Cycling with bum ankle

Hi all,

Well, I got out this morning to test the ankle--felt okay when I got out of bed, but not when I ran. I got out of my driveway and around the corner, and could not take it! It was painful. So, I decided to ride by bike for an hour, and that is what I did. My oldest son and I hit the road, and we had a great time. I just hate that my body does not feel like it does when I run--although my HRM says that I am working at 75-80%! My family and I are going to the pool this afternoon, and I will actually swim some laps for the purpose of training. That should feel good. Well, I never thought I would say this, but I miss running, and I feel badly for taking for granted that when my body was healthy, I didn't appreciate running like I do now. I guess it's true--you don't miss your water 'til your well runs dry!

Crash, Crash & Crash Again

This has been the week from hell! First of all, my computer crashed and I had to have my hard drive replaced. Supposedly, it will be ready tomorrow, but every day the promised time is extended another 24 hrs. Well, I have been doing very light running and pretty heavy cycling to allow my tendon to heal, and I have not been in the best mood the past couple of weeks. So, my husband and I decided to go out on a "date" last night to our favorite place......Elixir. Well, we walked in and head downstairs to the lounge area, and I FELL DOWN THE STAIRS!!!!!!!!!! I had on these really awesome strappy sandals with a 3" heel, and tumbling I went! (Thump, thump, thump!) I was so embarrassed, and today I am SO swollen! My left ankle is swollen,I have a huge bruise on my thigh, and I have been icing every 10-15 minutes, and needless to say, my mood is just a bit worse than it already was!!!!! But, I have to remind myself, tomorrow is a new day and it will (it has to) get better!!!!!!! Why am I so clumsy?

Recovery

This morning I hit the road for the first time on my feet since the Goat Milk. I have been allowing my tendon to heal, and I have been Xtraining by cycling with my son--FUN! Anyway, I got out at 5:30 this morning and I had an okay run, but I was in a lot of pain. My tendon is still inflamed, which is now effecting my outer knee! I have decided that it is now time for medical attention. I don't want to keep experimenting with all these possible solutions and the problem continues or worsens. I will continue on the bike, and may even try the deep water aerobics while this problem gets corrected. Have to get this one taken care of well before Chicago!

I stomached the Goat Milk!

Wow!!!!!!! That pretty much sums up the Goat Milk experience! Of everything that I heard and read about this course, I just never imagined the hills to be as steep and continuous as I saw and FELT them to be yesterday! That was a great experience! I enjoyed running with Dawn, Lisa and Hallie. Special thanks to Melissa for always being so concerned about us and for being our cheerleader!! It was also great to meet her brother. He is so sweet! Now, yesterday really put things into perspective for me--I have an inflamed tendon that MUST heal before I REALLY get injured. My feet, ankles and knees feel better today, but they were killing me yesterday (especially my ankles and feet!) I have to concentrate on Xtraining, as I have not done that--only the runs and some walking. I think I need to increase my weekday runs too--I am anly doing 3-4 miles 2-3 times per week and then the long one. I just aired up the tires on my mountain bike, and I will actually put my Y membership fees to use! I feel great today--the pride of completing something so challenging is paramount! Yesterday, I was in a daze until mid-afternoon. I left Utica and headed back to Madison for my boys' Tball and baseball games! The season will be over next week, and the break from this mid-afternoon heat will be nice! Woo-Hoo!!!! After that, we went out to eat sushi at Little Tokyo and then Bops! I slept like a brick. I am wearing my T-shirt today, and doing nothing!!!!!!
It was so good to see you guys yesterday......the team effort really makes all the difference in the world! We are marathoners!!!!!!

