I feel good..

Yesterday, I did a double workout. Today, I feel good. A little sore, but after I tell you what I did, I think you will agree that it is acceptable. On Saturday while running with Bob from Breakfast Club Runners, we talked about running stadium stairs at Lafayette later in the week. Well, yesterday was the day. Of course, I was running late, but I made it anyway. Of course, I brought my entourage, but it was good to have Makayla there for these steps. Anyway, Bob didn't wait for me (thankfully) and Brian (I was just meeting him for the first time) was already doing the steps. So, I had asked Bob how many of these things he does...10. OK, I will shoot for that number. DO YOU KNOW HOW MANY STEPS THERE ARE FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE STADIUM TO THE TOP?!?! I will tell you A LOT!! Check out Brian's website for a picture of these steps. Anyway, I ran up the steps all the way to the top and back down. Then did crunches. Then all the way up again and back down. This repeated one more time, and realized that I didn't want to overdue it. The next 4 times I only ran up to the tunnel and then finally for the last one all the way back up and down again. Between each run, I was greeted by this kid...


Next week, Bob will not be joining me at the stairs, he has the nerve to go on vacation (just kidding) but I know I will DEFINITELY be back at them again.



After the 10 reps of stairs, I was worried that my IT band would hurt, but it didn't. That is good because after that I knew I had another date with another running friend Holly. Off to a LVRR FREE 5K. What's better than free running and free food and running with awesome friends?!  Brian, who I had met earlier in the day, was there, and he captured as much of the run as he could. I word it that way because this particular race we were able to run in 2 different directions, makes it harder for the photographer to capture the race.  Anyway, I didn't know much about this course, so I was really just running it to stretch out my legs since I hadn't run since Saturday. I am so glad that I went. I ran all of the hilly course except for one hill, and my IT band didn't hurt at all. I didn't care for my time so much, but again I was just running it to run, and while my legs felt great, my cardiovascular and lung capacity is still terrible. I NEED to get out and run more. 

Today, my legs are just a little sore. A LOT less sore than I was planning and that makes me happy. I think today I am going to keep it light, stretch and relax it today, and tomorrow head back to the gym. Sat, I have another 5K, this time it is a cross country course which will remind me of Jacobsburg. Speaking of which, I wonder if anyone is up to running that again?!? Hmm.

Happy Thursday!What did you do this week so far?

Post race day

Yesterday was hot! I hope you all stayed hydrated and still enjoyed the weather. After the Firecracker 4 miler I could feel  muscle soreness in my right leg, and I knew it wasn't the same as the pain I had before therapy so I believe it definitely was soreness from not having run that far in so long. Anyway, I made sure to rest it by swimming in a pool and taking 2 aleve. It felt much better after the Aleve, so it gives me hope that I really am on the path to healing.
The race wasn't my best, (I did walk up the hill at mile 2) but I am relieved to make it through the race pain free. Gives me hope that I will be able to do half marathons again! After the race I was able to talk to a super awesome lady and hopefully a friend and she offered to do speed work with me (something I have been contemplating just never knew how to go about it). So, hopefully that will help me break my 30 minute time for my 5k and help me improve running overall.  I am hoping to get back to where I left off, and also do better on at least one of my half marathons this year. I really want to know what I can do without pain. I am also going to be smart, and only do the 10% rule  when it comes to increasing my distance, and I am going to still go to the gym and do the workouts they gave me at physical therapy, hopefully be able to do something like cross fit and improve my overall fitness.

Sorry for the rambling. There will be pictures later that my mom took yesterday of the babe, but for now, try to enjoy Thursday, it looks like it will be a warm one again.

No one fights like Gaston

Well, no one like me. So, as you know I went to see  a chiropractor a  couple days ago.  While there, I found out that my SA joint as a little out of alignment, but that fixing my IT band would be a little complicated. It IS fixable, but it will require work and rest. Most of the work will be done by the chiropractor, I will have to continue to stretch and rest, and the resting part will be hard for me. But, if I want to get better, I will have to do what the chiropractor says.  So, in order to fix my IT bands, the chiropractor will be performing the Graston Procedure (www.grastontechnique.com).   From the research that I did, and from what the doc said, this technique uses specialized tools (dull bent kitchen utilities in MHO) to work out the scar tissue and fibrous tissue that has formed along my IT band. Breaking up this tissue allows inflammation and adequate healing. It will allow my foam roller and stick to work more effectively.  It didn't hurt, it was just as uncomfortable as rolling, and I am a little excited to think that this might work. Maybe, just maybe I will get 3 half marathons in yet this year! I was forewarned that I will bruise, and the doc was not kidding.
I did run 3 miles today, it felt good, but I know it can feel better. I am hopeful that this technique will work, and I will keep you posted on the results. Next Sunday is my first race post half. I am just hoping to make it through, and while I know I can do 10 minute miles, I just want to use it to stretch everything out. I am really looking forward to going day shift, so that maybe, just maybe I can do steps, and other way more entertaining things to cross train.
Well, that is it for now. Hope all is well.
And Tina, I don't know when you will read this, but good luck Sunday!

1st Day back

Today  I went for a 3 mile run. More like a jog, but still, I got out and stretched my legs. I didn't even take my music, I wanted to "feel" my run. It felt good to stretch my legs, felt good to be running again. I am not sure if the soreness I felt in my IT band was from the running or from the new shoes I wore, but either way, it felt great to stretch it out. I did walk like maybe 6 tenths of a mile, I didn't want to overdo it my first day back. Man, I never thought I would say this, but man, did I miss running. Glad that I rested, maybe after my next half marathon I will be able to get back into the grind sooner, but every day got better after the half. I could barely walk Monday, but made myself go for a walk. Tuesday was even better, less soreness and stiffness, and yesterday I felt almost like new. Today, I felt blessed to have finished my first half, to have experienced it with great friends and an awesome running mentor Sarah, and it makes me eager to see what lies ahead. Now, off to the chiropractor to see if I need an adjustment, and to see if that helps with my IT band issues. Have a great Thursday!