Update: We are all big losers. But not in the biggest loser sort of way, in a failure sort of way. So I'm going to pull a God move and take some bad turn of events and make something good come out of it. Romans 8:28.
First, after my one-month planned running hiatus, literally almost to the day, I came down with a severe cold with the largest symptom being exhaustion. After two weeks of nonsense, I finally went to the doctor and was diagnosed with Bronchitis. After a week of steriods and antibiotics, and actually getting worse, I went back for another round of steriods and antibiotics and never knew whether I officially had pneumonia because I denied the x-ray request. I'm one of those people. But, anyway, that wiped it out. And me.
At some point during this bronchio-pneumonia-malaria that I was experiencing, eagle-eyed Josh was watching the half and full marathon sign-ups. One day, the half was 75% full and the next... ding! Full. So, even though the writing was probably already on the wall (which is a Biblical reference by the way, thanks children's Bible for refreshing this story for me!), I was officially closed out. Which was very discouraging, the finality of it. Josh registered.
On the other side of the gender aisle, Josh was up to 15 miles in August, during our midwest trip. Something about those cool rural Minnesota mornings had him really going strong. Then we got home and at some point, he had massive leg and knee pain. Crippling. Was convinced he had that band syndrome. I think he went to the doctor. He's one of those people. Can't remember the outcome, other than to stay off of it, no running. Once some time passed, he tried again and struggled with the pain. So, took some more time off, then struggled again... and... so has not had a long run since who knows when. I keep asking him if he's canceled our lodging reservation for January - he hasn't and won't til 30 days out (when he has to). Maybe there'll be a one-month comeback. But it's looking rough.
That being said, I was lazy through October and then crazy with November's storm, Sandy. Which was way more devastating than Olivia Newton John's character in Grease. We left town twice, once to take advantage of Josh's office closing and the second, was just the kids and I, because I was in a dither about the power. Incidentally, it came on as I arrived at the halfway point of Maryland.
All that to say, "So am just now getting back into the swing of things."
I jogged this morning at the gym, two miles, and nearly went into cardiac arrest. So there's a lesson about body composition in there... I'm more/less the same weight as I was when I was running well, but way less fit. I'm officially back to training with no concrete goals. Eyeing the same Disney one in 2014, or the Disney Princess, which is just a month or two later. Or, if I get a partner, maybe the one in Chicago in the fall.
B
Friday, November 16, 2012
Thursday, August 2, 2012
Encouraged
I am so encouraged today!
Monday I tried jogging just my 2.5 mile loop again. I made it one mile before my hip started crippling again and I had to stop and walk the rest. I have a high pain tolerance. I was in full contractions with R and my response was, "it's not that bad." In my defense, I had never felt contractions before! I walk around with a severely herniated disc most days and choose to avoid Advil for "when I really need it." Dental work? No problem. When they have an option for the pain medicine or just do it, I usually say just get it done. I think my pain threshold comes from the time I herniated my lower back so badly that I literally thought my entire right leg was shattered from toe to hip. It felt like it was filled with broken glass - so much so, that I went to the emergency room. Twice. So, since that, I usually think nothing really hurts until it hurts that badly. Well, the hip hurt on Monday - enough to stop and enough to know if I keep pushing it, it will be bad.
So, I went back to the bike and watching the Olympics and being depressed and eating Trader Joe's Joe-Joes (oreos). I have been consistent about my exercise, though. I've at least been biking and gymming almost if not every day. My kids are now the "gym babysitting kids." But they like it. R was busy playing wii with a seven year old boy the other day and K was building with blocks. So it works out for an hour and a half.
This morning, all the bikes were taken (by the elderly, if you must know. These are now my peers.) So, I decided to try the elliptical. Knowing that I read if it's a stress fracture, all weight-bearing exercises will aggravate it. Well... I did the elliptical, a little over five miles in an hour (so basically my jogging goal pace) and ... no pain! SO encouraged. It dawned on me that I can do the elliptical on my run days, the mileage that I am supposed to be doing for the runs. Trust me, I know that elliptical is 1,000 times easier than road running. But I am taking a month off from jogging entirely, with the hopes that I can pick up in September which puts me back in the race (barring additional injury). I figure if I start back up by mid-September, I can still do it in January. I was encouraged by the fact that I believe it's not a stress fracture and by the fact that I came up with this run substitution scheme for the next month. Off days, I will bike. We can still do this thing! And, I'm back to giving up the Joe Joes.
