This page is about how I exercise, why I exercise, and mainly why I run even though I’m slow and it hurts.
Exercise Related Posts:
- About CrossFit Part 1
- About CrossFit Part 2
- Learning How to Use a Heart Rate Monitor
- A Spinning Story
- A Yoga Story
- Thoughts on Swimming
- Fitness Update Post Half Marathon
- The gym is my playground
- Spectating the Houston Marathon
- See Marci Run
- The return of swimming
How I exercise:
I took up running because for me, it is the best cardio, it is portable, and there is no equipment needed. I can jog when I travel, I can jog outside my front door. It has built in goals and results. Do I want to run 3 miles today? Was I faster than the last time? I also judge myself not only on time, but on how I feel while I run. What did my legs feel like? When did I want to stop? Was I breathing ok? How much water did I drink? My distances are not long, but I am still proud of every mile (and sometimes half mile!) I complete.
Recently I challenged myself to increase the miles. I signed up for my first 10K in February and completed it! And then I signed up for a second 10K in Dallas in May and completed it 2 minutes faster! Then I started swimming and did my first aquathlon (swim + run). I also finished my first half marathon, the Dallas Run the Rock Half Marathon in December. I blogged all about training and listening to my body’s woes and pains and how to treat them.
I realized at the same time that I decided to run longer that I needed to strengthen my body, specifically my legs. If I want to go faster, stronger, longer, then I need some strong legs. So I started Crossfit! Crossfit is HARD. It’s hot, fast, heavy, uncomfortable, and leaves you sore for days. I highly recommend it! I have new muscles, I can lift more, and it has made me more competitive and goal-oriented.
Besides running and Crossfit, which you will hear about mostly on my blog, I crosstrain with ellipticals, stretching (hey foam roller!), stairmaster, jumping rope, and walking. Before starting Crossfit, I did a lot of yoga. I wrote a post on why I stopped yoga. I loved the flexibility I got, but just came to a standstill with strength. I still use yoga poses for stretching, and think it’s a great calming, gentle, yet challenging workout. But if I do yoga, I do Baptiste Style Vinyasa Flow Yoga. His books are great too!
As far as injuries, I have had shin splints creep up, so I limit my runs to twice per week. When my legs hurt, I back off. I use Kinesio Tape or Zensah sleeves on my shins for runs when I feel that I’ll need it. I wear custom orthotics in my tennis shoes. My hips frequently hurt after runs, my left outer knee hurt after both 10K races and half marathon. Running hurts! But I am determined to figure out what works for me so I can keep increasing my miles.
That is my exercise story. Stay tuned because it changes often!
Race Recaps:
Picture: Finishing the Houston Rodeo Run 10K, February 27, 1 hr. 12 min
Below: Dallas Bagel Run 10K, May 16, 2010, 1 hr. 10 min.
Recap here.
Below: Splash n’ Dash Aquathlon (300 m swim, 2 mile run), August 14, 2010, 30 min.
Recap here.
Below: Houston Health Museum’s Run For Your Life 5K, October 23, 2010, ~35 min.
Recap here.
Below: Dallas Run the Rock Half Marathon, December 5, 2010, 2 hr. 24 min.
Recap here.
Houston: Four for the Park at Memorial Park 4 Miler, April 2, 2011, 47 min.
Houston: Run for the Rose 5K, April 10, 2011, 31:48 min.
I love Crossfit! I’m addicted and think it works better than everything else. I trained for the Dallas Half Marathon just doing Crossfit and ran it in 1 hour and 40 minutes–not too shabby for barely even running I think
Love your blog!
I’m doing Dallas this year! Wow 1 hr 40 is fast! I won’t even tell you my goal time, besides just hoping to complete it! Where do you do CF in Dallas?