W2 D1 Redux - Toe-striking

Today I completed the week 2 day 1 run (running intervals pictured above). At last, a place where I can break a bit of a sweat. Today's run wasn't yet a challenge, but it still felt like an accomplishment to finish. And not a single twinge from the knee, although it did feel a little odd, but it quickly dissipated.

I like to think this is because, on the advice of a friend, I've actually switched up my running style a little bit. Rather than a heavy heel-strike (with a strong pronation due to horrendous arches), I've tried to switch to a toe/forefoot strike. The anecdotal advice of M said that all her problems (ankle, knee) cleared up when she did this. What the heck, I thought. When I re-started the program, I was a bit bored, so to make it interesting I figured I'd try it.

It seems to pair well with toe-raises that I do on off-days (and whenever I remember). If you don't know what running with this kind of strike would feel like, picture this: you're outside, on a sidewalk in your bare feet, and you have to run to something. You sort of naturally run toe-heel when you're being ginger with your feet.

Note: I have done ZERO real research about this, I just figured I try it out, because eh, why not. I do switch back and forth between my heel-strike and the toe-strike because 1) toe-striking isn't what I'm used to and it takes some concentration, 2) switching back when calves (say) get tired appears to buy some extra running energy, as I'm working different muscles. It's probably not good practice to change something up without investigating pros and cons.

WHATEVER THO LOL

I also had a biggish calorie deficit prior to the run that I indulged in a smoothie! :D

Overall, encouraged. Still running slowly, and I'm a little concerned about that, but I will work on that once my endurance is up-to-snuff. Right now, my mini-goal is to make it to the end of this week (w2d3) without any pain or injury setting in. At that point, given that I had run for 2-3 weeks before I had to stop, I think I may be acclimated enough to running that I shouldn't expect any major new runner's soreness.

I think I may have mentioned in my "why I run" post about the weight loss I'm trying for. I was at my max post-pregnancy weight when I actively started to try to lose weight (first, by eating normally but cutting out sugar, then by calorie deficit, then by deficit plus running, even though the running is less for weight loss and more for the goals I outlined previously). My goal is to lose 30lbs (at least). So far, I've lost 13lbs. I started measuring inches only a couple weeks ago, but I've already lost one inch off my hips and 2.5 inches off my waist. I'm so encouraged by this, SO encouraged!

Looking forward to Thursday's run!!