Category Archives: aches and pains

Blah. :(

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That’s how things have been since Chicago. I was all set to go for a short little recovery run Wednesday morning, but as I was getting out of bed and walking around to get dressed, I noticed a niggle in my right foot. I opted to be safe and dealt with it aching off and on through the next few days.

While initially my thought was “Oh no. Please don’t tell me I’ve got a stress fracture”, I’ve since decided that it likely is something more muscle-based as a) it’s not constant pain, even when walking; b) it’s not really localized to one specific spot, just more of a general area; and c) if I press my fingers down my foot bones, nothing really screams OUCH. There are moments of sharp pain while walking, but it doesn’t stay, and it’s not all the time.

So after a couple of days when it didn’t get better (didn’t get worse either, but didn’t get better), I decided to go and see someone. I was going to go back to my PT place since there’s an ortho on staff there, but I found out they don’t take my insurance anymore. :( :( So after talking with a couple of people, I opted for finding a podiatrist. Enter ZocDoc.com (fantabulous site if you need to find a doctor who takes your insurance!! and you get to read patient comments and recommendations before deciding). Appointment made.

I go this afternoon.

After the charming little foot didn’t really hurt all that much the past couple of days, I was worried it was going to be one of those things where I was seeing the doctor saying “Well, here’s where it DID hurt, but it doesn’t so much anymore” as has happened before with various things.

But I needn’t have feared. It’s performing wonderfully today – or maybe it’s that I didn’t take any Advil or Aleve so as not to interfere with anything that might help with a diagnosis.

I’ll keep you posted!

Also? I finally decided I’m sick of hovering in this 5ish pound range of weight I have for the past year when I still have about 25-30 to lose. MyFitnessPal.com was great initially, but lately it’s been far too easy to not bother since I’m not paying anything. And so…

Thursday I started Weight Watchers through the online program. I’d have done meetings, but with my schedule I can’t commit to the same meeting every week, and I’ve heard it’s best if you can do that. I anticipate that as is usually the case, I’ll drop a good bit this week from simple water weight (thank you bacon fat popcorn in Chicago!!), so it’ll be the following weeks that will really be the test.

Again, I’ll keep you posted!

Chicago Marathon Week 17/Walt Disney World Marathon Week 2

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Let my kick off with some good news! I have hit my minimum fundraising goal for Chicago!! Now, just because I’ve met the minimum doesn’t mean I can’t still accept more donations! Every little bit helps – remember, we’re fighting brain tumors here!! If you’d like to donate, the link is in the sidebar – “Sponsor Me!” So that’s a big monkey off my shoulders as for some reason Chicago requires that the funds be in before the race (most others I’ve looked at give you about a month afte the race to finish raising the money) – although before today’s donations that pushed me over the top, the amount was such that I could have finished it off on my own. (Note to self: remember the struggle this amount was when you start thinking about another race for charity since this amount was minor compared to a lot I’ve seen out there!)

So I should be super pumped. And I am pumped that my friends and family are awesome and have supported me in this.

But I’ll be honest. I’m sitting here watching Spirit of the Marathon in hopes that some kind of inspiration will strike regarding Chicago. Because really? I’m extremely ho-hum about it right now.

Tower of Terror 10 Miler? Super pumped!

Walt Disney World Marathon? Super pumped!

Chicago Marathon? Meh. (And if you know me, you know I really don’t like that “word” so for me to use it…you get the idea.)

I have no real clue why. At first I thought it was getting my 18-miler done on Monday. But I looked back at stuff and I actually felt good and pumped after my 18-miler for Disney 2012. Maybe the heat and humidity has something to do with it – it’s rough to want to get out there when it’s so soupy. But I’ve been ok through the summer, so I don’t know. Other than a banged-up knee from a fall – non-running related – I’m not injured. So that’s not it. I haven’t been following the training schedule exactly, so I don’t think it’s overtraining.

