Finding Nemo

My first memories of swimming were in the municipal pools in Irving, Texas.  I remember my grandma teaching me how to dive into the water.   I don't think I ever had swim lessons, for we were too poor for that.   So my knowledge of swimming consisted of doing cannon balls, singing under water, and trying to hold my breath from one end of the pool to the other.  

Swimming
So as I mentioned earlier in the blog, swimming kicked my ass. I have now been going for a month and it's still kicking my ass, only a little less.  With no formal training in proper swimming technique, I have my work cut out for me.  I have spent Friday nights glued to YouTube videos on Freestyle swimming techniques.  I go to the pool the next day and practice those.   I swim the length of the pool, proud that I am doing better, but still out of breath and panting.   I envy the other swimmers that can swim a length, do the fancy underwater turn, and swim another length and do the fancy turn...repeat 30 times.

I swim, pant, swim, pant.  

But lately I have gotten to swim, swim, pant.  And my form is getting better.  And my legs, back, arms, and stomach are all stronger.  And I've lost more weight.  All of which is forward movement!  

Me at the pool.

My goal is to do a Sprint Triathlon next spring.  This usually consist of a 1/2 mile swim.  I have done the calculations and for the pool you see behind me in the picture, I have to swim back and forth 32 times to reach that distance.  32 TIMES.   I got some work to do, but I'm excited for the challenge.

My new swimming Goddess = Karlyn Pipes-Neilson.  I wish to, one day, swim like her.  I'm pretty sure she's actually a fish in human clothing.

Here's the links to her videos that I have found very helpful:

Technique 1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZTQpF_mmg44

Technique 2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YsgZX2oD9CY

Technique 3:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RZO738a8WQw

Technique 4: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kPMFxYDPkqs

Technique 5: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sUWAZo-03u0


Bathing Suit
I will make it know that I finally don't feel terribly self conscious in a bathing suit.  I just swam laps or aqua jogged (I'll post later on this) for an hour. And anyone that was in the pool with me would know that I am working on losing these rolls under the suit.

Pool House Nudity
Ok, so swimming has it's hazards.  Chlorine hair, water in your ears, etc.  But the one I find most alarming is public nudity in the gym locker room.  Though I may be comfortable in my bathing suit, you will NEVER see me naked in the locker room.  I grew up WAY to modest for such things.  Other people's nudity doesn't really bother me, but having to pretend that everything is cool and that I am ok with their NAKEDNESS, while holding a conversation with them is something that I haven't gotten used to yet.   I think it may be less awkward for everyone if I was naked too, but that's not gonna happen. 



Dr. Downer, the Goddess Healer, and a Diagnosis

So if anyone has been wondering, yes, I am still here.  Remiss in my blogging, for sure, but in my journey, no.

However, I still can't run.

After the chiropractor visit not working out, I hobbled around for another several days before I gave in and made a Podiatrist appointment.    A week later, I find out that I indeed have a bone spur from chronic plantar fasciitis in my left foot.  He gives me an orthotic and some stretching exercise to do and sends me on my way with a "come back in 3 weeks."  The topper?  He tells me that anyone close to 40 years old should not run and that I should find another fitness activity to pursue. 

Ummmm. No.

So I scoured the internet for alternative methods of healing for this darn plantar fascia and have some success with feeling better.  I also wore the orthotic for one half day, but after experiencing knee and hip pain from them (which I normally don't have), they came out of my shoes for good.  

My stupid orthotics.  I really love the "custom" touches.

Fast forward another week and an attempt to test a tiny amount of running, on the soft grass, at the park with my dog.  OUCH!   It's been almost a month and a half since I have been able to run and my foot STILL hurts.  I limped home.

I've had it!   I made an appointment at the local Sports Medicine Center and 3 days later met with my new found Goddess.  Dr. Schafer is the shanizzle.   She rolled her eyes at what the other doctor said  and proceeded to perform all kinds of fancy examine activities.   Ruling:  lots of stuff wrong with the foot.  Sure there's the pesky plantar fascia, but also the Achilles tendon bone spur and a possible stress fracture, weak muscles and several tendon-itis'.

But get this.  The injury came probably not from running, but from a marathon dance session at a work function, all done barefoot.   Oops.   The hazards of liquid courage (vodka) and a love of dance.

I seriously don't drink a lot, but a week long business trip warrants some stress relief.  

Up next, an MRI and then hopefully and finally, some healing advice.

