National Running Day!



Image from: http://www.gmrunningprograms.com/


As many of you recall, I completed a half-marathon in November 2011.  Set a goal, got off the couch and made it happen.  It was like my personal couch-to-13.1 miles program.  It was an amazing accomplishment and I'm so proud of myself for doing it.  Since then, I haven't given a second thought about doing another one.  Yes, it was great, but I feel like I did it, so I don't need to do it again... until this last week or so.  I got to talking about my previous experience a bit and I realized that I need another goal and why not do it again!!  I'm working on a few things and planning to register for a couple events near the end of the year.

Since it is National Running Day, I thought I would share a few different event options for you that might get you into running/jogging/walking.  This worked for me (registering for an event and training for it), and got me motivated.  I still walk regularly (at least 3-4 miles per week) and I'm looking forward to building my mileage again to train for some events!

Side note:  I'm a walker.  I don't run.  I don't like running.  I have no desire to run.  I will, however, walk.  I very much enjoy it and did walk the entire 13.1 miles of the aforementioned half-marathon.  I'd love to do a post with some training suggestions/programs that I've used/looked into/researched but we all know how flaky I am about posting (sorry!) but here is one for walkers that I just came across today.  Looks to be a great resource!  http://www.marathonwalking.com/

Charity Walks:  These are great!  There are tons and tons all over the country that are available all year round.  Usually these walks are 3-5 miles, but I've seen some that are 10 or 30 - 60 miles over several days.  An wonderful way to get yourself in shape while you train, possibly raise money for a good cause, and have a great time! 
Example:  American Cancer Society Making Strides Breast Cancer Walk events - There are tons more!  Check with the charity of your choice or search online.  I'm looking to participate in a local charity event that is 3 days / 30 miles total in September.

5K or 10K races:  Once you are ready to get a little more distance or a little more speed, check local running groups / sports shops for 5K (3.1 miles) or 10K (6.2 miles) races.  Many cities have races like this around holidays or festivals.  You can usually get a t-shirt and sometimes a medal too (you know I love free stuff!)
Check out the Runner's World Race Finder (lists all types of races!)

Half and Full Marathons:  A half-marathon will cost you 13.1 miles of your life.. double that to 26.2 for the full.  Guess what?  It's not that horrible.  There are tons of races available all over the country for marathoners.  They usually have entertainment along the course and some fun event to celebrate at the end!  I found this a great way to train.  13 miles might seem like a lot, but it's so easily doable - walking or running!  Do watch out for time limits when you enter these events.  Know your pace per mile and understand what pace you have to keep to stay on the course.  Most that I have seen are 4 hours for the half and 7 hours for the full.  That means you need to keep an 18:30 minute mile for the half and 16 mins for the full.  You can do that!!
Example:  Rock 'N Roll Marathon Series (this is the race I did last year in Savannah - sign up today to save $20!).   Haven't decided if I will do this one again or if I will do the Lady's Speedstick Half that some friends are also doing.  Also, use the Runner's World Race finder listed above to find events.

Obstacle Course Races:  Need some stuff to get in your way while you run?  Try an obstacle race!  These races usually combine a 5K with various obstacles along the way.  Obstacles are usually designed based on military training and could be a challenge.  Full of dirt, mud and fun, seems like an awesome time.  I've been thinking about trying one of these, but don't have the guts (yet!!). 
Example:  Tough Mudder  Oh and there are ones with zombies too!

Triathlons:  Need more than just a run?  Want to swim and bike too?  You are ready for a triathlon.  With various distances, the triathlon includes a swim, cycle and run portion of the race.  Some are in open water near a lake, river or ocean and some are held at a pool.  These take lots of training but looks like lots of fun (I've spectated / volunteered a few, but haven't done one myself). 
Search online for triathlons here:  TriFind

So find a race and get registered and start training!  There are tons of options online for training programs.  There are APPS for that too!  Check out a local running group.  Oh and above all... get GOOD SHOES!  Find a store that will fit you and purchase good shoes.  It is totally worth investing $80-$100 for shoes that will support you and help you not get hurt!  Don't slack on that part.  GOOD SHOES!

Friday Five

I'm going to try something new this Friday that hopefully I'll be able to stick with each week (no promises, but I'll try!).  I read a lot of articles every week about tons of topics like fitness and food and sustainability and technology and whatever else I might come across in a week.  I always want to share this info with everyone, but it's not usually a whole-post sort of thing.  So why not combine them together, right?  Here is the first installment of the Friday Five.

