Hanging up my running shoes-Update on ZellyB

[ZellyB]

TRAINING WEEK 4/3 - 4/96
AKA The Walking Wounded ​

SUNDAY 4/10 - Planned rest day.
MONDAY 4/11 - Planned Circuit training. It was storming pretty badly out and our workout buddies all ditched on us, so we decided to just sleep in a bit. It was nice.
TUESDAY 4/12 - Planned 4 mile run, but we dropped it down to 3. Chris and I both had pretty tired legs. Chris is ramping up mileage and running on Sundays as well in preparation for a 50K in June, so we were both pretty tired.
WEDNESDAY 4/13 - Circuit training. Bumped up weights just a bit again. Otherwise pretty much just a normal routine on the machines.
THURSDAY 4/14 - 4 miles today at :90/:30. We were both pretty sluggish again today, so took it at a pretty easy pace. 11:12 overall. At somepoint soon we want to start pushing our shorter weekday runs to a 2:00/:30 pace. That seemed to work well for us last year.
FRIDAY 4/15 - HAPPY TAX DAY! Planned rest day
SATURDAY 4/16 - Chris was due to run 15-16 and I was planning on 6-8. We met up with our running buddy who has her 50 miler in a few weeks since she also wanted to do around 16. She had an out and back that would let me run halfway and then drive back to meet them. We just left our car at the halfway mark and she drove us to the start. The trail is an old railway trail (the same one she will be running her 50 miler on), so it was a nice surface. Packed gravel mostly. The run was going okay for me. I was definitely mentally struggling after the two past race weekends. Just a general let down. Around mile 6, I really was ready to stop, but knew I only had about another mile and a half or so to go. We were on a pretty normal little run interval when I felt a big *pop* in my knee and immediate sharp pain. Oh no! The same knee that has been giving me fits all year. It was really a surprise though since my knee honestly wasn't bothering me much. I stopped immediately and began hobbling along. Chris and our friend stopped and came back to me and I explained what happened. Even walking was painful. I told them to go on and I would walk on to the end.

As I continued to walk (limp) along, something inside my knee just kept popping. After walking another half mile or so, I saw Chris pull up in our car on a cross street. Right around then the popping feeling stopped, but the pain continued. I got in the car and dropped him back off with our friend and then waited in the car for them to finish up.

I got home and iced the knee and took some ibuprofen and put a compression wrap on it. It remained really painful although the popping never returned. The pain is again primarily at the back of the knee and on the inside portion of the knee. The inside of the joint feels a bit tight, but no grinding or anything and it doesn't feel loose at all. I ended up doing too much on it the rest of the day - including going out to see my son off to his Prom and taking a lot of pictures - and working on a landscape bed. Yes, I really am that stupid. By the time I climbed in bed, my knee was throbbing. I had a horrible time sleeping and just was really worried about it.

Yesterday it was maybe marginally better, but still very painful to put weight on and I limp horribly. The good news is no major swelling or bruising, so I'm hopeful that means I didn't tear anything. Chris thought maybe the popping was a tight tendon stretching and popping across the knee joint. I kept off it a lot yesterday and continued icing and using anti-inflammatories.

Today again some slight improvement in the soreness. Still painful and limping, but a bit better regardless. This has me encouraged. So, no running for me for a minimum of 2 weeks. Our Galloway kickoff is on April 30 and it's an easy 2 mile introductory run. I'm going to try and run that day if the knee improves enough. I likely should have taken some time off after the two half-marathons, but ya know...

In worse news, Chris has been having major shoulder problems for several months. Again, likely tendonitis, but a couple of weeks ago while lifting weights, he felt and heard a pop. This weekend in looking at his arm, we realized his bicep looks sort of bunched up (if that makes sense). We both think he probably tore a tendon in his shoulder. *sigh* I thought all this exercise was supposed to be good for us. He's going to try and get into his doctor today. We are assuming an MRI next and if it's truly a torn tendon then likely surgery.

Not the best way to start our training season.

Boston marathon today. I'm sneaking in some live streaming at work when I can. #BostonStrong

Sorry, I know that was a downer. We are both feeling pretty bummed out and betrayed by our bodies. Anyway, how about an RDP to cheer up the end of this report and who better than Tigger to make you smile?

 

[Ariel484]

Oh noooo!! I'm so sorry that you guys are struggling! Hopefully some rest will fix you right up, but I REALLY hope that Chris doesn't have to get surgery. Keeping my fingers crossed for both of you.

Super cute Tigger pic.

 

[CherieFran]

Yikes! Good thoughts for speedy recoveries all around!

 

[LindseyJo22]

We actually live in SW Missouri, but that's obviously close to AR. It's really beautiful down there.

Ah, that makes sense! I guess I missed it somewhere. I do love Northwest AR, it's gorgeous!

That's really the first race where we've struggled that much to find space to do. Also the first one in a long time where we didn't see a lot of others also doing intervals. What's the race you have coming up?

