My marathon training & experience blog has become An abandoned wasteland with a lot of tumbleweeds. My story:
After my amazing (to me) 9 mile run I wrote about, I started to get this annoying ITBS pain I just couldn't kick. I went through my busiest time at work and ran the little amounts I could while in pain, busy and doing a very intense 8 week MBA class.
When my work & class were over and I had some time, I went to the doc & I scheduled a physical therapy appointment. While I waited to see the PT, I went out determined to run my scheduled 12 miles. I made it 10 before I wanted to sit in the road and call someone to carry me home. (I managed to walk, but it was painful.)
I saw the therapist last Thursday and he cleared me to run as far as I could (even if I was in pain) as long as it didn't leave residual pain for hours/days after. Before I saw him, I was able to do 2 miles that way, so he said i should try 3. I was able to do that yesterday, so I thought I'd be able to do the same or further today if I added walk breaks. Uh, yeah... No. I gave up and quit at 2.5 today. Not only did my knee hurt, but the related hip too. Plus the wind.. Oh how I hate this area and that the wind never quits.
My next therapy appointment is Tuesday morning. I guess you could say this is now more of a "injury recovery" blog than a marathon training one. You're still welcome to come along for the ride if you choose. ;)
Sunday, March 18, 2012
Saturday, February 4, 2012
Long Overdue
I apologize for having not posted anything in awhile. Training has been... anti-climatic to say the least.
I have been having endless iliotibial band issues since my 9 mile run. They have mostly haunted me in the leg I used to love because it never has any problems. Once it took hold it won't let up, so now it's commonly referred to as "the sucky leg".
I have been managing the knee pain, even doing well with it, so I felt good enough to try for 12 miles today. I would have even been happy with 10.
This run was doomed before I even started for many reasons: 1) My knee sucks, as mentioned above. 2) I have a cold and have the past couple days. 3) I was underfueled and tried to force food down right before I walked out the door. (Here's Your Sign! - Bill Engvall)
I did not go 12, I did not go 10... I quit this run after 3. I fought for every step of the 3 miles too. When I stopped to walk because of the pain I figured, "I'll run again when the pain subsides and I'll get through 10 or 12 just walking and running. No shame in that." No dice. I almost had to drag my leg when I stopped to walk because bending my knee hurt so much. I was three blocks from home at this point, so I cashed in. (I did do something productive, I observed the sidewalk where this pain often kicks in... it's slanted! Jerks! Of course I have problems on that 1/2 mile stretch. The sidewalk isn't flat! Grrr.)
I cried in the street on the way home. I'm pretty sure it was more over the pain of having quit than actual pain. I'm not good at quitting, but I know it was the right thing to do. It didn't prevent me from being pissed for the last few hours either. Good friends helped me out and now I'm not feeling as bad about it. I'm still disappointed.
Strength training and a sports doc/PT are in my future. Woohoo! At least we're coming up on the last 3 weeks of craziness at work, so I'll have time to make some appointments and get a referral.
I'm sorry I don't have something awesome to report, but this blog was about the journey and sometimes the journey is all uphill.
I have been having endless iliotibial band issues since my 9 mile run. They have mostly haunted me in the leg I used to love because it never has any problems. Once it took hold it won't let up, so now it's commonly referred to as "the sucky leg".
I have been managing the knee pain, even doing well with it, so I felt good enough to try for 12 miles today. I would have even been happy with 10.
This run was doomed before I even started for many reasons: 1) My knee sucks, as mentioned above. 2) I have a cold and have the past couple days. 3) I was underfueled and tried to force food down right before I walked out the door. (Here's Your Sign! - Bill Engvall)
I did not go 12, I did not go 10... I quit this run after 3. I fought for every step of the 3 miles too. When I stopped to walk because of the pain I figured, "I'll run again when the pain subsides and I'll get through 10 or 12 just walking and running. No shame in that." No dice. I almost had to drag my leg when I stopped to walk because bending my knee hurt so much. I was three blocks from home at this point, so I cashed in. (I did do something productive, I observed the sidewalk where this pain often kicks in... it's slanted! Jerks! Of course I have problems on that 1/2 mile stretch. The sidewalk isn't flat! Grrr.)
I cried in the street on the way home. I'm pretty sure it was more over the pain of having quit than actual pain. I'm not good at quitting, but I know it was the right thing to do. It didn't prevent me from being pissed for the last few hours either. Good friends helped me out and now I'm not feeling as bad about it. I'm still disappointed.
