Resolutions

So for New Year's Eve, a group of us signed up to run the "Resolution 5k" at State College. I think the point of that run was to demonstrate what a low fitness level I have so that if I resolved to make aerobic fitness a goal, I would know how far I have to go. In anticipation of the event, I began to run again (maybe four times). Bundling up and confronting the 30 degree weather first thing in the morning was a challenge. As my oxygen starved lungs heaved for air, my legs responded to the stress by sending jelly messages to my brain--watch says I have been pounding pavement for. . .5 minutes??? I remember when running used to be fun.

So race day comes and I'm pumped and a little nervous. Dad and Matt and I hang together the first two miles, then Dad shooed us off for the last mile. My shoelaces were loose, but flapping shoe aside, I felt great running downhill to the finish. I was motivated. We all agreed to meet back next year and run faster. Let the training begin!

Thankfully Mom was able to fix the treadmill, so instead of confronting the cold, I put on shorts and selected "5k Sport" on the machine. Wow, it was really hard. I checked my heart rate after the first mile: 180. That's faster than my maximum heart rate, but who decides these things anyway. Second mile, HR 168, I can do this. Finish: 200 beats per minute. I guess I really am tired. I do a five minute cool down, and my pulse recovers to 108. Now I have a goal--decrease my heart rate to something within that 75-85% of maximum range.

To celebrate, Dad and I went to a specialty running store to find new shoes. During the process I discovered that I am unable to stride correctly because of a ten-month old ankle injury. The shoe specialist was horrified and ordered me to stop running and even walking. See a specialist immediately for follow-up care. I was pretty upset, but taking a deep breath I realized at least I can cross off one new year's resolution, less than a week into the new year. And that may be even better than a magical pair of running shoes.