On the road again...

I went out for a run this morning. I've stopped doing yoga as frequently, and I started to feel less achey. I thought it might be time for a small run. I have my new insoles now, so I wanted to try them out.

I was a little nervous, but I didn't have high expectations. It had been 5 weeks since I had run, and I had had pain off and on during that time, so I wasn't expecting a miracle. It felt so good to put all of my gear back on and get out there. It was brisk but nice outside. I loved feeling the cold air in my lungs. I ran a mile with no pain at all! That was amazing to me. I turned back towards home, and the familiar twinges started again. I stopped, stretched, walked a little, but I got home having completed about 2 miles. The first mile was at my usual 9-min/mile pace, which surprised me. I felt like I was going slowly and taking it easy. I guess spinning has kept my fitness up.

Both knees are sore now, but I'm not concerned. I'll keep doing my stretches, and I'll try for another run next Wednesday. I felt so good when I got home. I missed my friend, Running, but I'm glad I don't depend on running anymore.

Michael's birthday was so much fun. I hope he had as good a time as I did. We didn't do anything too special, but for us, even the silliest things are awesome. I was just so happy to be spending time with my favorite person in the world. Ahhhh... :)

To My Husband

Dear Michael,

Happy birthday!! I'm so glad that I'm no longer older than you.

I think one of our first unofficial meetings was on your 21st birthday. I believe you came to visit La Salle to celebrate, and I am pretty sure I popped over to Tara's and said hello. As usual, I was too shy to say hi to the cute, shy boy in Tara's livingroom. I'm so glad that at a future birthday party I did get up the guts to talk to you.

I hope you have a wonderful day. I know every day of my life, no matter what happens, is better because you're in it. You're my best friend, my partner, and my love, and I will spend my life trying to make you half as happy as you make me.

Only a few hours until presents and birthday feast!

Love,
Therese

Resting is SO not easy

We had so much fun this weekend in LBI. I definitely overindulged, but I felt very happy (as is evidenced at right). However, as my husband reminds me now that I'm back to being hard on myself, I am not training anymore, and I have to realize that.

Since the marathon, I had it in my head that if I didn't work out just as hard as I did before, I'd gain a ton of weight and be miserable. Now I'm just miserable, because I've been trying to do too much. I was really discouraged when spinning hurt my knee last Friday, because I really like spinning. Then this morning, the elliptical hurt my knee also. However, I'm being pretty stupid about this recovery. My schedule for the past few weeks has been as follows:

Monday: Spinning at 6:30am

Tuesday: 45 min yoga at home at 6:00am

Wednesday: Bike for 30-45 minutes at the gym at 6:30am

Thursday: 45 min yoga at home at 6:00am

Friday: Spinning at 6:30am

Saturday: 45 min yoga at home whenever I get up

I think that amounts to more activity than BEFORE my injury and during training. No wonder the knee started hurting again.

So now I'm going to try to work out 3 times a week. I might try a non-cardio class at the gym. I'm cutting back on the yoga. Maybe I'll try to keep doing the spinning classes on Mon and Fri, but we'll see.

I'm further discouraged, because I know I need orthodics, but I can't see a podiatrist until APRIL! I was really looking forward to training with my mentees. Maybe I'll just start going to their runs to greet them and cheer them on.

I know it's ridiculous, but I just have this fear that I'm going to become completely unhealthy. The Therese of 3 years ago wasn't totally unhealthy, but she was about 30lbs heavier. The Therese of 9 years ago smoked and was 50lbs heavier. So I guess I've come a long way. I'm just too much of a control freak for my own good.

I'll try to focus on the positive and give myself a rest (and some more much-needed sleep)! Now I just need a new habit :)

LBI here I come!

Ah it's Friday...Friday the 13th, but who cares? I'm going to one of my favorite places in the world, Long Beach Island, in a few short hours (that's me there for our anniversary in October). Aaaahhhh.... We are spending a long weekend in a house that we rented with 6 of our friends. This is the group that we go camping with every year, so we're having a winter "camping" trip. I'm so excited.

I need this after this week. I was a juror on a murder trial from last Thursday until this Wednesday. And I've been working out like mad to get ready for the gluttony of this weekend. I did spinning on Monday and today, the bike at the gym on Wednesday, and yoga on Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday. Phew!

This morning in spinning we did a little too much climbing for my knee. So I'm still laying off running, which is fine with me. I'm really enjoying these other ways of working out. I still have this sense of accomplishment now with running, kind of like, "Yeah, been there, done that," so I don't miss it too, too much. It's such an easy way to work out, so I miss that. Waking up at 5:15am for a 6:30 spinning class is much harder than rolling out of bed for a 4 mile run in my neighborhood. But I like the class dynamic.

This morning, my spinning friend and now TEAMmate (she's doing the tri with TNT) were talking about fundraising ideas and events. It's so nice to be on the other side of things and be able to offer help.

I went to the shoe clinic on Sunday and met a lot of the team. Then I was sad that I couldn't run, but I will soon. Everyone's so positive and motivated. I think it's going to be a fantastic season.

We had a TNT reunion last Saturday night at Chris and Tiff's house. It was so amazing. We shared pictures, stories, and lots of laughs. I'm so attached to my team, and I love when we all get together. They're some of the best people I've ever met.

Only a few hours until a very fun weekend. I am so grateful to God for all of my wonderful friends and all of the blessings in my life, especially that wonderful man who promised to be my partner for the rest of our lives.

We are the Champions!

Here's a picture of me and Derrick, who just completed his first half-marathon in Miami for Team Challenge, and our medals! I envy the fact that Derrick's medal spins and has a jewel in it, but I still love my Mickey one. We had a fun evening of celebrating our achievements with our other 2 team members, Alison and Michael. Thanks again, guys, for all of your support!

I'm so excited that a new friend from my spinning class (did I mention I'm obsessed with spinning??) is joining the team!! She mentioned how she couldn't get into the Philly Triathlon, and I mentioned TNT. Now she's joining! Very cool stuff.

I'm still not running, and I start PT tomorrow. However, I'm not missing it that much. I am happy with my accomplishment, and I'm also having fun exploring other ways to work out, like spinning and yoga. I'm looking forward to meeting our whole team. Also, our Disney/Arizona TNT reunion is on Saturday. I cannot wait to for that!!

I wonder if anyone is still reading this, but I will continue to post about TNT. I can't get enough!