Five Packaged Foods You Never Need to Buy Again - A great article that I came across actually last week and I made stock last week too!  These are five items (soup, stock, hummus, canned beans, and cereal) that are super easy to make at home so that you will save a few dollars and lots of nutritional benefits (like less to no chemicals!).  It's a great starter list for anyone that is interested in more homemade options (like me)!

Save Vegetable Scraps for Stock  - In conjunction with making homemade stock last week, I did a little more digging and research.  I came across this post that has a great list of veggies and how to save scraps in the freezer.  I actually went out and bought brand new veggies to make stock, but now that I learned this method, there for sure is a freezer bag in my freezer!

Olympian Natalie Coughlin on food: Eat healthfully, but enjoy it - So happy to find this article, and super excited that it features Natalie Coughlin.  This is my take on eating in a nutshell.  Am I working hard at eating right and healthy?  Yes.  Do I splurge sometimes and get 'bad' foods?  Yes.  I'm not going to restrict myself so much that I'm miserable, but I'm sure paying attention to what goes in my body always. Lots of good foods... always!

Cage free vs. pasture raised - A quick article that talks about eggs.  We've covered these options before and I really like the 'pasture raised' option.  Oh.. and the pictures are awesome.

The 5-Step Plan to Success after Failing - I've recently discovered the Nerd Fitness website and it's really cool.  To me, it seems like real info, with a bit of humor, but not bullshit.  Straight-up, here is how it is.  They have a large community base too so it might be something you will be further interested.  This article is awesome.  Everyone fails and everyone needs a pick-me-up.  These are great tips on how to get back on track and succeed.

Fitness Recap and Reflections

When I changed my diet to pescetarianism in January 2011, it only took a few months for me to realize that there were other aspects of my life that I could change as well.  Since April 2011, when I got off the couch, my fitness regime consisted of stepping and other small exercises on the Wii Fit, work outs on the iPhone app Nike Training Club (NTC), and then weekly power walks in preparation for a half-marathon.  Combined with my pescetarian diet and calorie counting (thanks to the LoseIt! iPhone app), I was able to lose about 25 lbs from April through August.  August through November, I didn't do too much exercise except for those weekly training walks.  I still watched my calorie intake and kept mainly with the pescetarian diet, but I wasn't pushing myself physically.

I mentioned a few months ago that a friend and I were going to complete the Savannah Rock 'n' Roll Half-Marathon in November... well we did!  It was an awesome experience, but torturous at the same time.  We walked the entire 13.1 miles and I won't lie, it was rough.  The day was great as a whole though.  The race started on Bay Street downtown Savannah and at 530 am in November, it's not warm.  We froze our asses off until it was our corral's turn to start (corral 25 mind you.. the last one).  Then we were off.  We kept our pace the entire way and finished right where we (well I at least) had expected at just under 3:30.  My body for sure knew that it had never walked that far before (10 miles was the longest training walk we did in advance) but we held in there and finished!  I was so proud and exhausted and hungry!  Still not sure if I ever want to do it again.... but we'll see.

The following week, I got back into swimming.  Possibly the best decision I could have made on my continued journey for health, fitness and weight loss.  I started swimming competitively at the age of 6 and did so through 18. And then I stopped.  As soon as I graduated high school, I never got back into the water, until November.  A friend (who happens to also be my boss) invited me along to swim with her and some other friends (all amazing women and triathletes) to swim at the US Masters swim practice one morning at 5:30 am.  As soon as I got back in the water, I felt at home.

Well, ok, not immediately.  The work-outs are generally about 3000 yards and it took me just about a whole month to get to where I could finish them.  It wasn't until the first week in January that I was finishing them successfully (watching my intervals, actually building, etc).  It was that moment when I felt like I was an athlete.  I've been swimming 3 days a week and just love it.  I'm so glad I got back into the water.  I joined the Master team and I set a personal goal for myself to swim at least 250 miles this year.  My new swimming friends have also almost got me convinced to compete in a triathlon (the swimming leg of a relay) in March. Wow... never thought that I would ever be at a place in my life that I would say that.

I described myself the other day as a recovering couch potato.  I've also told people that I don't take for granted that there is still a fat kid inside me (I powered through two.. yes.. two.. Krispy Kreme donuts on Wednesday).  Although not the most positive outlook, those too ideas keep me moving and motivated.  There's no short cuts or excuses and only accountability, consequences and successes.  I'm looking to beef up my workouts (more swimming and additional land training in between) in the coming weeks and hopefully make 2012 just as successful.

