Going With The Flow

AM - Too hard to resist running today with the temperature at 50 degrees! This was probably the first day in two months that I have run comfortably and without 3 layers of clothes. Nice run around Millcreek/Holladay this morning, 10.1 miles at 7:40 pace. My back and foot started hurting around 8 miles, but I have all day to recover and relax. 

AM - 45 minutes on the upright bike for about 12.6 miles, goal was to keep the cadence at 180...similar to a good running pace. How come I don't get MLK Day off from work??? Not fair!

PM - What led to a faster workout - ate an entire bag of popcorn, didn't feel like running in the icy roads, and hate to run on the treadmill for very long. So I decided to do 5k at 6:18 pace, what used to be marathon pace. Geez how did I run 22 miles at that pace? My breathing was fine, but I could feel that my body has not run fast in two months. 4.6 miles total for the run.

I just have to post this recap of the Olympic Trials from the girl that got LAST place. She was injured but absolutely determined to run in the Trials. I know if I would've gotten to go to the Trials, I would've made sure to take advantage of such an accomplishment just like her. It's inspiring to see that.

AM - 30 minutes on the recumbent bike, 7.6 miles with 5 x 30 s sprints at the end. Then did a few minutes of core work. I was going to meet Devra for a run but it didn't seem like a good idea with the way my back and foot are feeling. 

So I have a question...if I take 800mg ibuprofen in the morning before work, I don't have much pain in my back until about 2pm. I'm pretty much in (mild to moderate) pain all day if I don't take anything. I am very hesistant to taking ibuprofen every day and "masking symptoms", but it must be preventing some sort of inflammation that's causing the pain. I am doing pretty much everything else I can think of - stretching three times a day, heat and ice three times a day, etc. I have my doctor's appointment in 4 weeks where I think I will get more direction on how to fix the problem. So what should I do until then? Should I take the medicine every day/every other day/not at all/just once a day/morning and evening? Any alternative suggestions?

AM - JAJA Run at a nice casual pace. James and I are both slightly pathetic so we mostly talked about injuries and epic (or as James thinks "inspirational", I call them stubborn) stories of going for a run when injured and then having to walk for hours back from being hurt. I was actually the only one without a good story...but I feel like that's a good thing! Although I did wake up in the middle of the night with terrible back pain (I didn't even run yesterday, which is why I don't think not running will cure it) and had to take more pain medicine, so I don't think I'm doing that much better!

PM - Bootcamp class with Emily Jameson. Fun times, only 3 of us so it was like having a personal trainer! Lot of lunges and push-ups though - going to be sore.

So we were thinking about doing the Saturday run up north this weekend...anyone interested?

AM - Met Emily J. and went to spin class. It was hard - so much harder than an easy 1-hour run would've been. Good workout, although I'm almost sad that I didn't get to enjoy the warm temps outside this morning. 

PM - 4.2 miles, met up with Jake and ran home.  Got to wear shorts and no gloves!

AM - Met Devra for a run, 7.6 miles around Sandy. There is nowhere you can go from her house without some major hills!

PM - Messed around in the pool for a bit. It's only 5 ft which is not ideal for pool running, so I spent about 10 minutes experimenting with pool weights, noodles, and kickboards before the solution of two noodles in order for my feet to not hit the ground. Pool running is super boring and I was proud to make it 20 minutes. Not a bad workout though!

Jake and I have decided to head north to Legacy Parkway Trail for a 14 miler with a crew up there. Let me know if you want to join in!

AM - Went up to Legacy Parkway Trail and had a nice group run with Jake, Allie, James, Tara, Kam, Cam, Andy, Emily Bates, and Mark. It was very stormy with lots of wind and periods of rain. I wish that my foot and back didn't hurt, but it was worth it to have a fun group run. Afterwards, Kam and family treated us to an awesome breakfast with hot chocolate, strawberries, and waffles - definitely my favorite part!