A run, a climb and an injury

I can't remember if I mentioned this or not but I injured my groin on my 10.5 mile run on Saturday. At the time, I thought it was my groin muscle or inside thigh. I ran on Sunday anyway. Had off Mon, Tue, Wed from running, giving it time to heal. Decided that with a 5k on Saturday, and actually racing it with a friend, I decided that I needed to get at least a 5k in. Plus, it felt decent enough to try running.

So I brought everything in with me to work on Thursday. Got on the treadmill at lunch. Set the speed to 7.0 mph which is 8:34 min/mi and soon enough, at 1/4 mile my leg started to hurt. And it hurt all the way to the end. I did end up going 7.1 (8:27) for a mile from 1.13 to 2.1. I was sweating a lot so that was fun. Breathing felt OK. I didn't hurt that badly either, other than my leg, I mean. I did stick it out though. I even felt like I could speed it up but I didn't want to injure myself further for no reason.

But after the run, I was limping. All through my short walks up and down the hallway to the break room or the door. It hurt to do anything. Not so much of bringing my leg up and forward but moreso extending it back behind me. The pull of my muscle. Great. I put ice in a bad and had that on my leg for a while but then the pain started to change positions on me. Instead of the inside of my thigh, it moved to the front of it and near my hip flexor muscle. The same one giving me problems back in 2006.

Then later last night, Luke & I went rock climbing for the first time last night. He plans on going out to Arizona for a rock climbing weekend/class but has never been. I knew of this place by him called Vertical Endeavors which I always wanted to go. So off we went! Thursday is half price for ladies, by the way. :-)

I thought I might have a problem with my leg muscle and so I was a bit nervous. On top of that is the whole, "Will I actually be able to pull myself up on any of these?!" I'm not exactly the strongest person in the world arm wise.

After a short introduction of our harness, the carabiners and how to use the auto-belay feature (which means that no one had to spot us or each other), we were set to rock (hehe) and roll!

I failed miserably the first 2 times I tried going up one rock. I was about ready to give up. Luke, of course, cruised by and was actually doing quite well. Then I looked at the signs they had posted on the bottom of the wall. They had numbers on them. I took it to mean that the 5.6 was a lot easier than 5.9 or 5.10. I left that rock and tried finding a lower number. I found a 5.6. I went up it and managed to get nearly to the top! It was awesome and that boosted my confidence!

We were there for a total of just over 2 hours. Climbed on a few different walls. I realised that along with the number they were also colour coded so that can give you a route already to use, depending on how difficult you choose to go. I tried using the route but sometimes I wouldn't put my feet on the right rock which then would make me have to deviate slightly for another hand hold rock.

Towards the end, we were both complaining about our fingers strength and forearms. We could close our fist but just couldn't make a fist! It was the weirdest and strangest feeling! But we kept going with breaks here & there. I got a few videos of Luke and he got one of me.

My favourite picture from the evening:

And then there's today. My leg is hurting still. Can't tell if it's worse or the same as after run/before climbing. I plan to take it easy today & tonight and maybe my limp will go away for tomorrow morning's 5k race. I plan on taking some ibuprofen and hope that will dull the pain enough that I can race it. Luke and I originally had planned on going running in Rock Cut again on Sunday but I really don't think that my leg will hold up for a trail run. So maybe while he's running, I'll be biking? Heh. I've never done that before. It's always been people biking with me! We'll see though how my leg is after the 5k.

Man, I hate being injured. No running ALL OF NEXT WEEK. Oh wait. But I like running on Thanksgiving morning! Gives me a reason to eat myself silly that evening. OK, so maybe then. :-)

Categories: aches and pains, hip, Luke, rock climbing, video

Good news/Bad news

Good news: My Jillian Michael 30 Day Shred DVD came in today! So much for April 2nd.

Good news: I saw deer on my run today AND I had my camera with me!

Bad news: I injured myself. My thigh starting bothering me about 2 miles in. I tried adjusting my stride but it didn't help. It didn't stop me from running but when I was done with my 5.70 miles, it hurt. I'm gonna roll it out tonight. I already starting rolling it out and could feel the pain of where it originates. So because of this pain, won't be doing the first day of Shred tonight. Maybe tomorrow.

Good news: I got checked out on my run today! A guy was walking towards me with his dog. As I passed him, I waved and he was looking at my left hand. I have a gold ring on that hand but it's on the middle finger. I'm pretty sure he was looking at my hand, cause I looked at him directly in the eye and noticed his eye was looking down at my hand. Unless he was looking at my stomach/chest/groin and I mistook his glance.

Man they hide very well when they need to!

Activity Route: -- Elev. Avg: 859 ft Location: DeKalb, IL Elev. Gain: +0 ft Date: 03/26/09 Up/Downhill: [+216/-216] Time: 05:10 PM Difficulty: 2.6 / 5.0 Weather: Partly Cloudy 50 F temp; 60% humidity 50 F heat index; winds SW 10 Performance Distance: 5.70 miles Time: 0:53:37 Speed: 6.4 mph Pace: 9' 24 /mi Heart Rate: 179 bpm (Avg) Calories: 606 189 bpm (Peak) Map Elevation (ft) Pace (min/mile) Heart Rate (bpm) Splits Mile Pace (min/mile) Speed (mph) Heart Rate Elev Gain actual +/- avg actual +/- avg 1 9' 11 -0' 13 6.5 +0.1 165 +23 ft 2 9' 22 -0' 02 6.4 +0.0 175 -20 ft 3 9' 30 +0' 06 6.3 -0.1 180 -10 ft 4 9' 30 +0' 06 6.3 -0.1 183 +36 ft 5 9' 39 +0' 15 6.2 -0.2 186 +7 ft end 9' 10 -0' 14 6.5 +0.2 186 -36 ft Versus average of 9' 24 min/mile

Posted from bimactive.com

Categories: aches and pains, deer, DeKalb Nature Trail, pictures

Once A Runner by John L. Parker

Image from amazon.com

Technically this book doesn't get released until April 7. But I'm awesome so I got a copy early. :-D

I heard about this book from @SteveRunner over at Phedippations podcast last Fall while training for my marathon. He said that he has a 1st edition copy and no one will be able to pry that book out of his hands. He raved about it so much that I looked for it online. Found that it's an out-of-print book and is very expensive to buy!

