Thursday, August 30, 2012

School.... and running

So here I am sitting in class watching my first study hall of the year. School started yesterday with all the students and I have some wonderful classes. This year my schedule includes two AP Chem classes which meet every day and one Experimental (Honors Level) Introductory Chemistry which meets every other day. So far so good. I am enjoying seeing the students again.
     The science show I help put on every year for the freshmen went well. This year I took a more active role since the head person retired last year. The new physics teacher and I shared top billing for running this. There were many explosions and thrills.
   
 I am continuing my running program and in some ways it is getting easier and in others much harder. The actual running is going great. I am still very slow (almost like a speed walk for most people around a 12-14 min mile) however my lung capacity and energy is not causing a problem. My joints on the other hand are killing me. I have always had issues with my left knee as a result of my guiding at camp with the hiking and canoe carries, as well as all the moguls I used to ski throughout and after college. My knee started hurting right after I began my running at the start of August. In the past week I have also run into some pretty strong pain/weakness in my right hip. I think part of this is associated with compensating for the knee in my runs.
     What I have found is that I tend to be okay once I get into running, but later that night and the next day when I move and put weight on these joints I am having pain issues. Everyone I talk to who runs here at the school agrees that the pain should be temporary and as I get in better shape and lose more weight this will go away... but man is it hard. I am giving it another week or so and then I'll think about contacting my doctor to make sure this is the case. I really don't want to do any permanent damage to my body. I am content with gym work (elliptical, stationary bike and swimming) which are low stress and don't hurt my joints however I do not lose the weight like I do when running, and let's be honest.. I would really like to get to the point where I can run a 5 K. In my program now (The picture is the logo for the app Beth and I are using) I have just gotten to where I run 8 minutes, walk for 5 then run another 8. In the 8 minutes I am going somewhere between a half mile and 3/4 of a mile. Tommorrow this jumps to 10 minutes run 5 walk 10 run. I'm close to running a mile straight. fingers crossed.
     Finally I am trying to fit in time for carving and guitar playing but darn it... there just aren't enough minutes in a day... at least I'm not Beth who has to take classes this semester :)   (sorry Beth I love you!!!).

4 comments:

Your sis said...

Jeff-
I am really proud of you for pushing towards the 5k, but do not hurt yourself. It isn't about speed. One of my colleagues here walks 5 and 10Ks and lost a lot of weight just walking.

Mr. Richey said...

So I didn't wait to run. We went out and hit some trail running. I liked it but it was a bit more challenging with terrain. I also screwed up and hit the wrong button so I ended up running 7.5 minutes walked 4 Ran 11 walked 2 ran 5. I actually feel good but I'm sitting on the couch we'll see when I go to get up.

Mr. Richey said...

Part of my running stemmed from visiting the doctor today (gastro) while I know I have lost weight in the last month this was my first time on a scale in over a year. Shockingly high number to say the least. Consolation ... It' s only going down from here.

judy said...

Keep up the good work. You have a goal and I know that you will reach it.
I will be easier to do it now then when you are 70 years old.