On Saturday, I ran a 5k. I know lots of people do this and I have done it in the past, but I am in complete shock that I did. I stopped running several years ago. Every time I tried, I could push myself to 20 minutes and then I'd be hobbling around for the next few days. My knees have been a huge problem. I decided it was time to give up on running. So how did this 5k happen?
There was a Blood Drive/Fun Run activity through a regional area at church (a.k.a. Stake). My ex decided he wanted to take the kids for the day (VERY RARE OCCURRENCE). Since I wasn't sure that he would actually come, I decided that we would go to the activity and run/walk the 1 mile if we felt like it. I also planned to donate blood. That morning, the kids went with their dad and I headed to the church. I felt silly doing the 1 mile without the kids, so I decided just to give blood. When I got there, I found out that they were not able to schedule the blood donation portion. I basically had nothing to do and no real reason to be there. Several different people told me that I had a few minutes to sign up for the 5k. For no real reason, I just did. I pinned the number on and went to the back of the group (about 250 people). I had no strategy or plan other than realizing I'd be limping for the next few days. I thought I'd regret it.
The race started and I had my phone in one hand and my car keys in the other. That shows how unprepared I was. I just started running and weaving around all of the strollers/families with kids. Right before the first mile was done, I heard someone I was passing say "Hi Stephanie." I looked back and it was an acquaintance/friend from church. I quickly decided that I liked her pace and would just start running next to her. She is really into yoga and even teaches it, but has been running the last few weeks to prepare for this. We chatted and stayed together. I think running with her made both of us continue on without any breaks. Our official time was 32 minutes and 11 seconds. It isn't a great time, but I am happy about it.
I am most happy about my knees. I haven't had one ounce of pain. This is incredible!!! I can't say the same about my thigh muscles though. They are quite mad at me..... I guess I can start doing this more often.
Showing posts with label exercise. Show all posts
Showing posts with label exercise. Show all posts
Monday, May 19, 2014
Friday, November 12, 2010
Gift of Sanity
Last year for Christmas, my mom gave the kids & me a membership to the YMCA. Little did I know at the time, that it would be the best gift ever for reasons I wouldn't have guessed.
Sure I was excited about working out more; I envisioned a fantastic goddess-like body that hasn't materialized. I was also thrilled that the kids would get to interact and play with other kids in playcare, while I worked out. The YMCA allows for kids to be in their care for two hours a day while the parents are on the property. I must be honest and admit that sometimes my main motivation for going is for the kids' social lives. There have even been times that I wanted to go mainly for my workout.
Lately though, it has been very clear that going there is the key to my sanity. Not only am I a single mom, but I am a full-time single mom. I don't share custody (because he is in Texas). My kids are not in a mothers' day out program or pre-school. I don't have a babysitter. There is a RARE occassion where my mom will watch them after I put them in bed so that I can run a quick errand or even less often while I go to a movie with my sister. For the most part though, I don't get any breaks. My mom is certainly willing, but I realize that she works too hard to have the energy for silly/loud kids.
As for "me time," I have come to consider me time the time when I am in the shower pretending that I can't hear them arguing and the time that they are in bed sleeping and I am working for my company. Good thing I like my job.
Back to the point, going to the Y means that I have a 2 hour break. I don't have to worry because they are well cared for and I am easy to find if anything should go wrong. It is nice and quiet during the time I go, which is 10 am to noon, when only other moms and senior citizens are there. Plus, exercise gets my blood pumping and reduces my stress. I can feel a huge difference in my ability to be patient and handle the constant chatter on days that we go. Thanks to the YMCA I have survived this last year and I know I'll be ok for the half of next year that I'll be living here.
Sure I was excited about working out more; I envisioned a fantastic goddess-like body that hasn't materialized. I was also thrilled that the kids would get to interact and play with other kids in playcare, while I worked out. The YMCA allows for kids to be in their care for two hours a day while the parents are on the property. I must be honest and admit that sometimes my main motivation for going is for the kids' social lives. There have even been times that I wanted to go mainly for my workout.
Lately though, it has been very clear that going there is the key to my sanity. Not only am I a single mom, but I am a full-time single mom. I don't share custody (because he is in Texas). My kids are not in a mothers' day out program or pre-school. I don't have a babysitter. There is a RARE occassion where my mom will watch them after I put them in bed so that I can run a quick errand or even less often while I go to a movie with my sister. For the most part though, I don't get any breaks. My mom is certainly willing, but I realize that she works too hard to have the energy for silly/loud kids.
As for "me time," I have come to consider me time the time when I am in the shower pretending that I can't hear them arguing and the time that they are in bed sleeping and I am working for my company. Good thing I like my job.
Back to the point, going to the Y means that I have a 2 hour break. I don't have to worry because they are well cared for and I am easy to find if anything should go wrong. It is nice and quiet during the time I go, which is 10 am to noon, when only other moms and senior citizens are there. Plus, exercise gets my blood pumping and reduces my stress. I can feel a huge difference in my ability to be patient and handle the constant chatter on days that we go. Thanks to the YMCA I have survived this last year and I know I'll be ok for the half of next year that I'll be living here.
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Workout Successsssss
This week, I decided to kick my workouts up a notch. I have many reasons including the fact that swimsuit season is fast approaching and I would like to enjoy my time on the beach this year. For the last two days, I have been spending an hour and a half working out at the gym. I now realize that working out is so effective because it makes your body so sore that you have no desire to head to the kitchen for a cookie. I guess my kids will have to figure out how to prepare their own meals and snacks. They will certainly starve if they wait for me to hobble all the way over there.
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