Amy's "BUT I'M NOT A RUNNER" Journal

[kimwim8]

HUGS, Amy I'm so sorry for what you're going through. And I am glad that you DID post on your journal today. Good or bad, we're here for each other, girl. I love love love to hear about when things are going great, but I WANT to hear when they're not. You are human. We all are. In a sick, twisted kind of way, when things aren't great for you, that helps some of us reading. (I hope that came out right, I certainly don't wish any bad things on you or to you).

And even though I'm not in the marathon mindset that you are, I can still understand your disappointment. It's easy to say "just wait and see what the doctor says", so I won't. I'm here for you no matter what. You know how to reach me. And if you forget, just PM me.

I care about you. You're a good person. Please take care and do something to get your mind off of this tonight if you can.

I'm sorry, I don't know if any of this helped, but just know I'm here.

 

[AmyBeth68]

Kim!!! THANK YOU SO MUCH. You are so awesome and what an amazing friend . You really did help. I'm feeling much better this evening. I saw my KBX instructor and he does not think it's a stress fracture. Not that he's a doctor...but I'll take whatever good news I can get at this point . I'm just emotional and frustrated today. Plus I'm the queen of "worst case scenario"...so really I'm just in panic mode. But I know I'll bounce back!!! I'm not ready to give up and just reading your post but a big smile on my face, Kim!!!

THANK YOU again!!! It really meant so much to me

 

[kimwim8]

Kim!!! THANK YOU SO MUCH.

Any time. Any time. Please let me know how you make out tomorrow. I'll be thinking about you. Feel free to call or PM me. And if you aren't up to it tomorrow, that's ok too.

 

[ScoJo15]

Amy -

I know I'm 1300 miles away from you and totaly cut off from internet activity thru the days, but I'm here for you anytime. Just know I'm thinking about you and am really concerned for your injuries. I know you're going to the doctor on Tuesday....let me know how it goes.

Hang in there....we'll make it to WDW.

 

[AmyBeth68]

Thanks guys....I'll be fine . I appreciate your support. I'll let ya' know what the doc says! And like my husband says...it could be so much worse. Setbacks are part of the process...it's part of the journey.

Thanks again!

 

[toystoryduo]

Oh Amy,

I am so sorry to hear about what you are going through right now. I hope that the doctor is able to provide some answers for you today.

Please know that we are here for you, Amy. If you need anything, please let us know.

You're in my thoughts and prayers.

 

[eeyore25]

Hi Amy,

I am so sorry for what you are going through. I know it must be difficult, please know that we are all here for you. You can post anything you want and we are here to listen. I hope the doctor's are able to tell you what is going on. P & PD that is something simple and easy to fix.

I had every intention of posting on the boards before I left for WDW and it didn't happen. It would have been nice to meet up some place and put a face to a name.Sounds and looks like you had a good time in WDW as well. I agree with you about Ernesto...the parks were great the day he came though as a thunderstorm. I remember listening to the news on Monday and they had said that if he continued he would hit Orlando the same way Charlie did in 2004. We decided that we were not leaving, but I think after people heard that, they left. The parks were empty that day! It was so nice!!!

Keep up the good work, and stay strong...you will be out running again in no time!

Have a great Tuesday

 

[AmyBeth68]

So I guess I wasn't totally over reacting for a change. I had my physical today...which was just supposed to be one of those things you do because you should...before running all those miles . Anyway...it turned out to be a necessary appointment with the ankle/leg issue I've been dealing with. He was concerned and sent me for X-Rays right after my appointment. I've had them done and awaiting the results of the Radiologists (sp?) report which is supposed to be faxed to my doctor this afternoon. Aside from the ankle issue, my Doctor also ordered an Echo Cardiogram to be done as he noted an irregularity in my heart beat. I have to say I'm really not all that concerned about that right now, as I was born with a heart murmur and it's been detected off and on throughout my whole life. He just said "Don't want you collapsing on one of your runs....I'd feel terrible". Wow....yeah....I'd feel pretty terrible too if that happened. Geesh!

At this point I have no answers....will get blood work results at the end of the week and hopefully the X-Ray report this afternoon. I got a weird vibe from the X-Ray Technician...when she asked me a question after she viewed the pictures. One of those things that makes me wonder what I'm dealing with here? Hopefully nothing....hopefully I'm just being paranoid!!!!

So that's it for now. Was going to do 30 minutes XT on the ski machine. But now I'm not sure that is a good idea . I'm in limbo here this week...but I'd rather have to deal with a few missed training sessions than risking further injury. PLEASE keep those fingers crossed for me. I'll report back once I know something. Thanks guys!!

