The World Beyond BetterMost > Anything Goes

Rebekah Jordan is running in the 2007 LA AIDS Marathon

(1/7) > >>

Lynne:
Rebekah Jordan is planning to run in the LA AIDS Marathon 3/4/2007 to benefit the AIDS Project Los Angeles.  Many of you may know that Rebekah is a quite talented singer-songwriter and an actress.  I was recently introduced to her work in C. Jay Cox's film, Latter Days, in which she acted and performed several songs.  Here is a link for more information:

http://aidsmarathon.com/participant.asp?runner=LA-2411&EventCode=LA07

-Lynne

Lynne:
So, this week while I was spending $$$ at amazon.com buying things I didn't really need like the sheet music to Brokeback Mountain, an unrated copy of Latter Days (and its score), the Donnie Darko score (well, you get the picture)....

I also decided to buy this book:

The Non-Runner's Marathon Trainer (Paperback)
by David A. Whitsett, Forrest A. Dolgener, Tanjala Jo Kole

(This book had high user feedback and seemed geared to an audience of average folks...should be here any day now!)

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1570281823/104-4670790-3507909

Lest you think I'm having delusions of running a marathon with Rebekah next March (would that not be the coolest, though??!!), my goals are not as lofty.  Some of you have already heard this, so skip it if you have - just keep thinking supportive thoughts!

I really, really want to go to Alberta next summer.  And I want to do it right - complete with whatever amount of hiking, backpacking, etc. that I can work into the schedule.  It will be a once-in-a-lifetime trip for me.

I have not always been such a slug.  Two years ago, I could run a 5K, swim 2 miles, bike 40, and play 45" of soccer, no problem.  Before that I played college softball and did tae kwonn do regularly.

However, I broke my left ankle in a serious car accident 5/5/2005 and although it's rebuilt with lots of hardware, it still gives me a great deal of trouble.  Couple that with 30-40 lbs I do not need, and I am just not where I want to be from a fitness standpoint.  So I'm naturally reluctant to sign up for Alberta, if I think I may be too limited in the outdoorsy fun I'm able to have while there.

My reasoning is that If I can get back to a point where I can hike 6 miles with a light pack, Alberta will be both do-able and enjoyable for me. (I arrived at this goal b/c serious Appalachian Trail hikers typically hike 10-12 miles/day with 60-80 lb packs).  So if anyone thinks I'm not being realistic, set me straight.  I do realize there will be an altitude factor which will make it tougher for us lowlanders.

So here's what I've done so far toward making these goals a reality:

-I signed up at my gym at work (which is a terrific perk of my job) complete with locker b/c getting my workout clothes there is 80% of my problem.

-I met with a trainer there to design a weight program to strengthen the ankle, as well as to make plans for improving general aerobic fitness - we're alternating recumbent bike, treadmill, and elliptical machine. (Interestingly enough though, my aerobic analysis was fine - my weak points were strength and flexibility where I scored lowest..hmmm.)

-I've been going 2-3X/week for the past 3 weeks, though Fridays do not really count because it's a really relaxing yoga class that's more for mental health than anything else.  One class last week, tho, was spinning, which was brutal, so I figure it balanced out.

-I'm taking Repliva (iron supplements) as well as a multi-vitamin and my last bloodwork shows I'm no longer anemic. (Three months ago they were threatening blood transfusions!)

And here's what I hope to do in the next month:

-Continue with the gym workouts as much as possible, with 3X/week (1 hours sessions, 30" aerobic) being the goal.

-Call up a soccer friend (Hal) and arrange for him to kick the ball around with me once or twice before matches to just evaluate how bad my lateral ankle motion is.  If it's not as bad as I think, I may try playing an indoor match with them - outdoor is out of the question for now, because I just fall down on uneven terrain.  If that doesn't work well, I'm going to try hitting tennis balls against a wall.

-Sign up to run in a 5K at Sewanee at the end of the month.  It's all for charity and I can start walking when I've had enough, but it will be a good gauge of where things stand after 7 weeks of gym aerobics.

That's all I can think of now, but I'm interested to know if there are any other BetterMostians out there who are feeling like they want to make some improvements in this area?

Pipe in and share and let's support each other (like always)!!

-Lynne

Disclaimer:

I'm 100% certain that watching BBM 21 times and spending 15 days total on BetterMost and meeting Brokies in person and drinking picthers of margaritas could NOT be part of the problem, so those issues will not be mentioned.  8)

nakymaton:
Do it! Do it! Do it! :D

Moose Mountain, where a lot of the spectacular mountain scenes were shot, is a 14 km hike, roundtrip. Longer than you're aiming for. Do you think you could work up to it?

Lynne:

--- Quote from: nakymaton on October 02, 2006, 12:19:37 am ---Do it! Do it! Do it! :D

Moose Mountain, where a lot of the spectacular mountain scenes were shot, is a 14 km hike, roundtrip. Longer than you're aiming for. Do you think you could work up to it?

(I ran my first marathon a month ago... I've been very gradually working up to it after having a baby three and a half years ago. Different challenges than recovering from an ankle injury, but working with a physical therapist/trainer in my family helped a lot.)

--- End quote ---

Thanks so much for your support!! 14K roundtrip to Moose Mountain, hunh?  There's plenty of time to work up to that with proper motivation, which exists here in abundance!  Excellent input!

-Lynne

tamarack:
Hey, Lynn, I'm really happy and excited for you! Doesn't it feel good to have a new direction to be heading in? A whole lot has been happening in my life, too, very recently. And it's all because of Brokeback. I'm happier than I've been in years and people I barely know are seeing the difference in me (as well as the people I work with).

Don't even consider that you won't have a great time in Alberta. It's going to be wonderful.

I'll donate $10.00 to your charity 5K for a little added inspiration. Seriously, send me your address and I'll send you a check.

Navigation

[0] Message Index

[#] Next page