Well it's been a few days since I last blogged. It's been a really tough 10 days. On Thursday the 21st my Grampa B went to the emergency room because he was feeling so weak he couldn't get out of bed. He had just recently finished chemo treatments for cancer in his brain, lungs & back...he'd felt weak the whole time, but it had gotten to a point he felt was urgent. So after running some tests they figured out that he had pneumonia. Steve & I went and saw him that night in the ER, and we went back to visit him on Saturday in his room on the oncology unit. He was obviously very weak, but overall he didn't seem too bad, especially after he got a roommate who was in the process of passing away. I came away that day thinking Grampa didn't look too bad compared to that guy!
Unfortunately, for reasons I guess we'll never know, he got progressively worse by that evening, to the point that we never got to speak to him again. He had so much trouble breathing they put an oxygen mask on him, and he was only semi-conscious. We spent pretty much the entire day at the hospital with him on Sunday...he was able to occasionally indicate yes or no to certain questions by nodding (I think), but for the most part he lay there asleep.
Monday morning, my mom called to let me know that the doctor found out the top of Grampa's right lung had collapsed, and suggested taking him off the oxygen. Everybody came to the hospital who could, and once we were all there they took him off the oxygen. My Gramma, mom & 2 uncles stayed in the room with Grampa while the rest of us waited next door. It didn't take more than 20 minutes before he passed away.
Since then we've had a lot of good family time together...and isn't it sad that it takes someone dying for that to happen? But I'm glad we could all be together to help Gramma get through these past few days. We've been able to laugh a lot together at how prepared Grampa was for his own death...he left Gramma very specific instructions on how to do everything. He even picked out his own pallbearers & typed up a sheet with bullet points of what to include in his obituary. He created his own slide show of pictures to show at the visitation and burned it onto a CD, along with burning a CD of the version of Amazing Grace he wanted us to play at the end of his funeral service. He was an amazing man.
There was so much going on this week that it was hard to get our runs in, but we've managed to somehow stay on schedule. We ran what we should have run on Monday on Wednesday...then switched our Wednesday run to today...etc etc so that by the week after next we'll be back to running on the days we're supposed to, without having skipped any. I know Grampa would want me to keep up with it, because he was a man who did what he said he was going to do. And he was so happy to see me looking so healthy & trim, as he just said a week ago in the hospital.
I'm so behind with my school work right now, and have so many things that I have to get done...it's easy to get overwhelmed. And I was feeling very overwhelmed before we ran today...it's amazing how much better I feel after getting that exercise. Running is good therapy, and it makes me feel better body & soul. Not to mention how much I need it after all the crap I ate this past week!! It's amazing all the food people bring when a loved one has passed away. And I don't think any of it really fit the parameters of the Belly Fat Cure, lol.
I LOVE YOU, GRAMPA!!
Saturday, October 30, 2010
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Happy happy girl :)
Kickass discovery today! After we got home from our run, while I was taking my shower I realized that my quad muscles are starting to be defined! My thighs look shapely, rather than just lumps of muscle & fat. w00t!
As for the run itself, holy Lord (as Doris W would say)! It was a toughie. We're on 3 minute intervals this week, and we did 6 of them today. We were certainly ready to be done by the end of it. On the upside, Steve's shins didn't hurt as badly as they did on Monday. We keep looking ahead on the schedule, and marvelling at what we're going to have to do soon! Next week is 4 minutes intervals, but the week after that we have to run for 10 minutes straight, eek! But I'm sure once we get there it'll be easier than it seems now.
I'm a bit overwhelmed with schoolwork lately. And the homework isn't even what's tough. It's doing all the grading for the 2 classes I teach. Right now, I've got a pile of compositions and short paragraphs and quizzes to grade. I'll have to spend the whole weekend on it to get out from under it. Gotta catch back up before we near the end of the semester, because then I'll have final projects to do! Blech.
But! Today was a gorgeous fall day, and I got to run with my hubby. And my mom is doing the Belly Fat Cure now, and she's already lost 4 pounds in just a couple days!! She's doing awesome :) Good stuff!
As for the run itself, holy Lord (as Doris W would say)! It was a toughie. We're on 3 minute intervals this week, and we did 6 of them today. We were certainly ready to be done by the end of it. On the upside, Steve's shins didn't hurt as badly as they did on Monday. We keep looking ahead on the schedule, and marvelling at what we're going to have to do soon! Next week is 4 minutes intervals, but the week after that we have to run for 10 minutes straight, eek! But I'm sure once we get there it'll be easier than it seems now.
I'm a bit overwhelmed with schoolwork lately. And the homework isn't even what's tough. It's doing all the grading for the 2 classes I teach. Right now, I've got a pile of compositions and short paragraphs and quizzes to grade. I'll have to spend the whole weekend on it to get out from under it. Gotta catch back up before we near the end of the semester, because then I'll have final projects to do! Blech.