Then on the next episode he had said that someone told him that a new edition was being release and it's currently available at Fleet Feet stores. Well, I knew I was heading down to St. Louis in October where the stores are much easier to get to (as opposed to here where the closest is Chicago). I went in and there were like 5 hardback copies sitting right there on the front table. I grabbed one.

I started reading it but it didn't catch on to me. I came back to DeKalb and tried reading it some more, thinking this will be GREAT motivation for me and my marathon training. Well, even after a few chapters I still didn't get it. It sat on my nightstand, not picked up for WEEKS.

During my mother's surgery, I took another book with me and read that thing while waiting; start to finish. Now THAT was a book I got into. So I knew I hadn't lost my love of reading. But I knew I wouldn't finish even half Once A Runner book in the 5 hours.

Finally, I decided that I *must* finish this book. I eventually got halfway through it and it finally started to click. Ahhh, I get it!! I'm starting to understand how he writes now; I'm starting to feel the characters; I started to see the point of the book/story. Still, I could only read a chapter a night though.

I attended a running group get-together and 2 people were talking about the book. I told them I own it and am about 75% of the way through it. They were asking me how I liked it and I hated to disappoint them but I told them that I am not liking it. They were shocked of course but it was the truth. We all have heard so many runners proclaim that this the most awesome book and OMG you MUST read it, blah blah blah. So hearing a runner say that they didn't like it, must have been something else.

But then I read a blog. And it wasn't just any blog. It was from an Editor of Runner's World Magazine. He agreed with me! Well, not me per se, but with my views of the book. I felt validated!! And some of the commenters felt the same way. One also mentioned how the book sat on their nightstand! It wasn't just me!

I did eventually finish it. And to be honest, I don't know how I feel about reading his other book Again to Carthage. I might borrow it but we'll see if I buy it. I read UltraMarathon Man by Dean Karnazes and that was a book I could get into! I'm looking forward to reading his 50/50 book one day.

But I will end with some nice things to say about it: The author did explain very accurately about the experiences of a runner and how they feel during the run, what's going on in their mind, pushing their body to the extremes, their lungs burning, muscles screaming. What should be a 4 minute fast mile took forever to read and the author wrote about each lap but that's exactly what goes on in a runner's mind. A fast run could feel like forever if your muscles are telling you to stop torturing them! There was a little bit of a love story mixed it but it was so unimportant, I wonder if it was really even needed? To answer my own question: maybe to make the characters feel more human but it was a very poorly written relationship that I felt nothing for them, together or separate.

As with everything, take my review with a grain of salt. :-)

Run Update: I did in fact run tonight but it was just 3 miles, on the treadmill at the YMCA. I heard & felt a weird pop in my right knee and then pain. I also felt this same pain in the same knee while walking in my hallway on Tuesday night. My leg actually buckled and I said outloud "What the f*ck was that?" A little worried but I'll still run Thursday and see how it goes. Nothing to get too concerned about it just yet.

Categories: aches and pains, books

Loving this weather!

Today's run was absolutely amazing!!

I didn't pack anything for a run after work at the YMCA. But when I was hearing that the temperature was 50F at 3pm, I started thinking that again I can't pass this up!

I went skiing yesterday and am sore today. I took a few spills but it's mainly my calves and my triceps that's hurting. Every time I got up from my desk today, it took a few feet before my calves would loosen up.



On the way home, I was figuring out what to wear. Got out of my car and OUCH my calves again! But decided to just suck it up and by the time I walked over to my starting point they should loosen up by then.

I went with my HeatGear Under Armour leggings instead of the thicker ColdGear ones and my Hind pants. Then my long-sleeved St. Jude marathon technical shirt and my Hind shirt. Since everything was black, I decided to go with my black Nike St. Jude hat. I didn't even wear my gloves or a headband today. I thought about bringing my cell phone or my camera but the shirt doesn't have a pocket unfortunately. I also left my iPod at home for I wanted to be complete with the weather & outdoor. I wanted to hear things and hear them I did! Lots of birds chirping and the creek was much louder with all the snow melting.

On my walk, they did loosen up and by the time I was running, I was good to go! I went my normal route and decided to try out the bike path. Everything good for a few feet then it got puddley and then it got icy! I ended up stopping and turned around before the 1 mile mark! So then I had to start thinking of how I was going to add in the extra mileage.

There was plenty of snow piled on either side of the trail and on the way back I could see hoof prints of where the local deer have walked. That was pretty cool and helped me increase my speed a little.

By the time I reached 2.25 miles, I was definitely increasing my speed. But I had to keep finding ways of adding mileage so I would run into cul-de-sacs that I saw along the way. I really took off near the end. I couldn't believe how good I was feeling.

I was feeling so good that after I stopped Phil, my Garmin, which just so happened to be at the starting point, I saw that the stoplight was green and I could cross the street so I started it again and took off running and just made it! I laughed when I stopped and thought about running the little bit home but I wanted to walk and cool down a bit. It was definitely a runner's high I got tonight!

So now I'm here, sitting on my couch and my calves I can feel are still tight. I'll pull my feet back and stretch them. Tomorrow's gonna be another warm day, 58 in the afternoon. Screw cross-training, I'm going running again!! I'm soooo taking advantage of this weather!

I also plan on doing the Wellness Fitness Screen that will test body fat percentage, blood pressure, pulse, waist girth, flexibility and lower extremity strength and balance and then suggestions will be given to me for these things. It's all free too with (free) membership to the local hospital's Wellness Club. I'm pretty excited about it! Hopefully I'll get good news on some aspects.

