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.

Back At It!

So it's official. I bought the shoes. FINALLY! I'm pretty damn excited. I've been drooling in anticipation for weeks/months at the thought of a trip to Fleet Feet to have a 20-30 minute personalized fit consultation with a sales associate. :-) Let's just say it was everything I thought it would be. I was really impressed with the guy who helped me. E and I were basically hovering at the front door waiting for the San Fran store to open at 10. I showed the guy my old Asics Cumulus' (embarassingly beat, grungy & falling apart) and then he measured my skinny pedos at size 7 while sitting & 7.5 while standing, which apparently is important? He watched me walk, and then came back with a pair of beautiful Mizuno Waveriders. Who ever thought I'd stray from Asics? Not I. They felt incredibly different from my good ole' standbyes, and I wasn't so sure. So after a good 45 minutes, several pairs Asics, Brooks, Saucony & Mizunos, and a quick jog around the block, I decided on the Waveriders. Gotta hand it to the guy for getting it right on the first try! The 30 day guarantee helped me make the decision too - because these shoes feel so different the unconditional return option helped me take a step outside the box and go with something completely new! New has to be better for my IT band, I presume.

I also received some encouraging news from another sales associate who suffered a 6 month stint of no running due to IT band tightness. He said the only thing that helped was a foam roller & regular massage. Good to know. Also good to hear he actually recovered, which apparently is really unusual? Anyway, I'm stoked.

I still might cancel my scheduled 1/2 marathon on October 17 because really, I'm not ready for it. It's hard to deal with because I've actually scheduled an entire 3 day weekend trip around it. I'll run tomorrow in my new zapatos, stretch the crap out of my ITB, use my new Salonpas heat patch-thingies and report back.

Peace.

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.

New Fodder, & Laundry

I've found a new blog to read, Running Through Life, doing a giveaway for a sweet sports bra. I've never heard of ALO, but their stuff looks really clean, simple and comfortable with lots of organic fabrics and bamboo! And lord knows I could use a new sports bra.

Failed Muffins posted about smelly workout clothes, and smelly people in general. Most people stated adamantly that they would never recycle workout clothing (ie, more than one use). I do this constantly, usually getting two or three uses out of my clothes. They don't stink, I hang them up to line dry after each use, and when they've had enough I put them in the launder pile. Call me crazy... I simply don't have enough workout clothing to support a different outfit for every day of the week. Plus, we don't have a washing machine at home & laundry is usually a biweekly "event". So any new clothes I can win would be awesome.

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.