Tuesday, December 1, 2009

White Woman Power Walk

I'm on a roll. Following the ten percent rule, I am now up to running for 22 minutes. Sometimes when I run I pretend I'm in a Hallmark movie*. I am a formerly injured runner, probably really famous and competitive, coming back from an injury. It is slow going, only being able to run for 22 minutes, but the camera follows me on the scenic and lonely path, wind blowing in my hair. I am pretty sure that "Chariots of Fire" or the theme song from "Rocky" is playing in the back ground. Or it could be "I Gotta Feelin'" by the Black Eyed Peas because that is one of the best songs ever. The movie ends when I probably come back to win some national title.

Here's me in all my dorkiness getting ready to run when it's 25 degrees outside. I don't know what this pose is. Ask my 12 year old who took the picture.



So, this is what I do to spice up those 22 minutes of heaven. I go to McIntosh Lake near my house, which is a 3.5 mile loop. It is an incredibly gorgeous and scenic route with the backdrop of the Rockies, pelicans and geese everywhere and water as still as glass.

I like this route because it is predominantly trail, so it is easy on the feet and legs. I fast walk for the first five minutes. And when I say fast, I mean like a 12 min/mile, which for walking is really pretty fast. Try it sometime. I look like some suburban housewife trying to get her groove on. At this point with my legs speeding along and my arms flailing I am hoping I don't see anyone I know. Then I start running and try to keep it right at a 9 min/mile. After my 22 minutes of bliss, I take it back down to the white woman power walk for the remainder of the loop. Garmin tells me that with walking/running and all I am averaging a 10.14 min/mile, so I feel like I am doing something.


I'm pretty sure they don't fast walk in Hallmark movies, but "toughsky shitsky" as my dad used to say (this is a Polish expression).


Did you know, however, that power walking is an Olympic event? It must not get much coverage, but here you go:


And get ready because next week I'm up to 25 minutes. I'm pretty sure someone like HBO will want to make a movie about that too.

Drinking: Starbucks Costa Rica Tarrazu coffee

*No I don't really pretend I'm in a movie. Give me a break. It's just for your entertainment.

28 comments:

  1. OMW you are the funniest..Love it, I can just see the Hallmark movie now.

    What a picture!! I would totally pick that path if I had just 22 minutes.. On the Road (Trail) to recovery and looking amazing!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Sounds like you are on your way. Beautiful area that you pick to run in.

    OK - I have been really struggling with clothes for running in the cold. It seems like the running pants that I run in are not keeping me warm . . . not that they ever did . . . so when it is below 30 I also wear polar fleece underneath and of course then I am too hot.

    It seems like I need some new winter running gear. Just curious - what are your temperature cut off's for your different clothes. Meaning - when do you wear a hat vs. stocking cap and what about jackets?

    OK I have to ask - are you seriously wearing capri's and no jacket in 25 degree weather???? . . . if so - I am a TOTAL wimp. I know that the Colorado is dry . . . but 25 is 25.

    ReplyDelete
  3. LMAO, laughing my assky off over here at your posts as always!

    Love the Hallmark Movie and Suburban House Wife images.

    ReplyDelete
  4. That scenery does not even look real it is so beautiful. Glad you're running again! And yes -- Black Eyed Peas "I Gotta Feeling" is the best song, ever. I would totally watch your movie.

    ReplyDelete
  5. White woman power walk!!! That's what I look like on the treadmill. Now we all know why I don't have a gym membership huh?

    Beautiful photo of the lake. I love this state.

    ReplyDelete
  6. You are hilarious!!

    It looks like you live in a Hallmark movie! That is beautiful! But what are you doing? capris in 25 degrees! I look like the staypuff marshmallow man in 25 degrees with all my polar fleece!!

    Great job recovering at a healthy pace. That has to take a lot of patience!!

    Have a joyful week of White Woman Power Walking! Now that image is in my mind, I will be smiling all day!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Wont lie... I have had thought like this before. You look adorable.