Activity Route: -- Elev. Avg: 865 ft Location: DeKalb, IL Elev. Gain: +0 ft Date: 02/09/09 Up/Downhill: [+101/-101] Time: 04:30 PM Difficulty: 1.9 / 5.0   Weather: Fog/Mist   48 F temp; 92% humidity   48 F heat index; winds SE 16 G 22 Performance Distance: 3.13 miles Time: 0:27:56 Speed: 6.7 mph Pace: 8' 55 /mi Heart Rate: 171 bpm (Avg) Calories: 332 185 bpm (Peak) Map   Elevation (ft)   Pace (min/mile)   Heart Rate (bpm)   Splits Mile Pace (min/mile) Speed (mph) Heart Rate Elev Gain actual +/- avg actual +/- avg 1 9' 07 +0' 12 6.6 -0.2 162 +27 ft 2 9' 12 +0' 17 6.5 -0.2 171 0 ft 3 8' 37 -0' 18 7.0 +0.2 178 -16 ft end 7' 30 -1' 25 8.0 +1.3 183 -9 ft Versus average of 8' 55 min/mile

Posted from bimactive.com

Categories: aches and pains, heat wave in winter, runner's high, wellness fitness test

Day Two & Three of Operation Fix Foot

I did my MRI on Tuesday. The nurse had me change into a pair of shorts and then I had to take off all my jewelry (belly button ring included). Then she asked where it was on my foot that hurt. I pointed it out and she put a pill taped to that area so she can line it up right. I just had to stick my foot into this tube and she stuffed sponges of different sizes around it to keep it still. Everything was fine until near the end. then I got into a coughing spell and no clearing my throat and small coughs could get rid of the nagging feeling I was having in my lungs and throat. And then my toes started to get so cold and frozen and painful. I couldn't move my toes at all in the time it took to do the MRI so the circulation started to leave my foot. She said that a STAT was put on the MRI and I should hear about the results tomorrow, if not late that night.

Well, Wednesday I didn't hear anything. And when I finally got back home from my business trip to Springfield, it was late. So I called on Thursday morning and heard the message that my doctor was not in today. I was like great, that means I won't hear back until Friday so then I won't get an appt until the week after. Well, luckily, her assistant called me back and told me the results on the phone. I didn't have a stress fracture! YAY! Good news! So I called the assistant and we set up an appt on Friday with a colleague to get fitted for orthotics and because of the rush, they should get that by next Friday. I jus couldn't wait for the appointment and get going on it!

So today I go in for the fitting and the assistant was asking me questions about what brings me in here, I tell him about the marathon training and that it's in 3 weeks. He then mentions that it takes about 3 weeks to get the orthotics back. I was like wait, hold up. There's no point in doing this then. Holly told me that it was only going to take a week and that I'll get them by next Friday. He paused and said that she should have talked it with him. I said well, could you figure this out because there's no point in even doing this if that's the case because after my marathon I plan on taking a long break which will heal the bruise. He left and I took off my shoes and socks and sat all the way back on the table so that just my feet hung off the edge.

When the assistant got back, he arrived with the doctor and the doctor said that he discussed it with my orthopedic doctor and they were putting a rush on it like they do the NIU athletic players. Then the doctor started to put the plaster on my foot. He said I have a very high arch and so he was going to lower the arch a bit and give me more support. Then he said that he could feel the metatarals joints in the ball of my foot so he'll work with that and get some relief for that. He had the assistant read the MRI report and it was all confusing but I heard the phrase no stress fracture and no muscle tearing or fluid buildup. After the plaster dried, the doctor left and the assistant pulled them off. He said that he'll get them filled and the PO on them tonight! I was happy to hear that.

The doctor said that it'll take me about 3 weeks to get used to having them in my shoe. And that i shouldn't do any long runs in them and that if I do run, only go for a few miles around 2 and if they start to hurt then I must take them out right away.

I haven't ran at all this week just because I can feel the pain even when walking and now when I'm just sitting on the couch. So I haven't run. I got 20 miles planned for this weekend. Tomorrow's supposed to be cold and overcast and snowy. So I'm going out on Sunday I think. I plan on doing 5 out and then 5 back and then 5 back out and 5 back in that way I'm only 5 miles away from my car if anything should happen.

Categories: aches and pains, ball of foot pain, feet

Day One of Operation Fix Foot

Today I went to see an orthopedic. Met with her assistant first and explained the situation. Told her all what I bought, even brought in my running shoes with the insole.

Then I got x-rays done. First one was from the side. And then the second and third one was from overhead. I stepped on the pad and the nurse said "Wow, I thought I had narrow feet until I saw yours!" She asked if it was difficult to find shoes. I said yes, but only dress shoes and then everything in those slips in the heel. She agreed and asked if I have a high arch, told her yes that I recently found out about! She was just amazed and mentioned it again as I put my socks and shoes back on.

Back to the exam room where the assistant brought up the x-rays. That's where the picture came from. I managed to sneak one in before she came back and requested that I take off both shoes and socks. While waiting for the doctor to come in my feet got very very cold though and the office had wood floors so it very comfortable.

Then the doc came in and started asking questions about my running and when the pain first started happening. Explained to her that I trained for a half marathon last year and no pain. She asked if this was my first marathon, I said yes. After all that introduction question she got right to it.

She asked if I can point out where it hurts. I said yes and showed her the bottom of my foot and pointed to the bone under my third toe in the ball area. Then she asked me to stand up. She mentioned the fact that my third toes splayed out and asked if that has been all my life. I said yes that's why I don't like showing off my feet. Then she asked me to get up and down on my tip toes a few times. I asked if I had to cause it was going to hurt, my feet are bony and this is not carpeted. She laughed and said yes you have to. So up and down I went, finally a bit of 'ow' in my right foot. She asked me to turn around so she can see my feet from the back.