Maybe it’s just general end-of-summer blahs. The last few weeks of summer were truly magical with getting to see the outdoor staging of Into the Woods at the Delacorte Theatre in Central Park and falling in love with that all over again – and being thoroughly charmed, inspired and transported four times over its run. It was truly a dream few weeks. And then I hit the nightmare of getting ready to go back to school – it’s slightly less nightmarish due to one change, but I am still already fighting with myself to go every day. So that probably plays into it – while running should theoretically be an escape and a good one, when I’m so uninspired to do one thing that’s such a major part of your daily life time-wise, it’s hard to get inspired in pretty much everything else. Though then again I am still really happy at and enjoying my time at Disney immensely (and wish there was some way I could *just* work there, though that’s completely impossible).

In talking (ok, texting) with my friend Rick today, I did ponder that perhaps not knowing exactly what I’m working for is contributing to this blah-ness. It’s very easy to get pumped about Disney races as you get to see the bling ahead of time. You know what you’re working for. (And yes, I’ve come around and am totally excited about the Mickey 20 medal!!) It’s hard to be pumped for something you’re working as hard for as you do for marathon bling and not know what you’re going to get. I understand they might want it to be a surprise, and if there was a way that it could be a total surprise to EVERY RUNNER out there, I might be ok with it. But here’s the thing… Inevitably faster finishers will go back up the course wearing their medals and so anyone after them can see it. Surprise ruined. And if it’s ugly? And you’re at Mile 20 or wherever your wall is? I don’t know…I might end up having a long chat with myself about why I’m torturing myself for *THAT*. Or my stubborn streak might kick in and be all “Oh no. You trained. You are finishing.” and then never look at the medal again. Of course this is all speculation as I likely won’t see the Chicago medal until a faster runner crossed my path wearing it. (At least I’m not getting a fleece-lined poncho?? :P Oh, BTW, you now get a choice of bag check/no fleece-lined poncho or no bag check and early exit and fleece poncho for NYC. So it seems like they’re listening…but I don’t trust NYRR one iota right about now.)

So yeah…I’m just not feeling the pumped upness for Chicago. Hopefully it will come back. Soon.

So training wise…I did 18 on Monday. It went ok – some ITB twinges after Mile 16, but overall ok.

I had every intention of doing a run after school today, but the temperature and humidity combined with no snack (long story…let’s just say McDonalds up here needs to learn to put up signs when they are out of something like ice cream…no, I do not want fries or an apple pie when I had asked for a McFlurry – and I wasted too much time standing in line to find this out so that I couldn’t have gone elsewhere, stood in line, gotten something, and still had time to get a run in before i had to go meet a friend briefly) meant that didn’t happen. So I’ve got everything set out for tomorrow morning – an easy, early morning run. And I will make myself get out and do it.

Maybe just doing it will bring some enthusiasm back.

A girl can dream, right?

Chicago Marathon ending Week 13

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Last week was great in terms of consistency…but I sort of went over the 10% rule. You know…don’t increase your mileage by more than 10% each week. I increased by 17.1%. That would help explain why my legs weren’t having it after 10 or so miles on my long run (I went 11…but my legs were achy and crampy all day even after stretching, icing and rolling.

This morning, to hopefully start Week 14, I woke up to an achy lower back. Not wanting to make things worse, I’ve decided to go with three run days INCLUDING my LSR…just perhaps make Wednesday’s a little longer combining todays with aspects of Wednesdays…for this week and see how I feel. Figuring out the exact balance of training can be a tricky thing. :)

So the training mileage report stands at…

Training mileage: 188.42
Weight: 172

Chicago Marathon end of Week 12, starting Week 13

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Yes, I did mostly do my workouts last week – the Olympics are really bad for training. Great for inspiring me to want to get out there, but bad because I want to watch!!

