I Can Do Hard Things

I tried to run this morning as my foot felt great.  As soon as I pushed off, I could feel an immediate pop/tear/ache on the arch again.  I tried putting my orthotics in my running shoes.  Nope.  I tried my Kinvaras (which are more minimal than my Asics) and that helped, but I still couldn't run on it.  Ahhhhh....

So I went to the doctor because I am not patient enough to wait it out!  But Dr. Rich wasn't in, so I saw someone else.  I should have waited to see Rich!!!!  He thought that a muscle/tendon was inflamed on the bottom of my foot.  DUHHHHH...  He gave me some sort of anti-inflammatory.  And told me I needed to rest. 

So tonight was the Father and Son's campout.  For the past few years, while the boys are gone, we girls have a "quilting bee".  Yep...neighborhood dork!  But we had quite a few people come and we tied 3 baby quilts.  I made a chicken salad, pasta salad and a chocolate cake.  Mmmmmm.....

It was so fun to chat and teach the little girls how to cut and tie knots!!  After everyone had left, my best buddy stayed.  We sat on my front porch and chatted while the girls played night games on the grass.  We didn't go in until 10:00pm.  I'm so grateful for my dear friend to listen to my woes (and I listen to hers too).  I always go to bed right on time so I can get up for my run and it was refreshing to "break the rules" and stay up late to play.  My girls were so excited about this new rule-breaking-mom!  It is good to have balance in life!  There really is more to life than running!

I've been stressing about starting my SGM training on Monday.  "I'm going to be so behind" "I'm going to loose all my base miles"  "All my fitness is going to be gone".  Wahhhhh...Wahhhh...Wahhhh.  I'll admit, I've been very grumpy this week.  I forget how much I *need* to run...not want to run!  My body needs a way to get out all the stress and craziness of life.  AND with school being out, I feel like I need it more now than ever!

 Boys got back from the campout and I headed to the gym. I did a hop test before I left and could feel that pop on my foot immediately.  Even though I had NO pain before.

I thought I could do the stair mill because I could keep my foot flat and not push off.  SUCCESS!!!!  I had a lot of "junk" to get out since I haven't run all week!  7 miles on the 7000PT in 59 minutes - 870 calories burned.  I like the stair mill because it is the closest thing to running.  I feel like the minutes per mile are equivalent to running.  I was a sweat bomb!!!  My body felt like it had cobwebs in it.  I haven't run all week and was rusty!

Then I did a cornucopia of core work, heal/toe walking (toe walking is too much pushing off) and stretching (25 minutes).  I left a lot of junk and sweat today at Gold's Gym.  Then I met my family at In -n- Out and put back on the 870 calories I had just burned!

I'm going to try to do my SGM training on the stair mill until I can get back on the road.  I hope it will help me keep my fitness level up.

I had to get "high" somehow today even though my drug of choice wasn't an option.  I headed to the gym after hubby got home.  It was a perfect break from all the summer madness.

5 miles on the stair mill - 37:02 minutes.  That :02 bugs!  I felt amazing.  My legs has a lot less cobwebs in them than Saturday.  Both my feet/ankles felt a bit funny, but I think that is from taking time off and being on a stair mill versus the road.  But I was a sweaty betty!

30 minutes of core work

-sit ups, swimmer, planks

-one arm on weights push ups (I really stink at those!!!!!!), skull crushers

-wall sits/curtsey lunges/squats

stretch foam roll

So  my son went to basketball camp at the high school.  He is extremely tall and semi-athletic.  Though he was the youngest in the camp, he was put with the "middle" boys.  They were being a "big boys" and playing a bit more aggressive than he is used too.  He proclaimed he was never going back.  He's good, but just needs to be pushed a bit/challenged.  So we had to build up his little confidence tonight.  I just hopes he goes in the morning!  Love those parenting moments!!!

I went to the gym after hubby got home.  I have GOT to get back into the habit of getting up early.  But it is so nice to have a quick break from all the littles.  Soon enough, I'll be pounding the pavement.  

9 miles on the stair mill 76:23. 1100 calories burned.  I brought my book and read, so it did make the time go by a little faster.  But it was still a long time to be on that dumb machine.