Strength training and a sports doc/PT are in my future. Woohoo! At least we're coming up on the last 3 weeks of craziness at work, so I'll have time to make some appointments and get a referral.
I'm sorry I don't have something awesome to report, but this blog was about the journey and sometimes the journey is all uphill.
Saturday, January 21, 2012
Don't Count Me Out
I wish I had a training update to bring you, but my attempt at 3 (or a wishful 5) miles today was a quarter mile out and a walk back. The ice, snow and slush were too much to fight while trying to see if my leg was okay. Days like this make me wish I had a treadmill at home again. Instead of a running update, I hope you'll indulge me for a moment while I get something off my chest.
The point of this post is to let people know that I love and appreciate everyone's encouragement to get better, all your words of advice and especially when people ask how I am. Thankful doesn't begin to describe how I feel about all of my friends who are there for me as I train harder than I have in a long time, run more miles than I have in the past and face the obstacles along the way. The other side of that is letting let people know not to count me down or out just yet.
I may not seem strong to some. I may seem weak, I'm injured a lot, I'm the runt, I don't workout five times a day. I didn't have straight A's in college. I've fought a fairly rare disease and its complications. Yet, these things don't define me.
You see, overachiever is defined in the dictionary as performing better or achieving more than you're expected to by others. Tiffany loves to call me one and then we laugh about it, but when I looked it up in the dictionary it was nice to see that it actually does define me.
When I was treated for Graves' Disease I out-performed all of the doctors' expectations. So much so that the Nuclear Medicine doctor and my specialist had hushed phone conversation that scared the crap out of me! And Lord knows, my college professors would have never guessed I would be the first CPA out of our graduating class.
The nice thing about having overcome things in life is that you build a core belief in yourself. I know my limits, I know when to push them, I know how to manage my time, and most of all I know how to succeed on my own merits. Sometimes I start to feel down like everyone else when I can't train, but not only do I believe in myself, but I have a faith in God that carries me when I can't do it myself.
Even though I've never run a marathon before, I'm confident that I can do this within the time I want. I can do it despite my crazy work schedule, despite the fact I'll pick spending time with my family over 2 workouts a day or running 6 days a week. I may not lift weights 4 times a week and crosstrain a few times either, but I'll do this. I trust the training plan I have and I trust my own true grit.
So like I said, don't count me out yet.
The point of this post is to let people know that I love and appreciate everyone's encouragement to get better, all your words of advice and especially when people ask how I am. Thankful doesn't begin to describe how I feel about all of my friends who are there for me as I train harder than I have in a long time, run more miles than I have in the past and face the obstacles along the way. The other side of that is letting let people know not to count me down or out just yet.
I may not seem strong to some. I may seem weak, I'm injured a lot, I'm the runt, I don't workout five times a day. I didn't have straight A's in college. I've fought a fairly rare disease and its complications. Yet, these things don't define me.
You see, overachiever is defined in the dictionary as performing better or achieving more than you're expected to by others. Tiffany loves to call me one and then we laugh about it, but when I looked it up in the dictionary it was nice to see that it actually does define me.
When I was treated for Graves' Disease I out-performed all of the doctors' expectations. So much so that the Nuclear Medicine doctor and my specialist had hushed phone conversation that scared the crap out of me! And Lord knows, my college professors would have never guessed I would be the first CPA out of our graduating class.
The nice thing about having overcome things in life is that you build a core belief in yourself. I know my limits, I know when to push them, I know how to manage my time, and most of all I know how to succeed on my own merits. Sometimes I start to feel down like everyone else when I can't train, but not only do I believe in myself, but I have a faith in God that carries me when I can't do it myself.
Even though I've never run a marathon before, I'm confident that I can do this within the time I want. I can do it despite my crazy work schedule, despite the fact I'll pick spending time with my family over 2 workouts a day or running 6 days a week. I may not lift weights 4 times a week and crosstrain a few times either, but I'll do this. I trust the training plan I have and I trust my own true grit.
So like I said, don't count me out yet.
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
Injury Recovery Run
I wanted to try this run last night, but the nasty storm blowing through the Northwest made me rethink my idiocy. (Maybe I should turn in my IRC badge?) Actually, my IT band started to hurt with hard winds on my 9 mile run a couple weeks ago, so that's why I decided against trying to test it out in the wind & cold again. I waited until I could run on the treadmill at the gym tonight. I ran and walked for 3 miles. When my knee would start to hurt, I'd stop and walk... wash, rinse, repeat for a very slow 40 minutes. Still much better than no running!
