Where To Start...

Well it's been over a month since my last post.  I've been thinking why I couldn't get motivated to write something.  I always want to be positive in some way, even if it wasn't a great day, or a great run.  The last few weeks have been difficult for me.  I love running so much, but hurting each and every time I run has gotten me down. It's gotten to be something I don't look forward to any more, and I am skipping a running day here and there, which is not good, and certainly won't help with being sore after the run.

I can't say there haven't been any good runs, there have, but I have such pain and swelling in my ankle the next few days afterward, it makes me wonder, "Is it all worth it?"  In my heart I know it is, but my mind is beat from hurting all the time.

I had a good race day on August 7th.  The training program set us up perfectly for the 10K distance, plus I took a couple extra days off during the taper to let my ankle rest up.  I had energy left at the end of the race to kick up my speed a notch and I came in at 0:57:59! My goal was to finish under an hour. It's an automatic PB for me, it was my longest race ever!  I felt good after running, but by evening, my ankle was really hurting and swollen.  It put a damper on my high spirits for accomplishing something I never thought I could do... run for an hour. 

I was feeling determined to try for the longer distances after handling the 10K distance, so I signed up for the 12 week training program for a half marathon in November.  Crazy, but I am really hoping I can find a solution to the ankle problem.  My theory is that I have tight hip flexors, those are always sore (another problem area).  I have had the coaches in the training program help me with strength exercises and stretches targeting that area. I do those pretty regularly, but am finding little relief from those super tight muscles.  So, because my hip flexors are painful, I think I have a wierd foot strike to compensate for the hurting in my leg, which is then causing some unusual stress on my ankle.  This is just what I am assuming from how things have progressed.  I looked at the calendar today and it has been 4 weeks today since I first noticed the pain and swelling in my ankle, so I made an appointment with my doctor.  I didn't want to do that, because the last thing I want is to have him tell me I have to stop running.  I really only want an x-ray, to rule out a stress fracture.  I have worked my way up to doing more miles per week than I ever thought would be possible for me, and I don't want to lose the progress that I've made, even injured. 

So, we'll see what he says tomorrow.  Maybe he will have some new ideas.  I hope so, because I have 5 miles of speed work on the schedule tomorrow afternoon.

Shelly
Living... with a pain, and the fear that it won't ever go away. No, not my Hubby. ;)
Laughing... with new friends that are joining me in the next stage of training.
Loving...  my family that is so supportive of my running, even though I'm hurting.

Still Training...

My runs have been getting a little bit better. Had the best one ever last Saturday morning. Our training group ran in the morning through Bidwell Park. They said it would be about 4 miles, but when we reached the half way turn around, the runners with Garmins had 2.4 miles.  I was feeling really good. I had started at the back of the pack, visiting with a new friend. As I warmed up I was feeling pretty good, so I upped my pace and got into a rhythm. I started passing other runners. It was supposed to be an easy run, but I didn't feel like I was pushing it, just running comfortable. At the turn around, I was running with the front pack of 6 runners. As we headed back, I felt like I could run all day. I passed them and kept going. I wanted to see how good I could feel running almost 5 miles. This was my longest run ever and it was a great boost to my confidence. I am feeling like the 10k coming up in 4 weeks will be no problem. I CAN DO IT! I know I can now.

Tonight is another training run.  It is about 105 degrees outside right now. Been drinking diluted, decaf iced tea all day. Got my electrolyte enhanced water to go with me, I think I'll do fine this evening. The core training that I have been doing on the days I don't run is definitely making a difference. I see more toned muscles in my arms, abs and legs. I feel stronger, too... and that's the best part!

Shelly

Living... trying to balance family time with my running and workout schedule.
Laughing... at the sheer joy my grand kids have learning to swim at the city pool.
Loving... having greater confidence in myself and my body.

Saturday Training Run...

