Catching up

Looks like my last post here was in January.  LOTS of changes since then!  First and foremost, I finished my first graduate class and earned an A.  I have now been off from classes since mid-May and do not start again until August 19.  So this summer has been dedicated to ME and my health.

On April 3, I had knee surgery to repair and remove a torn meniscus.  It was pretty badly torn up, according to my doctor, and he came out of the OR and told my mom and my husband, "Boy!  She needed that!" The recovery has been a long and frustrating process.  I was on crutches for about 6 1/2 weeks.  That was not pleasant, but it could have been worse.  I was also in physical therapy for about 9 weeks, and there are still issues that I need to work on.

On May 18, I walked a 5K in Quincy, Illinois, called "Bridge the Gap." On my doctor's advice, I used 1 crutch because it is a very hilly, challenging course.  I am glad I did, because it helped me a ton.  I got to meet and speak with former Olympian Jackie Joyner-Kersee.  That was worth every bit of sweat and pain that went into walking that 5K!  She is a very, very nice, sweet woman.  My son, Nick, walked it with me.  I was glad to have him at my side. 

So far in June, I've done 2 more 5Ks.  I did one on June 8, in Springfield, IL.  It was a Color Blaze 5K and I would strongly urge you to run away from this company as fast as you can.  It was not a good experience.  They were very unorganized.  I stood in line for 2 1/2 hours before I got to start.  The race started at 11a, but people were lining up at 9a.  I finally got in line at 9:30a.  I finally got to go across the start line at noon. 

The second 5K I did was just last weekend, June 15.  It was in Mt. Sterling, IL, and was called the Heart and Sole 5K.  I would recommend that one for a nice, easy, highly organized race.  Even those of us that were walking got a timing chip!  That was the first race that I've ever had one! 

In May, I finally broke down and joined Weight Watchers online.  I've been struggling with eating and I thought it would help.  It has, as I've lost 7 lbs so far.  However, in the last 3 weeks, I've had a total of 2 lbs come creeping back and I can't figure out why.  I've been working out and walking as much as I can, and my eating has been really good.  I only use my weekly "bonus" points (as I call them) once a week on Saturday when I have a cheat meal.  I'll figure it out, though.  Patience is key.  I'm doing what needs to be done.  My body just needs to realize it.

Yesterday I was released by my doctor to do "whatever the heck I wanted."  So that means I can start CrossFit workouts again.  And I did!  It had been 10 1/2 weeks since I had last done one.  It felt good!

I also talked to him about a goal I made with someone.  I was selected to work with the summer intern hired by Campus Rec at work.  She has lost 125 lbs and wants to be Life Coach.  So she and I have been having conversations about weight loss.  She asked me to set a goal.  Something obtainable, but something that would challenge me.  I don't like setting weight loss goals because I fall on my face, then I get angry, and I self-sabotage.  So rather than saying, "I'll lose X lbs by X date," I decided to set a goal of run/walking a half marathon by next spring.  Remember that Bridge the Gap 5K I just spoke of a couple paragraphs ago?  Yeah, there's a half marathon component to it.  I'm going to do that one.  I'm so excited!

First step is to start running again.  After I've got the running, I'm going to try to find a 10K in the fall to do.  Then continue training for the half until May.  I can do this.  I don't have a time goal at all at this point.  My goal is to start and to finish.  That's it. 

And today is my oldest son's 20th birthday!  How crazy is that that my firstborn is TWENTY????  I can still remember all the details of that day 20 years ago.  We will be taking him to Springfield this weekend to celebrate.  It should be a good time. 

Until next time...