On achy knees and running at 25

I've picked up running again. A couple years ago I was really into it - I ran almost everyday and it lasted for a couple years. Then we moved here. To North Carolina. In the middle of summer. If you've never experienced humidity before don't try running in it. It was tough and I quickly gave up trying. 

My work out routine has been pretty sporadic and, shall we say, eclectic since then. 

So, almost three years later, I decided to run again. It started out as a supplement to P90X - I'd run a mile or so in the morning and then do the video in the afternoon. I lost steam in the videos after two months but running clicked again. 

It's been nice. I've stuck mainly to the treadmill (because I can watch Gilmore Girls while I run, duh.) but last week I went to the loop. The loop is out here at Wrightsville beach. It's about three miles but if you start at the Starbucks down the road the round trip is just over five miles. 

I've been running 3-4 miles a day regularly so five didn't seem too difficult. Plus, it's outside. Outside running is always better than inside running, right? You'd like to think so. 

The run itself was fine - my breathing was regular, my lungs were fine, no cramps popped up. It was a blustery day and things got even windier when I ran over the bridge - my already short shorts were blowing up to god knows where and my tank straps were flying off my shoulders. It's a fun balance: running and keeping my clothes on. 

Things were great until that last mile. My knees started aching and felt like they were on fire. I forgot how hard pavement is on your joints - ouch! My running strides turning into jogging shuffles and I was trying to shift weight to my right knee - the knee that wasn't traitorous. 

I didn't give up though. I ran the whole thing. While I was stretching I was contemplating this new pain. I'd never had joint pain before. Is this what happens as you age? Your body starts complaining about actions you previously had no trouble accomplishing?

That's some bull shit. 

25 is coming fast and I never saw it as old (I did cry pretty terribly when I turned 20). 25 is cool. I've lived through a quarter of a century. It's the year I'm going to start law school. I get to rent cars without paying an extra fee. People may even give me some credence and think of me as an adult (which is a flawed assumption on their part). 

25 is going to be great. Except for these knee aches. I can do without those. 

just workin on my fitness.

Just over a month ago I started doing P90X. For the first month I was really good and consistent with it, but it has become a struggle to continue doing it daily. Sometimes it's time and other times it's laziness or boredom with the same videos over and over.

I actually really like the workout once I'm doing them (and LOVING what it's done for my arms). The guy who leads it, Tony, is goofy and fun and doesn't seem to take himself too seriously.

I still do the videos about four times a week. Luckily, what it has done is jump start my exercise routine. I think I'm going to combine it with running and see how that goes.

I've not been crazy about food intake and calories and such so while I've lost a few pounds it hasn't been extreme although there are noticeable differences in my arms and stomach. My butt and thighs aren't going anywhere, but I've grown quite attached to the curves I've got so that's just fine.

Anyway, that's my P90X review so far. I'm at least going to keep doing the routine through the 90 days just maybe not six days a week like it wants me to. I'm such a rebel.

Going for it.

I'm going to sign up for a half marathon. The only problem is I can't decide which one. 

I could do the awesome one in Savannah. 

Live bands at every mile marker. Hence, the Rock & Roll moniker. 

Plus it's in Savannah which is one awesome town. 

Or, I could do the Raleigh one.

Not nearly as cool but only two hours away (Savannah is five hours away). Also, this one is cheaper.

Decisions, decisions. 

But I'm really excited about doing this. 

sore

My legs, specifically my buttox region, are so sore today. I have to take PE as part of the university requirements and apparently the bowling/yoga/salsa dancing I did at community college didn't quite count. I'm not blaming them, North Carolina is the 10th most obese state in the country, and I am all for educating the population on exercise and healthy eating (of which I do one regularly, and it's not the healthy eating one) but I feel as though I should be exempt. I mean, I'm from California and if we haven't perfected the obsession with fitness and tofu (I've never tried it) than I don't know who has. All that to say, yesterday we were supposed to do Yoga, because this is a yoga and strength training PE class (which I already did, need I remind you), unfortunately we were unable to because the gym was being painted. So instead we got to run a few laps around the basketball stadium and then run the bleachers. Up and down. My booty hates me a little. It didn't let me sleep last night. Brutal. But I guess, if pain is gain, than I am going to be a big winner.