setbacks

Would you believe that I managed to injury myself sitting? 

Literally. I spent almost three months, sitting on my ass, driving a giant monster truck across the country, and what do I have to show for it? Besides a serious lack of fitness and loss of all muscle tone. 

A bum hip.

Somehow sitting on my ass for days at a time exacerbated some bad shit in my glute, hamstring, quad, and has reared it's ugly head in the form of a really painful hip. Bursitis, tendonitis, tendonopathy, etc.  Sitting is the WORST. Followed closely by laying on that side, which given my opposite shoulder still has some issues, makes sleeping kind of miserable. Biking isn't bad, as long as I'm not torquing down to climb hills or sprint. Running is...manageable for a few miles at a time, but as soon as I stop moving? Woof. 

I've thrown everything I know at this situation. Chiropractic care, Graston & cupping, massage, traditional acupuncture, a cortisone shot (never again), and am now 6+ weeks into PT and dry needling. So far the relief has been minimal, if any. And rest doesn't seem to help at all (sitting, if you recall is the worst of the worst).

I had big goals of running my first trail 50k this year. I recruited one of my coworkers to help coach me through this. I picked an event. I've researched shoes and gear and nutrition. And now here I am, wondering how to get from A to B.

The first test of my trail fortitude was to be a spring 25k. I have two races in April in mind. So far I'm hitting my long runs, but my overall volume isn't anywhere near what it should be, and the recovery between runs is loooong and feels awful. I am fairly confident that even with my parred-down training, I can survive the 25k, but will this set me up to successfully dive into 50k training? I don't know.

I'm to stubborn to give up just yet. But I'm just smart enough to know that what I'm putting my body through probably isn't the best either. But good god do I want this. Need this.

Consider this another setback. One of many. 

November 1st

Not to state the obvious here, but today is November 1st. November is busy month in my world. Many, many birthdays (including my own!), Thanksgiving, the Saris Gala, an abundance of loose ends to tie up at work...before our trip to Thailand, typically the first snowfall, and so on.

But what November 1st signifies to me this year, on this day, is the start of my pre-training plan training.

It's no secret that my fitness level is way, way down. It's actually been on the decline since July 2009. As of late though it's taken a even bigger hit. I can probably count on one hand how many runs I've taken in the past two months, all of which have been miserable might I add. Starting a training plan 3 weeks prior to leaving the country for almost 3 weeks seems silly, but to wait until after our trip is like putting all of eggs in the proverbial basket. Instead, I had hoped to start ramping up my fitness level over the next few weeks so that it won't be as much of a shock to the system when we get home. In December.

But instead, I am coughing, and sneezing and sniffling here at my desk. I am eating some questionable Chinese takeout, the spiciest item on the menu just hoping to be able to taste something, and staring out the window. Staring at the 60 degree day. Staring at the sunshine. Staring at my coworkers coming and going from the lunchtime runs and rides. I ambitiously packed my running gear just in case I felt up to a lunchtime run...but it never made it out of my car.

So here it is, November 1st, the start of my training, the month I turn 30....and here I sit.

All Things Running #FTW

Over the past week or so I have taken some major strides in the active world.

I have been running consistently, and consistently well, for the past 3 weeks. It's still not far, and certainly not fast, but it is feeling better and better. I definitely think I am making progress on my form and strike, I am running at a faster pace, and my recovery time is shorter. Last night's run was a major break through with 20minutes run at a 6.1-6.5mph pace. And even after pushing the pace for 20mins I still had enough left in the tank to finish 3 4x1 intervals. Huzzah!

I've also acquired a few new pieces of running gear. Remember that unfortunate near-camel toe incident a few weeks back? Yeah, well rather than taking any more chances with different brands and styles i have decided to stick to the tried and true gear of Sugoi.

Those Canadians know how to make some serious running gear.

I have always love LOVE loved, and sworn by, their compression socks. They give my calves a nice little hug without breaking the bank, which is key in my world. From flying and roadtrips, to expos and events, to post smashfest recovery, they just do the job. I have always been a little skeptical of the calf sleeves tho. I mean, won't they make my feet swell up? Seeing as my budget, and sock drawer, only allow for so many pairs of socks I took a chance with the sleeves, and they are awesome. Two thumbs WAY up! I also splurged on a few new pairs of capris. I did a pair of Piston 200 Compression Capris, which are magical, and a pair of the Hatha Capris which are just about as comfy as it gets. And functional.

Let's review.

Sugoi = comfy + support + cute + NO CAMEL TOE = Happy Katie :)

OH! And last week @jenn_if_er from "From Stilettos 2 Sneakers" made like a jillion of these super cute running headbands and sent them out to her Twitter running buddies. How sweet is that? It keeps my rogue bangs out of my eyes, stays in place, which is like a friggin Christmas miracle in my world, and is adorable. So cute I am in fact guilty of wearing it not only to run in, but to work as well. I can only imagine the funk my sweaty headband is accumulating, but I suppose that's the price you pay for fashion. If you can get past the awkward phone/mirror picture, and the streaking dirty mirror, AND the Smurf blue walls of our bathroom, which I thought was an excellent idea at the time, you'll notice I am sporting a super cute zebra print headband with my Threadless "Don't CareBears" shirt.

