Training Resumes - Part 2

I started this yesterday before the kids went to bed. After I read to my six year old, I decided to lay down. I forgot all about this post. 2 hours later I woke up, took out my contacts and put on my PJs and went to bed. I was apparently tired!

I started the new season of MIT today with a 4 mile run. I was ecstatic, because I was able to run. I have been running for two weeks almost exclusively outside, and at a quicker pace than I am used to. Eventually, my legs just shut down and refused to allow me to run again.


On Sunday, I tried to do an easy 3 mile run - but it was extremely painful. It was so painful on my shins that I only ran 1 mile and walked two. I was very distressed at the time, but after thinking about it for a few days I realized it was a wake up call.


My legs were telling me I was pushing too hard, too fast. I wasn't used to running on blacktop more than once a week. I was also running faster than usual. It was fun while it lasted, but it couldn't last.


So this last week, zzzzzzzzzzz...............................

Addendum:
I didn't run at all. I did the elliptical machine and cross trained. I did PT almost every night. I iced every night. Turns out this was the right move. I was able to run the Saturday long run with much less pain. Granted it wasn't very far, but I didn't need to go far. And it wasn't very fast, but you are not supposed to go at race pace when you are in training and running your long run. I'm training to finish, not to get a certain time. If I can run the whole 26.2 miles, I'll be happy. Well, I'll probably be in serious pain and all, but I'll be happy!

I bought some more paraphernilia to help with my legs. We now have a Roadrunner Sports retail store here. I bought two shin splint compression wraps and an Ice-Up cup so that my ice won't fly across the room (which is what happens when it is in a paper cup and I'm rubbing it up and down my leg). I can take it to work, too, since it comes with its own little cooler! I used one of the wraps during my run (I thought two would look too dorky) and actually, that's the leg that hurt afterwards. But it's hard to tell if the wrap caused it or if my leg hurt anyway. I got some free advice from the Roadrunner Sports sales person - he suggested taking a water bottle and freezing it and then rubbing the bottom of my foot over it. Apparently the arch has something to do with my pain, too. I'll try anything now.

My plan is now to go back to the treadmill at least once a week, and substitute at least one run with the elliptical, until my legs feel better. I'll do one short weekday run outside on the trail, and then my long runs. That should get my legs more acclimated to the trail and give them time to heal, on their own terms.

Time for PT!

Happy 90th Birthday Grandma!

We are heading to the Youngstown area this weekend to celebrate my Grandma's 90th birthday. As you can see, she looks great and is in great health. I can only hope I look as great as she does at 90! I don't know her secret but wish I did!

We are all looking forward to coming to see her (and Mom and Dad, too, of course!).

I know it's still a few days away but we wanted to wish you a happy birthday Grandma! We love you!

The pain

I almost gave up today. Gave up running entirely. After my Saturday run I continued to have pretty severe shin pain. My legs were tight so I kept stretching and started doing my PT again. My coach recommended cutting down to three runs a week plus cross training with low impact cardio to allow my legs to heal.

Nevertheless, when I started to run on Monday I felt a painful twinge in my lower left leg, and then after a few minutes it loosened up to a bearable dull pain. Yesterday, I had a hard time going down and up stairs. My legs, particularly my inside lower legs, were very tight. They felt a little better today so I assumed that once I started running I would be ok. But I wasn't.

I managed to do about 3.5 miles on the downtown bike trail. It was a great day for a run - cool and breezy. Yet I was in so much pain that I started thinking about stopping running altogether. Forever. I can't do a marathon like this. I just can't.

My coach recommended stretching and more cross training. Doesn't look like I'll be doing a long run this weekend. I'm going out of town so I suppose it's no big deal. Maybe I've just been working too hard and need to cut back on some things.

I'll miss the first week of my summer MIT session. They've made some changes, according to an email I received this week. These two items, in particular, caught my eye:

• We have Asics on-board as a sponsor, which will allow us to give deep discounts on America's number 1 brand of running specialty gear at Fleet Feet. Other major manufacturers will also be featured in the discount program.
• We have agreed to have Panera host the Saturday workouts – which means free bagels for all of you after each Saturday workout.

I haven't decided to quit altogether. Yet. I've been here before. I can overcome it. I have to. Otherwise I just have to buy a decent bike. And decent bikes cost a lot more than running shoes!

It's All Good

A quick post just to say that my last post - "The hottie is nottie" - was purely in fun. I was teasing my cute coach and husband! And I stole his joke about the Rolling Rocks. He said it first. And as Jeff pointed out in the comments, back then the guys had the long hair. It can get pretty confusing.

