Conclusion of the 2012 running season

I set out to be very dedicated to this blog but clearly that has not happened.  In short, I've been running really well and enjoyed the 2012 running season.  However, like many other things in life, timing is everything.  I registered for two half marathons this fall with a potential third in mind but did not commit to that.  The two I registered for were the Rock and Roll Philadelphia Half Marathon September 16th and the Smuttynose Half Marathon on September 30th.  Some would argue a little too close together but they were both flat and appealing for several reasons so those were my two goal races.  One would depend on the other meaning that if Phillie went well, I'd take Smuttynose either but if it wasn't the best day, I'd focus on Smutty.

Well about 2 weeks before Phillie, illness hit.  Now, I RARELY get sick - I mean I can probably say I've gotten sick less than 3 times within the last year or two - I really can't complain.  I'm also a germaphobe and work very had at staying healthy but eating right, trying to get enough sleep (this is what I'm worst at), eeping up with my exercise, and most importantly walking around my office like the character on 'Monk" - not touching any public door handle etc. without washing my hands right after, using a paper towel (I am not exaggerating).  Alas, all good things must come to an end in I find myself progressively going downhill in terms of health 2 weeks before Phillie.  It was mostly a cough (which 6 weeks late I still have residual signs of) but also cold/flu like symptoms.  Awesome.  So much for that entire summer training.

We stayed with some friends in southern New Jersey for Phillie and thank god, it soothed the blow of having just about the worst half I can remember but about 5 miles into the race, I was ok with it.  It just wasn't my day and I knew that when I woke up in the middle of the night before and thought about the pace I was shooting to run the next day and physically/mentally knew that wasn't going to happen.  I made up my mind mid-race at Phillie to focus on Smuttynose two weeks later.

Fast forward those two weeks and I really, healthwise, wasn't any better.  Well, now I'm frustrated - was timing really everything and both of these races going to be a lost cause?  Now that I had entered the bitter barn, I went to Smuttynose and left my usual game face at home.  I did not wear a singlet for any of the running clubs I am associated with nor my coach - I wanted to try to be as relaxed as possible and I felt that this was one thing that would help me do that.  I've also come to realize I run my best races when I don't care - it makes sense- no nerves, relaxed, fun running.

Well it worked, I felt leaps and bounds better for Smuttynose and it resulted in about a 2 minute PR and winning the 35-29 female division.  I was quite happy! So happy that before I even stepped back out of the car after changing, I was registered for Baystate Half 3 weeks later.  Mind you, the day before the race I promised my friends that this was my last half (Smuttynose) and that I was done racing the half distance for 2012.  So much for that - typical Gina, run a good race, register for another.

Now tomorrow is Baystate and this is truly my last half for awhile.  The bigger deal tomorrow is that my husband Jay will try to go under 3 hours in the marathon so there is really even less pressure on me because really, tomorrow his day.  I'm just going to have fun tomorrow and that's truly how I want to run this race.  I want to feel good and it just be one of those effortless runs.  We'll have some friends and family on the course and plans for a good dinner after- I'm looking forward to an awesome, fun day.

July? Oh and August ?

So apparently I've been delinquent on my blog!  All for good reason.  It's been a really busy but great summer- lots of running, concerts, friends and family time!

My running has focused around training for the Phillie Rock and Roll half marathon and the Smuttynose Half marathon September 16th and 30th respectively.  The training is gong reasonably well and I'm working towards a 1:25 half at at least one of those.

I'm logging about 40-50 miles a week and I feel great with exception of a pain in the hip I can't seem to shake.  I'm doing all of the things I should trying to take care of it and hoping it will go away :). Training has been a challenge with work as well so I'm hoping the training I'm logging while sleep deprived will just make me stronger in the end!

For now my eye is on a fast Phillie on 9/16!

Where did June go?

I clicked on this today and can't believe I didn't document anything for June - maybe because it was a busy month!

Well I decided that there is no marathon in my fall plans.  This is for many reasons.  The first is not to lose some of the speed I've gained since I've been back from my injury and the second is really - I think half marathon training affords me better balance with my work schedule which is nuts.  So right now I'm looking forward to at least 3-4 half marathons in the fall.

In the meantime, I've been building up my speed and my miles.  I continue on my quest to break 20 minutes in a 5K and came very close to doing it yesterday at a great race called the Revolution Run in Nashua New Hampshire.   Before that, it was at Roseanne's Run for a Cure in Nashua the week before.  Both were really great events and both I came in second female.  Can I complain? Not really - the first race brought me a 20:39 - a PR and considering a lot of the race was over a good deal of trail (which I don't typically run on), I was happy.  Yesterdays time was a 20:07 - oh so close but alas, I have to continue on with my quest for sub-20.  I think yesterdays race hurt more thought because as I rounded the finish, I saw the clock say "19:48" and as I crossed the line it read "19:58" - given there was a starting/finishing mat- I was sure I had made my goal.

