Day FIVE!

Granted, I'm writing day five a little later than expected, but this is due to a devastating truth: I get tired from exercising.

I never expected that I would come down with this horrible ailment, but alas, I found my eyes drooping yesterday after working and walking a whole three miles. 

Therefore, this entry is in response to the terrible trials I faced yesterday.

I have learned that walking in the sun is definitely a way to kill myself unmercifully. But the dark, well, who knew?

Yesterday Jake and I set out to walk at 9 p.m. Truthfully, it was the only time I could walk considering my late night the night prior and early morning, lots of work, and a family barbeque. Setting out upon our moonlight journey, I found out that my town lacks vital street lights, making me a sudden scare to many-a-drivers. After dodging several cars, Jake and I found an interesting means of dealing with our agony. We sang. 

Silly I know, but singing Bohemian Rhapsody and Vanilla Ice songs made the time pass quickly, even though it also left us gasping for air. 

Lately I've had body parts complaining to me, but no more than my knees, which feel the need to lock in place almost as if to communicate their disapproval of my goals. Beginning this endeavor by walking is truly worthwhile. It's helping me understand what my problems will be and also gives me time to solve them BEFORE I start running--- and breaking bones, and pulling muscles, spontaneously combusting. Those sorts of issues. 

So here I go to solve another issue: Knees. 

According to Dr. Stephen Pribut, who I'm trusting because of the letters D and R in front of his name, "runner's knee" is a common issue that is nearly inevitable at the start of running. The knee itself is incredibly complex in it's functions, so its basically easy to screw it all up. However, there are numerous things that increase the cause like running downhill, bad shoes, wide hips (oh yea, I'm in trouble), etc. 

So what's the doctor's medicine?

"Rest or Relative Rest: Run Less

Avoid exercises or activities that require your knees to be bent

Avoid running or walking downhill, downstairs or down inclines

Do posterior muscle stretches (hamstrings and calf muscles)

Do Straight Leg Lifts (Start with 3 sets of 10, work up to 10 sets of 10)

Check Your Feet and Shoes, overpronation often contributes to this problem

Consider More Stable Shoes (with better anti-pronation features)

^That's a picture of a knee.^

Oooo. Visuals.

One of the ideas, doing straight leg lifts, lead me to some serious dismay. More working out. Sigh.

This being said, Jake and I did make a decision, due to back pain and, of course, our complaining knees, that we must do push ups, stretch (*sad face*), and do exercises like *gulp* leg lifts in order to gain better posture and strength in hopes of no pain zipping across our bodies. 

In any case, I'm off to drag my tired body across our path. I guess I should just be happy that I'm still walking. 

Gotta Run--- well, soon.

Brooke