More Apps!



Image Source: The Next Web


In a sort of mind reading (or blog reading) move, The Next Web published an article that goes hand in hand with my previous post!  Ohh, I'm a trend setter apparently.

Sacarsm aside, the article from the Next Web covers 10 fitness apps that will reshape your workout and shares some really great apps.  They've got LoseIt and Nike Training Club and a bunch more that I'm excited to check out.  Do make sure before you pay for any of these apps, that you look at the images in iTunes and read the reviews.  It appears some aren't as awesome as they may initially seem (in some people's opinions). 

I'd love to hear your feedback on any of these apps if you have tried or when you do try them.

My App Arsenal

So, it's been a while, huh?  Hope everyone made it through all the holidays and is back on track for an awesome 2012!  To get started this year, here's a little fun post that I hope you find useful.

I am absolutely addicted to my iPhone and I've been using it to my advantage as much as possible for my fitness and health goals.  Below are a handful of apps that I highly recommend and use regularly.  My main app that keeps me on track is Lose It!  Great for logging food, weight and exercise.  Most of these are free (or has limited free versions and upgraded pay versions) and many may also be available on Android (I know Lose It! is!!).

The first four apps listed below are my absolutely must haves!  I use then all regularly and they have really helped me through my journey over the last nine months.  The others, while I don't use regularly, are also amazing and helpful for various things.



Nike Training Club - FREE
http://www.nike.com/nikewomen/features/ntc?locale=en_US
http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/nike-training-club/id301521403?mt=8
Nike Training Club is a training app that gives you your own personal trainer, anytime, anywhere. Get lean, toned and strong with over 60 custom-built workouts featuring audio guidance and on-demand instruction from a Nike Professional Trainer while you earn NTC rewards like Lea Michele's exclusive workout.


Fooducate - FREE
http://www.fooducate.com/blog/
http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/fooducate/id398436747?mt=8
Scan and choose healthy groceries. Over 200,000 unique UPCs! As featured in USAToday, NYTimes, WSJ, Lifehacker, Gizmodo and on ABC, FOX, NBC and more...  Do you want your family to eat better food? Are you confused by ingredient lists, nutrition labels, health claims, and marketing hype?  Get Fooducte and hurry to the supermarket.





Lose It! - FREE
http://www.loseit.com/

http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/lose-it/id297368629
Succeed at weight loss with Lose It! Set goals and establish a daily calorie budget that enables you to meet them. Stay on track each day by recording your food and exercise and staying within your budget. The average active Lose It! user has lost more than 12lbs and more than 85% of our active users have lost weight. Lose It! is completely free- get started losing weight with Lose It! today!

   





Nike+ GPS - $1.99
http://nikerunning.nike.com/nikeos/p/nikeplus/en_US/what_is_nike_plus
http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/nike-gps/id387771637
Map your runs, track your progress and get the motivation you need to go even further. Hear mid-run cheers every time your friends like or comment on your run status, or outrun them in a game of Nike+ Tag.







MyFitnessPal - FREE
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/
http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/calorie-counter-diet-tracker/id341232718
Lose weight with MyFitnessPal, the fastest and easiest to use calorie counter. With the largest food database of any calorie counter (over 1,000,000 foods), and amazingly fast food and exercise entry, we’ll help you take those extra pounds off! There is no better diet app – period.


 

GoodGuide - FREE
http://www.goodguide.com/

http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/goodguide/id294447660
The GoodGuide app helps you find safe, healthy, and sustainable products while you shop. You can browse, search or simply scan a barcode to see detailed ratings for health, environment and social responsibility for more than 70,000 products and companies. GoodGuide provides this information about personal care, household chemical, toy, food and paper products for free on your iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad.


Snack App - FREE
http://www.everydayhealth.com/the-snack-app.aspx

http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/the-snack-app/id394651834
The Snack App sorts hundreds of snacks by calorie counts – 50, 100, or 200 – and by type of craving: salty, sweet, crunchy, cheesy, creamy, and more. Just tell the app what you want, and you’ll get a list of tasty snack ideas, complete with caloric and nutritional information. Feeling guilty after your snack? The Snack App also gives you simple ways to burn the calories you just consumed.