I have also been doing a lot of research on foot strides. The last pair of running shoes that I owned (that I really didn't run in), we're so uncomfortable on my feet. And they were good shoes. Truly hurt my foot even to walk in - felt like my arch never came in contact with the shoe, especially on my left foot. That's when I started looking up shoes and then found out about foot strides. And immediately got new shoes because I couldn't stand them any longer. I switched from a Saucony to Brooks and I can't tell you how much I love these shoes and did instantly. Hugs my feet perfectly. So these are the shoes that I've had when I started jogging again, around spring. I know I had them at Disney in March. All of this is to say, that I have determined that I am an under-pronator, which means that I strike with the outside of my heels and push off with the outside of my toes. Basically, I walk and jog with the outside of my feet getting most of the burden. If you're an over-pronator, which I am the opposite, you strike and push with the inside of your heel/toe. Anyway, under-pronation can cause... hip pain and injury... especially if you're in the wrong shoe. The right shoe being a major shock absorber. I think I am in the right shoe (I think my old shoes were for over-pronating which is why they hurt my feet so) - but I have probably worn down the insoles, though the treads are still good. I also think my successful elliptical workout today is telling about this, as well, since you need no shock absorption on that machine, since your feet stay on the plates. And no pain today.
So, after I take my month off, I will be buying new super shock absorbing (hopefully Brooks) shoes, to start back up again. If not sooner. I, too, will be visiting the "how much are these?!" running store in town. Josh went a couple weeks ago.
So, I am down but not out! There is still hope. And even if I don't get there, I have confidence that homeboy will be running his race, so it won't be a total lost cause. I refuse to go if none of us do!
September!
Monday I tried jogging just my 2.5 mile loop again. I made it one mile before my hip started crippling again and I had to stop and walk the rest. I have a high pain tolerance. I was in full contractions with R and my response was, "it's not that bad." In my defense, I had never felt contractions before! I walk around with a severely herniated disc most days and choose to avoid Advil for "when I really need it." Dental work? No problem. When they have an option for the pain medicine or just do it, I usually say just get it done. I think my pain threshold comes from the time I herniated my lower back so badly that I literally thought my entire right leg was shattered from toe to hip. It felt like it was filled with broken glass - so much so, that I went to the emergency room. Twice. So, since that, I usually think nothing really hurts until it hurts that badly. Well, the hip hurt on Monday - enough to stop and enough to know if I keep pushing it, it will be bad.
So, I went back to the bike and watching the Olympics and being depressed and eating Trader Joe's Joe-Joes (oreos). I have been consistent about my exercise, though. I've at least been biking and gymming almost if not every day. My kids are now the "gym babysitting kids." But they like it. R was busy playing wii with a seven year old boy the other day and K was building with blocks. So it works out for an hour and a half.
This morning, all the bikes were taken (by the elderly, if you must know. These are now my peers.) So, I decided to try the elliptical. Knowing that I read if it's a stress fracture, all weight-bearing exercises will aggravate it. Well... I did the elliptical, a little over five miles in an hour (so basically my jogging goal pace) and ... no pain! SO encouraged. It dawned on me that I can do the elliptical on my run days, the mileage that I am supposed to be doing for the runs. Trust me, I know that elliptical is 1,000 times easier than road running. But I am taking a month off from jogging entirely, with the hopes that I can pick up in September which puts me back in the race (barring additional injury). I figure if I start back up by mid-September, I can still do it in January. I was encouraged by the fact that I believe it's not a stress fracture and by the fact that I came up with this run substitution scheme for the next month. Off days, I will bike. We can still do this thing! And, I'm back to giving up the Joe Joes.
I have also been doing a lot of research on foot strides. The last pair of running shoes that I owned (that I really didn't run in), we're so uncomfortable on my feet. And they were good shoes. Truly hurt my foot even to walk in - felt like my arch never came in contact with the shoe, especially on my left foot. That's when I started looking up shoes and then found out about foot strides. And immediately got new shoes because I couldn't stand them any longer. I switched from a Saucony to Brooks and I can't tell you how much I love these shoes and did instantly. Hugs my feet perfectly. So these are the shoes that I've had when I started jogging again, around spring. I know I had them at Disney in March. All of this is to say, that I have determined that I am an under-pronator, which means that I strike with the outside of my heels and push off with the outside of my toes. Basically, I walk and jog with the outside of my feet getting most of the burden. If you're an over-pronator, which I am the opposite, you strike and push with the inside of your heel/toe. Anyway, under-pronation can cause... hip pain and injury... especially if you're in the wrong shoe. The right shoe being a major shock absorber. I think I am in the right shoe (I think my old shoes were for over-pronating which is why they hurt my feet so) - but I have probably worn down the insoles, though the treads are still good. I also think my successful elliptical workout today is telling about this, as well, since you need no shock absorption on that machine, since your feet stay on the plates. And no pain today.
