Running to Recovery 1

My foot felt great on Friday, so I decided to go for a little run on Saturday.  The goal was 3 miles, even if my foot hurt (due to tendonitis) because I wanted to see how I recovered after that distance.

I started slow.  And I mean S-L-O-W.  It had been so long since I last run, I actually couldn't remember how to run.  My footstrike was sloppy, and I found myself limping although my foot didn't hurt that much.  But I kept at it, and ran 3.3 miles.  I don't think I ever found my stride during this run.

As soon as I got home, I threw back a glass of chocolate milk, and started stretching.  It was evident from the very beginning that my right leg, particularly my right calf, was super-duper tight.  As was my right hamstring.  Well, whaddya know?  Its my right foot that giving me problems!  Perhaps my injury and tension are related?  Hmm....

After stretching, I spent some time with the foam roller, rolling out those terrible knots in my right calf.  Oh my gosh, SO PAINFUL.  I am whimpering like a little kid the whole time (surprisingly, Nugget did not notice the pain I was in and proceeded to sit on my lap while I was on the foam roller.  His extra weight actually helped, I think).  Once I located the knots, I switched to a tennis ball to really target those areas.  At this point, there were literally tears in my eyes.

I then iced and elevated my ankle, and then put on my compression socks.  Result? No pain AND no tightness.  My foot felt great!

So today I decided to go for a slightly longer run.  The goal was 5 miles.  I once again started slow and was happy to discover that my first few steps were pain free!  I still couldn't remember how to run, so it took a while to find my stride, and at that point I could feel my ankle again.  I was feeling really good (though still running really slow), and pushed to three miles before turning around.  My total mileage for this run was 6.68.  By the end, I felt my gait was back to normal, though I could still feel a little tug in my ankle.

Once home, I followed the same routine: chocolate milk, stretching, foam roller/massage, ice and elevate, though the last two steps were rushed since we were headed out the door for last minute errands.  To compensate, I took two Motrin.  My foot feels great, though it does seem like it wants to tighten up.  I'm going to try another massage session before bed tonight and see how it feels in the morning.

These runs were very encouraging.  I'm going to do one more long run of 8-10 miles this week, and see how my foot feels and recovers.  If all goes well, I will definitely run the Marine Corps Half-Marathon on the 20th.  Fingers crossed!

And because I realize all work and no play makes Jane a dull girl, I leave you with a video of a trend I'm pretty sure I started years ago.  I'm so glad its finally catching on.  

Reality Check: Lessons Learned from My GW Parkway Classic Race

I ran a good race (for me) this weekend, but there is always something to learn.  Here are my takeaways from the 2012 GW Parkway Classic 10-miler:

Refuel before you need to refuel:  My original plan was to take a Clif Shot Gel at the 5-mile mark.  But when I passed the 5-mile post, I was feeling really good so I changed my mind and decided to take the gel at the 7-mile mark for added boost at the end of the race.  Bad idea.  By mile 5.5, I was spiraling downward fast.  I took my gel and had some Gatorade, and ran miles 6 & 7 faster.  (I am wondering though, can I train myself to go without fuel for longer periods of time?  Or is that unadvisable?  Hmmm...)

My fuel of choice this race via  ClifBar

Know your limits:  I told myself that I would push really hard through miles 8 & 9, but I didn't have enough in me to sustain a push that long.  Not to mention I completely forgot about running mile 10.  Instead, I should have stayed on pace through miles 8 & 9, and pushed hard at mile 10.  I possibly could have ran every mile sub-9:00, and finished with a better time.  It would also help if I learned how to do math.

via SparkPeople

Smile!: I'm making this a running goal, both in races and during my regular runs.  I try to smile as much as possible when I run (yes, to the point of looking like a crazed maniac) because it reminds me that I really do enjoy being out there torturing my body pushing my limits, and I feel that reminding myself of that makes me a better runner.  And its not just me.  Ultrarunner Krissy Moehler believes that too.

Smile!

What lessons have you learned from a race?

How do you develop your race strategies?  Through experience?  With a coach?  By the seat of your pants?

Game on!

Sorry I've been silent this week. It's been busy, plus I've been sulking since I haven't been able to run until today. It went well and I will still be running the GW Parkway Classic 10-miler tomorrow. Though the goal has now changed to "finishing without getting injured," so I will be running much slower than desired. Still, I will be so happy to be out there.

I saw a podiatrist this week and thought the appointment interesting for a slew of reasons. More on that later this week.

Right now I've got to turn in since I have to be up at 4:15. This race is kinda a logistical nightmare for us (more on this later too). I should have read the race details before signing up. That's what I get for being too eager. It will still be an adventure.

The weather is supposed to be in the low 50s, windy and rainy. I'm ready, even if I'm really not.

Race outfit.  

Water resistant jacket options: $30 or $0.25

Still Recovering

Yesterday I decided to take the day off.  Totally, completely, no workout.  Instead, I gave myself a heart attack:

Chili Mac'n'Cheese.  So bad for you.  So yum.

