A little reflection...

One day out from yesterday's long run and not feeling like running today....Kim mentioned that she wanted to get a long run in, but the weather has been really cold and windy today, with a little rain sprinkled in. My knees and right foot are sore today, but it's more of an IT Band soreness on the outside of my knees, so I have been stretching a lot today. I went to the gym and did the elliptical for about 30 minutes with some leg exercises...squats with resistance bands and leg curls...I needed to do some leg extensions, but every time I wanted to, someone was on the machine. I'll probably do it tomorrow when I head up there for my circuit class. I didn't want to stay long because they lacquered the floor on Friday and that place reeked of headache causing fumes!! Ugh...think a few brain cells died today, and I can't spare many...

I saw Lisa Nichols at Wal-mart and she noticed I had my SalonPas patches on my knees. I'm sure I looked ridiculous, but they help....She used to be an avid and rabid runner and we talked about my various injuries...I think, in running, "walking" is a dirty word and it has affected what I think of myself when I have to walk....Yesterday was the first day I had to do that and for some reason, I was really ashamed of that... She was encouraging...some days are better than others. When Cheryl said that we averaged an 11 min mile yesterday when I was stopping a lot, I was sure it was longer than that. I am just glad I finished at all!! Mentally, the preparation for this marathon, has been even harder than the physical stuff. I admit that my physical setbacks have been the source of much of my discouragement, but how I handle those disappointments has not been pretty. There's time for improvement...and I DO want to. But I, all too often, set unrealistic goals for myself and then stew in the disappointment....I'm just not where other people are...And for those people that are genetic freaks of nature...I may never be like them. All I can be is me....and sometimes I have bad days. I CAN do this. I WILL do this. If I have to walk...then I WALK. Part of growing is rolling with the punches when things aren't what I wish they were...and to those people that have encouragement to offer, I am grateful..

I'm getting there...runnning, then slogging, then walking....

Today was the LR Marathon run, as is every Saturday, 12 miles....I haven't done a run that long since the Soaring Wings half in October. The temp wasn't bad...Luckily, it wasn't raining, but Cheryl said that it was supposed to drop in temp outside, so I was concerned that I didn't have enough layers on..I ended up being very comfortable, even when it got windy. The route was the "River Market Route", but I wasn't sure what that entailed today, as it has been changed up several times. I told the girls, "At least it's not the MLK Route..." I had to laugh as I got the directions and Cheryl said "Look!" and I saw Daisy Bates and MLK Dr....ugh....I think we ran on every downtown street today! The route was redeemed, somewhat, as we didn't get lost.

Cheryl was designated the "Safety and Security Officer" of our little threesome (she is able to warn us of each and every car and crack in the road), Kim the "Taskmaster"(the drill sargeant, if you will) and me....I guess the designated "Scape Goat of injury"....kidding...partially....hehe...Speaking of...today my foot was acting up like it did after the Spa 10k. I was thinking that it was Posterior Tibial Tendonitis, could be, but Kim laughed when I said it.. For once my knees and IT band weren't too bad, just a little sore. Unfortunately, at about mile 3.5, my foot issue just got worse and worse and I had to slog (run/jog) and walk many times. I could tell it was getting irritating, but probably not half as irritating as my moaning and groaning about it.... I know that I need a desperate mindset change about this whole running and/or marathon thing...I am just so frustrated that I feel so helpless about all these physical issues I've been having. I guess I analyze it to death, hoping there's something that I can try that I haven't thought of yet. I really need to get my issues with my shoes settled, so I can continue injury free (as possible) for the marathon. I'm hoping when we go to Memphis on Friday, that when we go to the Expo, I can check out some insoles that may help. I'm not sure if I've really given my orthotics a fair chance, but in my defense...they seemed unbearable to wear! I may have to head out to the New Balance store to see if the Podorthist who made them for me can suggest something...

