So I have logged 31 miles so far on my Brooks Ghost 4s (the new shoes I last blogged about). I have to say, I love them. Maybe it's all mental, but I have been so comfortable running lately!
I've hit a couple of new records recently:
- did 6 miles for the first time last week
- went "all out" for 2 miles yesterday, at a 10:35 pace
This week I'm going to attempt to get 4 runs in instead of 3 like I've been doing, with the goal of remaining at 4 runs/week while slowly increasing miles.
I also changed my next race from the 5K to the 12K. That's October 13 in Columbia. Plus I have the HM in Savannah in November.
Running is giving me such a positive feeling again. Man, I can't believe I was out of it for SO LONG.
Tuesday, September 11, 2012
Wednesday, August 22, 2012
Baby steps, baby!
So today marks the 10th run I've had since injury. That is a pretty cool landmark in and of itself. To boot, I went 4 miles! That's the longest I've run since injury as well! I've done a few 3.1 milers but nothing over that until today. I went on the treadmill at the YMCA. As long as I wasn't looking over at the chick next to me (who was pegged at 7.5 mph the entire time), I was staying pretty darn proud of myself.
This was also my second run in my newest pair of shoes. Last fall I became such a Saucony Kinvara fan, it was ridiculous (I can admit). I love those shoes. They fit just right, they feel so light, they're perfect. And I got the new upgrade to the Kinvara 3 for free when all my awesome friends voted for me in the Saucony Find Your Strong contest. And those shoes feel great! But...
I've noticed my hip isn't always happy the afternoon after I run in them. Not horribly painful or anything, but a nagging soreness for sure. After talking to Charlie, I started to wonder if maybe it was the fact that there isn't a lot of support in those shoes. The whole point is that they have a low heel to toe ratio, and you're lower to the ground to make you more of a midfoot striker. But to do that, there isn't much cushion. So since I'm trying to do EVERYTHING I can think of to protect my hip as I begin to build my endurance back, I decided to try something a bit more supportive. And because it seems EVERYONE I know loves the Brooks Ghost 4, and I know the Brooks line well (since I started with their Adrenalines), I figured it was worth a shot. So here's my shoe porn:
They're pretty sweet. My 1st run in them I noticed that I don't scuff my toes at all. My stride became both shorter and slower with all the time off, so I'm having to concentrate really hard as it is to work on my stride. I don't like scuffing my toe at all (since that, coupled with a bad sidewalk gap, led to my injury in the first place) so I am really psyched that the toe lift on this seems to be helping. Hopefully that continues.
Good news all around. :)
This was also my second run in my newest pair of shoes. Last fall I became such a Saucony Kinvara fan, it was ridiculous (I can admit). I love those shoes. They fit just right, they feel so light, they're perfect. And I got the new upgrade to the Kinvara 3 for free when all my awesome friends voted for me in the Saucony Find Your Strong contest. And those shoes feel great! But...
I've noticed my hip isn't always happy the afternoon after I run in them. Not horribly painful or anything, but a nagging soreness for sure. After talking to Charlie, I started to wonder if maybe it was the fact that there isn't a lot of support in those shoes. The whole point is that they have a low heel to toe ratio, and you're lower to the ground to make you more of a midfoot striker. But to do that, there isn't much cushion. So since I'm trying to do EVERYTHING I can think of to protect my hip as I begin to build my endurance back, I decided to try something a bit more supportive. And because it seems EVERYONE I know loves the Brooks Ghost 4, and I know the Brooks line well (since I started with their Adrenalines), I figured it was worth a shot. So here's my shoe porn:
They're pretty sweet. My 1st run in them I noticed that I don't scuff my toes at all. My stride became both shorter and slower with all the time off, so I'm having to concentrate really hard as it is to work on my stride. I don't like scuffing my toe at all (since that, coupled with a bad sidewalk gap, led to my injury in the first place) so I am really psyched that the toe lift on this seems to be helping. Hopefully that continues.
Good news all around. :)
Sunday, July 29, 2012
Run #3... Treadmill again...
So I hit the treadmill again today at the YMCA. I used to hate the treadmill but that animosity is certainly NOT there at this point. (Thank goodness.) I did 3 miles in 38:08 which again is way slower than I ran pre-injury (not that I was technically fast before, but my last 5K - 3.1 miles - was 10 minutes faster than this).
I really, truly enjoyed my run today. It helped that (1) I had my daughter's Ipod Shuffle on me today so I had some awesome tunes to run to and (2) the Olympics were on the tv right in front of my treadmill so it was a phenomenal distraction. The US men's indoor volleyball match was quite entertaining and I forgot I was even running there for a little while.
Still no pain in the hip, thigh, knee, calf, etc. WOO HOO! I have been pretty sore the last two days overall but that was generalized and equal bilaterally (nothing on the right side specifically).
It's going to be an interesting week. I start my new job tomorrow (yippee!) so am working weird scheduling all across town for orientation but I want to make sure to get 4 total runs in this week. One is already down though. And my next run will take me to double digit miles for 2012!
