My Journey With Weight Loss – I’m Back At It!

Yesterday there was no rain so I layered up and headed to the beach. As I was about 1/2 way through my workout one of my early morning walker friends saw me and shouted out, Gwenne, I’ve been wondering where you have been. I explained quickly about the toe and that it was my first real day back at running. She said, good for you for getting back to it.

So, obviously I am back at it. After consultations with my coach we decided to see how things would go. Yesterday I managed a 5 km without any real problem. Yes, at the 1/2 way point I was wondering why I was doing this again but as usual when I got to the last 5 blocks I was just so determined to finish. I didn’t really push things, just made sure I got it done. Today I was to do an 8 km. The weather was clear but chilly (note because I have such a busy schedule today I hit the road at 4:45am). I layered up again though with gloves this time. The run was easier than yesterday and I realized when I got home I had picked up the pace. Tomorrow will be a recovery day (still 1 1/2 hours of walking) then Thursday I will do intervals at 8 and 1 times 10, Friday will be another walk day and finally Saturday I’ll try a 10 km. Strangely enough I am curious to see how I am going to do with that 10 km as it has been over a month since I have done a long run.

That leads to how do I feel after 2 days of running. The troublesome toe is still a little sore but nothing compared to what it was even a week ago. I’m pretty sure the rubber toe sock that I wear when running is helping. I do admit that when I got up this morning my quads were protesting a bit. They go a little angrier when I later did my squats but I am pretty sure a long soak in the hot tub tonight combined with the recovery day tomorrow will take care of that. All in all I am surprised at how well I feel after a month off. I have still walked 6 days a week over the last month so I think that has helped. Moreover, I have kept up the exercises I do for my legs to make sure I could keep the muscles working. Here’s hoping I can continue to recover and build back up the the level I had been at previously.

The lesson from this is taking the time needed to heal is not detrimental. I think the more important thing is being willing to get back at it as soon as you are able. I should note, coach has told me if I find the 10 km on Saturday too much then cut it back to an 8 km. I’m fairly confident I won’t have to do that.