pianolady2005

Assassin's Apprentice and the other 2 books in Robin Hobb's Farseer Trilogy. The characters are so real and exhibit emotions that made me think about my own emotions. These books have excellent dialogue and some of the quotes from different characters have stuck with me for many years. This was one of the first books that I got my mom to read as well, and started the two of us sharing books and being able to talk about them with each other.

Sounds like a great day! Congrats!

Good ideas about finding a true running store and have them evaluate me. I will do that once a new pair of shoes are in the budget. As for trail running, I figure it's worth a shot. My muscles are fine with running, it's the darn bones that hurt - which is what's making this whole thing super frustrating. There is also an area nearby where I can try running more or less on flat grass, so I can give that a shot too. Neither one is going to happen until next week so we'll see how I feel then.

I wear New Balance shoes that I got fitted for at their store. They seem pretty good but since I've never been a runner I really don't know what works or doesn't for me yet. But they're comfy and no blisters or anything. For stride, I think I strike heel first. Would probably need someone to actually evaluate my run. I had a trainer once do that and she advised that I keep my head up and keep my hips in line as I used to attempt running with my shoulders forward. Now I try to stand tall and straight. Other than that I've no idea what my form is like. The only other exercise I do is walking and ninpo. I've found that ninpo is good for strengthening my thighs and our ab set definitely makes me feel it the next day, but it's not a lot of cardiovascular exercise on a consistent basis. Depends on which skills we're working on that day. I've been icing and that does seem to help. In chat the general consensus was that if I try running on a softer surface it will help my legs to adjust to running with less pain than pavement. Not sure if I'll be able to do that this week schedule-wise. I figure I can walk again Saturday and skip the intervals, then next week I will try the trail and running some.

Ok, my new w00t for today is that after posting my last update, I went on chat and got some advice. Have now found a trail that I'm going to attempt running so that I won't be hitting pavement. My w00t? I didn't give up, and how have a modified game plan rather than just quitting. :-)

Feeling so dejected right now. Did my walk/run 3 times last week, with a day off in between. Between work and letting my shins rest I took 4 days off after that. Tuesday morning I did my routine again. Within 6 steps of running the pain was back. Seemed a little better though so I pushed through and completed my routine. Took yesterday off. Today I just tried again and it was absolutely awful. Did 1 block of running and felt like my legs were going to break every time my feet hit the ground. Walked some, then when I tried my second block, I could only get through half of it before I just couldn't do it anymore. I'm so frustrated. It's not my breathing that's holding me back or my muscles, it's my bones. They hurt to the touch and I'm getting tired of hurting. Muscle pain I can handle but this really gets to me. Didn't even finish my walk. I really don't know what I'm doing wrong - I thought this would get better but it's only getting worse and it's not like I'm asking my body to do anything crazy or attempting to run every day. How do I find the balance between pushing through and not feeling like I'm injuring myself?

Ok, glad to know it's not just me and it will get better. Thanks for the encouragement :-)

As a beginning runner, how much are my shins supposed to hurt? Today was my 3rd time doing my routine with intervals, with a day off in between walks. I feel like my breathing is coming easier during the running parts, which is great. However, my shins hurt. A lot. With each step, I just want to stop. Is this what everyone goes through to become a runner? I stretch before and after, and periodically throughout the day. My shins hurt more now than earlier this week. What should I be doing differently? I'm super frustrated right now.

I love those 2 ideas! Ellet, going to your meeting and committing yourself to going again is a BIG w00t!

Did my route again today after taking a day off. Oh boy have I been feeling that first set of intervals! This morning I decided that I'm not injured, I just need to get used to it. Did the exact same routine as before. The first block of running seemed to come much easier than 2 days ago. The second one was still hard, but I think knowing that I had done it before was a great help and it didn't seem as big of a struggle. The current plan is to continue doing this routine until my legs don't hurt anymore, then add 2 more blocks of running. That sound about right? Oh, and just doing those intervals have knocked my time from 65 minutes to 61. Maybe I'm walking faster too and not realizing it? When I get the route down to 45 minutes I plan on adding the next street over, which would be another 4 blocks of length. Wow, I'm super proud of myself for going out there today and feeling great that this running thing seems doable probably for the first time for me!

I've NEVER been a runner. Not working up to it, running in the past has given me awful shin splints which made me think I just couldn't do it. Always wanted to simply run a mile, or even a block, and not feel like I was going to die. Well, I've been working up to it this summer. Started walking in my neighborhood in the mornings, weaving up and down the streets. Usually takes me 65 minutes or so to do 24 city blocks walking. The intent with this was to add intervals of running/jogging. Well, today I did my first walk with intervals. I ran a full city block without stopping to walk. Not a full on sprint but not super slow either just a comfortable running pace for me. Wasn't easy to complete that block, but I kept my eye on the stop sign at the end of it and didn't let myself stop until I got there. Reached the stop sign and went straight back into my walk. Did another 3-4 blocks and decided I had it in me to do another block of running. Got halfway through that block and wanted to walk. Remembered that growth occurs at the limits, and kept going. Got 3/4 of the way down the block and really, really wanted to walk. But I thought to myself that if members of the NF rebellion were standing there with me, they'd encourage me and push me to finish what I started. And I completed my second block of running. :-) Then I finished my walk, doing the same route as always. Yay!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks you guys! Tonight is my first full class with my new level stuff since part of last week's time was taken up by testing. Should be interesting!

I passed my test today in Ninpo with a 99%! Now I've got a new stripe on my belt :-) Yippee!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!