Anyway, I did take Tuesday off. But Wednesday I went up to Central Park to do 5 1/2 mile repeats with 5 minutes recovery between them. I’d initially thought I would do the 102nd Street transverse because one round trip would be about 1/2 a mile, and I didn’t realize that my new (ish) Garmin lets me mix intervals. On my old one it was time OR distance, but this one lets me mix, so I was able to set my run to a distance of 0.5 and my rest time to 5 minutes. So I thought I’d just run around the reservoir which is flatter and a softer surface. Well, as I got off the subway, I walked out into a downpour. I know that there are big puddles around the reservoir even a couple of days after a heavy rain, so…back to the transverse. What I somehow hadn’t realized was that that stupid transverse has a hill!! I normally go at it from the other direction, and I never noticed I was going downhill. Oops! I was nervous about this workout anyway as I knew that running the 1/2 mile would require me to run longer than I’m used to…but I’d be recovering longer between them as well. So I decided to go for it.

And I did it! I ran every single step of those 1/2 mile reps!! My average pace (mile-based) was: 10:18, 11:23, 11:14, 11:28, and 10:59!!!! I’m very proud of myself!!

Thursday I did Yoga for the Warrior, and the fact that it had been a while since I’d done that showed in my shakiness.

Saturday was scheduled to be 14 miles. I got 12 in before it became obvious that I need more support than the Skechers were providing. I was having aches in my knees I haven’t had in a long, long time. Evidenced by having to come home and put frozen peas and veggies on my knees.

I’m ok with them on shorter runs – though I made the decision to go back to my Brooks shoes this week to let things settle down – but no longer runs in them for me.

Saturday night and Sunday morning I was really sore – stiff and creaky in my upper back. I was attributing it to the yoga and not having done that in a while, but when I decided to try doing the DVD again on Sunday and felt better as it went on, I’m more inclined to say that it was largely due to the pounding from the lack of cushioning and support in the Skechers. I’m sure they’re great shoes for some people, don’t get me wrong. But if you’re heavier, I’d personally advise against them.

I don’t know if you follow runDisney’s facebook page, but they’re doing this “Great Medal Caper” to get to the reveal of the 20th Anniversary Marathon Medal. We’re having to follow Donald all over the place through liking and sharing pics. And the occasional video. The latest employs Jeff Galloway and introduces us to a song and line dance “The Galloway” that reminds is that “first you run; then you walk”. I’m not going to subject you to it here. If you really want to experience it, go to youtube and search “The Galloway” and “runDisney”. There was an option to download it as a song or ringtone. One of my friends came up with the best (and IMHO only) use for the ringtone: set it as the alarm tone on workout mornings because that will make you want to get up just to make it stop. And once you’re up, you might as well do your workout.

I can say it worked this morning. I got dressed, laced up my Ravennas, and headed to Prospect Park. Decided to try 5/1 rather than 4:30/1…and while I’m undecided on the exact ratio I’ll use, I generally did ok. In one of those moments of pure “Are you kidding me??” the humidity started to break and a nice breeze came up just as I finished. But I got more miles done, and that’s what’s important!

I decided to extend my matching the first $10 of every donation I receive towards my Team Breakthrough fundraising through the end of the Olympics. So far I’m ponying up $50…but I’d love to have to pony up more! :) Any support is greatly appreciated!! My Team Breakthrough Fund-Raising Page

Training mileage: 167.7 miles
Weight: 174

Broad Street Week 9 Run 1 (and Stoopid Piriformis!!)

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It was a pretty slug-like week here in Beth-land. I started out doing as much resting as possible with some stretching thrown in there since it seemed my piriformis was acting up after the 10K.

I meant to get up and run on Thursday morning, but ended up waking up overly late and having to dash around to get ready for work. So before going to sleep Friday, I laid out all my stuff so I was 100% ready to go.

