Hope Inspires Strength

It has been nearly 4 weeks since my last long run! I miss running! More importantly I feel lost and without a purpose. I have little engery these days and my motivataion is low. I feed off my friends and collegues who are running and training for races this spring! And to my best ability, try to remain hopeful that I will join them on the roads soon. Half of me believes that I still have time to train for Bayshore. The other half of me (perhaps the more realistic half) realizes that each passing week, only means the remaining training is going to be that much tougher, if not nearly impossible. But...I'm not ready to give up! Honestly, my goal when I started training for Bayshore was to finsih the race. I think this is ALWAYS a respectable goal! Of course, deep inside you long to finsih within a certain time....that desire is quickly passing. ALL I WANT IS TO RUN THE RACE!!!!!

Some days are better then others. Some days, I don't notice any nagging pain or burning in my knee. Other days, the only way I can walk is with the help of Motrin or Aleve. Today, with the helpful nagging and encouragement of my wonderful husband, I made it out the door and into the gym. I logged yet another hour on the elliptical, burning yet another 1100 calories! Though this is the only number that makes me happy or gives me any sense of accomplishment, I do hope that the time I put into cross training will make me that much more stronger for the days ahead when I begin running again! I worry about my cardiovascular health and strength and of course my legs, too. I don't have time to ease back into training. Nor do I have time in my training schedule to have another set back! I have to hit the road full strength and even advance my schedule a bit, to ensure I'm getting in the miles I need!

If there is a positive in this set back, it is the recognition that cross training should not be taken lightly. Cross training, stretching, good nutrition and hydration is vital to a successful training regimen! The flexibility I once enjoyed in my youth is not the flexibility I now enjoy. Perhaps if someone told me that years ago, I would have listened (or not)! I look forward to testing my knee in the coming days. Maybe we will meet on the road in passing! This is a hope I hold onto tightly!

Until our next run......!

You are my Sunshine

What a beautiful day! Though the sun deceives the actual temperture outside, it is a welcome sight for sore eyes! As much as I would've love to been outside for a run, I was stuck inside on my new found friend the elliptical. Logging yet another hour, I managed to burn over 1000 calories! I would say that was a GREAT workout! With that said, I would still rather be running. Patience, I know! My knee is feeling better. I am hopeful that I can test my knee in a week or two....just in time for spring to arrive!

Until our next run......

Optimism, Realization and Rehab

This past week has left me phyiscally sore, mentally fatigued and emotionally weathered. I successfully ran 3 miles on Tuesday. But then quickly realized that my knee is far from better. A day of rest on Wednesday, left me a glimmer of hope that I could run on Thursday. Hopping on a treadmill, next to my husband, I slowly increased the speed to 5 mph. I quickly felt me knee revolt, but I was determined to try to make it work. It didn't take long before I realized that pushing myself any further only put me at greater risk of injuring myself more. I slowed to a brisk walk. Pain radiated on the inside of me knee, followed by the burning warmth, like something is ripping inside. Again, my keen sense of stubborned determination pushed me to try to run again. Who was I kidding!? I reluctantly gave up. I felt defeated and disappointed. Perhaps a successful and painless run on Tuesday set me up. I finished my workout on the elliptical, which only added more defeat (We all know how I feel about the elliptical machine.)

Determination and hope is all I have as I rehab through this injury. Hopeful that I will be able to run soon and determined not to miss this marathon. I have been obessed with trying to find a equal...a subsitute for running. Unfortunately, there is no good substitute for running. However, to my surprise, elliptical training has been used by many elite athletes during rehab, while training for a marathon. This was reinforced by my running "coach", as well.

On Saturday, I wanted so badly to run with my group. I settled for meeting my team in the morning, and streched as they warmed up. I returned to the gym, as they all braved the bitter cold for their run, and jumped on the ellipical, where I logged 1 hour of "running" on the elliptical. I'm still doing research on the best way to use the elliptical so that what I worked so hard to gain is not lost. If the equation is true.....how to equate milage running to time spent on a treadmill, I will be living on an elliptical. Good grief! The idea of "loving to hate and hate to love" is the best way to describe my new relationship with the elliptical. The next few weeks, my milage or time will be logged on this new found friend. I only hope as the new snow, that we are currently getting, melts and signs of spring appear, I will be logging miles outside....running!

Until our next run, no matter how the miles are logged......

The Agony of Defeat

Since my last post, I have battled with an old injury. It's the same knee and the same injury that I rehabbed for 3 months, a year ago. I can honestly say that I have seen my future flash before my eyes and the hope to successfully train and run Bayshore Marathon consumes my thoughts. In retrosect, I should have taken stretching and strength training more seriously. Though, as I am sure many of you have, I struggle with time constraints and a balance between getting my milage in and strength training. A few years ago, streching and strength was not much of an issue. But I am several years older and so is my body! I forget that sometimes! Over a week has gone by and no improvement, let alone milage logged. I am stretching and icing and popping ibuprofen or aleve, like its candy, everyday. I tested my knee on Thursday, but still no positive signs that I am ready to pound the pavement. Instead, I settled for the elliptical machine (3 miles)...not my favorite piece of equipment to log miles on, but at least its a workout...time on my feet. I feel my body soften and my spirits weaken. Though I try to look at this as just a minor setback, I cannot help to think of the time I am losing and the milage and improvement I had seen up to this point. You work hard, suffer sore muscles and aching legs....yet when you complete a run and journal your accomplishments...its all worth it! The idea of even taking one small step backwards seems like a huge one, especially to those of us who running does not come easy! For me....losing time means that much more time getting back what I lost and not gaining for the future.