When the times were posted, I had a 20:08 gun/20:07 net - a PR, second female and nothing to be upset about but to taste the goal but miss it was disappointing.  Now, I am looking for my next 5K!
One thing I am excited about though is that the Roseanne's run gave me a taste for the trails which I haven't really been that interested in but now I'm looking at things a bit differently.

I think running on the trials is a good opportunity for me to change things up a bit.  Those who know me well know I am a slave to routine and a schedule - I can't help it - I'm your typical Type A personality and I am that way with my running schedule/plan.  While I think it's done me a lot of good - I think it also makes me really prone to burn out and I really don't want to go there.  So I signed up for a trail race at the end of the month called "Run with the Beavers Trail Race" in Rhode Island that a friend of ours Bob Jackman is putting on.  I really wanted to support Bob's race and now I am just intrigued with the trail running.  Plus, it will be a good opportunity to see some of the Tuesday Night Turtles that I don't get to see that often or better yet, have never met.

The next race I have on tap is the Corporate Challenge in Boston next week - yeah - not a favorite and I don't love the logistics or the fact that it's probably going to be packed - but I want to support my company and get to social with my coworkers - many of whom run but usually won't run with me because I'm a bit too competitive :)  After that, I am going to scope out another 5K to continue on my quest for sub-20!

Toronto or no Toronto

It's in my head that I'm going to run the Scotiabank Toronto Marathon on October 14th 2012.  However, I am not signed up yet.  I'm afraid to!  The running is going really well,  I've started integrating some speedwork and haven't had an issues so when should I sign up?  I can't decide.

The last thing I want is to be signed up for a marathon, something goes wrong and all I care about it getting better to run this marathon.  However, we know they all fill up fast now so I'm paranoid to wait for that reason too.  Ok I'm just paranoid.

I'm also now a Tuesday Night Turtle! A great group out of RI that I hope to run with soon and often.  We know a few of the members and they seem like a great group!

So I will hang out on my paranoia train for awhile longer re: Toronto.....

Full Circle

My running really started with the 2003 Melrose Run for Women.  My husband and I got engaged in the summer of 2002 and due to financial reasons, had to plan our wedding for 2004.  In the winter of 2003, I looked at myself and said I really want to get in shape for my wedding.  I was never really overweight but I wasn't in that good of shape either.  I danced for 9 years, played baseball, pop warner cheerleader but never thought of myself as an athlete.  Further, through the college years came drinking, smoking *cringe* and poor eating habits.  In 2003, I was going to the gym but not really sure I wasn't making any sort of headway.

In the winter of 2003 going to the gym, I told Jay I wanted to get rid of this chub on my hips.  He said "Why don't  you start running?".  I thought he was ridiculous.  I hated running, I was not a runner and was never going to be a runner.  However, it was worth a shot because I really hated this hip chub. :)  I started running as much as I could on the treadmill- a little here and there but I wasn't really convinced it was something that I'd stick with.

One night I walked into the locker room at the gym and there was a paper flyer for the Melrose Run for Women.  This was about February and the race was in May.  I picked it up and signed up to keep myself committed.  Well I ran the race that year and for the years to follow with the exception of 2008 (I was training for the San Diego Marathon and had a 20 miler the day before - in retrospect I should have just run it but lesson learned) and last year, 2011 when I was very injured.  I recalled today how a year ago I was freshly dealing with my tibial stress syndrome and I couldn't run for 1 minute - nevermind this 3.5 miler.

Well I've run a lot of races since 2003 and have gotten very competitive.  I had a good long stint of healthy running and then have documented in this blog how starting really in April 2011, trouble with injury.   I just spent from February 2012 to April 2012 in physical therapy trying to recover my tibial stress syndrome issues that never really resolved from last year.   Joyfully, within the last two weeks, I must have tweaked something in my butt - yes a pain in the a$$ which evolved into a very painful ache while running.  Within the last week or so, I was really starting to be just depressed.  Maybe I'm never really going to be able to be the runner I want to be I thought to myself and well, I started to belief it.