    ReplyDelete
  8. AHHH I love it the Hallmark movie! Maybe I'll think of that as I hit the wall sunday!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Nothing wrong with some goofy looking power walking. ;) Yay for 22 minutes of running!

    ReplyDelete
  10. OMG LMAO! LOVE IT! I can just see it all unfold on the screen... I would be captivated and moved to tears!

    ReplyDelete
  11. haha...you are too funny! That picture is just gorgeous! you are so lucky to be able to run there!

    I like your dad's polish expression...I'm gonna try that one. :)

    ReplyDelete
  12. I'm pretty sure that 12 min miles is many people's running pace. You're fast!

    I would love to run somewhere beautiful like that!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Ok I really do pretend I'm in a movie and I hate that I gotta feeling song oh well

    ReplyDelete
  14. I'm thinkin' Bravo already called and they want the rights to your Speed Walking Drama pronto.

    And they won't take no for an answer!

    Your abs rock....

    I'm shutting up.

    I'm running.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Awesome pictures! That is a beautiful place!

    ReplyDelete
  16. So funny. I prefer to think I am in a Lifetime movie of the week.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Girl. You're funny!
    I think the song to my movie my be "Good Vibrations" - mainly because Marky Mark is shirtless in the video.

    ReplyDelete
  18. Powerwalking is so hard. Good for you to do it at the beginning and end of your runs. Yay for following the 10% rule! Love the blog with you running again..your attitude is great.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Wow! That pic is gorgeous. I might have to find my way over to that trail and run on it.

    I had to laugh at your "come back" from injury run! I sometimes do the same thing! I guess freakish minds think alike. Except my song is the theme from Rocky. I sometimes imagine myself at the end of my first marathon and I'm just about ready to qualify for Boston. I'm such a nerd.

    Glad you are up to 22 minutes; hang in there, you'll be back!!! I'm so glad that I am feeling better and am able to run.

    ReplyDelete
  20. You are my hero for heading out in capris in 25 degrees. In my world, capris are for the 60 - 40 range. Under 30? Pants. Maybe even two layers.

    25 minutes next week! I'm ready! The VCR is programmed, off to make popcorn for the movie!

    ReplyDelete
  21. I've got to move to COLORADO, it's so gorgeous, and I'm very jealous of you - in a good way :)

    ReplyDelete
  22. Yay for 22 minutes!! Glad it was a good run!

    ReplyDelete
  23. Looking very good in that picture. You'll be back running long in no time!

    ReplyDelete
  24. Omg, the Hallmark movie is the best! And one must always win national titles from "I Gotta Feeling"!!!

    I've never been up to that part of Denver subs but it's definitely gorgeous. I'm down South subs with nice views, too. Never tire of looking at them!!

    Nice job on working your way back. And wow, those are awesome abs!!! Way jealous there!

    ReplyDelete
  25. Hey Beth! Congrats on getting back into the swings of things. You'll be kicking butts in races in no time. Would you mind linking to this page in a post...
    http://runninaround.wordpress.com/2009/12/03/buy-magazines-and-save-lives/
    It provides the link and information about buying magazine subscriptions to help benefit Team In Training! I would really appreciate! Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  26. Beth! Congrats on getting back into the swing of things! You'll be kicking butts in races in no time! Would you mind linking to this page in a post...
    http://runninaround.wordpress.com/2009/12/03/buy-magazines-and-save-lives/
    It provides the link and information about buying magazine subscriptions to help benefit Team In Training! I would really appreciate! Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  27. I'm pretty sure those powerwalkers walk faster than I run.

    Nice abs, chica!

    ReplyDelete
  28. You have written on a very good topic. I really liked this. I am book marking your page for the new interesting blog. Keep share you more blog. Good Work. Keep it up.
    xe tįŗ£i teraco
    xe tįŗ£i daehan
    xe tįŗ£i Ä‘Ć“ng lįŗ”nh
    xe ben tį»± đį»•
    xe bį»“n chį»Ÿ cĆ”m
    xe bį»“n xăng dįŗ§u

    ReplyDelete