Uh-oh: injured

Go, Carrie! Your post yesterday rocked!

I, however, have not so good news and am not sure what to do. I will be hopping on a plane to fly back to Boston shortly,but in the meantime, I need to get caught up on my posts here.

On Wed the 9th, I arrived down here and did my run as soon as I got off the plane. I iced everything and felt great all day...

That evening, pain in my right hip and in both shins kept me up all night. I tried running the next day (Thurs, the 10th) but the pain was too great. The shin splints I have run through before, but the hip thing involves (or feels like it involves) my hip joint popping in and out of the socket. Not fun.

On Friday the 11th (after another night of pain), I took the day off from running and swam and did yoga and various stretches.

On Saturday, the 12th, I forced myself to run 3 miles on the beach and walk 1. That evening, again, severe pain that kept me up all night and continued into the day, despite icing and ibuprofen.

On Sunday, I did yoga and swimming and walking.

Yesterday, Monday, I ran 2.5 miles on the elliptical trainer at about 6mph, and then ran 2.25 and walked .25 for a total of 5 miles (my long run). I thought lessening the impact would lessen the pain, so I was hoping the elliptical would help.

In spite of icing, stretching, and ibuprofen, the pain kept me up all night last night - again primarily the hips, but both shins are now aggravated and in pain even when I'm not in motion.

I talked to a doctor friend who told me to take a few weeks off and start slower when I start again. If I follow this advice, I will not be ready for October 12th.

Needless to say, I'm frustrated today. I don't know if I should try to find another 1/2 marathon for a month later, or if I should still sign up tomorrow when this one opens and just do what I can. I've made an appointment with my primary care to get a 2nd opinion. I don't want to injure myself beyond repair, and I DO want to keep going. But, with the time being so tight, there is no time for me to recover.

Runners out there, what say ye?

Kel

First "real" long run

I moved my long run from yesterday to today because I woke up yesterday with a splitting headache and ended up staying in bed until almost 10, writhing and trying to hide from the light. Haven't had a headache like that in a while, and hopefully won't have one again for another long while.

Got up this morning at 5:05, sucked it up, and went outside. The jaunt was from my apartment in Davis Square (well, between Davis and Teele, actually) to Mass Ave, down Mass Ave to Harvard Square, down Bow St to Plympton St to the river, left on Mem Drive to Western Ave, and back again. It was a slightly longer than 6 miles and I did it! I'd say I walked maybe a total of a third to a half-mile intermittently throughout. Before even hitting one mile, my right ankle started to bother me, but I kept going. Don't know yet if that was foolish, but I feel fine as of now. I'll try and remember to ice it later.

It's so nice to run that early in the morning when the only others outside are the other runners/bikers/walkers/dogs, shopkeepers preparing for the day, random people still drinking from the night before, and cab drivers parked on the side of the road. Very few cars, little car exhaust, seldom a reason/need to stop at lights for cars to go, etc.

Tomorrow's supposed to be a day off. After a long run, we're supposed to have a day of rest. Apparently Monday is my Sabbath this week. :) I may go for a walk in the morning and do some free weights and ab stuff either at home or the gym. I'll see what happens.

I do know one thing; I can't wait to have my running buddy back. I miss her dearly and Florida doesn't deserve her.

Gearin' up!

Speaking of gear, I kinda need some. I kinda need some that won't chafe. I kinda need some that don't make me look like Will Ferrell. I kinda need some that won't make Bro yell at me for being pants. I have one pair of shorts. They smell by Thursday.

BUT YES, BRO, I'VE BEEN WEARING THE SHORTS. :)

Anyway ... back to your regularly scheduled program:

Today's treadmill jaunt:
5.08 total, ran 4.5 miles, walked a bit before and after to warm up and cool down.

Saturday's goal is 6. I'm going to go for a 3-4 mile run outside tomorrow, depending on how the shins feel and what time I get to sleep tonight.

Kellie lent me a great book called The Non-Runner's Marathon Trainer. It's written by 2 folks (with commentary by a third) who began teaching a "marathon" class at the University of Northern Iowa. I know. Sounds like another country when you say Northern Iowa. Sounds like it cause it is. Anyway ... I'm really enjoying it so far and there have been some good little snippets that I've had to underline (in pencil, Kel, don't worry). I'll probably mention this book again as our training continues.

