I didn’t really mean for it to happen. Sunday morning, I got up like I do any other Sunday morning that I didn’t drink too much wine the night before (oh wait, I did… damn you Solera and Andrew Bird! Good thing Sish and I are early-birds and were in bed by 11pm. No joke).
Oh, well. So, Dirty and I went out for coffee and the Sunday paper, which we do together a lot of Sunday mornings – she reads the sports section, I do start the crossword.
And yes, that’s what we call her. Her name’s really Allison, but she’s the fieriest dirty redhead you’ll ever meet, so Dirty Red it’s been for longer than I’ve known her.
We came home and I decided to make waffles, which the roommates were happy to help put away. I did a decent job in bright pink ink on the crossword (the regular one, not the NYT. I’m smart, but not that smart on Sunday mornings…), and then Allison suggested we head over to Lake Nokomis to rollerblade.
Lake Nokomis, in its place in the Grand Rounds Scenic Byways
I hadn’t rollerbladed in at least a couple of years, but it’s like riding a bike, right (Nic, don’t kill me for that one, ok)? I mean, it’s not going to get me as winded as running, but would be way more active than walking.
Wanting to incorporate some cardio into my now fairly regular yoga training, I was all over it. We grabbed our iPods, blades, and headed out.
My first mistake was wearing the just-because-they’re-newer-than-mine-doesn’t-mean-they’re-better-than-mine rollerblades my sister handed up to me last summer. Then again, other things that happened more recently than those skates include: Backstreet Boys, my highschool graduation, and the Atlanta Summer Games. I have had my rollerblades since I was 12 years old in 1995. They are the only pair I’ve ever owned or ever wanted to own. (Yes, the wheels have been replaced and rotated, but the skates? Hey, they’re vintage, right?)
Anyway, I should’ve stuck with what worked. We made it around the 3ish miles around the lake; I fell once (I blame the hand-me-up rollerblades that didn’t fit properly, but I’m sure all the passersby didn’t care and enjoyed that just the same).
No matter how “in shape” I felt because of how well I can hold my balance in eagle pose or how many seconds I can stay in side plank, I got my ass handed to me around the lake that day.
On Monday, I walked around Lake Harriet with another friend. I think this probably helped reduce some of the potential soreness, and I’ve been told this is 3.2 miles, so we did a 5k. Nice.
Tuesday night, Dirt and I biked from our place in SW Minneapolis up to catch the trails that run alongside Minnehaha Parkway, went east to Lake Nokomis, stopped at a friends’ house for water and an air-pump, and then came back. All in all it was about 13 miles (Dad, aren’t you proud?! ), and used muscles I definitely don’t even think about blading or walking. OUCH. I anticipate soreness.
I guess I’m cross-training now, right? All I need now is to run and swim and I’m all set. And actually I might. Well, run at least. I made it through my Lent challenge, and have been reading about Nilsa doing something similar. She’s either giving something up or adding a new good habit to her life every month. One thing at a time because small changes are easier to manage. I’d been thinking of continuing this in my life and adding/subtracting things that would benefit me more in the long run.
I think I just decided cardio, and the good thing is, I’ve already started! Since the Pescatarian Experiement ended on Easter, and I went rollerblading on Easter – that’s starting my month. I want to commit to something reasonable, so I was thinking that I’d make the commitment to something 3x/week for at least 20 minutes. That’s what they always tell you is the minimum right? Well, it’s 60 minutes more each week than I was doing before, so we’ll start with that!
Tips and tricks to making running more fun? I know Nicole swears by books on tape instead of music, though my running playlist has always been a mix of Black Eyed Peas and The Ramones because the beats are consistently upbeat through the WHOLE albums.
What’s on your workout playlist?
Doniree Walker is an aspiring yogini, jet-setter, foodie, and story-teller. She's a writer and geek girl by trade, and a lover and a connector by lifestyle, and is currently obsessed with: train travel, single-serving chocolate milk, and brand new notebooks. Oh, and she's also part supergirl. Wanna be friends? 
{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
You are a machine!
My tips to make running more fun:
*Don’t tell yourself you have to go out and run for X amount of time straight or it doesn’t count. Break it up into walk/run intervals (e.g., run 3 minutes, walk one) and then increase the run time as your fitness builds.
*Get quality running shoes. Go to a local running store and have them evaluate your gait to make sure you get shoes that support your specific running style. When I upgraded from my old sneakers to actual running shoes it changed EVERYTHING. (You’ve probably done this, but it was so huge for me that I always double check with people!)
*Run with other people. Music and podcasts are fine and good, but conversation is a billion times more distracting/engaging. I also like to do a run each week with no iPod, no friends, and just appreciate what’s around me. Or you could bring your camera and do photo runs like Ed does.
*Sign up for an event a couple months away. It’s nice to have something to work toward, and it’s so fun to cross the finish! (I would recommend a 5k fun run or something, not the soul-eating, body-terrorizing crapfest of a marathon.
i don’t know if books on tape would be good for me when i run. i need music, preferably alternative music. don’t ask, i don’t know why. i have a lot of three days grace, buck cherry, fly leaf, linkin park, our lady peace, papa roach and ahem…brittany spears
I hate running, ever since my senior year of basketball ended, I don’t think I’ve ever ran for more than a mile and liked it. Sometimes I really wish I could enjoy it, I think it’s one of the best forms of exercise as long as you do it right.
That said, I wish you luck, and always remember that if all else fails, listening to the right music will at least get you started.
I think you just made this challenge thing official. I mean, aren’t things official once they’re printed on your blog? =)
Three things make running easier for me. First, only add a little distance to each run. Meaning, if you run one mile today, don’t expect to go out and run 5 miles tomorrow. Make it small increments.
Second, run with a friend. Talking actually makes the time go by quickly!
And third, make a really great reason to finish your run. Maybe it’s brunch out with friends. Or a manicure. Or spending the rest of the sunny day sitting in the sun with a good book. Whatever gets you moving and then gets you home. It’s amazing what chasing a treat will do for you.
I usually don’t headphones or anything while running since it just seems too dangerous. And why the heck haven’t you stopped by my house? Nokomis is not too far from yours truly.
I’d throw in some classic upbeat Beck, and maybe something fun and girly like… Sahara Hotnights? They have mostly upbeat tunes.