Thankfully I got up, talked myself into it, and did the run! I decided to try 3:30/1 run/walk intervals, and it went well! Maintained pace pretty well throughout and had an average pace of 12:42. Everything felt ok. I got back to my apartment and stretched out really well…but by the time I’d gotten to school, Mr. Piriformis was all ouchie again.

BOO!

One advantage of teaching in a special ed school is you’ve got OTs and PTs in-house. I talked with the PT about if there were any other stretches I could do beyond what I was doing, and he said that I’m already doing the only ones that really do anything. He did give me this half-ball thing that’s a litte squishy but has nubs on it to sit on when I’m sitting. I’m also doing a heating pad off and on at home, and ibuprofin to calm the inflammation.

AND foregoing this weekend’s planned 11-miler.

Super BOO!

I was fretting about it on ROTE yesterday, but they all said I was definitely doing the right thing. It’s far better to be (maybe) slightly undertrained (the maybe is in parentheses because I’ve already done a 10-miler and I’ve got next weekend to do another long run…one advantage of using a Half Marathon training plan for a 10 mile race) but healthy (or healthier) than to go out and push it and probably injure myself worse, thus having to possibly/probably DNS.

So today it’s all about sitting as much as I can, doing some stretching out, and bonding with the heating pad.

And hopefully I can run some next week.

BSR training mileage: 123.9

Broad Street Week 8 Run 1. And a URD today.

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Run 1 of week 8 was yesterday. 5.1 miles along the Hudson. In the wind – which should be a good practice in case there’s wind off the water on Saturday.

It most definitely wasn’t the easiest run I’ve had. I really struggled with myself to keep going sometimes, even finding myself thinking “Oh, I’ll just cut it short. I’ll be ok.” But I kept going. I had opted to listen to part 1 of Marathon Talk’s interview with Kathrine Switzer, and honestly that’s what kept me going. Even though I’m far slower than she was/is, listening to her talk about her struggle to bring women’s running into the public eye really put my little 5 mile run in perspective. I should be celebrating my body’s ability to run and the fact that I can enter races and just love running, even if I know I’ll never be in a position to win anything.

And so I kept going. I miscalculated the number of reps I’d need (should have gone with 15 rather than 12), and so I wasn’t at 5 when I hit the “cool down” period. I had a choice then. Leave the run at 4 miles and change or go on my own to get to 5. I opted for the second choice, and while I didn’t necessarily stick to my 3/1 ratio I didn’t simply walk to get to the 5 mile mark.

So overall, though it was a pretty rough run, I’m proud of myself for sticking it out and doing it.

And now we’re at today, where I’m taking an unscheduled rest day (URD). Sometime yesterday, my left…I’m guessing piriformis started screaming at me a bit. So today’s a day to rest it and stretch it gently (like I should have been doing all along but have been bad). Tomorrow will be the same as on Saturday I’ve got a 10K race – the Clare Fund Run. The nice thing is it’s along the beach so it should be relatively flat. Fingers crossed that things feel ok and it goes well.

BSR training mileage: 114.04

Broad Street Week 5 Run 1

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OK, so this hasn’t been my best week. I overslept on Tuesday morning and had to work at the store starting at 5:15, so no run. Then Wednesday my left knee was feeling a little off. It didn’t really hurt, but it didn’t feel quite right. I think the working hours Friday-Tuesday along with cheering everyone on in the NYC Half (I’ll do more on that later) for 3+ hours on Sunday combined to just make it tired. So Wednesday was stretching and rolling.

Yesterday everything felt fine, so I headed out for a run. I debated going to Central Park and going for an entire loop to “make up” mileage, but knowing I needed to go by Trader Joe’s and return a few things, I opted to go to Prospect Park. My thought was I could do two loops and get the same mileage plus a bit as in CP, but also I’d have the bail-out after one loop.

