Walk, walk, walk

Day 9-- I am exhausted today... I didn't go on my regular walk this morning. It was way too cold and raining, besides DisFanatic was home from work today. He suggested we go shopping instead. I don't think I have walked so much. We went to Sam's Club and probably circled the store a few times, went to Best Buy and TJ Maxx, then went to an outlet mall to go check out the new Nike store. If you know my husband you probably know how exhausted I am, if you don't well he is a natural walker. He walks back and forth and at a quick pace too. His sister always gets exhausted with him on vacation. He paces for hours and takes long strides, so I have to walk faster just to keep up. Anyway, I am not sure how much I walked today, but feel it in my knee. I also "played" on the Wii Fit for a bit. I am super excited because my knee has finally listened and I can now do leg lifts. That was something it just did not want to do for a few weeks now. While out shopping I stopped by the book store and picked up "The Complete Book of Running for Women" By Claire Kowalchik. So far it seems as if it is going to come in handy. I can't wait to start running. I have been holding on to something while attempting to jog in place, so hopefully by this time next week I can do a short jog. Keep those fingers crossed!

Hit my first bump...

Day 8-- I really wanted a break today, so I put it off and suffered. I came up with so many excuses not to go. I made the mistake of trying to do the Wii Fit instead. I worked hard and did some new Yoga poses, and strengthening exercises. DisFanatic came home from work and convinced me to go on my walk. He didn't want to see me give up on today. We walked about 1.6 miles. I had the most difficult time walking back though. My leg just felt so tired. I have now decided to definitely do my walk/runs in the morning. I was also reading up on the Princess Weekend from my favorite website, Disboards, okay it is a forum, but they are the best people ever. I was even once again considering on running the 1/2 marathon, but after that walk "No Way!" as my niece would say. I thought I would be brave and attempt to start with a walk and lead into a jog/slow run, not gonna happen. Not ready for that one yet. My knee just couldn't do it, maybe part of it was that my knee was tired. I should try it on a good day. I just need to remind myself that I can do it. I need to focus and not let the problems of everyday life dictate my schedule. I need to realize that my time on the pavement is a calming and should be relaxing, this way I will always want to do it.

So hit my first bump in the road, and got over it. I overcame todays challenge, now I need to stay focused and not lose sight of what is important.

Another day...

Day 7-- I got up this morning already wanting to give in. If I give myself a total day off what if I don't keep up the pace I am already at. After looking out the window for 30 minutes giving myself a pep talk with some encouraging words I opened that door and I was off. I decided not to increase my distance, yet. Instead I am just going to try and improve my pace, breathing and over all time. I do find myself saying "heal, toe, heal, toe". Maybe it is just to make sure I am not hobbling along the road. I don't even realize I do it sometimes. I made my 1.5 miles in 30m 07s. This means I am down a couple of minutes and my pacing is improving! Only about 5 minutes to go for the Disney minimums. I worked out on my Wii Fit again today, now if I could only get my knee to listen to my head. It is a good thing that the Wii is fun and it makes you feel guilty if you do not return daily. I am a bit concerned about this up coming weekend though. We are taking my niece on a fun filled weekend out of town. I know I will be doing plenty of walking there, but it is not consistent walking for my 1.5 miles. I really don't wanna drop the ball now. I guess I could always treadmill it. I am just a bit unsure on the speed with my knee, oh well there needs to be a trial walk on the treadmill at some point.

I think once I get all my personal family drama out of the way I will be on the road to the finish line. I will focus all my energy into my walking I guess.

What usually makes me want continue and complete this goal that I have set for myself is when I hear the words "you are doing great" or "I am proud of you". These are usually the things that DisFanatic or my dad say when I give them a status report. I guess what I need to be hearing are those same things coming from myself. In due time.

My brain says "yes", but the knee says "No Way!"

Day 6-- I woke up early this morning and decided to go for my daily walk while DisFanatic was still asleep. It was a nice, warm, Autumn Sunday morning. I grabbed my iPod and was off. I was really enjoying my walk and decided to walk just a bit further than I normally do. Whilst on my walk I was thinking that I should really get into yoga because it could help improve my breathing skills, which could come in handy during a marathon. I made a mental note to get out the Wii Fit for the Nintendo, no harm in playing some games while trying to get fit. It also occurred to me that the Fit board had a small step to help my knee on climbing steps.

Later in the day I hopped on my Buddy 125 to get the exact mileage of my morning walk. I knew that the walk had taken me 33m 04s, so I wanted to know how far it was. According to my scooter I walked 1.5 miles for my morning walk. I was psyched, I am averaging 22m per mile. Only about 07m over the Disney minimum. Woo hoo!!! Almost at the minimum only two weeks after knee surgery. It looks like there will be no Physical Therapy for me in the near future. Fingers are crossed.

