Are High Heels a Good Idea?

Trying to decide: Are high heels a good idea with the recently recovered hip flexor?

Running on Sunday

Good news! I have been cleared to run a half mile on Sunday. . . at a twelve minute mile pace. And of course I have to stop if it hurts and I'm not allowed to run further even if it doesn't hurt. Lots of conditions! But at least I can start back with my running!

This Just In. . .

Turns out all is not lost! I went to PT today and even though I am still limping, Ron thinks I should be able to run by next week! Very exciting news, let me tell you! I have been going a little nuts here and my dog has been driving me nuts. Turns out I'm not the only one fairly addicted to running! Not shocking that Timmy would like it, as he is a dog and this forced break has made him a bit of a pain in the butt. He is actually more restless than I am! Anyway, things may be looking up!

No Dancin' Either!

I was feeling better this week, really, I swear! One of my favorite bands came to town this week. I got one of the last tickets and went. This in and of itself was not a bad idea. But the show was at the German House, which of course means no seating. So I was standing for the whole show. Ok, I can stand with my injury. I mean, I stand when I supervise volleyball and that's not a problem. The problem lies in the fact that I don't just stand at a concert. Really! Does anyone just stand and listen to music? Of course I had to dance! BAD IDEA. . . VERY BAD IDEA!!!! Ok, so I was a little sore at the end of the night, but really was it not just the dancing, but the jumping up and down that did me in. Note to self: Jumping not a good idea. So I go to PT today, tell Ron the story and now I have two appointments for next week and still no running. This whole thing is a major bummer. I really want to be running again!

Running Soon?

Yesterday I went for a swim. It was probably my best swim since the tri. I swam non-stop for thirty minutes and thirty seconds and was able to complete 30 laps. It is really frustrating after all this time to still be swimming at the exact same pace as when I started training in January. It seems that no matter what approach I use, I still average 1 minute/50 yards. I am not sure why either. I have done drills, I have done intervals, and I have done long slow distance. Nothing seems to change my pace. Yesterday I concentrated on my arms in order to give the ol' hip-leg a break. I know I was pulling harder, but not kicking as strong. End result? Still no change in pace! I am hoping that when the hip-leg is healed that I will miraculously have increased my pace, but for some reason I doubt that this will be the case.
On a happier note, I think physical therapy went well today. Although Ron did not suggest that I run or ride, he did say I could take my dog for a brisk walk. I am hoping that by Friday I will not be limping, and that he will say that I can go running over the weekend. I know Timmy, my dog, would greatly appreciate that kind of news. As for me, I am hoping that this is not a case of the forbidden fruit being sweeter. Here's hopin' that I will be running by Saturday!

Getting Better

So Ron told me I can start considering running when I can walk without a limp, which is almost happening now!!! Not all the time, but sometimes. . . And he cleared me for the Turkey Trot and Turkey Classic. This of course means that I went straight over to Fleet Feet and registered for the Turkey Trot. I plan on registering for the Turkey Classic this weekend. Yippee! I am on the mend! I am actually almost pain free - unless I try to do something silly like walk really fast or something. I am just hopeful that I will be able to get some nice final bike rides in before the snow starts to fly. Would a five mile run be took much to ask for by the end of the month? Ha! Ron said that I am just like my father. Whatever that means! I am just driven and excited to be getting better! Sitting around sucks monkey butts!

Running in Cold Weather

So, since I don't have the ability to actually go running . . .I went to Fleet Feet's Running in Cold Weather workshop tonight. I have come to the conclusion that I need more gear. Shocking, right? But really, it made me excited to think about gearing up and going for a run when the snow is flying. Crazy, I know. I am realizing that although I have always been right that running is synonymous with crazy, I appear have officially joined the crazies. So now I get to buy two pairs of new sneaks soon - regular ones and trail runners. I want to maybe start trail running? Hmm, . . . well I need to be ready for the spring classic duo and this time, there will be no injury! Also, I think the additional traction will be helpful when I am running outside this winter.
Ahh! Now if only I could actually go running and vent some of my frustration!

My Hip-Leg

Today's first visit to my PT was painful, but productive. Evidently I have pulled two out of three parts of my hip flexor. Ron, my PT did give me some hope. He thinks that the seven weeks between now and the Turkey Trot should be enough time to heal. However, he did not seem too enthused about my plan of completing my first indoor tri in December. He warned me that trying to go as far as I could in each 15 minute leg might cause a relapse. . . mentioned maybe taking it easy . . . we'll see if I can heal by then. On the up side, Ron did seem pretty positive about me completing the three races I have on my calendar for the rest of the year. I guess ice, high test aleve, muscle relaxers, stretching and maybe swimming, with mostly my arms, are what my near future holds. Boo Hiss!! I miss running! And biking!

