I entered this week with hope that a return to some sort of running would be possible. I also was being very realistic in that this return may not look the way I want it to look and that any hope of following a training plan, even if it was half mileage would be foolish. I had to run what my body thought capable based on any pain/soreness I might encounter. In writing this on Monday, my left leg still felt stiff and tight with random soreness in my IT band, some on that inner adductor, and then some in the back of the leg, not my hamstring per se, but something back there.
Join me as I journey through life as a mommy to a little red headed boy and four red australian shepherds and wife to an awesome hubby who can't say No. My addictions include distance running and training dogs (specifically in dog agility) and my job is in science so expect a dose of a little bit of all of these things. Running with reds is how I keep my sanity:)
Sunday, February 28, 2021
Week 11 of 18: Training for the Flint Hill's 50 Low and slow
Sunday, February 21, 2021
Week 10 of 18: New hope?
This is going to be a bit long on words and a bit short on pictures. I am entering week 2 of no running, high stress thanks to the weather, and obligations upon obligations. Please forgive me for laying it all out there and I totally understand if you don't want to read my word diarrhea since no running is involved till the end of the week.
The week started out with a bang. The kids were off for president's day, which was a good thing due to the cold and the snow. School canceled for Tuesday because of predictions of -35 degree wind chills. I decided to work from the house both days due to our pipes freezing up that feed our washing machine. We have been dripping water and having the heat on much higher than we normally have it set at for over a week to combat this and yet this still didn't work. On the positive side, at least the pipes on the north facing wall didn't freeze up for more than a day? AND nothing has burst as of yet?
I had a plan to rest all last week and then get back to it this week with some half of the distance I needed run runs. Anything is better than nothing right? I eagerly awaited Tuesday to get back onto satan's sidewalk since our roads were covered in ice and snow. I knew almost immediately it was a bad idea and I should stop. But stupid me kept going till I hit about .6 of a mile. My leg was not only saying no, it was saying HELL NO. I got off of the treadmill very defeated and very much headed into a downward spiral. If you are reading this and are a runner you get it. Yes, running is not my total identity, but it is a HUGE part of me and what I do and it's my stress relief. Owning your own business is hugely stressful. Being a mom to an atypical child is very stressful. Being on the board in three of the organizations you are a part of is very stressful. We all have stress and I am not saying I am any different. It's just right now I have most certainly bitten off more than I can chew, and I am at the top of the level of stress I can take before totally breaking. Taking away my ability to run it off is a blow. I knew this was potentially something that would take me out for more than one week, but I had hope. I had hope that resting and being a bum would certainly help get me back on the road. I was wrong and I knew I would probably be last week. When you can't even walk, it's kind of a sign.
I decided the best plan of action is to make a list and start checking things off. My brain likes that and it helps me keep my head above water and in control. I quickly checked my bank account and ordered a women's bar for lifting. I am back at 0 right now anyway with lifting, so a bar and maybe a pair of 10 lb bumpers is all I need. I got my protein shakes out and made a bunch for breakfast and dinner making it where I had no excuse to get my butt back on a good plan for nutrition. I texted my chiro and let her know we were dealing with a full blown injury that was going to require her and I to do research and figure this out. I also talked to several ultra runners who have dealt with this injury or similar to manage my expectations. The good news is my friends are awesome and all said that I would be fine running both races even if I had few weeks off. They are right, it won't be pretty, but I am taking the summer off from any serious training to enjoy my kiddo racing and be a board member, so I will have a lot of time for recovery and then gentle base building. God I love running friends. I also changed my mindset for dealing with this and went from full on rest to active rest. I had been doing my rehab exercises on and off, but not enough and I vowed to get back to it and be serious. Yes, I hate that it takes an injury to get serious, but I want to get this last 50 miler so badly I can taste it. Once I had plans in place and some advil on board, I felt so much clarity and done with the hopelessness.
Thursday was chiro day. After listening to my symptoms and already having had my texts to set her up, we went to work. I don't do needles, so no needling, but we did do some pretty painful cupping. She did not only sliding cupping but also some stationary cupping with some range of motion exercises. Lots of adjustments and lots of massage gun on some oh so tender areas. I am still not use to the whole, oh this hurts? Let's smack it, poke it, rub it, mess with it till it doesn't hurt anymore plan of action. It seems to always work, so okay, I am on board. I walked out of her office with more exercises and an appointment next week. She also wanted me to try running this weekend for a couple of miles outside. I am very nervous but also I need something, some bit of hope.
I did come home to a super surprise Friday. My bar from Rogue came in already as well as my collars for my weights!!! I didn't even get an email that it had shipped so this was so nice to see already. Tony and I made a little circuit to remind my body about form with just the bar including front squats, back squats, deadlifts (regular, sumo, and negative), and squat presses. I made it through 4 rounds of 10 of each with a substitute of shoulder presses with my kettle bell for squat presses. I plan on getting some foam squares for my bedroom for my weights and I have ordered one set of 10 lbs bumpers, but they are coming from Texas so it may be a while.
Sunday, February 14, 2021
Week 9 of 18: A bust
I had hoped I was back on the 2 year plan for injuries post the hammy injury last year. I also had hoped this injury wasn't a long term thing, but I am super worried it might be. I just want one more 50 miler and then I am DONE with that distance. I want ONE belt buckle dang it! That niggling pain in my pubic area/left groin area started really bothering me during my 10 miler and by Sunday, I could barley walk. I had to take some Advil due to headaches and needing to work our home wrestling tournament, which took the pain away all day Sunday, but masking the pain is not what I am about.
Sunday, February 7, 2021
Week 8 of 18: CUT BACK week and SUPERBOWL!
Y'all, all of this pavement running is about to kill me. I know, I know, we have been super spoiled this year with a very mild winter, but dang it, I need my gravel!