On a positive note...I am smarter and wiser. Though it's hard to admit that I have more patience, because I don't.....I'm anxious to get up and running, I will admit that I know there is no easy resolution and time will heal! TIME WILL HEAL!!!!!!!! Maybe this will become my new mantra for awhile. Thank you to those of you who are following and supporting me! Your prayers and thought mean a great deal....and honestly keep me hoping and not falling apart! I know I am crazy for putting my body through all this again....but I need this run! I need this race! I need this....period!

Until our next run (no matter how the milage is logged).........

MILEstones!

The "Blizzard of 2011" handed me yet another obstacle.....no school! Which equates to no school for my daughter! The wind chill complicated things a bit too. Below zero didn't seem all that appealing either! So off to the gym M and I went. Thank God for MVP and Kids Stuff! The girls that staff Kids Stuff rock! M is always ready and excited when I say its time to go to the gym! It says a lot when, not only is she excited to go, but when you walk in they welcome her by name!!!!!!! They see hundreds of kids and yet.....M is not a number or another kid....she is a child they know and love!!!!! Thanks girls!!!!! You give mom's one less thing to worry about!

Now with a place for M to play...off I went to roll out the knots in my legs. If there is one lesson that you can learn from me.....take the time to stretch!!!!!!! Don't start a run on tight, cold legs. It only sets you up for potential injuries. One year ago, I found myself sidelined just as I was feeling good about running again. Four months of rehab=no 25k! Instead....I ran the 10k. Please don't take offense to this.....I didn't settle....it's not like a 10k is beneath me....I had my sights set on the 25k....the first big race since M was born. And an injury, because I DIDN'T listen to my body, quickly erased that goal! Fast forward 8 months to a year later, and here I am.....healthier, smarter, leaner and more determined then ever!

I found a treadmill and found ESPN on the TV embedded in it! I love watching ESPN when I run.....maybe because its the inspiration...watching atheletes compete! My "good" knee is sore....a bit swollen...think I twisted it while shoveling snow! Started out slow...finding myself barely into a jog when I decided to stop and stretch again......still tender, I decided to give it a try...hoping it would loosen up after a few minutes. Luckily...it did! The treadmill is not my favorite place to run lots of miles....but it worked. I required a few walking breaks....not anything I wouldn't do on race day....but I did get bored! Nature...outside...the best distraction in the world. Today, I had the distraction of watching biking girl (she has a great body...too bad she probably knows that) doing streching and yoga moves at her bike (right in my line of view)...NOT my idea of a pleasant distraction....in fact.....it was down right irritating! Then next to her was an older woman on a ski elliptical machine who looked like a Parkinson's patient gone wrong!!!!!!! Then next to me, at one point, was a young girl who was talking on her cell phone and texting! Come on!!!!! Enough of my ranting...but let us not forget why we go to the gym! That's all! Despite the awful distractions....I managed...though not pretty....to run 10 miles!!!!!! The last 2 miles were painful. I lost my focus....my body ached......my legs were trying to give up.....but my determination pulled me through! A few extra, brief walking rests conserved enough focus to finish my goal distance! Boy am I glad that's over with!!!!

Recovery after a long run is extremely important!!!!!! Stretch, rest and refuel all adds up to a faster and more efficient recovery for your next run! I believe in post workout drinks that give you a balance of carbs and protein. Your recovery and your body's attempt to heal start IMMEDIANTLY!!!! A post workout beverage gives your body what it needs and allows you to focus on celeberation and stretching without worrying about getting a meal in your stomach! Did you know that consumption of a balanced recovery meal/drink is most important within one hour of your activity ending? Your body wants and needs fuel!!!!! And it will take it where ever it can find it.....this means from your muscles!!!!!! Not the place you want your body taking fuel from! I use and believe in Endurox R4 and Accelerade! It is a scientifically proven ratio of carbs and protein that aid in refueling your body. Ok...I agree....it doesn't taste great...but it is better tasting then other protien based drinks I have tried. I even find myself craving them during a long run! Does that tell you something?! As with any gel or post recovery diet, please do your own research...talk with your doctor if you have health issues or conditions before using or trying. With anything....don't decide to try these the week or day of a race! Bad time to experiment! Do some research too. Some of your longer races, 1/2 marathons, full marathons, iron mans, etc....provide some type of refueling or post refuel as part of the race's support. If you plan on using what the race provides, use the same brand/type as part of your training. Your tummy will thank you! And...if you find that a particular refuel upsets your stomach....you're in luck....there are lots of refueling options out there. Try a different brand! If you are looking for more information about refueling or post recovery fueling/recovery....check out Runner's World. Or...ask a trainer or your running buddies. See what they use or what their thoughts are about gels/drinks. Until our next run.....!

Snowed In!

My husband and I managed to make it to the gym last night, before the storm hit! Glad we did, because the world has stopped since the storm! Ran 4 miles with very little difficulty. Could have been the rockstar I drank before going to the gym. Needed the extra pick me up. Nonetheless.....the miles are logged and now I am enjoying a day off before my planned long run for tomorrow. I did get a little workout...playing outside with my daughter and shoveling snow out of the driveway compliments of the snowplows that put it there! :( Hoping for better road conditions, otherwise my miles will be logged on a treadmill. At least I can try to simulate outside terrain using the incline....that is if I remember to or can bring myself to self inflict pain upon myself! But for now.....a well deserved nap is in order or maybe a cup of sinfully rich and comforting hot chocolate!? Until our next run......