5K Diary - Week Two

 W2D1: My baby is in the hospital. We spent all day yesterday in the Emergency Room and she was transferred and admitted to a hospital closer to home at 7PM. This morning I did not want to do anything, but then I thought, "what am I going to do, sit home and wallow in my depression? I cannot visit her until this evening, so I may as well get out there." Main Squeeze was on his way to grocery (as no one was able to get there yesterday) so I asked him to bring me to the track. Not ready to start my day alone I guess. Roxy came along for the ride and on the way I said she was wishing she had longer legs. Gemini meanwhile was wishing she had a brain. For some reason everyone this morning chose to go the opposite direction from us, so for every lap I passed them twice. Sometimes I wonder if the running part would go easier if Gemini was not pulling out to the side whenever someone else came along on the track.

W2D2: This week just gets harder and harder to get going. Probably does not help that I forgot to Peas my knee after Curves yesterday. I decided at the last minute to go to the Success Assembly at school, even though Princess A would not be there. One of the teachers asked if I had another kid at the school. She gave me a funny look when I said no, it is just that I have never missed one. Then there is the jogging itself. I cannot imagine next weeks assignment when I feel like I am barely getting through this week. Main Squeeze thinks that it will be fine; each day as I push myself to the end, I am building up strength for the next week when I will have to do more. 

And, yes Tami, your comments did help me to get started and they keep me going every time. April now, too. Thank you both!
BTW, I think the dogs would be very happy if my Knee Peas were to spring a leak  

W2D3: Memories of Day 2 made it even harder to get going this morning; what a lucky surprise that I was not struggling at all! In fact, I missed the first walking cue and ended up jogging for an extra thirty seconds and felt fine! By the time she said to cool down, I was happy to be done, but at the same time I know I could have done another jogging leg (no pun intended). The big question is, was it so easy because I am getting stronger, or because I left Gemini at home? Without the many corrections she requires I was able to focus on an even stride; but then again, how even would that stride have been without days one and two?

5K Diary - Week One

4/1-3/13: Having a very difficult time getting outside! Too many requests for my time, cold or wet weather, and just the fear that I won't be able to do it, has kept me inside. How is it possible that I cannot motivate myself and do that which I so desperately want to do?

What finally got me out there? A comment on my first 5K Diary post. I imagined Tami asking me how things are going and me having to say I had not started yet. I definitely did not want to have to give that answer! So, thank you Tami, for helping me get over the motivational hump. 

Week 1 Day 1 (W1D1): This is it! I am going out there today, no matter what!
I thought for sure there was going to be one more jog, but the app said "cool down" so I did, even though I know I could have done another round. My right knee has started slipping (it kinda bends all sorts of directions ie sideways/backwards, which does not feel very good and often makes me lose balance), so I may need to think about wrapping it until the surrounding muscles get stronger. Other than that, I feel great! Gemini enjoyed it too. Only took her about 1.5 times around the track to get the idea that she needed to stay next to me, no matter what her nose was telling her. Roxy was not happy about being left home. Poor Poochie, but those short little legs are just not going to go the distance.

W1D2: My knee has been uncomfortable since that first run. Not because of the first run, cuz this is something I have had for quite some time, though admittedly running did not help. Before going out this morning I scoped out the fridge (freezer actually), discovered several bags of frozen veggies. Am going to commandeer a bag of "Knee Peas" when I get home. Also, I took an extra green pill before leaving and will take my regular dose when I get home. (Don't worry, I know what I am doing.) Hopefully that will keep everything copacetic. Amazingly my knee felt absolutely fine while jogging! I am very happy it was not a painful experience today. However, the back of my ankle had some trouble. 

Looks like I am officially committed; I certainly cannot return the shoes after this

W1D3: The thermometer said 37F when I left this morning; by the time I came home (just about an hour later) it read 50F. So glad I removed that extra layer before heading out. Finished up with a bloody ankle again, though not as bad as before (there was less to rinse out of my shoe anyway). The Moleskin did not stay on; maybe a bigger piece next time? Strangely, I noticed that it hurt less when jogging (barely noticeable, in fact) than it did during the walking phases. Gemini was obsessed with the man at the track, who ended up about 20 feet behind us for the last lap. My left arm got a bit of a workout trying to keep her focused on me. 

Next week the jogging sections are going to be 50% longer. I really need to find a solution for this ankle, and maybe some strong smelling treats to carry in my pockets to keep Gemini's attention. 

Where We Have Been and Where We Are Going

5K Diary - Gearing Up

2/10/13 - Looked into Couch to 5K app that friends have raved about. (OK, maybe not 'raved' per se, but they used and liked it and are regularly running 5Ks now, so it has to be good, right?) Reading the reviews, I discovered some comments regarding difficulty playing downloaded music while using app. Immediately I searched for and downloaded the Pandora app (works out for me since I do not want to add music to my phone anyway, but I really did not want to be out without any) (And honestly, it was not that quickly. First I read the reviews, then did the math of GB usage; I don't want to go over my limit! It seemed to me that at 30 minutes a day 3x per week, I would not be in danger, so I went ahead and installed it)

2/22/13 - Met with Nick (also known as my rheumatologist) for my regular 8-week appt, and ask about running. He said no problem, just start very slowly and get good cushiony shoes.