Inflamed Tendon

Well, I noticed (and have noticed for the past few weeks) that I have developed a knot of some sort on my foot. It is only painful after my long runs, so it took a while to notice. Anyway, I asked my brother-in-law and my mother-in-law (both long-time runners) on Sunday if they had ever seen anything like this. They both told me that it was an inflamed tendon. Well, Tuesday, I paid Jeff a visit at Fleet Feet who confirmed what htey said, and he fitted me for some inserts. He, like my folks, told me to take a few days off and then ease back into it. Well, as we all know, the Goat Milk is Saturday, so I just want to ease into the Goat Milk! I took Monday and Tuesday off, and did not run until Wed. night. I only did a couple of miles, but the inserts made my knee and my arch hurt. I got up this morning and got at early run in, a little over 3 miles, and again my knee was KILLING me! I will go see Jeff again this morning to see what I am doing wrong, or if this is a normal occurance until the inserts have been broke in! See you all Saturday!

Whey! That was a LONG one!!!!

Well, I am in Mobile for the long weekend, and I did my long run this morning at 5:40. I ran 12.3 miles--I couldn't believe it! I had to clock it in the car afterwards, as I don't have a "route" here. I am so encouraged by my training. I always get anxious right before the long run because I tend to have a mental block a couple of days before. Then, I prove to myself that I can do anything I put my mind to! The first 2 miles are always the hardest--then, I enter "the Zone!" I start to really notice the fragrances and brilliant colors of the beautiful flowers, the beautiful architecture of homes, and before I realize it, my run is almost over! It is wonderful! I can't believe that I waited so long to experience this! I am ready (although still nervous) for the Goat Milk! I here the shirts are forest green and really cool! I will bump up my weekly runs to a full hour, since I have only being doing 45 minutes. I am a marathoner!!!!!

Saturday's LONG run

Well, I missed you guys Saturday, but I got in 10.3 miles, all by myself! I headed out about 5:45 a.m. and ran for 2 hours and 13 minutes. My head was so clear afterwards. It almost seemed as though the long runs are sometimes easier than the short ones! That really makes the Goat Milk seem doable! For the rest of the day Saturday, I was just elated that I actually ran over 10 miles! Unbelievable! And, with the walk breaks, I was still able to make both of my boys' baseball games and attend an event with my husband that evening! I must say that I did sleep quite well Saturday night though! I can hardly wait until Saturday to do it again! It's almost as though I can say, okay, you're good for a week with out a long one; but then, I realize the long one is just the short one with more intervals! I just take it one interval at a time! Thanks Marathoners!!!!!!

After way too long........

I read the blogs almost daily--so, why I don't enter mine is just ridiculous! Anyway, I have been training more consitently than I have been blogging! I ran with Dawn R. with weekend at the group run, and that was a lot of fun. She really motivated me to tough it out! Also, since then I have been incorporating a 2/1 interval, and I love it. It took Saturday and yesterday to get used to it, but I feel great afterwards! I was attempting to do a 4/1, and I want to build up to that, but my recovery is much better wiht the 2/1. Anyway, it is definitely getting really hot very early. I ran at 6 AM this morning, and by 6:40, I was dripping! It was still nice out, but I can't imagine what it would have been like at 7:40! I will XT tomorrow, by walking or machines. I have to motivate myself enough for the Goat Milk, as we are taking a family vaction May 27 - June 3rd!!!!! I'll make myself run on the beach!!!!!

After way too long........

Blogging again, Finally.......

I know have have been slacking on my blogs, but I have been training. I finally got my cool Nike Triax Elite, and it has been such a motivator for me, since I am such a gadget freak!!! I hate that I am missing you guys on the weekend, but my boys have had soccer games and now baseball games that have conflicted with our times. As our runs get earlier, that won't be a problem! I want to come run with you all! I have been running in the evenings, mostly at the Strawberry Patch or on a route I have mapped out in my neighborhood! My five year old has been coming along with me because he now wants to start running. We do a short distance together, and then I finish my run without him. We have had a lot of fun together. I have to start Xtraining...that I have not been doing. Now that it is warmer (knowck on wood) I will start swimming and weight training. I have to get better with the blogging!

Registration Card for Chicago

Oh, how exciting.......my registration confirmation card for Chicago came in the mail today! Well, I have to be seriously committed now! I am enjoying the Jeff Galloway book as well! I AM A MARATHONER!!!!!!!

