Kenna Runs

Breakfast

2009-08-26T07:55:00.000-06:00

Yum.

I want to break free.

2009-08-25T07:41:00.004-06:00

Here is the beautifully haunting music I discovered the other day. Seems a strange contrast to running, but it works for me. Found Songs by Ólafur Arnalds.

At least I'm moving up

2009-08-20T07:23:00.004-06:00

So, I decided to change my outlook a little. Although it's upsetting that I have taken a giant leap backwards, I am where I am. All that's left to worry about is that I'm moving forward. If I don't do that, then I'll continue moving backwards and then I'll hate myself for sure. So: here I am at a 6/2/3 and barely surviving that.

And now for your pleasure (please catch my sarcasm):

ps - I think my lymph system is jacked from all that swelling last week. (Did I already say that?) Anyway, I don't know how to re-charge it. Probably a wringing massage, a good body brushing, and some serious supplementation. I need to make time for the first two, and call my MIL about the third. (She wrote the best-selling How To Herb Book - there's my claim to fame). :)

because apparently this morning's video didn't work for most of you

2009-08-17T19:01:00.006-06:00

Here it is again. Although at this point, I'm embarrassed post this again. I mean I do still feel like crying about it, but in hindsight... I don't know, you know? I'm just a weakling.

not so great

2009-08-17T08:10:00.002-06:00

went backwards to make it easier on me after my trip to new york, and STILL couldn't do it right. by "right" I mean not having to stop one minute short... and even that about killed me. I hate moving backwards. maybe if i had been strong enough to just push through that last minute I'd be proud at how hard today was and not feel so defeated.

ENOUGH!

2009-08-16T21:54:00.002-06:00

My feet are finally back to normal. Actually, they have been for a few days now, but I've been in some sort of funk. I doubt it's jet lag, because I've now been home for five days, but I am having the hardest time getting a good night's sleep. I sleep well, but then I'm exhausted all day and my body hurts.

I've been waiting for myself to feel better, but ENOUGH! Hello, this is why I'm in this out-of-shape situation in the first place - because I have consistently WAITED until I felt good to take charge and kick some butt.

So tomorrow I'm back with the program, on the treadmill. It appears I only have THIRTY THREE days until my race. WHAT? HAPPENED? I'm only slightly panicking at the ticking clock. I'm going to take a small step back and repeat Week 3 in my training program and never look back from there.

So, look for a new video tomorrow. And by the way, I'm so terrified I have messed my progress up by taking a week off, that I'm not sure if I'm going to be able to fall asleep tonight. I need all the luck (and flowers and money, but that's another story) you can send me.

I'm back from NYC!

2009-08-12T21:38:00.001-06:00

just got back from a long and lovely weekend in the citay. I had planned to run while I was there, but the hotel didn't have a gym and running in central park just sounded like way too much fun for me to handle so I skipped it. good thing, too, because I averaged about 2-3 miles walking and about 500 stairs per day from hiking out of the subway.

So I'm home now and excited to get back with the program but there's one small prob... I can't bend my legs. Severe unexplained edema going on in the G-house this week.

I'm probably dying, but if I'm not, you can expect more video scintillation soon!

p.s. this entire post is being published from my phone...we'll see how this turns out.

Dear Inner Badass,

2009-08-04T21:58:00.004-06:00

Every difficult challenge I have faced in life has been emotional, not physical.

You emerged when I was the biggest nerd in the entire school during 4th grade, and lifted my chin in pride.

You came around for a while when my parents chose different paths and my Daddy moved out of our house that one Tuesday. That's when you somehow made a 12 year old girl who hated the world and herself, make a very adult-like decision to clean her slate and choose new surroundings; choose new friends; choose happiness. That was a miraculous transition.

After years of struggling with infertility, you crept out of your cave, finally, on the day I was told by doctors I was helpless... and planted a seed of courage that cracked my heart open to the idea of adoption.

From all these adversities grew the greatest blessings in my life: my character, my happiness and my perfect family. How grateful I am, for without these things I would be plain and bereft.

Today I sit here, devoid of electrolytes, sinews like overcooked noodles, begging you to surface once again to push me through. It'll be different this time, because my challenge is as much physical as it is emotional - something you and I haven't messed with before.

My reward for this challenge is still unknown. But what I do know for sure is that conquering this will bring me another great blessing in life. Otherwise, it wouldn't be this hard. Impossibly hard.

We have a mountain to climb. Harness up. Make me do the impossible again.

Love,
Kenna
(aka Drama Queen Who Must Write Dissertation Instead of Just Cry Over It For a Sec Like Everyone Else)

I go on vacation in 4 days!!!

