Sunday Sunday

This week was low mileage for me. But I'll count it as a success because I rode my bike to work & home two times, and I did AbRipper. These are small steps in the world of cross training, but they feel good. The ride home is all up hill, and about 15% mountain bike trail - steep and lots of logs to hop over. It's tough, and both times I had to walk over the worst sections. But I like that I'm getting more confident, -&pretty soon I won't have to walk at all!

I ran a fairly fast paced 5k around the headlands in 27:something and enjoyed the freedom of going fast, knowing it would end soon.

I'm still wrestling in my head with the HH training plan vs. Runner's World plan. They are so different. At least I have a few more weeks to peruse them and figure out which is better for me. I now know one thing - I can not do a long run on Sundays after my work week is over. No Thank You.

The short break from running has me slightly worried about ITB stuff - I resolve to foam roll every day, even if I'm not running. The Studly Runner just posted a review of these compression "knee sleeves". How perfect is that? I've always avoided compression stuff because I don't feel like I need socks, and I don't need shorts... but knee sleeves?? I'll take two, please. You can also insert hot/cold packs into pockets. This is one giveaway I really hope I win.

Upkeep

What's come over me? Am I really in training for a full mother-lovin' marathon? Can it be?

I was so stoked after 13.1 that 26.2 seemed like the logical next step. I wonder if doubling 13.1 is the same % increase in hardness as doubling say, 6? We'll soon find out. I set a personal goal of logging a 16 mile long run before June 10. This should be doable, although I may be forgetting how hard long runs are.

The past two weeks since the Avenue of the Giants Half have seen me only complete two runs. One was a 4 miler in Jackson along the Snake River Dyke in cold rainy springtime temperatures. It felt really great after sitting & eating & driving for 6 solid days. My last run was 6 miles along the Big River Haul Road, 3 of which included increasingly bad pain in my right knee. Who knows why this happened. Perhaps my 9 day hiatus from running was too long, or perhaps I was remiss in the foam rolling and yoga dept. Whatever the case, I rolled the crap out of my right ITB last night to the point of crying. It felt great.

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As I mull over my goals and options for the fall I feel anxious - the only semi-local run that is appealing to me is the Humboldt Redwoods Marathon. Same course, same time, probably same 50 degree temperatures. The Nike Women's Marathon is the same weekend in SF. There are other great races in Napa, Sonoma, Healdsburg, etc in August/September but who wants to run when it's that hot out?

A for-sure race that I've convinced almost my entire family to participate in is the Giant Race on August 27. I'm committed to the half while both non-runner sisters have committed to the 5k, the youngest of which is participating solely for the Tim Lincecum bobble-head they hand you when you finish on home plate at AT&T park.

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I'll need to revamp my training program for the summer. I'd like to include tempo workouts to see about getting my natural pace up. I'd also like to include more leg and core workouts, which were totally lacking this spring.

Plans

I've used runner's world training program creator in the past to figure out how far and how often I should be running while I pretend to train for races. Ahem. With the Whale Run coming up I was again inspired to enter my single race time, & add my desire to train moderately hard over 4 weeks, to receive general guidance on my schedule. However, I was not impressed with the resulting plan. I believe it may have inspired me to create a custom plan. Custom. For me only.

Also add to this the fact that I'm constantly being asked to run with Jill and Blair! They seem to run willy nilly - 4 miles really fast whenever they want to! Hmmm. Not my style. I'm excited to incorporate runs with them to increase my speed, but not regularly. I need to up my distance if I've any hope of completing a 1/2 marathon this year.

And.... on to THE STICK. I mentioned this torture device at xmas and am reminded yet again that every run I do is made possible by THE STICK. When the ITB flares up, I roll it post-run with THE STICK until I can't breathe. I remain, mostly, pain free. I do still feel like I'm precariously balanced on the ridge between health and injury, so I appreciate each run to the utmost and use THE STICK regularly.

running!

December 23 and 24 were good enough to give me 8, count them - EIGHT, miles! Yippie! On Thursday my seester and I were planning a quick 2 miler with extreme pain management plans in place. We just kept on going and going and after 2 miles I decided we should turn around (mostly for the seester, but it was also a smart idea in general:-). NO PAIN. The following day, xmas eve day, E and I went out again and I had secret intentions of beating the previous day's mileage. This run was much more about managing the pain, and both days I ended up walking about .5 of the total... but the total is there. Read it. EIGHT miles.

My beloved also gifted me "the stick". Who gets their beloved a torture device for xmas (and gives it infront of family?)?. I love it. I've already used it 100 times yesterday and will definitely have it on-hand after tomorrow's run. I don't even care how far I run, just that I can. And will.

No coffee?!