It was hard! I have ran 4 miles before so I knew how it should feel. But I felt like I was running with just one and a half legs. I ran a super slow pace, felt like I was limping all the way through. The groin/glute pain was really bothering me. It wasn't very hot, but maybe I wasn't hydrated enough, either. I guess unless I drink a lot of water the night before, I'm just not going to be able to get enough in on the morning of the run. I had hoped to have a better time, since I was in for the virtual "Sweat Your Thorns Off 5K Race" by The Boring Runner. I finished the 4 miles at 45:30 so that put my 5k time at about 34:20. I stuck around for a double stretching circuit post race, though, and I seemed to get a little of the pain to subside. I felt like I had at least one and three quarters legs, and less limp, by the time I walked back to sign out of the training program.

After I signed out, I shopped a bit in Fleet Feet and couldn't resist this and this, then went to Costco and picked up a few necessities for the upcoming  4th of July holiday. By the time I got home, my leg was feeling considerably better. On Sunday, mMy Hubby and I spent the day out in the boat on a local lake. The day was perfect! Very little wind, clear cool water and it was warm, but not blazing hot. I spent most of the time swimming or floating in the water. I tried treading water to see how my leg felt and I had no pain at all, so I did a little mini workout and treaded water for about 15-20 minutes. I was able to do that several times. It felt so great, I really hated getting back in the boat, but I had to, because I was working on the tan a little, too.

Today my leg pain is barely there. I have a 3 mile easy run on the calendar today, so we'll see how it feels after that... hopefully I've worked through it and I won't have a problem with it anymore. Keeping my fingers crossed!

Shelly

Living... and learning patience with all things.
Laughing... at the high's and low's running makes me feel.
Loving... spending "just the two of us" time with Hubby.

Runninghood: The Handful Bra Giveaway!

I'm posting this because I am hoping to win this bra in Runninghoods giveaway, but if I don't, it is going to be on my list next time I go shopping! It looks perfect for me. I have never found a sports bra that is comfortable for running. Either too short, too "smashy", too loose, too hot, too something! Thanks to Amanda at Runninghood for posting about this comfy looking sports bra. Go to her site and check it out!

Runninghood: The Handful Bra Giveaway!: "It's Friday! The sun is shining (finally)! And I have a fantastic giveaway to kick off the last weekend in June! Yes, that's right Running..."

Not Serious... And I'm So Happy!

My 10K Training workshop was awesome yesterday! As soon as I got there, I talked with Susan, from Fleet Feet (she is the training coordinator) about the groin/quad pain I have been having and that I had no idea what to do about it. She was concerned and said she would work with me during warm-ups to do some stretching to target that area. I was hesitant to start warm-ups, but it didn't hurt as much as I thought it would. The stretches she had me do before the run helped tremendously.

The temperature was easily at or over 100 degrees and we were running along the creek in the park, so the humidity was high. I was sweating buckets even before I got started on the run. We did four 1 mile circuits, given the high temps. We were encouraged to stop and get water or use the restroom at the end of each mile, if we felt the need. They didn't want anyone getting sick by over doing it.

At first, I could feel myself favoring the sore leg, but as I warmed up, I got a nice even stride, and was surprised as the pain faded away. Susan came up to run with me and my running partner. She gave me some pointers on my stride that may be contributing to put too much stress on my groin, glutes and quads. Evidently, I have too much "spring" in my step and my strides are too long. She said to try to shorten my stride, don't bounce so much, and take more steps in a minute. We counted my steps in 30 seconds and I am taking only 65-70. She said I should try for 85 to 90. I noticed a difference when I shortened up the steps, and I was able to keep the same running pace. She helped me with some new stretches in the post run to release those tight muscles. When I left, I had no pain at all, and I ran the whole 4 miles with my partner, except for about 30 seconds when we stopped for water. I met a great running buddy yesterday, too. It's not always easy to find someone who is comfortable running the exact same pace as you. I left training yesterday with an adrenalin high. I was so happy that I felt good and didn't hurt. Oh yeah, and I am loving my NUUN tablets! I have such a quick recovery using the supplemented water, it is amazing! No weakness or cramping at all.