One mention that made me laugh out loud was that of a "fear threshold." I thought that was fabulous. The authors basically say that we all have these desires to do fantastic things and there are often three main things that hold us back: our imagination, our fear threshold, and financial resources. I hear the whole fear threshold thing. I need to up my threshold. :)

Run, mf, run!

Florida

Whew! It's hot down here. I ran 3.5 miles today at 5.0 - 5.5 mph. I was very sore and tired, but per usual, felt fantastic afterwards. I'm with my family (sis, nephew, mom & dad).

More soon!
Kel

4 more - rackin' up the miles

Go, Carrie! I'm proud of ya!

I had a day last week where I thought I'd never run again. In the evening, I was limping around and I thought my right femur had permanently removed itself from the hip socket. The next morning, I had an amazing run. A little ice and some rest can do wonders. I'll be interested to hear about how the wool sock experiment goes for Carrie. ;)

I ran 4.07 miles today at a pace ranging from 5.5 mph to 5.8 mph. Near the end, I thought my life was ending, but I suddenly realized that my legs felt great. I said to myself, "Just relax and ride your legs." That sounds odd, I know, but I used that image to make the last 10 minutes fly by.

I still can't believe that 3 weeks ago, I wasn't running at all.

Here's my progress up to this week. X1 - X3 were my base training weeks. This week is week 14, and next week will be week 13, etc., as I count down to the week of the actual event.

Well I'll be ...

Who knew?
I ran 5 miles today. Very comfortably. I could have kept going for at least another mile, I'm sure, and that's almost halfway there! I warmed up briefly with a walk of about 2 minutes, maybe less, then ran for 5 miles, then jog/walked a cool down of maybe a quarter mile. All I know is that all told, I was on that treadmill for 5.43 miles, ran a full five miles, and I wasn't in pain. Who knows? Maybe my leg will fall off tomorrow. Right now, it's not too bad.

I'm going to ice it tonight (I iced it this morning while at work at the gym) when I get home, and perhaps try something my friend Peter, a naturopathic doctor, recommended. He recommended wetting a pair of cotton socks, wringing them out so they're not drippy, putting them on, putting on a pair of wool socks over the cotton pair, and going to sleep. He said that the heat produced by my body from bottom up while I sleep will increase the circulation in my legs and might help. We'll see. I'm game. Just gotta find a pair of wool socks. I know I have a pair here somewhere, especially since I never bothered switching out my winter clothes for my summer ones.
Yeah. Don't ask.

I'm also going to try and decrease my outdoor runs until my shin is more consistently better. I really want to do this half marathon and I can't do it with my shin the way it is, so this is the way it has to be for now.

I have to say, it is so fantastic to work at a gym where everyone there is encouraging you and cheering you on and eager to give helpful tips and advice. I feel fully supported by everyone and I'm so grateful. Warm fuzzies all around.

the weekend - my personal trainer

I spent the weekend with friends out of town, but never fear, I DID run. I borrowed a friend's dog (pictured here). This is Grace, also known as Gracie, and she was a fantastic running partner. I can't even begin to tell you how much I love this dog. She's an absolute doll - and she kept me moving!

I ran 4 miles on Friday, and 4 on Sunday, so I'm on schedule.

I did have a lot of trauma with a new blister, but my pals helped me to get it under control and I'll hit the gym again tomorrow for 4 miles.

Xrays?

I took yesterday off because my shins were just really too painful. I decided to use today as my long run day.

I hadn't even gone a mile-and-a-half and I truly felt like my right shin was going to crack in half. I kept going, though, walking whenever I needed to, stretching, running again, etc. I ran WAY more than I thought I could, and probably more than I should have.

I'm beginning to wonder if the shin splint in my right leg is not actually a shin splint but something worse. I'm contemplating getting a referral to see a doc who specializes in this schtuff, and seeing if I can get an xray.

I'm trying to ice it as much as possible but this weekend's been kind of crazy and now I have to do laundry and clean up the pig-sty.

