This summer is going to be the summer of getting in shape for me. I wasn’t able to work out a lot while I was having chemotherapy, and I realized recently that I had lost a fair bit of strength in my muscles. So it is time to really get to work!
Every other day I have been using my Nordic Track cross-country ski machine (which I love) for a half hour and working my arms with hand weights. I either listen to my upbeat exercise playlist or watch a movie on Netflix on my iPad while I ski.
Click here for larger photo of the restaurant being dismantled or renovated, above.
The non-Nordic Track days I have been just taking a walk and of course my walks here take me over some beautiful terrain! The pictures with this post are all from our walk today. It was a bit cloudy so it made for a perfect cool walk. Summer isn’t here yet as the breeze still has delicious cool undertones.
Once I feel like I have my strength built up a bit I am going to go back to my (aborted last summer) Couch to 5K program. The program leads you through strength and endurance building workouts over eight weeks to get you to where you can run a 5K. I am really hoping to lure some of my marathon running family down here for next December’s marathon and to be able to run 10K myself. That’s an ambitious goal for so soon after surgery and chemotherapy but I am going to give it my best!
I have been doing a lot of reading about how to train and have decided I want to get started with a zero drop shoe. That’s a shoe that doesn’t have a built up heel so that your stance is more natural. This is a bit controversial among runners – I don’t plan on using the foot shaped barefoot shoes as I’ll need more protection for the bottom of my foot but I am considering several styles. The Under Armor Speed Form looks pretty cool but $120 is pretty expensive. I will probably end up buying a Merrell or New Balance. The question is whether I’ll be able to find anything similar here in Mazatlán or if I’ll have to wait until I visit the US in late July to do my buying. That would delay the start of my running program, but I’d still have plenty of time to train.
I hope you all are enjoying Spring wherever you are. I am having a great time every day here in Mazatlán
Wendy Kain
May 31, 2013A good read, and some interesting news. I look forward to seeing the shoes on the moving feet! Good photos too.
Theresa in Mérida
May 31, 2013I remember reading about “barefoot” running and a cheap alternative to the expensive versions are water shoes. They don’t last as long but protect your feet quite a bit.
Back when I worked, I used to wear Birkenstocks all the time (the closed toe London and Paris) which feature a negative heel. It was great on my back, but I had a hard time switching to dress shoes when I wanted a pretty look. I still have the shoes, I just hardly ever wear them since I tend to live in flip-flops these days.Husband still wears his dress Birks but then again he wears slacks outside the house.
Your plans sound great! I can’t wait to read more as you succeed!
regards,
Theresa
Contessa
May 31, 2013Love the photo of the boats up on the beach! Good luck with your training. You are to be admired.