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What I've Been Up To

I've had a project going for many months now and since it's about to come to the time where I put my money where my mouth is, I've decided to announce it here (to my 2 loyal readers!)

One month from today, Sunday December 5th, the Princess and I will run the Las Vegas Rock 'n Roll half marathon.  Yes, I said half marathon, as in 13.1 miles.  No, I am not a runner.  In fact, before I started training for this, the last time I actually jogged, my age began with a 2.  And that was a long time ago, specifically, about 30 years ago.

Backtracking a bit, I actually began my quest to get into better shape last January.  I was at our place in Palm Desert and it was raining.  What else did I have to do in the rain than eat and knit?  So that's what I did.  When I got home, I was so disgusted with my weight, I started on a South Beach-type diet, began working out more with my Wii (lots of fun and actually a good workout, if you use the right programs and are diligent about it).  I started losing weight slowly. All was good.

Then last summer, the Princess told me that she had signed up for the Rock 'n Roll half marathon.  Her friend had done the Seattle half, and wanted to go to Vegas and do it again.  I thought that that would be a good goal for me, too, so I looked up training programs and slowly started jogging.  The friend later backed out, so now it's just the Princess and me.

Anyway, I took the 12 week training program and added a bunch of weeks to it.  Of course, I had to buy all the running gear.  And of course first my knee started hurting.  Then my foot started hurting.  I went to the doctor, I went to physical therapy, I went to the Podiatrist.  I do exercises, I ordered orthotics, I stretch and do yoga.  And as of today, a month shy of the race, I went 7.2 miles, right on schedule.  My knee hurt a good part of the way, my time is quite slow, but in general I'm very proud of myself.  I know that I can do the 1/2 marathon, finish in probably 3 hours, and live to jog another day.  I've lost about 19 pounds since last January, I have more energy, I feel better, and I know that I'm going to accomplish this goal that I set for myself.  At the ripe old age of 57, I think that's pretty good.

Wish me luck.

Comments

A :-) said…
Wow!!! This is so exciting!! What a great project :-) I know you will do just fine. I have a friend who runs the Rock and Roll half marathons and likes them very much. Can't wait to see the photos!!

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