But still no running.   For now.

Mini Donuts

Screw you mini powdered donuts.  I have been craving you for weeks. 

Tonight you won and you have left your trail of powdered goodness all down my tie die shirt.

Tomorrow I shall invest time in researching what an athlete eats.  I'm pretty sure mini donuts don't make the list.



Darn.  I just ate mine right out of the package.  These are way cooler.
(thanks Google images for the pic)
 

 

Whining and New Horizons

The visit to the Chiropractor went well and she did all kinds of adjusting me.  She even adjusted my ribs so I could breath better while running.  I thought that was cool as shit.   She wanted me to do a test run before the 10K.  So I did.   3 miles of hoping that I wouldn't feel any pain.  3 miles of denying that it still hurts.  3 miles of knowing that I won't be running that 10K this weekend.   My dashed hopes were only made worse by the aching I had all over my body from the adjustments and a night of my dog having explosive diarrhea.   Tired and frustrated, I looked anywhere I could for encouragement.   Again, I turned to the goddess that is Meredith Atwood of SwimBikeMom.com.   I read her blog because she is human and funny and has been down this road too.  I know my injury is nothing compared to what it could be, but I need to make a plan. A plan to keep this body moving and getting stronger until my foot is better.  So while digging through Meredith's blog, I find her poster section.  Little gems of encouragement and wisdom. 

I chose this one, because with the injury, I have to look at starting something new.  Like swimming.  Like biking.  Like getting into a bathing suit.  Doing new shit that involves this fat girl going into a new fitness establishment scares the crap out of me.  I have to build the courage for several days.  I know it's stupid really. But, I have to remember that this is the new adventurous me.  I HAVE to do this.  So I went to the local pool and fitness center.   I walked in like I had been there a million times, paid the man, and quickly looked like a dork because I couldn't get the spin bike seat to adjust. 
 
Swimming kicked my ass.  I have been running for 4.5 months and strength training along side it.  But swimming uses EVERYTHING.  I was out of breath and weak after one "fast" freestyle stroke down the lane.   But you know what?  I kinda loved it.  So I kept on for 45 more minutes.  Note to self:  cutsy bathing suites are not meant for lap swimming.  Must get a swimsuit that will keep my boobs in.  No one wants to see that, really.

Running is amazing, but how much more amazing would it be to run, swim and bike?! 

Dare I say that a triathlon is in my future?  Possibly.  Probably.  Why the hell not?  

Who knew that a messed up plantar fascia could lead me to an even bigger badass dream?






 



Desktop Motivation

Obsession Confession....

I have been frustrated this week due to a foot injury.  I sidelined myself in hopes of recovering in time for the 10K race I was supposed to run this weekend.   It looks like I won't be running it.  I haven't given up complete hope.  I have argued this out in my head all week long. 

"It's going to be ok and it'll be ready for Saturday."  Repeat 5 times.

"I can't even walk without it hurting, I'm so stupid for thinking I'll be able to run Saturday"

"You got this.  It's doesn't hurt as bad when I'm running.  You can push past the pain. Just go for it!" Repeat 10 times.

"If I go for it then I might finish the race, but I'll be a hobbled by pain two hours later."

"No! I'm not obsessing about this!!!" - She says to her wife who's giving her that "Um, yes you are." look.

"I've got a stress fracture (did I mention I'm wee bit of a hypochondriac) and it's going to take months to heal and I'll get fatter and turn lazy and people will hate me and I'll let everyone down....AHHHHHHHHHH."  (throws self to floor)

There.  It's out.  I'm ok. 

A visit to the Chiropractor tomorrow, I hope, will shed some light on all this and I'll be able to make a plan of attack.  I have a couple of weeks to play with before I start my half marathon training, so I just need to be patient.  I hate patient.  I'm a Virgo.  It's all or nothing, baby.

I love traditional tattoo art and hope to cover my one day skinny arms with them.
 

In the meantime, I am going to obsessively read this new wonderful blog I am in love with and follow all her successes until I have a 10K under my belt. 

http://www.swimbikemom.com/

Weird Things That Get Sore

A short list of the weird places (at least I thought so anyway) that got or get sore:

1. My neck.  You don't use your neck to run, right?  Well, apparently ya do, 'cuz it gets sore. This was definitely a problem when I first started running. I feel this is especially true for heavy runners.  I could feel that my arms and shoulders seemed to carry the weight of all my weight.   The tight muscles would give me a headache.  Stretching those muscles helped a ton, as did being mindful to relax them during running.  