Then she had me sit on the table so she can touch my feet. She grabbed them and remarked on how cold they were. I said you should feel my hands! Then she touched the top of my left foot first and said "You weren't kidding, your feet are bony!" I laughed. She grabbed the back of my ankles, the sides looking for any swelling and asked if I noticed any. I said no. Then she grabbed the toes of my left foot and pushed them back. I told her that if she did that to my right foot, it'll be painful. Then she went to the right foot and started with my ankles again to the top of the foot and then to the ball. She had her thumb on top and a finger on the ball of my foot and just started hitting all the bones. As you can see, there are a lot of bones in the foot, which I didn't know! She went to the bone and then the joint and then the bottom of the toe. She asked if I could feel any pain. Each time she went to the joint area of my third toe, it hurt but she was careful not to push on it too much luckily. So that's good. I did ask about my bone in the top of my left foot but she didn't really pay any attention to it so I'm not going to be concerned about it.

She said that the x-rays don't show a fracture and won't show a stress fracture so she wanted an MRI for me. And if the MRI didn't have a fracture either than we'll just have to go with having her colleague show me how to tape of the toe and getting some padding in the form of a custom made orthotic for my shoe. And if there is a stress fracture then no running until it heals. She did say that because of the lack of padding on my feet that is more than likely the reason for the pain. She couldn't explain the reason why it's not on my left foot. She also mentioned my 2nd and 3rd toes are pretty much the same length which usually doesn't happen. She said that if you look at my joints, you'll see that they're the same spot and usually you see a curve downward like with the other toes. She said that could be a problem as well.

I asked how soon all of this could get done because I have a 20 mile this Saturday. She said that she'll see if they have any openings for an MRI today. She came back and no they didn't but we'll get it going soon she said. So I checked out and then walked down the hall to the MRI receptionist where I made an appt for 1p tomorrow! They had one open for 9a but I didn't want to go to work and then come back to DeKalb and then back to Malta. Then she tried to make a follow up with me but she's not in on Thursday and it takes 24-48 hrs for MRI results and then she's off all of next week. I freaked! So the receptionist called the assistant and told her the plight and she said that they're going to make a "stat" on the results and then she wont' need to schedule a follow up if there's not a stress fracture but will just schedule me with Dr. York the colleague.

I'm a bit nervous about the MRI tomorrow. If it has a stress fracture then no more running. I don't know what I'll do. Tomorrow I'm also supposed to run 5 miles but I won't be doing that, I don't think. I'll be travelling to Springfield anyway and staying in a hotel. So I may bring my running clothes, just in case. Then 10 miles on Wednesday. Hopefully by then I would have heard something about it. Anyway, so we'll see what'll happen tomorrow. I'm claustrophobic but this is just my foot so no need to get in a tube. YAY!

Categories: aches and pains, ball of foot pain, feet

Anxiety and feet

Tomorrow is 18 miles. Needless to say I'm a bit nervous about this run. It's been a few weeks since I did anything that long and that was 16 back in October. I was supposed to do the 18 miles last weekend but after my half marathon and the heat, I just couldn't do it. So I'm doing 18 miles this weekend and then the following 20. That's putting a lot on my body but I need to get these miles in!

I'm putting a pile together just like I did for my 15 mile run. I'm getting my clothes, food for morning, fuel for during the run, iPod, Garmin, shoes, accessories; everything all ready to go. I don't want to forget anything or rush either.

But I do have 2 small problems of course that comes with training. My feet. I mentioned a few blogs ago that the balls of my feet are starting to bother me. Now it's specifically the right foot.

I googled "ball foot pain" and found some websites that mentioned metatarsalgia. It got to be so bad that it hurt walking on it! So after my 5 mile run on Tuesday that I went out and bought some ball-of-foot pads from Dr. Scholl's. I put it under my insole of my shoes and wore them on my 10 mile run. Well, it didn't help. Especially at 9.5 miles, I was saying the pain outloud.

So then on Wednesday night, I bought more pads and this time full foot insoles. I emailed a local runner on Wednesday night and she wrote me back with a doctor suggestion and I made an orthopeadic doctor appt that very day. Unfortunately, they couldn't get me in until Monday morning.

I didn't run on Thursday night to test it out. It was rainy and I hurt a top tendon on my left foot by not tying my shoes correctly. So I'm resting and icing that injury.

Like I said tomorrow's 18 so we'll see how things go. My tendon still hurts when I walk and have my shoes tied today. Who knows.

Eh, I give up. Training for a marathon is too much.

Categories: aches and pains, feet

Autumn on Parade 5k

I have no idea if it was the 10 mile "warm-up" yesterday, the apple cider donut I ate this morning, the 46* or the rain that was falling but everything in the Heavens lined up today and I ran a 5k PR. 25:34 (Garmin time). By only a few seconds, I now find out, but I ran it perfect today.

Apparently, I just looked at my Race Calendar and I ran the very same race, Autumn on Parade 5k in 2006 (my second race ever) in 25:36. I totally forgot about that time. I can only assume that it was also the correct mileage. Today's race was 3.05. It's funny though because it was cold that day as well. I remember clutching my iPod Shuffle in my hand and my hand being so cold that it was hard to open at the end of the run. But I do remember that run being hard and difficult. This run, not so much.

After my 7 mile run on Wednesday, I didn't exactly do a good job stretching. I sat on my couch, tried syncing my Garmin with my computer. It didn't work. Took a shower. Then sat back down on my couch, crossed legged and tried doing it again. I got up hours later from the couch and then I felt a twinge in my left calf.

I got up Thursday morning a little sore in that area. I didn't run that night because of the program I was going to. Didn't run Friday. Saturday was my 10 mile and it was tight and sore but I ran it anyway. Brent rolled it out for me last night and he said he could feel a knot. This morning, it was a little stiff and sore to walk.