Restaurant Nutrition - FREE
http://www.healthyandfitcommunities.com/iphone-application/restaurant-nutrition
http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/restaurant-nutrition/id285180322

The Restaurant Nutrition application allows a user to easily view nutritional information about restaurant menus and track what they have eaten




Whole Foods Recipes - FREE
http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/iphone/
http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/whole-foods-market-recipes/id320029256
Looking for healthy and delicious food? Search Whole Foods Market Recipes for recipes featuring the finest natural and organic foods. You can search recipes by ingredients and dietary preferences such as gluten-free, low fat, and vegetarian/vegan. Every Whole Foods Market recipe includes nutritional information and cooking instructions. You can also enter up to 3 items you have on hand to find recipes using those ingredients.




I've also recently started using the iMapMyFitness, Non-GMO, and Ab Workouts (all three FREE!!).  I'm already logging exercise in Lose It so not sure if I will stick to iMapMyFitness too but I am loving the Ab Workouts app! It's simple and you can for sure feel it working!

What other apps do you use?  Any suggestions?

In case I forgot to mention it...

... I registered for a half-marathon race.  Me.  That's right.  I know!  Crazy, right?
 
I'm not sure what got into me a few weeks ago but I saw something about the Rock 'n' Roll Marathon Series and decided why the hell not...  I was in a bit of a lull at the time with my work outs.  This was a few weeks after I reached my initial weight loss goal (losing 15 lbs in 8 weeks back in April) and while I was still exercising, I wasn't going at it as whole-hearted as I could have been.  So, I decided to set a new goal.  A half marathon sounded like a great idea.

I'm fortunate that a good friend of mine has been right by my side for a while in the fitness trenches.  She says I inspired her to get fit and back into exercising.  Being an inspiration to others is not something I planned on happening, but ya know what, that's pretty cool.  I'm also fortunate that this friend was willing to also throw herself to the marathon wolves and register for this event.

We've been training a bit over the last few weeks.  We are doing regular work-out routines (as usual) on our own and then doing a Sunday 'long run' together.  Here's the kicker... we're walking.  Both me and my friend are pretty new at getting back into exercise and we don't come from running backgrounds, so we decided that we would start by walking.  Now, don't get me wrong, we're not just lolly-gagging along and strolling down the road.  No way.  We are hauling ass.  Averaging 3.5-4.0 mph and last week we completed 8 miles; we've got 9 scheduled for this upcoming Sunday. 

Neither of us have ever competed in any type of run/walk/race event so we're not setting any time goals besides finishing.  We need to complete 13.1 miles in under 4 hours.  Currently, the speed is not an issue as we're averaging a 16:30 mile (just walking) and the slowest we can go to not be kicked off the course is 18:32.  Our main concern (well, mine for sure!) is stamina.  I won't lie, last week was rough.  My body definitely knew this was the farthest it had gone before.  At about done at 6.5 miles it became a little bit of a struggle but I made it through all 8 at a steady pace and, although immediately after I was sore and tired and thought I might die, I felt good later that day and the following.  Last week was also extraneous circumstances as not only was the longest distance we had done previously only 6 miles, but we missed the previous week's walk when I was feeling under the weather.

I decided to post about this today as we are 50 days away from the event.  50.  Wow.  I'm nervous, that is for sure.  I do consider trying to add running into the mix, but I'm afraid.  We all know what happened last time I tried to run and I don't want to go there again.  For now, I'm going to stick with walking and not getting hurt.  I really think we can do this.  We better do this.  We're going to do this!! 

If you're in Savannah on November 5th, come on down and cheer us on.

Where is the real food?

“You look at the labels and you see farmer this, farmer that. It’s really just
three or four companies that are controlling the meat. We’ve never had
food companies this big and this powerful in our history.”
– Eric Schlosser, author of “Fast Food Nation.”

 
As we enter August, I've come to realize how much I have not missed eating meat throughout the first seven months of 2011.  As many of you know, I started a journey this year with my husband (at his urging and suggestion) to adopt a pescetarian diet.  This diet is an octo-lavo vegetarian diet with the addition of fish, crustaceans and shell fish - in other words - I don't eat things with legs or wings (but technically crustaceans have legs).  My husband, Dan, made it through January and decided that this form of eating was not for him.  He has since gone back to a full carnivore diet while I've continued on the pescetarian path.

