20,000 Leagues of Running (comments welcome)

[col1]

I hurt myself again

This time it was NOT running related, I swear. I went upstairs to get a cup of coffee and slipped coming back down the stairs, crashing my lower back into the bottom step. Grrr! It's not broken thankfully. I just have a deep muscle contusion (internal bruise) that hurts like a I was so excited that there was no break I forgot to ask the urgent care doc when I could go back to running, so I'm taking it easy for a few more days.

It's starting to feel a bit better and I've taken some 2 mile walks (not over doing it, just walking!). Hopefully I can get back on track in another week or so.

Why does this always happen to me?!

Sorry to hear that, glad you are feeling a bit better.

 

[superchime]

Dude! Be careful! I'm so glad it's not broken, but back pain is no fun. I hope you're feeling better now and back to running soon.

 

[Scootin'By]

Dude! Be careful! I'm so glad it's not broken, but back pain is no fun. I hope you're feeling better now and back to running soon.

I am feeling better actually!

It was a beautiful Sunday morning that I decided to see if I could go for a short run. The answer was yes! I managed three miles around the track. I think that the rubbery bounce of the track helped out, but I didn't feel any pain in my back. I did start to feel a bit pain in my hip after about 2.5 miles. I walked more often and that seemed to help. So yay I'm back on track... ish.

The plan for this week is to get two maintenance runs in and and then at least 4 mile on the weekend. We'll see.

Countdown to half marathon = 17 weeks.

 

[Scootin'By]

I had an okay week last week. I only managed one maintenance run, but I kind of figure with rehabbing the injury that might be okay. My long run was a bit of a slog, but I managed it. It was cool the day before and the day after my long run, I just managed to pick THE HOTTEST day of the week. Ugh. I am ready for Fall to really settle in.

No pain in either the back or the hip during this long run, so I'm taking that as good sign. I need to throw in some more stretching, but I just can't find the motivation right now (today's a blue day ).

I did meet with a dietician last week, which was great! I've never met with one before and I felt really heard. We're not focusing on my running fueling yet, that's October. September is just focused on getting more protein and leveling off my calorie balance. So far so good!

Last Week
Wed - 3.5 miles easy
Sat - 4.2 miles rough LOL
Sun - Archery training

This week is not off to a great start, but I'm really going to try to get two maintenance runs in, even if it's just for 30 minutes.

Countdown to half marathon = 16 weeks.

 

[superchime]

Sun - Archery training

Excuse me, what? This sounds cool!

Glad your back and hip are giving you a break. And I am also SO ready for real fall weather!

 

[Scootin'By]

Excuse me, what? This sounds cool!

I'm a Girl Scout leader and our Service Unit was hosting a fall training blitz so I got certified to basically supervise troops on an archery range. I'm now officially an Archery Range Master! LOL

 

[jmasgat]

I'm a Girl Scout leader and our Service Unit was hosting a fall training blitz so I got certified to basically supervise troops on an archery range. I'm now officially an Archery Range Master! LOL

This makes me think of Ghosts (the British version--which was great, not the U.S. version)--but without the "Pat" outcome!

 

[Scootin'By]

This makes me think of Ghosts (the British version--which was great, not the U.S. version)--but without the "Pat" outcome!

That show was hysterical! (of course, in the dry British way that makes me laugh until my side hurts)

I came through without any arrows in my neck, thank the gods LOL

 

[Scootin'By]

T minus 13 weeks ... I think

My training is going .... okay, I think. I'm still having trouble getting in two maintenance runs every week, so I started allowing smaller ones to count (even just 20 minutes). I think I managed two short runs and one long run maybe 2/3 weeks. So, better. This week was all helter skelter because I helped with an Oktoberfest Sunday (all day!) and so didn't take my long run until Monday, which makes it harder to get two short runs in. Ugh.

In other news, my hip is starting to hurt again. Not the one I bruised falling down the stairs, the other one. I had a seven mile run Monday (more below) and it was kind of sore off an on during the run (and after). So, with that, I booked a PT visit plus some follow ups. I figured it was better to do it now before it got worse (and because I've already paid my deductible this year - whoop whoop!). Course, they couldn't fit me in until the second week of November, so I'll have to be careful until then.

