You gotta walk before you can run

Yep. How true is that? I am significantly bigger than the last time I was training and it shows. I thought I could train the same way I did in the past. I couldn't have been more wring. I started doing the standard C25K program but have had to put that on hold because I found that I couldn't even get through Week 1, Day 1. I even tried it twice. Needless to say, this was disheartening but I decided to revise my schedule. I am now walking 40 minutes a day, 3 times a week. While I keep telling myself I am not looking at distance, in reality, I am. Right now, I'm up to a little over 2 miles in that time. I think I will do better once all of the blisters on my feet heal.

My goals remain the same though I may not meet my first unofficial little goal of doing a 10k in May. I'm not discouraged by that though. The end goal is the same. Next February I am running a half marathon, even if it kills me!

until next time, happy running

New Shoes and gear!

Ater my first run on my road to fitness, I developed blisters on my feet. I examined my running shoes and after a good bit of thought, realized they were over 3 years old. Yikes! The very next day, I went to the running store to get fitted for a new pair. I knew that it was very likely that I would not end up with a new pair of the same kind of shoes given that I'm a good bit heavier than when I was previously fitted and have had one fractured ankle and one stress fracture. Simply stated, my feet and ankles are different than they were 3 years ago.

I decided to actually take a lunch break and made the trek to the running store. After about an hour, I left with a new pair of ASICs and Superfeet inserts. One tip: don't go to be fitted for running shoes wearing a skirt. It is a little difficult to run outside in your "professional" clothes. After a somewhat embarrassing and jiggly test run in my shoes, I left the store with my wallet about $150 lighter and super jazzed about running in my new shoes.

Unfortunately, I didn't get to try out my new kicks today because I had to work late. This whole being a lawyer thing is getting in the way of my running!!

Rest of my must have gear:

Sweaty bands! Whether you have long or short hair, these non-slip hair bands are a must have! I buy mine on amazon because that is about the cheapest place to order them if you have amazon prime. Personally, I like the thick bands the best. I've used them when my hair was really long and really short.

Body glide. For the fat running lawyer, this is a given. Put it anywhere you think your skin might rub together. Thighs, arms, "the girls", everywhere!

A good pair of headphones. This is really a trial and error practice to find the ones that work for you, your run, and your ears. I'm currently using Sennheiser PMX 70 Sport. I'm not sold on them yet because they still hurt my ears. Standard earbuds are a definite no-go for me because they are too large for my ears to wear for extended periods of time.

I'm sure there is more gear that I'm missing here but wouldn't run without. I'll update as those items come to me.

Until next time...happy running.

Week 1 Day 1

First run in forever! It about killed me but I did it. Injury and laziness sidelined me for far too long. I decided to start the C25K program to get back on track and begin my year long journey to run a half-marathon. Disney Princess Half 2013 here I come!

I realized that it wasn't the smartest thing to just start running after 2 years off, I should have gotten my running shoes refitted. I now have blisters on both feet but it's all good. I'm going tomorrow to get my shoes refitted and finding soles for my big flat feet.

Until next time...happy running

Getting back in the game

So begins my journey to run my way back in shape or die trying.

When I first created this blog, I had big hopes of running so many races a year and posting my progress on here as a form of journal. That all changed with a "sprained" ankle. I was sidelined for a year before learning that it wasn't sprained; it was fractured. A few months of physical therapy later and I was ready to hit the road again. Or so i thought. Sadly that didn't happen. I let life (well, ok, work) keep me from the very thing that was keeping me sane. Now, I'm back.

As I'm starting from scratch...again, I have decided to do C25K to get me started. From there, the plan is to run the Cooper River Bridge Run (10k) with 30,000 other people. My goal is always to "complete not compete". Good strategy at first, I think. From there, my next goal is to run a half marathon so I can mark it off of my bucket list. I picked out which one I want to do. February 2013, I'll be in Orlando running in the Disney Princess Half Marathon. I believe in writing down your goals because then it makes you more accountable. Plus, it's really fun to strike through things that are on your list as they are completed.

Now, a bit more about me. I'm a young lawyer and currently am the fattest I have ever been in my life at over 200 pounds. Several things can be blamed for that but they're all excuses. I hope that running will help me balance the stress in my life so that I can concentrate on simply enjoying life.

Words of encouragement as I embark on my journey are always welcome. Naysayers can kiss my fat butt.

Peace, Love, Run
FLnSC