totally off topic victory of sorts

[marni]

In a fit of totally insane optimism and a need to prove something (although I am not quite sure what) to myself, and in partial celebration of finally being back up to where I was, weight lifting and resistance wise, before the mastectomy in June, I have signed up for a 5 k on Sunday Nov. 5.

I started training seriously by doing jogging, walking intervals in early Septembers, and it has gone distressingly slowly, running out of air no matter how fast I breath, painful knees for 48 hours after an outdoor session, and in general discouraging. I have been alternating days of outside intervals and trying to just extend time on the treadmill indoors.

I had worked myself up to 1.25 miles in 30 minutes jogging with two short 1 minute walking intervals and then seemed stuck, to the point of starting to try and talk myself out of the goal of three miles, no matter how long it took.

I took a couple of days last week just doing nothing on the treadmill, elliptical, or outdoors (did continue to ride the recumbent and my trainer at very easy pace and very low resistance) because my knees were so sore.

Today, bouyed by the weather, I went out and suddenly within the first 500 feet or so, I hit my pace, slow and steady, no breathing distress, and kept going until I was starting to feel like it might be nice to stop. Check my route mileage and much to my surprise it was 2.04 miles in 36 minutes. Granted that is not speedy, but it a breakthrough of sorts.

I am beginning to think, and possibly believe, that even at my age I can manage a news skill in a senior citizen sort of way. I think that counts a victory as sorts.

marni

[Tokie]

Awesome! I'm so proud of your determination! I wonder if the Livestrong site has referrals or resources for women like you training for a milestone accomplishment after your cancer surgery & treatment? Tokie

[salsabike]

Not even "of a sorts"! A full-fledged one. Good on ya.

[NbyNW]

That's wonderful!

[Sardine]

Definitely. Bravo.

[OakLeaf]

Yay Marni! And not totally off topic whatever! Time to join in the running/walking threads, maybe.