As I was running and my knee started to hurt, causing me to walk, I started thinking back to when this problem started. See, this leg has never ever hurt in all my running. Never! It's always the other leg, so why now? I figured out it's because I'm now wearing shoes that were suggested at my last gait analysis to fix the problems on my other leg. Did it work? Well sure, no PF pain or any other problems on that side, but at what cost? Honestly, I'm willing to trade back the PF pain for this.
While walking and thinking about this I decided to experiment with something. I kicked off my shoes and ran barefoot for my last quarter mile. I actually felt like this helped. It prevented the pain in my knee from coming back like it had been. Yay for breakthroughs!! I think the next step is probably going to a sports podiatrist. I got one recommended, strangely by the guy who sits next to me at work. I'm guessing I need orthotic(s) more than likely. Since I'm an accountant and busier than I can even describe right now, this is going to need to wait until March. (Yes, I literally cannot leave work early anytime until February is over to go see a doctor. Maybe your job isn't so bad now? :D) In the mean time, I think I'm going to go back to my Brooks Pure Connect instead of the Ravenna 2. Hopefully that helps!
The plan this week is supposed to be speeding up a little, so I don't know where that fits into this. It was supposed to be 4/3/5/10 all at 12:00 miles (up from 12:09). I will try 4 tomorrow or Thursday depending on how my knee feels. Hopefully I can still get the miles in, even if I have to do it a bit more slowly. I really want to run 10 on Saturday or Sunday!
P.S. Paleo didn't last past a few days. I can't bring myself to eat meat a bunch, so I was starving and/or eating tons of fruit and veggies anyway. All I can think of when eating meat is turning my cancer cells on (read The China Study) and the mom & baby cow picture. So sad! Back to my vegan-ish ways today.
As I was running and my knee started to hurt, causing me to walk, I started thinking back to when this problem started. See, this leg has never ever hurt in all my running. Never! It's always the other leg, so why now? I figured out it's because I'm now wearing shoes that were suggested at my last gait analysis to fix the problems on my other leg. Did it work? Well sure, no PF pain or any other problems on that side, but at what cost? Honestly, I'm willing to trade back the PF pain for this.
While walking and thinking about this I decided to experiment with something. I kicked off my shoes and ran barefoot for my last quarter mile. I actually felt like this helped. It prevented the pain in my knee from coming back like it had been. Yay for breakthroughs!! I think the next step is probably going to a sports podiatrist. I got one recommended, strangely by the guy who sits next to me at work. I'm guessing I need orthotic(s) more than likely. Since I'm an accountant and busier than I can even describe right now, this is going to need to wait until March. (Yes, I literally cannot leave work early anytime until February is over to go see a doctor. Maybe your job isn't so bad now? :D) In the mean time, I think I'm going to go back to my Brooks Pure Connect instead of the Ravenna 2. Hopefully that helps!
The plan this week is supposed to be speeding up a little, so I don't know where that fits into this. It was supposed to be 4/3/5/10 all at 12:00 miles (up from 12:09). I will try 4 tomorrow or Thursday depending on how my knee feels. Hopefully I can still get the miles in, even if I have to do it a bit more slowly. I really want to run 10 on Saturday or Sunday!
P.S. Paleo didn't last past a few days. I can't bring myself to eat meat a bunch, so I was starving and/or eating tons of fruit and veggies anyway. All I can think of when eating meat is turning my cancer cells on (read The China Study) and the mom & baby cow picture. So sad! Back to my vegan-ish ways today.
Saturday, January 7, 2012
Rocky Inspired Run
Today's run was supposed to be 4 miles, but I traded it for the 9 mile LSD (12:09 pace) that should have been tomorrow's run. I had the opportunity and the will, so why not go for it?