 

[kimwim8]

Thank you SO much for the update, Amy. I've been thinking about you all morning. Waiting STINKS, and I'm sorry you have to wait. Hopefully no news is good news, right?

I'm with you on the heart murmur. Same thing here. Sometimes I have it, sometimes I don't. Go figure.

I'd definitely recommend taking it easy until you hear back from the x-rays. Like you said, it's not worth further injury.

 

[AmyBeth68]

Update!!!

FINALLY heard from the doctor tonight at 5 pm. The X-Rays did not show any visible stress fractures . They still can't know 100% without a bone scan...however...they aren't ready to go there yet . I'm going to take training very very easy this week and hope to be 100% by Saturday's long run! That's the plan anyway!!! I was given the go-ahead to resume training as the pain allows...and they gave me some anti-inflammatory pain meds to help. I have some other medical stuff lined up this week...tyring to be proactive...trying to get to WDW in January. It may be a day to day thing...but today I'm in a much better place!!!

Thanks again to all of you for your support!

 

[kimwim8]

Oh, Amy. I'm SO happy for you! Sounds like you have a GREAT plan in place and are working closely with your doctors. That's the best thing to do right now (and probably through the marathon process).

The banana man is dancing for no stress fractures!!

 

[ScoJo15]

Hi Amy!!!

So so so sorry to hear about your difficult week....but it looks like things are getting better for you. Hopefully you were able to pull off your long run yesterday and will be able to get back on track with the training this week. Do NOT push yourself though...don't let minor injuries become serious ones!

I just wanted to say hello and I'm back from WDW. I'll post more later...I hope you have a great day!

 

[kimwim8]

Hey Amy! Thanks as always for your encouragement on my journal. What race did you enter yesterday? Have you stopped telling us about the races? Even if you walked, you went out there & did it, even after a killer run (as posted on my journal ).

Take care and I hope your leg is feeling better!

 

[AmyBeth68]

Hi Guys!

Thanks for stopping by and checking on me

The update isn't as pleasant as I'd like...the ankle and foot are still hurting to a certain degree BUT I'm actively looking for answers and trying to take care of it . I have continued to run and train. I did ski machine on Wednesday for 30 minutes (plus some abs and arm work), KBX on Friday for 60 minutes and then my 8 mile run on Saturday. Finished the 8 miler in 1:19:43!!! I was pleasantly surprised by my time....around mile 5 the pain kicked in a bit but I was able to run through it and finish with a decent time. My legs are quite sore now from that run....boy 8 miles is far ....26.2 seems like such an impossible distance! But I know we're building up to it...I just HAVE to stay strong and healthy here! Yesterday I did a 5K race...but walked the darn thing (which was really a tough thing to do). In the end I know it was the right choice...but I've got the racing bug and I know I could have had a very respectable time if I ran. But I tried to be smart and stay focused on the long term goal. So the walk was decent....did a good pace and finished in 45 minutes. It was nice to stretch the legs a bit after the 8 miler on Saturday!

Today I managed to get out there and gut out a 45 minute run. It sure wasn't pretty or fast...but I hit just about 4.5 miles in 45 minutes...running a pretty solid 10 mpm. It's respectable...definitely slower than my normal Monday pace....but the right leg was just not happy with me and my quads were soooo sore from Saturday!

I've had to really learn to step back and look at the training as a day to day thing now. Will I be able to get out there and complete the run? Am I in a lot of pain? I can't try to think too far ahead because there are so many unknowns when you are pushing your body physically to its limits (which marathon training clearly does) and when you are trying to stay mentally calm and focused. I know there will be bad days. And there will be horrible runs! I'm just fortunate to have so much support .

What counts in a battle is what you do once the pain sets in.
-John Short

And here's a special one!

You are never given a wish without also being given the power to make it come true.
-Richard Bach

Rock on runners!!!

 

[kimwim8]

Amy, you're ALWAYS in my thoughts. Please take care of yourself. I am SO proud of you for walking in the 5K. I know that had to be SO hard, but SO good for your leg, ankle and all of you.

I gotta say, I LOVE the quotes. They are so perfect for what's going on right now in your training, and so inspirational too!

If anyone can get through this, it's YOU!

 

[toystoryduo]

Amy,

I'm sorry to hear that you are still in pain. I am proud of you for walking the 5K too! I know that it was hard, but you listened to your body and that's a good thing. I hope that you start feeling better soon!

Have a great Tuesday!

