50k training: week 4

It's been over 2 weeks since I've had a successful run. I'm not even going to depress myself by calculating the mileage I've missed. 

The knee is not better. Participating in the 50k is becoming less and less of a reality. I'm sad and frustrated. 

I've made an appointment with an Orthopedic doctor and I'm hoping he will be able to shed some light on the problem and get me back on the road.

I just want to run again. 

No Outlet

Running is my stress relief. It provides me with the opportunity to walk (or run) away from life's frustration, anxiety, sadness, and disappointment.

So what do I do when I can't run?

Wallow. Seethe. Cry. Lash out. Pout.

I don't even want to be near me.

It's like being on a taper multiplied by a 100. Or day 2 of a caffeine detox. Or when you've been visiting family for over 4 weeks, have slept in 5 different places, and haven't been able to run in over a week. Oh wait; that's exactly what's happening to me.

Not being able to run, especially in some of my favorite places, has been harder then I had imagined. It's almost painful to see other runners sweating, breathing hard, and enjoying their runs when I'm stuck in civilian clothes and only sweating because its hot. 

Life is hard and it's harder when you have no outlet. Dear knee. please hurry up and heal. 

50k Training: week 3

2.

2 miles. That's all I ran this week. It wasn't even a full 2 miles, it was more of a ridiculous fast walk where I grimaced and clenched my teeth the whole time.

My knee is better but still not 100%. We've been on vacation so I haven't been able to go see a Doctor so I've been icing it and resting it as much as a mother of 2 on vacation can rest.

I'm not going to lie, I'm not really handling this well. It's been awhile since I've taken this much time off and to do it during training isn't sitting well. Thinking about all the miles I'm missing and the days disappearing - ugh.

I keep trying to remind myself that I went into training with a good base already established. That this is just a setback and everything will be fine. Then I imagine the giant woods on the giant mountain that I'm supposed to run in and my stomach drops. Under the best circumstances I was going to be out of my element; missing a week or more is just frightening.

All I can do is wait it out and hope it gets better soon. I'm not sure what I'm going to do if it doesn't. 

Week 4

Mon: 0    Tues: 2    Wed: 4    Thurs: 6    Fri: 0    Sat: 14    Sun: 8    Total: 34

knee drama

As I mentioned in my 50k training: week 2 post I did something funky to my knee.

On Saturday, I ran 10 miles and then walked around the island of Manhattan for hours. As I walked down the steps leaving the High Line, I put my left foot down and immediately felt a painful twinge in my knee. It got worse as the day progressed and by bedtime I couldn't bend my knee at all. 

It was noticeably swollen the next day and I began to wonder if I had banged it and the stress of a long run and walking was just too much. 

I have missed 2 runs, or 8 miles, because of this ridiculousness. I'm trying hard to remember that I have a good mileage base and resting now ensures I'll be healthy to run later. But it's hard to keep things in perspective when your training schedule keeps moving forward and you're standing (or sitting) still.

Today it's better but still not a 100%. I'm hanging out in a recliner, watching cartoons with my kids, only getting up to switch ice packs. It helps that we're in the middle of a heat wave so I don't feel as guilty for being lazy, oh, I mean resting.

Hoping against hope my scheduled 2 miles happens tomorrow... 

50k Training: week 2

Week 2 and already we have a hiccup. I did something to my knee. I'm not sure what: one minute it was fine and the next it wasn't. Now it hurts to bend it - I'm walking down stairs like a robot. 

I'm making the aggravating decision to skip today's 6 miles. I normally have Mondays off so I'm hoping 2 days of rest and ice will take care of whatever this is because I refuse to be sidelined with a ridiculous, out of nowhere injury.

I've also been struggling with tight Achilles tendons. This happens from time to time but seems particularly worse this time around. Yesterday's 10 mile run was downright horrible for the first 5 miles, even after I stopped two or three times to stretch them out. I think the hilly terrain I've been running this last week or so hasn't helped the situation.  

Tues: 4 / I was scheduled to run 2 but it was overcast and there was a cool breeze so 2 turned into 4. I ended that run with a smile on my face.

Wed: 4 / We were visiting my Dad and he wanted to take the kids to the Crayola Experience so I switched Wednesday & Thursday's run and ran 4 on the trails. Another run that ended with a smile.

Thurs: 2 / This run can be summed up in one word: painful. My husband said that the grimace on my face was actually scaring him. My Achilles were burning and were so tight that I wasn't sure I'd even be able to finish the run. There was a lot of stretching going on after that run.

Sat: 10 / It's easy to achieve negative splits when the first half of your run BLOWS HUGE CHUNKS. Between the humidity and the lower half of my legs, I seriously considered laying down in the fetal position and never getting up again.  Thankfully, some Gu Chomps, a visit to the bathroom, and some more stretching led to a much better second half.


Week 3

Mon: 0    Tues: 2    Wed: 2    Thurs: 4    Fri: 0    Sat: 12    Sun: 8    Total: 28

 

 

Clove Lakes Park  photo source

Silver Lake Park photo source

Product Review: Simple Hydration bottle

photo courtesy of Simple Hydration 

I asked my husband, Seth, to write a review of the Simple Hydration bottle because I'm still too pooped from my first ever back to back long runs. He kindly obliged. Enjoy! 