Think nice, comforting, positive thoughts for my poor leg.
I am planning on treadmilling it tomorrow morning, but we'll see how that pans out.

Interval training

Today was my first official interval day. I've done short interval trials in the past but have always suffered from such painful shin splints the following day that I've tended to avoid doing it.

But it's a necessary evil. I know this. And today was actually really fun, and I'm very proud of myself.

MOOD: ON FIRE! Woohoo!
DISTANCE: 2 miles at 5.7 mph, then minute or minute-and-a-half sprints ranging from 6.5-6.8 for the next 2 miles, alternating with 1 minute of 5.7 and 5.8.

Suffice it to say, I was hauling ass. And it was fun. My shins were bothering me when I was running a little, but mainly when I finished. They feel ok now, though they need to be iced. The top speed was between an 8- and 9-minute mile, and that rocks for me.

Oh, and Kellie, I'm super proud of you! You go, girlfriend!

Tomorrow's long run - I'm aiming for 6 miles.
Wish me luck!
For now, I have some baby-kissing to do.
HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY, AMERICA!
(Now let's stop embarrassing ourselves)

Happy Birthday Michael Andrew Cheron!

Running post above. This one's just gratuitous.
Michael Andrew Cheron was yanked from the warm grips of his mama's womb at the lovely hour of 4:28 am. I hear ya, kid. I hear ya.
Welcome!

i did, i did, i did, i did!!!!

3 miles, baby!

i ran yesterday at 4:30 am before driving to new haven, CT before getting in a car with pals to drive even further to the jersey shore, before eating waaaaaaaaaay too much pizza on the boardwalk and then staying up all night laughing with another good pal who hosted all of us for the weekend.

i will run today, and subsequently, i will post. ;)

i'm being a very good girl.

love,
kel

p.s. no pic because my cell phone has gone crazy and i can't type in any letters or numbers to send myself blog pics. there's something wrong with it. i can't dial out either!

Baby's first (and second!) outdoor run

Well, Kellie exaggerates. I didn't kick her ass. Not at all. Girlfriend rocked it. Though, I was pretty good at pacing, once we got on the street, which was quite a surprise to me. I've always had trouble pacing myself when I'm not on a treadmill, but I felt pretty good on our first run. Don't get me wrong. It was tough - really hot, really humid, shin splints, HILLS - but we did it and I'm really proud of us.

I didn't go upstairs and log additional miles on the treadmill. I tried, but I was pretty dehydrated and soaked right through. I think I ran one minute, maybe two, before just stopping and stretching instead. But it was a fun run and it really helped to have Kellie there. I can't wait to do it again.

I repeated our run the following morning (yesterday) and found it a lot more difficult to do alone. I thought the hardest part was probably the track. Mentally, I have a lot of trouble running on a track. But. BUT BUT BUT, after the mile on the track, I started our loop, which begins with a nice size hill that had both KLK and me panting and walking the day before. I ran the whole thing. WOOHOO. I was totally Rocky at the top also, fists up in the air, pumping.

My calves are pretty tight today, in spite of extensive stretching upon return from my run and throughout the day yesterday and today. I'm also experiencing shin splints again and an old ankle injury has come back to bug me a bit. My ankle is a bit swollen, so I may do my intervals inside tomorrow on the treadmill. I'll see how I'm feeling. My long run on Saturday is going to be either 5 1/2 or 6 miles. I'll see how my ankle is doing. And I'll see how much sleep I get in the next couple of days. There's a big event on the schedule (tonight, hopefully!).

No duo runs for us this weekend 'cause Kellie will be in NJ with M, W, and J. I'm sure they'll have a blast, but I'll miss my running buddy. Treat her kindly. And make sure she gets in her runs. :)

1st Duo Run (Carrie kicked my as...k me a question and I'll give you an answer)

We had our first duo run today and Carrie kept me on track with her regular pacing and no stops. I'd stop and whine and she'd keep going, and then I'd chase after her and feel better because I was still running.

Carrie also pointed out that perhaps I'd have an easier time breathing while running if I didn't lead so drastically with my chin. I do this because if my chin gets across the finish line before my feet do, it counts. I made it. I can stop. ;) She's right - I need to pull my friggin' head back, but I'm straining forward because I wanna be done sooner.

