November Resolution
You’d think I wouldn’t have to do this anymore, but my earlier proclamation to lose weight and get in shape has somehow faltered, tripped and splatted all over the place.
So here we go again, yep yet another determined effort to shed those pounds, and get my feet back out on the streets and trails. I’ve been running off and on, trying to run with minimalist shoes or Vibram’s Five Finger shoes – I love the Vibram’s, the first time I ran the difference was amazing. My stride changed, the way my foot hit the ground changed. The next 3 days after the first run with the Vibram’s was agony. I used muscles in the lower legs and feet that had not been used that hard – EVER! I got past the pain and was starting to get back in shape when I discovered that running with a Golden Retriever and kicking his leg while running would lead to a broken pinky toe. It’s two weeks later and I still hobble when I wear dress shoes and the toe is still swollen. So I’m giving up dress shoes for sneakers and taking ibuprofen to eliminate the discomfort and swelling. I tried switching to the minimalist shoes, but developed shin splints and went right back into my old running stride. I tried the Vibram’s but the little toe was still swollen and had to be stuffed into the shoe and then run on it. So off to the internet to order a pair in the next size. My internet let me down! All the sources on the internet were sold out of the size and style that I wanted. I went out to the Vibram website and looked up the local running stores in the area and called Schuylkill Valley Sports, who to my amazement had the shoes I wanted and in the size I needed. I left the store smiling like a kid, remembering a time when I was little and had just gotten a new pair of Ked’s sneakers. I thought I could run faster and farther than I ever had…
Today is November 2nd and I’m 2 for 2. Not time to get excited and celebrate but I want to stick with it, I want to be able to fit back in the clothes hanging in the closet and to run with a lot less weight to drag around.
I can do it, I will do it.
I’ve got my faithful companion Cooper to run along my side as well as my running buddies. Cooper has also gotten some new running equipment – a new LARGE Gentle Leader head harness. The last one was too small around his nose and led to some quick stops and frustration. The new harness gives him more freedom and so far – no sudden stops, no arms getting jerked backward and we are focusing on where Cooper is in relation to my right foot. I really don’t want to deal with any more broken toes!
So tomorrow is another day and I’m going to work, come home change and go for a run. Distance is irrelevant – for now. I’m going to track my runs but not set a mileage goal. That will come later. For now I’m working on slowing down the pace and working on the mechanics of running. Smaller strides, running hills (UGH!) and speedwork (it’s called that in the running books, for me it will be running a little faster than slow).