I started out and was feeling pretty good. I did walk a bit more on the hill, but that’s nothing new. LOL. My run intervals were all in the 11-12 minute range other than that one, so I was pretty much at or around pace. I really need to figure out how to determine my average pace taking the 10 minutes and the distance of the warm-up and cool-down parts. Everytime I think I’ve got it, it turns out I don’t. Anyone know? Divide the distance by time? Time by distance? Definitely at a loss here…

Anyway, it was a really good run and I felt pretty good as I approached the point at which I started the run. I had a decision to make – though in reality I had a bit more distance to make that decision as there are two places I can get on the subway, one further than the other. I passed my entry point still unsure as to what I would do. But I kept seeing and hearing the training tips I’ve read and heard that you can’t really make up a lost workout, how you can potentially do more damage by trying to make it up. So I beeped through the rest of the intervals I’d set up in case I did the two loop thing and went into my cool-down ending with a mileage count of 3.92 yesterday.

I feel good about my decision. I could have pushed myself and gone for a second loop – and if a week like this happens again, I might. But given the offness of the knee yesterday and how tired I’ve been in general (a couple of good nights of sleep have helped that a lot) I think it was the right decision for me.

Oh, one interesting “seen on my run” note. Not one, but THREE people on those stupid Kangaroo Jump Boots. And two of them at least had the look of serious runers. I just don’t get it. I guess more power to them…as long as they don’t tumble into me or anyone else and damage us. I know anyone can fall and accidentally fall into others on a crowded path at any time. But it just seems like you’re inviting trouble wearing something like those silly things.

Anyway…

Tonight is the FRNY Track Meet at the New Balance Armory Track, and I’m volunteering at the awards table again. I don’t have to be there until 6:45 though, so I might try and sneak in a short easy run after school around Von King Park. If it works out, great. If not, I’m not going to beat myself up. The weekend’s long run was supposed to be a 10K…but there wasn’t one I could find to enter. So I’d initially thought I’d just try and do the distance at pace, but I’m not sure. I’ll play it by ear and either do that or maybe go for 8-ish miles again at a LSR pace.

Happy running all!!

BSR training mileage: 62.39

Broad Street Week 4 Runs 2 and 3

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Yes, I know I’m supposed to be doing 4. Next week I will. I promise!!

Got in too late last night (actually this morning) to blog yesterday’s run. It was good. 3.66 miles around the park close to my apartment. No gangs of guys on the other side of the street this time, and no smokers to pass. A couple of people here and there, but overall pretty lonely. A little misty…and I started out cold but ended up hot – the temperature was rising a bit even before the sun came up. A few minutes of rain, but nothing huge.

This morning got up (actually was woken about an hour ahead of planned wake-up time by some irate and/or strung out guy yelling at someone out on the street. Trust me…I know better than to go peek out the window. So I tried to go back to sleep, but to no avail as the yelling had also woken my bird. Oh joy. So I got up and had sme Blarney Scone (Trader Joe’s version of Irish Soda Bread), iced coffee and water. Then finally got myself dressed to head out for my LSR. I debated where to do it today. The advantage was that I knew I had time to go to pretty much any of the options. Not working until 8pm tonight left me all kinds of time.

I finally decided that since I’ve got a 10K coming up on a boardwalk in April, it might be a good idea to get some boardwalk practice in, so off to Coney Island it was. I got there and it was REALLY foggy. Like as in I couldn’t even see the water foggy. But there was a surprising number of people out – some just walking, others on bikes or out running. And of course some people with dogs on runner trip wires (those stupid retractable leashes). Seriously people? When you’re out where there are bikes all over and people running all around, don’t let the dog go to the full extension of the leash! You’re only asking to have your dog (and people around you) hurt in some way! Though at least those were leashed – there were a couple of “pocket pets” that were just being allowed to roam freely. I know for a fact one narrowly avoided being kicked. Not for any malice on my part – I LOVE DOGS!! – but because it just decided it wanted to chase me and was dangerously underfoot.

