Week 2: Running Fail

You would think that by writing out my goals for the world to see (and by world, I mean the four people who read this blog), I would somehow be more inclined to bite the bullet than bite the dust.  But week two of running was a fail.

It started out alright. On a Monday and on time, but as a was running up the third hill(esque) I felt my dinner want to make a come-back.

But sadly, even though this set-back would have sustained not running for just one evening. Instead I took of the entire week off. Why?

It’s simple enough. I’ve been feeling a little (read: hugely) irritated by the current state of my being. Which I will not delve into with this post (Thank goodness you are spared!). But let me leave you with a few parting words of advice when it comes to this running business:

1) Overcoming running is in your mind. And it also has to do with your emotional well-being. I.e. being able to believe in the fact that you will, somehow, survive this and walk out the better for it. Which leads to point 2…

2) It’s going to hurt, so embrace the fact that you will feel pain and prepare yourself for that.

Luckily, I am still continuing the program – despite me being me.

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First Week of Huffing

Running... I likes it!

That is, I have completed my first week of running. And sadly enough, this is a feat for me. The program I’m using is the Couch-to-5K. (major emphasis on the couch for now). And it is really great, I use the free podcasts that Robert  from Northern California made. See what good things happen when we share the internet and talents and resources – those good things include getting my butt into shape. So thank you internet and Robert.

Memorable Moments from Week One Include:

• Not realizing that the program should first be completed on flat surfaces, and nearly dying on my first hilly run.
• Dropping my mp3 player and having it freeze (I never realized up until that point what a *huge difference* listening to music makes when running.) In that moment resignation hit and I was not sure if I could continue. But that thought only lasted for .02 seconds. And yes, thankfully I did complete the run.
• Not planning my running route only to realize that end of my first run – and when approaching a nearly comatose state – there were still 2km to walk home. Up a steep hill.
• Sunglasses are a necessity, not a want.

Photo Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/kevindean/3697553979/

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Timid Green Thumb Part II

Bought a planter/box thingy/ window-sill- usually-filled-with-flowers-thing for my new little garden:

New Total Cost for Garden thus far: About $13.

Work done: Opening wallet and awkwardly walking about a store with “the thing”

Results: Odd box standing in my room waiting for a more sunny day for “operation-plantation” to commence.

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Running the never-ending race

My running shorts are from Walmart. They cost 13 dollars. My  shoes are years old purchase from Zellers during my earlier student days. I’m certain they were on a sale, and are quite frankly nothing special – with some indistinguishable knock-off brand name boasting from their sides. My MP3 would be classified as archaic by most standards – with only 1 gig of space and a user interface which is the furtherest thing away from today’s standards of “sleek”, “friendly” and “optimal”.

This is my un-fergielious and utterly-unglamourous gear: It is my battle garment  as a self proclaimed non-athlete.

My body, although slim, is characteristically soft and malleable. It is mine, I like it and I am thankful for it and all it allows me to do. I no longer put it down for not meeting those unattainable standards I imagined I could slave towards. Nor do I self censor photographs on facebook where I think “I could look better.” Although to some these levels of self-acceptance sound trite, for me it is something that I’ve worked towards. But still there is something missing.

Have you ever watched the movie Chariots of Fire? It’s about British runners as they prepare and participate in 1924 Olympic Games. One of the major characters, Eric Liddell, runs with the ultimate purpose of bringing glory to God: Eric states the most memorable quote from the film:

“I believe God made me for a purpose, but he also made me fast. And when I run I feel His pleasure.”

I don’t care an iota about losing any more weight, and although looking like an athlete may be nice  – it is not my goal. I want to something that challenges me to rise above the conditions of my body and emotions. I want the endurance that only comes from trying, trying and trying again – and then finally succeeding. Mastering the ability to know that there will be pain, I will endure and in the in the end it will be worth it.

That’s why I’m starting running – yet again.

I know that this is “food blog”. But I felt that it was somewhat related to the grander theme of how we treat our bodies, experience our landscape, and connect to  those around us.

Photo Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/good_day/20723337/

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Timid Green Thumb

I am no gardener. I’m not being coy or understating my talents – the reality is that up until now I have really not *done* much gardening. Yes, I like to spend times in gardens and go for walks in nature reserves. But the digging, the grunt work and the weeding was never my scene and was only done once in while (My parents keep a lovely garden though).

So I’m starting small (and very inexpensively). I’m starting with herbs! And I’ll keep you posted on how it goes. I promise.

Total Cost for Garden thus far: About $8.

Work done: Opening wallet.

Results: The dream of fresh herbs at my beck and call for cooking purposes.

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Summertime Challenges

What are we to do this summer? Especially since my move back to the countryside? Well I can be a little sad that I’m a bits away from my city friends. And then I’m going to have to find different things to do with new people (You Vancouver and BurQuitlam people are not being replaced, trust me – but twiddling my thumbs won’t do). So what I am to do?

1) Grow a herb garden (this should be interesting)

2) Take up running (Hmm, more details and excruciating pain to follow soon)

What lovely things do you plan to do with our lovely (but far too short) Canadian summer?

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