(If things seem a bit out of order to you, you are right. But I knew I was going to run regardless; asking Nick was just a formality. How fortunate that he was so supportive of the idea)

3/21/13 - Went to Bob's with my multitudes of coupons and Verizon wireless rebate cards (those things just pile up around here, but we really don't buy new phones all that often). Tried on at least one pair from every brand I respect (NOT Sketchers, cuz Princess A had a pair of those and they wore out in 4 months. Did I mention that Princess A ONLY wears sneakers for gym class? What a waste of money those were; I am never buying that brand again.) Had a moment of silence because I did not fall for any Saucony. All my old running shoes were Saucony, but not this time. Today I fell in love with a pair of Nike. I tried very hard not to (hence the trying on of just about every other brand in the store), but the Nikes grabbed me and would not let go. Nearly an hour later, my new sneakers and I were heading to the car. (disclaimer: new sneakers are similar, but not identical to the pic in the link)

(Why is this all taking so long, you ask? Because this is New England in winter; I am not planning to start running before April. Why rush?)
 
3/22/13 - At Curves this morning they were talking about a rumor that it is going to be a cool Spring. Not going to get warmer til mid April. UGH. I do not want to wait that long before I start. Looks like I may be starting in the chill after all.

3/25/13 - Got home late yesterday evening after SONE retreat. (Had to hit the rubber stamp store that was down near there. I figure if I am going to drive for 90 minutes to get to retreat, I am not leaving without a rubber stamp fix.) Oh. My. Goodness. Am I tired. So happy the quartet decided not to rehearse today. 

3/27/13 - Finally feeling somewhat human again after Retreat. Cannot decide, am I that seriously deconditioned from not being able to function for two days, or am I just still over-tired? Gonna chill the rest of this week, and hope to start with the exercise regimen next week. 

3/29/13 - Downloaded Couch to 5K app. I am sure you are wondering why I cannot time myself. But I know that if I focus on my own timing, I will also be focused on every footfall, and every breath and every... well, you get the picture. For $2.99, I can zone out and enjoy my run.

In Like a Lion, Out Like a Lamb

I have always liked the saying, "In like a Lion, out like a Lamb" when it comes to March. It reminds me that Spring will soon be here. When it is a snowy winter, I love the season, but when just dark and gray and the ground is brown, not so much. 

Way back in elementary school (first grade maybe?) Princess A made a lion face and a lamb face. Around the first of March these are hung; one on the door going in (the lion) and the other going out (lamb). These little guys always make me smile and are one of my absolute favorites of her art projects over the years.

Yesterday was been a mixed bag. Woke up to several inches of snow on the ground, but by school bus time it was sleeting. Changed to rain and freezing rain for a while, then suddenly snowing fast and furiously again. Two hours later what was covering the driveway from that second snowfall was gone. The lion is losing her roar. The lamb is edging her way in. 

I was not sure what to do with this weeks sketch(#190) over at Tuesday Morning Sketches until I saw the challenge this week at Twisted Tuesday Challenges(#46). The sketch could not have been any more perfect!

Therefore, I made two.

Where are the pearls on this first card, you are wondering? Look closely at the flowers behind Riley's and the lamb's ears, and also the one still growing on the left.

The lamb is made wooly with Liquid Applique. I don't think it is physically possible for me to make a sheep and not puff it out with that stuff.

While perusing Facebook last night, I discovered a lucky coincidence; this card also qualifies for the Riley and Company challenge(#0613) this week. Oh happy day!

On the second card, the little rim of 'metal' between the handle and bristles of the paintbrushes is colored with a Gelly Roll Stardust clear glitter pen. The pearls here follow the sketch more closely.



Happy First Day of Spring!    

Card Details:

Image: Riley & Co

Sentiment: N/A

Cardstock: SU, GP, unknown dp

Ink: Memento

Tools: SU square punch

Coloring: Prismacolor markers

Embellies: Viva Pearl Pen, Liquid Applique, SU buttons, SU bakers twine, Gelly Roll Stardust glitter pen

Turkeyfly or Butterkey? You Be The Judge

Green With Envy Over Your Recent Make-Over

I spent some time the other day perusing SCS, but I could not find another swap that interested me; Hence another "What Women Want" card was born. 

I knew immediately what stamp set I wanted to use, so off to Tuesday Morning Sketches I went. The sketch(#189) was perfect! 
Oh, but wait, there's a catch. A color scheme is attached. I know I have been out of it for a while, but I do not remember ever seeing that before. Oh well, who says a make-over card has to be pink anyway?! After all, my favorite color is green...

You may notice in the original sketch there is a little swirl around the image, or in the case of this card the sentiment - I know, I know, I said I was not a fan of sentiments, but in this case I made an exception. Anywho, back to the swirl. I do not have anything like that and am too cheap (not to mention lazy) to go out and purchase, especially as I would need not just one, but eight. (I almost always make swap cards in sets of eight. Six to send, two to keep.) To compensate for my lack of funds/desire/energy I used a swirly embossing folder. I think it worked just fine.

After my card was made, I remembered I needed to check Loves Rubberstamps Challenge blog to see if I won anything last week (I didn't). While I was there, I discovered this weeks challenge(#43) is "Shades of Green" so this card will be entered there as well. BONUS!

Card Details:

Image: Stampin Up

Sentiment: SU

Cardstock: SU, GP

Ink: SU

Tools: Cuttlebug, embossing folder

Coloring: N/A

Embellies: Prima - Iced Got Flowers, unknown rhinestone brad