I used to be....

[rocknrollgirl]

You still are a runner girl and a biker chick....you always will be. You just have to let her out again.

[Tri Girl]

I know what you mean! It's been months since I dragged my butt outta bed for pre-work workouts. See, now you've inspired me to just go do it in the morning.
You can do this, Amanda. Like Cheri said, once those endorphins kick in, you'll be back on the wagon in no time! We'll be here to either kick your butt, or support you when you need a tender ear to listen. We're good for both!
Now- get out there and run your little legs off!!!

[Aggie_Ama]

You still are a runner girl and a biker chick....you always will be. You just have to let her out again.

Thank you!!

Day 1- Finding the Old Ama

I went down to my favorite running path today. It was still pretty hot, muggy and my allergies are pretty bad right now but I refused to let this sideline my run. I started out and really felt pretty awful from wearing heels today. Most of the run I felt like a newbie (note to self- drink more water) but I kept on pushing. I made it 21 minutes before I had to walk. I walked for about one minute and then pushed along. I ended up having to walk to more times before I made it to end of the trail.

Overall I ran 34 minutes with about 3 minutes of that walking. I feel very good about my efforts and remember why I enjoy running. I have really missed it.

Tomorrow I will pull my bike out and hit the road for about 19 miles after work. I will not let myself sit on my butt!

I might need some gentle TE pushing, my DH and I always do a hilly 5 mile "Turkey Trot" on Thanksgiving morning. After today I know I am not anywhere near where I want to be.

[Tri Girl]

Great job Amanda!!!!

[chickwhorips]

good job! you got out there, so what if you had to walk more than run, you did it!

tomorrow when you pull the bike out you'll remember how much you love it too.

way to go!!!! go amanda, its your birthday, go amanda.

[deidre]

I run and bike as well (or I used to). Not a very fast runner or biker. About a month or so ago, my knees starting hurting on the uphill portion of my run. I stopped to walk and then tried to run again. And the knees started to hurt once again.

I decided to take some time off from running to give my knees a break. And guess what happened? I just took some time off of everything. Didn't walk, didn't bike, and didn’t go the gym for spin class or weight training. In the last 4 - 6 weeks, I would be lucky if I have run/biked/exercised/anything 4 - 6 times. Okay, maybe not that bad but pretty close.

I tried running last week on the treadmill and had to stop after 1/2 a mile. I successfully ran 3 10Ks in the last 8 or 9 months so I know that I can build back up to my 6.5 mile runs slowly.

Tomorrow is a new day and I'll start it with some type of physical activity.

[emily_in_nc]

Excellent! Sounds like you're already on the road to coming back strong!

You can come back from "ruts". I had a BIG one when my dad died in a car accident last October. Didn't do much of any exercise besides walking the dog for months afterwards. Just sat on the computer and wrote and wrote, and curled up in bed and read and read. Cried a lot too.

Slowly but surely, over the course of the late winter, spring and summer, I started hiking and weight-lifting, then mountain biking, then trail running, road riding again, and even got in a few paddles (kayak) recently. I feel stronger than ever and am enjoying all the activities even more.

You'll do it too.

Emily

[CyclChyk]

Go get 'em Aggie! And stop being so hard on yourself. Life Happens! You are smart enough to acknowledge the negative and counter it with a positive!

You'll be back to par before you know it!

[rocknrollgirl]

The Turkey Trot is still 6 weeks away...you can do it....putting a race on the schedule always keeps me on the straight and narrow.

Hope you had a good ride today.

[Tina]

I'm just a newbie here, but I wanted to chime in since your story is so familiar and say way to go on the run! I understand what you're going through. Long boring story, but I became physically unable to work out at all seriously for about 1 1/2-2 yrs. Though we'd go for hikes or ride our bikes, I'd pay for it afterward. Recently I decided I'm repaired enough to get my fat arse up and start moving again regularly. Well, the first couple early mornings were NOT easy, but I did it. Then I realized that not even a week into setting my alarm to get up, I was waking on my own - and even much earlier - because I couldn't wait to get outside! I think cherinyc is spot-on with her thoughts on endorphin effects.
Anyhoooo....have a SUPER ride tonight!

[runner2]

Slowly but surely, over the course of the late winter, spring and summer, I started hiking and weight-lifting, then mountain biking, then trail running, road riding again, and even got in a few paddles (kayak) recently. I feel stronger than ever and am enjoying all the activities even more.
Emily

IT'S GOOD AND HAPPY TO KNOW YOU ARE BACK TO ROAD RIDING AGAIN!!!!!

[Tri Girl]

You're doing great, Amanda! Just hang in there, and you'll be back at it in no time.

Oh, and BTW, I'm glad that we don't have to deal with all the UT-OU crap this weekend. If the game ever comes up here, I'm moving. Yikes! It's bad enough that I live within earshot of OU, I can't imagine the mayhem down there. Sorry you have to deal with it!!! Sooner fans can be pretty obnoxious (but then again, I'm sure UT fans are just as bad). I'm glad it's over for you!

[Aggie_Ama]

UT fans are annoying when you are an Aggie and want to get home on Friday! I was fortunate to be home napping that afternoon.

So I took a break Sunday, was exhausted from taking my DH to doctor's appointments Monday and lazy last night. Tonight I wasn't going to sit at home. I went down to the fitness center at my apartment and pushed myself to 3.35 miles in 30 minutes. It was hard, but I am happy I did it. Tomorrow DH wants to ride- yippee!! It is supposed to be cool, I might have to break out the arm warmers.