Yesterday, one day before race day - I usually don't drink.  Well, I just wasn't that into this years Melrose Run for Women - I had planned to run it just to be with my friend but knew I wasn't going to do anything.  You see, I really wanted to win this race at some point - it would really just be so wonderful to win the race that really lured me into the world of running but as of yesterday, this wasn't going to be the year.  Further, while finishing PT, my PT girl said to me "You can run the MRW but you're not going to win it this year".  Okey dokey.

This morning I dragged myself to the start.  Jay looked at my face and asked me what was wrong - "I'm just not that into today".  I drank coffee.  I NEVER drink coffee because it upsets my stomach so much and usually I plan on running so hard that would just push me over the edge (the bathroom edge).  So I drank my coffee.  Well I got plenty sick before the start.  I met up with my friend Sue and my friend Linda - both wished me luck, Jay wished me luck but well.  I didn't expect anything at all.

I went to the start and my heart started pounding like it always does - I guess it's just the electricity of the start.  I ran off from the start for a few minutes just to get my legs warm so I wasn't going zero to fast but nothing too long.  I came back and they walked us to the starting line.  My friend Linda yelled "where is my girl - I know what's going to happen after the gun goes off" - Not really - again, I had no goals - I didn't I had anything in me.  There were even two girls ahead of me who asked if I wanted to go in front of them and I said "Nah, that's ok".  As we lined up, I noticed a masters women who I was familiar with - I mean really familiar with.  She took the Thanks4giving 10K female win away from me in 2010 and it really burned me.  I just looked at how jazzed she was and once again she'd beat me out.

The race starts and we're off.  To my surprise I was behind the police escort along with this master's women "T" and two other women - another master and another girl a bit younger than me with headphones (as a side, as a former headphone wearer - I get it but trained myself off of them and man, do I wish other people would too - they are unsafe and you really have no idea what's going on around you - ok- I'm done).  Even where I was, I thought in my head "there is no way I'm staying here".

The course is not an easy one.  Lots of rolling hills- so big up hills, a big screaming downhill and lots of broken street in between.  We went up the first hill and I think at that point, we lost to the other women so it was "T" leading and me.  I was close to her but not too close.  Again, I kept thinking - there is no way I'm holding this.  I was kind of dying.  I felt like I was going to puke, breathing hard, feeling low on fuel - but I kept going.

Between Mile 1-2 there is another small up hill and then a straight away - I stayed close to "T" and kept thinking - again she is going to beat me, but man, I'm in second - that's great - I was happy.  Between Mile 2-3 there is a SCREAMING downhill and I thought I'd gain on her but she kept it going faster down that downhill - I'm always cautious on the downhills always feeling like I'm going to fall and do a somersault over and over.  There were several times where I was REALLY close behind her but I refused to pass her.  If I passed her and she passed me, it was diminish my confidence and any chance I might have of winning would definitely be gone.

Jay was at Mile 3 and I could see him from the distance and I could see via his body language that he looked, that it was me and just started laughing when it was me that was rivaling for 1st and WHO I was rivaling.  We rounded the corner for the final stretch and there is one last uphill, a straightaway and you come into the finish.  It was on this uphill that I passed "T" and I was in first place.  I couldn't believe it.  I couldn't believe I had a chance at winning this race - as I made it through the last .5 mile my friend Linda came out into my view and was screaming at the top of her lungs "GINA!!!!!!" - I finished.  I won.  Wow.   The race that sucked me into the world of running, that lead me to 8 marathons and countless races, I had won and my goal had been complete.  I couldn't be happier.  My hope and inspiration has been revived and I am thankful.

The best part is that my body feels great and I've gotten the shot in the arm I needed to get me psyched for the 2012 season.  Thanks to all of those that I run with (and that I don't run with) that have supported me through injuries and will continue to listen to me through the 2012 training season!

Place No.  Name                Div/Tot  Div   Ag City               St Nettime Guntime Pace  
===== ==== =================== ======== ===== == ================== == ======= ======= ===== 
    1  307 Gina Newton           1/190  F3039 34 North Chelmsford   MA   21:57   21:58  6:17 

New Sneakers and more miles

This week was as close to normal as I've been for months.  I went to spring track with my GTD friends Tuesday night, got up at 4:10 am to meet Hank for our 4:30 am jaunt on Thursday am,  long run with Hank, Annie and Dave bright and early Saturday am for 10 miles and today, for the first time, I race two days in a row.  I enjoyed a nice 5 miler with some speed tucked in at the end on a really beautiful Sunday morning - my favorite.

This week was a turning point in the sneaker department.  I've been wearing the Asics 21XX series for years.  They are what I started in and although I tested other brands/models in the past, I always came back to these - they just felt right.  I also have some Lycos inserts I use with them.  When I landed myself in PT back at the end of February, one of the first things my PT girl said was - you might want to think about a different type of sneakers.  This made me cringe.

