TE13: Perspective change

Last night, with a good glass of wine, (we train to drink right?) I picked up the book a dear friend sent me.  It is called Run Like A Mother.  I managed to tear up before I was through the introduction.  I am already in love with what you would call characters if it were fiction, but they are real women, real mothers, and I am identifying with so many of their thoughts...maybe because I am that too.  In short, the book is amazing. 

Right before I jumped on the elliptical this morning, I read how one of the moms managed to fracture her heel while training for a marathon.  She trained the majority of the time for that marathon on a bike.  I have been mentally beating myself up because I have had to be on an elliptical for the last 2 weeks instead of running.  This morning instead of apologizing to myself for not running and beating myself up about it, I owned it and pushed myself harder than I have previously because I was mentally defeating the idea of training on an elliptical for a running event.

So, I will not let myslef do this any more.  I also am noting that all of my PT work is paying off.  I am doing extra stretches and exercises in hopes that I will be able to be released and heal as fast as I can.

So, the 4 that I banged out this morning was quite cathartic.  The 4 yesterday, that was revenge on the scale, which told me the 2 glasses of wine and pizza the night before wasn't the best dining choice...lol

TE12: Thank goodness for endorphins

Tonight I HAD to workout.  There was no way around it.  I was in a po'd mood from work and had stress to my eyeballs.  I needed that workout high (not to mention the 2 glasses of wine that I rehydrated with) but the workout helped immediately...the wine I at least could justify because I worked out.

I knocked out a needed 3 on the elliptical and then chased it with wine instead of water.  lol

PT Update...

So today, I had another session of PT.  Some things are getting better others are still appearing.

My back, much more flexible.  My knee is where the wierd numbness is now, which I am told is a sign of improvement, they say that it is supposed to move up and go back into the spine where it is coming from.  So, though I don't understand, it is getting better.

However, the new problem that has surfaced is the super tight calves and lack of flexion in my ankles, which is necessary (like 15 degrees or something) to run.  I am like at +2, which means they do NOT FLEX AT ALL.  So, between the messed up core (weak as can be), hip rotation/slipping, and ankles that don't flex, I am basically not fit to run. Who would have thought someone who appears of average weight/build is so messed up.

So any miles I am doing are being logged on an elliptical...but I may try a few short jogs just to try to keep in it a little.  Very bummed about this messed up body I have.

TR11/CT or 2: I choose 2

So yesterday I bought my new shoes.  I am the proud owner of these:

Attractive?  Not so much.  Comfortable?  AMAZING.  Not to mention that I actually felt them working on my problem.  I wanted the pink ones, as they would have matched my pink heart running laces...but as I learned, functionality over style.  So now I will be mismatching, but who cares.

So I spent about 1.5 miles doing my homework.  My homework was to determine my cadence (number of foot strikes per minute which in "good form running" they set the goal of 180) and then shoot for 10-15% more.  My short little legs produced a cadence of about 160.  When I bumped it to 180, I seriously felt like I was running lightly as opposed to pounding.  (if you google this, it would suggest that meant I was runing at 8.8 mph....not so, nice and steady at 5mph, but short quick strides that make it harder to overpronate and heel strike)  So it was quite the eye-opening expereince.  Also noted was that you can search for songs by cadence (thanks google) so that you can keep on track easier than counting footstrikes like I did.   Note to self, I will be adding some Nickleback to my playlists...

So, the running report, cautiously optimistic.  I need to do some stretching...



TE10: Ode to the Elliptical

At about $2000, a huge expense (remember, this was before kids and the million dollar baby) at the time, but I can say I think I have logged over 2000 miles on it over the last seven years and it has definitely paid for itself in my mental health.

It was as close to serenity as I could get this morning, 5:30 am, coffee in my system, and sweating out my training regimine for today....music blasting (headphones) baby monitor on.  So I sit here now, in a very relaxed state knowing my "workout" is done, already showered (without kid interruption), sipping coffee, coaxed into yet another episode of Dinosaur Train by my oldest, who is snuggled in my chair.  Not a bad place to be.

I haven't been real "proud" of recent progress, but I can say this:  This morning I am actually noting that I am making progress on the elliptical too.  I pushed out 45 minutes at about 180+ strides per minute, making it to 7420 strides by the end of my workout.  I have struggled with this pace before and today it was very do-able.

