Monday, September 20, 2010

Your body is unlike any other machine...

Yesterday was a day I've been dreading! Day numero uno in training for a half marathon in January. I wasn't so much dreading my run. In fact, I've had the itch for the last few weeks to get out running. I came up with a TON of excuses: it's tough to squeeze in runs while Ronnie's in (yeah right, I have nothing but time), it's still too hot out, I'll start when it cools off, etc etc. The truth of the matter is, I was dreading that first run because I knew it would make me realize just how out of shape I've become.

It's always the worst feeling - you're not very far into a run, a fraction of what you used to run, and you're already feeling HORRIBLE. Your legs are tired. Your feeling winded. You think, "UGH, this used to be SO easy...what the heck?!" It's frustrating.

And I wish that I could say, "I went for my run today, and it felt way better than I thought it would...I was cruising along and it was a piece of cake". BUUUUUT that would be a big, fat lie. It sucked. As soon as I left the glorious AC of the hospital and starting picking up speed until I was at a running pace (side note: do you ever milk how long you can walk before you do the awkward lean forward to push your body into a running speed? Anyone know what I'm talking about? I know my mom does because when we run together, we both wait for the OTHER one to initiate the lean forward to signal that we're starting to run.) Anywhoo...as soon as I started running I was thinking, "Man....maybe 105 IS hot". But then I started to fall into a rhythm and felt pretty good....for about 7 minutes. I pushed myself to run 20. I kept telling myself, "You big weenie, you can make it hurt for 20 minutes." But at the 20 minute mark I allowed myself to stop, and ran/walked the last 10 minutes back to the hospital.

All that being said - I'm excited to run tomorrow. Maybe I'm just a glutton for punishment, maybe I'm crazy?! And don't get me wrong, I'm going to be making all sorts of excuses in my head as I lace up my running shoes, but I can tell you I'm excited because I know it'll bring me one step closer to be back into shape, and ready for my race. And as I always say to Ronnie (I'm sure a very annoying statement as you're pulling for air, but never-the-less I say it) - "Your body is unlike any other machine. It will adapt to the stresses you put on it." I'm gonna show this machine who's boss.................eventually :)

Thinking about joining me and making it hurt for a few weeks, so you can get into stellar shape?! Check out this video to get you PUMPED up!

Pontificated by Mandi
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kelly C's avatar

kelly C · 758 weeks ago

This is my first time postingbut I have been readin you guys for a long time now!! I have to ask, where in the heck do you guys work that you can take such time away from your homes? Did you get paid millions for blogging??? I ask because I go to the hospital now quite frequently and my husband always seems to run out of pto time. He wanted me to ask you guys so maybe you can do a blog about work and fields we cfers and their spouses can go into where we can spend the time we do need in the hospital gettting better and not worrying about our jobs!
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Mandi's avatar

Mandi · 758 weeks ago

Hi Kelly! Ronnie and I both lucked out when it comes to our work. Ronnie works full time for CysticLife, so he can do it from anywhere (he works while he's in getting a tune-up). I work full time for the University of Arizona. I actually work remotely most of the time (since UA is in Tucson and we live in Phoenix), but while he's in the hospital (which is in Tucson), I am able to get some good time in at the office. We both have quite unique situations. I know it can be SO tough when it comes to work. The key is flexible job with great benefits, which is a hard combo to find! So the long and short of it is that we actually don't take time off from work while he's in the hospital, we're just able to work from here :)
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Melanie's avatar

Melanie · 758 weeks ago

You're right - that song does pump you up! I downloaded it to my ipod this am and had the best workout :) Good luck in your training Mandi!!
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Mandi's avatar

Mandi · 758 weeks ago

Glad it pumped you up! How awesome is it to watch people push themselves so hard they can't stand up? CRAZY!
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CFMama · 758 weeks ago

That's an awesome goal! I want to run a half marathon eventually but I need to get my endurance back up...I think I will make my goal the 5K turkey trot on thanksgiving morning as long as I am cleared to start exercising by the beginning of october.
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Tara · 758 weeks ago

Bwahahahaha! I had to laugh when you said "running used to be easy." I've never felt that way. I'm glad someone does! Good luck with your training.
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Mandi · 758 weeks ago

Unfortunately "easy" is a relative term. I consider it to be an "easy" run when I don't feel like I'm going to die at the end. I am not a "runner" by nature, so I'm a bit of an awkward runner (not one of those people you see running that seem to just glide)....so maybe my choice of words was a bit off.
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Katelyn · 758 weeks ago

I know exactly what you're talking about... the lean to. I always wait for a curve in the running path before I start my leaning, so that way I feel like the curve is taking me, not my legs. Oh the tricks runners play!! And by the way, I loved that video! I am running a half marathon in 6 weeks and haven't ran in a week because I was so burnt out, but that video got my psyched up again! Thanks for sharing it!

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