I ate that entire portion, and was so disgusted with myself at the end.  But it was oh so good.  I can't figure out how to rotate the image, so you'll have to rotate your computer screen.  Or your head.  That might be easier. 

I'm still hobbling around today, almost 4 days after my long run.  I'm concerned, so I've made an appointment with a podiatrist.  Hopefully this podiatrist will be better than the podiatrist that my husband went to see, who responded with incredulity to my husband's report of his recent run, "What?!  You ran seven miles?! With your feet?!??"  Ok, maybe he didn't say that last bit, but thats how my husband tells the story, and its so funny.  The podiatrist I am going to see has ran a marathon and handful of local races, plus she hiked Mt. Kilimanjaro with a broken foot.  I'm taking that to mean she's not afraid to push her boundaries, and not that she didn't know her foot was broken (despite all my husband's joking).

Hopefully this doc can tell me whats wrong.  I know what I did wrong--went too hard too soon--but I want to know what I injured, how long it will take to heal, and less importantly, if I can run my 10-mile race on Sunday.  Ok, maybe that last bit is the real reason I made an appointment...because I've already paid the fee and picked up the shirt!!!!  I don't want to DNS (do not start), but I'm bracing myself for the news that I will have to rest, rest, rest.  

And I find it so ironic that all of the podcasts I listened to today and all the blog posts I read have the same theme: Don't think you are superhuman.  Listen to your body and know when to pull back and know when to rest.  Ok, running gods!  I get it!  Please let me run again!!  

Le sigh.  Seriously though.  I do get it.  I hope I haven't done any major damage, but I am definitely taking it slower from here on out.  I recognize that I am not superhuman, even though I have the cape that suggests otherwise.  

Reality Check: Lessons Learned from a Long Run

I had an awesome run on Saturday...that actually left me feeling not so awesome.  On Saturday I ran 15.3 miles, which is the longest distance I have ever run.  My goal was 15 miles, and I'm proud that I accomplished it, and then some.  Problem is, I could barely walk after my run, and am still not comfortable on my feet more than 48 hours later.

I started feeling pain in my achilles tendon around mile 8, but nothing so bad that I had to stop.  It got progressively worse during the run, but I was determined to finish my 15 miles.  As soon as my brain registered that I had reached my goal, it sent a message to my foot saying, "Mission accomplished.  She needs to stop now," and my tendon promptly tightened and I wasn't able to run anymore.  I had to walk the mile back to my car.

It was during my return that my arches also starting hurting, particularly in my left foot.  I realized that my feet are not yet strong enough to run long distances in my minimalist shoes.  I pushed them too hard too soon, and they weren't too happy about it.  I should have iced them as soon as I got to my car, but for some reason, that important detail slipped my mind.

So is this really a bad run?  I set a personal best by running 15.3 miles, but I'm still paying for it more than two days later.  Did I do well or did I do poorly?  Was my awesome run really awesome, or not?

View of Lake N. from one of the trails

After spending a good part of yesterday trying to answer this question, I realized the answer is YES.  My run was awesome because I pushed myself farther than I ever have before, AND because this run taught me a lot.  My goal of running to become a better runner means I should really be asking the question: What did I learn from this run?  Because thats what this is all about: pushing my limits, but in a smart way.  This run provided me with great reality (aha!) moments and helpful reality checks:

Reality:  I CAN run 15 miles!  I felt great the whole time.  I was mentally engaged and loving every minute.

Reality check:  I should have given myself more time to adjust to my minimalist shoes.  I can do 10 miles, no problem, but I should have gone up to 12 miles rather than jumping immediately to 15 miles.

Perhaps I'm being punished by the running gods for my poor fashion taste?
Or for the fact that I tie my shoelaces like a 3-year old?

Reality:  I LOVE running in the morning.  Provided I can get my butt out the door, once I'm breathing that crisp, cold air, I am in total heaven.

Reality check: I am slower than I thought I would be at 10+ miles.  No big deal.  Just means I have to adjust my goal for the GW Classic 10 miler this weekend, from sub-9:00 to sub-9:15.

Reality:  I LOVE talking when running.  About everything and nothing.  I am a strong introvert, and have mastered the skill of standing awkwardly in the midst of any conversation.  I am horrible at small talk.  But get me running, and I will gab your ear off.  If no one is around, I will talk to myself.

Reality check: Transitioning from road to trail was much more challenging than I thought.  I ran the first 10 miles on paved surface and the last 5 miles on trail.  As soon as I stepped on to the trail after having been running on hard surface for almost 2 hours, my feet practically freaked out.  Every root felt super sharp (!?!), every rock felt like it was out to get me.  I think this drastic change is part of the reason why my feet hurt so much the next day.

Reality: I LOVE running and I AM a runner.

The "river" I need to "forge" on my run.  A few yards down I could just jump across,
but running across this log is so much more fun. :)

Obviously, I took yesterday off, and I will take today off from running too, focusing on core and doing yoga (or at least trying to; I am horrible at yoga).  Hopefully I can run again on Tuesday, but I'm going to play it by ear.  I really want to do well this Sunday, so if that means resting for most of the week, I will.  But at least you'll know why I'm cranky. ;)