{My Third...}

...day of my new-found exercise routine, jogging/walking went really well! I actually enjoyed it! In fact, I looked forward to it ALL DAY. I was really excited that I made it, without any major mishap. Just trying to get my breathing in sync so I don't get side aches. Other than that, I think I'm going to step it up a notch on Wednesday! Wish me luck!

I think I may have made Ryan feel a little bad, though, because I told him he couldn't run with me. He looked shocked, but I tried to explain as we were running/jogging that his legs are too long and his stride is off from mine. If I try to keep up with him, I'm exhausted after 20 seconds. He was a good sport and just followed far enough behind (he said the view was better, but I'm not quite sure about that!) that I couldn't hear his feet slapping the ground. I reassured him after getting our snow cones (and I got sugar-free) that in a week or two, maybe I'll have more endurance built up and can run right next to him. :) He reassured me the view was better from behind. Silly husband! :)

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On a side note, because I didn't check my camera settings before shooting 300+ pictures on the 4th of July, they're all so under-exposed that I think they're beyond saving. I'll try to take some time tonight...wait...this week...to get them up. I feel like I'm talking to myself. But hey, it's okay.

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By request of some I give you {drum-roll please} Karen's Advice: Do not run. Jog easily. Allow your legs, feet, toes, hip, core, shoulders, arms, neck and all the other muscles in your body the opportunity to 'fall into running'. Don't force it. Your body needs to strengthen the joints that are being used before you 'beat them up'. :) Instead of doing the recommended 60 second jog (and I was doing a hard jog because I thought I had to) alternating with the 90 second walk for 20 minutes, Karen recommended that I lightly jog for 2 minutes, walk for 2 minutes, only four times, then walk it out. I did that the second day and the third I did the 2 minute exchanges for 20 minutes then walked it out for forty and felt much better. I don't know if it was because my body was liking the attention of exercising those muscles, or because I was gaining confidence in actually getting out and doing this.

I still warm up before hand by walking briskly for 5 minutes roughly and stretching my calves and quads a little, then get to it! Afterward, I stretch it out a little (plus the walking it out) and throughout the evening, stretch a little.

Hope this helps those of you who asked! :)