2 miles at 5% incline.  After the first mile, I walked for a few minutes to give my arch a rest.  Then ran until I reached 2 miles.  That incline stuff is hard!!!!  I felt like I was a'huffin and a'puffin!!  My arch was very tight when I first started and I thought, "I will only go .25 miles".  But then it started to loosen up.  I tried moving my toes in different spots to see if the landing would help.  I wore my Kinvaras and they felt great.  HOORAY!!!!!  

Got home, drank some yummy smoothie and worked out with my trainer.  I think I deserve some ice cream  and a little Downton Abbey!

I got up early this morning as we have stuff to do tonight.  It had only been 12 hours since I'd been at the gym and I was tired.

I needed 6 miles today.  I did 3.5 miles on the stair climber and did a slower pace than the past few days.  

Then I hopped onto the TM and wanted at least 2.5 miles, but ended up at 3 miles.  I did do some incline, but that is HARD!  I steady decreased it throughout the run.  I stopped at 3 miles because there was some tightness around my left ankle.  I'm sure it is from the lack of running, but I wanted to be safe.

Left arch felt good.  I could feel it when I started, but it would loosen up. 

I only had time for a little stretching.  Off to keep kids busy all day!

30 minutes with trainer this morning.  The way she had me do lunges made me realize I really have no idea what I am doing.  Ouch

5 miles - SLOW - Manilla Elementary, up farm up hill

I decided to try my foot out on the road today.  I was really bored on the TM (I still can't believe I did 18 miles on it not that long ago...ughhhhh).

It definitely pulled and ached as I ran (not like the onset of the injury).  It got better as it warmed up and I tried to push off on my big toes.  But it still did ache.  Now (a few hours after running) it feels fine.  Ankle muscles/tendon were a big sore too.  Good grief...when you go down, everything starts hurting!

Overall, there is definite improvement.  I pulled out of Ragnar so I don't feel the pressure to run 21 miles in 2 days (thanks SIL for taking my place!!!!). 

I'm not as depressed about the whole injury situation like I usually am.  I'm making quicker improvement than I had thought.  I am still getting a good cardio on the stairmill.  I am really liking working out with my trainer and can feel a definite strength coming on.  I've been working on her assignments even when we don't meet. AND I'm realizing there needs to be balance.  I was so caught up in marathon stuff, I needed a break and didn't know it.  So all in all....life is good!

We are taking our kids on a little overnight trip to say goodbye to Tim's grandma.  She's really old and has lived a good long life.  They are most excited about the zip line at her old farm house and I'm excited about the new fabric store I get to stop at on the way up. 

We spent the night up in Logan.  After my children got up at 6:15am (WHO GETS UP AT 6:15am on vacation?????), I headed to the fitness room for a few miles.  I knew I needed to be quick, so I could help everyone get breakfast and ready to swim.  

4 quick miles on the TM.  Again, it took awhile for my foot to get warmed up.  I was constantly trying to make sure I was pushing off on my big toe.  I think I will be able to start back "full time" with training.  I'm going to take it slow, but think I can add on more mileage than 10%/week.  I'll go by feel and pain level.

Spent the day riding 4-wheeler, riding zip lines, shooting bb guns, watching dairy cows being milked and eating WAY to much junk.  Super fun, but I'm tired!

Nice and easy this morning.  The weather was ideal....a bit on the chilly side.  I'm not as motivated to do "extras" when I run in the morning, but I did do a few houses of lunges.  I must think that is is taking away from my morning nap or something.  I need to be more motivated in the AM as I am in the PM!

NOW....I'm wondering how many miles I can run this week safely????  I was thinking about 3, 5, 7, 5, 10=30.  Is that too much too soon?

1:03:00 - UP rec center loop

AP:9:07

9:38, 9:22, 9:21, 8:57, 8:47, 8:49, 8:50

I'm loving this more summer sunlight!  It makes it so much easier to run!  I just went by feel today.  I found it easier to run on the sidewalk than the really slanted road.  About mile 3, I stopped to stretch my calves - very tight.  My foot felt a lot better when I was pushing off with my big toe (whereas I usually push off more on the outside of my foot).  Still achy, but no pain.  Trial and error.  All the ankle tendons and muscles were quite sore though. 