I really, truly enjoyed my run today. It helped that (1) I had my daughter's Ipod Shuffle on me today so I had some awesome tunes to run to and (2) the Olympics were on the tv right in front of my treadmill so it was a phenomenal distraction. The US men's indoor volleyball match was quite entertaining and I forgot I was even running there for a little while.
Still no pain in the hip, thigh, knee, calf, etc. WOO HOO! I have been pretty sore the last two days overall but that was generalized and equal bilaterally (nothing on the right side specifically).
It's going to be an interesting week. I start my new job tomorrow (yippee!) so am working weird scheduling all across town for orientation but I want to make sure to get 4 total runs in this week. One is already down though. And my next run will take me to double digit miles for 2012!
Friday, July 27, 2012
SRD #1 (scheduled rest day)
So today was a 12-hour work shift and I don't run on these days. (They are 14.5 hour days once you factor in the time I spend in the car and on the bus.)
It's a good thing. I woke up today really sore. Not hip sore. More like "I feel like I ran a half marathon yesterday." My ankles, calves, thighs, butt, and groin all ache. So two days of running (2.35 and 3 miles) in a row did this.
Can you say, WAKE UP CALL?
Yes, I'm in shape as far as PT goes. But I'm not in running shape.
All the more reason to go run some more as soon as I can. Ha-Ha-Ha-Ha-Ha-Ha!!!!
It's a good thing. I woke up today really sore. Not hip sore. More like "I feel like I ran a half marathon yesterday." My ankles, calves, thighs, butt, and groin all ache. So two days of running (2.35 and 3 miles) in a row did this.
Can you say, WAKE UP CALL?
Yes, I'm in shape as far as PT goes. But I'm not in running shape.
All the more reason to go run some more as soon as I can. Ha-Ha-Ha-Ha-Ha-Ha!!!!
Thursday, July 26, 2012
Running day #2
So today, I decided to venture outside. I went to the Sawmill Branch Canal Trail (for those of you not in the local area, it's a paved path that runs over 6 miles behind the YMCA in Summerville. Totally flat and smooth, perfect for what I need.) I was out there at 7 AM to try to knock out 3 miles. The result?
I had no pain whatsoever. YIPPEE!
It took me about 1/2 a mile to find a rhythm. The first few minutes felt clumsy, awkward, and just plain weird. I didn't know what to do with my hands, my legs didn't seem even. But then it "clicked". Maybe there really is something to the "muscle memory" concept. I felt like I had never stopped running. How GLORIOUS.
Then the heat and humidity hit me. The last time I ran outside, it was a cool & comfortable December day. Today it was already 90 degrees at 7 AM, or something like that. My lungs felt like I was trying to breathe underwater, the humidity was so bad. Blech, I am not acclimated at all. I am going to need to work on the weather piece of this.
Part of me wanted to turn around at the mile 1 mark. I was telling myself, "It's okay to turn around. I just had surgery and I'm just getting back into this. It isn't bad if I call it at 2 miles." But then, the good little angel on my shoulder spoke up (thank goodness) to tell me, "You idiot. You've been wanting to run since December 29th and you're finally here. And you're going to let a little heat stop you so soon? Don't be a quitter, you wimp." I love that good little angel. So I kept right on trucking.
3 miles in 39:24. That averages out to a 13:08 pace. I probably shouldn't bother looking at paces because I think they'll just depress me. All that matters is I'm out there. I love it. I passed a couple of people on the trail (it was really busy this morning) and that felt lovely. Most people passed me, of course, and it didn't bother me. I was just so happy to be out there.
I got back from my run and made myself a strawberry banana smoothie, and it hit me. I feel like a runner again.
I had no pain whatsoever. YIPPEE!
It took me about 1/2 a mile to find a rhythm. The first few minutes felt clumsy, awkward, and just plain weird. I didn't know what to do with my hands, my legs didn't seem even. But then it "clicked". Maybe there really is something to the "muscle memory" concept. I felt like I had never stopped running. How GLORIOUS.
Then the heat and humidity hit me. The last time I ran outside, it was a cool & comfortable December day. Today it was already 90 degrees at 7 AM, or something like that. My lungs felt like I was trying to breathe underwater, the humidity was so bad. Blech, I am not acclimated at all. I am going to need to work on the weather piece of this.
Part of me wanted to turn around at the mile 1 mark. I was telling myself, "It's okay to turn around. I just had surgery and I'm just getting back into this. It isn't bad if I call it at 2 miles." But then, the good little angel on my shoulder spoke up (thank goodness) to tell me, "You idiot. You've been wanting to run since December 29th and you're finally here. And you're going to let a little heat stop you so soon? Don't be a quitter, you wimp." I love that good little angel. So I kept right on trucking.
3 miles in 39:24. That averages out to a 13:08 pace. I probably shouldn't bother looking at paces because I think they'll just depress me. All that matters is I'm out there. I love it. I passed a couple of people on the trail (it was really busy this morning) and that felt lovely. Most people passed me, of course, and it didn't bother me. I was just so happy to be out there.