We passed my friend Crit's house and were tempted to bang on the door and yell, "Run, MotherF'er, Run!" He was the one who shared the story/phrase that is now our official battle cry.

The course we ran was about 3.07 miles, but we stopped at the Tufts track near Powder House and ran an additional mile there, so total distance logged was 4.07 miles. After the run, Carrie went inside the gym and logged additional mileage, which I'm sure she'll post here.

If you'd like to see today's run, you can view it here:

Hot to Trot (I accidentally went for a run)...

Several hours ago, Carrie and I collectively vetoed the idea of an evening run due to the humidity. That decided, I started working on publicity for Trina Hamlin and Natalia Zukerman.

At about 8:30 pm, I started feeling restless. Before I knew it, I was at the gym in motion. It was an accident. I didn't mean for it to happen.

In other news, I bought some new sparkly silver running shorts (pictured). Why, you ask? They were on sale for $3.23. After putting them on this evening, I saw the error of my ways. Next time, basic black it is. I'd rather not draw attention to my bumper, and these shorts are the equivalent of wearing Christmas lights on my a**. But, they were on sale.

MOOD: From grumpy to groovy
DISTANCE: 3.78 miles (3.28 r, .50 w)
SPEED: w/u @ 4 mph, 20 minutes at 5.5 mph, 5 minutes @ 4.5 mph, 3 minutes @ 5.8 mph, 2 minutes at 6 mph

For those of you who have extra running shorts that you don't need/want in a size 14, I'd be happy to take them off your hands. I can't keep up with the laundry around here. ;)

mini-run!

YAY Carrie! Welcome back! ;) RMFR!!!

I have nothing much to say other than I ran today - 2.5 miles at about 4.8 mph. I did a 1/2 mile walk for a cool down.

Felt great!

I got new running shoes - Asics - and they're great!

Love,
Kel

Back on the Wagon

MOOD: Apprehensive; low energy
DISTANCE: 3.5 + .5 walk to cool down
SPEED: 5.6-5.8 mph

So I kinda fell off the wagon. I go through phases. I'm a moody one, that's for sure. Kellie got on me for not complaining in the beginning because I was running running running and was thrilled about it. Then I teetered on the lip at the back of the wagon ... and fell right off.

Kel and I went away last weekend so I ran on Friday, which was when I fell off the treadmill. Rather, fell ON the treadmill. We then planned on running Sunday morning (last) before heading back home, which we didn't do. I think we both wanted to get on the road and we didn't want to overstay our welcome, though we were welcomed to stay as long as we wanted. We chose the road. In a car. For 7 1/2 hours. Kellie was AWESOME and ran when she got home, after driving the entire way. I did not.

I think the complete exhaustion from last weekend did me in and I had trouble waking up early for my run on Monday so I skipped it. I think I ran briefly on Tuesday, maybe 2 miles, but I don't remember. I also think I ran on Wednesday, but I'm not sure about that either. It was a busy week and I've blocked it out. Thursday was my race. A short race. Just 3 miles. But it was 3 miles in a pack of 12,000 people. I started off running fast. Way too fast. Like 9 1/2 minute mile fast. And that's not even that fast. But I'm not up to that pace yet, so with the extra speed and the energy I expended running around people, I had to stop by mile 2 and walk a good 5 minutes or so. I ended up averaging a pace of slightly under a 12-minute mile, which was slower than I wanted, but I finished.

I didn't run then on Friday. I didn't run yesterday. Bad bad bad.

Today I ran. And I feel so much better. I feel better about myself, I feel better for stepping back up on the wagon, I feel better for having faith that I can do this. I did 3.5 miles at a slightly quicker pace, and I am applauding myself for doing this because I need to keep a positive attitude. :) Like Kellie.

You are my inspiration, Sistah.

I'm hoping Kel will be able to run with me after work tomorrow. Everyone should leave comments begging her to make time for it. :) Ready, set, go!

long run: 4 miles!

Special thanks to my pals Andy & Mary (pictured here) who helped me get through my long run today up in Concord, NH. I was supposed to run 4 miles, but due to getting lost, I ran closer to 5. Oops!