To my advantage and Cheryl's credit, I was able to finish today. She stopped with me every time I had to walk and even though I'm sure it was annoying as hell, she was very gracious about it and didn't make me feel even more horrible about slowing she and Kim down....over 2 hours later....geez... Afterwards, we headed to Starbuck's as usual, but we were SHOPPED OUT after yesterdays 11-12 hour shopping extravaganza, so we took a very quick trip to Barnes and Noble so Kim could get a book for her mom for Christmas. Cheryl ended up finding some things too.. Yesterday was full of good deals with the sales and various coupons we had. I even got a free $25 gift card at Sports Authority and was able to buy several pairs of much needed socks, one of which I wore today and I love them!

This week will be a few short runs during the week and off to Memphis on Friday for the Memphis Half next Saturday...I am not even thinking about a PR...at this point...only finishing....but it should be a fun weekend with Aunt Martha and SHOPPING!!

Different day, different injury....

Maybe by my sheer experience of having each and every injury you could as a runner, I can help someone else someday....At least that's one way of looking at it....Geez....On the thankful side of things...at least I can walk....

There seems so little to say about the Spa 10k this past weekend, since Cheryl's blog just about said it all...lol...she should be the secretary of ANY and ALL organizations...her "minutes" would be THE BEST....All kidding aside (okay, maybe not all of it, I will have to sprinkle in some humor at some point in this blog or I run the risk of depressing all readers and driving you away forever)...

You may have already guessed that I was foreshadowing a bit, when I mentioned an "injury", but i will get to that soon enough..

This past Saturday was the Spa 10K in none other than"Spa City" Hot Springs, AR. Kim, Cheryl, and I headed up to Hot Springs on Saturday morning in the somewhat bitter cold. According to Cheryl...she hates the winter...any winter weather is bitter and unwelcome. I prefer the cold to the heat any day, but I will say that the numb fingers are a bit much sometimes! It was a reported 27 degrees, that supposedly FELT like 27 degrees that day. "At least it's not windy..." I thought....But it did seem to get colder as we approached Hot Springs. Kim had the heat cranked up for Cheryl...but I had to put the window down at one point...the heat and the windy roads just got to me...I was wearing pants, ill-fitting ones, I might add, and wishing that I had worn shorts that day, preferring numb legs to a "third butt cheek"by time I got those ChoPat straps on under my pants...

We got our packets and were pleased to see that we registered in time for a vest, but Kim and I got Medium sized everything. We regretted that decision, when we pulled out the HUGE "medium" shirt and vest that were inside. We were told that we could try to exchange it after the race for smalls, if there were any left...but we discovered after the race that the small sizes were all gone. Oh well...another nightshirt...hehe... We stayed inside as along as we could and Cheryl jumped and "flew" around in circles (funny to watch, by the way..), partially to warm up and partially to see if she could stimulate things "down below" before the race. We went to the starting area and when they fired the gun, Cheryl took off!! She wanted to finish in an hour, so she was "outta there"...I didn't have a goal, per se, but I had hoped to finish in under an hour.. Not to be gripey, but I just had an all-around, not-so-good race. I did not like the route, as the roads were badly slanted, even in the "flat" parts. I had heard lots of comments and warnings about the hills... I didn't mind the grade of the hills, as much as the steep slant of almost the whole course. I felt like I was constantly running on the insides of my feet!! My right foot, near my arch, the bone right above that, and up my right ankle was killing me...That eventually caught up with me around mile 5, when I realized that I could not run the rest of the way. I could feel myself tearing up with frustration, mostly at the pain and the realization that AGAIN, I had hurt myself..As I got closer to the finish line, I saw the clock and watched with dismay, more than I expected to feel, as 59:59 passed on by...I approached the finish and slowed to a walk, not realizing that I had to cross both mats for my chip to read...a few seconds more to my time.a somewhat disappointing 1:00:48..Kim and Cheryl cheered me on, and me...with my bad attitude and a scowl on my face, proceeded to get my chip cut off and head for the bathroom to take off my ChoPat straps. The girls could tell I needed a few minutes to myself and indeed, I did...Sorry, again, guys for my bad attitude..We left Hot Springs and headed for Benton...Starbuck's and target...here we come! Kim was really nice and bought my drink since I had such a bad race...

