Back out hitting the pavement!

I finally started running again! I went for my first run on the 7th since breaking my arm at the end of September. It was frightening but exhilarating at the same time. I am so so happy to be back out there where I feel I belong. It really does help to clear my head and give me some focus.

I'm incredibly proud of myself. The only obstacles I am trying to overcome right now are the huge feelings of self consciousness that are making me not want to be out there. I've gained a bit of weight since my injury and I just feel out of shape and like a huge blob slugging along outside. I know this will fade with time but it doesn't help the hurtful things that people say to you as you pass them by. Why people say things like that.. I have no idea. I've never felt the need to insult someone who was working out in public no matter their weight. I was just proud of them for taking care of themselves and their bodies and look forward to my next workout. Sigh.

Other than that I am happy to say I am looking forward to all of my future runs, getting back to my 5k time and distance, and signing up for some races. I am particularly interested in looking for some 5k runs that are raising money for cancer as I have had 2 people in my life this year die from the disease and I'd like to run for them and raise money for the American Cancer Society. If anyone knows of any in the NYC area, please let me know!

It's been forever..

So my arm is now fully healed. No more cast. No more breaky owie pain. It's good to go and I got clearance from the doctor. I just need to buy new running sneakers since my previous ones are tied up in the lawsuit right now. Really nervous about starting running again. It's how I broke my arm.. and now I feel like I just won't be able to relax and get in the zone. I may just go to the track for a while to take away the paranoia of falling and breaking something else. I know I'm going to be slow as shit.. but that's okay. I'm really excited to get back out there.. But very scared at the same time.

I hope I'll have some positive updates soon!

I broke my arm on a run last week from a really bad trip and fall due to a store's negligence. Really bummed and trying to keep positive. Safe running to you all!!

P.S: Having a RoadID also helped to get me medical attention sooner and notify my Mom since I was in so much pain when the accident occurred and I couldn't even coherently tell the two passerby's who to call for me besides 911. I never thought it'd come in handy but it did. I def suggest one to any runner no matter the level or the distance you are going out for since I got injured only a quarter mile in. http://www.roadid.com/Common/default.aspx

Better entry when I can type with 2 hands or get a scribe.. lol.

An update -- Judgemental people on the road

So I know I've been neglecting my blog but I've been working a ton and still trying to stick to my running.

I signed up for a local neighborhood 5k which I'm really excited to attend. I even got one of my co-workers to sign up so e are going to do the race together (Probably not alongside each other because I'm sure she's faster and more in shape than I am).

I've been having a few bumps in the road with my diet and gained 2lbs back but I'm back on track and have lost the weight again and busted out the healthy food and pushed the cheeseballs and beers away. :D

I've also missed running at night. I did so the other night and it was fantastic. I remembered how much better and focused I feel at night and how great I feel about myself and my body.


I'll paste something here that I posted to daily mile about the run I just came back from..


Alright. I'm starting to really yearn for night runs for a few reasons. 1. I'm more focused. 2. Less car traffic. 3. LESS IDIOTS WHO LAUGH AT ME FROM INSIDE THEIR CARS. Seriously now.. seriously? Are we really going to laugh at individuals who are trying to achieve a healthier lifestyle? I know I'm 212lbs and all but I can probably still run longer and faster than you who sits on their couch all day devouring cheese balls and whom never run a mile straight in their life. When I'm nice and fit you'll still be miserable in your car looking for people to laugh at.

^^ Basically how I felt. Ugh. Just getting tired of people who spend their whole time judging others except themselves. I have never judged someone who works out. Even walkers. I passed by a really overweight walker today and said hello and smiled to him. I also hope I inspired him because I know how hard it is to stay motivated when you're obese/overweight and you feel like the entire world is laughing at you for trying to make a change. It is definitely hard to run out there when you feel self-conscious about your own body. I'm sorry I'm not the attractive female runner out in short shorts and a sports bra. But you know what? I'm working on it. But either way, no matter the shape of someones body.. How about we worry about ourselves? Stop being so interested in making fun of that "fatty" who is running 2-3 miles everyday or even for the women who are just trying to lose a few pounds. NOT EVERYONE IS PERFECT. AND NOT EVERYONE DESERVES YOUR JUDGEMENT. Look at yourself. Something is probably seriously wrong with how you feel about yourself if you spend your whole day making fun of others.

Injury free!