Awesome - I know there is at least one person from my local running group going, and I'm thinking it won't be crazy crowded. I'm running a local Glow Run 10k sponsored by the police department It's going to be interesting since it starts at 9pm! I'm thinking I may run my last few weekend runs at night to try and get used to the temperature.

 

[LindseyJo22]

Also, I really hope you can rest and heal from your injuries without surgery! That's definitely not the ideal way to start things out :/

I do love the picture with Tigger though

 

[disneydaydreamer33]

Oh man! I am so sorry for your pains and injuries! The not knowing how bad it is part is so hard! I hope with rest, your knee will continue to feel better and you'll be back out there in no time!

 

[ZellyB]

Oh noooo!! I'm so sorry that you guys are struggling! Hopefully some rest will fix you right up, but I REALLY hope that Chris doesn't have to get surgery. Keeping my fingers crossed for both of you.

Super cute Tigger pic.

This getting old thing is no fun. Chris saw his primary care and she referred him to an orthopedic surgeon. I'm guessing MRI is next and probably surgery, but we shall see.

Yikes! Good thoughts for speedy recoveries all around!

Thank you!!

Awesome - I know there is at least one person from my local running group going, and I'm thinking it won't be crazy crowded. I'm running a local Glow Run 10k sponsored by the police department It's going to be interesting since it starts at 9pm! I'm thinking I may run my last few weekend runs at night to try and get used to the temperature.

Sounds fun. I've done a Glow Run before and had a good time. I do have a hard time adjusting to night races though since we always run early in the AM. Hope you have a great race!

Also, I really hope you can rest and heal from your injuries without surgery! That's definitely not the ideal way to start things out :/

I do love the picture with Tigger though

Thank you! We are big Tigger fans in our house.

Oh man! I am so sorry for your pains and injuries! The not knowing how bad it is part is so hard! I hope with rest, your knee will continue to feel better and you'll be back out there in no time!

Thank you. The good news is that my knee does seem to be gradually improving each day, so hoping that two weeks will fix me up.

 

[girliea]

Awww man! You are right about the getting old thing--right there with you (but I guess everyone is)!

Get better ZellyB and Chris-mo! Sending you both prayers and healing thoughts!

 

[Ariel484]

This getting old thing is no fun. Chris saw his primary care and she referred him to an orthopedic surgeon. I'm guessing MRI is next and probably surgery, but we shall see.

No no no no!!! No surgery!!

 

[ZellyB]

Awww man! You are right about the getting old thing--right there with you (but I guess everyone is)!

Get better ZellyB and Chris-mo! Sending you both prayers and healing thoughts!

Thank you!!

No no no no!!! No surgery!!

Well, good news and bad news. Good news - no surgery. Bad news - because it really isn't an injury that they repair typically. He ruptured his biceps tendon that connects to his shoulder and leads to this distinctive "Popeye muscle" that he now has. There's a second tendon that also connects to the shoulder and since that one is fine and those rarely rupture, they do not recommend surgery to repair the ruptured one. So, basically, he just lives with the muscle deformity and some weakness in his arm. It's a bummer.

 

[DopeyBadger]

Wishing you guys a healthy recovery!

 

[Ariel484]

Well, good news and bad news. Good news - no surgery. Bad news - because it really isn't an injury that they repair typically. He ruptured his biceps tendon that connects to his shoulder and leads to this distinctive "Popeye muscle" that he now has. There's a second tendon that also connects to the shoulder and since that one is fine and those rarely rupture, they do not recommend surgery to repair the ruptured one. So, basically, he just lives with the muscle deformity and some weakness in his arm. It's a bummer.

Yeah, I don't know whether or not to be relieved for you guys with that news. Not having to have surgery is definitely a good thing...do you think you'll get a second opinion? I hope he is not in a lot of pain.

 

[ZellyB]

Yeah, I don't know whether or not to be relieved for you guys with that news. Not having to have surgery is definitely a good thing...do you think you'll get a second opinion? I hope he is not in a lot of pain.

He's definitely bummed out about it. I just think he doesn't want to concede the loss of strength in that arm along with the cosmetics of how it looks. He's going to talk with a friend of ours who knows some of the orthopedic surgeons a bit better and see what he thinks about trying to get a second opinion on it.

 

[ZellyB]

GALLOWAY KICK-OFF
​

Talking now about something more fun than pain and injuries...

We had our kick-off last night for our next Galloway training year. YAY!!! We actually have a pretty big chapter of Galloway runners and so we are fortunate that Jeff Galloway comes every year to talk to participants about his program. I've heard him now for the 4th year in a row and it's always entertaining to listen to him. He has a tendency to ramble a bit, but it's still a fun time.

There was a big turnout this year and not as many familiar faces, so I'm hopeful that we will have a big group this year with some first time runners. Last year our group was a bit smaller than some previous years, so hopefully this year it picks back up again. This will be the third year that Chris and I have been pace leaders and we really do love doing it. It's especially fun when you get someone in the group that is a first-timer training for a long distance race. I remember the thrill when I first started running longer distances and hitting those milestones of running 6, 7, 8, 10 miles for the first time. It's a real pleasure to get to celebrate that with people and help them achieve their goals.