Two weeks ago I ran 6 miles at the track, which was fun. The only thing was, I thought it was 6.5 miles, so this week when I scaled I accidentally ran too far. This week, my 7 mile run was fantastic! The first 3 miles I was a bit sluggish, but the back 4 miles I was in the zone! I actually considered running 7.5, but didn't want to overdo my hip. I fueled with a Gu x2 and Honeystinger x1. The Gu was actually quite messy because I squeezed too hard and it squirted onto my hand, which was then sticky for the rest of the run (I'm calling it a Gu-cident).


Last Two Weeks
5 miles long

3.5 easy
6 miles long

1.5 easy
2.5 easy (treadmill)
7 miles long

Next Week
2 miles easy (in the books at 37F this morning - GREAT weather!)
Repeat 7 miles Saturday

 

[Mr_Incr3dible]

I can highly recommend getting some physical therapy. It turned out that I was stretching, but not necessarily stretching the correct muscle groups. My PT sessions did a world of good.

 

[Scootin'By]

I can highly recommend getting some physical therapy. It turned out that I was stretching, but not necessarily stretching the correct muscle groups. My PT sessions did a world of good.

That's really good to know! I will bring that up with my PT person (PTer ... PTist?).

My 7 miles today ended a bit short because my heart rate was about to enter the red zone. It came down pretty fast, so I'm not concerned, just going to take it easy a bit the next week or so.

 

[Scootin'By]

I am having huge FOMO right now with MW coming up. I wish I was going to be down there with everyone. But, since thats out of the cards, I signed up for a local half in April.

LOTS has happened since I updated this last. I ran and completed the 2025 MW half -- with no injuries tyvm! Course that doesn't mean I haven't been in and out of PT -- I strained a ligament in my elbow at the gym and have been working on that since August. I also went flying off my scooter and cracked open my chin. But who's counting stitches eh?!

And now I'm back!

This year is gonna be an interesting one, so probably not able to get down to WDW for a race anytime soon. But I figured that doesn't stop me from running a half. I had this great experience in November where I ran a 5k with a friend. It was the best race I ever had, so much fun! Not because of the theme or anything like that, but because of the pace! I have been doing run/walk ALL WRONG.

So, with that being said, I'm going to try to run another half and NOT go to PT for anything.

The Race: Parkway Half (formerly Parkway Classic, a much cooler name)
Date: Sunday, April 26 (lots of time to train)

Goal #1 -- 13.1 miles in under 3 hours
Avg page: 13 minute mile
Runs per week: two (long and maintenance)
Long run: SLOW 60/30 run walk to start. Run @ 14.5 mins/mile and walk @ 16 mins/mile
Short run: 25 minutes @avg 13 mins/mile (this is probably going to be a treadmill run, so gotta figure out the pace)
Start: 4 miles easy on Marathon Sunday! (Increase by half mile every week, keep it nice and easy)

Goal #2 -- manage my nutrition
I had a huge sugar crash during the half last year and nearly dropped out at mile 8. I needed some protein and sugar to get me back up. I clearly didn't do something right with either my diet beforehand or during. So, gotta figure that out as I climb the miles. But See Goal #3

Goal #3 -- slim down
My weight has been going up all year. It was a heck of a year with stress and job changes and everything else in between. I tried to take care of myself, but my fitness regime was pretty sporadic.

I worked with a nutritionist for a bit. That was a good start. I learned I need more protein and that I should be tracking my calories (mixed results on that, it's hard to do consistently and for a long time). I got a lot more out of working with a therapist to figure out why I was eating. So, I'm putting all the puzzle pieces together, and I think exercise is the last one I need.

I don't have a figure in mind here, let's just say negative numbers equal positive result!

Let the training begin and may the odds ever be in my favor! LOL

ETA: Best part about signing up for a local half. Only $92, no photo pass or expo merchandise add on. No virtual queue to spam refresh on with 20k friends to register.