Yesterday, I announced that I am crazy (and that I had just signed up to do a half-marathon). Despite weighing 240 pounds, despite having a weak back and knees, despite being so out of shape most people would laugh at me, I signed up for a half-marathon. I plan just to walk it, but you have to finish in under 4 hours or they pick you up in the little vehicle they drive around in LOL.
Technically I haven’t signed up yet, because it costs $110! Donate? :) (Paypal: sadielankford@ymail.com)
I got energized last night and went on a 3 mile walk with a friend. Afterwards, I was starving – I ate some fruit and headed to bed.
This morning, I woke up and decided today is Official Day 1 of training for my half-marathon. So I woke up, got the kids off to school, fed the dog, did some dishes, and headed out for my walk.
Mile 1
I started out strong for the first mile. I walked facing away from the sun, so it was pretty much shaded the entire time. When I rounded the first corner, I started a slow incline up a hill. My feet started to hurt. I jogged a bit. I finished in about 17 minutes.
Mile 2
My mom was walking with me – but on the other side of town – so we talked on the phone a bit to get through Mile 2. It’s always tough to finish Mile 2 knowing you’re going on to Mile 3. If it’s just a 2 mile walk, I’m fine, but knowing I have another mile discourages me.
My knees started to bother me around the middle of mile 2. I didn’t look at the time.
Mile 3
This was when I turned around to walk home, and felt energized. I tried to jog, but my knees were hurting too badly. Then, my heels started to hurt. Around the end of Mile 3, my toes started to hurt and so did my back. I felt like I was falling apart, but I kept going.
I finished Mile 3 and felt like there is no way I can ever do 13.1 miles.
This is the FREE Pedometer app on iTunes
Conclusion
No, I’m not giving up. This is just Day 1. I can do this, I just need to work hard. And I think I need new shoes…
Suggestions on good walking shoes? Or which store I should get fitted at?
My next goal is 5 miles. I have to speed up, though, because based on my time above it would take me 4.5 hours to finish a half-marathon. I have to be able to finish in UNDER 4 hours.
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by SlapDashMom
Elizabeth Towns - I have always loved walking. My sister and I did a 5 mile heart walk one year with no training at all. I loved every step of it. I want to be able to do this kind of walking again. I haven’t been up to it since the surgeries. I’m going to start now. Today. Right away. Thanks for your inspiration. With everything going on, I am going to walk today for stress relief and because I want this for me.
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Jill e - It is recommended to buy a pair of shoes that are 1/2 size larger than your foot. Do you tend to walk on the inside or outside of your foot? Get shoes that support, they really help and your knees should get better when you lose more weight. Have you seen a doctor about your knees? Last but not least Good luck, I know you can do it.
SlapDashMom - I already wear a size 13 in womens so I am going to look at the mens shoes to see if I can find some 12s that are light-weight. I’m not sure how I walk, I will have to watch and see. I don’t have health insurance so no doctors.. I used to get fluid removed from my knees on a regular basis and they suggested surgery when I was a teen but I haven’t had health insurance in years so I can’t get them taken care of. I think as I lose weight they won’t hurt as much. :) Thank you for the support!!
SlapDashMom - I’ve always HATED walking. :( I can’t wait to hear about your walking journey. Start slow. <3
Lisa B - I’ve started walking each day at least 2 plus miles. I drag my boys or hubby with me so I’ll keep a fast pace. They are all tall and my boys are teens. Anyway, Monday I start to the gym to add some resistance training and weights. Glad I found your blog. You’ve helped me to stay on target and not to just accept this extra weight that I’ve gained over the last 5 years as part of aging. Maybe I’ll get daring and try a 5K. Z
Good luck on your amazing goal. I can’t wait to follow your journey.
SlapDashMom - Lisa, I would LOVE to see you do a 5K! It is only 3.1 miles, so I know you can definitely do it! Keep up the awesome work!
Sarah Welte - I just have to say that you are a rock star!! I am trying to get myself back into running and doing some 5k’s….you really are an inspiration and I am excited to see how the half turns out…maybe it will get my butt in gear!!
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Heather Beyant - In October I will be doing a 5k for NAMI Ohio! I have been walking a lot lately, today I think mt knee feels your pain… I know you can meet and exceed your goal, as for shoes I really like New Balance and Fila, I found them on sale at Kohls. However if you have a sporting goods/shoe store near you all, go have them fit you and they will be able to tell you what kind of a walking/cross training show you need
Heather Beyant recently posted..Say Hello to a Better Body- Chicken Soup for the Soul
Lisa W - Good for you for setting your goals high! Your best bet for a good pair of shoes is to go to a running specialty store and get a fitting. The staff will listen to how you plan to use the shoes and will steer you in the right direction. Plus, they won’t bat an eye as you walk (or jog!) around the store for an hour trying to remember which pair of shoes feels good even though it was sort of ugly. And (at least where I live) the prices are no higher at these stores for really good shoes than for the same brand but lower quality shoes you’ll find at non-specialty stores. I’m a runner (if we’re being generous and can call my snail’s pace that) and had awful problems with aching knees and shin splits until I got a fitting and different shoes- it made all the difference in the world. Good luck!!
Melody - I need to start walking, and I think I’m going to on Monday when the kids leave for school. I’ll have to start putting Gage in his stroller to do it, because no one wants to walk at the pace of a three year old lol! I’ll probably stick to the roads in the trailer park, though simply because the roads outside the trailer park are pretty busy. Good luck with the 10K. I know you can do it! As for the shoes, when I was in school, the only shoes I could wear cost my mom a fortune. It HAD to be Nike or some other really well made shoe, or my feet would HURT for a week after wearing a crappy pair of shoes. Now, I’m broke, and Nikes are WAY out of my price range lol.
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Leila - You are doing great – keep up the great work! I wish I had a suggestion for your knees because I know the pain, but I got nothing! :( I will, however, be your virtual cheerleader! Keep it up!!!
Leila recently posted..Peter Rabbit Organics {Review} #ngfamily
SlapDashMom - I have never really liked Nikes. :( On the plus side, pushing Gage will help you burn twice as many calories!
SlapDashMom - Thank you! I’m going to head to a running store this week. I started to get some shin pain on the last mile of my walk/jog yesterday and I freaked out! :( A snail’s pace running is still better than walking!! :)
Jamie - I need a good pair of running shoes also! I want to start walking this fall after my little one starts preschool.
Jacqui Odell - Keep it up!! You are doing a great job. You are a huge motivation for all of us lazy people who need to get out and moving a little more!
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