So, my "4" is done.

TE9-10: Updating

So, I haven't been publicly celebrating my progress as I am feeling some mixed emotions about it.  First, I know it is work and it is what Ihave been medically advised to do....but, I feel guilty and like I am cheating.  So I haven't been saying...hey, look what I did.

I did my 3 on Wenesday, have done all the scheduled CT (not to mention PT and all that fun stuff) and I just completed my 4 this early Sunday morning.

Attractive shoe choices

When you have a jacked foot, hip, back, you have to choose shoes that are "prescribed" to you as opposed to what is cute.  These are my hot choices...lol!  I will be "shopping" tomorrow...once I get them I am free to see what I can do without issue.  They are recommending shorter runs of about 2 mi each.

Crazy "leg" update

Short story:  I am all screwed up...

Long story:  Laundry list of issues...

1)  overpronation...I roll my feet in as I run

2)  muscle weakness...in core, glutes, back  (thank you bedrest/c-section)

3)  jacked up stride...heel strike

4)  hips uneven...one at 11 one at 5 (what that means I don't know...5 is normal)

Aside from that, once I get yet another pair of new shoes, I will be able to run (a little) again.  I have to keep up with my exercises and cardio and get in what running I can as I do it.

They have just given me some stretches and isometrics, when I go in on Thursday I am going to ask if I can start doing extra strength training to speed things up...

TR8: down but not out...yet

"Run" 8 was done on the elliptical, as I have not gotten the clearance to "run". 

I did the "3 miles" on Sunday to get it in before the week. 

So, you probably know about my crazy numb knee...any guesses on the cause?  Ironically, the  cause for my craziness (march of dimes and healthy babies) also is the cause of my knee issue.   It all boils down to muscle atrophy and rehabiliation.

6 weeks in bed + an emergency c section = low core strength...so while running, I cannot support my weight, especially pushing a jog stroller...

I am clear to lowimpact (elliptical) but not run for a few weeks while I do core exercises.  Not sure how to do the sponsorship thing...

This realization, that prematurity is still effecting me more than 19 months later, even when I have a chubby, thriving, 33 weeker, moves me even more and makes me even more passioniate about the cause I am running for.  I will be back and I will beg for clearance as soon as I can.  Until that point I will faithfully do my exercises and train hard on the elliptical trainer for the number of miles I want to be running.

Crazy Momma has a crazy leg!

So I was having this very odd numbness and tingling in my right leg.  I must admit, it stressed me out.  I am in this thing mentally (which I think is the hardest part) and I felt like my body was failing me!  Ugh.  So, bound and determined to keep in it, I made appointments galore. 

This morning I went to the chiro...my knee was out of wack.   He adjusted it and I instantly felt better.   I am pretty good now, but I went to dr this afternoon and he referred me to a PT who specializes in sports training for a gait analysis and to see if I need orothotics for my nearly flat feet :)  It appears that it should be fixed without too much issue, but may require new shoes...again.  :)

But the one thing my sports injury orthopedic doc did say is:  "don't quit running"  so I am up for going tomorrow morning...praying for 30's. :)

TR7: I needed this...

I am in my first week back at work...after a month off in a new position with more responsibility and a lot of that responsibility has not been defined.  Can you say stressful?  In short, I needed this run.  Needed like my body craved it.  Needed like I felt I had to do it.  Once it was done, I immediately felt more at ease.  Thank you endorphins...

Notes:  need more new music, impressed at some 6 mph running and need to buy a knee sleeve...

TR6: Momma went crazy

I was too lazy (didn't have time) to check what I had to run today...first day back to work.  So I did 3 miles....ok, I only needed to do 2.5.  Wish I had only done the 2.5 :)

TR5: Crazy Cold..

So, I noticed that my knee was bugging me...it didn't "hurt" but I could feel it.  So, despite it being less than 30 degrees, I headed outside instead of inside.  I think the treadmill that I used last didn't have appropriate cushion.  So I am braving the bitter cold and taking some supplements (joint support and Omega 3) which are good for stiffness and good for you anyway...

Got my 3 in today, in the delightful 26 degree weather, it was at least still (wind at 4 mph) and working in my favor, out of the northwest, so I am running with it on the way back.

