And this is why I started running...

So, I decided to ride my bike (recumbant stationary bike) today, to test my lungs, since Sunday they were so bad. I decided I would push myself to 20 minutes and then go from there.

Well I pulled a book off the shelf to re-read (Jemima J), and got to 15 minutes. I was fine, so I decided I would go 40 minutes. I got to 35 minutes and noted on my HRM that I had burned a whopping 145 calories. I decided not to pay attention to that and to just keep moving and reading.

At 55 minutes, I got really bored. But I got through it.

Did I burn calories? A few. But the bike is the biggest misconception in exercise I believe. I can ride and ride and get nothing. Granted I wasn't going at a high speed (I'm not spinning or anything), but I always thought I was getting a great workout until I got my HRM.

So here are the stats:

Time: 62:24

Mileage 13.3 (4:41 min/mile)...I'll admit, slower than usual

Calories: 342

Max HR 121

Avg HR 108

In zone (111-166): 19:28 min

Did I Sprint for Cancer...NO!

OK, the weekend started pretty lousy.

I couldn't feel my arms. So all Friday I slept. I got up around 4 and took a shower and then D and I went for an early dinner at Fox Bros.

We came home and walked up 1 flight of stairs and I was exhausted. We were going to the Lion King at 8, and it was now 530. By 630, I was half dead. By 7 I was in tears at the realization that 3rd row center stage tickets were going to not be used.

So after crying, I went to bed.

Saturday we got up and I still felt lousy. We went to Linda's graduation. I am so proud of her. Listening to the keynote speaker, however, I thought I was delirious as it made no sense. Turns out it wasn't just me, so that made me feel better. Anyway, after the graduation we saw Linda who was also feeling lousy, so she was just going to go home to go to bed. Sounded like a plan.

After a 4 hour nap, I woke up and watched some horse racing. Be sure to watch for Behindatthebar at the Kentucky Derby. I'll be. D and I decided to return a keg we have had for awhile, but the liquor store said we needed our receipt even though we filled the thing out in triplicate so they have a copy, and the keg has a tracer number. They would take it back but not give us the deposit. So now, we have a keg, until I find a scap metal place or the receipt.

Then we went to Zestos on Ponce. D had never been to this one. We usually go to the one by the Kroger closer to our house but this one is closer to the liquor store. Anyway there was a homeless guy in the Zesto's and I was wondering after he panhandled all the tables why they didn't ask him to leave. D thought the same after he poured a beer from a brown paper bag into a McDonald's Cup. He actually had ordered food, but the manager had enough of him (he was talking to everyone yet no one). So after the bum called the manager a "chump mf" a zillion times, and tried to fight him, peace resumed. D and I finished our burgers and went back in line for the real reason we came...an Artic Swirl (a better version of a DQ Blizzard). We changed booths after ordering. D looked across Ponce and watch 2 guys beat each other up with bricks. Then a MARTA bus came and they took off towards BLVD. I said something about the homeless woman who watched it all. D informed me she was a drug dealer because he watched multiple people come up to her and exchange things. Now you are probably thinking we are in the most horrible section of town. But no, we are a block away from the Whole Foods and Home Depot. D has informed me that I cannot go to this Zesto's when the sun goes down. We came home and watched hockey and went to bed.

This morning I got up for my 5K which I was pretty sure I wasn't going to do. Just to be on the safe side, I put on my lousy running shoes, a old bra, and didn't bring my HRM. I picked up A because she was running it. We walked around Atlantic Station for awhile and I was out of breath. That also meant I was not even going to walk it. I got my number anyway, because I was going to get a T-shirt for C (A's Daughter). The race started and A took off. I took some pics of her at the start and at mile 1 (the same place) and walked to Starbucks, got a coffee and then walked to the finish line. I practically needed a water just for that. Lots of little girls at this race . I think Go for Girls or something like that was a sponsor. A crossed at 32+ which was excellent.