I HAD tried other sneakers and I was afraid going into something new would just result in some other new injury but it started to make me think.  She felt I had two much support with both the stability and the inserts but that's all I ever knew.  It is also the opposite of what my chiropractor was telling me.  Question is - who do you listen to?

Well I decided I don't just listen to one person but take all of the data/feedback I get from everyone and make my own decisions based on how I feel.  The plan was to reevaluate the sneakers after NYC Half and Doyle's 5 miler.

So come this week, my last PT visit arrived (YAY!) and we analyzed how I run.  Well I kind of felt like a disaster as she critiqued my form and showed me that although I classic overpronater, the 2160s were just pushing me over the edge and also, my body may just be too used to them resulting in other problems.

I took myself to Runner's Alley in Nashua (http://www.runnersalley.com/) and called ahead to make sure someone would be there to assist me and really analyze what's happening when I'm running.  I spoke to and met with BJ and Renee who were both awesome.  Surprisingly the first pair of sneakers they brought out to me were Asics Nimbus model.  I just figured I'd jump to a completely different brand but in the end after trying out some Asics, Brooks and New Balance - I felt best in the Asics and that's what I brought.  After 5 miles in them today, I think I made the right choice so the goal will be to transition - maybe completely to the Nimbus and keep the 2160s for the long runs for additional stability for those longer days.  All feels good now though and that couldn't make me happier.

Weekly Mileage: 28 miles (hoping to go up from here!)
Speed: 3 out of 4 days with speed worked in

Doyle's 5 miler

Today was a great day at Doyle's 5 miler.  I hadn't done this race since 2005 and only once before that in 2004.  Jay and I always talk about our early running/racing days when, well, we had no racing friends.  We'd finish a race, grab a beer - ask each other how how the race went - finish the beer and then go home - not all that exciting.

Today as a big change from that.   We met up with our good friends, their family and some other runners from RI that we don't get to see very often.  Although the weather wasn't the best, it turned into a day long affair and it was a really good time.

Today was an important day in my road back as well.  A lot of the latter weeks of my physical therapy were built around this race and running it.  After getting through this, I'm pretty much free to register for more races and move on with my running life.  The goal was to run a 7:05 pace for the 5 miles.  True to Gina form, I did not run a 7:05 pace but a 6:45 pace.  I felt great.  I finished with an overall time of 33:47 which is far better than I thought I could do.  Things are looking up!  I'm even running enough to start tracking my miles now.  I am still only allowed to run every other day of the week but I'll take it with a few good races in between.

Total miles run this week: 4 days of running = 26.5 miles of running
Speed: 3 out of the 4 days had some speedy speed!

Boston Spectator

Today was my first day being a spectator in the Boston Marathon crowd.  What a day really.  The record heat was unbelievable but given the warm winter we had - it could have gone either way right? It could have went this way or it could have been a threat of a blizzard - no one knew what to expect.  I had a lot of friends running today - some very seasoned runners and some it was their first marathon.  I was excited for a lot of reasons to be on the other side today. 

My plan had been all along not to run Boston this year; I'd like to do something in the fall and didn't want to have to wait to recover from Boston or even deal with any lingering fatigue from it.  It was a good thing I didn't sign up.  Although it's tough because it's the hometown marathon and a lot of people seemingly don't understand that there are other marathons in this world, it was in the end the right choice.  If I was able to run today - it really wouldn't have been worth it- I wouldn't have been in good shape, I would have risked re-injuring myself and I would have had to combat a day like today.  The right choice was made and that felt good.  It also felt good just to hang out with my friends, scream and clap my head off and just take in the scene of the race.  Boston Marathon is just plain awesome.

I have a tremendous amount of respect for those who ran today.  One can argue that anyone can run a marathon in ideal conditions but I think it takes a really strong person to persevere though a day like today.   I really felt motivated by watching all walks of life push on through out there today - congrats to all of the runners who finished or even ran today - totally inspiring!

Seemingly smooth sailing

Post NYC Half - my recovery seems on track to really return to full strength hopefully by the end of May.  It's actually scary for me - I feel nothing wrong with my leg anymore - and having felt something wrong for literally a solid year this week, it's really weird!

With each passing week, I've been increasing speed and duration (not together - except when I break the rules which although I try not to, sometimes it happens).  I  have 2 PT visits left and then my PT girl said I can likely fly away on my own back to my coach to ramp up to normal training.  Yay!