The hottie is nottie

Ok so I'll take the "my wife is (was?) a hottie" comment in my husband's blog. But this hottie WASN'T with him when the Penguins were going to the Stanley Cup in 1991. At first I thought I had maybe had too many Rolling Rocks to remember that night, but my brother in law confirmed it. I wasn't there.

So who was the hottie that was there? Or should I chalk it up to faulty memory?

Aw heck, that was 17 years ago. No one even used the word "hottie" then. I don't really care.

And besides, he's stuck with this hottie now.

Marathon Training Begins

You'll notice on the right of my blog I have added a new item: Marathon Training Log.

Since this is my first marathon, and I'm scared to death, and I don't know what I'm doing, I feel the need to share every detail with the world.

While my official training with MIT doesn't start until Memorial Day weekend, I started training in late April. I don't have a training plan for mileage yet, but I'm trying not to lose the base I had when I was training for the half marathon. So I'm doing what I can. And my shin still hurts. Enough that I couldn't run today even though it was beautiful outside. I cross-trained instead. I'm trying to get back to my physical therapy exercises, too. I'm in daily consultation with my coach, Mr. Boston Marathon, and trying not to psych myself out before my training really starts.

So while I might not have time to post a full blog post, or even a tweet, I'll be updating my training log on a daily basis.

Not Our Time

After the latest round of primaries, I've been disheartened by various blog posts, including this one, and this one, and this one, from some of my favorite blogs. I've wanted a woman running this country since Pat Schroeder made an attempt and crying was still uncool. I want it so bad I can taste it.

I think Hillary Clinton would make a damn fine president and perhaps even better than her husband and almost certainly better than Barak Obama. Yet I stopped paying much attention after our primary. The whole thing stopped being about running the country and instead about who had the better team. I'm not picking sides, but I'll be frank: I still want a woman president. Deep down, I want Hillary to keep fighting - it has been so close she can't go down without a fight.

I think you have to be nuts to run for president. You have to think a whole lot of yourself to be able to convince all of us to vote for you. That can set you off the deep end, I think. I think everyone running for president, past and present, have not been grounded in reality. So sniper fire stories and errant pastors are all part of the deal.

Nevertheless, if I hear another Obama supporter whine about Obama being unfairly attacked by Clinton, I think I'll scream. Whining doesn't win elections, and it certainly doesn't help with foreign policy or getting domestic agendas through Congress. You have to fight for what you believe, and challenge those who attempt to block your way. Diplomatically, and with tact, of course.

I tell you, the whole thing is crazy.

Accomplish anything

Once you've crossed the finish line of the marathon, there isn't anything you can't do.
-From Bob Glover, the Runner's Handbook

The idea of crossing the finish line of the marathon just gets me giddy.

26.2 to go

It's been crazy what with the trip to Seattle, Bill's triumph in Boston, and some intense stuff at work. I just haven't felt like writing about anything. I'm still not really into it but wanted to update my blog a little.

I'm not running the Cleveland half marathon. I'm just not into it. I decided just to start my training now for the Columbus Marathon in October. My training for the half marathon wasn't going well anyway, and I didn't want to have to stay overnight somewhere.

I started running again last week. I'm runing outside on the trail along the Scioto River downtown at lunch. It's been terrific. A new trail, nice weather, and the chance to get outside. I don't think I can bear using the treadmill at all anymore.

I've also stopped using the Garmin, at least for the weekday runs. For one thing, I'd probably lose it, which would not be good. I used it once to find out exactly how many miles the trail was, and then I stopped using it. My pace is whatever I can handle, and it is a steady pace. I still feel like a penguin, but in actuality, I'm going faster than I have been. Some people might still call it a slow jog, but I know I'm improving.

I also decided not to use the music player. Since I'm not familiar with the trail, I want to stay alert. I usually run alone so I take my cell phone, and I always tell someone where I'm going. There are a lot of people who use the trail at lunchtime so I think it is pretty safe. I also think not having the music player helps me focus on my strides and breathing.

I'm running the marathon for me, especially since I'll be turning 40 (!) this year. But I'm also running the marathon for my brother's charity: Climb for Kids. I'm not a climber, so I thought I could dedicate my training and run to my nieces through this charity. Apparently others have had the same idea. Soon there will be a web page set up for donations for my race, and other races. I'm so excited to be running this marathon and to be able to help.

And who couldn't help but be inspired by Mr. Boston Marathon! What great stories. I don't aspire to qualify for Boston (although my six year old wants to know when I'm going...), but it is a thrill to hear my husband's experience and know he'll go back some day soon.