So, after I take my month off, I will be buying new super shock absorbing (hopefully Brooks) shoes, to start back up again. If not sooner. I, too, will be visiting the "how much are these?!" running store in town. Josh went a couple weeks ago.
So, I am down but not out! There is still hope. And even if I don't get there, I have confidence that homeboy will be running his race, so it won't be a total lost cause. I refuse to go if none of us do!
September!
Friday, July 27, 2012
Sidelined
So, last Friday, finishing the four miles on the treadmill "trying to make up time," I hurt my hip. Like the front of my right hip, where hip bone, pelvis and leg bone all meet? That area. I limped afterward and it hurt for the remainder of the day. But Saturday was better and a rest day. Made Sunday a rest day, too. On Monday, when I started out my short run, it hurt a little, that "well, I know it's there" level of pain. As I was finishing my route, with less than a quarter mile to go - probably less - it hit me sharply and was dibilitating. I skipped/hopped/limped the rest of the way, just to finish, since I was close. I instantly feared a stress fracture (too many episodes of The Biggest Loser).
Not sure what it was, or is. But have stopped jogging on it since Monday, so missed my Wednesday run and today's long run. I've been on the recumbant bike at the gym, instead. Perk: My gym finally picked up Bravo and Fox News. Did they read my mind? My innermost desires? Just today, my hip feels really good, not even "I know it's there" level of pain. I'm hoping that means it's not bone related. Not going to the doctor until I see how I do next week, when I'm back to pounding all my bones, joints and ligaments on the pavement. So, I am set back and will start Monday with the hopes of finishing out the old schedule where four miles is the long run.
I am also thinking of making my run days down to two. A marathon running friend of mine did this with her training, to avoid injury. Seems like maybe I should, too! So I may do a run, bike, elliptical, rest, run, bike, rest schedule. Or add a day of weights and stretch. I'm a horrible stretcher - I never take the time to really, really, do it well. I'm sure that really was helping my hip...
But, if it's any consolation, I can easy, easy, do a half-marathon on the recumbant bike! I think it burns a whole 300 calories... sigh.
Not sure what it was, or is. But have stopped jogging on it since Monday, so missed my Wednesday run and today's long run. I've been on the recumbant bike at the gym, instead. Perk: My gym finally picked up Bravo and Fox News. Did they read my mind? My innermost desires? Just today, my hip feels really good, not even "I know it's there" level of pain. I'm hoping that means it's not bone related. Not going to the doctor until I see how I do next week, when I'm back to pounding all my bones, joints and ligaments on the pavement. So, I am set back and will start Monday with the hopes of finishing out the old schedule where four miles is the long run.
I am also thinking of making my run days down to two. A marathon running friend of mine did this with her training, to avoid injury. Seems like maybe I should, too! So I may do a run, bike, elliptical, rest, run, bike, rest schedule. Or add a day of weights and stretch. I'm a horrible stretcher - I never take the time to really, really, do it well. I'm sure that really was helping my hip...
Saturday, July 21, 2012
Old lady bones
Weeks one and two: completed. I am an on a MWF jog schedule, with Fridays being the long runs. This week it was four miles. Next week will get really serious, with a five miler.
In the past, my jogging has been on a treadmill (preferably around 10:00 AM, my power hour), in an air conditioned gym, with my music in my ears and a TV on mute in my face. Flat. Cool. Entertainment for all senses. Even the sense of smell, thanks to the occassional stink pot on the treadmill next to me. However, with this running program, I've since switched to early mornings (with one evening because the morning could not be done), outside, in the summer heat and humidity, because the race will be outside at dawn. Enjoy that. Anyway, I will officially switch my party vote from team treadmill to team outside. Running outside, jogging, turtling, whatever you want to call my activity, is officially easier outside. No "pace in your face" from the machine - you can do whatever feels most natural (which in the early morning with my fragile-brick body, is quite slow to start), you get some fresh air, you can possibly pick up a little breeze here and there, you get energized with passing cars and buzz of people starting their day. You get to greet people. I've made it a point to greet everyone I pass. Jesus would. He'd also be running in sandals, but I won't go that far.