The sun was starting to set so I decided I was ready for another walk. I was only going to walk until it looked like it was getting too dark. I walked to my normal stop then back home for 1 mile round trip. I got the Wii Fit and realized that my brain tells my leg to take a step, but my leg does not agree. I want to take that step but just cannot do it. After a few orders from my brain my leg finally gives in. It actually does not hurt to do it, so I am not sure why subconsciously I don't want to take that step. Maybe I am afraid that my leg will give and I will fall, although this has never happened. I did some yoga breathing exercises and stretches, then I did some fun games. I can squat slightly with no pain. Now to keep up with the Wii Fit, my daily knee exercises and my walk. I am getting more and more excited about this marathon and cannot wait until the time comes when I can actually run or even walk briskly. Right now I am just at a relaxed pace and walk only as my knee allows. I am nearly 1/3 of the way to forming a great habit, I am excited.

I am loving this feeling I get when I go for a walk or I can do something new with my knee!!!

Trying to develop a habit

Today was Day 5-- I woke up with the urge to walk. That is good, right? I got up around 8am and was out the door. After playing with my niece for a bit we took to the pavement. Walked my mile before I could come up with excuses not to do it. I am still a bit slow, but I am coming along. The road I walk on has a slight incline going, so there is the slight decline coming home. I get all types of roadway for my knee.

I remember at some point in my college career learning that it takes 21 days to form a habit, so I guess I am about a quarter of the way through. We also marked the distances from our home to the gas station- 7 miles, round trip that is just a bit over a 1/2 marathon. I cannot wait until I will be well enough to be able to do that. Everyday will be a struggle, and everyday I will overcome that struggle to stick with my schedule. I am trying to take advantage of the weather because once it snows that means a date with the treadmill for me!

And we are off!!!

I guess before we get into things you need a bit of history first. I am 28 and just had a knee scope for the second time. The first was 2 years ago on my right knee, it was a lateral release. It all started many years ago when I went to a Boyz II Men concert and turned the wrong way. Fast forward 8 years, I was working in Washington D.C. on Capital Hill wearing 3 inch heels everyday on marble floors. I had a horrible grinding in my knees. It sounded awful and felt worse then it sounded. I found the best Doctor ever and he fixed them both. Anyone looking for a GREAT doctor I can recommend one.

On September 9, 2009, I had my left knee fixed. I had my post-op a week later and was told that it looked great and so far no physical therapy will be needed. I was still on crutches and he told me in 3 weeks I needed to be off or go to physical therapy. The next day I went to meet my wonderful husband(from this point on referred to as "DisFanatic") for lunch and it was raining. Walking in crutches in the rain is difficult and not fun. From that moment I decided that was it, no more crutches! Haven't used them since.

Five days later I was doing great without crutches. I read about a marathon in Walt Disney World that takes place in March known as the Disney's Princess Marathon, and I was so excited that I wanted to join. Now my next thought was "my knees are bad, I could never do it", suddenly I remembered something. It hit me like a ton of bricks and I yelled "THEY ARE BOTH FIXED NOW!!!" I think I scared my cat yelling that loud, even the turtle fell off his basking plank. I did some research on it then needed a second opinion. Of course my sister thought it was a good idea too. I called DisFanatic to "pitch" the idea. Unfortunately, he didn't think it was a great idea. I pitched him the 1/2 marathon with the idea he might say it wasn't the best idea. He thought I should go for the 5k first and register for the 1/2 the following year. I needed some reassurance so I called my dad. My dad is always concerned about my health and always tells me the truth. Being a runner himself, he thought it would be great for me.

Day 1- I am still a little unstable on my leg, so I decided to walk to the road and back. I survived it. I did my regular knee exercises to strengthen my knee.

Day 2- I decided I was going to walk further than the day before. I walk a little more than 1/4 mile. Still did my knee exercises. I had this revelation, what if I get bored with the idea and not follow through with it? I decided at that moment I was going to register, there was no turning back. No refunds or exchanges. I have to stick with it now.

Day 3- I waited until DisFanatic got home from work to go for my walk. We walked 1 mile round trip. I didn't do my knee exercises because I thought 1 mile was exercise enough.

Day 4- Walking rest day! Just did knee exercises


Now if you don't know me you probably don't think anything of this marathon stuff. The truth is never in a million years would you get me to run. My idea of sports and being athletic is Golf! I am 5'3 3/4" and overweight. I have Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) and show all my symptoms. I carry all my weight in my tummy (yes, I used the word tummy) and gain weight just looking at other people over eat. With PCOS it is difficult to lose weight. I am not an unhealthy eater, I mean I don't like meat, I hate sugar foods and chocolate. Yes, I hate Chocolate
and ice cream, cakes and pies, and most if not all candy. My idea of the perfect Subway sub is a Veggie Delight with everything but tomatoes and mayo.

So now you see why this is important to me. Not only do I have to work out and get my knee strong enough, but I need to start eating and thinking like a runner.

Please DO NOT hesitate to leave me comments, tips, suggestions, or encouragement. If you wanna run the Princess marathon look up Disney's Princess Marathon at Disney Sports for details. Let me know and we can train together. Wish me luck on my Dr. approval!