Kim and Cheryl were the best part of my day...I can't say that I will do that race again. I almost wish I hadn't done it, but I did have fun with the girls anyway. I have never really been a hypochondriac, but ever since I've started training for the LR Marathon, each and every twinge has become a source of worry...to the point of ridiculousness and self-fulfilling prophecy...I hate that, but it's been hard to know what aches and pains are normal for this kind of thing and what I should be careful about. I almost wonder if I should even do the Memphis Half, because the sheer "race" aspect of it, almost makes me push harder, even though it's supposed to be fun!

I've realized a something painful about myself too...I always thought that other people's expectations were the pressure and paralyzing things that made me fail...that maybe if other people didn't expect so much of me, I would be okay..Yes, some people in my life and immediate circle aren't too supportive or encouraging...But the truth is, well at least the partial truth is...I set MYSELF up for failure...the pressure that I feel most is that of my own expectations...Why won't I allow myself to fail? Why must my performance define who I am? Sometimes when I'm satisfied with where I am, I compare myself with others and sabotage my own efforts by trying to be where they are...All the while, killing my own joy and my ability to enjoy the success of others... Even though Kim and Cheryl are faster and have been around way longer, they have been nothing but encouraging to me, giving me the grace I don't give myself and praising my efforts...reminding me that it's not "all about the PR" and to cut myself some slack, even while helping me try my best. That's a gift, you know...and in light of Thanksgiving and all...I'm again, thankful for them...

Even as I sit here typing, not able to run because of my dang foot, alternating ice packs with SalonPas, and popping Ibuprofen...just hoping it's better by Saturday's long run...I am thankful for my new running family and their support.

Sign me up for a colonic and a massage....

Well, back from my weekend in Louisville!!! After approximately 16 hours (there and back) in the car...I emerged....stiff and constipated..but HOME!

I drove up on Thursday, leaving about 9 that morning and stopping at Starbuck's on the way...I had contemplated running that morning before leaving, but I didn't want to get on the road too late and I woke up at 7:30...They gave me a free extra coffee at the Bucks, as they made my original drink wrong....either way, I was drinking two Venti coffees and knew I would be stopping soon for the bathroom!! The trip was pretty uneventful, with the stops for gas and bathroom time, and for once, the Mapquest directions were right! The drive was beautiful and the trees were muchmore colorful and vibrant up there! I didn't feel like going to the conference that night, after sitting all day, but I did meet my friends Lisa, Chas, and Ryan to eat dinner with them and say hello. I followed Lisa to "her house" (aka the awesome and cute house the church is letting her stay in as their supported missionary) and we just hung out, talking for the evening and catching up. She has been living in Nepal for the past two years, so it had been awhile!

The following day, I got up around 7:30 to get a short run in before the plenary session that morning...My knee was feeling a bit better, but the Doc told me to wear the Cho-Pat strap on the left leg too, so off I went...... I was actually overdressed, as I stepped outside and it was sunny and in the 50's, at least. I did several loops around the church nearby (it's at least a mile around the campus), and like clockwork, my IT Band was acting up...geez....it seems like 4 miles is the magic number! I was glad to have done SOMETHING, but discouraged that it seems like it's not getting better, but worse......The rest of the weekend was a series of plenary and break-out sessions, networking with various Medical Missions organizations and meeting people. There wasn't anything in particular at the conference itself that really stood out to me, but I did hook up with an organization called Equip Inc. that prepares people for medical trips overseas with an intensive training course in tropical medicine and nursing intervention. THAT was exciting..and I am already making plans to attend next May! It was also nice, albeit brief, to see my friends Chas and Ryan too! One of Chas' friends, Catherine from Jax, Fl and a PA was also staying at the house with us. She is also very much into running, although she loves trail running, and we talked forever about that, including all our injuries and various treatments for them...haahaha...I did get a chance to work out at the church fitness center for about an hour, so that made me feel a bit more lively after all that sitting and eating...ugh..

