Between injury and illness, I fell off the running bandwagon for a couple of months. Without sounding too sorry for myself, I have to say it's discouraging to have gotten so far and then have a relapse into a major depression. My resilience in handling bad events still isn't where I want to be. The loss of what I'd thought was a promising personal relationship along with fighting persistent pain from my back and neck problems took a toll on my mood that was pretty bad.
I have been pursuing other ways of managing my depression, but the physical activity and social aspect of team running are both things that work for me. Anyone who has suffered depression knows how incredibly difficult it is, when you're in the middle of it, to get yourself moving. With people. So today is a small victory for me.
I met up with Polly, Emily, and Billy from my running team. Starting from scratch - three miles. We did the three at an average 13 minutes per mile pace. Felt good, better than I expected. Emily and her brothers are signed up to run a half marathon in March, as are some others from my team. I don't have a half on the horizon, though I am looking for one. Can't do the one they are training for in March, but...at least I have partners for long runs at least once a week.
It feels good to be back!
Saturday, February 4, 2012
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
...and....
Saturday, October 29, 2011
Thursday, October 13, 2011
Last double digit LONG RUN - now we taper
Ouch. Serious ouch.
The last long run was downright painful. My right knee just did NOT want to cooperate, even with the compression wrap on. I spoke to one of the physical therapists afterwards, though I knew there wasn't a lot I could do with the remaining time to strengthen the muscles involved.
She recommended a foam roller (purchased), switching entirely to the new shoes (done - I wore the old ones that day), and continuing to stretch, especially the glutes, up to race day. I'm planning on getting a massage a few days before the race. Coach Rick suggested spending time in the pool with a kickboard loosening up the hips...so I guess it's a good thing I'll be on vacation right before MCM? smile
If worse comes to worse, I can ice during the race...bought a small bottle of biofreeze, just in case.
The rest of me held up okay, just a little sore in the quads/glutes - and the 7 hour flight the next day didn't help that any!
The good news? Other than knee pain the run was great. Who knew long runs could be enjoyable? Seriously?
The other good news? Now that I am getting down to the wire (only two 8 mile runs until race day!!), donations have been pouring in from friends and family! Current total stands over the halfway mark to my $3000 goal!!
I have to take a minute to thank every one of you for your support - family, friends, coworkers - it means the world to me that you've supported me on this journey. I doubt I'll have the urge to train for another marathon (though I won't say never), but the past several months of training have been a learning experience for me. Glad that you've stuck with me through it!
The last long run was downright painful. My right knee just did NOT want to cooperate, even with the compression wrap on. I spoke to one of the physical therapists afterwards, though I knew there wasn't a lot I could do with the remaining time to strengthen the muscles involved.
She recommended a foam roller (purchased), switching entirely to the new shoes (done - I wore the old ones that day), and continuing to stretch, especially the glutes, up to race day. I'm planning on getting a massage a few days before the race. Coach Rick suggested spending time in the pool with a kickboard loosening up the hips...so I guess it's a good thing I'll be on vacation right before MCM? smile
If worse comes to worse, I can ice during the race...bought a small bottle of biofreeze, just in case.
The rest of me held up okay, just a little sore in the quads/glutes - and the 7 hour flight the next day didn't help that any!
The good news? Other than knee pain the run was great. Who knew long runs could be enjoyable? Seriously?
The other good news? Now that I am getting down to the wire (only two 8 mile runs until race day!!), donations have been pouring in from friends and family! Current total stands over the halfway mark to my $3000 goal!!
I have to take a minute to thank every one of you for your support - family, friends, coworkers - it means the world to me that you've supported me on this journey. I doubt I'll have the urge to train for another marathon (though I won't say never), but the past several months of training have been a learning experience for me. Glad that you've stuck with me through it!
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
26 Days!!
I haven't written much - have missed my last 2 long runs thanks to a respiratory infection that is threatening still to settle in my chest (I get bronchitis a lot in the autumn - although I didn't get so much as a cold last year).
This coming Saturday, I'm running no matter what - it's the last double-digit (and the longest) long run before race day. Running short runs has been painful (breathing is poor - lungs hurt) but do-able. I have way upped my Vitamin D for three days as is recommended to boost immune response - let's hope that does the trick and helps knock this out.
Trying to stay motivated!
This coming Saturday, I'm running no matter what - it's the last double-digit (and the longest) long run before race day. Running short runs has been painful (breathing is poor - lungs hurt) but do-able. I have way upped my Vitamin D for three days as is recommended to boost immune response - let's hope that does the trick and helps knock this out.
Trying to stay motivated!
Sunday, September 18, 2011
Things Learned on an 18 Miler
18 Miles is not as hard as it sounds...but you will be sore afterwards.
When you really need to pee, you really need to pee - endurance running is not for the overly modest. Sometimes squatting in the bushes is the best you're gonna get.
Iliotibial (IT) Band pain - it happens. Compression wraps work. (Note to self - buy one before next long run!)
Everything the coaches say about rest, eating and hydration is true.
Some pains can be run through. Some can't. Helps to know which are which.
You really can psych yourself out - in good ways or bad.
Being able to say "I ran 18 miles this morning for charity" feels pretty damned good and makes the soreness worth it.
When you really need to pee, you really need to pee - endurance running is not for the overly modest. Sometimes squatting in the bushes is the best you're gonna get.
Iliotibial (IT) Band pain - it happens. Compression wraps work. (Note to self - buy one before next long run!)
Everything the coaches say about rest, eating and hydration is true.
Some pains can be run through. Some can't. Helps to know which are which.
You really can psych yourself out - in good ways or bad.
Being able to say "I ran 18 miles this morning for charity" feels pretty damned good and makes the soreness worth it.
Sunday, September 11, 2011
Trying to Get Back
Ugh...so this whole "cleaning up from the storm" thing really got me sidetracked and weighed down. I'll spare you the details, but long story short I've really been in a pissy mood and stressed out.
Got up early this morning. Ran 10. Very grateful for the company of Sharita, one of the women I've run with a few times. We were both tired and both off-schedule as far as running. A couple of times we found ourselves just getting silly and laughing out loud, which I really needed.
Marine Corps Marathon is ONLY 49 days away.
Oh, and for what it's worth...I can deal with the soreness and the aches. But chafing absolutely BITES, especially in places you didn't expect it!
Got up early this morning. Ran 10. Very grateful for the company of Sharita, one of the women I've run with a few times. We were both tired and both off-schedule as far as running. A couple of times we found ourselves just getting silly and laughing out loud, which I really needed.
Marine Corps Marathon is ONLY 49 days away.
Oh, and for what it's worth...I can deal with the soreness and the aches. But chafing absolutely BITES, especially in places you didn't expect it!
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