We drove for the 40 minutes over to Oregon and when I got out of the car, it was stiff again. Walked to the packet pickup and it felt loosened up. Good. Back to the car to stay warm. In DeKalb it was supposed to start raining around 9a and since we went West, we were sure that we were going to get it before that. Come to find out that the race started at 8:30a NOT 8a like I thought. Whoops. That's what I get for not reading the signup email!

Got to the start at 8:15a and spent the next 15 minutes trying to hear what the announcers were saying and eventually stopped caring when their speakers gave out. Instead I just curled up next to Brent's chest to stay warm. I wore lined cotton running shorts, a short sleeved shirt and gloves. I was glad for the gloves. Brent wished that he would have brought his with after all.

It had started raining as we were walking up the start. Brent wished, and I agreed, that the race would have started at 8a after all, then we could have missed out on the rain. It ended up raining the entire race. This is the 3rd year for it and the 3rd time I ran it. So pretty cool. But they changed up the entire route this year. We started at the normal place but went further into town so that was cool running through the tents of the crafters and seeing their smiling faces and waving at us. Then we went the opposite direction of the way we've gone other years. Then the finish was the best part of it, around the high school track!

Brent and I stayed together for a little bit of the first mile but then he dropped back and I said to him, remember to walk if you need to. He hasn't run a mile since August 27th when he hurt his back!! 1st mile was in 8:28. I didn't know I was moving that fast. I was like whoops! Then second mile split was 8:36. OK, so now I'm slowing down but that's still really fast for me. That's when I came across "the girl." I saw her walking as we were going up a hill. After I passed her, she started running again and zoomed past me. Then we passed the 2 mile time guy and she was flailing so I told her just a mile left. She ended up staying behind me. I passed a guy and told him just a half mile left. He was flailing as well. He at least thanked me for letting him know. I was still breathing OK at this time. The third mile split was 8:10.

Then we came across a 45 degree turn along a chainlink fence. This girl comes sprinting up behind me and passes me on the left on the inside corner of the turn and then zooms to the outside to the right cause she was going too fast. RIGHT IN FRONT OF ME! I nearly trip over her feet and my own! Then she stops suddenly when the triangle carnival flags end. As I passed her, I said the race isn't done. I probably shouldn't have for then she started running again, cut in front of me so that she was on the left. But it didn't last long. She was slowing down again. The next turn was pretty tight. It was a 90 degree turn and since it had been raining that day, it was slippery. So what did I do? I didn't slow down, said "Passing on your right" and then I grabbed the chainlink fence for help making the turn. I never saw her again. She didn't have any kick left in her, I guess. Then out on the track for a half lap. It was great. I looked at my watch and it said 24:33 and I said wow, could I do this in under 25 minutes?! But I crossed the line at 25:38 (took me about 4 seconds to cross the line) I'm sure that if it would have been a sunnier day then there would be more people in the grandstands.

After I crossed the line, I stayed on the track looking for Brent to come around the corner and there he was! So as he entered in the track, I ran with him. He was doing great!! I was so proud of him. And then he turned on the afterburners! I totally couldn't even keep up with him with that speed! Wow! I yelled to him, I see fire under your feet! :-) Then I showed him my time. He was pretty impressed. So was I!

We walked by a physical therapy people and I asked for a massage. Said that they don't do massages. So then I told him about my calf muscle and he said that he'll take a look at it. He sprayed some BioFreeze on my calf and started rubbing it out. He wasn't going at it all that hard though. He had me flip over, lifted up my leg and bent my ankle and I could feel the stretch in the calf. He said that it's probably going to be sore for a while. So I think I'm going to take off running until Wednesday now.

Brent won a raffle though. They pulled his number for the #1 spot and he won $100 to Runner's Image in Rockford for 1 pair of Nike shoes. How cool is that?! He says he never wins anything but he did today. Two years ago I won a $20 RoadID gift certificate. Problem is that he won't be back up here before the end of the year when it expires so he gave this certificate to me. I may just turn around and buy him a pair of shoes instead! I'm hoping that I can just use it for something else.

The first year, 2006, I came in 3rd place with a time of 25:36. I was pretty stoked about that. This year, 2008, 25:34 and NO MEDAL! Geez... Every race I've been in has just been getting bigger and bigger so it's harder and harder for me to medal now! We stayed for the awards cause Brent was sure that I had medaled. Actually me too! But I guess not. That was pretty disappointing for sure. Maybe it's because I'm now 28 and the 25 year olds are beating me. Guess I'll just have to wait until I hit 30 and then I'll be able to beat the 34 year olds. :-)

So all in all, it was a great race. I can't wait to see the results online to see the final times and where the 3rd place 25-29 female was at in relation to me. I'm going to be highly disappointed if I came in 4th by 10 seconds or so! I swear, the other races I've been in, that top three is usually in the 24 and 25's for a 5k. Guess today was a totally different story.

Brent & I came back home to take a nap for an hour and then he rolled me out again. Only this time it was both calves that was sore. I'm thinking my right calf was trying to make up for my left calf's weakness. So icing it will be tonight! Brent left an hour and a half ago. So Saturday is my 15 mile run and I'll be doing that alone. Shall be interesting! And I swear, no running until Wednesday!

Here's the link to my Garmin stats.

Activity Route: -- Elev. Avg: 709 ft Location: Oregon, IL Elev. Gain: -6 ft Date: 10/05/08 Up/Downhill: [+85/-91] Time: 08:33 AM Difficulty: 1.8 / 5.0 Performance Distance: 3.05 miles Time: 0:25:34 Speed: 7.2 mph Pace: 8' 23 /mi Calories: 311 Map Elevation (ft) Pace (min/mile) Splits Mile Pace (min/mile) Speed (mph) Elevation Gain actual +/- avg actual +/- avg 1 8' 27 +0' 04 7.1 -0.1 -3 ft 2 8' 35 +0' 12 7.0 -0.2 +16 ft 3 8' 08 -0' 15 7.4 +0.2 -17 ft end 7' 05 -1' 18 8.5 +1.3 -3 ft Versus average of 8' 23 min/mile

Posted from bimactive.com

Categories: aches and pains, Autumn On Parade 5k, Brent

Old vs heat?

