dear running...do you sort of miss me? i think about you often...luv oli...day #7

Weight: 161 lbs
Goal: 140-145lbs
Difference: 16lbs-21lbs

So running and i got into a fight and we decided to see other people for the last week. Which translates to: I hyperextended my knee in Hanuman asana (i.e. Monkey Pose....or "the splits"). So the Doc prescribed lots of 'rest' and to try and not straighten my leg for a week. For those of you have never had this injury I encourage you to attempt to not straighten your leg for a day, or even an hour (it's almost impossible), and ps 'doc' the word "rest" is not in my vocab. We Dutkowski (and Taylor) women do not rest. I once watched my mother drive me to 2 practices, go to work, rock a boot camp and own her volleyball game the day after she got a line drive to the jaw from a dude on her work softball team (which she still pitches for). Pulease. Rest. Ha. Pffft.

So for the last week I did my version of resting, which still included walking to work (some days), 2 cruiser bike rides (my leg was bent), a stint in the sauna and 5 yoga classes. I'm feeling better and looking forward to the okay from Dr. Whatchamacallit to run this week.

I do have something I would like to get off my chest regarding the birthplace of my campaign against running; Vancouver's beloved Seawall. Jake & I hit the seawall Sunday for our usual cruiser bike ride (if you're not already doing this you should be!), which includes bringing our cameras, traveling at a leisurely pace while being considerate of other cruisers, rollerbladers, scooter riders (?) and unicyclists. We also commit to the etiquette of the seawall which includes riding behind one another, ringing your bell when passing or (gently) alerting the person we're passing that we are coming up behind them on the left. While riding on Sunday I couldn't help but notice the amount of people riding for fitness (not leisure), ladies and gents here's a little news flash: On weekends there is an huge increase of people which include many young families and tourists WHICH dramatically increases the number of 'BEGINNERS'. Which means when we are near the 'one way' section of the seawall (which is there as a result of it being TOO NARROW to pass because of the giant rocks and trees protruding from our gorgeous landscape), we should probably think about taking it down a notch from the mach 10- olympic trials that I saw this weekend. Jake and I were caught behind a beginner rollerblader (you know the one I'm taking about; skin tight jeans rigid to the point you are questioning whether she is suffering from rigamortis from the waist down...hunched over, hands out, no pads, no helmut, continuing to question why she chose this to be her Sunday activity and how to make it end sooner without throwing herself into the bay...similar to the way I feel about running). Out of no where this couple comes flying around the (BLIND) corner behind us and yells "TO THE LEEEFFFFFTTTTT!!!" I hear tires skid behind me, i watch Rhonda Rollarblade in front of me lose her balance (Side note for those of you who have driven with me- i did not hit her, she was startled and fell, however I did laugh. Hard.) This couple almost slammed into me and Jake and then had the audacity to stare us down like it was our fault. Ladies and Gentlemen I encourage you to follow this rule: On weekends do not expect to ride your bike on the sea wall for fitness unless it is ear;y in the morning or later in the evening. it is not time for time trails for the next Tour de France in the middle of the nicest Sunday Vancouver's seen in awhile. It's not safe, but it does make for a good story.

i strongly dislike running...but am open to the possibility of liking it..day #6

Weight: 164 lbs
Goal: 140-145lbs
Difference: 19lbs-24lbs
Distance: 7.0k 1 hour (Ran- 40 minutes/Walk- 20 minutes)

After taking a few days of much needed rest due to a minor injury to my right knee, I woke up this morning anxious to hit the seawall for my now 'usual' Monday run. I knew todays run would be a challenge, for today would be first time I would be running alone. After suiting up (and realizing I left my Ipod at work) I made my way downstairs and began my warm up jaunt down to the seawall. I found myself being more conscious of my breath and the positioning of my joints on top of one another. I stopped at the shore to stretch out my legs and let the little voice in my head get all its 'logical' reasoning (for me not to run) of its chest; No one would know if I walked an extra minute, or if i turned around early, or if i just quit now and go back to bed...after all i am going to do yoga today...i'll eat well...maybe i'll just walk today..

After the 'stories' subsided I started running, with no music and no excuses, just the sound of my breath. As I started my first kilometer I started to notice some familiar faces jogging towards me, most shared that welcoming smile seawall runners seem to have (which I admit made a piece of me feel like I was becoming part of their world). As I continued I started to think about how running was a lot like yoga. I started remembering my first class and how I was confused and watched my body find anyway to make it easier because I was so afraid to challenge myself. I remembered about how once I learned how to breath I became so much lighter. So that's what I did. I treated running like yoga today. I focussed, I smiled, I modified if I needed to but made sure I challenged myself when I could. I set small realistic goals and pushed myself to my limits to get there. I still almost stepped on 3 birds and a squirrel, but more importantly I didn't let that little voice win.

More to come

I hate running...day #5

Weight: 165 lbs
Goal: 140-145lbs
Difference: 20lbs-25lbs
Distance: 6.0k 1 hour (Ran- 30 minutes/Walk- 30 minutes)

Well here we are again, after a busy week (and a brief meeting with the food poisoning fairy) Jake and I hit the seawall wednesday morning with fire in our belly. It took slightly less coaxing given that we missed Monday (and by missed I mean skipped- not to be confused with actually 'missing running'). As began our jaunt I already felt a slight tweak in my right knee which caused Jake and I to turn around prematurely and walk back. As much as I completely detest the physicalness of running I do like the change it is causing in my body and energy level- It has also been very cathartic in many ways for both Jake and my relationship as well...so needless to say I was a little disappointed when my knee called out to me to stop. After we got back and I headed into work I immediately went to the experts (i.e. everyone that works at the Lemon), I was told that my hamstrings and quads need to be stretched more, I have some imbalances in my feet and muscles and that I need to be making sure that I am using my whole foot to run. Now what this sounds like in my head is "For the love of everything that is holy Oli- Quit running". I can assure you that this will not be the case, for as much as I hate this pastime, all the feelings associated with being out of breath and what I call the 'giggle factor'....I am not a quitter. I am at the point where I feel like I haven't really ran yet... my plan is to run 10k (without walking) so I can actually form an opinion on whether I actually 'hate' running. I will rest up the knee and keep walking to work and resume the quest this Saturday. Don't worry friends...the flame is still alive (its just been sprayed with lactic acid, cramping, wheezing and muscles spasms)