inspiration

Second run, done! 

Yup, that sounds totally ridiculous to be celebrating running twice this week, but I am. Both times I ran 1.30 miles around my neighborhood. My ankles are aching and every muscle is sore, but I am happy. I can do this. 

I also find that my home yoga practice is a little more daring after my runs- that's a perk.

But in my last post I forgot something important to this whole running business. Inspiration.

I don't know how many people know about "Ben does life" on YouTube. Well, the other day I stumbled upon a video of a man running his way out of obesity and depression. I couldn't stop crying! I actually just watched it again and the waterworks came. To be honest though, Taylor Swift's new video where she gets the cute family at the end made me cry today too. 

Although the video does have to do with someone running, I believe that the idea that you can do what you want to if you just do it can be applied to many situations. 

Watch this video and then go make that change that you've been thinking about:

INSPIRATION (click here)

becoming a runner

our lovely bikes

It is so nice outside right now. October in N'awlins is like a Boston summer- the days are warm and then the nights are the teensiest tinniest bit chilly. Maybe I can wear long pants! But, my jeans can barely stretch up my thighs and then are two inches away from buttoning (no joke).

I am baking and eating desserts daily. I am also sitting on my butt on the couch searching for jobs, writing a blog, reading, watching tv…you get the picture. Which brings me to my new resolution: I am going to become a runner!

Let me first tell you: I hate running. I can honestly say I hate everything about running. I hate the thought of it. It just seeeems stupid, running around. I’m laughing now because I’m remembering Will Farrell in Anchorman talking about jogging and calling it “yogging.” But, back to my point- I really do hate running.

I actually have a long history of hating running. In middle school while the gym coach (who was a teacher my aunt and uncles had) screamed at us to do the President’s Challenge, or whatever it is called, I walked the entire mile. In high school I guess I may have jogged outside around my fathers house, but that was mostly because it was pretty. In college I did no physical activity until a roommate made me go to the gym with her and follow her strict routine. So, by the end of one summer I could work the elliptical or the treadmill for as long as I wanted and feel comfortable.

I don’t know who that girl on the treadmill was or how she came to be. But she definitely does not exist now. I know this because a few weeks ago I decided that I had to do something with my time and tried to go jogging around the neighborhood. Oh my goodness, it was hard. So, I gave up.

But becoming a runner has a lot more to it than just working off the cupcakes. I wrote my entire thesis on the mental health benefits and physical benefits of cardiovascular exercise (although I focused on children). I know that running will send some endorphins my way and lift my spirits. I think that will really help as I transition to living here. I also know that I dislike not being able to do something and for a long time I’ve wanted to be able to say that I am a runner. I just want to be able to run a few miles and not curl up in a ball on the side of the road. I want to accomplish this goal.

So, I decided to go running with Ben today. I've actually tried to start running a handful of times and after a few weeks I fail. This is why I need to go with Ben. He was kind enough to start the beginning of his normal run with a slow jog with me. (After we were done he ran for another hour +). While we “ran” he talked to me about how to run properly and kept a slow pace so that I didn’t overdue it. He also only took me a short distance so that I didn’t do too much the first day and give up tomorrow. We ran around the Garden District, looked at the great scenery, and went 1.30 miles. Not very long huh? But I had to stop halfway through because my lungs felt like exploding and I felt nauseous. YES, that is what kind of shape my body is in.

When we got home I felt great. The run was short and slow enough to get me going and not leave me exhausted. I went home and did my own yoga practice that left me feeling euphoric, peaceful, strong, and ready for anything.

I'm not sure I should have started today, but I really wanted to. The only problem was that yesterday we biked seven miles and then walked five. My poor leggies.

Now that I have put it out there that I am going to do this, I guess I have to. I'll probably run every other day at first and continue with a daily yoga practice. I'm excited that now I have to do this because I said I would. I'll keep checking in with my progress.

First day: 1.30miles.

audubon park