I got back from my run and made myself a strawberry banana smoothie, and it hit me. I feel like a runner again.
Wednesday, July 25, 2012
I'm a runner again, baby!
Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus. And he is my orthopedic surgeon. I say this because:
1. He cleared me to run again (finally) - after 7 months of no running, and 5 months since surgery.
2. I went running immediately after my appointment, ran 2.35 miles in 30 minutes on the treadmill, and did not feel the slightest twinge of anything painful, sore, uncomfortable, awkward, or anything negative whatsoever. (Okay, I had a side cramp... but that actually made me laugh.)
I went to my appointment in my favorite tech shirt, favorite running shorts, the whole works. I wore my awesome new (free) shoes - the Saucony Kinvara 3s I won thanks to great Facebook friends. Once he gave me the go-ahead, I went straight to the YMCA that we re-joined earlier this summer and ran on the treadmill. Doc says he wants me sticking to safe running (aka - running tracks, treadmills, no downtown Charleston sidewalks). He also said to start off slow, and to not start by doing 5-mile runs or anything.
The beautiful thing is, I stopped at 30 minutes because I wanted to make sure nothing would get sore overnight. I want to run again in the morning. (THIS IS SO COOL TO BE ABLE TO SAY!) I did not stop because I was hurting. It felt GLORIOUS. Seriously. At about 2 minutes into the run, my eyes actually filled with tears. I know it won't always be where the angels are singing hallelujah in my ears, but darn, I'll enjoy it like this while I can. That was the most amazing and emotional run in a really long time. Probably since the NYC HM.
So yep, I'm going to get up early and do a morning run. Woo hoo!
Best part of all... my 2012 running log finally does not show as zero miles for the year. Now it's at 2.35. Yeah baby, yeah! Savannah here we come!
1. He cleared me to run again (finally) - after 7 months of no running, and 5 months since surgery.
2. I went running immediately after my appointment, ran 2.35 miles in 30 minutes on the treadmill, and did not feel the slightest twinge of anything painful, sore, uncomfortable, awkward, or anything negative whatsoever. (Okay, I had a side cramp... but that actually made me laugh.)
I went to my appointment in my favorite tech shirt, favorite running shorts, the whole works. I wore my awesome new (free) shoes - the Saucony Kinvara 3s I won thanks to great Facebook friends. Once he gave me the go-ahead, I went straight to the YMCA that we re-joined earlier this summer and ran on the treadmill. Doc says he wants me sticking to safe running (aka - running tracks, treadmills, no downtown Charleston sidewalks). He also said to start off slow, and to not start by doing 5-mile runs or anything.
The beautiful thing is, I stopped at 30 minutes because I wanted to make sure nothing would get sore overnight. I want to run again in the morning. (THIS IS SO COOL TO BE ABLE TO SAY!) I did not stop because I was hurting. It felt GLORIOUS. Seriously. At about 2 minutes into the run, my eyes actually filled with tears. I know it won't always be where the angels are singing hallelujah in my ears, but darn, I'll enjoy it like this while I can. That was the most amazing and emotional run in a really long time. Probably since the NYC HM.
So yep, I'm going to get up early and do a morning run. Woo hoo!
Best part of all... my 2012 running log finally does not show as zero miles for the year. Now it's at 2.35. Yeah baby, yeah! Savannah here we come!
Monday, July 9, 2012
Still status quo.
Nothing much to report, but just in the mood to make sure my journal gets a little love. :)
BUT... My pain has been the best EVER. Work has not been bugging me much at all. I am just a little tired by the end of my 3rd shift in a row but the pain is nearly nonexistent. WOO HOO!!! This is the most lovely thing to report.
I have also had to "run" a few times to catch the bus after work, or chase my 5-year-old at the beach when she gets too far away. Nothing for real but hey, little bits are still fun.
Still going to PT once a week and they're getting really creative with my exercises. Admittedly I have taken a couple of hiatuses as far as home PT goes (trip to ATL and time around our 5-year-old's birthday party). But other than that I'm on track.
August 1st is my next appointment. I have been watching all of the Savannah Rock N Roll Half Marathon posts on Facebook with glee and excitement. But I need to start running soon so I can start preparing for the race!!!
BUT... My pain has been the best EVER. Work has not been bugging me much at all. I am just a little tired by the end of my 3rd shift in a row but the pain is nearly nonexistent. WOO HOO!!! This is the most lovely thing to report.
I have also had to "run" a few times to catch the bus after work, or chase my 5-year-old at the beach when she gets too far away. Nothing for real but hey, little bits are still fun.
Still going to PT once a week and they're getting really creative with my exercises. Admittedly I have taken a couple of hiatuses as far as home PT goes (trip to ATL and time around our 5-year-old's birthday party). But other than that I'm on track.
August 1st is my next appointment. I have been watching all of the Savannah Rock N Roll Half Marathon posts on Facebook with glee and excitement. But I need to start running soon so I can start preparing for the race!!!
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