Biker Chick?

So I'm still not a runner yet. I started off walking before I started the Couch to 5k program and I've yet to be able to start the running. Since the beginning I've had painful cramping in my leg. It used to be that I could walk out the cramp fairly quickly and continue on, not anymore. I would tough it out and hobble my way home.

Then we went away on out trip and I took a week off. When I restarted my other leg, that I had considered my "good" leg started cramping and going numb after the cramp would finally release. I tried walking through that and still a couple of weeks later it is not better. I took more time off and searched the internet, hoping to find a stretching routine that would help. I swear the internet is only there to scare you when you're looking up health related things. One list had 260 item where leg cramps and pain were a symptom. I'm pretty sure that I don't have all 260 of them. I know what I really need to do is call my doctor and get myself checked out.

But in the mean time I have discovered that I really enjoy riding my bike and my legs will not scream at me when I do. Maybe I should give up the idea of running and take up biking instead? One of the truly cool sounds on this Earth is the sound of a bike tire whooshing against the road.

Oh and all four of our tomato plants are "in the family way" as my father would say.

Running

I have taken up running. Well right now I have taken it up in theory. I figure it is better to walk until my legs no longer cramp then I can take up running.

My goal is a 5K Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving day. D and Kisknit's husband (Mr 823) ran in it two years ago and last year we were planning on walking it but Mother Nature gave us illness instead. Hubby was tougher than me and went and ran it with both of our timing devices attached to his shoes. So in spirit I crossed the finish line one second before he did. You know I bring that up whenever I can.

Hubby started with the couch to 5K program and it worked for him so I looked into it and decided it may work for me too. The plan is to walk/run at least 3 times a week for 20-30 minutes at time. You warm up then walk for so long and run for a bit then walk for the same time and run for a time, for example walk one minute, run 30 seconds, walk one minute, run 30 seconds. Ya'll following me? Each week the running interval increases while the walking interval decreases, till finally you just run. Sounds pretty doable right?

Since I have not been regularly exercising for a while, I started off with 2 weeks of walking to start, well my legs are not used to that activity so they are forming protest cramps at every workout.  Therefore I have reset my two week walk amount to walk until I no longer have cramping protests. I finished my third week. The cramping is getting better but this week will be a walking week still.

I am a bit frustrated by this but am happy that I did not injure myself. The start of the second week I cramped so bad I limped all but five minutes of my walk, the first five minutes. I have never had a cramp like that. I believe the word I kept saying in my head was WOWEE!

I have been walking the 5K distance on the weekend when I have a chance to recover from it. And do the timed walks twice during the week. Usually before I go to work. Around noon I switch between feeling cranky to feeling a sense of accomplishment. Yay Me!

Now that I know I am sticking to the plan I deserve new shoes, right? There is a running store locally that several people I know use. I guess you do take up running when your friends are runners. I think Mr 823 is plotting world domination and I am just another cog in his Turn-Everyone-in-the-World-into-Runners plan. I will not bow to my evil running overlord! Nope that is not true I have already curtsied in his general direction.

Anyways D and I went to the running store today to get me running shoes, even though I am not yet a runner. They asked me what I wear while measuring my feet. Wait have you seen my feet without wool covering them? Hold on I will take a picture.

I had D come help me gain some perspective for you. The less hairy one is mine. A good 2 inches shorter but just as wide if not more wide than a man.

Turns out I must have inherited my feet from Fred Flintstone, I could peddle a car with these babies! But not without my leg cramping. Do you think that is why I'm cramping, my legs have a hard enough time keeping me balanced on my 2X4 stubs?

Oh back to the store, right. Guess what there is not a huge call to shoe feet shaped like mine. They did not have shoes that would fit me in stock. Honestly once they said my feet were smaller than size 6, I would not expect them to keep those shoes in stock. Turns out one possibility for me having trouble with walking maybe that my foot bends at a different point than the shoe. To get the width I need, I've had to go up in size, which increases the length of the shoe and places my foot to the non-bendy part. Well that is one theory, we have no actual proof yet. It does make sense to me.

As the guy is taking my foot measurements, he's giving me beginners tips. The one we both laughed at? Cotton socks are not recommended, only synthetic or merino wool. Do you have either of those? Yeah Baby I have merino wool socks. You want to see my collection?

Atta Boy

D had a run today so I toughed it up and went to watch him run. Well mostly I just watch him start and finish. It was cold and windy, so cold and windy my knitterly goodness could not keep it out. Brrrrrr!

D's 3 mile group

Combined 10 &15 mile group

And they're off!

I went to find the finish line but it was way too cold for me to stand outside the whole time. I have come to the conclusion that you're not being a wimp if the cold is getting in through the stranded color work mittens. Those things are double thick!

I am so very proud of my Hubby for doing his winter running thing. He ran in a first night 5k and a hangover 5k the next day too. I know he loves this weather and it is great to see him out having fun. He did let me off the hook for the next few runs. What can I say the man wants me to knit him a sweater and there is no real convenient way to do that at runs.

After our delayed tea and scones time today I managed to take some pictures that I will be using here on the blog. Usually by the time I want to take pictures the light has changed and I am out of luck. So my awkward season of placing things on the floor or couch and photographing them has begun. I guess it is better for my neighbors to not see the crazy lady next door taking pictures of yarn and socks in the grass.

Here is to finding you're wintertime fun activity and making the most of it. Me? I will be on the couch with some wool and at least one cat companion.