As we talked I told her about my intermittent IT Band issues and knee stuff, and she mentioned talking a few weeks off running....I was definitely hesitant...and still am...but then she said to just do what I can, take it easy, and run my race, enjoying it...even if I go slow. That somehow gave me relief...I guess I have been approaching the upcoming races with something to prove...a better PR, blah, blah, blah...and worrying more and more how I was going to do that, being hurt...it was almost like she gave me permission to enjoy myself and running again. I thought about it...I don't know how much longer I have to run, I mean, none of us do..I don't mean to be morbid or melodramatic, but anything can happen, anytime... At this point, I am thankful I can run at all...but I want to enjoy it again....and I hope, in the meantime...I will heal. Planning to meet up with Kim and Cheryl in the am and hopefully, not slow them down too much!!

4 X-Rays and some paper shorts later....

Well, I finally got sick of hurting and not getting better, and wondering if I was making things worse with my knee and hip pain. Made an appointment for today to see Dr. Slater, an Orthopedist at Ortho Arkansas. I arrived at 9:30 and was being checked by 9:45!! The fastest I have ever gotten in to see a doc. Told him what has been going on, the things that do or don't help, etc. He concluded that I have no stress fractures, tendon or ligament problems or leg imbalances. He did X-rays on my hips and knees and said my joints look great! For that I was relieved... I have a touch of tendonitis in my left knee. He also said that my femurs tend to rotate inward, which is something I can't help due to the way they formed when I was growing. He didn't even say that I had to stop running, just cut it back a bit, and build back up according to how I feel. I do hate that it seems rather subjective...that I don't have a definitive plan or estimate as to when things will be okay again....I am to continue my NSAIDS, ice/heat, stretching, and rest. Was supposed to do a 10 miler today, but he recommended I not...I did a short 5 mile run in my neighborhood, and my knee actually feels okay, but my right IT Band was acting up, so I cut it short. This cutting back will be hard...especially the way I tend to push myself, but I hope it is better in the 'long run"...haha...

Commando...Chi Running....and Sprains...Oh my....

Today was my first weekly run with the girls. Met at Cheryl's house about 6:10 to do their regular 5 mile loop. It was cold and as usual, the girls thought I was crazy for wearing shorts. I usually don't have problems with my legs getting cold as much as my arms do...I did have 2 shirts and a fleece on today....

Left from Cheryl's house and headed down to the bathrooms, at such time I proceeded to (gulp) "shed my underwear" as Cheryl puts it....they kept falling down and we still had about 4.3 miles to go....what was I going to do? Keep pulling them up the whole time? So, I did remove them, fold them in a little square, and tuck them in my "kangaroo pouch" on the front of my fleece pullover, and carry on with the run... The hills, although I usually like them, seemed tough today and I was breathing hard. Kim swears it's a "Monday" thing and I might be inclined to believe her, although that chick never has a "Monday" (she ran 10 miles yesterday... ) ! I had been reading last night, and watching You Tube, about Chi Running....It is supposed to help you run more efficiently and effortlessly, "using laws of physics and nature" to guide your body positioning. I tried the running posture, but I'm sure that it is something that takes some practice. Kim assured me that I looked like an absolute dork....but I think it may have helped???