Today is day 3. I had to ask myself, does coffee really make me feel better? I decided what I like about it is the ritual - the warm cup in my lap while I read and welcome the day. I like waking up and knowing what I'm going to do first, before anything else! Well, it seems as though that warm cup could be filled with just about anything (caffeine withdrawal headache aside...). Years ago while I was doing an intestinal cleanse, I discovered Celestial Seasonings makes a blend of mate and black tea. Wowzers! It's delicious, has caffeine, and doesn't make me feel like sh** after two cups. I think I'm on to something here...

However, I've tried this before. In the past, my non-coffee stints always lead me back to coffee. Which I'm ok with. I just need to occasionally not drink it, to remind myself that my world does not revolve around this highly acidic beverage. I think my body thanks me every time.

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So, the weather's got me down. Rainy, grey, cloudy, wet, grey. I also forgot my yoga yesterday for the first time this December. Shoot. I had hopes of a run this afternoon after work, and am secretly planning a jaunt from home as soon as I get there. 2 miles max. Then I can take a hot shower and rooollllllllllll my ITB till I cry.

December

I still reside on the planet earth. Although sometimes it doesn't feel like it! I have been unnervingly inactive this past month +, so I hesitate to write. Running scares me lately because of the pain. I just want it to go away. The P90x plan lasted a couple weeks and then we just had to let it go. It was great while it lasted, but I won't really do the workouts if E doesn't do them (except for Ab ripper).

I did manage two runs over thanksgiving - one was actually a 1st annual sisterly turkey trot, about 3 or 4 k, I'm guessing. Slight knee pain towards the end, of course. But the run the day before turkey day was 3.25-ish miles with a few walk breaks and I finished super strong. Felt really good, and almost no pain.

Sassy posted a 25 day yoga challenge, which has motivated me to hit the mat, or otherwise stretch in some fashion, every day for the past 10. This has been really helpful in getting my health back on track post-thanksgiving (where things got a little out of hand). I've made a few December resolutions:

• Drink 1 L+ H2O every day
• Yoga every day
• ab work 2x weekly
• 2 weekly runs/yoga
• 2 beers max. per week
• gluten restriction
• sugar phase-out
• no dessert
• sub. coffee for tea
• add fruit/veg to every meal & snack

So, just general guidelines to get me back on track. I try and roll my ITB every night as well. I hope to start adding a few weekly runs this month, and seriously hope to start training again in January. Oh how I hope this will be so.

Week One

Yesterday I threw in another 90% PAIN-FREE run before the World Series game 3 first pitch. Truthfully, I missed the first pitch but it was worth it to get 2 miles in. E made game three guac and had a beer waiting for me when I finished work, but I knew the game food would be that much more delicious with a Run and AbRipper. The headlands run is a little too much up-and-down for my knee, as the pain was definitely there on the last uphill.

So here's how week one panned out. Completed exercises are in bold.

WEEK ONE - October 23 - 29

Saturday - Chest&Back, AbRipper

Sunday - Plyometrics

Monday - Run 2 mi., AbRipper

Tuesday - (YogaX) 30 minutes yoga

Wednesday - (Legs & Back, AbRipper) Rest

Thursday - (Run 2 mi.) Legs & Back, AbRipper

Friday - CHILL :-)

So we stuck to our guns fairly well. We were short a 2 mi. run, but I got that in yesterday, as I said above. So now I'm just short a "shoulders and arms" workout. The biggest problem is obsessively watching the Giants in the world series, and game times are wack! Once that's over I hope more time will free up in the evenings.

So, a few runs have happened

Actually, just one. Friday found Meghan and I out on the Haul Road. Again, I was totally rocking it at a super-slow pace. My knee felt .... actually, it didn't feel. I couldn't feel anything, which means I was pain free. I tried not to think about it, or get excited, or even notice it at all. At 1.7 miles I had a faint shimmer of pain and we turned around immediately. I'd say we made it another .5 miles before I had to stop and stretch. I busted out a very measured, controlled .5 miles before declaring "Damnit Shit" and walking the last .6 back to the car.

I rewarded our pathetic efforts with a carton of cool coconut water each, and we stretched our IT bands in the sun while discussing my future running career. Turns out, I've officially bagged my 1/2 Marathon due to conflict of more important plans and the obvious outcome of me not finishing said 1/2 marathon. Let me just say that again to be clear:

I've officially dropped out of my October 17 Humbolt Redwoods 1/2 Marathon

This is both good news and bad news - a mixed bag, let's call it. On one hand, I can stop stressing about (not)training and pain. I can stop wondering what it's going to be like to run 2.5 miles and then walk 10.6. I can focus on my future as a runner, this fall and beyond. On the other hand, this is wholly depressing and anti-climactic, and I face a pretty constant challenge of not thinking I'm a stupid loser for having such a stupid loser IT Band. Also, it was to be my first real race. With real aid stations, tons of people and super-human achievement.

