Shredheads

The Long Run

As I begin running, I feel nervous because, well, I'm not sure why.  Maybe it's because today is Sunday, so that means a long run.  As I start out I feel a bit overwhelmed.

As I begin the 30 Day Shred for the first time, I feel a little nervous because I don't know what to expect, and I haven't exercised like this in a long time.  As I start out I feel a bit overwhelmed.

Things begin to fall into place as I finish my first walk interval.  My knees warm up and I get comfortable with the rhythm of my feet hitting the pavement.  As I keep going, I start to feel better.

I can tell my body is changing as I struggle through my first few days of Shred.  I'm getting used to exercising, and the initial "sore" days are over.  As I keep going, I start to feel better.

I push past my usual far point at 1.55 miles; as I get to the Iwo Jima Memorial (ahh, portapotties!), I face a choice.  Do I turn around (making it about a 5.2 mile run), or keep going and make it a long run?  I decide to keep going.

I push through Levels 2 and 3...oh, Level 3, how deceptively hard you are; as I get near Day 30 I face a choice.  I'm essentially at my goal weight, so do I call that good, or do I keep going and lead Team Jillian for a month?  I decide to keep going.

I pass by Arlington Cemetery and head out over Memorial Bridge.  Instead of turning around halfway across, I go all the way to the Lincoln Memorial before turning around - a 7.8 mile round trip.  I've never pushed myself this far before.

I finish my month with Team Jillian.  I've, um, "enjoyed" No More Trouble Zones and Banish Fat/Boost Metabolism, but it's time for more.  Although I haven't run more than two blocks in probably 20 years, I begin training for a 5K.  I've never pushed myself this far before.

Running 7.8 miles is hard, and even though I slow down I refuse to stop (well, except at my beloved portapotties...you know me!).  I know if I don't push myself things aren't going to get any better.

Running 5K is hard, but I stick to the training.  After my race, I begin training for a 10K and a half-marathon (the Tiarathon).  I know if I don't push myself things aren't going to get any better.

I finally make it to the last block and push as hard as I can, finishing strong and sweating my way through our back gate.  As I stretch, I ask myself it it's worth it to keep going.  My answer?

Yes.  Because I'm in this for the long run.

- Bill

And here are a couple more teams...want to be on a team? Sign up here!

Team # Name Twitter Blog 48 ClumberKim View View 48 jen View . 49 Anu 49 Colleen . 50 Katie 48 Cindy View View

No Injuries Please!

One of the things that sold me on the 30 Day Shred was something Jillian said on the sample clip at Amazon.  You know during the warmup of Level 1, where she talks about not having modified jumping jacks?  I thought, "Yeah, modifications are for wimps!"

I then went and modified all three levels for my "always ready to dislocate" knees.

I'm generally not a fan of modifying exercises, but I have two exceptions.  The first is if I'm just too weak to do an exercise, I'll modify it until I can as long as I keep working toward doing the "full" version (early on I had problems even following Anita during ab work).  The second, and more important, exception is if I feel that I'm going to injure myself.

That sounds obvious, but I've seen a few tweets lately about hurt knees and shoulders and I want to make sure people know they should listen to their bodies.  As I mentioned, I've had more than my share of knee dislocations, but I've also dislocated both shoulders a few times.

Yeah, that's not as much fun as it sounds.

So I pay attention while I'm Shredding.  For me, I have to make sure my arms are never perfectly straight up above my shoulders - so I modify certain exercises (like shoulder presses) slightly to take that into account.  For you it might be your wrists, or your ankles.  Maybe your back.

Whatever it is, talk to your doctor, especially if this is a first-time problem.  Or you can tweet one (seriously), unless it's a major injury of course.

Listen to your body.  And don't be afraid to adapt some of these things.  It's much better than the alternative.

No injuries, please.

- Bill

P.S. - Don't forget the stretching, and you might want to stretch more than Jillian does...or do extra stretches!

P.P.S. - Here are more team members...want to be on a team? Sign up!

Team # Name Twitter Blog 47 Minnette View 47 Valerie View