2009-08-03T07:42:00.003-06:00

I can do hard things!

2009-07-30T07:04:00.002-06:00

f someone had told me 3 weeks ago, that in 3 weeks time I would be able to run in 7 minute segments, I would have laughed in their face. And then subsequently hate them for assuming it was possible. And then hate myself for a minute for knowing I couldn't do it. And then I would eat some carbs and feel much better about things.

So if you're like I was 3 weeks ago, you're probably miffed at me for saying that if I can do this, anyone can do this. But I'm sorry, I can't deny it. I'm a true believer now. If I, weakling with less than 2 lbs of muscle on my entire body, covered up in lard, endocrine system screwed up to the point that 3 different doctors threw their arms in the air and said "sorry, I can't help you lose weight, this is so confusing"... full time working mom with side jobs and community responsibilities and not even enough time to shave both legs on the same day... If I can do this, YOU can do this. Please try to tell me you're up against more than that. (Not to pat myself on the back or anything. I'm still a big wimp. I'm just shocked at my progress.)

Here's to dropping 90 lbs in about 5 days!

2009-07-29T21:11:00.003-06:00

While I've been focusing on training for my race, somewhere in the not-really-all-that-far-back recesses of my mind has been the fact that I haven't lost a single ounce (or a single inch) in the past three weeks. This despite eating only whole foods (my entire diet is made up of fruit, vegetables, beans, nuts, seeds, poultry, fish, meat and eggs. ENTIRE. DIET.), training every other morning and following Jillian Michael's workouts on cross-train days. I rest one day of each week. I've troubleshooted everything: Could it be too many calories, not enough calories, not the right nutrients, not enough sleep, too much stress... I've crossed all my Ts. So, WHY?

And then today, exactly 2 hours after getting a negative result on a pregnancy test in my mom's bathroom (I left it in her trash. hoping that doing so would frame one of my sisters if it gets noticed, hahahahaha), my good friend GEORGE stopped in to say 'hello'.

So there you go.

DUH.

When all this is over in a few days, I expect some major melting of the pounds. Pray for me. Or send good energy through your tele-kinetic fields or whatever. Or send good juju. Or at the very least, good mojo. Yes, mojo sounds nice, if that's what it takes.

Just Grow Up

2009-07-28T07:36:00.003-06:00

Before today's video, just wanted to say two things:

1. Thank you so much for your encouraging messages. They really keep me going by bridging the (sometimes enormous) gap between my own personal excitement level and the excitement level needed to stay in the game. Really, thank you.

2. Off to the right, I added a link to my training program that I posted the other day. As I go along, I'll continually update that post with how I'm doing so you can check up on me. Or run with me! And no doubt kick my butt!

Okay here's today's summary:

My Training Program

2009-07-27T13:49:00.005-06:00

I've had a few questions on what my training program entails, so here are the gory details. But first, so that this will make more sense to you, let me define a few things.

My program is supposed to get me ready to run a 5k within 6 weeks. But I'm extra "special" so I gave myself 10 weeks. And it's a good thing, because I have consistently found that I'm not quite ready to move to the next level, so I've been tweaking the program appropriate for my special-ness and the extra time I have to prepare. I have put my straight-out-of-book program in white, and my actual program (after on-the-fly tweaking) and commentary next to it in pink.

Next, I got really sick of typing out "run for 2 minutes, then walk for four, and do that 5 times". So here is my own little system for indicating what happened during my run: 2/4/5 - the first number represents the number of minutes I run, the second number represents minutes walked, and the third number indicates how many times I do that run/walk cycle in one workout. Got it? Okay here we go:

WEEK ONE
This week, run 3 times, with at least one rest day in between each run.

1/1/10 – I decided this would be too easy so I did 2/4/5 on a treadmill instead. I was correct. Even this was easy for me.

2/4/5 – Not as easy on hilly terrain as on my treadmill. Huge challenge. I survived, though (in case you were wondering about that)

2/4/5 - Doable! I still hate working out though. But I sure do have a better day when I do!

WEEK TWO
This week, run 3 times, with at least one rest day in between each run.

*I knew I wasn't ready for this week's increase in difficulty so I started the week with a repeat of last week’s 2/4/5.

3/3/4 – did this on the track. I couldn’t finish – this is the day the old man stopped to see if I was okay. I’m soooo awesome! Could only do 3 sets, not 4.

3/3/4 – Went to terrain even though I didn’t survive this on a track two days prior. This was a major personal challenge for me, physically and mentally. But I finished. Triumphantly. Then broke down crying afterward. I still tear up when recalling this day.