Friday morning, it was raining. Unlike Josh, I pretty much refuse to run in the rain. Or walk. Or hang out. I will if it comes to that on race day, but I won't before then. So, I went to the gym instead. Which is sad, because I was excited about my new four mile route - which is just an extension of my three mile loop - but still. That gym experience on Friday made me a believer in road racing. It was brutal. That first mile I felt like I was crawling. Actually, based on my pace, I knew I was crawling. The second mile was pulling teeth. The third mile I finally had a stride and then the fourth mile I tried to make up some time. I did. And then I ran to 4.1 just to prove a point. But it is way different getting on a treadmill at 6:30 AM than 10:00 AM. Talk about dry bones. Cold, dry bones. I've done four on the treadmill before, but it is entirely different first thing in the morning. I couldn't even stand having the TV on and resented the blank screen blocking my view from everything - so much nicer to let your eyes wander and mind ramble.
Needless to say, I still have a creaky back. But yesterday my left ankle and my right hip were hurting, so it made me forget about my back. I've learned that I'm old and really need to take off some weight to pull it off, so I'm back to tracking via Weight Watchers. Yay. But since I have the built-in activity, should really see some numbers fly if I track.
I have also learned the importance of hydration. I ran my Wednesday morning run completely dehydrated and I could tell. Three miles is the max mileage I can run dehydrated, I learned that on Wednesday - made it, but barely, and towards the end, I'm pretty sure my tongue was hanging out like a dog.
So, next week is my big week - with my five mile long run. Significant because I have not run 5 miles, on the treadmill or on land, since... probably 2001. I ran the Central Park six mile loop - once - then. Or in 2000. Can't remember, who can blame me - it's been over ten years. That's the point. So this Monday starts my "I've never done this before" training. Or, you know, since I was young and fit and beautiful. And foolish.
Josh ran nine miles this morning - the most he's ran since high school. Bring it, overworked 40-year-old dad! I am enjoying this husband-wife challenge. It has been a great tool to use in learning how to encourage one another.
In the past, my jogging has been on a treadmill (preferably around 10:00 AM, my power hour), in an air conditioned gym, with my music in my ears and a TV on mute in my face. Flat. Cool. Entertainment for all senses. Even the sense of smell, thanks to the occassional stink pot on the treadmill next to me. However, with this running program, I've since switched to early mornings (with one evening because the morning could not be done), outside, in the summer heat and humidity, because the race will be outside at dawn. Enjoy that. Anyway, I will officially switch my party vote from team treadmill to team outside. Running outside, jogging, turtling, whatever you want to call my activity, is officially easier outside. No "pace in your face" from the machine - you can do whatever feels most natural (which in the early morning with my fragile-brick body, is quite slow to start), you get some fresh air, you can possibly pick up a little breeze here and there, you get energized with passing cars and buzz of people starting their day. You get to greet people. I've made it a point to greet everyone I pass. Jesus would. He'd also be running in sandals, but I won't go that far.
Friday morning, it was raining. Unlike Josh, I pretty much refuse to run in the rain. Or walk. Or hang out. I will if it comes to that on race day, but I won't before then. So, I went to the gym instead. Which is sad, because I was excited about my new four mile route - which is just an extension of my three mile loop - but still. That gym experience on Friday made me a believer in road racing. It was brutal. That first mile I felt like I was crawling. Actually, based on my pace, I knew I was crawling. The second mile was pulling teeth. The third mile I finally had a stride and then the fourth mile I tried to make up some time. I did. And then I ran to 4.1 just to prove a point. But it is way different getting on a treadmill at 6:30 AM than 10:00 AM. Talk about dry bones. Cold, dry bones. I've done four on the treadmill before, but it is entirely different first thing in the morning. I couldn't even stand having the TV on and resented the blank screen blocking my view from everything - so much nicer to let your eyes wander and mind ramble.
Needless to say, I still have a creaky back. But yesterday my left ankle and my right hip were hurting, so it made me forget about my back. I've learned that I'm old and really need to take off some weight to pull it off, so I'm back to tracking via Weight Watchers. Yay. But since I have the built-in activity, should really see some numbers fly if I track.