I think every time you face a distance you've never attempted before, there is a certain bit of anticipation and nervousness that goes with it. "Can I do it??" I just had to push it out of my mind and remember, "I have trained for this. I CAN do it." I spent all week watching all of the Rocky movies. They are so inspiring and all about the underdog. I keep the quote he says to his son in the last movie on my phone:
"It ain't how hard you hit, it is about how hard you CAN GET HIT and keep MOVING FORWARD. How much you CAN TAKE and KEEP MOVING FORWARD. That's how WINNING is done! - Rocky
That's what this 9 miles was about... keep taking the hits from my ITB, my PF, the cold, my tiredness, whatever it might be and KEEP MOVING FORWARD. Don't stop, just keep putting one foot in front of the other. Amazingly, this run was easier than expected. Notable things.. I went down a straight-away I haven't in a long time during mile 2. I was cruising and didn't realize I had a strong wind at my back. Oops! I really miscalculated I was going to have to run back AGAINST it. The wind from the S/SW is common out by my house. So, for that 1/2 mile back it slowed me down considerably and started my IT band screaming and it never stopped, but it was manageable when not fighting the wind. The next loop I made around I was ready for it, so I was able to keep pace better. Otherwise interesting, my PF has been much better with these Brooks Ravenna. It barely hurt at all today! Yay!! Lastly, I had enough gas in the tank to pick up the pace on the last 2 miles and go even faster to get home after I hit 9 miles. That is my plan for the marathon too... pick up the pace at the end to bring it home as much under 5 hours as I can possibly get.
Unfortunately, even when you do something you think is great, the doubt of never being good enough comes in. As soon as I got back & posted my Garmin picture on Twitter I started thinking, "Well, sure, it was a good run for me, but to everyone who runs 8 minute miles this looks like phoning it in." Thankfully I am doing well learning that this is about me, I'm not racing anyone! Who cares how fast other people are? I had an average pace of 11:54, which is a marathon pace of about 5:15. I have to keep working to get it below 11:30, but my plan is built for that, so I will trust the process. Just need to get under 11:25 avg pace!
Splits: 12:02, 12:09 (fighting the wind), 12:01, 12:00, 11:49, 11:52 (the mile that would never end), 12:06 (fighting the wind again), 11:42, 11:31. Fuel: Clif Mocha Gel at 50 minutes (about 1/2 way point) and drank 6oz of Nuun I had on my water belt.
I think every time you face a distance you've never attempted before, there is a certain bit of anticipation and nervousness that goes with it. "Can I do it??" I just had to push it out of my mind and remember, "I have trained for this. I CAN do it." I spent all week watching all of the Rocky movies. They are so inspiring and all about the underdog. I keep the quote he says to his son in the last movie on my phone:
"It ain't how hard you hit, it is about how hard you CAN GET HIT and keep MOVING FORWARD. How much you CAN TAKE and KEEP MOVING FORWARD. That's how WINNING is done! - Rocky
That's what this 9 miles was about... keep taking the hits from my ITB, my PF, the cold, my tiredness, whatever it might be and KEEP MOVING FORWARD. Don't stop, just keep putting one foot in front of the other. Amazingly, this run was easier than expected. Notable things.. I went down a straight-away I haven't in a long time during mile 2. I was cruising and didn't realize I had a strong wind at my back. Oops! I really miscalculated I was going to have to run back AGAINST it. The wind from the S/SW is common out by my house. So, for that 1/2 mile back it slowed me down considerably and started my IT band screaming and it never stopped, but it was manageable when not fighting the wind. The next loop I made around I was ready for it, so I was able to keep pace better. Otherwise interesting, my PF has been much better with these Brooks Ravenna. It barely hurt at all today! Yay!! Lastly, I had enough gas in the tank to pick up the pace on the last 2 miles and go even faster to get home after I hit 9 miles. That is my plan for the marathon too... pick up the pace at the end to bring it home as much under 5 hours as I can possibly get.
Unfortunately, even when you do something you think is great, the doubt of never being good enough comes in. As soon as I got back & posted my Garmin picture on Twitter I started thinking, "Well, sure, it was a good run for me, but to everyone who runs 8 minute miles this looks like phoning it in." Thankfully I am doing well learning that this is about me, I'm not racing anyone! Who cares how fast other people are? I had an average pace of 11:54, which is a marathon pace of about 5:15. I have to keep working to get it below 11:30, but my plan is built for that, so I will trust the process. Just need to get under 11:25 avg pace!
Splits: 12:02, 12:09 (fighting the wind), 12:01, 12:00, 11:49, 11:52 (the mile that would never end), 12:06 (fighting the wind again), 11:42, 11:31. Fuel: Clif Mocha Gel at 50 minutes (about 1/2 way point) and drank 6oz of Nuun I had on my water belt.
Thursday, January 5, 2012
Well Rounded Runner
Most people know running involves pretty much your whole body. Runners know that we get a lot less injuries when other parts of our bodies are also strong. We need these other muscles to keep good form while increasing our running. I used to strength train quite a bit and do yoga a few times a week, but when I started running more, everything else took a backseat. I have been plagued with foot and leg injuries last fall and now I'm realizing I need to find a way to fit in some lifting and yoga again, along with my running and basic stretches I do. I may never get over the PF, but if I have a strong core, maybe I can prevent other pains and problems.