2. F.U.P.  Yes, I went there (Google it if you know not of what I speak).  The very tippy end of my rectus abdominis was sore every time I ran for the first month or so.  Follow the bouncing belly!

3. Ok, so I wasn't sore here, but my hands were one of the first places that started to lose weight.  Weird huh?

4. Toenails. The rubbing of toes nail against the top of my shoes made them ache sometimes. My shoes aren't too small, it just happens when you are going down hills, etc.   Keeping the nails clipped short helps.  I am proudly awaiting my first blackened toe nail which I have heard distance runners get.  So far, no luck.

All the rest of the sore places are to be expected:  feet, ankles, knees, everything....

Is That a Flourscent Yellow Running Sausage?

So now that I'd decided to be a runner, I wanted to look like one.  Not sporting Just My Size baggie shorts and t-shirts, but those bright colored awesomely skin tight exercise clothes.   However, it was February in Vermont, which meant snow and ice.  So into the depths of my exercise clothes cache I went. Kept in a biggo Tupperware at the bottom of my closet, I have about 10 pairs of differing black legging thingies - shorts, capris, baggie capris, actual fitted long leggings. You know, because this new pair is going to fit better than the last black stretchy thing I bought.  The fitted leggings (that actually are Just My Size!) became my new best friend.  These beauties could be pulled up over my stomach rolls for support!  They just about touched my sports bra.  This is impetrative, so that you can focus on running and not the giggle of your belly. Sexy? Not so much.  But I wasn't going for sexy, I meant business with this new running gig.  For my first run, I layered these leggings with a long sleeve t-shirt, a fleece jacket, and top layer of my 3-layer coat.  It was probably 25-30 degrees.  But out into the night I went and I ran.  I ran in cold rain, I ran in slush and freezing puddles with wet cold feet, I ran in snow and 15 degree wind.  I ran in reflective vest.  Did I tell you I meant business? 

But as the weather warmed, I realized that the skin tight leggings and shirt could no longer hide behind a coat.  So real quick, I had to find the courage to put on clothes that made me look like a fluorescent sausage and run around town in them.  The thing is, when I put them on, I felt like a runner.  I didn't want to wear baggy workout clothes.  These running clothes were the most comfortable, esteem boosting things I had ever placed on my body.   I did, however, have one moment of seeing myself reflected in the glass of a shop window while running downtown.  I had an "OMG, you can totally see every single detail of my rolls" freak out.  But I was about to complete my first 3 mile run.  All the sudden I didn't give a shit anymore. What I was doing in those clothes was more important to me than what I looked like in those clothes.

My fluorescent yellow shirt and BFF leggings. 
I had just finished my first 5K!

My running clothes advice:

1. Get running socks!  They make a huge, huge difference! I buy mine at Walmart in the men's sock section (couldn't find any in the women's socks section).  They are moisture wicking.  I have run miles with wet feet and haven't had a blister yet!

2. Make sure you have a good supportive sports bra.  My girls aren't so big, so I don't have to worry too much about this, but as I've lost some weight, I know when it's time to get a smaller bra.  Ouch.

3. The form fitting clothes have saved me from chaffing. I haven't had to resort to Body Glide quite yet. (See the links below for more info on this).

4. There are a handful of name brand places that sell plus size workout clothes.  Most are pretty pricey.  I did get a pair of XL women's Under Armor running capris.  I like them a lot, but they don't quite pull up far enough over my tummy (this is an ongoing issue with most "plus size" clothes made by say Nike, still cut the same as smaller women clothes without room big bellies).  They will soon, but the evening I ran in them, my stomach fat actually hurt from not enough support while running.   So I would advise trying either men's sizes or look for larger sizes at Walmart or Target.  They do a pretty good job of having leggings that fit larger women.  They may not be as wonderfully cute as those Athleta outfits, but they will do the job.   I also saw reasonably priced workout clothes at JCPenny, Lane Bryant, and Columbia.

5. Wear the bright neon colors while running the roads.  People drive crazy these days, what with the texting and cell phones.   The more you can be seen, the better.

6. Be proud of embracing your body as it is, even in these more reveling clothes.  You are literally working your ass off and deserve to be proud of yourself.   You are an athlete now.