My next race is Doyle's Pub Race on 4/22.  I'm just excited for that race because I haven't done it since 2005 and it's a fun one and of course there is beer.  I'm excited to see our friends Thor and Heather that we haven't seen in awhile and just really enjoy the day.  It finally feels like things are looking up.

I'm very committed to doing all the little things to keep me healthy.  If things stay steady I hope to sign up for the Toronto Marathon in the fall as my goal marathon.  I'm taking it day by day though but it's looking like I'll make my first trip to Canada in October!

NYC Half Complete - working my way back

Headed into Sundays race I was apprehensive.  I had sent my PT girl a note about declining an invite to run an 'easy' 5K (to benefit her fundraiser - I chose to donate instead of signing up for the race knowing I wouldn't be able to put a lot behind it) prior to leaving for NYC.  She responded saying it was 'probably better' and that we'd get me in good shape for the next big race.  Oh no, I wasn't talking about NYC half like she thought but it made me think - did she really not think me run/walking this half was the best idea?  She hadn't let on.  Now I'm paranoid.

My plan was to run 10 minute/miles and walk through all the water stops.  Easier said than done - I am not capable of this - physically and mentally.  I drove down with Dan and Tom who I hadn't seen in awhile so it was good to have the 4 hour drive to catch up.  They did the Gina exchange to my cousin Mary who I spent the night with getting some quality cousin time.  That night as we sat there watching a movie, I swear I felt the area of the injury aching and it occurred to me that maybe I should bail out.  That's just not me and I was there - I was doing it.

So bright an early we set off for the race meeting up with Dan and Tom and Mary walked us to the corrals (she easily snuck in).  It was great because I could keep all my warm clothes on (it was chilly!) and then hand back to Mary and start the race.  The only modification I made was to drop back a corral which was fine because I had company with Dan although soon after the gun went off he went to run his race.

I started off very slow as I was told and very quickly the first water stop was there - I walked through it as I was supposed to.  It wasn't easy.  Every time I stopped at a water stop I had the very supportive volunteers yelling "C'mon, you can do it".  I wanted to say "Yes, I can do it but I'm not allowed to do it as I'd like to" :)

It was a different experience running this race 'easy'.   I was far more aware of my surroundings and spent a lot of time focusing on those around me and the spectators.  The course was actually kind of difficult: rolling hills for 6 miles through Central Park, out towards and into Times Square, a right down 42nd street and then to the water towards Battery Park/World Trade Center area.

I kept my pace but realized I was progressively getting faster.  I still tried to keep myself conservative but every time I'd look down, my watch showed a slightly faster pace.  So I pressed it to see if I'd feel anything, nope - nothing.  No pain at all.  As I continued, I tested little by little and still no pain.  It was coming to around the mile 9-10 marks and well, my stomach started to hurt.  There it is! An 'old' typical pain - something other than this injury hurting.  As stressed as I get when my stomach hurt, I was thankful it was the stomach hurting and not the injury - that in fact felt great. 

As the last water stop approached I considered not stopping for it because, well - my stomach was really bothering me but I felt like if I didn't stop, the Running Karma Gods would make me sorry I had broken my promise.

As we made our way past the 12 mile mark, we went into a very long tunnel - it was scary long and all I wanted to do was get out of it - so again, I picked it up.  Coming out of the tunnel I could see the '800 feet left' sign, a 400 feet left sign and so forth.  Well, I picked it up here - I was almost done, nothing hurt and I truthfully just lost my head.  It was awesome and I was really overcome with emotion as I made my way to the finish.  I had just hoped I could skirt in under 2 hours having come back from injury and keeping my '10 minute mile' - well that ended up at a 8:27 pace for a final time of 1:50:37 - definitely not my best half by far but not my worst.  The best part? No pain.

I arrived at my chiropractor and PT visits today - happy but cautious because I hadn't followed directions - both Mika and Jess were very supportive and happy I had done so well.  I have been downgraded to 1 X week PT and the bad calf essentially felt equal to the good half.

I even got to run over 6 miles today @ 8:01 pace - it seems like things are headed in the right direction.  Fingers crossed it's only up from here!  I have running every other day for the next two weeks.  In terms of racing, Doyle's 5 miler at the end of April is up next.  I'm sure I won't be in top shape by any means but I'm excited just to be back in the game!

Run/Walking: Starting the Climb back

Well this was a good week.  I saw my MD and put in two more PT sessions and got permission to start run/walking.  I was actually petrified to try it.  In the past year, so many of these 'tests' have been met with more pain.  With it being spring, the days getting longer and a half marathon a week away (although no chance of racing it), feeling pain when I gave it a test for the first time would have made me just sad.