Tonight was a rest day from running, so I worked out my arms and core. I need to do more direct ab work (I did all of my lifting on the bosu ball), but I didn't have my own yoga mat and I don't like thinking of the germs on the gym mats or floor! I was able to fit in some planks and stability ball crunches. I did quite a bit of lifting, so tomorrow I expect to feel it in my shoulders, arms and hopefully abs.
I'm going to keep strength training at least twice a week hopefully. When school picks back up I may be pretty insanely busy until March. We're also closing the 2011 year at work, which is mostly me doing extra work, and trying to implement new software company wide. School, year-end close, new software and marathon training together all kind of scare me!
Tonight was a rest day from running, so I worked out my arms and core. I need to do more direct ab work (I did all of my lifting on the bosu ball), but I didn't have my own yoga mat and I don't like thinking of the germs on the gym mats or floor! I was able to fit in some planks and stability ball crunches. I did quite a bit of lifting, so tomorrow I expect to feel it in my shoulders, arms and hopefully abs.
I'm going to keep strength training at least twice a week hopefully. When school picks back up I may be pretty insanely busy until March. We're also closing the 2011 year at work, which is mostly me doing extra work, and trying to implement new software company wide. School, year-end close, new software and marathon training together all kind of scare me!
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
Treadmill Runs, Growth, and Looking Forward
When I began running I didn't want to go out in the cold or rain (although I still am not big on rain), but I feel like I've grown, because I would much rather be out in the freezing cold than be stuck on a treadmill for any length of time. I am biting my nails waiting for the time later this month when it might be light enough for me to run at about 6am before work. I've also never been a morning runner, so this will be a switch for me too. I'm learning that I am just so worn out by the end of the day that being tired + being stuck with the treadmill seems like the worst combination ever. I have been managing so far, but anything over about 3 miles is mental torture.
Today's training run was 4 easy miles again at a 12:09 pace. This slow of a pace makes the torture worse, so I tend to go faster. Tonight's pace was 11:48 for 4.1 miles. I am getting closer to the slower time on long runs and I'm guessing this weekend's 9 miler will be pretty close to the easy pace (just in time to increase it! ha!).
My left calf, which never gives me problems, was still a little tight from Monday's run. Someone at work (ahem, person who gave me flu), reminded me that my electrolytes may be off from having been sick. That made total sense, because all of my muscles have been cramping. I'm drinking some Nuun right now and taking potassium & magnesium. I'm going to keep doing this all week and see if it helps. My PF was also a bit painful, but I do think the new Brooks, plus stretching and trying to watch my form are helping. If I can whittle my body down to one pain or less, I'd say that's a win!
Next runs are Saturday: 4 easy and Sunday: LSD 9 miles easy (both 12:09). I'm looking forward to trying 9. Longest I have ever raced is 12k, which is about 7.5ish. Last time I tried to run 9 I fell on my butt after 2 and didn't get to finish! This will be a new distance PR for me, provided I don't crash & burn. It will also be a great opportunity for me to practice fueling and keeping my pace where it should be.
Today's training run was 4 easy miles again at a 12:09 pace. This slow of a pace makes the torture worse, so I tend to go faster. Tonight's pace was 11:48 for 4.1 miles. I am getting closer to the slower time on long runs and I'm guessing this weekend's 9 miler will be pretty close to the easy pace (just in time to increase it! ha!).
My left calf, which never gives me problems, was still a little tight from Monday's run. Someone at work (ahem, person who gave me flu), reminded me that my electrolytes may be off from having been sick. That made total sense, because all of my muscles have been cramping. I'm drinking some Nuun right now and taking potassium & magnesium. I'm going to keep doing this all week and see if it helps. My PF was also a bit painful, but I do think the new Brooks, plus stretching and trying to watch my form are helping. If I can whittle my body down to one pain or less, I'd say that's a win!
Next runs are Saturday: 4 easy and Sunday: LSD 9 miles easy (both 12:09). I'm looking forward to trying 9. Longest I have ever raced is 12k, which is about 7.5ish. Last time I tried to run 9 I fell on my butt after 2 and didn't get to finish! This will be a new distance PR for me, provided I don't crash & burn. It will also be a great opportunity for me to practice fueling and keeping my pace where it should be.
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