I would've gotten a better picture, but gimme a break! I ran 4 miles today! Besides, none of us could be bothered by holding still for another shot. ;)

Mary helped me by taking me around in the car before the run to psyche me up and to plot my 4 mile route. Andy helped (with Mary) by finding me after I got lost. ;)

My training at Watercountry the day prior was also a huge success. I tackled the Double Geronimo Slide, (which was later renamed Double Ger-ENEMA by my pal, Tim, for reasons that I'll leave to your imagination).

I'm thrilled that I was able to do my run today, though. I was nervous about running outside, and having my pals there to cheer me on made all the difference.

Mary is helping right NOW by cooking me dinner - she's a phenomenal chef!

And this is JAX - the dog who owns Andy & Mary. He took me on a walk today after the run, which was also helpful.

Run, MF'er, Run!!!!

NOTE: Carrie ran a race tonight! Yeeeeeee-haw.

DISTANCE: 3.30 miles (2.7 r, .6 w)
MOOD: from Kinda Freaked Out to pissed off to feeling good

A friend sent me some words of encouragement yesterday. He had a pal who used to coach highschool track. Apparently, she (the coach) had a special technique to motivate the kids. Standing on the edge of the track she'd yell, "Run, Mother-F'er, RUN!!!!"

I will think of that now whenever I feel like quitting. And if I can stop laughing long enough, I'll continue running. ;)


I started out today with some interval training. I did 5 minutes of warm up, jogging at 4.5 mph, and then did 20 second intervals at 5.5, 6.5 & 7.5 mph. I recovered for 60 seconds at 4.8mph before repeating the sequence.

The run felt physically more difficult today. I was challenging myself with the faster intervals, but there's more. Last night, I drank about 1/4 of a Miller Lite. I don't usually drink, and when I do, even just a tiny bit, the next morning, I'm a bloated & groggy mess. I woke up this morning feeling like a Nyquil addict - so heavy with a mind so thoroughly foggy that I didn't even know where I was for a good thirty seconds after opening my eyes. No more drinking the night before a run. I don't need the calories, and I don't need the headache.

I need to learn to relax my upper body when I run. I'm holding a lot of physical tension in my neck, upper back & shoulders. I had another bout with anxiety today on the treadmill. I start to feel tension in my upper back (between the scapulae) and, as I mentioned in a previous post, it feels like a terrible anxiety attack. I started walking when I didn't physically need the break due to the freak-out factor. I've got some work to do there.

HOWEVER, I still felt fantastic at the end of the run. And I feel lucky to have this opportunity.

Tomorrow (Friday) I'll go to Water Country Water Park in Portsmouth, NH with two of my best pals. I'll take the day off from running to "let my muscles heal and replenish their glycogen stores." (says 7 time Boston Marathoner, Josh Cheron). I will also be getting a nice sun-burn while doing my best not to use profanity on my first encounter with the vertical slides. It's all an important part of the training, you see.

No Sweat...

So I lied a little. Today's run was a little more difficult. Pictured is how I felt during the last 1/2 mile of today's run. ;)


MOOD: Apprehensive
DISTANCE: 3.19
SPEED: 5.1 mph for first 2o minutes, 5.5 mph for 9 minutes, intervals from 5.5 - 6.5mph for 5 minutes

About 30 minutes in, I almost stopped, but a 71 year old woman on the treadmill next to me said, "You're doing great, honey." That was just enough to shift my attitude to get me through it. I worked out at a faster speed for longer today. I do feel myself getting stronger.

I'll post tomorrow with info from Josh Cheron (Carrie's brother & long-time marathoner), who has been kind enough to let me pepper him with running questions via email all day long. Stay tuned for that! ;)

Best,
Kel

I'll get there

Today's run was tough, I'm not going to lie.
I didn't finish my run and I was struggling all the way through it. I don't know if it was because I hadn't run since Friday, but I suspect it's because of residual exhaustion from this weekend. I don't recover the same way I did in my younger days. I'm not getting enough sleep, I'm working a lot more than I usually do, etc.

I'm hoping tomorrow will be better.

I have a race on Thursday evening and I'm hoping I don't die. :)