So Tuesday night post MD visit and post Monday PT visit, I suited up for my brief 'test' run.  I was allowed to do 20 minutes of run walking like 1 minute run/1 minute walk, 2 minute run/1 minute walk and 3 minute run/1 minute walk.  Very exciting - no really - I couldn't wait to get home although I was scared.

It was first fun just to get ready for a run - it feels like it's been forever.  When I started out, it was like someone let me out of jail but also a bit of "how do I do this again?".  My body felt like it needed a little lesson on running again but before I knew it - I was run walking around my condo complex.  I felt so happy to be out there.  I had no pain - a bit of tightness but no pain.  I came in from the run ready to tell my husband of the success and hit the first stairs to lead to my basement and felt an 'ouch'.  What the heck is that?  Then paranoia set in - maybe this wasn't so successful after all or am I just too tuned into every little pain I feel?

The next day I visited my chiropractor and PT girl.  Both looked at the injury and remarked on how good things felt - this meant a lot coming from the chiropractor who had yet to note this.  The PT girl dry needled the calf again finally getting a trigger point that had been 'running' (HA HA) from her the prior two dry needling sessions before that.  I knew she got this point because as I left, this one spot felt pins/needles - just numb- that one spot - so weird!  The PT girl also gave me two more days of run walking - one of which I did yesterday.  This run went even better than Tuesday which was a relief.  It was also 50 degrees out which made me want to run forever! This time I did 2-4 minute run periods and almost ran pretty much the entire 20 minutes the way it worked out.

I'm feel really optimistic.  My next run/walk day is Saturday and I can't wait!  Long story short, things seem to be looking up!

Making Progress

I've been in PT for just over a week now and been needled 3 times (2 X the calf and 1 X in the glute).  Things are improving although I think yesterdays calf needling was particularly intense.  This is in anticipation of my half marathon I'm still hoping to 'be part' of on March 18th (NY City Half).  I say part of because I will be unable to run this true to Gina Style i.e. losing my head in running from start to finish as fast as I can.

The PT girl looked me point blank in the face and said "If you run this race like 'normal', you WILL set yourself back".  She made her point.  Boy did she make her point.  That is the last thing I want.  Being injured is more work than being healthy and more time consuming!  I asked her "Well, what pace is that?" "9 minute miles" - well then 9 min/miles it is.   Truthfully I just want to register for the Toronto Marathon as to not let it fill up like every other good marathon does these days.  I can't do it until I'm out of the woods with this episode and back on track in terms of speed work, racing etc...but I've really learned from this experience.

I learned who to go to for what type of advice - that's for sure.  Not everyone has all of the answers- it's more about asking a lot of different experts: coaches, chiropracters, MDs, physical therapists and fellow running friends what to do and how to do it - putting it together and figuring out how that works best for my body.

This running game is constant learning.  Until I get the OK from the MD March 6th, I've been elliptical-ing my little heart out (and a biking 3X week).  I feel good though, my body feels strong and I've been eating really well and drinking (booze) much less (although with 4 beer taps in the house it's impossible to go cold turkey).  Hoping all the stars align for when I can final get back to the roads and run like 'normal'.

Needling

I got needled this week.  Yes, needles were stuck into my damaged calf muscle, which makes the muscle contract, twitch and then cramp up.  Yeah.  It feels 'great'.  However, I can actually see muscle definition in my calf again - this is good and it feels great.

I'm using our new elliptical daily and will be going to PT 2X/week through March.  Everyone knows I want to run the NYC half on March 18th - I'll truthfully be happy just to run even if I can't race - it will be nice to just be around the scene again. 

I'll continue to be a good student doing all the little things to get back into the game.

3 more weeks

I finally went to see an MD yesterday.  I also had an ultrasound today to check for a varicosse vein - seriously?  I didn't think people like me could get those.  Got myself some PT and some heavy NSAIDs which seem to be helping.  In the interim, lots of crossing-training.  Our new elliptical comes Friday and our gym in our house is coming together.  It will be so nice not to have to trek to the gym or BE at the gym for that matter.  I go back to the doctor in 3 weeks.  Coach says I can still cross-train to be prepared for my March 18th half marathon - fingers crossed.

5 miles = ouch

I ran for 5 miles today.  Ouch.  Doesn't feel happy!  I still don't really know my diagnosis.  Heat makes it feel better so I sat in a hot bath.....sweating.....it helped!

Sitting on the Dreaded Running Shelf

Here I sit on the running shelf.  I don't think for long but really, every day feels like an eternity.

