It's a party on wheels!

..."and it's in top gear, cause we're all singing, we're all dancing now!"


God, I am such a child of the 80's!!

Australian readers might remember Sweet and Sour. I loved that show.

Anyhoo...

A busy week this week - 3 days of working for National Parks and that entailed many km's of walking, in long pants and long-sleeved shirt that feels more like a canvas tent. Yuck. I told you about my propensity for sweating, didn't I?

That sand is tough work on the calves too!

So I finally got back out there today (Saturday). Started Week 2 of Ease Into 5K - bit more running this morning and went a bit further. Thankfully the sun was hiding and it was cooler.

It was disjointed having to stop for dog-poo and manic phone calls from Hubby as to the whereabouts of the other set of car-keys.

I ran today in my new Sporty Skirt running skirt!

Mine was on sale and in grey. I love the side pockets (great for keys, poo-bags, iPod) and they are bit shorter (and cooler) than my Performax compression pants. Covered enough of the chub to avoid the rub! They did fall down a bit over my big belly which was annoying.

Body/hips/ankle/knee felt pretty good and I enjoyed the slightly longer runs!

"Miles and miles of open road, turned on tunes and playing loud"

Shock the Monkey...

...to life!

The circus is in town:

They have monkeys too. And makes it a bit more crowded on my running path. Don't they know it's my path, where I run?  Geez.

After a big bushwalk yesterday afternoon, my calves were feeling it. I nearly didn't get up and run, and I certainly didn't get up early. But I got up and I ran/walked. Yay me!

About the same as Saturday. Slow and steady avoids the injury and keeps running!

And loses some weight!!

76.7kg - that's 169 pounds. 

It's not much (less than a kilo), but I'll take it. I would be happy just to see those numbers trending downward.

Started up on the CSIRO diet this week, so hopefully that will make a difference. It's all science-based and the recipes are yummy and easy. Missing my carbs though! (sobs).

Met two teachers I used to work with - they completed a whole triathlon this morning. They were in the group that inspired my to get off the couch and start walking/running in the first place. The thought I was looking good. It's the Lululemon top, I'm telling you! 

"Cover me, when I run..."

Never...

"...never, never ever hide your heart!" (from the original Footloose soundtrack).

Remakes are never as good. Unless you are re-making C25K!!

This morning the sun was shining, birdies were singing (or I presume they were because I had my tunes pumping), Maxie was with me (he's a good running companion - guaranteed to get smiles from co-walkers).

You could mistake my face for the sun, it's so round and red.

I wore my Lululemon top for the first time since the Sydney Running Festival! I love it so much (and I just checked the website - it's not there anymore - ahggghhh!). I know it's winter in the US, but here in summer, this top is the bomb - it's the closest thing to not wearing a top you can get and still look decent. If I could, I would just wear a sports bra and compression tights and that would be it. But I don't need to scare the pants off everyone else, so I go for the lightest fabric and loosest fit around my belly I can find.

No - I'm not pregnant, that is carefully cultivated fat.

So, the first week of 2012 saw two run/walks!! That's a good start. Did Day 2 of Ease into 5K this morning:

Little bit further and a little bit faster - not that I'm too worried, I'm just happy to be running. And foam rolling and stretching:

Instrument of torture - looks so innocent!

Having said that, I am a bit proud - I want to put up a sign on my shirt saying "I'm only walking because I injured myself and I have to". Because aerobically, I feel pretty good. But I know I have to ease my poor old legs back into this thing gently. But it is weird to stop running after 30 seconds when you know you could go further. Gotta keep the end goal in sight!

Speaking of old things - I have to wait until 9 February before I can see the podiatrist. That's because he's so busy cutting pensioners toenails. Don't you think he'd rather analyse a running gait? (I know I would). I might have to use some of my health fund funds on a massage or two while I'm waiting.

"If you don't give your heart wings, you'll never, never, never, never fly..."

Sisters are doing it for themselves...

This is how I look when I'm running:

Or not.

It's a pretty hot here now (the weather, not my looks) and I realise I like running in winter more than summer. A bit because it's not really that cold in our winters, but mostly because I don't sweat (as much). I produce a ridiculous amount of fluid from the pores on my face and neck. 

But, I got up early(ish) today to beat the heat and the crowds. Failed on both counts - 25C and I had to negotiate the hugest crowd of pensioners on their walking outing (did you know they travelled in packs?).

So I'm re-starting Couch to 5K (except that they changed the software and it's now called Ease Into 5K - probably more what I need).

Not real fast, but I still had a sweat-fest going on. Not to mention how much of an effort it was pushing old people out of the way (just joking).

I have to say I felt MUCH better than the first outing nine months ago - so I don't think I've totally lost my fitness. Foam rolling and stretching afterwards to get the knots out of my buns of steel.

Max loved it:

All the photos of him look the same!

