The Kat Files

Well, folks, the week escaped me and I have no idea where it went and why it went by so quickly. However, I did not have the opportunity to update what has been happening with me on my weight loss journey. Unfortunately, I have been a bit of a CrankyPants this week and personally, I feel I have good reason. Last week, I finally reached my running goal of running for a solid 30 minutes. I ran Monday morning with no issues. I ran Wednesday morning with no real issues (little tenderness in right shin). I iced the area and took some Aleve. I ran Friday afternoon, but later that evening I developed a real issue or rather the onset of an injury. Shinsplits! Oooh, I was so mad. I try very hard to prevent injury. But, I’m stubborn and I like to run, so I had been adding that extra run/walk on Sundays. I think it finally caught up with me.

According to an article I read in Runner’s World, one physical therapist believes that every runner has an injury threshold. And, I’m beginning to believe this is true. Running experts acknowledged this problem a long time ago, hence the  10-percent rule. However, a 10-percent increase may even be too much for some runners. And, I believe I am one of those runners. Even though I increased modestly each week, it was obviously too much too soon. Luckily on Saturday night, I saw my friend who is a physical therapist. She gave me some tips (massage, stretches, advice) to get me back on the road. She told me I would probably be okay running again on Tuesday, but cutting back to walking/running for a bit and build back up to 30 minutes. My BFF from 3rd Grade also lent me a pair of black knee-high compression socks. I decided to err on the side of caution and did NOT run ALL week, thus causing me to be CrankyPants. You must understand, I look forward to my runs. They make me happy. My best time to think and problem-solve is during my runs. Although I did take three REST days this week, I did continue to strength train, stretch, and ride my bike. The tenderness is gone and hopefully, for good. I just have to view this as a minor setback.

So…what is my plan? I am no longer walking/running on Sundays. I’ll either just ride my bike or walk on the treadmill. I will run 3 days a week, but cut back to the following schedule: Walk 10 minutes, run 6 minutes. Walk 4 minutes, run 6 minutes (repeat twice). I may not really need to cut back that much; however, I want to run and I would rather build back up slowly than get injured again. Instead of increasing my running by three minutes each week, I plan to increase by one minute. In addition, I will have to include at least one REST day each week. And, I may try to run with the compression socks.

As for my weigh-in on Sunday, October 21st, I weighed 130.5 pounds. I lost 2 more pounds, which means I have 5.5 pounds to go to reach my weight loss goal. I have five more weeks left of keeping my food journal. It would be nice if I could reach my goal within these five remaining weeks. It will also be my five month mark of eating clean.

Until next time, enjoy the blessings of your day and do your best. Happiness!

“When suddenly you seem to lose all you thought you had gained, do not despair. You must expect setbacks and regressions. Don’t say to yourself “All is lost. I have to start all over again.” This is not true. What you have gained you have gained….When you return to the road, you return to the place where you left it, not to where you started.” ~ Henri J.M. Nouwen, The Inner Voice of Love