1112.3 Miles

(10.3 bike)

The river has turned southward and we are still surrounded by high hills.

I wasn't going to do anything today since my calves are still very sore, but decided that if I didn't do anything my goals would be even further away. So, after getting Brianna settled (she has a fever and pretty heavy congestion right now), I got on the bike. Only 30 minutes today, but I am glad that I did it.

Oh, and I did get a little knitting in, too. That little bit of black might become the OWL project for HPKCHC (on Ravelry).

1098.4 Miles

(12.4 outdoors, spread over a few walks/runs)
(11.2 bike)

The river is curving eastward and there are wolds on both shores. The sky remains overcast and moods are unsettled.

I'm still here! I bet you thought I'd given this up. After a very long time of going through lots of stuff, we are now settled in Asheville! And I feel even more determined to continue this journey. April (her studio's Facebook page is here) has already shown me some amazing places and I have discovered already that I like to run outdoors. Of course, since it's been so long since I've actually run (or much of anything else), I feel almost as if I'm starting over again. My "running" consists mostly of a fast-paced walk with bursts of sprinting. I don't know the time of those sprints, but I know that they will get longer and longer.

I've been keeping my phone with me and using the Nike+ application to help me with my miles. Here is what I've done so far this month. Keep in mind that we didn't even get to North Carolina until the 11th and that was very late at night. Since then I've been on several walks and a few running walks. I've even had a kettlebell workout!

I was extremely sore last week and I know that the pain will subside once I get more into the routine of being active again. I need to get my yoga back into the routine, too. I know that will help with the soreness.

I didn't get a picture of the bike miles since I misplaced my charger for the camera. I'm happy to report that I have unpacked a couple more boxes and found it.

1049.5 Miles

(2.6 treadmill)

I'm not sure what happened with my other pictures, but I did spend some time on the treadmill and the bike last week. Oh well, that just means I have to go a few more miles on this journey.

Today I did something awesome. Seriously awesome. I ran for 10 minutes before I had to walk! Then I walked for 2 minutes and ran another 5 before walking again. I walked another 2 minutes and was able to run another 3 minutes before getting a stitch in my side. My warm up and cool down times were about 5 minutes each so I went over the 30 minute mark just a little, but I didn't care. I felt pretty euphoric that I was able to go for 10 whole minutes before walking.

1042.6 Miles

(2.1 treadmill)

What a wonderful weekend! I was able to spend some time out in the country and relax. There were a couple of stressed moments (like when I got a call from Anthony about something Brianna had done), but over all it was lovely. And it gave me the time away from work and everything else that I needed to come back even more determined to stay healthy. Part of it was simply the way my body reacted to the foods I ate (and the dessert-drinks) because I didn't get that rapid heartbeat that I sometimes would get. Instead, with the combination of a healthier body and the right foods, I was able to enjoy without fear.

Now if only I can get that perfected in the rest of the areas of my life! Determination...

Today I actually was in pain during the run. It wasn't serious and it wasn't enough to keep me from getting on the treadmill, but I did need arnica salve before and after. You see, the wind was a bit strong this morning when I was getting out of the Jeep and it caught me by surprise. There is a colorful bruise on my shin and it's going to be gone soon (my arnica salve really is awesome).

The weights... I still am struggling to do the back fly movement with the 8-pound weights. I am determined to use the 10s soon. As soon as I can do more than 15 with the 8s. I've thought about a barbell, too, but only for the squats since I don't have a bench or a spotter (the last thing I need is to drop the thing on my own face or something like that.) Perhaps one of these days, but I'm not sure yet. Right now I feel like I really need to focus first on the steps I'm taking and not jump a few miles down the road.

Tomorrow will be the bike!

1000.6 Miles

(3.4 treadmill)

YEAH!!!

I passed one thousand miles! And today was a personal record, too. I think the last pr was 3.3 miles. I feel fantastic! Wobbly still, but fantastic nonetheless. I can do this.

My dearest friend is such an inspiration to me. She has only been running for a year & a half and is already spending some of her weekends running 15-18 miles. How amazing is that? She really makes me want to push myself even more than I do.

My next goal is to run even more of this distance. I'm still walking about half of it (run some, walk some). When I get to the point of running the whole thing... well, I'll be pretty darn thrilled about it.

Update...

I've already shared this on Ravelry and Facebook and now am sitting down to share it here, too.

As some of you might remember, just over a year ago I had my blood drawn to check all the levels for sugars, cholesterol levels, and lots of other stuff. Last week I had it drawn again for an update. There has been an amazing improvement in this year. There is still some work to do, and I know I will continue to achieve all my goals.

Test name: Old results/New results

Overall Cholesterol: 176/165
HDL: 56/58 (we want more of those)
LDL: 102/95
Triglycerides: 89/58

Hemoglobin A1C:5.9/5.8 (going to work on this one a little more)
Glucose: 102/95
TSH (thyroid): 3.27/2.12
T4: 1.0/.83

Today was a weights day so I don't have that much to show for it. I'm okay with that, especially since I can feel the differences.

