Happy Wednesday

I started my new plan of exercise. I’m really enjoying getting back into my dvd exercising and I know I need to do those strengthening exercises. My other plan was to aim for better breathing while running by pushing myself aerobically.

When I was out Monday running (and gasping for air) I got to thinking and it was nagging me that this was not the way to do it. Well, the gasping part. That doesn’t seem right to me. I wish I could afford an expert right about now. I really am confused on how hard to push myself.

I ran a mile to warm up, then tried some hill sprinting. The hill was a ton of fun actually. I got to run faster than normal (wheee) and so fun to hit the top and get to stop! I walked back down the hill to catch my breath and repeated 4 more times. (This isn’t a very big hill, just big to me).

When I got home two things happened. My shin started hurting and I found an encouraging comment on one of my posts by Runningcurves (thank you). She mentioned I should check out Jeff Galloway’s books about his using a run/walk ratio to qualify for Boston. So, while icing my shin, I checked out Jeff’s website. I have to say he makes a good case for his method. He claims a high success rate, faster times, and less injury. He says you should never run so hard that you can’t complete a sentence without gasping for air between words. Hmm, just what I was thinking. He said to always walk before getting to that point. I didn’t get through all his information or order a book yet, I was mostly checking out the beginner stuff. But he says this method is good for experienced runners also.

Based on the time you get doing his run test, you follow his recommendation for intervals repeating run/walk through the entire distance set for the day. This is how I started doing my c25k and somewhere I decided I needed to progress faster to running. Which lead to running until I couldn’t and then walking, which is what he says not to do.

I’m going to take what feels like a step backward and try this method to see how it goes.

Monday was also the day I set to sign up for some 5k’s and zumba class. Abbi at Where the Wild Things Are suggested I try zumba for some good aerobic work (thank you). I was able to find a local class starting soon. Since my shin was hurting (a lot) I decided to wait a few days on the 5k’s. But I signed up for the zumba class anyways, because I knew if I didn’t right away, I would chicken out. I really can’t dance and I really have trouble following any kind of routine. But I need to get over myself and do some social exercising. I really believe in pushing out of your comfort zone. Sometimes it works out ok, sometimes not (and that’s ok) but you don’t know unless you try! So next Tuesday evening (once a week meeting) I will start doing some cha-cha-cha-ing or maybe la-la-la-ing, I don’t have a clue.

The shin is doing better. I rested yesterday, no exercise at all. Today I will try a little run/walk and see how that goes.