But runner tripwires and fog aside, it was a great run. NO wind, even on the beach. And really light waves. By the end of the run, the sun was out and it was getting warm and I could see the ocean, but it was tiny, quiet waves. Midway through the run I did about 4 or 5 intervals at or about my goal race pace – in the 11:30-12 minute range – and felt great for all of them! Actually I felt great for the whole run, which is very encouraging! My feet weren’t shuffling at all, even at the end!

Now that said, that didn’t stop one evil board from jumping up and tripping me in the 26th (of 26) run interval. I did the quick step thing and thought I was going to stay upright, but sadly no, I tumbled and rolled. In front of several guys who were setting up outside what used to be a roller rink for tanning and iron pumping. They were polite though, all making sure I was ok. Perfectly fine for the most part. Mainly pride was damaged because let’s face it – no matter how old you are or how strong you feel or what you’re doing, falling in front of people is embarrassing. My right elbow is a nice variation on shades of purple and blue now…but I can bend it and stuff and everything seems to be in working order.

Final mileage for this one? 8.57 miles! I don’t always reward myself with food/drink, but this time I did treat myself to a chocolate milkshake, which was yummy. Got home and have fueled up with food, more Blarney Scone…and some Guinness. It’s St. Patrick’s Day after all!! But yeah…overall a great run!!

BSR training mileage: 58.47

Broad Street Week 2 Run 2

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Ok, this should have been written yesterday, but it was a crazy busy day and that didn’t happen. The write-up that is. The run happened.

EARLY in the morning the run happened.

It was one of those fight with myself to get out of bed runs, but once I was out there I was glad I did. The intervals (10 x 3/1) went by quickly, which was really nice. I don’t think I checked the number interval I was on until like the 8th one.

My school-year early morning run route is definitely not interesting – just going around and around the perimeter of a block-sized park near my apartment. BUT I can get there and home for a shower easily (as in no waiting on a subway), AND I’m within sight of a police station at all times. So it works.

I’d thought I might do a run today, but with a 5K tomorrow, sleep and rest felt like the right decision. (Also a friend at work last night playfully poked my neck with a piece of cardboard and happened to hit right on a tendon/nerve so my neck and shoulder were achy. Totally random – he didn’t poke hard but he happened to hit at one particular point that just hurt. Crazy!!) I keep “hearing” the words I’ve read from so many running gurus…you can’t really make up a missed run. So.

Coogan’s Salsa, Blues and Shamrocks 5K is tomorrow. It’s hilly…so I’m not really expecting much. But we’ll see. I surprised myself last year with how well (for me) I did. So anything can happen. I’m off to get my bib and stuff in a few minutes.

Have a good day everyone!!

BSR training mileage: 22.37

Broad Street Week 1 Day 4

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Today was my first LSR under my Broad Street training.

6 miles.

It’s absolutely gorgeous outside! But a bit on the cold side. Especially along the Hudson River! But I still went out there and did it.

For a total of 6.41 miles and an average pace of 13.24. So a bit faster than a LSR should be, but I felt great and everything feels good. No twinginess anywhere – which is great, especially considering my 2 weeks off. I honestly expected some twinginess in the ITB if nothing else. But nope! Hooray!!

It’s not the 13.1 I could have had if flight prices were more affordable and I’d been able to go to Disney to run the Princess Half (which I really wanted to do, but the flight prices back were ridiculously expensive – mainly because it’s the end of pretty much all of the Northeast’s Winter Break), but it was a good run of almost half the distance, so I’ll take it.

I do need to make sure I go and get some Stingers or some kind of gel or mid-run fueling. I’m still skittish about GU since the whole upset stomach at Disney thing. I probably could/should have had something at least partway through the run since it was almost an hour and a half, but I managed to finish and do so pretty strong. But banana chocolate chip coffee cake and an upside down skinny caramel macchiato make a great post-run snack!! :) YUMMY!

So week 1 of my training for Broad Street is done! So far so good!!

BSR training mileage: 14.87