I have also learned the importance of hydration. I ran my Wednesday morning run completely dehydrated and I could tell. Three miles is the max mileage I can run dehydrated, I learned that on Wednesday - made it, but barely, and towards the end, I'm pretty sure my tongue was hanging out like a dog.
So, next week is my big week - with my five mile long run. Significant because I have not run 5 miles, on the treadmill or on land, since... probably 2001. I ran the Central Park six mile loop - once - then. Or in 2000. Can't remember, who can blame me - it's been over ten years. That's the point. So this Monday starts my "I've never done this before" training. Or, you know, since I was young and fit and beautiful. And foolish.
Josh ran nine miles this morning - the most he's ran since high school. Bring it, overworked 40-year-old dad! I am enjoying this husband-wife challenge. It has been a great tool to use in learning how to encourage one another.
Friday, July 6, 2012
This One's for the Girl
Next week is when I officially start my training for the half. However, since I have sat on my rear for a couple weeks and haven't jogged in at least three, I felt inspired tonight to do a little outdoor run. It's hot, I have a sore back, and I have to clean the whole house and host a party tomorrow, but this was the night I chose, nonetheless (I really will do ANYTHING to get out of cleaning).
So, I decided to do my local area loop that includes a few hills, but nothing crazy, is familiar but relatively interesting, safe and is just a hair under three miles. Telling myself to keep a "conversation pace" (able to speak in sentences the whole time) as that's my pace strategy to complete the half. Slow and steady. And, I also told myself that next week is really when I start, so if I don't complete the whole route, fine, I'm starting at 2 miles next week training anyway...
Well, I ran. At the right pace. Steadily. Felt good the whole time. And I ran past my house and back again, in order to ensure that my "just under three miles" was a full three miles. After mapping it, it was 3.34 miles. And I felt great. I'm not sore, I'm not tired, wasn't breathing heavily, I could've kept going but deliberately stopped to not overdue it since it's a "marathon and not a sprint" (ba dum dum). And, I was overwhelmed with emotion. Because it hit me, I am a "runner." Girl may be carrying the weight of six oxen, but her body can run. I may be carrying the weight of six oxen but I am a f#$&*$! athlete. The fact that I am carrying that weight and can haul it around proves it.
So, I broke down for all the times, years, eras, that I have been told, by self, by others, by self because of others, that I am "too fat to be good at...." whatever. Bullshit. I am an athlete. And maybe if I had been told that earlier, all my silliness of up and down weight gain and fitness levels - because I have been fat/fat, fat/fit and fit/fit at various stages of my life, through healthy habits as well as unhealthy habits, depending on the era - maybe all of that would have ended if I was told that I was a runner. Or an athelete. Because I am and we're gonna do this 13.1. And I'm doing it for that girl. And the Lord's going to help me because He's known it all along.
Becky
So, I decided to do my local area loop that includes a few hills, but nothing crazy, is familiar but relatively interesting, safe and is just a hair under three miles. Telling myself to keep a "conversation pace" (able to speak in sentences the whole time) as that's my pace strategy to complete the half. Slow and steady. And, I also told myself that next week is really when I start, so if I don't complete the whole route, fine, I'm starting at 2 miles next week training anyway...
Well, I ran. At the right pace. Steadily. Felt good the whole time. And I ran past my house and back again, in order to ensure that my "just under three miles" was a full three miles. After mapping it, it was 3.34 miles. And I felt great. I'm not sore, I'm not tired, wasn't breathing heavily, I could've kept going but deliberately stopped to not overdue it since it's a "marathon and not a sprint" (ba dum dum). And, I was overwhelmed with emotion. Because it hit me, I am a "runner." Girl may be carrying the weight of six oxen, but her body can run. I may be carrying the weight of six oxen but I am a f#$&*$! athlete. The fact that I am carrying that weight and can haul it around proves it.
So, I broke down for all the times, years, eras, that I have been told, by self, by others, by self because of others, that I am "too fat to be good at...." whatever. Bullshit. I am an athlete. And maybe if I had been told that earlier, all my silliness of up and down weight gain and fitness levels - because I have been fat/fat, fat/fit and fit/fit at various stages of my life, through healthy habits as well as unhealthy habits, depending on the era - maybe all of that would have ended if I was told that I was a runner. Or an athelete. Because I am and we're gonna do this 13.1. And I'm doing it for that girl. And the Lord's going to help me because He's known it all along.
Becky
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