But! Today was a gorgeous fall day, and I got to run with my hubby. And my mom is doing the Belly Fat Cure now, and she's already lost 4 pounds in just a couple days!! She's doing awesome :) Good stuff!
Monday, October 18, 2010
Not much time to blog...probably going to spend the next 5 hours grading, eek!
We just got back from our first run doing 3 minutes straight...5 intervals of 3/1. It really wasn't too bad! Steve is having problems with his shins/calves though...we're researching how to prevent and treat shin splints. Most of the info says it's usually due to pushing too hard, but I highly doubt that's the case. I think he really needs new shoes...alas, $100 for running shoes is really not in the cards right now. So he's gonna have to concentrate on strengthening his shin muscles, and stretching them.
As for me, I did really great today I think. I'm surprised by how little trouble I have breathing...I'm sure it's because our intervals are so short thus far, but still! I think I'm keeping a good pace, and my body is adjusting really well. I'm very happy with my progress :)
All right, back to the grading! w00t!
We just got back from our first run doing 3 minutes straight...5 intervals of 3/1. It really wasn't too bad! Steve is having problems with his shins/calves though...we're researching how to prevent and treat shin splints. Most of the info says it's usually due to pushing too hard, but I highly doubt that's the case. I think he really needs new shoes...alas, $100 for running shoes is really not in the cards right now. So he's gonna have to concentrate on strengthening his shin muscles, and stretching them.
As for me, I did really great today I think. I'm surprised by how little trouble I have breathing...I'm sure it's because our intervals are so short thus far, but still! I think I'm keeping a good pace, and my body is adjusting really well. I'm very happy with my progress :)
All right, back to the grading! w00t!
Saturday, October 16, 2010
Never too busy to run...
w00t!! Today is a busy damn day! We have the Annual Becker Halloween Bash tonight, and in the past few weeks we have not been able to scrape together any time to get ready for it. So last night and the night before I spent a few hours after school cleaning, blech! So far this morning we've done a bunch of grocery shopping and most of the rest of the cleaning, and Steve got all the food ready. But we still have to clean the bathroom & the kitchen, and DECORATE! Phew!
Howeva :) we still made time to get our run in!! We just got back from doing 2 minute intervals x 10. Steve had some trouble in the beginning with his ankle, and I got one hell of a stitch in my right side...I made the mistake of trying to breathe really big to try & get rid of it (while I was running) and ooooh, I felt like I might die! The strange part is the pain started pretty early on...oh well, I pushed through with the help of some deep slow breathing while I ran. In the last minute of the run, I really pushed to run faster, and it felt great! My legs really enjoyed getting to stretch out & go.
Well! Gotta go eat something & finish preparing to PARTAYY! I hope we both make it through the night without falling asleep!
Howeva :) we still made time to get our run in!! We just got back from doing 2 minute intervals x 10. Steve had some trouble in the beginning with his ankle, and I got one hell of a stitch in my right side...I made the mistake of trying to breathe really big to try & get rid of it (while I was running) and ooooh, I felt like I might die! The strange part is the pain started pretty early on...oh well, I pushed through with the help of some deep slow breathing while I ran. In the last minute of the run, I really pushed to run faster, and it felt great! My legs really enjoyed getting to stretch out & go.
Well! Gotta go eat something & finish preparing to PARTAYY! I hope we both make it through the night without falling asleep!
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
And our running success continues!!
w00t! We just got back from a 25-minute session...we ran 2 minutes at a time, then walked 1, and repeated that 8 times. And at the end, we pushed ourselves to run 3 minutes. We're doing great! We get tired and we start to get winded, but nothing unbearable, and we recover quickly during our 1 minutes breaks. I'm constantly amazed by how well the schedule works to build your endurance so that what seemed impossible the week before becomes almost easy once you get to it.
I've been reading that one of the most important things in running is to eat something within an hour of your run in order to help your body recover and to replace the glycogen your body used, so I've been making sure to have a little carb/protein balanced snack when we get back. Now, I'm making sure not to eat too much, because let's be honest...I was only running for 17 minutes off and on. So I'd put on weight if I pigged out when I got home, lol.
I can't wait to get my first issue of Runner's World! It will facilitate my obsession :)
I've been reading that one of the most important things in running is to eat something within an hour of your run in order to help your body recover and to replace the glycogen your body used, so I've been making sure to have a little carb/protein balanced snack when we get back. Now, I'm making sure not to eat too much, because let's be honest...I was only running for 17 minutes off and on. So I'd put on weight if I pigged out when I got home, lol.
I can't wait to get my first issue of Runner's World! It will facilitate my obsession :)
Monday, October 11, 2010
Running like a crazy...I mean, like crazy!
Hey guys! I have never had a desire to have a blog, but Steve and I started running 2 weeks ago today, and I find myself wanting to talk and think about it...a LOT. So, rather than annoy everybody on FB by making my every status update about running, I thought I'd start a blog. About running mostly...but also life in general.