Thanks Jenn!!

I keep trying to think of a way to pay it forward, but seem to lacking some serious creativity these days. Cute, functional, running related, DIY...? Any ideas?!?

Hard to top a good week of running, new running gear, and Jenn's headband? Abso-friggin-lutely. But being one of the newest member of Team HoneyMilk comes darn close!! That's right, I found out earlier this week that HoneyMilk has decided to add me to their roster of grassroot athletes. So not only will my bio be on their page, with the likes of Crowie and Chris McDonald, but I'll get to help spread the word on a super product.

With all this excitement it's hard to imagine that I'm going to successfully pour myself into bed now, but I am. I've got PT in the morning and a running eval...where hopefully I'll get the green light for RAGNAR and all my other running and tri plans....

Oh wait, and the BESTEST news of all????? I've managed to knock off 7lbs in the last 3 weeks!!! You have to love when hardwork, exercise and small changes start to add up to big accomplishments. It's only like another 15lbs or so til I'm back to pre-surgery race weight, but whatevs. I'm going to bask in my accomplishment for the moment and keep trucking along.

Unmotivated.

Hi, my name is Katie and I am unmotivated.

There I said. Admitting your problem is the first step. Right?

Coming off over a year and half running-ban is hard! It's like starting over and relearning to run. That coupled with a fear of getting hurt, again, has help fuel my lack of motivation. How in the world do I start over? How did I start in the first place? How, how how?? Whine, whine wine!!

I just cannot get back on the workout-wagon. No matter what I try. I use to routinely come home from work, let the dogs out and head out on my evening run. Days I didn't have time to run after work I would head out for a 30min run at lunch. Waking up at 5 was just part of the routine so that I could swim before work. Toiling over the details of writing the perfect training plan, following it, revising, and tracking it, gave me a sense of accomplishment and excitement.

Heck, even two months ago, in the absence of running, I was able to find the energy and motivation to make it to yoga 3-4 times a week.

Those days are loooong gone.

I'm in a vicious cycle. I am too tired and stressed to workout. All I want to do at the end of the day is veg. It seems thats all I can muster the energy to do. I know that if I got my act together and made sweating part of my daily routine the energy would come back to me, but it's the initial energy I just don't have. I feel like such a sloth!! Ugh.

Can I go the distance?

So when I got the doctor's a-ok to stop wearing my robo-boot (the first week of July) the first question I asked was when I would be running. I know, I know. I wasn't even walking pain and/or limp-free and I wanted to know about running. The doctor prescribed a month of self rehab with PT starting the first week of August. After PT started he said I'd have a better idea of when I would be able to start running, but that September would be a reasonable guess.

If I rewind back to when I decided to have surgery in May, I was really hoping that my rehab would be well underway in late June or early July, running by August. I really wanted to run TNF trail 1/2 marathon the end of October. Don't worry, the doctor put the kibosh on that real fast. He said even if I was running by September I would not be looking to do that sort of volume by the end of October...hmph!

So how about by December?

I figure the best way to fully get myself back in the game is to pony up the dinero to do a destination race I've always wanted to do. In this case, it's the Vegas Marathon (or rather the half marathon in this case). And the running buddy is totally on board for this. A little mini-break, a little run, maybe a little wedding?!? Just kidding....I am soooo not a Vegas bride. Or am I?

But I digress.

The way I see it most half plans are 12 weeks long. 12 weeks before race day (December 5th) puts me at September 12th. Obviously I'm not looking for a PR, or even to run the whole distance. If I could jog the distance, hell if I could run/walk the distance, I would be stoked. Super stoked!

But can I do it? Is it too much too soon? Is the doctor going to shut me down?

If the Vegas Half is a no-go, there's always the Arizona Rock-n-Roll Marathon the beginning of January, but that's just not Vegas. Vegas baby, VEGAS! My second choice would be to run the Disney Marathon in January, but I really really want to run the full marathon and not settle for the half on that one.

I realize that this is an ambitious goal. I suppose it goes hand in hand with the ambitious year I want to have next year. Maybe the Syttende Mai run, a couple of marathons, a couple of long distance relays, maybe a 70.3 or two. Why not get rockin' and rollin' with a a half yet for 2010?

Ironman Advice...?

So my friend Sarah is gearing up to do her first Ironman this fall (IM WI, woo woo) and is looking for words of wisdom. I've told her everything I know from my industry and tri experience, but as you know I fell short of IM WI myself last year.