So I was talking to someone about my race on Sunday and the heat. He had mentioned that he knew someone that ran the marathon and this guy didn't finish. I started explaining that even in my race it was tough but only a 5k, 3 miles. He said "So that's what about 18 minutes?" I scoffed and said "Not for me!" and told him about my finish time compared to last years. His first response: "So you're just getting old now?" or something to that effect. Ouch. Didn't he think that it was because of the heat? That maybe running between 80 and 84 with only one water station on the course might hinder someone's time?

I'm now really doubting that time now. But I doubt that's the case though. There was a 60+ lady who beat my time! And plenty of other woman who beat my time. They're all older. I'm not a speed demon, never was. Thus why I never went to Sectional (though I was 2 spots away from doing so) in cross country in high school. I'm not in it to finish fast but to finish. And I'm pretty impressed with my times! Not once have I gone under 30 minutes for a 5k and an hour for a 10k. DAMNIT, I'm not getting old!

I have a race on Saturday. It'll be cooler. Unfortunately, it has hills so I read. That'll be interesting. It's been a while since I've done those. We'll see what my time is for that race. However, I'll have nothing to compare it too.

I didn't run tonight because of sore calves. Both of them. I think it might be from the dehydration and the extra push I had to give yesterday. I have to run a couple times this week though to keep in shape for the race. Though I just got an email from Runner's World that says: The first cool days of fall, or your first 5-K, can produce a run faster than you did all summer--and sore legs the next day. A mild ache in your thighs or calves is a normal result of pushing muscles past what they're used to. Your instinct might be to take the day off, but research shows that getting blood moving through the muscles helps speed up healing. And that's exactly what I should have gotten this morning!!

Categories: aches and pains, heat

running milestone

Ran 5 miles tonight. First time for that. Felt awesome, wasn't breathing hard or anything. In 45:45 min too. So another 1.2 miles and I'll have the Pumpkinfest race.

Tomorrow I have a Physical Therapist appointment for my hip. We'll see what they have to say about it.

I got this on one of my Gmail's web clips. Liquid Pole. Too funny.

I found my power song on shuffle today. Once I hit that song, man, I wasn't tired anymore. My feet pounded with the beat. I need a running playlist. I just don't know what songs to put in it. Plus, I don't think that the Shuffle can have a playlist though. Only Nano's and iPods.

Next Monday and Tuesday I'm running outside again. Gonna be gorgeous or so I hear.

So another little blip in the dating life of Lindsay. I've determined that future prospects will NOT meet my family but now they also won't meet my friends. This is because most men I find are intimidated by the fact that I only have men as friends. They don't understand that a boyfriend is completely different a boy space friend. So it looks like I either A) get rid of all my friends so I can have a boyfriend B) get a girlfriend here and there or C) find some guy that has big enough stones that will deal with the fact that I have male best friends. Oh what the hell, we all know that C will never happen. So they won't meet my friends now. The things I have to do to find love. Dang! Oh and while some may be laughing at yet another failed attempt for Lindsay, that's okay. Because I'd rather have a thousand failed attempts at a relationship and then have a perfect one than have one like last time. And anyway, I STILL can't trust men. It's gonna take me a long time to heal, I'll tell you what.

Categories: 5 miles, aches and pains, dating

Farkers rock!

I totally kicked arse on swimming tonight. Rob gave me his googles and sure enough, they helped so much! I managed to do 4 laps in a row and then a quick breather and then started up again. Towards the end I even managed to change the way I was putting my head back in the water and it helped even more, so at the end of my 40 minutes, I was still doing laps in a row even though I was tired and totally out of breath. I also did 4 laps of arm exercises or whatever and 6 laps of just kicking.

I bought a new bike on Tuesday. It's a Trek 4300, a mountain bike. Weird thing is that it's a men's bike. Once I found that out I was like um, but I'm a girl? Tobie said that I would be too big for a Women's 18" and my knees would be hitting the handlebars. It feels weird to think of the fact that I'm riding a man's. I mean, I'm already guy-ish enough, do I really have to ride a guys bike too? I took it for a spin that night and went 9.5 miles. How do I know that? I bought an odometer that same night. Pain in the ass to install it though. But also very exciting! Since I plan on doing RAGBRAI next year, I bought better tires for road biking that will fit that frame. Now just need a good pair of padded shorts. My ass hurt after a Sunday ride and then a Tuesday ride!

I might be getting runner's knee again in my right knee. During my ride on Sunday, I felt it getting painful. Then on Monday, even while walking it hurt. Of course I ran that night but then iced my knee down. Then today I noticed that my right hip was hurting too (the same one in which was causing my problems last year) and I was limping. Once I took advil everything was fine but that's just a quick fix, not a permanent solution. Only solution is 6 weeks off with NO EXERCISE, not even swimming! Then once that 6 weeks is done, then I can start with swimming, go to biking and later treadmill. We'll see what I do with only 3 days of running though which is what my half marathon regimem

I have a new running partner. Well, kinda. Some guy I work with said that he wants to go rollerblading with me while I run. I told him that my long runs are on Saturday morning around 9a. He said call me this Saturday. Should be interesting! Then another friend said that he can bike with me while I run. It's so good to hear that people are at least interested in doing this with me, even if they don't follow through, at least they're asking about it! I warned them that I'm not incredibly fast; I don't want to be. I just want to get things done.