I'm feeling fabulous lately! We started a diet, sorta randomly, back in...idk, April or May called the Belly Fat Cure. It's a really awesome diet, because it's easy. You still get to have a good amount of carbs, you just make them whole grain. And you really cut back on sugar...to the tune of 15g a day, which is a tiny amount. It's much easier to follow and much less restrictive, so you really stick to it and it works! And there are plenty of sugar-free alternatives out there for when you get a sweet tooth. Anyway, since then I've lost about 20 pounds, and gone from size 12 to size 8!
When we started the diet (I'd rather say lifestyle really, but that sounds so cliche!), I also started creating my own little workout routine at home...I have a set of hand weights, and I bought one of those big fitness balls for situps, etc. and I just started doing my own thing. Which worked pretty well in combo w/the diet, but then came school! I got so busy with homework & grading that the exercise sorta went out the window. That is, until Steve & I took the dogs for a walk a few weeks ago...
The dogs had so much energy that we ended up running for a few blocks at a time, which gave me the desire to change our walking to running! So I went home and googled training schedules for a 5k...we found a nice easygoing 12-week schedule and started the next day.
The first 2 weeks consisted of 1/1 intervals...one minute running then one minute walking. We progressed from 5 to 8 to 10 intervals the first week, and then from 10 to 12 to 15 intervals the second. Today, we upped the time to 2/1: 2 minutes running then 1 minute walking, and did that 6 times. It's a pretty ingenious system for non-runners (and that's US!)....it really develops your endurance slowly but surely.
Steve is an amazing partner in life. It was my decision to start running. Of course, I would have loved to have him do it with me, but I never asked him to. He just jumped right in, and he continues to push us just a little bit further. In our first 2 weeks, there were several times that he pushed our final interval to 2 minutes so we could finish strong. And today, for our first day at 2 min at a time, we pushed ourselves to do 3 on the last interval. He likes to give me a lot of shit about not liking to run, but I think he's just letting me be the strong one :)
I've been doing a lot of reading about running...I even signed up for 2 free trial issues of Runner's World, which really cracked Steve up. But for me, it has to sort of become an obsession or I won't care enough to do it. We're taking Glucosamine so our joints stay healthy, and I make Steve stretch afterward so we don't get injured. I feel better already, physically and mentally! I think it was helpful to get into the diet for several months first so that I was at a healthier weight and ready to take it to the next level. I feel healthier, and I feel excited about being healthy. And I'm especially excited about doing it all alongside my husband :)
I'm feeling fabulous lately! We started a diet, sorta randomly, back in...idk, April or May called the Belly Fat Cure. It's a really awesome diet, because it's easy. You still get to have a good amount of carbs, you just make them whole grain. And you really cut back on sugar...to the tune of 15g a day, which is a tiny amount. It's much easier to follow and much less restrictive, so you really stick to it and it works! And there are plenty of sugar-free alternatives out there for when you get a sweet tooth. Anyway, since then I've lost about 20 pounds, and gone from size 12 to size 8!
When we started the diet (I'd rather say lifestyle really, but that sounds so cliche!), I also started creating my own little workout routine at home...I have a set of hand weights, and I bought one of those big fitness balls for situps, etc. and I just started doing my own thing. Which worked pretty well in combo w/the diet, but then came school! I got so busy with homework & grading that the exercise sorta went out the window. That is, until Steve & I took the dogs for a walk a few weeks ago...
The dogs had so much energy that we ended up running for a few blocks at a time, which gave me the desire to change our walking to running! So I went home and googled training schedules for a 5k...we found a nice easygoing 12-week schedule and started the next day.
The first 2 weeks consisted of 1/1 intervals...one minute running then one minute walking. We progressed from 5 to 8 to 10 intervals the first week, and then from 10 to 12 to 15 intervals the second. Today, we upped the time to 2/1: 2 minutes running then 1 minute walking, and did that 6 times. It's a pretty ingenious system for non-runners (and that's US!)....it really develops your endurance slowly but surely.
Steve is an amazing partner in life. It was my decision to start running. Of course, I would have loved to have him do it with me, but I never asked him to. He just jumped right in, and he continues to push us just a little bit further. In our first 2 weeks, there were several times that he pushed our final interval to 2 minutes so we could finish strong. And today, for our first day at 2 min at a time, we pushed ourselves to do 3 on the last interval. He likes to give me a lot of shit about not liking to run, but I think he's just letting me be the strong one :)
I've been doing a lot of reading about running...I even signed up for 2 free trial issues of Runner's World, which really cracked Steve up. But for me, it has to sort of become an obsession or I won't care enough to do it. We're taking Glucosamine so our joints stay healthy, and I make Steve stretch afterward so we don't get injured. I feel better already, physically and mentally! I think it was helpful to get into the diet for several months first so that I was at a healthier weight and ready to take it to the next level. I feel healthier, and I feel excited about being healthy. And I'm especially excited about doing it all alongside my husband :)
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