We will again be leaders of the Fuchsia group (our group divides up pace groups by various colors). We will continue to run :90/:30 intervals with an average overall pace goal of between 10:30 and 11:00 m/m. We do usually slow the pace down some when the heat gets more serious in the summer and on some of the really long distances toward the end of training.

I'm excited for things to start and looking forward to that first group run on April 30. Just hoping my knee is back in fine shape in time to start. Fingers crossed.

What's that you say? Time for an RDP??? I know I've posted this one before, but it's one of my all time favorites and a throwback to when my little girls were truly little. Not to mention, Sophie and Tigger have exactly the same expression on their faces. Makes me happy!

 

[DopeyBadger]

That's so cool you guys are pace group leaders. Someday I figure that's something I'll get into because I really like helping other people and have an energetic personality when it comes it racing.

 

[pxefig]

I am so happy to read your post ending on something positive! Pace leaders is so exciting! Gish,I just love my intervals so darn much and you get to lead people for them- so totally cool! Of course I hope all the best for the running injuries! Keep you and Hubby safe- I have races I need to live vicariously through! And we all know everything is about me!

 

[emilyindisney]

Hi Giselle! Just now exploring this new runDisney thread and happy to have found your training journal! Sorry to hear about your injuries but hopefully you're already on the mend and able to jump into your training with your Galloway group. Interesting how they break up the group to match people with the same intervals and similar paces.

Looking forward to following your Goofy journey this year!

 

[ZellyB]

That's so cool you guys are pace group leaders. Someday I figure that's something I'll get into because I really like helping other people and have an energetic personality when it comes it racing.

We have so much fun being pace leaders. You'd be a great leader! You have such a great scientific approach to how you run and it's obvious how much you enjoy helping other people reach their goals.

I am so happy to read your post ending on something positive! Pace leaders is so exciting! Gish,I just love my intervals so darn much and you get to lead people for them- so totally cool! Of course I hope all the best for the running injuries! Keep you and Hubby safe- I have races I need to live vicariously through! And we all know everything is about me!

I love my intervals too. We shall survive these injuries and overcome!!! And, I thought everything was about ME.

Hi Giselle! Just now exploring this new runDisney thread and happy to have found your training journal! Sorry to hear about your injuries but hopefully you're already on the mend and able to jump into your training with your Galloway group. Interesting how they break up the group to match people with the same intervals and similar paces.

Looking forward to following your Goofy journey this year!

Hi, Emily!

Glad you found me and are following along. Thanks for the well-wishes and hopefully we'll be injury-free soon. I think the pace groups are a great thing about our Galloway group and it really allows people of all levels to participate.

 

[ZellyB]

TRAINING WEEK 4/17 - 4/23​

This will be an easy update...
Sunday 4/17 - Saturday 4/23 - A big nothing.

INJURY UPDATE:
After a week of truly resting my body, I can say that the knee has improved tremendously. YAY! It's still not back to normal and certainly another week of rest (at least) is essential, but at least it's getting better.

I did go out with Chris for about a 2 mile walk on Sunday to see how that went. There were a lot of people out on the trail because it was so beautiful out. A few pointed out a little snake that was on the path. I should have snapped a picture, but I honestly think it might have been a baby rattlesnake. The pattern on it certainly looked like one. I wasn't getting close enough to see if it had a tiny rattle on the tail, but it was no garter snake. He was right out near the middle of the trail and he was hard to see, so when we passed him the second time, Chris grabbed a long stick and flung him back into the woods. He certainly flared up and raised his head like to strike when Chris touched him with that stick. Yikes!!

Anyway, back to the walk... Starting out it was pretty good, but toward the end of the 2 miles, the knee was starting to ache a bit and my limp started up again. But, no real lingering impact from what I can tell. Spent Saturday working on our back yard/pool area to try to expend some energy and get things looking better and ready for summer. We finally had a beautiful, warm spring weekend, so it felt good to be out doing something. We cleaned out our planting beds (that I've usually kept mulched) and put down landscape fabric and gravel. We bought a full ton of gravel and still only got about 2/3 of the space done, so we need to get more gravel to finish it out.

We also opened up the pool and hit it with the first heavy dose of chemicals, so while it's still a bit murky, it's starting to clear up. Swimming time soon!

Oh so inviting!!

We are also still sticking with our ketogenic diet. It's still going well and I'm not having much trouble limiting my carbs, but after that initial fast weight loss, things have stalled. Boo! I expected that, since everything I read said the initial loss is mostly water-weight, but I'm hoping I see some movement again soon. I do see some minor differences in body shape and how my clothes are fitting, so I just need to keep at it and wait for results!!

That's about all that's fit to print, so let's throw in a Random Universal Picture to shake things up, shall we?


Thing 1 and Thing 2 hamming it up with my very own Thing 1 and Thing 2.

 

[rteetz]

So glad your knee is better!

Also yay for opening the pool. We haven't opened ours yet as its not quite warm enough in Wisconsin yet.