All jokes aside, I loved being back out there! There really is nothing like running. Even with the sweat.

Let's get it started...

Since my last post (let's see - almost a month ago) I've walked a grand total of .....zero kilometres.

Mmm. Oh sure I've actually walked from the couch to the fridge and done a bit of Christmas shopping, and even a couple of very slow, casual bushwalks. But nothing that actually raised a sweat or could be considered in any way, shape or form getting back into running.

Motivation is such a funny thing. And I'm just putting it out there because I know that many people have the same experience as me. Get all enthusiastic, get running (or zumba-ing or whatever), then something happens (injury, holiday, Christmas, all of the above) and motivation goes out the door. And the kilos pile on. Mine are scary. Are you ready?

77.3 kg

Not pretty. Neither is the body...

I put these up to be accountable to myself. If the blog disappears without warning, you will know that things aren't going well! But as the title of the blog says, it is time to put one foot in front of the other, even if it is just walking. I managed a walk today, with a couple of "wogs".

So that is the starting point. I could definitely feel major tightness in my hips. So I was good - walked, rolled (foam roller) and stretched. If I can manage this for a few times a week for a couple of weeks I might be good to go on a C25K program.

Wish me luck!!

I'm baaaccckkk!!

Well, kinda, sorta!

So this morning I got up early(ish) for my....walk. It is now 8 weeks since I saw the physio and I should be able to run, but you know, I can still feel that tight hip flexor/glute, so I did some reading . This is what I came up with:

1. Start walking. Apart from walking on our holiday, I haven't been out and about. Did you know that when walking, your body absorbs 2 times your body weight? It is a great stepping stone to get the body ready for the more intensive running. It's how I started running. My physio was adamant that it takes the body a long time to get used to the stresses of running - the muscular-skeletal system, that is, not the cardio-vascular (that is much more adaptable). Some websites recommend building up to 10-15 miles (16-24km) of pain free walking before attempting any running. So I'm approaching my walking the same as my running - three walks a during the week and a long walk (or bushwalk) on the weekend.
2. Re-introduce running by alternating running and walking - most websites suggest run one minute, walk three. I might even re-do Couch to 5K! I reckon it will feel weird just running! And goodness knows I've probably lost most of my aerobic fitness that I built up. But it's OK, I know it can come back. I'll have to make sure there is no pain in my hip when I run - otherwise I'm not sufficiently healed to run again.
3. One website recommended running at 25-50% of your pre-injury pace. Considering I was running at about 8 min/km that means 16-20 min/km. I can walk faster than that - can you imagine what it would look like trying to run that slow? Is it actually possible to run that slow? I'll just take it real easy - concentrate on form and not worry about pace.
4. Don't increase distance, frequency, intensity or pace of running at the same time. My physio said the injury was a classic case of "too much, too soon". So, first I'll just concentrate on building up to 5km. And then slowly (ever so slowly, with walk breaks if needs be) increase the distance. Pace will come (one day, maybe).
5. Use the foam roller after every run and then stretch. Strengthening exercises on the off days. 
6. Try to do some yoga or pilates once a week. I went to a yoga class last week and really, really enjoyed it. The instructor also does pilates and massage. I'm going to go get a really good massage too. My body will thank me later (after the pain subsides).

I am just enjoying getting out in the fresh air again. So is my dog. 

I'm "only" walking, but it's a step in the right direction!!

Cruising...

So, I'm back from my cruise around New Zealand.

I know all of you (all two of you who actually read this blog) are waiting desperately to find out how my exercise plans worked out during those two weeks at sea.

Well, I can report that I went to gym (which was really very well equipped) exactly zero times and walked around the Promenade Deck probably about 3 times. But we did lots of walking on our shore days - really, I did!

So with that lack of exercise, combined with a buffet breakfast every morning and four-course meal every night, how much weight did I put on??? Zero kilograms! WTF?? But yep, my weight is exactly the same as when we left. Go figure.

Here are some scenic shots for your viewing pleasure (if you want more or lots more details of the trip, head on over to my other blog):

Cocktails and a stunning Sydney Harbour - life's good!

Bye bye Sydney!

Cheers! How many calories in champagne?

My knees got plenty of sun

Token shot of the promenade deck.
People do actually run around it.
I know - I saw them!

More calories! Yummy!

Milford Sound

Akaroa Harbour

Rotorua geothermal area

Thermal swimming pool on board (hubby and the kids)

I did do some physical activity -
sea kayaking on the Bay of Islands

All that kayaking makes you thirsty!

Another deck I didn't walk around much

Home again (well, close anyway)

Anyway I am home again. We all have nasty head colds picked up on the last few days on board. I haven't been sick for over a year, so it seems to have hit me hard. But once I'm over it, I will pick up on the stretching and strengthening and will start walking the dog again. And then, maybe, I'll be able to start small bits of running again!