Discovery

8:47 AM Edit This 12 Comments »
Guess what I found out last night? The 5K I ran on Sunday was 3.3 miles instead of 3.1. So - my time would have been even BETTER. How cool is that? Also, we ran hills last night. I do not like those hills. Not yet. And my right knee locked up at 33 minutes. Hrmph. It was humid out, though. It was raining last time that happened. My body apparently doesn't like the dampness. That, and our trainer told me that I needed to strengthen my quads. How do you do that? I'll google it today, but any suggestions from the peanut gallery would be welcome. All day yesterday, I was contemplating whether or not I thought I felt confident enough to go out on the trails by myself. Runner's Club hasn't started up again yet. I'm not worried about my personal safety. I'm more worried about the whole knees thing and what would happen if I really got stuck. But the desire to run was winning. The trails are always hopping with people - bikes, inline skaters, runners, walkers - some kind soul would help. I hope? So at 2 p.m. when our trainer sent out an email stating that she was running that evening and would we like to come, I instantly responded that I'd be there. Ecstatic! Seriously. Who is this woman inside my body who likes to run? I do not recognize her yet. I hope to get to know her better. I think I like her.

12 comments:

Anonymous said...

That's how I feel about swimming -- yes please, whenever! I want to swim.

I ran yesterday in San Francisco. I still do not like running.

Anonymous said...

The trouble with quad strengthening when you have knee pain is that it's a catch-22 - most exercises that strengthen your quads will also aggrevate your knees.

That said, any exercise that puts weight on your legs in a bent position will strengthen your quads. Deep knee bends will give your quads an intense workout, but will be very hard on your knees. For something a little less intense you could start with chair lifts - sit on the edge of a chair with your feet on the floor, then slowly extend one leg into a horizontal position (parallel to the floor). Hold it there for 5 seconds, then slowly lower it back to the neutral sitting position, repeat 10 or 20 times, then do the same with the other leg.

Or take up rock climbing. When you spend 6 hours clinging for your life to the side of a cliff with your legs twisted and bent into all kinds of weird positions, your quads, calves, biceps, triceps, abs, and pretty much every other muscle group in your body gets a workout unlike anything else...

Malaise Inc said...

Unfortunately, a great way to strengthen your quads is to run hills.

Nilsa @ SoMi Speaks said...

This post totally made me smile.

The Good Cook said...

You have definitely caught the running bug!

Spilling Ink said...

I have one bad knee and one that I injured some months ago. Cycling is the best for strengthening quads but also the yoga chair pose. You can modify the chair pose to suit i.e. legs wider apart to make it easier. If you want more info email me and I'll dig out some pics for you. Both of these things worked a treat for me(and a few other things too).

Shelley said...

So funny when the race courses are arbitrary - you had an excellent time for your 5K+!!!

BonBon Rose Girls Kristin said...

You rock lady!

Kate @ GreatestEscapist.com said...

new aspects of your new life. This is so wonderful to read about. Very happy for you!

Anonymous said...

I don't know if they specifically target quads, but jumping lunge are the best overall leg exercise that I've come across. 3 sets of 12, and you'll be hating yourself in the morning.

Can do mom said...

Good for you, you're a RUNNER! I used to be a runner until my knees couldn't handle it. Now I'm a walker but running is much more fun!

Biking is a great complement to running and will strengthen your quads. Be careful with lunges. They're great for your legs and quads but you've got to do them just right or you can aggravate your knee issues.

Keep it up!

Jen said...

I think I like her too ;)