Then April came around and I decided that since I was being conscious about what I was putting into my body already, I might as well take it step further and work on getting healthy overall.  I've since been following a generally strict caloric in-take, while sticking with pescetarianism, as well as targeting at least three work-outs per week.  It's been a struggle and I'm not perfect but I've lost over 20 lbs, down three pants sizes, feel amazing and actually have registered for a half-marathon coming up in November.  I've got a long way to go to be as healthy as I would like, but this year has really been life-changing thus far.

So why am I providing you with the most recent updates on my journey?  Well, as I have changed my life, I've also tried to take the time and educate myself about food and fitness.  From books to magazines to blogs to social networking... I'm utilizing several resources to gain knowledge and learn about what I'm putting in my body.  During a conversation last week with a friend (who has recently adopted a vegan diet in order to naturally combat Type 2 diabetes) the documentary film, Food, Inc. came up.  While I had heard of this film previously, I had never actually seen it.  My friend had mentioned the a few topics that were covered in the film and I decided that I must see it.  That same night (Wednesday of last week), I watched the film (thank you Netflix Instant Queue!).

image source

"Food, Inc. exposes America's industrialized food system and its effect on our environment, health, economy and workers' rights."  It is truly and eye opener.  Now, I wouldn't say that I had previously been ignorant to some of the things that happen in the American Food Industry, but I was for sure not versed in it (nor would I say now that I am fully versed either).  This documentary provides insight into chicken and beef farming, the over- and misuse of corn, industry and government cooperative corruption, waste and pollution, human rights and several other topics.

After seeing chickens that are so pumped with hormones that their legs can not develop fast enough to carry their over-sized bodies; war-ready soybeans; cows that are forced to stand knee-high and deeper in their own waste; vegetables grown in manure that is full of bacteria and chemicals, and so many other horrible sights, the main thing that I took away from this film is that I did not want to go back to eating animals.... ever... and while I can't make that promise, I can guarantee that if I do, it will be different.

As much as an animal lover as I am, the treatment of the animals (also very tough to see) was not what hit me the hardest.  The major cord of mine that was struck is that the animals that we are eating are not real animals.  They are pumped up and full of junk and genetically modified and just not real.  It's amazing science that we can make chickens with double the breast size in half the time or cows that constantly lactate, but we are doing that with hormones that are then being passed into the food we consume and then into our bodies.  Sounds yummy, doesn't it?  This film changed me and I just don't want to do it any more.  I want real food.  This goes for pretty much all food.  Produce, meats, dairy, eggs, fruits.. all of it.. I want real, natural food.  No chemicals, no hormones, no genetically modified (aka mutilated!!) organisms (GMO).  None.

So that is what I'm going to do.. continue to change and grow and learn and improve me.  I want to find local and real food sources and eat real food.  Is it going to be easy? No way.  Will I fail along the way?  Hell yes.  Will it be worth it?  I sure as shit think so.  And of course I will be keeping you updated.  I haven't set any deadlines or end-all goals, but this will be an on going project.  The next step in a life transformation.  Oh and Dan too.  I'm just as concerned about what is going into his body as mine.

If you get a chance, check out Food, Inc.  There are several different topics covered so I think each of us would take away something different, or maybe even nothing at all, and I would love to hear your views and opinions as well. 


(More information available at Hungry for Change and  TakePart

Driving Force

I can't say what happened, but I've finally been able to get myself into a regular routine of exercising and ya know what? It's awesome. I've not yet ventured very far into fitness, but I've been off my bum almost every day for the last four weeks and that's more than I can say for the last year or two, or three.... yeah, its sad. I've set a goal that is relatively attainable (although I'm not on course as much as I would like to be to meet that goal... 15 lbs in 8 weeks) and I'm eating well and sweating as much as possible. I've shed just about 7 lbs in 4 weeks and hoping to drop at least one more by the end of this week (week 5). I feel better, my clothes fit better and I feel like I'm moving in the right direction.

My fitness routine includes some aerobic and yoga work on WiiFit Plus, some aerobic and strength with a Biggest Loser workout DVD, and recently discovered Nike Training Club iPhone app. I've addressed using your phone to get healthy before and I can't say enough good things about the NTC app (I'll talk more about this in a future post).

I've also been rocking my vegetarian/pescetarian diet. No meat for me for almost 6 months (except of course those few travel days, but none since). The best part about a diet that includes mostly fresh and non-processed items is that you can eat a ton and not ingest too many calories. I've been strictly tracking my caloric intact these last few weeks (still using the LoseIt! app) and it's pretty dang awesome that I can be super full on 2 medium sized zucchinis that have been sliced and grilled and only at 100 or so calories. Since I love eating, this works great for me. Unfortunately, I haven't been cooking as much so there hasn't been a lot of experimenting going on in the kitchen. Hoping to get back into it in a couple weeks and keep working on overall improvement in health.