She's definitely logging some serious miles and is well on her way to be trained and ready, but it's all those other things...food, clothes, special needs bags, pacing, and so on!!

For example, one woman told me that as a female participant do whatever you can to get a men's colored swim cap. Huh? No explanation, just those words of wisdom. Can anyone confirm or deny this bit of advice?

She's also toying with the thought of a 1/2 iron less than a month before IM. Good or bad idea? Why? (For the record, I said bad: taper and rejuvenate before the big day.)

What was your most useful piece of advice as a first time endurance athlete? Ironman? Marathon? Ultras? Whatever it is, share the love.

Don't let me down interweb, pay the tri love and knowledge forward!!

Back in the game.

Sort of.

I was at the dr today (again). At this point I really should have some sort of frequent flier card with the UW system. Perhaps a punch card working towards a free Jello cup or my very own hospital gown. Anyways...

Dr. Today. Cankle. Go.

I am officially working my way back to being active. WOOT WOOT!! I have been given the green light to start weening off of the boot, but knowing me I'll go cold turkey. I have been told swimming 3-4 times a week would be great rehab (ick) and biking, albeit indoors, is back on the to-do list. PT starts the beginning of August and there is good chance, if I follow the rules, that I will be able to start running again September-ish.

Only 14 months later.

Let the journey from fatty back to fitness commence!

I've been derailed

Er, wait, is that right?

After months of everything hurting (and most things still not feeling great), being advised against doing the majority of the things I love doing (hello, running), and just generally letting myself go, how in the world do I get back on track?

I've been cleared to bike, swim, and do short stints on the elliptical.  But now that I am ok'd to do that I don't even want to.  I am still sore and I am always tired.  And all I want to do is go for a run.

It's my favorite time of the year to run.  The air is cool and crisp, it's dark and quiet out.  It's running tight season!!  And I can't run yet.  Sad tights haven't even made it out of the workout clothes bin.

I've got a whole laundry list of exercises to do from my physical therapist, and for the most part I'm actually doing them.  I'm not sure that I'm doing some of them right.  Like the aero squat one leg balance thinger.  Her theory is that the biomechanics of my run are all wonky, starting up in my glutes, which causes me to stick out my hips weird (possibly the culprit behind my IT band issues) which pulls on my knee, and with each strike it causes my arch to collapse which, as it collapses, pulls on my posterior tibial tendon and consequently my dewclaw. Woah, that's a mouth full.  The tricky part about fixing biomechanics is that when you are so use to doing something it's awkward and hard to stop doing it.  But I have to do the exercises to strengthen and correct the issues so that maybe I will get to run again....some day...

But in the mean time, how do I get myself to the gym to do the things I am allowed to do?!?

(more soon.....life, home improvements, and everything else)

ROAD BLOCK!

That's right. I have officially come to a training ROAD BLOCK!

After finishing KS I noticed that my right foot and ankle was really sore. Like can't put weight on it sore. I chalked it up post race soreness, iced and elevated and assumed in a day or 2 it would feel much better. After all I didn't remember anything happening to hurt it....

Well a week and a half goes by, still swollen, still sore, still not good. I finally break down and go to my doc. Well, turns out, general med dr know squat about the musco-skeletal system. Without every touching my swollen ankle/foot she decided it was probably something with the ligaments, or maybe the muscles, or something, and just stay off it. what about the fact I can't really put weight on it? It hurts enough to keep me up at night? Oh, well ice and you should start some PT before you do any more training. Right.

Nothing for the pain, no brace of any sort, NO REFERAL TO A DOCTOR WHO KNOWS WHAT THEY ARE DOING?!?!

Needless to say I am looking at find a new, non-useless, all purpose doctor.

Anywho. That was 2 weeks ago. I tried to get in to PT, but couldn't see anyone until the end of July because I'm a new patient and I'm not refered from one of the sports med docs. So I rested, iced and elevated for the rest of that week. I eased my way back into swimming, relatively pain free but low effort and yardage. I've been doing some cycling...which hurts. Especially on longer rides or torquing up hills. And running, well running makes me think my foot's going to EXPLODE!

Last week I did a 2m treadmill run, ~10min/miles jus to see how it would feel. ABout 1/2m in I started to get stabby searing pains. Not good. I iced, elevated, and rested.

Last nigth I decided to say screw it and go for a lil pavement run. I did 3.1m in about 29.30, sp [retty darn slow. And once again, about 1/2m in I thought my foot was goign to fall off. WTF?! I do not need this right now.

I don't know what's wrong with my foot/ankle. My doctor's an idiot. My training is non-existent. I am in trouble....

Thoughts...suggestions...magic cures....give me what you've got?

Like ATR? Where in Madison can I find this and would it help? Is it convered by insurance?
Anyone know of a reputable nice dr that can help me out (and that I can somehow get a referal to)?
Home remedies?
Drugs?

I. AM. DESPERATE!