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!
Friday, March 9, 2012
Thursday, March 1, 2012
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'.
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'.
Saturday, February 25, 2012
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.
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.
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
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.
Sunday, February 12, 2012
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!
Friday, February 10, 2012
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!
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!
Saturday, January 28, 2012
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
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
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