 

[ScoJo15]

Hey you

I think it's awesome that you walked that 5k and it's nice to hear that you got out there and completed a run yesterday. I know you are going thru a real difficult time with your foot issues but I think you've got the right frame of mind in taking things one day at a time. Don't look towards tomorrows run, focus on today's cross training. I'm also glad to see that you are actively searching for answers on why you are experiencing the pain....I did notice that there is some good medical info on www.coolrunning.com, just click on the training tab and then go to aches & pains...don't know if you'll find some helpful stuff on there or not

We've got to take the training one step at a time, just like the marathon will need to be ran one step at a time. You are doing so great and I'm very proud of you A lot of people would have given up by now but your determination is awe inspiring and really motivates me to do better and be a better person. I really feed off of your willpower

And oh yeah, love the quotes!!! You always have relevant and interesting ones

Have a great day today and good luck with your yoga class this morning !!!

 

[kimwim8]

Hey Amy. I hope things are going well with you and your training! Take care of yourself, woman! We need to meet up one of these days!

 

[AmyBeth68]

Hi Guys...thanks for checking in

Tuesday: I decided to pass on KBX (still trying to heal my leg) and instead do a low-impact class! I found a nice yoga studio and did a 75 minute vinyasa flow class. What I learned is that although it's low impact...it sure isn't easy!!! I'm sore from Yoga!! Who would have thought . Let me tell you...I sure did get some good stretches in and I really felt like I exercised when it was over. I think I'll be doing another yoga class later in the week!

Wednesday: Well....for those keeping score....today was the much-anticipated rematch of the 4 Mile Speed Run. I was really hoping to better my personal best.....or at least have a nice run.....or at least not allow Scott to hold the title . Unfortunately, it was a brutal run. Started off great...first mile I felt wonderful. Minimal pain....minimal tightness in the legs...all around good start. Finished mile one in 8:01! I wasn't on par for a personal best but at least I was having a good run. And then....it all started to go down hill. From that point on the pain became worse with each mile. I started questioning my sanity...and realized that I can't keep this up anymore . I can't keep running with the pain, I need to figure out what is going on and attack the problem with more vigor than I have been. I finished the run with a time of 37:44, respectable 9:26 pace. BUT unfortunately, the cool down walk back to my house was incredibly difficult and painful, it's the kind of defeat that sucks the life out of you. I literally (and sorry for the drama here folks ) crawled up my stairs because I couldn't put weight on my right leg . I honestly don't know what the problem is, but I'm seeing a specialist....a sports medicine orthopedist. I may be sidelined for a while . I may just need a few weeks of rest??? It's just the great unknown at this point. But I'm ready to move on with it.

And yet, it's still part of the journey. So the marathon isn't actually about the race...not for me anyway....the hardest part might be just making it to the starting line. If you read back through my journal...which please don't do LOL...I've said all along my greatest obstacle will be my body holding up under the rigors of the training. I'm in a better place mentally than I was last week and just ready to get some answers and move on to Plan B! Setbacks are part of every sport....every experience...they are just part of life. I have decided to look at it as a challenge (and trust me I love challenges)....just one more thing that will make crossing that finish line all the sweeter . And keeping it all in perspective...let's face it....this is a minor deal. I'm fortunate in so many ways....this is really just a bump in the road....a stumbling block on MY path leading to the marathon.

Thanks for hanging in there and putting up with all my drama. And don't count me out just yet .

When the world says, "Give up,"
Hope whispers, "Try it one more time." ~Author Unknown

You gain strength, courage, and confidence by every experience in which you stop to look fear in the face. ~Eleanore Roosevelt

With all that said......(drum roll)

CONGRATULATIONS SCOTT!!!! I'm truly proud of you!!! Despite all the trash talk...despite all the teasing....I'm so proud of you!!! I know you killed my time. The new record will stand, unless of course you try to best yourself, regardless I hope to be back to fight another day and once again hold the Wednesday Speed Champion title...if only for a week !!! Besides....I have to get healed up...you need me around to kick your butt into getting faster!!! You'd get lazy if you didn't have some times to chase . Yeah right lol....

 

[ScoJo15]

Hi Amy!

I'm sorry to see you going thru all of the frustrations and setbacks related to your foot injury. I certainly hope you can get a proper diagnosis, get it treated and move forward with a plan. Just remember that we're all here for you

It's so great to see you with such a positive attitude about it though! I know how difficult not running and not exercising at times can be on you both physically and mentally....and I really admire your determination to not let it get the best of you. You are a role model for others facing injuries of their own..I'm really proud of you

And thank you for the kind words about my run...although I'm more concerned about your injury, it was nice to get out there and really attack it one time. I love how competitive we are and hope we can continue pushing each other to new limits once you get back on track.....which I know will be sooner than later

Keep your chin up and keep us posted on what's going on. And don't push it by trying to do too much too quickly...let your foot heal up first and you'll come back stronger than ever.

I hope you have a great day & hope this morning's pilates workout goes well