Thoughts From The Duck

I just realized that it's been weeks since I posted anything!   Due to Snowmageddon II and III, I lost a week of February.  The sidewalk to the gym wasn't plowed, and I'm pretty sure it was closed for all of Snowmageddon.  I did some cross training, and I shoveled my car out twice, so I was being active, but not running.   It's getting warmer in Baltimore, so I don't have to bundle up to run, which has been wonderful.  There were some nights where I was wearing my mask that I bought for ice fishing.  For awhile, the wind was pretty bad.   I'm doing really well with the training group from Charm City Run .  Juda, the trainer, is a saint beyond all words. She is incredibly patient with me.  I am always the last one to finish, and she's always waiting for me in the parking lot, cheering me on.  I've never felt like a burden, even though I probably am.   Today, if my math is right, I did a mile at 18:35, which for me is a...

So, I had my first training group meetings this week.  I am by far the slowest and the least in shape person of the group.  I had a feeling that was going to be the case.  I don't like the attention that this fact creates.  Folks in the group keep thinking that I'm injured or something like that.  I finish last, and as I'm finishing, every person in the group asks me if I'm okay or cheers really loud for me.  I'm fine, I'm just slow!  I'm doing a little better on not pushing myself too hard. On a different note, I did 1.6 miles in 31:50 which for me is pretty awesome!

...with herself.  Patience with others?  I'm pretty patient with others.  With myself?  not so much. Shin Splints.  Shin Splints.  Shin Splints.  I hate them.  I loathe them. So, last night, I joined a training group at Charm City Run .  I'm excited about it.  I'm excited about not being in isolation when I'm running.  The trainer, Juda, has an extreme amount of faith in all of us.  She seems to think that all of us will finish in about 45 minutes.  The plan that she is putting us on is very similar to the plan that I was already on, which is nice.  It's good to know that I was and am on the right track. I've had marked improvement.  When I first started, I was doing 1.25ish miles in about 30ish minutes.  I'm up to 1.3ish in 30ish minutes.  That seems small, but hey, that's improvement.  I'll take improvement any day! I've been realizing something as I've been going through this whole proce...

"When I get sad, I stop being sad and be awesome instead. True story."  Barney Stinson, How I Met Your Mother I have been saying for a couple years that I wanted to start running, and actually run a 5K.  Because of what has been going on, now seems like a good time to start training for it.  So, guess what...2010 is the year!  Training for a 5K doesn't allow me to keep some of the really bad habits I've picked up since arriving in Baltimore.  It gets me up and moving.  So, what does this mean for you dear reader...I need you to keep me honest.  I'm going to need words of support when I don't want to keep going.  Many of you are runners as well, and know more than I do, so I will need questions answered when they arise.  And in general, I need you to be awesome.  Because, well, you are.  Honestly, I need me to be awesome, too.   The last time I saw the inside of a gym was while I was still in Minnesota!  So, the plan I ...