Woman Down! (but not out)

Last week I did a 6 mile run, slowly, on a bad knee, and although the pain started, I thought it was minimal. At mile 4 it was obvious, as the pain became excruciating that this was no little ache. Despite the obvious signs to stop, I powered trough and finally broke my 5.5 mile reaching my goal of 6. I should have known then and rested, but the next day was my 3 mile easy run, so I started. A mile in the running became excruciating, as my knee was caving in, i was putting too much pressure on my ankle and my run came to screeching halt. The Pain, did not hurt nearly as much as the realization that my training for the coming days would come to a screeching halt, all that I've worked for hangs in the balance. I felt utterly defeated. Taking a step back, driving on my way home, I decided it might slow my training, but it would not de-rail me. I took the week off from running, walking allowed, and lots of cross training, focusing on core and upper body. I have ITBS (Iliotibial band Syndrome) so the tendon that connects the calf below the knee hip, becomes tightened and is rubbing on the outside of my knee, and throwing my form out of balance and causing knee pain. I've been doing trainer recommended stretching and foam rolling to release fascia and tightness in my ITB. So far the issue is not resolved, but improving some. I walked/ran a few miles today building up to faster paces and doing some sprints to test where I am, I'm probably about 50%. one more week and I'll be up to my old self!

WHEN YOU CAN VOLUNTEER! Today, I was not up for running 9.3 mile with my running group, so I volunteered! Volunteers make so many races every year possible, our running community would not exist if we did not help each other out. Give back, give up one PR so that you and your fellow runners can continue to run. Whether manning the time clock, registering racers, or passing out water every bit helps, I'm setting a personal goal to volunteer every 5 races. And you get to see things from a new perspective as a volunteer, look at those colorful ants in the distance!

Running When You Just Don't Want to!

Today I'm going to talk about, sticking to your scheduel and running when your tired, and mentally just not up for it. This past Monday, ugg Monday, I had put my run off all day, it was cold and dreary out, and my legs are feeling the bruit of a month of intense training. I have ran 45 miles in the past 30 days which is more intensity than I have aver put my body through. I was just not feeling the love for running that I started this journey with. I decided to go to park, to get lost on the trails and let nature re-inspire me. It was a slow run/walk and only 3 miles. My GPS was not working, so there was no pressure to make good time. I tracked my distance using my Fitbit One, noting where I was when I started. It was nice not keep time and to get lost in the trails, not worrying about goals but just enjoying the miles. The ice had mostly thawed from the freezing rain the day before, leaving a slight fog in the air and muddy patches. The barren trees interlaced in a dense wall of fog was a scene out of the opening of an epic adventure novel. I ran and jumped through the mud; my white sneakers were covered, but the smile on my face at the end of the run was worth the mess! I re-found the the fun in the run and the passion and feeling of freedom and conquering the unknown!

So when you loose your groove forget about timing, pace, and all that Jazz, enjoy the run, the views, get lost, and re-find your passion.

Week 1 and 2

Alright Now, I promised to follow up later in the week, but you know how the holidays are! So here is a run down of the first 2 weeks of my training program. I hope to keep more on track and post more frequently in the future! Man My abs and legs burn! in the good way. Below is my custom training scheduel as promised.

Week one: This week was Christmas, I was off of work and had the time to devote to my training program, so all of the exercises got accomplished. The first 4 weeks of my program call for 3 days of running, and 2 days of cross-training and or stretch. I completed my running with intermittently walking especially on the longer runs. some workouts I did in the cold, and others at my gym. I went gym for the 3 mile day I did 2.5 miles on the treadmill and the last .5 on the track, because honestly I get bored staring at a wall, and can't wait to get off the treadmill. The exercise was the easy part, but staying on track with healthy eating was impossible; Guys I ate it all, pulled pork sandwiches, mac and cheese, steak, cheese steaks(go Philly), and more pulled pork! It was so good I do not regret a moment because I rarely indulge any more. I have developed healthy eating habits and an awareness of portions in the past year that has really changed my health. I would Like to say that I did gain about 5 lbs of holiday weight, but I am down 3 lbs 1 week later.

Week Two: This was new years week, still some temptations and lots of hard work ahead! I started running last year, as I made a resolution to get healthy for my future self. I'm proud to say I have held true to that, and if you had told me that going for a 5 mile run would be highlight of day a year ago I would have called you some inappropriate words and laughed. I can hardly believe that in a few short months I will running a half marathon. This week I have managed to get back on track with my healthy eating habits. and kept up with my training, I delayed my Saturday run until Sunday, because the weather called for temps in the 50's and I could go for a warmer run! I am naming this run the 5 Mile Feud! first off somewhere in the first 15 minutes of the run my Run keeper app ends my run so I have to restart, and my count is off, I forgot to see look at the mileage before I start the new run, so I guess I did a little over a mile? so that means about 3.75 on this run then. a bit more into the run my right hip is sizing up and my left foot is over pronating all because the trail I am on is overly angled. oww! I slow down walk it a bit, once the pavement beneath my feet evens out I gain some momentum again. a little lost I eventually find my way back to the car, and do a bit more of a trail to hit my 3.75. I also had to stop at one point to let a family of 8 deer cross the trail!! so cool! So wile not my fastest or easiest run, life challenges you when you need it, and rewards you with the pleasure of being merely 30 feet from a family of deer.

Thanks for your time! and Keep Running!

INTRO

Hi all, I'm Rose, I proudly call myself a runner, I'm not fast and not doing very long runs right now, but running has truly changed my life. I have tried to work out before, and eat better, but I always ended up going back to my old habits, making excuses, I need to focus on my work, my family, everything but my own health. I got to the point where I was 220 which is a lot for my 5'3" frame, and constantly aching and hurting, by the end of the day I had no energy left. The breaking point was when I realized that in order to truly break my bad habits I had to fully commit to making my health a priority, not just say it but JUST DO IT. I did a physical fitness test to see where I stood, which started with a timed 1 mile run. those 13 minutes and 48 seconds were long and excruciating. I wanted to do better so I began to run, and run. A year later, I run about 3 times a week and do 2 days of cross training. I've lost some weight and a good number of inches, I've gained strength, endurance, healthy life long habits, mental strength and determination. I am now training for a 1/2 marathon 16 weeks from now!

This is where I have gotten to so far, and I am in the best shape of my adult life! I am looking to inspire others to get moving, and to journal my training experience. I've concocted my own training plan with the help of a trainer, and there will be more on that in the next post which will tell you all about my first week of training!