OK, I give up!

My last post said I was going to start training, but after one (just one) run, my knee was throbbing. So, I threw in the towel and called a doctor!

The doctor said no road running for 3 weeks. At least my initial self diagnosis was correct. It's my IT band, but they said leg muscle imbalance and hip weakness is aggravating it. I'm going to physical therapy twice a week, stretching, and doing pilates. Hope to be running soon!!!

Keep you posted.

Happy New Year: 2007 Running Report

Happy New Year!
A lot has happened since I last checked in. I got engaged over the holidays and I'm getting married in October!! Sadly, I've did have to take a break from running to heal the knee. But now I am pain free and I think it's time to get back on schedule!

Prior to a look at my 2008 plan, here is a look back on 2007:
Total Distance: 294.6 mi
Total Time Running: 59:01:12
Average Pace: 12:01 min/mi
Days Running: 72 of 365

Not bad for a beginner! It's funny, my resolution for 2007 was to run a mile, and I ran almost 300!

So here is the plan for 2008.
1. Work back to 3 days a week by my birthday (a month away).
2. Train and RUN the Big Lake Half Marathon (key word is run)
3. Run a race a month from May to October.
4. Maintain 3 days a week running while planning a wedding for 150 people. (Can we say stress relief)
5. Stop thinking, start running!

(2008 training schedule will be posted tomorrow!)

Running Makes me Happy - Lessons from 8 months of running

I missed my 7th of running month rant, so I will try to make up for it with this - my Lessons on 8 months of Running.

1. Yes, you can do too much too fast.
You read about it in books, magazines, and websites, but until you do it - and get injured, you won't really understand. Some "experts" say follow the 10% rule - don't increase your mileage more than 10% a week. I think it should be rephrased to "don't increase any one run by more than 10% a week.". I generally followed this method during my half marathon training, but I found that once I reached 8 miles, adding a mile a week to my long runs was too much.

2. IT Band Injuries STINK!
Continuing with overuse injuries, if you do too much, too fast - you will get hurt. For me, it's ITS - Iliotibial Band Syndrome. My IT bands are too tight and they rub on my femer making my knees feel like there are ice picks stabbing the outside of them! FUN! My first mistake was doing too much, too fast. My bigger mistake was not stretching enough. I did stretch, for like 5 minutes after my run, but with tight IT bands you need 20-30 minutes. H
ere is everything I've learned about IT band injuries:
- You must stretch. If you start feeling tightness on the side of your legs or your knees, buy a foam roller or a stick! - check out this article
- Check your shoes. Worn out shoes will aggravate ITS.
- Strengthen your hips and quads - I have uneven strength in my quads, so I have to work on my legs individually.

3. Running Makes me Happy
I have been a bear lately - a real bah humbug! I've been grouchy, grumpy, and generally not fun to be with!
After my run tonight (my first in 10 days,) I feel like a kid again! That's it, running makes you feel like a kid. It might be the "runners high" that they describe, but what ever it's called - it makes me HAPPY!

Back on the wagon - New Shoes

After a rocky 2 weeks post half-marathon, I ran today with no pain! Granted, I only did 22, very boring, minutes on the treadmill. It felt it good. I think I need to change my schedule to be able to run outside in the daylight. I won't make it through the winter if I have to rely on the treadmill! Any thoughts on a winter workout routine???

I ran in my new Asics GT-2130 running shoes for the first time - my trade in for the Saucony Trigon 5. I bought the Saucony's a week before the half and actually ran the race in them, but they killed my right foot!! Between the blister on my toe and the pain in my arch - they had to go. So my running store let me trade them in (so nice of them!) I can't officially review the Saucony Trigon 5 because I only ran 20 miles in them. They just didn't feel comfortable on my right foot. The Asics seem to fit well so far and no knee pain yet! The shoe genius at my favorite running store said I pronate with my left, but not with my right. It makes fitting me with shoes a challenge. The Saucony Omni 6 I had for 5 months prior to the half marathon were comfortable, but they didn't hold up well. I wore down the right side of the right sole to the cushion. Not a good sign! So I'm trying the GT-2130.

Go Team!

Here is our team picture from the Half Marathon - don't we look great! Notice we are all women (with one token male!)

Before - After

I pulled these off the race photo page - I was shocked when I saw the finish line picture - the pain was written all over my face. The first photo is from Mile 4 - don't I look happy??!! The second one is from the finish line - so sad!
I vow that I will smile at the finish of my next race!

Post Half Marathon Recovery

As you saw from my half marathon race report, I am having some serious knee pain while running. But I am on the road to recovery! I'm doing everything I can think of to rest and stretch my IT bands:

* I had a therapeutic sports massage last Thursday - trigger point therapy on my IT bands and hips. It hurt like heck! He left bruises on the side of my legs!
* I have been stretching my legs and taking pilates - seems to be loosing my quads and hips.
* I've been using the foam roller and the stick on my IT bands - also hurts like heck , but feels so good!
* I started light weight training on my legs and hips to balance my quads. My right leg is weaker than my left, so I'm doing leg lifts, hamstring curls, side raises and abductor exercises with one leg at a time.

I did run 3 miles on Saturday, but the knee pain returned at mile 2 - had to walk the last mile home :( I think I need to trash the new shoes and switch back my old saucony omni 6! The trigon 5 are killing my right foot. It may be a loss!

Today, I ran 10 minutes on the treadmill (with my old sneakers) prior to my leg strengthening. Not bad. I may try 3 miles tomorrow. Everyone I've talked to says to ease back into it, so I'm taking it slow.