5/3/3 - *Did another 3/3/4 because I’m clearly not ready for the next level. Ran this in the heat. Be ye not so stupid! Had to walk the last 45 seconds or so – didn’t want to wait until I was dizzy and seeing spots before I stopped. I could tell I was going to overheat.

WEEK THREE

This week, run 3 times, with at least one rest day in between each run.
I started the week with the 5/3/3 I was supposed to end last week with. I did the treadmill instead of terrain because I'm still feeling majorly challenged by 3/3/4) It wasn't bad at all.

Run 7 mins, walk 2 mins. Do 3 times
I totally did this today, can you believe it!?!?? On the treadmill though. I need to get back to terrain asap.

Run 8 mins, walk 2 mins. Do 3 times
***YOU ARE HERE.***

Run 8 mins, walk 2 mins. Do 3 times

WEEK FOUR
This week, run 3 times, with at least one rest day in between each run.

Run 8 mins, walk 2 mins. Do 3 times

Run 10 mins, walk 2 mins. Do twice then run for 5 mins

Run 8 mins, walk 2 mins. Do 3 times

WEEK FIVE
This week, run 3 times, with at least one rest day in between each run.

Run 9 mins, walk 1 min. Do 3 times

Run 12 mins, walk 2 mins. Do twice then run for 5 mins

Run 8 mins, walk 2 mins. Do 3 times

WEEK SIX
This week, run twice, with at least one rest day in between each run. Then rest exactly 2 days before your race.

Run 15 mins, walk 1 min. Do twice

Run 8 mins, walk 2 mins. Do 3 times

5K Race!

On race day: You will probably find that you can run at least 20 minutes before you need a break, but whatever your plan, start slowly, and don’t wait until you are exhausted before taking some one-minute walk breaks.

Today's Run

2009-07-26T10:36:00.003-06:00

Clearly, I'm exhausted if the most creative title I can come up with is "Today's Run." It sounds like the title of a 4th grade homework assignment. You know, like the week in school that you learn about different types of poetry and your teacher asks you to write a haiku?

Today's Run - by Kenna G.
Today is Sunday
Normally a day of rest
Sorry, not this week!

I slept in two hours
Huge difference 10 degrees makes
Running in the heat!!!

Even still, I see
Things are getting easier
(Please knock on wood now)

But to my dismay
There are only eight weeks left
Til the big race day

Say a prayer for me,
For my weak and chunky butt
That eight is ample time

Sorry, no video today. But later I will post my training program, because a few have been asking how long/far I run, and whether I'm doing a purposeful walk/run to increase my endurance and pace.

Happy Sunday!

56 Days... so far off, yet so very, very soon.

2009-07-24T07:41:00.001-06:00

My granny is rolling in her grave

2009-07-22T07:19:00.003-06:00

My dear grandma once said to never let anyone see you cry or sweat.

I did both of those things this morning, to the point that, let's just say... human beings were not created to smell this way.

ps - my calves are aching and my cheeks are numb. but it can't get me down.

My Favorite Workout Song

2009-07-21T09:50:00.004-06:00

Here are excerpts of my favorite lyrics from the song. It's like Sir Mix-a-Lot for this century, only funnier and less dirty. Will.I.Am, will you marry me?
I like 'em big
I like 'em chunky
I like 'em big
I like 'em plumpy
I like 'em round
With something, something
They Like my sound
They think I'm funky

I like em hippos
That's in the wild
I like they attitude
I like they style
I like 'em witta appetite
To eat a shark, shark
And when a dog barks, she'll eat em too

I love every inch,
Oh yes I do
Ain't nottin' wrong
With lovin' chunky
I like 'em funny
I like 'em spunky
I like 'em witty
I like 'em smart... with brains

She nice and shapely
She nice and spacey
Take so much space up
Like a big ol' spaceship

Get it girl
Chunky
Plumpy
Chunky
Plumpy
Ain't nottin' wrong
Ain't nottin' wrong
Chunky
Plump

It's Monday Already?

2009-07-20T07:38:00.002-06:00

Here's to blended up tomatoes, celery, spinach and the like...

Not sure which is more daring...

2009-07-18T13:33:00.009-06:00

...embarking on this training program, or videoing myself in my most hideous looking state, several mornings per week, and then broadcasting it to The Entire Internet.

Pretend that the sound in my videos is perfectly aligned with the picture, so that it doesn't seem like I talk with a lithp, mkay?

This is me, sideways. Nice to meet you.

2009-07-16T09:25:00.000-06:00

P.S. The clouds in the sky were gorgeous early this morning.