Will Run For Ice Cream

I ran 4.1 miles today on the Treadmill at the gym. It was a long boring 4.1 miles, but I kept reminding myself to be thankful that I can at least run. I had hoped to run 6, but my hip and lungs just wouldn't allow it. I go back to PT next week. Although, I'm not really sure why I am going. We can't seem to pinpoint what exactly it is that I am doing wrong when walking/running. I think when I get tired, I just lose my form. It's raining now and more rain predicted for tomorrow. Maybe I can get a run in on Sunday though. I miss the long runs and the feeling of accomplishment. I suppose I'll just have to set new goals for myself, like less mileage but work on form and pace. Overall, I can't complain about today's workout. I left the gym exhausted, sweaty and feeling good about myself.

It was my first race (post/during) injury. I was told to just 'run it'. Don't go all out, just run. But I REALLY wanted to come in under 28. My PR was in 2003 in MS and was 28:32. Slow for most 'real' runners, but it was what I could do. It was a difficult course as that it was hilly. It started off flat, went downhill, then a steep incline with a gradual incline for about a mile, leveled off again with an incline right at the end. I must say that I gave it all I had on this race. Around mile 2.5, I was struggling. But I knew that if I could just hold out that I could beat my PR. As I came up near the finish, I saw the clock and I gave it one final push. I came in at 27:48. Pleased doesn't even begin to describe what I was feeling at the time. Ok, as I crossed the finish line, nausea was what I was feeling. But quickly that feeling was replaced with a feeling of accomplishment. I did it.

After a 2 hour PT session on Friday, I was more than discouraged. It's not that I am just in pain, but that we can't seem to solve the problem because we can't pinpoint the problem. I've been through 5 weeks of PT. Next week is supposed to be my last. How can it be my last when we aren't even sure what the problem is yet? It's not that we aren't working on it or that I haven't made progress. The burning has stopped. So the nerve issue is currently resolved as long as I don't reinjure it. I have built some ab muscles to hold my pelvis in place; I am happy for that progress. But the issue seems to be the fact that I am somehow overusing my left hip/side region when walking/running/exercising. I was told that there are multiple issues. Apparently my SI joint isn't working properly. I now have a temporary lift in my shoe to see if this helps. I was told to run over the weekend to test it out. As I left PT, I didn't want to run. In fact, the thoug...

It was very disappointing not to run the Half marathon. I had trained hard for it. But I know in the bigger scheme of things, it was just one race. I've been through 4 weeks of PT, and I was told I would need 2 more weeks. I was allowed to run a mile last week, and was given the green light to run this weekend to work on my gait. It has been brought to my attention that I swing my left leg out (think kickball). I'm having a hard time forcing myself to swing my leg through. It seems to take a lot more effort than the way I used to run. I ran two miles today and did 30 minutes on the EFX. I was a little sore from my 1 mile run yesterday and 30 minutes on the EFX. I'm feeling the hip a little more today. I've iced it several times and will probably ice it once more tonight. I'm setting my next goal for Oct. 10th. I am hoping to be able to run a 5K. There was one today that I wanted to run, but my better judgment took over. I didn't run it. I'm focusing on Octob...

Not good.. no other way to put it than not good. I went to the Sports Med doctor today to find out that the pain I started feeling last week is a nerve in my hip that is severely inflamed. I already have partial paralysis in the surrounding muscle tissue. I go Thursday to start PT with some type of cortisone treatment. Also, I have severe muscle imbalance in my lower legs. I never noticed this before. But now I can see that my feet turn in and my legs are sort of bowed where they weren't before. Right now I can't run, bike or use the elliptical. Basically, in a nutshell ... no cardio. I suppose I'll find out more on Thursday when I go to PT. For those of you who aren't runners, maybe you can't identify with the anguish and devastation that I feel at the moment. Being a runner helped define who I am. It is as if a part of myself has been ripped away.

I was barely a half mile into the run and I was wanting to quit. My legs hurt, my lungs hurt and honestly I just wanted to be in bed. Actually, I waited a little later to run this weekend, and the sun was already beating down on me. I was wishing I had forced myself to get an earlier start. After running down the mile long hill, feeling fatigued already, possibly more mentally fatigued than physical, I tried not to think about the 10 more miles ahead of me. After running to the end of town, three miles into the run, I allowed myself to have a water break. At this point, I was three miles from home, and still trying to talk myself into finishing what I had started. It's amazing how I can debate with myself while running. "But if I go back now, it's only 3 more miles. Yes, but 5 miles short of your goal. And 5 more short of ice cream. Ice cream? That's right. Any run over 10 miles and I can have ice cream. Nice cold, creamy chocolate ice cream". I kept running. At m...

I’m sore, and I’m getting more sore as the day goes on. But it’s a good feeling. I wasn’t sure if I would be able to do it - the 11 mile run yesterday, I’ve been having stomach issues when running the longer distances. I tried the stomach aid last weekend on my 9 mile run. It helped but didn’t solve the problem. But yesterday, I used the stomach aid and I carried water with me. I’ve been running the long runs without drinking any water. I know I know. So yesterday, I carried water with me. Usually once I take one sip, I’m in trouble. But yesterday I drank probably 8 ounces during a 2 hour run. It was a good ‘start’. I don’t want to use the stomach medicine every time I run a long distance, but I need to use it on my longer runs to decide how much to take and when before I run the half marathon. I believe I’m doing to treat myself to a sports pedi for making the distance yesterday. It was tough, but I did it.