For her birthday, my wife received a Simple water bottle. Simple was running a special whereby if you bought one water bottle, you got a second at a discount - as a result, I ended up with one. I already have a FuelBelt and a Nathan 20oz handheld bottle, and didn't need another water bottle. Nevertheless, Simple advertises itself as being able to be shoved into your pocket or waistbelt - making it a combo handheld/belt bottle - so I decided to give it a shot.

I used the Simple for the first time on an 11-mile run over some serious hills in addition to my FuelBelt. I figured that even if it was a complete bust, I'd have fluid backup. 

The Simple worked fantastically. It fit right into the back of my running shorts, and never shifted. This, despite the fact that I removed and replaced it several times over the course of my first 6 miles. Once it was empty, it stayed right in place. For the first mile, having something down the back of my shorts took some getting used to, but after that, I hardly noticed it at all. 

When I first saw the bottle, I was worried that it would slowly shift up by back and fall out somewhere - at no point in my 11 miles did it shift at all, either when it was full of water, or empty. When I was carrying it, the ergomatic grip made it easy to hold on to. The bottle holds 13oz, which means that it wasn't too heavy to hold on to for extended periods of time. The cap is plastic - not rubber - but that didn't seem to cause any problems shooting water down my throat.

Since the bottle holds 13oz, it is useful on its own for shorter distances in the heat of summer, but - as I experienced - it can easily be used to supplement other hydration systems.

On the negative side, the water didn't remain cool at all, and was rather warm when I drank it - but it is unfair to expect anything else from a water bottle that was stored in the back of my waistband for nearly an hour in 80+ degree weather. It also did not have - like my Nathan bottle has - any storage, but - again - I plan to use this bottle on shorter runs or as a supplement when I have other storage options. In fact, using the zip-pocket on a handheld can increase the weight of the bottle, making it uncomfortable to haul any significant distance.

I plan to use this Simple bottle on all of my shorter runs (or at least those where I feel the need for mid-run hydration) and as the first option on my long runs in combination with the FuelBelt. I hope that the plastic cap holds up to repeated use - if it does, this may become my most used bottle of choice.

*There has been no compensation for this post. All opinions expressed are our own* 

Profiles of Inspirational Women: Randi Owens

I first met Randi in 2012, at her first 5k, a race we were running in to help friends raise money for an international adoption. I was immediately struck by her determination and desire to get healthy and change her life. She is the perfect example of how running can be the catalyst for monumental change. 

What is your story and why did you decide to start running?

This is me back before I started taking care of my body. I didn't realize just how far I had allowed myself to go downhill. I have struggled with my weight since my early teen years, but this was at the peak of my weight. I would see people running on the side of the road, and I would wish that I could be one of them. I just didn't know how to start... I would try to run, but after 30 seconds I would be so winded that I would have to stop. I was not really happy with where I was, but I didn't change it either. However, during one season of the Biggest Loser in 2009, my oldest sister and I, and a few friends, decided to have our own Biggest Loser challenge and the person who had the highest percentage of weight loss would win the money at the end of the 10 weeks. That's when I lost about 60 pounds! But once the challenge was over I gained about 30 back. I didn't know what I was going to do to motivate myself to lose weight again.

You're probably wondering where the running comes in, January 2012 my friend, Maggie, asked me to run a 5k that would take place March 17, 2012. I decided, why not? I've always wanted to be a runner, and I need something to motivate me to do it, so I signed up, bought a pair of running shoes, and started training. I didn't have any idea what to do really, I would just go out, run as far as I could, then walk some, then run, then walk... Over the next few weeks my running built up, but not as quickly as I would have liked. But I kept going because I could see a change in my body. I was also going to another friend's house for personal training 2 days a week. I have never regretted the decision to sign up for my first 5k, the only thing I regret is that it took me so long to become a runner!

How has running changed your life? Running has given me a new confidence in myself. I know I am not the fastest runner, I have days, weeks, months when I just don't want to lace up the shoes and hit the pavement... but my body hates me for it and craves it... I know that sounds weird, but it really does! I love the feeling of pushing myself, and setting goals and meeting them.

What obstacles have you faced? I moved to Viet Nam for 8 weeks (April 17-June 12)... I continued to run, but there were no hills and Ho Chi Minh City is at sea level, so when I got back to SC I have noticed that I am really having to work harder to keep up the pace, and to be able to run hills. I know that it will come back to me with training, but it has caused me to miss PRs in races since I've been back.

What advice would you give someone who is just starting on their running journey? NEVER GIVE UP! I know that sounds cliche and all, but it's true. I went a month without running, but during that month I kept telling myself to get back out there... I did, eventually! Running may seem like something you may never be able to do, but believe me, if I can do it, you can too! 

Practical advice: Get a good pair of running shoes!!! No joke! It's the most important part of your running wardrobe! Bad shoes can cause foot problems, knee problems, and/or make you not want to run. Go to a running store and let the people there fit you for a running shoe. Good running shoes aren't cheap, but they are worth it!!!

What are some of your goals?

This year... 

Run a sub 40 5k.

Run a 5k without any walking breaks.

Run 13 races. (I have done 6 already!)

Long term...

Run a Marathon before 27/7/2015 (to celebrate turning 30, but before I turn 31).

Run a race, marathon or half-marathon, on every continent... okay, maybe not Antarctica! 

Do a triathlon!

After Randi's first half-marathon (Jan 19, 2013)
photo courtesy of Randi Owens