I was going to take my new mountain bike for a spin in Rock Cut yesterday but that got cancelled. Did do my speed work that morning at the Sycamore High School track but ended up doing it at 11am. Not the smartest idea with the 76% humidity we had that day. First speedwork ever was a complete bust. Completed 1 mile warmup and then 1 mile of my 2 mile workout at 8:17/mi with 1/2 mile jogs between. I hate speed workouts. Tempo runs I can do just not speed. I'm not fast.

So today while I was getting dressed after my swim, I wondered if I should go a triathalon. Jack thinks I should. Not a full one but a version called sprint. Swim 1/2 mile; bike 13 miles; run 3.1 miles. I'm reading a blog on our sister paper, Quad Cities Times, by a woman that is training for her Sprint Tri. She's 33 and has 2 kids. Apparently most women complete their first tri in their 30's. So here's my new set of goals. Halfmarathon this year; Marathon by the time I'm 30; Sprint Tri by the time I'm 33. They have a Sprint Tri in Naperville but I'm sure that's HUGE. I want to do one that's a bit smaller; like the one out in Iowa (the one that this lady is doing). But I'm waiting until then to figure out how the heck do I train for something like that... swimming and then biking? The transistions?!

Speaking of hurt, I think I figured out why I'm pushing myself to all these challenges but that will be saved for another blog when I get sentimental and detrimental to my pysche.

Categories: aches and pains, biking, friends, goals, speed work, sprint tri, swimming, triathlon

running

It's been a week since I've started running. Still no sign of pain. *shrug* maybe it's fixed? Or maybe I haven't run enough since I didn't get any pain in my hip until late summer when I've been running for a few months. The good news? I lost more than a pound in the past week! Booya!

Oh and did you know that after 400 miles you're supposed to buy new shoes? I had heard that somewhere but just passed it off, thinking I'll let my feet/body tell me when. But I'm sure that I've gone 400 miles by now, right? I think it's time to add up the mileage in my calendar to find out!

Categories: aches and pains, shoes

the start of it all again

So it's the 2nd of January 2007. Day to make good on those New Years Resolutions one puts forth. Mine: To get back to running. While it's not so much of a resolution but a mindset. I've been lazy and scared (mainly the latter with the whole hip problem).

So with that in mind, today I started running again. 2 miles. It was supposed to be an easy "conversational" pace but unfortunately, me in my infinite wisdom and stubborness, I went faster than I ever have on a treadmill. I wanted and totally MISSED that feeling. I did an 8:34mile (7mph) for half mile and then the last tenth of a mile. Yea, not the greatest idea I've ever had but it worked. In that I did work up a sweat and was out of breath. Defintley took me more than my half mile cool down to actually catch my breath again.

The Wellness Centre was EXTREMELY FULL. I had to WAIT to get on the treadmill. NOT COOL. And I was even late getting there. I wanted to hit it up at 5pm but Hank needed my help (poor me haha) so I got into the gym at 5:50p and had to wait until 6pm and could only have it for half hour. Luckily, I knew I could get it done today in half hour but what about once I start doing my 5 miles treks? That takes me an hour!! Hopefully by then, the NY Resolution people will give up, go home, get fat and disappointed in their failure once again. And anyway, once the 6/6:15pm time came, all but three treadmills out of 9 in the back row were empty. So after 6pm is when to go. Unforunately, Bob wants to work out with me so I gotta go when he goes. Otherwise I would probably run at 8/9pm again.

My goals are to run in four 10ks and as many as one 5k a month. So far from what I've put together this is my schedule with many more to be added to later.
Schedule grabbed from Running In The USA
Springout 5k - March 10th - Herrin, IL
Southern Illinois 10k - March 31st - Marion, IL (may not be ready for a 6 mile race by then)
NCO Spring Ahead 5k - April 15 - Naperville, IL
OSF Heritage Run 10k - April - Rockford, IL
Herrinfest 10k - May 28th - Herrin, IL (will DEFINTELY be ready by then!)
"Sweetness" 8k Run (Walter and Connie Payton Foundation) - June - Yorkville, IL
JULY OFF (figured it'd be too hot to run even at 8am)
Corn Fest 10k - August 25th - DeKalb, IL
OTW 5k - September 1st - Rockford, IL
Pumpkinfest 10k - October 28th - Sycamore, IL
Women Together 5k - November 12th - Carbondale, IL

Now, what I really should be doing is taking up a collection for all these races! HAHA! But looking at them, I'm really surprised at the number of them are in SoIL. I think it's cause I know my family will get out there and support me, which is more than what my friends did here with my races. Especially with the Herrinfest 10k one. My father will be up camping that weekend as well (it's Memorial Day) so I want ALL my family out, even my Mum and Dad! That'll be most awesome! But of course they won't - well, Dad will come out and support me. Mother won't, I believe but she'll be there for the race on the 10th of March for John and I! :-) SOOOO EXCITED!!

And now to go stretch a bit while watching the FedEx Orange Bowl (GO LOUISVILLE!!) cause I'm sore already...


OOOOOH, did I mention that now Wes is starting to run again because I told him today that I was going to run? Yea... "Hearing that you are going to be running tonight too is kind of motivating for some reason, so now i will try to run tonight too." WHATTA LOSER! Always gotta be competing with me!!!!!!!!

Categories: aches and pains, friends, hip, races, YMCA

bad or good?

I'm nervous as all hell about tomorrow for some odd reason. My hip, the length, Wes, my knees, the weather (it's supposed to be windy tomorrow) and then the parade later on. Still no walker to this point. But anyway, I'm nervous. I realise that it's like 650 people in this race (much more than anything I've ever done before) so I'm not expecting a medal this time around but just getting under an hour would be good. I'm really scared for the pain that I'll encounter tomorrow. I may take Monday off work. Oh wait, can't. We're moving our furniture that day and getting new stuff on Tuesday morning. Craps. Craps craps. Wish me luck. I'm gonna need it. Wes is still running and wearing jeans and doing it hungover. Just like last year. All I can say is that if I don't beat him, I'm done running. For good.

