I did it.  I went on a successful run.  I went on more than one successful run actually and I’m so darn proud of myself, if we’re being real here. I had spoken to my physical therapist earlier this week and he said it was time for me to get moving and try really running.  No anti-gravity treadmill.  No babying it.  No 10 minute miles, really get out there and run.

Saturday rolled around and it felt like a good as time as ever.  My gym doesn’t open until 7 on Saturday’s (so lazy), but I was up and out the door at 6:30.  I decided to do a run around my gym so if anything went wrong, I could hobble back to my car easily.  I laced up, tucked my phone into my waistband, and set my watch to go.  I was off.

I plodded around as fast as I could, keeping my ankle in mind then entire time.  I didn’t look at my watch to track pace, but every time it hit a mile marker, I stopped and reassessed.  Was my ankle okay?  Did I feel any pain?  How was the rest of me doing?  I ended up doing 2.5 miles outside and an extra mile inside on the treadmill for good measure. 7:40 pace.  I am extremely happy about this.  It’s going to be a long battle back, but starting at a 7:40 pace after 3+ months of not running is a good place to start.

But, the best part, this wasn’t my only run this weekend.  My gym bait and switched me.  They had a sign up saying they would be open from 5am-5pm on July 4th, so I rolled up at 5:45 to find out that none of the employees showed up.  There was literally a little group of us sitting outside haha!  I decided this was a sign and headed back home.

I set up shop in my front yard with some weights and did some chest exercises, but it wasn’t getting my heart pumping like I wanted.  So, I asked my boyfriend if he wanted to go on a jog with me.  By having him come with me to talk, I would be forced to keep a slow, comfortable pace to hold conversation.  We made it 3.25 miles (not including some walking at the halfway point to assess my ankle) with an 8:20 pace.  I got home and iced my ankle and I’m happy to report 0 pain.  Nada.  Zilch.

This journey has been full of ups and downs and downs and downs and ups.  It hasn’t been a linear path, that’s for sure.  But I’ve been working my butt off to come back strong and proud.  And that is exactly how I feel right now.  I couldn’t think of a better way to celebrate on a holiday weekend than getting back at it.

Oh wait, yes I could.  A better way to celebrate would be to eat all of these little mini cheesecakes I made and never look back, which is exactly what I did.  Not only were these one of the easiest desserts I’ve ever made, but they were dangggg good.

Single Serve Cheesecakes

• 6 oz light cream cheese
• 1/4 cup + 1 TBSP granulated sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 tsp of vanilla
• 1 package of mini Graham Cracker crusts (I use keebler brand)

Preheat oven to 375.

In a bowl, mix together all ingredients with an electric mixer.  Divide out batter into the 6 crusts.  Bake for 11-13 minutes or until the centers are no longer jiggly.  Let cool and then place in the fridge for 2 hours minimum.

These little pies are everything.  Just enough for a satisfying dessert, but at 228 cals, 26C/11F/5P, they won’t completely derail your attempts at healthy eating.

-sj