Tomorrow I'm going to reach 1,000 miles. Because I know I can.

New Weights

Today's workout was brought to you by the number 10! Yes, you read that right, I used 10-pound weights today. I was very happy to have gotten a special surprise on Saturday and was able to use them today. I can tell you that I just barely made it to the end of the session. My muscles will most likely be rather sore tomorrow, but I will just remind myself that I am going to reach my goals.

965.9 Miles

(1.9 treadmill)

I learned an important lesson today. I decided to put both of my workouts together and went directly from the weights to the treadmill. Not such a great idea. The treadmill felt like torture. I didn't realize how much refreshment that hour or two in between really was. Now I know. Tomorrow? Treadmill first, then weights after lunch.

Also, I'm going to amp up the miles starting tomorrow. Even if that means more walking. I will reach 1,000 before the end of the year.

921.6 Miles

(3.1 treadmill)

Lothlorien. We stay here for several days for a well-needed rest. Frodo and Sam look into the Mirror of Galdriel and felt sorrow for the visions they both saw. Gimli and Legolas seemed to be getting along so much better than before. Celeborn provided boats for us to travel along a bit faster and we were given other supplies for the next leg of our journey.

I have reached Lothlorien! And gone just a little more. I felt a great sense of accomplishment when I passes that point and the energy that filled me gave me the boost I needed to complete more than 3 miles!

After the first program setting ended, I turned the treadmill back on and kept going. I had to take two pictures, though, since the treadmill will reset each time you hit start (I learned that the hard way a few months back).

And now, onward to Rauros Falls!

918.5 Miles

(2.1 treadmill)

Only 1.5 miles to reach the gates of Caras Galadan!

Yesterday my muscles were crying at me. They were begging me to stop moving so much, to sit down and relax, to leave them alone. But I didn't listen. Instead I did the workout with the weights then got on the bike for 30 minutes. Only, I forgot to take a picture of the miles. Why? Because as I reached the 30 minute mark I realized that I was supposed to be on a call with Kam. I think she understands why I forgot about it.

So, I'm not counting yesterday's miles, even though they were probably 8 or 9. Yes, that would have gotten me to Rivendell, but that's okay. For today, I got on the treadmill.

I'll be using the weights later today, but for now I have to work on some yarn and other goodies for the shop. :-)

916.4 Miles

(2.0 treadmill)

We have reached the north side of Caras Galadan. So very close!

It's been far too long since I've posted on here. Part of that was a dumb rebellion on my own part. I was letting my dislike for another person bring me down. It was pointed out to me that by doing that I was letting them win. I deserve to treat myself better than that. And so, today I was back at it, in full force.

Today I did two workouts. This morning was 30 minutes on the treadmill. This evening was 30 minutes with the weights. I think I'm going to sleep quite deeply tonight. I will write more of some of my goals tomorrow.

911.1 Miles

(3.1 - Hills of Asheville)

This post is quite late. I ran/walked in my second 5k before my 41st birthday (and still keep forgetting that I actually had a birthday). I have a lot on the agenda for the remainder of this calender year and I'm looking forward to the progress I know I will have. In the meantime, here is a cool picture of April and me after she finished her part of the race (she ran the half marathon!!!)

906.1 Miles

(2.0 treadmill)


Yesterday I didn't hurt as much as I thought I would (because of the work done on Monday), but I did get tired faster. When I started the chains there was no way I could finish them. It was a bit of a drag, but I'd rather have the muscle fatigue than the soreness I was expecting.

My walking time is getting shorter and shorter, which is awesome. I still feel like I should be going faster than 4.5mph while "running", but right now it's more about the endurance than the speed. Or so I keep telling myself.

I'm still a little worried that I won't be able to run an entire 3.1 miles without any walking breaks by my birthday, but I'm sure going to try my best. Today I made it to 2 miles in 30 minutes. Tomorrow I might push a little faster.

895.2 Miles

I'm on a roll! I still have 11 miles before anything changes in the book, but at least I'm making progress again.

Today's walk/run was a little more challenging at first simply because it was so late in the day. I tend to feel like I'm plodding along after the regular work stuff is done. But still, it was important to get on there anyway. After all, my birthday isn't that far away, right? I'll be running again in the morning and that will bring me up to 3 days this week. I'm still trying to work around that tiredness at the end of the day.

The black & white seems to be working for this.

Quiet...

I can't help but wonder if anyone really reads this. I'm sure some of my friends do, I wonder about the rest of the world.

If you happen to be wondering why I've not posted in a while, I'll tell you. I have a hard time being deceitful. A seriously hard time. Even telling a half-truth while keeping silent about the rest just eats away at me. Strange, huh? So, what does that have to do with this blog? I haven't been telling the whole truth about my miles. Before you jump to the wrong conclusion, I'm not adding miles to my progress. And I'm very honest about where I am at the 30 minute mark. But I haven't been telling the whole story. And, while most (if not all) of you may shake your head and say that it doesn't matter, it matters to me.

I can't tell you what my actual miles are right now. After the end of the month I will be able to tell it all. Why? Because I have a goal that I'm trying to reach. And I've not told some very important people about it yet.