So, back to my future. I am now going to be a 2 mile girl. I will run 2 miles, 3 times per week. This is a very short distance, but it tends to lately be a pain-free distance. I am going to be a roll-the-shit-out-of-my-ITB girl as well. And I'm going to just have fun. I am also going to take some serious time off from running while it rains, storms and shits on us all winter, and will become a second-round P90X'er as well. This is the plan, anyway.

I so desperately desire to run a Half or a Full, and sincerely hope that my next year of life will be the year when I can accomplish this.

Sort Of

Well, it started out well. I plowed through 2.3 miles like it was my J O B. I felt great. I felt invincible. I stopped for 30 seconds to stretch and take in the amazing view of the ocean. I tightened up my knee brace and started back towards the car. I guess stopping was a bad idea because almost immediately my knee started to hurt. I ran/walked another mile and called it a day - Erin came and met me with the car.

Damn. Last night I rolled the shit out of my IT band, and then had a deep tissue massage from Erin that made me cry. Still need to wrap the roller pipe in some foam for more comfort.

In an effort to pretend that I am still a runner, I'm entering Katie's giveaway for some schweet Cliff schwag. Yum. If I can ever log another long run in my life I will giveaway many many things as an offering and sacrifice to the gods of IT bands everywhere.

Followers

Holy Crap. I just noticed I have two followers. What what? :-)

Time to post!

Running is a somewhat depressing and sensitive subject for me (ie, I'd rather not talk about it). But writing.... I think I can manage a few words. My right knee is still on the blitz. I've been trying to alternate strengthening and stretching daily, and I bought a neoprene knee brace that velcro's above and below the kneecap. Basically, my training is on hold until I can foresee a run without pain. It's been over a week since I've run (literally - not even 1 mile), and I've done some P90X leg workouts, yoga & played a few nights of badminton. This better be the correct course of action for me, because healing this thing is really a shot in the dark.

I know that many many runners experience knee pain/ITB trouble, but there are many many who don't. I keep wondering why I have to be one that DOES???? I'm committed to this 1/2 marathon. I really, finally, want to run. My body is able, and my mind is willing, but my knee holds me back. It's really frustrating.

So, while I'm vacationing for the next 12 days, I'm going to try a few short runs here and there. I'm going to hike beautiful mountains and enjoy the companionship of good friends. And we'll see where I end up in two weeks. If I can't manage 13.1 miles on October 17 then I'll have to walk. I'm still going to do the race.

Well, I guess that's that

Yesterday called for 7 miles and today called for 2. I managed 4.25 today, but probably ended up walking 1 mile or so of that.

I'm dealing with great disappointment right now. I know that my body is capable of the miles I want it to run for my training. I know that my lungs, my muscles, are in line and ready to go. My mind is also willing. It's amazing how I have really been motivated to run, and have kept so close to my training schedule. My mind is actually willing and will not undermine me.

The ultimate catch-22 exists here: if I rest, my mileage suffers and by October 17 my knee might feel better but my body won't be able to handle 13.1 miles. If I keep running, my knee will get worse and worse but my body will be able to handle the mileage.

I think I made a decision tonight while running. With a healthy dose of run/walk combination I think I can keep my mileage up. This means my runs will sometimes take twice as long, but I must accept this. I want to run the race, I want to finish. I have to let go of my previous expectations of myself and just focus on staying healthy and finishing. There will be other races for me in the future.

Bad News

Bad news.

In an effort to rest my knee I skipped my "easy run" of 4 miles on Monday. This, following a slightly painful episode on my 8 mile Saturday. The knee didn't hurt so much during the 8, but afterward I knew I'd need to take it easy. So it's fortunate that this week only had 3 four milers. So I rested Monday, assuming I'd add mileage later in the week.

This was sort of a disaster. I made the first two miles great, felt pretty good. I should have stopped there, but I thought I'd try for 2.5 (?!?!!?!?!?). A slight downhill ensued, and that was the end of my good run. Damn. I ran/walked the next 2.3-ish miles back to the car. E and I talked about various gaits that might help my ITB and I tried out a few.

So, downhills hurt it the most but I seem to be able to account for this by running on my toes downhill. Next time I should try this. We're going on a downhill walk this afternoon which I'm looking forward to.

In Jury

I've two miles on the training plan for today but I'm going to skip it because of my knee. The right one still feels pain today after a good arnica run-down last night before bed. I didn't ice it because the pain went away after my hot shower and a good stretch. But it has be worried.

Also, I keep touching muscles in my legs that I didn't know were there. My legs seem so ripped, and my arms are somehow ripped too! Like, this morning I was reaching down to pet the dog and my hand hit my shin on the way and touched a muscle - I thought for sure 'that can't be mine!'. Cool.

I'm still on the hunt for new running shoes - the ones I want are $104!!!!!! Holy Hell. Why do they have to be so much? I also need new hiking boots (probably). Secret: I did splurge and buy a green lightweight tank that I hope will be the perfect running top. I'm pretty excited. Combined with the waterbottle coming in the mail I am totally decked out! Now just need to get this knee into shape....