I got up this morning and did a quick jog around our yard and then did a complete set of the stretches Susan showed me yesterday. I feel just a twinge of soreness, but nothing like I experienced earlier this week. I have my core workout on my schedule today, so no running, but lots of ab work and upper body strengthening. I'll probably finish up with a few miles on the bike, just to get some cardio work in, too. I'll be ending it with my "life saving" stretches.

Shelly

Living... with so much more optimism than I started the week with.
Laughing...  at what I didn't know I didn't know... again!
Loving... having my daughter and her husband in California for the summer!

Injury... Or Not?

I am still contending with this nagging groin pain, and it's messin' with my head! I don't know whether to keep going, or just take a few days off.  I'm worried because I'm in the middle of a 10k Training program and have scheduled miles to get in during the week. So far, I have stayed on schedule. But I am paying for it in pain level now. If I can barely walk on one leg, I'm thinking I probably shouldn't run. I am going to go ahead and go to my training workshop this evening, but not sure that I'll run. There are 3.5 miles on the chart today. Coincidentally, there will be a physical therapist giving an Injury Management presentation before our workout. Perfect timing! I am going to find out exactly what I should and should not be doing to get this pain worked out.  Since I'm new to running, I have no idea if I have a serious injury... or just a mild strain. Everything I read says use R-I-C-E.  Rest, ok I can do that. Ice, did that, very carefully. Compression, how? Elevate, are you serious?!

I ran 3 miles at the gym on Monday and 1 mile last night, just to see how it felt. Not good!  I have made such great progress on endurance during my runs, I'm scared to loose that.  Cardio-wise, I feel like I can run longer than the distances I have been running, but I feel like my legs are failing me.

Looking forward to getting some answers tonight!

Shelly

Living... with frustration, confusion and pain.
Laughing... at a groin injury? Really? Seriously?
Loving...  how I still feel the need to run, because I just love it.

In a Funk...

I'm not sure why I'm not feeling like my energetic self right now. I suspect it is a combination of several things happening at the same time. I'm just not 100% physically, and that makes me not 100% mentally.  Last week I had a twinge of groin pain after a core workout, then I ran 2.5 miles Friday as part of the 10k Training program. Yes, then it became more than a twinge. It hurt! I did the new stretches I learned in the training program, and it helped. Saturday was an early morning training run. We had to meet at the park at 7am, which meant I had to be out of the house by 6am, which meant I had to be up by at least 5:15 am, and I am NOT a morning person! I never run in the morning, unless it's a race day. My hubby went with me to go on his own run through the park while I ran with my training group. My groin was tender when I got up, but I thought the scheduled easy 3.5 mile run might be just the thing to get it loosened up. During the run it felt fine, a little tight and tender after, but I spent plenty of time on post run stretching. I thought it would be ok. It got worse as the day went on. I was feeling exhausted from the early run and painful groin, so I took a nap, hoping I would feel better. Woke up sluggish and just not myself. Sunday... still not feeling very good. I was frustrated because I don't want to get behind in my 10k training, I need to keep my miles up, so taking time off running is not what I want to do. It was extremely windy and hot on Sunday, which always makes me out of sorts. And I didn't get to see my dad on Father's Day. I called, but he wasn't home, so I could only leave a message. I also quit taking my allergy medication this weekend, so I have had headaches off and on, too. All this creates a perfect storm for a funk to brew!

My training schedule has 13 miles on it this week, so I am tossing out any negativity right now! I'm going out to do my 3 mile run in a few minutes and I'm going to feel great! I am going to set up a Pilate's session this week and do a duet with my daughter. It was her idea, and it couldn't come at a better time. My youngest daughter will be arriving from Utah tomorrow, and I can't wait to see her! I have so many things to be excited about, sometimes I just need a reminder. Sure, I have a bunch of stuff at home that is not going exactly as planned, and I have been disappointed that things aren't perfect, but I have decided that I am perfectly happy with what IS going as planned!

This is going to be a great week!

Shelly

Living... one day at a time. Patience, Shelly, patience!
Laughing... at the pure honesty that comes from my grand kids mouths.
Loving... sharing my frustrations, and realizing things are not as bad as I imagine them to be.