Updates.....

Well, I have taken a vacation from blogging, but I have been jogging! I enjoyed meeting and running with the group Saturday. I did the 5k loop, and boy was it hot! It was fun though, and I felt really good all day Saturday. I jogged Monday and re-injured my back. I don't know why this won't go away, but I stretched and still hurt! It is my lower back on the left side, and it is painful only when I contract my hamstring! Ouch! If I am just relaxed, I'm fine. So I took yesterday off, and I want to do something this evening, if it is better. Any advice? Well, we reinstated our membership to the Y, and Marcus and the boys enjoyed the pool last night at Flowood. I am going to start Xtraining, and I'm looking forward to it. I went on a small shopping spree at Fleet Feet Monday, and I am now tempted (because I am a gadget FREAK) to but a HRM. Any feedback? Oh, I have talked myself into doing the Goat Milk half! Well, until later...........Cathy

GREAT Weekend

I missed you all on Saturday. I was in Mobile on Saturday, and back and forth to Pensacola. I at up at 7:00 Saturday (which for me was sleeping in big-time!) and went for my run. I did 4 miles, and I felt great! I feels somewhat tired today, but I know that will change after I hit the pavement! Happy Spring all! I love the Spring. I went grocery shopping last night, and I was putting all of my itmes on the belt for checkout, and pulled something in my lower left side of my back. I didn't lift anything heavy, just a freak accident I guess. Well, I have to be more careful. I probably didn't stretch like I should after my run Saturday, and became quite stiff after all of that driving/riding this weekend. Any suggestions on what to do to promote the healing? My husband massaged it with Tiger Balm, and that loosened it as well. I can't wait to see you all on Saturday!

I AM a Marathoner!

Well, today was truly the test! I went for my run this morning when it was MAYBE 40 degrees and drizzling! I that is not deication, then I really don't want to know what dedication means! I ran with a 3:2 ratio, and I tell you........when will I get the "runner's high?" I couldn't wit until it was time to walk/recover! Will it ever get to the point that I just feel that I can go on and on for more than 2-3 miles? I have to remember to take it one day at a time! Well, I will probably be out of pocket after this evening for the weekend, since we wil be traveling. I will run, though. Hold me to it! Everyone have a great week and weekend!

Back on Track...........

Well, my blog went straight into cyberspace! I am back on track, but missed running today! I enjoyed meeting with the group Saturday and wogging on the levee. I had a great run on Sunday with my 8-month old baby and my 9 year old on his bike. My 5 year old chose to be a couch potato--go figure! The weather was beautiful; it was just perfect. I am going out of town this weekend to Pensacola (my hometown) and Mobile (my inlaws), and I an think about doing the 2-mile fun run with Azelea Trail. I have to decide by tomorrow (registration deadline), and I am seriously thinking about doing it. I have to seriously stick to the schedules from this point on---hold me to it!!!

Wogging and lovin' it

Cathy

I'm Back...........

Well, slowly but surely I am getting back into the swing of things! I wogged today at the Park. The weather was beautiful, and I didn't realize how sensitive my ears are to wind! I am so looking forward to tomorrow's meeting and wog (for me). I felt so much better after my workout; my stress level had to have gone down a couple of points.


Until tomorrow................

I've got the bug

I'm sick!!!!!!!!!! I don't know if it is a bad cold or the flu! My entire household has it. It's awful. Taking a couple of days to concentrate on recuperation!

The beginning of my journey

Well, training started yesterday and today was a great day! I am a true beginner, but I know that if I just stay committed, I will finish the Chicago Marathon! I ran and walked for 30 minutes today, and I felt great. I will continue to do that routine all week, and I can't wait to feel stronger and healthier. This is truly a great stress reliever, and about the only thing in my life right now that I can say I'm doing ONLY for me! After Staurday's meeting, I went to Fleet Feet ot get fitted for shoes. They were great and the shoes feel awesome. Gotta run........Cathy