Pain & Suffering

It is official. . . I definitely injured myself at the Duathlon. I pulled my "leg-hip" and now must go to physical therapy. Not what I wanted to hear at all. I finally went to the doctor today and she put me on a higher dose of Aleve as well as a muscle relaxer for night. Good news: Pain has subsided with the new meds. Bad news: Looks like I won't be running for a while. And boy do I need it! I didn't realize how much I have come to rely on running as a total stress release. Now I am stuck trying to handle a huge personal heartbreak and an injury without my new favorite stress release. Suck-polooza! Tomorrow I head to our family friend, and PT, Ron Wood for further guidance and hopefully healing. I guess my blog will be about NOT running for the next few weeks. . . .

Updates

Wow! It has been a while since I updated this. I started this whole blogging thing as an experiment. For some reason, I am now feeling the urge to do this on a more regular basis. Call it a chance to express myself anonymously, or a case of the exhibitionist creeping out in me. Who knows? Maybe it doesn't even really matter anyway! Well to get down to business. . .

My First Half Marathon
September 14, 2008

My boyfriend John - at least at that point - convinced me back in June to run the Rochester Half Marathon. . . However, the truth of the matter is, I was already pondering it. After all, a few weeks prior, I had publicly announced that in 2009 I would be running the Marine Corps Marathon. . . So as John began to talk about the Rochester Half, I was beginning to think it would be a good practice for next fall's full. . . Eventually, we made a deal - I would do the Rochester Half and he would do the Finger Lakes Tri. . . Of course at that point, I was already planning on doing the Half - I just wanted to get him to do the tri.
The morning of the race was predicted to be overcast and rainy. Which would have been a vast improvement over the 90 degree heat we had been having the week before. Unfortunately, Sunday morning I woke at 5 AM and it was already 72 degrees out. Or should I stay STILL 72 degrees as it had been that warm when I went to bed. I was all set to go: iPod all charged and only containing running tunes, Body Glide under the iPod holder as well as on my legs to prevent chafing, toast and soygurt with fruit for breakfast and a medium glass of water. John and his friend picked my up around 6 and we headed down to Frontier Field and the starting line. We met up with a bunch of John's friends and everyone, except John, had their music strapped to their arm. We almost missed the start as it was rather anti-climatic. . . However, as soon as I heard the gun, I just started running - I don't think I even wished anyone luck. The first few miles - all the way to Winton felt great. It was a really awesome feeling to be running with all those people, through my favorite city - Rochester. Somewhere along East Ave, I was someone wearing a gorilla suit cheering people on. I remember thinking, "Who is that nut?" Too bad I knew the nut - Dan "Sprout" Andrus! It figures!

Right before mile 5, a couple had a sprinkler set up to shower us runners with water. As I looked at the couple, I realized that it was Dick, from my tri class, and his wife. I shouted "hi" and he cheered me on. I have to admit, I was feeling great, even as I hit the canal around mile 7. Unfortunately, around mile 9, the temperature seemed to just skyrocket! I could feel the heat radiating off the pavement. As I neared the water stop, I saw an EMT with a heat warning sign. I wanted to shout, "No shit!", but I didn't have the moisture in my mouth. As I neared the Ford Street Bridge, I felt my steam begin to run out. As I neared the top, I had to walk - first time! I was so hot, and truly exhausted!

I made a deal with myself, I would walk to the bottom where the water stop was, then start running again. Too bad the water stop wasn't there! It was down on Exchange! I walked to the water stop and then realized that I was almost done. Although I was totally exhausted, I just realized that if I walked, it would just take longer to finish. So, with less than two miles left, . . I began running again. I crossed the finish line at 2:31! Just a minute longer than my goal! And I sprinted the last block!

I have to say, I felt sick, but awesome at the same time! I am so proud of myself! As someone who only began this journey in January, I feel like I have made huge strides and accomplished so much. A year ago, I thought I would doing this, . . and LOVING it!

Finger Lakes Triathlon
September 21, 2008
John and I spent the night at his parents' house as they were a tad bit closer to the race. They made us a great pasta dinner the night before. Honestly, I have to admit that I was feeling pretty great going into this race. I knew what to expect and felt really confident. I figured that I would complete it in less than 2 hours and be happy with my time overall.