Interesting observation:

I noticed twice that I felt pretty spent, once, as always during the first 1/2 mile and then I hit a stride and went at a nice even steady pace till I hit about 2 miles and then boom, I felt my groove kick in.  I think if I make it thru the first hideous part I could actually go longer than I am going, but I will go with the schedule and not try to kill myself :)

TR4: Small town crazy

So, I went to the little gym in our town to pound out my 2.5.  Feeling energetic and ready.  Perfect running breakfast:  2 slices light wheat with peanut butter and coffee.  Ready mentally...and then...get in, as I am coming in the last person is leaving...there is no one working there, despite it being working hours.  Long story made short, she called the owner, the owner got me a punch card, but it was well, crazy.

Said owner talks to me while I am running.  I had to finish before I could do paperwork.  I could not mess with my flow.  It's hard to get started sometimes, I can only imagine what it would be restarting!

I again, forgot to take a camera...but this place is a come when you want, we trust you 24 hours small town gym, so I can take a pic not feel too stalkerish.

I nailed down 2.5 miles with warm up (4min) and cooldown (2min) in about 32 minutes...not bad if I do say so myslef.  Feel awsome now.

Making progress

This progress has nothing to do with my ability.  This has to do with Brian's recognition of the fact that I AM doing this.  He has multiple times now said, "after Mommy does her running".  This is a big step in my eyes...men understanding is different than woman understanding.  :)

CTX: My home is not a gym

Despite the music to block out children's noises as the settle down to (not) take a nap and an industrial grade elliptical, my home is not a gym.  Thus, mommy has to get on and off to check on babes that should be napping.  Needless to say, the minimum was acheived, but due to children, no more than that.

I will load the pic later, but the readout was 42--ish.

Due to the above, my training schedule has been adjusted to T - TH - S for my runs.  It is impossible to do that with both the guys home.

TR3: The weather outside is frightful...

But inside, it's so delightful...on a treadmill, so I will run, I will run, I will run..  Ok, enough of the corny song lyrics!  Run 3 DOWN.

No joke though, I left my house, it was COLD, WINDY, but no snow...buckets, well 2 inches came down in the time I did run 3.  2.5 miles ya'll.  I would like to thank the playlist for keeping me going...I needed it at the beginning...note to self, prune songs that don't rock my motivation, skipping is too much work.

Another note to self, get a new phone.  One that has a camera, that way you don't look like you are doing intel on the gym for a competitor...or forget your camera.  You will have to trust me on this one, I ooops'd, no camera.

Total Time/Miles (w/ warm up/cool down):  40 minutes/ 3 miles/.15 miles warm up, 2.5 miles workout, .35 miles cool down
Run: 12 min pace/ 5mph

cha-ching...

It's Not a Resolution...It's a Mission!

This was the title of an email that I received.  Fitting, I should say.  I took this as a sign from the fitness gods and jumped on the elliptical for some cardio training.  The modified novice half marathon training regimine calls for CTX (cross training, not contraction) of 30 minutes on one of the off running days.  My email messenger made me do it today in addition to what I have scheduled on Wednesday ;)

This is what my indoor recordings of miles will look like as I do them (this was on my elliptical and is in strides, with about 2000 steps in a mile, that is roughly 2 miles)

For those betting dimes on me, this doesn't count, it's just a bonus based on a message to me sent by the fitness gods...

TR2: Rehydrate and sweat out alcohol

Run 2 down... 1/1, 2.5 miles.

Time/Pace:  Total time, with warmup and cool down 35 minutes

            Mile 1:  10 minute pace       (with the wind)

            Mile 2: 10  minute pace (into the wind) 

            Mile .5:  10 minute pace (with and into the wind)

Weather:

11 am

37° F
Cloudy

Feels like: 27

Chance of Precipitation:  10%, Dry, no rain or sleet

Winds:  From WSW at 17 mph (it was much less when I went out at 9:00...and I chose my route to minimize them.  Running with the wind was a breeze...literally.

Insights:  Despite the poor choice of overindulging a little on NYE, I was up and ready to take advantage of the promise of lower winds and more moderate temperatures at 7:30 am...a time that I would have had to get up at anyway due to little boys who don't sleep in ;)  Proud that there was NO WALKING once again, which is quite amazing!