How did I get here this time?  Well, I had never quite returned to 100% normal after my tibial stress syndrome that was born in April 2011 but had managed to pull off a few PRs despite not being 100% throughout 2011.

As mentioned previously in this blog, I took it easy in the November-December timeframe w/o issues - aside from those from just being 'lazy' i.e. running but not with any rigor, speed, appropriate cross-training.

However starting January 1, I started to amp things back up - for a few weeks they were fine but then I started to experience a nagging bruise like feeling in the same area the injury had been.    I ignored it for awhile hoping it would go away but no, it didn't and just progressively started getting worse.

Almost 2 weeks ago, I was really really trying to alleviate this issue with stretching the area (both calfs) very diligently.  Well, I overdid it and got myself a nice calf strain on top of the issue.  Well, given that it's the middle of February, I felt it more important that I heal up and right so not to blow my entire year.

Mika (chiropractor) made the assessment that my hips are weak so I've incorporated a lot of cross training exercises to try to alleviate some unnecessary pressure being put on this injured area when I run. It's improving but next day on the rounds is still to be determined.  Until then, it's elliptical city for this girl!

Week 4 2012 Running: Borderline Running Club Member #40 - 14 mile long run

Today the schedule called for a comfortable 14-15 miler.  Conveniently, the Borderline Running Club's route for which I was a RWOB (Runner without borders) included the last three borders I needed to become a member on a 14ish mile route.  I also was up for what my friend Thor calls a "social run": stories and good people.  I had done my last few runs alone and well, they were kind of lonely so I was looking forward to running with a good crowd.

The run started out bright and early which I have a love/hate relationship with.  I love being done with most of my Saturday untouched but don't like the early wake up.  My friend Hank picked me up at 6:15 to get to North Andover by 6:45 am where we were greeted by a bunch of BRC members ready to go.  A lot of them knew today I'd complete my borders and said so which was nice.  A note about the weather: yet another Saturday with highs in the 40s - I thought I'd dressed appropriately but nope, was sweating by the end - I won't lie, even though my husband is dying because we're not having a ski winter - I'm loving this mild weather!

Well, the course was brutal.  I sit here a good 6+ hours after finishing and my butt is kicked.  It was just over 7 miles out/back, water stops along the way and LOTS of rolling hills.  My friend Meg said over and over "I have no problem with hills".  Lately, I've been trying to figure out how I can like hills more.   They're critical part of training but 1) I'm not good at them and 2) I don't do well with things I'm not good at.  Nonetheless, it was nice being with a group of people for the long haul and getting the S. Andover, Middleton, and N. Reading borders to complete my 8 borders to be part of the Borderline Running Club - they're a nice group of people who like to drink beer.  Can't go wrong.

The best part: I got an even member number.  You see, the BRC (as opposed to the Goon Squad where you get quirky random names like mine, OCG - Obsessive Compulsive Gina/Goon take your pick), makes your member ID the # member you are.  TECHNICALLY - I am the 41st person to complete all of the borders.  However, knowing this ahead of time, I whined to one of the members that I really love even numbers so if there was someone else that could/would get inducted with me, I'd rather have an even number.  There is just something about odd numbers in life overall- I just don't like.  For example, I do get a minor wave of anxiety waiting to see what number bib I get for a race - I rather noticeable sense of relief washes over me when the bib number is even versus if it's odd, I'm kind of disappointed.

So at the conclusion of the run where I was to get my official BRC t-shirt, this member Matt cited a technicality that my friend Hank, who had completed his borders a few weeks earlier hadn't gotten his t-shirt that day and since I came in before him today, I actually got Member #40 and Hank, #41 (prearranged with Hank who agreed to sacrifice his true number - thanks Hank!!!).

As a side, I was dying for this run to be over today.  Just a hard training week and I'm beat! (also note to self: Jet Blackberry Gu - so gross) I got it done and also became an official member of a great group!

Total Miles run this week: ~42 miles

Week 3: Snowy Long Run

When I decided I wouldn't run Boston 2012, I thought I could 'take it easy' through the winter and get runs in when I could but not stress over them.  So far that's not really been the case.  Take this weekend - I had 14 miles to do with speed.  I also had to go to New Jersey for my Goddaughters birthday party - oh and we were expected the most 'significant' snow accumulation thus far for this winter of about 5-7 inches.

After a lot of deliberating, my husband and I decided to trek down to New Jersey and do our long run down there.  I was kind of happy for the new scenery but kind of paranoid of where we'd actually do the run.  My friend lives off of a death trap of a road so that isn't an option.  There is a GREAT path that leads to another park but given the forecast, I didn't think that was a possibility.  My husband said that regardless we'd do the run so although I was dreading what I'd wake up to, I felt a bit more at ease.