Finally! Finally I can say I am now running injury free. :) After for running nearly a month with shin splints and trying to overcome them with ice, rest, and cross training.. Last weeks runs were great and I experienced no shin pain whatsoever. Even though I was upset with work, I am very happy that it intervened and forced me to not run.. Because it allowed for adequate recovery time! I went on 3 runs last week all of which I experienced no discomfort (except for 1 but it was because I nearly twisted my ankle trying to dodge someone in my way). I am building up slowly of course. I only started with 1.5 mile runs last week. I normally do 3 miles so this was a huge scale back for me. That's okay tho. Next week (This week) I am planning on doing 2 more runs at 1.5 miles and then doing my last run at 1.75 miles. I've also been paying a lot of attention to my gait. Things are getting better..

and guess what?

I ran my fastest this week! All of my runs were under a 13 min/mile, my fastest being at 12:19 min/mile. This break was definitely worth it! I just got to get my diet under control and things will be golden. I am losing weight as well. I like that my job does not allow for any snacking. :)

A happy post.

The only negative thing I am adding is that I might not be doing my 5k Brooklyn Bridge on Sunday. I don't want to push it from my injury.. and that's okay with me. Even though the Brooklyn Bridge is my all time favorite bridge.. I will sacrifice the race and run the bridge by myself when I'm ready. :) Pretty sure after my recovery I will have a nice PR on it. ^__^ Plus, there are always more 5k races to sign up for. I am looking forward to doing a local run in my neighborhood in October.

Looks like I won't be running my Brooklyn Bridge 5k. My job makes me work on Sundays and since I just started last week.. I definitely can't already ask for a personal day off. Hopefully I get an afternoon shift that day because sometimes it varies and I'll be able to make the run in the morning.. Only thing that sucks is that I can't pre-register because I don't want to spend the money if I'm not running it.

Speaking of work..

It has made it increasingly difficult to work out at all. I worked out 1 day last week and that was a pathetic run. I haven't run since. My work schedule is making me work the night shift and I'm not a morning exercise person at all. I'm going to have to figure something out and start scheduling in my runs and my workouts earlier in the day. Maybe I can squeeze them in before work but I don't like the idea of having to bring my sweaty gym clothes to work since they check everything in our bags and it'd be pretty embarrassing to have my sweaty underwear and stuff in there. Gross. But, I promise myself that this week I will at least try for 3 workouts. Let's see how that goes. I'm so used to worked out 5-6 days a week.. but if I can squeeze in 3 runs/gym workouts and maybe do some yoga with the Wiifit and Netflix at home it won't be so bad. When I get my bike to ride to the gym or the track my workouts will become a lot easier since I won't waste nearly 45 mins walking to and from the gym or the track/dirt trail (easier on my shins which I really need right now).

Other than that my weightloss has been slow. I'm having a really hard time controlling my diet and sticking to my healthy foods. I will promise myself to get back on track again. I need to stop eating my feelings and giving into temptation.

Chronic shin splints..

Every time I really get into running.. the shin splints return. I try to be good. I try to give myself rest. I try to watch my form. I take anti-inflammatorys. I ice my shins. But they keep returning. I get really bummed out. I know I have to take time off and seriously cut back on mileage but I'm really addicted again and I love going out. I went out in the rain today and felt great. The streets were basically empty and I felt awesome but the shin pain became too much every time I took a walk break.

I'm going to do more cross-training at the gym this week on the elliptical, do some yoga/pilates, and some cycling.. but nothing beats running. I think I may just limit myself to 1.5 miles on my run days. Is that still too much? I just feel like I can't keep myself off the road that long. I promise I will do my 1.5mi on the dirt trail. I sweaaaar. Just don't keep me off the road. :( I swear I won't run on cement this week..

Sigh. I just really feel like running is the time where my brain gets some time to be free. I over think and analyze every little thing in my life (which is one of the main reasons I have major depressive disorder) because I can't turn my brain off. When I'm running.. I can get a break. The only thing I focus on then is my pace, stride, breathing, and if that bike is going to hit me or if I'll make it across the street before the stoplight changes. I don't wanna lose it. Plus, I want to PR my 5k time at the Brooklyn Bridge 5k run I'm doing next month.

But.. I do understand I need to rest. I wish I could have a perfect stride, perfect weight, perfect everything so that I don't end up with an overuse injury..