Emily's training blog

So, I have suffered through a femoral stress reaction the last couple of months. The doctor told me it would take three weeks to heal. It took six. I've run a couple of easy build-up weeks, and now it is time to get serious again about training.   Why do I always feel like I'm "coming back."   If an injury doesn't set me back, then a baby does.   (Of course, I would rather be recovering from childbirth than an injury.  At least a baby represents my own choosing.) 

I ran down to Millrace Park to the River Trail as a warm-up.  I ran 12 x 1 minute on, 1 minute off.  This took me off the trail, and onto 1300 West.  I ran back to 5400 South, and then home for a cool down.   The total time for my run was 44 minutes. 

I enjoyed striding out a little bit.  It's always tough trying to get the speed back.  I know that longer intervals are going kill me.  However, fartlek workouts always get me back into shape the most quickly. 

Thansk to Sasha for fixing my post yesterday. I was posting in February, and didn't realize it. I couldn't figure out why my mileage wasn't showing up on the mileage board.   It was a definite moment of brilliance on my part! 

I was so cold this morning.  I wore my USA tights (or my superhero tights as my son calls them) which are a very thin material.  My legs never properly warmed up.   I'm glad I was only running five miles this morning!  

I ran out to 4800S and linked onto the River Trail.  It was even colder by the water, and everything was covered in a thin layer of frost.   I thought the scenery was very pretty, but very icy!   I left the trail at Mill Race park, and ran up through the Taylorsville High parking lot, where I played an exciting game of Chicken with the high school drivers arriving at school.  I waved to my brother in law who was dropping off my nephew.  (He was not one of the cars that I played Chicken with.)  I finished with a jaunt through the neighborhood to my house.   

I am excited for less frigid mornings.  Of course, a couple months ago, 36 degrees would be considered balmy weather.  I guess it's all relative!

The weather was much warmer today. I think I was a bit overdressed. I felt stuffy for much of the run, until I decided to ditch my long sleeved shirt.   I definitely welcome the increase in temperature.  

I decided to run a bit longer today.  I still get a little soreness in my leg, so I need to be careful.  It usually feels okay running, but aches during the day.   It seemed to handle the run today.   I actually felt almost like a runner, again today.  When I don't run for a while, my body forgets how.   I move clumsily for a few runs, until my muscle memory returns.  Today I ran much more smoothly. 

I ran out to 1300W, over to Winchester, down to the River trail, to the exit at 4800 South.  Then, I climbed the gradual hill up to Redwood Road, and finished with a very uncomfortable uphill jaunt through the neighborhood.  I struggled the last mile and a quarter. 

Total time for the run:  54:02

Much to my dismay, Lily woke up crying at 4:00 this morning.  After rocking her back to sleep for twenty minutes,  I decided I was wide awake, and might as well get my workout over with.   I hoped that the kids would be asleep when I returned, and I could go back to bed for a while. 

My leg ached throughout the day yesterday, so I decided to play it safe and incorporate a cross training day into my training.   I have a feeling there will be many more cross training days before my quad is completely healed.    I started with a half an hour on the elliptical machine, and then took an hour long spinning class.  

When I returned home, the kids were not blissfully sleeping (Surprise!).  Instead, Cole meticulously prepared his stormtroopers for battle, while Lily happily finger-painted her face with yogurt.   I think this is why most athletes finish their sporting careers before they have children!   It's gonna be a long day.   Maybe I can talk my two darlings into a long afternoon nap . . . I won't hold my breath.

Yay!   I got to sleep in today.  Well, if you want to count 6:30 as sleeping in.  After yesterday, I definitely do.   Cole climbed up into bed with me, carrying a towering stack of Curious George books.  So, I spent a pleasant morning reading stories to my little boy. 

We took the kids to the zoo today, in celebration of the gorgeous weather.  We weren't the only ones with that brilliant idea.  The zoo was, well, a zoo!  We managed to maneuver through the crowds, until we ran into the back of several school groups.  We found it difficult to push out "stretch limo" double stroller through throngs of hyperactive elementary students.  I must admit, the animals handled the chaos much better than I did.  What can I say, I'm from a small town.  Crowds make me claustrophobic.  All in all, we had a fun family morning.

Because of our excursion, I didn't run until the late afternoon.  I met Bill at Sugarhouse Park at about four for a fartlek workout.  The park was about as crowded as the zoo had been.  I think Salt Lake City has spring fever!   We warmed up 2 miles around the perimeter of the park.  Then, we ran 3 sets of  3 minutes, 2 minutes, 1 minute, with 2 minute, 1 minute, 1 minute, recovery.  To cool down, we finished our final lap to complete eight miles. 

I didn't feel any pain in my leg during the entire run.  I think the soft surface helped matters.   Of course, it might be a different story tonight after my legs cool down and the ibuprofen wears off.  

Ugh! I think I ran particularly hard yesterday. One measure of fitness is how long it takes to recover.  I am not recovered today.  My legs felt like they had anvils tied to them during my run.  I might as well have been running in quicksand.   I had planned to run a long-ish run, but opted for a shorter recovery run instead. 

I ran through the neighborhood to 2200 West. I ran on 2200 West until 4100 South, up the big hill to 2700 West, and then plodded through the long gradual climb into a head wind up to 5400 South.  Then, I ran the extremely welcome downhill back to my house.

Despite a rough day, I am pleased with my efforts this week.  I managed two fartlek workouts, and got in 40 miles (including the cross training day) with a minimum of pain in my quad.  Not a bad first week of a re-committed training regimen.   I feel like I am on the upswing, and that keeps me optimistic!