We got to NJ very late and at that time - it really didn't look like it was going to snow and I felt even better that the path was going to be a viable option and all of my stressing would be for nothing (this is a typical pattern for me).  Well, yeah, kinda sorta.  We woke up and there was plenty of snow - I was concerned.  I was even more concerned once we got outside and saw just how much the roads were not treated/plowed.  Awesome.

I wasn't going to pay to go to a gym to do these 14 miles on the treadmill - I cannot stomach the treadmill nevermind paying extra money to do so.  This run was being done outside and heck, we headed to the path.

It was great at first - it actually looked plowed and so we started on our way and I was actually having fun - I love being able to enjoy the outdoors in the winter.  We hit another section of the path and well, that wasn't so plowed and by this time we were tredging through about 5 inches of snow (see pic).  Still having fun, we stopped and took a few photos.  It's a really peaceful path and again, just great to be outdoors.

This path was about 2.5 miles long - good for 5 miles back/forth but not quite the 14 I was looking for and speed- yeah- that wasn't happening.  The path took us to a park (I had done this same thing before). The park was 2 miles around and miraculously being plowed (mind you again, the roads were not plowed but the park was being plowed - makes no sense but good for me!).

We circled the park twice and well in the middle of that - the exhaustion of running through the snow really started to hit.  Wow, what a work out but man, I was exhausted.  I also didn't happen to sleep the night before so I was really hurting.

My husband and I agreed (well, I have to be forced into agreeing to cut miles no matter what) that if we could get 10 miles in then we were good - these conditions were just less than ideal.  Furthermore, the weather was changing to a frozen rain and well, it hurt.

We ended up circling the park twice and then heading back to my friends house.  An adventure for sure.  My hips/legs were aching last night even beyond what ibuprofen could help with but this is winter running isn't it.

If the intention was to kiss my a$$, it worked

Last night's track workout was a 'good' one ('good' meaning I know it is helping to whack me into shape - not to suggest I enjoyed it).  We had 10 60 second hill repeats followed by 6 2:30 progressive pick ups.

After 10 hill repeats I envisioned I wouldn't be able to muster these progressive pick ups but just like all of FB's other workouts, I was in fact able to do the entire workout.  The best thing about speed work is doing it at the Cove with the Going the Distance running friends - doing these workouts alone can be downright torturous but having someone share and motivate you through these workouts is invaluable.

I know last night pushed me more towards where I ultimately want to be.

Week 2 of 2012 running: easing into the norm

Week 2 for sure was a better week. It's really interesting to me even when I think I'm 'resting' i.e. no speed, running about 4-5 days a week and tossing in a 5K here and there, just how 'out of shape' I get.  It's fine, I know that I need to ease off the really intense training at various times during the year, but it's funny how despite still running, your body acclimates to a less intense regimen.

This week, some lower back pain eased up, some aches reappeared in my calf - yes, things are ramping up!  It feels good though, my body is starting to feel like it's snapping back to 'normal' and I'm excited about the return to the normal routine.  I'm not excited about how cold it has become - did my 6 miles today @ 15 degree F - my legs were so red that I had what looked like a sunburn! Gotta love the winter training.......so much for skiing this winter instead of running.

Total Miles This Week: 39 miles

Week 1 of 2012 running

Just returned from the first 'long' run of 2012 (11.6 miles).  It was with the Borderline Running Club (BRC) out of Andover.  This is a great group I run with here and there (a few of them are part of the Goon Squad and others training with Fernando my coach)- I like the concept of their club (touch all the borders of Andover Massachusetts = membership) and the people that are part of their club (varying running levels and noone taking themselves too seriously).

With today's run, I got the Haverhill and the Boxford Borders which leaves me with only two borders left (North Reading and Middleton) to become a member of the BRC - it was a great run, warm for this time of year  with  new people to talk to.  It really beat the same ol' 10 milers that are close to my house (these runs are about 1/2 hour away) and this route in particular was hilly (not my favorite but ok once and awhile) with good scenery.

I can definitely feel the ramp up of training this week.  I'm sore and need to make sure I'm doing all the right stretching and core work as I ramp things up.  I've got a nagging little ache in my calf I think residual from a tibial stress syndrome I had last year but it's nothing that is inflammed or cause for concern - just more annoying!

I have also gotten back on the wagon with better eating, less beer (this won't be eliminated all together) and no more Christmas cookies calling me from the canisters in my kitchen.  Thus far, 2012 is shaping up nicely.