So, in the meantime, I won't be posting my miles. I won't be posting pictures of the treadmill or the bike. I will share about belly dancing and chains and strength training, but that's it. Because I can share all of that without telling half-truths.

Yes, my honesty matters that much to me.

886.9 Miles

(1.1 treadmill)
(1.8 treadmill)

I didn't post yesterday so this is a combined entry.

Yesterday was only 1.1 miles. I'd had an appointment in the morning and felt kind of out of it physically when I was done. It's not a big deal and I feel a lot better today.

Today was 1.8 miles at 30 minutes. A lot better. I'm hoping to increase that even more by the end of the week. Wish me luck.

Monday -

Tuesday -

882.6 Miles

(1.8 treadmill)

We passed through an open glad and are still blindfolded, even while sleeping.

I believe today is a personal record on the treadmill. I made it to 1.8 miles in 30 minutes. I know that might not seem like a whole lot of miles, but 4 of those minutes are only 2.5mph and 4 are 3.0mph. That's the way the program goes. There is more variation in between the warm-up and cool-down, so I certainly am not just plodding along.

Today I had my headphones on and a Pandora station with a great beat and I think that helped keep me moving at a better tempo. As time goes by I know my distance will increase, but I have to take this a bit at a time.

Yesterday was a bit of a bust as far as a workout, part of that had to do with the walk from where we parked to the Memorial Day ceremony. Normally that wouldn't have been anything at all, but I wore sandals. By the time we reached the "gazebo" my calves & shins were on fire. Why did I buy shoes that wouldn't stay on unless I kept my toes tightened? I have no idea. Truly. As soon as I can I'll be getting something that has a strap or a different construction or something (flip-flops are out of the question).

I'm a little worried about my goal. Forget that, I'm thrilled about my goal! I will succeed at that one and will be able to know that I can do it. That goal will help me reach toward the next one. Yeah!

Now, however, I'm literally dripping sweat. Seriously, it's dripping from my elbows to my pants (which are now being held up with a safety pin so they don't fall off while I'm on the treadmill.) No, I'm not going to buy more right now. Instead I'll add elastic to the waists of all my capris and get to the end of June before any clothing purchases.

877.5 Miles

(1.2 treadmill)


Still trudging to Lothlorien.

Yes, I got on the treadmill today! No fever, no achiness, no ickiness. I did have to stop a couple times for a tissue, but I felt pretty good afterward. I will probably be hurting tomorrow, but it will be a good hurt.

I still have 43 miles to go before I reach Lothlorien and I'm determined to get there very soon. I still haven't decided what I will reward myself with, but I want it to be extra special.

For now? shower time.

363.4 Miles

(18.2)

So much going on! Strider scouted ahead and found an elf-stone on The Last Bridge and believes it to be a token of safety. We've turned north from the road and have entered the land of Trollshaws. The hills feel like they have use penned in, and we've made camp.

Yes, that says 18.2 miles. Yes, I was sweating up a storm and my heart was pounding, but I felt great! Why did I do it? I just felt like it was the day to break my previous high miles. Afterward I made sure to do a lot of walking through the house and stretching my legs. I do not want them to get all crampy or something.

I didn't knit as much as I'd have liked simply because my hands kept getting sweaty. I think that I will start a washcloth or something to work on when I feel like racing against myself.

181.9 Miles

(16.1)

I've entered the western edge of Midgewater Marshes and camped there. Currently heading east across them. Yuck.

Yes, that says 16.1 miles for today. Yes, I'm pretty sore (especially when I squat down to pick something up). And, yes, I was extremely sweaty afterward. But, (and this is the important part) I felt fantastic about it! No, not physically! I was sweaty & sore, but inside, where it matters the most? Yeah, I felt pretty darn awesome. I biked for one hour today. It feels pretty good knowing that I can go that long. So, I'm thinking that I will do this each week. I'll continue three days of thirty minutes, then one day of an hour. I think the long steady ride will work the muscles in a different fashion and that is a good thing.

And now I have real mats for it! Kevin brought over a whole bunch of mats for me, the professional kind, so now I'm not running the risk of messing up the floor or messing up my blocking mats. Yes, that makes me grin.

The ultimate goal (a healthy body and low sugar levels) is the most important thing to keep in mind right now. Yes, I keep thinking about the weight loss and how I will look in several months, but it the quality of my health that really keeps me going. I know that someday I will be a grandmother, I will travel, I will have alpacas... in all of that, I want to be the healthiest Me possible. This crazy journey across Middle Earth is just the beginning. When the season changes I will be buying a pedometer and will start to include walking as part of this journey. Running? I don't really see that for me (even though I know that could change later), but there are a lot of lovely places around here to go for a walk.

I crocheted a little washcloth today and might be doing a little more of that. It was pretty easy to keep the project in my hand while keeping a steady pace. I am looking forward to figuring out other project that I can do. April has a couple patterns she created for the Cardio-Knitting, and I will be starting one of the more simple ones after the 1st.