We went to get the T-shirts and they were wicking. So C didn't get a T-shirt. I did. The lady handing them out told me I had paid for it, so therefore I deserved it. It is a pretty cool shirt.

I dropped A off and then came home. I'm going to take a nap soon.

I can't feel my arms.

All night I thought this. I poked and pricked my arms and nothing. There was a dull endless pain but nothing else. 9 Advil later and the sun was up. No sleep. Another day taken off work, because I'm too tired to make the drive, and I'm hacking up a storm. New cough meds are supposed to be called in because the other one makes me break out in hives.

So tomorrow, after my "mom's" graduation I'm going to try and ride the bike. Sunday I have a 5K. I told Anne I was still doing it. Last night in my contemplation, I thought it was still a good idea. I'm not sure today though. It will be mighty hard without the use of my arms.

Incidentally, USA needs to put newer SVU's on. I've seen them all. I did watch Burn Notice. I thought I was going to watch the whole series, but only 1. It was good. I could follow it. I'll have to watch 2 more to know if it is ALBworthy, but hey, that's a lot. Considering I think I'm the only person on the planet who cannot stand The Office and thinks watching 30 seconds is way too long, 2 shows is a lot.

OK, my arm apparently needs a bath. Porter is getting it ready. I wish she would chomp down on it. If there was still no pain, then I know there is a problem.

I'm still alive

Today I actually am feeling better. Yesterday I was convinced I was never getting out of bed. Today I have eaten twice. 2 Clif Bars total.

My chest feels ok. My head is groggy. And I'm really tired, but can't sleep for more than 20 minutes. But I'm feeling so much better.

AAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH

Something is definitely wrong. I started hacking last night and didn't keep down dinner. I was awake until 4:30AM. I'm going to the doctor today at 2:45.

Figures when I decided to get my GAD (Give-a-damn) back, I get sidelined...

Atlanta Pollen Count

No wonder I feel like shit...
120 is considered really high.
And Friday it was 3243???

Atlanta Pollen Count

So unless something changes, between now and tonight, I'm just taking a DOR. Of course it isn't really. I already went to Targhetto (you in the 'burbs have Tarjay, I have Targhetto). I spent more than I planned on C's bday present, but that little girl is just so cute. I got nothing with noise though... a Dr. Seuss Book, bubbles, sidewalk chalk and a toothbrush.

So a birthday party, cleaning the bedroom, and doing laundry. Getting one room pollen free... I think the bedroom is probably the worst room for it since the dogs drag it in and sleep on the bed.

2 Miles done

OK, I woke up at 5:30 AM, and thought about running. I didn't. I woke up at 8 and thought about running, I didn't. I did have bfast and goofed around the house, and noticed my head and throat are killing me. I went back to bed and at 1PM, I thought about running. I did.

I went to the gym. I decided I would run the 5K circuit (walk .2, run 2, walk .9) because it didn't require much thinking. Got through the walk, and started the run. I run really slowly, so I was at the high pace of 4.3. After .5 miles ( I think) , I stepped it up to 4.7. I don't really know how far I ran at that pace. But I did notice my throat was closing and I was more sweaty than usual. I took it down to 4.5. I ran at that for awhile and then I was getting tired. But I finished. Time for 2 miles was 26:58. Then I had to walk. The pace went to 1.0. I walked that until I nearly tripped myself up. Moved it up to 3 and walked .7 miles at this pace. But my Heart Rate was at 163 at the end of this, so I set the pace at 2.7. It fell to 141, and then I was done. Thank God.

I ended up talking to the trainer for a minute. Well just listening to him. I needed to sit in a chair and he was at his desk. When my HR finally got to 119, I decided to go home.

Then I saw the best thing ever. GATORADE!!!

So here are the stats:
Time: 26.58 for the run
Mileage 2 (13.29 min/mile)

Time 24 for the walk

Mileage: 1.1 (21:49/mile)

Calories: 664
Max HR 185
Avg HR 164
In zone (148-166): 22:46 min