Use your Phone to get Healthy

While browsing few a couple headlines on my Time Magazine iPhone app this week, I came across a couple interesting little stories about health, exercise and weight loss.   5 Fitness Apps to Get You Off the Couch and 5 Weight Loss Apps That Work. The posts both provide a little insight to a total of 10 mobile applications that are available - some free and some with an associated cost.  Since I am a super iPhone app addict, I was really interested in what suggestions they gave.  While I as familiar with some, I did also take the time to download a few others.  I had the Lose It! app as well as the Restaurant Nutrition app already installed on my iPhone.  I took the time to also install the Jillian Michaels App (along with another one of her's that I found in the App Store) and the iMapMyRide app (as I really hope to purchase a bicycle within the next few months).

Here's the thing about these apps and any other weight loss/exercise tool: You have to use it for them to do you any good.  I know that we would all like to think that we can install the latest and coolest running app on our phones and be doing 5Ks the next week, but that's not going to happen.  I have a total of nine (9) applications on my iPhone at the moment that are geared toward weight loss or exercise and I have to admit, I regularly use only one of them (and that is the LoseIt! app - which I love).  I do browse through the others from time to time and have watched several minutes of Jillian telling me how to do lunges and chest presses, but I haven't got into the habit of utilizing these free tools.  I have good intentions when I install these apps (most, no all, were free) - isn't it the thought that counts?

If you are interested in checking out the LoseIt app (shown at the left), I highly recommend it.  Its the perfect combo for anyone looking to keep an eye on what they are eating, set goals for weight loss and keep a log of exercise.  It works great to track food intake as well as work-outs or daily activities.  The interface is easy to use to record your meals and snacks.  It also offers a 'my previous meals' option so if you eat the same thing for breakfast everyday, you can easily add daily without extra effort.  The best part is that you set your goal for weight loss within the app and it will then provide you with a target calorie intake for the day.  It will also track other things such as fat and sugars.  There is an option to track weight on a daily basis and you can update your goals as you go along.  Quick, easy, friendly and free.

I tried to be a runner...

...and failed.  About 7 weeks ago, I decided that I was going to get off my hide and follow my husband's footsteps into the world of running.  Growing up and all throughout high school, I was a competitive swimmer, but never a runner.  Figured might as well give it a shot.

So I went out with him twice and then tried to do it a bit on my own. Decided I would try the ole Couch to 5K program and see how that went for me.  I felt really good getting up and outside in the gorgeous South Carolina weather.  Until the pain arrived....

After my third trip out for a walk/run around out neighborhood (1/3 mile loop - tried to do at least 3 loops), I started to notice shooting pains in my left knee.  I figured it was just not used to being used and maybe a little of the weigh I've been carrying around for the last few years.  So I ignored i; but after it happened again after my next try outside and continued to hurt for another week on top of that, I knew something was wrong.  So I spent a week doing some Wii workouts inside.  I figured low impact might help the good ole knee settle down.  Wrong.  Squats are not conducive to nursing a knee injury. 

So what did I do... ignored it.  Five weeks (one of those including a family vacation) went by before I finally (at the urging of my husband) decided that I might need to see a doc.  Over these 5 weeks my knee hurt a bit here and there but not too much, but I also wasn't doing anything.  Lucky for me, my coworker is an avid runner and has tons of contacts in our area.  She put out some feelers to a running group and one person was kind enough to get me into a physical therapy center.. for FREE!  (its good to know people)

So last Friday, I got a free consultation with a PT guy.  He had me do some exercises and did some strength tests and apparently, my left side is weak.  I hate weakness.  I was assigned / prescribed a set of strengthening exercises / stretches that should help me build up strength in my left leg and hip.  I need to do these for 4 - 6 weeks and slowly ease back into walking / running.  This past week, I've done the exercises every other day (should do them right now) and I have noticed that my knee isn't hurting too much and there is no more swollen-ness.  Great news!

I'm going to try to hit the pavement again sometime these week and at least walk a mile and see how it feels after that.  From there, my goal is to ramp up my walking to gradually.  Looking to do up to 3 miles of walking with weekly half mile increases and once I can master that with no pain, I'm going to add the running back in.

We'll see how it goes.  Off to do my stretches.