I came across these fellow heavy runners blogs and they have some great advice: 

http://arlington-va.patch.com/articles/a-fat-runners-guide-to-being-a-fat-runner

http://www.saltyrunning.com/2012/08/30/plus-size-running-guide/

Running Shoes: "Industrial Strength, Please."

Google Search Entry #1:  Shoes for heavy runners
Search Results:  Lot's of articles on people who run a lot.  Like, a lot a lot.

Google Search Entry #2: Shoes for fat runners (sigh)
Search results:  3 articles by "experts" that say we are all flat footed and over pronators.  And yes, we know we need to lose weight to minimize the impact on our bodies, thank you for that.

This is how much padding I was thinking would be necessary!

Case in point: 
http://www.runningshoesguru.com/2010/09/the-best-running-shoes-for-heavy-runners/

However, I am finding I glean the most information from the comments after the article.  I find I also get a fair amount of new knowledge reading "real people" forums.  You have to read a little more, but you can usually find some real life larger runners and see what works best for them.   The best advice everyone gives is going to be fitted at a proper running shoe store.  I have yet to do this 'cuz, I live in a very small town and needed shoes asap to start training.  I will however, be doing this for round two of shoe buying! 

I chose a pair a Brooks.  I really like them so far and feel they provide padding where I need them.  I also bought a pair of Asics Gel Kayano's which I use as my everyday non running shoe and I love them.

My Brooks and a stopwatch!

Forums/articles to check out regarding shoes heavy/larger runners:

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/961973-best-running-shoes-for-heavy-runners

http://www.runpals.com/running-shoes-for-heavy-runners.html (this one has many of the shoes recommended that I have seen in many real people forums)

http://www.mizunousa.com/running/blog/article/big-shoes-for-big-runners (this is for their shoes, but actually gives some good info and I'll be checking them out too.)

I take great care to protect my feet and make sure I stretch them before and after a run.  I have trouble with plantar fasciitis in my left foot, activated prior to running (a 4 hour barefoot awards banquet dance session....fun for everything but my feet).   If my feet hurt after a run I ice and roll.  Fill a plastic water bottle with water and freeze.  It's great for rolling tired, sore feet over and the ice helps with inflammation. 

I have read of other heavy runners having trouble at the shoe store with staff not wanting to sell them running shoes.  They point them instead to walkers.  I went right in an said, "I have challenged myself to running a half marathon.  I am a big girl, so I need maximum support.  Which do you suggest?"    Be confident.  It doesn't leave room for their nonsense!

February 2013: First time, fat runner.

I'm fat ya'll.   Always have been.  Well, since the age of 5 when I started sneaking spoonfuls of Miracle Whip and hiding in the closet to eat it.  Makes me gag a little to think of doing that now, but I digress. Though heavy (which is the term I like better than fat), I was always somewhat active.    Hiking, biking, the occasional dance class, flag football (playing the line of course, so I could flatten all the skinny fast girls with my sheer brute size), summer softball, canoeing, walking. I figured I would make a good athlete, but was always thinking I was too fat to try it out in earnest.  So as the years passed, I went from thinking I could be sporty, to in actuality being a 280lb binge eating mess.  Once, at the bottom of a pound bag of plain M&M's, I realized I needed to change.  And then later that same day, 3 Dr. Peppers and a whole bag of chips later, that no, really, I needed to change or they wouldn't be able to find a coffin big enough to shove my dead fat ass into.  Morbid, I know, but imminently true.  So over the next eight years, I took a hard, honest look at what made me eat, what made me unhappy, what made me hate myself, what made my body feel bad, and started to slowly change it, heal it, and love it.  During this time, the little healthy skinny me that lived inside of all this other mess, kept saying she wanted to run a marathon.  Fat me laughed and laughed, but secretly wanted to, too.

Me, at my heaviest, 280lbs, circa 2006.

So I find myself now, on the brink of my 40th birthday, training for a half marathon.  My eight years of healing has led me to a 60 pound weight loss, but I have at least 60 more to go.  I was inspired to begin this journey, when I saw a woman on FB who was challenging herself to her first marathon while raising money for an awesome animal rescue group, Running for Rescues.  I'll post about R4R in an upcoming post.  But this was my sign that it was now my time.  So I set a date to start training.  February 13, 2013.  My plan:  Train for a 5K, then a 10k, then the 1/2 marathon.  I weighed 234lbs.   Now I just needed some shoes!

Feb. 12, 2013 - The day before my first run.