Categories: aches and pains, Pumpkinfest 10k, races

randomness again

Ever since I found out that I have a leg shorter than the other, I feel like this FREAK. Even though it's only a little bit, it's making me feel somewhat down. I'm not working out tonight. Just don't feel like it. I won't on Wednesday or Thursday either (I'll be with my dad). I hope that by Friday I'll be back to my old self.

Categories: aches and pains

running problems

i fucked up my right flexor last night while running. i was running when my hip was hurting, even in the first mile. wasn't very smart eh? i was limping all day today. so i left work early, in that i left work a half hour after i should have, not doing tribute to heroes stuff tonight and going to lie down on the couch and ice my hip. i stretched it but it didn't help. still hurts when i stand on it. glad that i have a physical thearpy appointment tomorrow morning. i have a race on sunday to run in!! eep. :-/

Categories: aches and pains, hip

nano speak

Days back from vacation are my favourite. everyone asks you how your week was. but they don't really expect you to go into details about it. they just want to hear that it's fine and then move on. so all day today that's what i've been saying.

I took my bike down to North Central Cyclery. best. Bike Shop. EVER! Wow. I'm impressed. I took it down there at 1pm. They called me at 3pm saying that it's ready. Sweet! It was a pretty penny but i got new tires and new brake pads and they spiffed it up. I also hate my bike rack. I have to use bungee cords to secure my bike to the rack. It sucks. hardc0re. So they had one for $119 but that's way out of my price range but it's nifty looking. So called up Dad and he said to look at CostCo and sure enough they had one in my price range! When he's comes up next month, he'll bring it up. sweet.

But this weekend i've got to use the old one. If things are still looking this weatherific then I'll be going to Rock Cut for some biking! I'm totally stoked about that! I can't wait to get out on the trails. I haven't been on a bike in years so i know that I'll be sore. Gotta be careful cause of my next race is coming up soon.

Speaking of race, so while i was down south, i didn't do *much* running as you all know. But today, i ran outside on the Kishwaukee Kiwanis Path in Hopkins Park and ran for 35 minutes with only 10 minutes of walking. Pretty damn good. Unfortunately, i have no idea how long i ran for. I want my NANO! My hip hurt aftewards but that's why i have written on my hand to call Northern Rehab. But I think it was the weather that was throwing me off down there. Which means, anything 70 degrees and above, I die.

So speaking of Nano's, remember how I wanted a Nano? Well, my dad (at my brother's suggestion) bought an iBook. yea yea, i hear it now, anyway... his Toshiba laptop kept giving him a BSOD and it's like well, duh! PEBKAC error, but anyway, i digress. so with this iBook, he also got a Nano. Yes, that's what i'm thinking! I found out once I got down there, John showed me ASAP. So I kept talking about the Nike+ thing and finally showed John a video about it. he said it's pretty cool. Duh. That's what I want one. Dad actually did offer me his nano for my shuffle but I don't want it just because he felt sorry or whatnot cause then I would feel like I got a better deal out of it, which I would have. Anyway, we all know that he'll never use his Nano and I use my shuffle now all the time when running. Heck even the ear buds stay in and everything. I didn't think they would.

Have I mentioned a Nano yet? Wes says I'm brainwashed like the rest of the Apple people. No. I just want the Nano for the Nike Plus thing. ;-)

Categories: aches and pains, biking, hip, nike+

runner's knee

i have diagnosed myself with runner's knee(s). so i'm off this week from running. supposedly I should take off a few weeks but screw that. I'm the type that will run until my body breaks. i'm stupid like that though. haha. So I went into MC Sports to buy knee bands and I see a friend in there who also runs. I talked to him about my problems and he thinks it could be my shoes. I hope so, cause getting this after only a mile and a half is not cool with me. So this weekend I'm buying new shoes, expensive shoes, good ones that will help me I hope!

Categories: aches and pains, runner's knee, shoes

pain

Today I'm taking off all together from any sort of workout. I just had Thursday off but Wednesday will be my new day off. Yesterday I ran outside. Today's the day to actually do it cause it's B-E-A-UTIFUL out there. But a friend of mine told me his route and he said it's .8 miles so I ran that plus around my block. I forgot how runny your nose can get or how cold your ears will get and hurt afterwards. So I have no times to tell ya. Today, my knees hurt. Pain it comes with the terriority.

Categories: aches and pains, runner's knee

running

is there anything else going on in my life besides that?

I think my body is breaking down. I don't remember my joints hurting after running. I sat for three hours tonight, I got up and started walking and my knees, both of them, started hurting! DAMN. then during lunch I realised that my left hip hurt when I stood on my left leg. I couldn't quite pinpoint the pain I was feeling. Not cool. Yes I know that it was 10 years ago I was a lot younger but c'mon, I'm still young right?

Tonight's figures are:
1 mile: 8:44 (first lap in :46) (last lap in :44)
1/2 mile: 4:00 even (last lap in :44)

I must admit I was a little dying after the mile today. Especially once I started running and my hips were going creak creak creak. But they got oiled up after a lap or two. I think I need to stretch more. But once I get in there I just wanna go. I don't even wanna do the walking laps anymore. But I still do.

After I was done, i was walking through the hallway and past a guy talking to someone else about races. I heard the guy (he was a teacher at the Y, does cycling classes) that was talking about his goal this year is to finish a 10k in 36 minutes. That a little under 6 minutes a mile. DO WHAT?!?! "Since I'm not doing a tri[athlon] I decided that should be my goal." Boy, did I get a case of the "Can I's?" and "Will I's?" after hearing that. I mean, seriously, the race is one month from tomorrow. Will I seriously be up to shape to do a 3.1 mile race in one go?? I feel like I need to "kick it up a notch" (sorry watching Emeril) in order to reach my goal.

Categories: aches and pains, hip, runner's knee, Y track