Running!

So, if you've been with me for a while, then you may remember OUCH!, a post that I wrote about my insane decision to start running. That post was written written 17 months ago. Shortly afterward, I gave up running because it hurt too much. Literally. My hip just wouldn't forgive me, so I figured that I just wasn't cut out to be a runner. But recently, it occurred to me that I should give it another try, but first try to strengthen my hips and other joints that might decide to complain.

I'm following a program called Couch Potato to 5K. It is a fitting title since I certainly identify with "Couch Potato" far more than "5K". My goal isn't even to run in a 5K race or any other race for that matter - I just want to be able to run down the block without getting winded. I regularly see runners and it looks like such a free and fun form of exercise. They go faster and farther than I have ever dreamed of going, even with power walking. I aspire to be like them, running like a gazelle through the woods and valleys, without a care in the world. Never mind the fact that I will never have a runner's body since I am barely over 5 feet tall and weigh much more than a gazelle.

My daughters and I started this program while I was visiting my family in the Upper Peninsula. I figured it would be better to get started on gravel rather than pavement because gravel is a little "softer". That, and no one would see me. I have to give my body credit because it is bouncing back better than I thought it would. It was my knee, not my hip, that has been groaning this time, but I bought a knee brace, and I've used liberal amounts of ice.

Still, so far, I'm not feeling like a gazelle. It feels more like I'm hurling 50-lb. sacks of potatoes onto the pavement with each step. But I am slowly but surely increasing my endurance, as measured by the fact that I'm hyperventilating less and less.

However, I feel that something is different this time. I think (I hope, I pray) that I am absolutely determined to show myself that I can do it! I feel pretty good about it since I've made it a week and a half and I haven't quit yet.

Regularity

Thoughts on becoming a regular blogger again. . . . .I seem to be suffering from blogger constipation. For days, weeks, months, I was prolifically writing about anything and everything and then suddenly, I'm stopped up. Can't find a darn thing to say or the time to say it. That's because of the whole new element I've added to the diet of my life, which is work. Now, you might think that makes work sound bad, but au contraire, think about it: The foods that tend to not do our digestive systems well are the ones that are usually the most pleasurable. It's the roughage of broccoli and flax seeds that get the plumbing going, right? But we don't enjoy them nearly as much as a gooey piece of chocolate cake.

So, I am indeed enjoying the cause for my blogging backup - I'm still in the honeymoon phase of the job - where I actually can't wait to get to work in the morning (part of that is just the fun of escaping from the kids) and I am genuinely disappointed when the work day comes to an end.

I think I need to gradually work the roughage of life back into my blogging arena. It's usually the stressful situations that end up being the best fodder for a blog post written with wit and sarcasm.

Besides, I can't poke fun at my new job yet, since I'm still only a temporary employee.

Respect for my fellow bloggers

Hey, all of you who are still out there, writing on a regular basis - kudos to you! I'm finding it quite difficult now that I have a whole new factor thrown into my life - work!

Still likin' my job as a school secretary (yes, we're open all summer), and still not knowin' if I'll be hired permanently. But that's ok. Trustin' God to work it all to the good. And hopefully once this gets to be routine, I will be a more regular blogger again.