The FIrst Setback

Went up to the treadmill today, the stiffness never left, in fact on the left side it got worse as time went on. I managed 20 minutes at a very low intensity, 6/10 of a mile only. I didn't think it prudent to press the issue when it never seemed to let up. So, we'll call today a wash, almost a day off, then again, I did manage 20 minutes, I guess I can look at that in a positive sense?

And it goes on and on....

Treadmill today, another 30 minutes, this time 1.24 miles, (22.6 to go for the "full" distance)  and a full "jog" at 3.2 for 2 minutes.
I think I'll keep the time about where it is, and just work  on increasing the intensity. My goal is to be able to do a full jog for the 30 minutes at something north of the 3.2 speed. I think that's a while away, but on the other hand, if I do it right it should keep me from injury or stress on the incredibly sedentary body that I've developed.

Progress is measured in small increments

Today, 30 minutes, 1.2 miles (that brings me down to only 24 to go to finish a "marathon" distance total :)
Includes a minute and a half at a "jog" going 3.2. All in deck shoes since I still am not flexible enough to easily tie my running shoes or put socks on.
I'm also starting to read the book Drew suggested I buy. "The Non-Runners Marathon Trainer". Of course I can't even begin to follow it until I can comfortably do THREE miles (that's quite a way down the road). Then again, the book is a 16 week training program, and I have near a year (that's about 3 times as much time so I'm good I think).

Excelsior!!!!!

Only 25.2 more to go

Well, I did get on the treadmill today, and was able to do my first mile in a very, very long time. 26 min, and one mile. May not seem impressive to you, and it's a long way from what I used to be able to do, BUT, it's an equally long way from where I was!. In addition I was able to do a full minute at a "jog" (3.1 mph) again, not a big deal for most folks but encouraging to me. Bruce helped a lot. "From Small Things Big Things Come", "None But the Brave", "Code of Silence" and "Viva Las Vegas" blaring in the ears made the time pass pretty quickly.

I realize that there needs to be a lot of improvement to go 26.2 miles at a pace to not get "swept" off the course but I have almost a year......

Stay tuned!

New Week, New Challanges

The good news: Down 3.6 lbs this week much better than I thought when I first saw the scale. Not so good news, feeling a little tight on the right side today. I think it's just too much sitting 'cause when I stand and walk it seems to get better. NOT looking forward to any treadmill work today, however, I'm going to make an effort when I get home to do some instead of just sitting down (since sitting seems to be a culprit).

It is pizza night and I'm not giving that up not now, not in the future. I've made concessions, mushrooms and veggies instead of pepperoni and sausage, and I've been successful with that up to now. I'm sure the plateau will come when I need to cut back, but we'll see.

For the time being, I'll enjoy the 3.6 lb success in one week and the fact that over the last two days I've logged almost 1.5 miles (that's more than in the last two years total!!!)

Let's see where this goes

So....Drew and Vicki just completed a gargantuan 18 of the 26.2 miles of the 2011 Disney Marathon. Me, I can barely move, however, this gave me an idea. Am back to serious Weight Watchers again and have lost 2.2 lbs the first week and this week, in spite of the pull of  junk food (which I resisted) during the Snowpocalypse days off yesterday and today, this week looks good also. All this gave me an idea. Once upon a time when I was jogging 5 miles per day whilst in Trumbull (at about 11 min per mile btw, pretty respectable!!) I thought about trying to complete a marathon. Couple that idea with again (for the umpteenth time) trying to lose significant weight to (a) not have to reprise hip replacement down the line and (b) just to live longer, and I thought "hey, dim bulb, why not think toward getting ready to do the 2012 Disney marathon"?  Figured, what the hell, if I start slowly and build up I should be able to average 15 min per mile and comfortably (can you use that term for a marathon?) finish.

Worst case, I'm not up to doing it, but with a year of effort I HAVE to be better off than I am now, right? So, come along on the journey, help keep me motivated, and let's see where it goes.

Here goes the tracking:
Day 1: yesterday 1/12/11: Treadmill for 20 min, .63 miles (guess this qualifies as the "journey beginning with the first step")
Day 2: today 1/13/11: Treadmill for 21 minutes (.72 miles). Thinking picking up a minute a day and a bit of pace is doable without being overwhelming.