Heel/toe walking cool down

30 minutes with the trainer.  She had me do some crazy lunge thing....ughhhh

Stretch and foam roll

Too many "life" things going on yesterday...hence the rest day.  

AM:  30 minutes with trainer this morning.

PM:  Too hot to run outside, so I headed to the gym.  I watched Barefoot Contessa and plugged out miles.  Started slow and went by feel.  I was able to get progressively faster and the miles went on.  Foot - still the same.  Small amounts of tugging - need to push off on big toe - ankle tendons/muscles sore.

A few more sets of core stuff. 

Manilla Elementary - up farm hill

Easy and slow was the name of the game this morning.  Beautiful weather too!  Arch muscles is feeling better.  But still have very achy ankle tendon/muscles.  

I'm getting a head cold.  Bleh.....

Stretch and ice

This run goes into the "I'd rather lay on the side of the road and die" category.  Ughhhh.....

Hubby was running Ragnar and so I was at the mercy of a babysitter this morning.  7:00am is really early for a babysitter on a Saturday morning (whereas I would like to be finishing around that time).

We had guys working on our basement until 11:30pm.  Loud aircompressors, nail guns, singing....I didn't sleep very well. My head cold is now full blown....ughhhhh

I started running and felt ok.  But the I started to climb the rec center street and my breathing became out of control.  I started to get really really really dizzy.  I happen to see a guy from my ward running and I almost turned around to catch him and see if he had a phone.  But Tim was gone and I wasn't sure who else I could call.

I thought I would make it to the turn around point and take my GU.  I laid on the side of the street and watched the clouds swirling.  I was probably there for 7 minutes or so.  I was hoping the GU would kick in.  I started walking and was finally able to start to run.  Though I had my fuel belt and was consistently drinking, I stopped sweating.  It was so hot. I had to stop and walk every couple of minutes. 

I was really hoping I would see someone I knew driving by and they could give me a ride home.

When I got home, I laid on the floor under the ceiling fan.  It took me a long while to stop seeing stars.  YUCK...I hope I never had a run like that for a LONG LONG LONG time.

I made a batch of breakfast burritos.  Each of my kids filled up their backpacks with breakfast and gatoraide.  We went on a hike up Grove Creek.  I was a bit nervous doing it alone (sometimes we have a few belly-achers and have to divide and conquer).  But this morning was about the kids and having fun.  We stopped after 400 ft and ate our burritos.  We found little trails and explored.  We threw rocks in the stream and discovered lots of "ruins".  It was great morning.

Now I just need to get over this dumb cold.

Nice and easy.  My breathing was still very labored.  I've still lost my voice, but am feeling a lot better.  At least it was cool outside.

I REALLY need to figure out HOW to recover from a marathon!  After SGM, I had to take some time off.  And now after Ogden.....  I'm a wreck.

I thought I had a game plan as to how to "come back" after my pulled arch muscle.  But it was WAY too much too soon.  Last Monday, I really started to feel that infamous ache.  The one that is there when you wake up and all day long.  It was right on the top of my ankle.  I thought it was just sore tendons (maybe it is), but I'm too chicken to test it out.  I haven't gone to the doctor....I feel like I'm a hypochondriac sometimes and I'm the patient they always talk about after you leave. 

Hence, I've been laying low.  And honestly, the timing couldn't have been better.  I've been swirling out of control.  I had 2 days of cub scout camp last week, a quick trip to Atlanta, 2 very large gardens to keep up, finishing our basement, my triplets turn 8 so we have 2 parties and a baptism, we are heading out of town next week too, and everyone is out of school. 

I haven't written off SGM, but I'm not planning on any PR's.  I think my next big race RACE will be Grandma's Marathon in June 2013.  I would really like to make a PR there (though it is a really hilly course).

I may try to run this weekend, but I really want to play it safe.  No craziness from this gal.  Marathons work me over.

Any and all advice is welcome!

Worked out with trainer.  Since I haven't worked out all week, I felt like a total slug!  Lots of lunges and core work.

SOOOOO sore from trainer yesterday.  I totally feel out of shape.  3 miles was hard today.  

Ankle still bugs.  Made an appointment to see the doctor in 1 week.  Ughhhhh....