Stupid Achilles Tendon

So I've really started to enjoy running. I never thought that would happen. I think about it a lot. I'm trying a MWF running schedule with TTSS as other exercise days. I've noticed that I'm more toned overall from running. I'm even waking up early to run! I find it easier to run alone, without pushing a stroller and it's definitely cooler.

But, of course, since I got new running shoes (a men's size 10, thank you very much), my running stance has changed. It sure feels like I'm running on a cloud, compared to my almost year old sneakers. However, I haven't been stretching, and so during my Friday run, my right achilles tendon started hurting. I did a little digging on the internet, and of course, the only way to make it better is ice, anti-inflammatories, and rest. How am I going to exercise if I can't use my achilles tendon? Then only thing can think of is swimming, but I'm over at my parents' house, taking care of my grandmother, so I don't have access to my pool. AARGH! I'l keep off of it as much as possible for a few days and see how it goes. (Keeping off my feet is impossible, of course, since I have a toddler, a pre-k boy and my grandmother to take care of.)

I think another reason why I've lost some weight is that I'm subsisting on meat, vegetables and nuts due to thrush issues. You can only eat so much salad until you're either , a) sick of it or b) full. I really want to add some food back into my diet, but thrush is so awful that I really want to kick it out of my system. Noah's eczema is getting better since we went on medicine for the thrush and cut out wheat and refined sugar from his diet. But, it's sure not a "fun diet."

Two more miles!!

I jogged a mile yesterday and a mile and a tenth today. Yay! I think it may be getting easier. My goal is to be up to two miles in two weeks. I'm not going to run everyday, my thighs were protesting at the end of the run today. I think one day on, one day off it a good rhythm. Tomorrow, I'm going to do some stretching and tabatas, probably a plank and some lifting.

I'm still digging my Enell bra. I may have to get a second one!

One mile!

I ran one mile! Or, jogged as fast as I could. Or plodded, rather. 200 pounds is hard to get moving fast.

The hardest part was the first quarter mile, for two reasons. I didn't have the momentum on the first quarter mile that I had the last quarter mile. The second reason? Just as I started running, there were two very fit, good-looking people strolling ahead of me. I kept thinking to myself, great, now they're going to laugh at me, my butt is jiggling all over the place, I bet my face is already beet red, and other undermining thoughts. Then I thought to myself, I'm an adult! Who cares what other people think??? I'm doing this for myself, and I should be commended for exercising, even though I may not be pretty while doing it. So I persevered and they started running, and they never saw my flopping fat. Problem solved in two ways, by reframing my negative thoughts and they left anyone.

So, first mile completed.

2 months to Cape Cod!

I have a more present motivator - only 2 months until we decamp to Cape Cod and beach weather! I ran another half-mile today. It has gotten so hot and humid here - 92 degrees today. Noah actually fell asleep on the run I think I have to start running earlier in the day. Maybe I'll try to wake up earlier and run before the day officially starts. I am going to work on both distance cardio and the HIIT (high intensity interval training), i.e. tabatas. I've read a couple of different sites. Some say to do 4 minutes of 20 seconds on, 10 seconds off, others say 30 seconds on, 90 seconds off for 20 minutes. Thoughts anyone?