Passing the Elementary school, Cheryl hurt her ankle again...I didn't really see it, but it looked like she tripped over a bulge in the road...She immediately had to sit down and it looked pretty painful. I'm sure it was just as frustrating as ever, as we have the Spa 10k coming up next weekend and the Memphis Half in December. We were not sure if she could walk back home, but after a few minutes she was able to stand and it didn't look swollen or bruised. We walked home with her and Kim and I continued our run. We ended up getting almost exactly 4 miles, by the time we got back to Cheryl's. My knee felt okay, but my damn IT Band was sore and that was even with wearing my ChoPat strap further up on my thigh....Ugh...We have a 10 miler on Wednesday and I'm kind of worried...Hopefully with some rest, ice/heat, SalonPas patches and Ibuprofen/Aleve, I will be functional on Wednesday morning. We are doing 4-6 miles before meeting Cheryl for the rest and I hope she is able to run by then....We went inside for some coffee and Cheryl was icing her ankle. I felt bad that she had to go to work this morning after the trauma....

Going out of town this week on Thursday to Louisville to go to a medical missions conference. I probably won't have time for much running up there, except a short one or two, so that's why I'm doing my long run on Wednesday. Looking forward to seeing my good friends Lisa, Chas, and Ryan. More on Wednsday's run to come....

Who would have thought my soul mate was a ChoPat strap???

After Saturday's run, I was a bit nervous about starting to run this week....wondering if I should just take a small break....a few days...maybe a week...
And much to my delight...

There IT was...the Cho-Pat strap of my dreams.....Yes, it's true...I have found my soul-mate...okay, well... my new running mate anyway...

I wasn't sure how the thing would work. It is apparently supposed to be worn in the place closest to the area of discomfort when running. For a while, that was my knee, but lately it has been near my right hip. So...I wasn't sure if I would have to order another larger pair. I tried it anyway and tentatively started out...

One mile down...no pain...hmmm..maybe it just hasn't been long enough....
Two...three....four....Man, I felt great!!

A day later, it still feels okay.... and I am too excited about my new friend!! Again, props and a BIG "shout out" to Kim, who suggested them to me. I am looking forward to my runs this week and maybe this weekend's 8 mile route won't be too bad. At least my "running family" will be together again, with Cheryl and Kim both joining me for the LR Marathon group run and, of course, Starbucks' afterwards...

T-O-R-T-U-R-E........Definition: Today's run at Murray Park....

Torture: (1) anguish of body or mind (2) something that causes agony or pain (3) the infliction of intense pain......In today's run....ALL OF THE ABOVE!!!

Today's run was out at the "infamous" Murray Park....I say that because Cheryl hates that route and I have always loved it UNTIL TODAY......

I kind of forgot where it was, because last time we started at Allsopp Park, so I was freaking out this morning because I didn't bring my directions and was convinced I knew where I was going...apparently not...I called Cheryl twice and texted Kim to find out where it was. Cheryl didn't answer, I think she didn't recognize my number and Kim was at work. She was going to send me the directions, but by then, I found it. They hadn't started yet, thank goodness, but for an unfortunate reason, I guess there was an accident with a runner and they had to call an ambulance. I'm not sure what happened....Anyhoo, I was thinking I was a little overdressed for the run. I had my Sugoi pants, long sleeve performance and a light rain slicker on because it was raining when I left the house. I ended up being comfortable because there was a slight wind.

I started out okay, but like clockwork my IT Band was killing me and I had to stop about EVERY mile to stretch. It had been doing that this week some during my runs, but not until at least mile 4. Not today.....I'm kind of worried about it, and wondering if I really jacked myself up by running the half last weekend. There was one girl that I kept passing and then, when I would stop to stretch, she would pass me....this went on for about 7 miles...geez, I felt like the biggest geek...Then one group of ladies, when I was stretching, said "I didn't realize there was ballet involved today..." and when I told her I was stretching, she said "Is your IT Band bothering you? I thought I recognized those stretches..." I guess it took me about an hour and 50 minutes, with about 7-10 stops along the way...I thought I would NEVER get done...

Anyone have any suggestions?? I have ordered my Cho-Pat straps, which now that I think about it, are probably the wrong size....I am doing stretches...and Ibuprofen...and ice.... Hopefully this won't interfere with the Memphis Half coming up in December....Should I rest for a week or two??



No that's not my sexy leg....these are the straps I ordered....