I guess I didn't realize how nervous John was. He started the summer as a fairly weak and definitely non-confident swimmer. However, he worked really hard all summer to improve and I kept telling him that he was a much better swimmer than he gave himself credit for. He didn't seem to be able to eat much before the race, but it still didn't dawn on me the extent of his nerves until he was puking/dry heaving behind a tree! That being said, he had nothing to be worried about! He ended up finishing very strong at 1:31:53! And he was already talking about his next one!

Now, my race got off to a rather frustrating start, but in a good way. I had set myself up to start near the back of my wave. I really should have had more confidence in my swimming ability! I ended up walking for the first few minutes, because it was faster and easier that trying to swim behind a bunch of slow swimmers! Those handful of times John and I went out to the lake a practiced with our wetsuits really paid off. Even with the walking, I hit the shore at 15:19 and crossed the timing mat at 16:17! I felt awesome!!!! My first transition time was still slow at 3:12, but I got on the bike and just started passing people. Once again, John and I practicing the route made all the difference. I already knew what to expect - that the first 3 miles were all uphill and paced myself accordingly. There were many people completely unprepared for it. I finished my bike with plenty of steam left at 49:29 and honestly, I think that next year, I will do this portion significantly faster. I did my second transition in 1:28, but forgot to take off my camelpak. I started off my run rather fast - my legs seemed totally prepared for the transition, which was a total surprise. Actually it alarmed me a bit and I slowed down, which I now look back and realize I shouldn't have. But I finished the run in 31:23 for a grand finishing time of 1:41:49! A full 17 minutes faster than my last tri!

I am so impressed with myself! I can't believe that I have come so far in such a short period of time! Which goes a long way in explaining the next race. . . .


Rochester Autumn Classic Duathlon
September 28, 2008
I woke up a little later than planned for this race. John came to pick me up just as I was finishing my breakfast. As we got off 490 in Pittsford, I realized that I had left my running shoes at home. We returned to my house, got my shoes and then finally arrived at Mendon Ponds Park. It was a rainy day, and I did not really stretch too much before the race started.

As usual, John was ahead of me within a few seconds. This was my first trail run, as well as my first duathlon. I was happy to note that my ankles did not hurt, turn or irritate me in any way. I finished the first 2 mile run in 21:09, which was what I expected based on road performance. I transitioned standing up, as the mist gradually turned to rain. The bike seemed harder than the tri, but I kept reminding myself that it was 3 miles shorter. I finished the first bike in 36:50, and was starting to feel a little tired. They had mentioned at the start of the race that we could change to the Super Sprint by crossing the finish line after the second run and just letting them know. I began pondering this option as I was halfway through the second run. My "hip-leg" was hurting a bit, but I gave myself a stern talking to. I told myself that if I could complete a half marathon and three triathlons, then I could most definitely complete the Formula 1. BIG MISTAKE!!

As I transitioned back onto the bike, I noticed that not many people were still in the race. . . Began to really notice this as I completed the first half. It seemed like it was just me and this older guy. Then as I approached the last mile, I noticed that the road marshals appeared to be following me. . . This made me pretty mad at myself. I have this thing about being last - I hate it! It makes me feel like a failure! And so maybe I didn't pay attention to the hip-leg pain. . .

John was already finished at this point and cheered me on as I transitioned for the last time. A woman who had already finished ran with me and cheered me out for almost the entire run. This was really nice, fairly helpful, but kinda made me feel a bit like a loser. . . I know, I should just be focused on my own performance. However, at this point, the hip-leg pain was really started to be all I noticed. I had to walk a few times, each time for longer. As I approached the field where the finish line was, I began running again. Ellen cheered me on, and since she has no idea who I am, it was "Go girl! Keep running! You can do it girl!" Nice, but I was in such pain all I cared about was crossing the finish line.

John was a the finish line cheering me on, but I stopped running as soon as I crossed the timing mat. NOT GOOD! The pain was unspeakable. John offered to go get me some vitamin I, but I said I'd rather grab my stuff and get it with him. No sense in wasting time or just waiting around like some kind of injured princess!

Unfortunately, I really injured myself. I should have known when to say stop. I should not have done the Formula 1. I should have finished at the Super Sprint. I have learned, the hard way. I pulled my hip flexor and now my brother is even beginning to think that there may be some tearing. . .Turns out two of the best ways to hurt your hip flexor are biking and running! Suck monkeys! On a happy note, the best rehab is swimming, which I plan on doing a lot.

WOW! I had a lot to say! Maybe I should update this more often! Of course, I can't run any races for a while. . . My goal is to be rehabbed and healed in time for the YMCA Turkey Trot. I will be swimming and babying my injury so I can be ready for the final three races of the year. Who knows? Maybe I will beat or set some more PRs!