Starting Over... Almost!

It's been a long time since I've posted. I've gone through an interesting time over the last three years, since I had to stop running due to the plantar fasciitis. Since I couldn't run I decided to take up another sport, martial arts. For almost two years I've studied Taekwondo and I'm loving it. However, back in January I injured my back in a sparring match. A couple of weeks later I ruptured a disc in my back. I have surgery this upcoming Thursday to fix it and then about three months of recovery and physical therapy.

So that brings you up to date.

Now... I ended up putting all the weight back on. I feel like with my injury and weight gain I've hit rock bottom (again!). But the positive... I think the injury was just what I needed to wake me back up. I have a brand new opportunity to get back on my feet (literally) and to start again.

So, my goals are:

1. Lose 50 lbs.
2. Run a 50 mile ultramarathon.
3. Don't get injured!

On the first goal, I plan to use MyFitnessPal to track my eating. I am going to link MyFitnessPal to MapMyFitness to track my trail running and other activities. What's cool about MyFitnessPal is that it automatically adjusts the number of calories for the day based on the amount of exercise I get. So work more, eat more! That's a motivator for me!!!

On the second goal, I won't get to a 50 mile ultra this year, or maybe even next. So my goal for this year is to get back into trail running and to build up consistency and some endurance. Maybe a 30K by the end of the year. I will reevaluate at the end of the year to determine if I can hit my 50 miler in 2016 or need more time for training.

On the third goal, I need to figure out how to do the first two goals safely. I've been derailed a few times in my quest to transition from fat to fit, all due to injuries. So this time I will pay close attention to my body and listen to its warnings.

Would appreciate you cheering me on!

I'M BACK!!!

I have finally reached a place where I think my foot has recovered to the point that it can handle some mileage. I've been going out for occasional walks on the street, four or five miles at a time, and my foot seems to be able to take the activity. No returning pain from the plantar fasciitis. I am hopeful that I've healed and I am ready to resume my Three In Three Challenge.

However, I will need to reset my goal. When I originally set my goal, it would have been this month that I ran my first ultramarathon. But that's not going to happen. The concept of the original goal still applies (to get into shape), but the timing is pushed out because of my plantar fasciitis injury well over a year ago.

So at this point, I am not going to set a training plan, I am not going to start measuring every mile and reporting every pound like I did last time--at least not at this point. Instead, right now, I am just going to focus on getting back into a routine and slowly building up my base. I am not going to try to break any land speed records but instead just get out there each day and put in some easy miles. Will probably jog a little and walk a little at the start. It's more important right now to get back into the routine.

Please cheer me on!

Waiting

I haven't posted in a while. Why? Because I haven't had much to say. I am in a waiting mode. Each time I try to run my plantar fasciitis flairs up. So I decided to just stop running.

Its been about six weeks since I ran the trail. I miss it. But I think waiting is the best thing for my recovery. It's been about 10 months since my original injury. I've gone through numerous cycles of recovery and reinjury. And I think because I've tried to get back to running sooner I've just prolonged the recovery process.

So, I am going to continue to wait. Probably for another couple of months. Then, maybe, I'll be ready to start again.

Patience, patience patience.

Thank You DORBA!

I have been running a new portion of the Northshore trail. The new section was recently cut by DORBA with volunteers from some of the local running and riding clubs. Work like this makes Northshore such a special place.

Thank you to all who help make this a reality.

Some pics from the new trail.

SNAKE!!!

I am no snake expert, but I think I came across my first copperhead on the trail this year. I can say it startled me big time, just about had a heart attack!

I basically stood there for about a minute and waited for the snake to slither its way into the woods. I thought about trying to go around it but that would mean I would need to go off the trail I was convinced there were other snakes waiting for me! So I just waited, patiently.

Call me a wuss--but one of my trail running rules is... don't play with the snakes!