New Shoes, Double-Digit Mileage and Other Good News

Since my last update - a few things have changed.

First - NEW SHOES. Check out my new Nikes, equipped with . . . . wait for it . . . .BUNION WINDOWS!! (The Bunion Window is the oval shaped mesh.) So, my feet really love these shoes. No throbbing bunion pain after running and they are super lightweight (which I need because the rest of me is not super lightweight!). And let's face it - when you're wearing Nike gear, you "JUST DO IT", right??

Second - since my last update, I have completed TWO double-digit runs. Last Saturday I ran 10 miles and this morning I ran 11 miles. INSANITY!! But I did it! And I must say, my pain reduction regimen seems to be working. Motrin, Ice, Stretching, Foam Roller (getting easier). I use the foam roller right before my run and I think that helps! Now . . . I'm not saying that I am pain free at the end of 11 miles. But in comparison to my 9 mile run - it's about 80% reduced! So, I can manage that level of pain. I did give birth to four children, after all . . . three of them without even ONE Motrin! So, c'mon . . .

On a side note - can I just say that I love my doctor?? After my office visit, he mailed me some information on how to avoid running injuries. How sweet! But I had to laugh out loud while reading . . . it said not to run more than 45 miles per week . . . ummm, NO PROBLEM! I'll cut back right away, Doc.

Another side note . . . I burn 1239 calories when I run 11 miles. So . . . there was a Girl Scout cookie or two on my lunch plate today . . . I'm just saying, I earned it!

We're 2 weeks out from the big day . . . next week is my 12 miles run . . .

I'll keep y'all posted!!!

Medieval Torture Devices and other interesting developments

Well, my little blog community , Saturday's run did not go so well.


At. All.


IT Band was on fire by mile 2. The next 7 miles were pretty ugly, but big thanks to my running buddies in the back of the pack who "leave no man behind"! I made the whole 9 miles, but it was definitely time to regroup and come up with a new strategy!


My running coach wants to "re-fit" me for my shoes (oh! Keith, were you wrong?Say it isn't so!). That happens Tuesday morning.


This afternoon I saw my doctor to confirm the self diagnosis of IT Band syndrome - and, yes! I have one unhappy IT Band. Are you wondering what the heck is an IT Band? Glad you asked - see the lovely pic below:

The part that's circled, that's the part that's ON FIRE when I run. (And P.S. - I wish my gluteus maximus looked like that! ) So - what are the wise words of my running coach and doctor?

1. Rest the inflamed soft tissue (check, haven't run since Saturday).

2. ICE the inflamed soft tissue (check, but this stinks because ice is cold and I hate cold).

3. Stretch!!! (check - and no complaints, it feels good)

4. Foam Roller . . . otherwise known as a Medieval Torture Device. Don't know what this is? Take a look:

I don't care how innocent it looks . . . it is a little cylinder of evil. You lay it on the floor and then you lie on top of it, with the offending muscle against the foam and then you roll the foam along the muscle, with your body weight as the pressure. Like deep tissue massage you give yourself. It works but it sucks.

5. NSAID or Motrin (Check, check, check - but no more children's chewables - those are another form of evil).

Today, my doctor said that if all these things don't bring pain relief, he can always give me a shot of steroid into my hip, right where the IT Band begins, before the big race. UUUmmmmmm????

Probably won't be choosing this method of pain relief.

The only bright moment in all of this? My doctor referred to me as a "high performance athlete" today. OK, I was laughing because HELLO!! I'm no Lance Armstrong . . . but it still felt good to hear . . . bless him.

The lesson in all of this for ya'll: STRETCH your soft tissue people.

The Shoe Saga continues . . .

These are my new, "passive-stability" New Balance running shoes . . . no Bunion Window. *sigh*
I expect a blister or two since I will be running 9 miles in brand new shoes tomorrow morning, but hey - blisters are better than a crippled knee (IT Band).

And if I have both blisters and a crippled knee after tomorrow's run . . . . well, you'll read all about it in the next blog.

Keith, you better be right about this . . .

Bunion Window?

The last I checked in with y'all, I was wallowing in self-pity after my agonizing 8 mile run.

My right knee, in particular, was on fire. And then there was the whole chafing issue . . .

So, tonight was the speed workout . . . average of about 3 miles on Thursday nights, so I figured I would be safe from harm.

WRONG!

At about mile 2, I felt like someone had just KICKED ME IN THE SIDE OF MY KNEE!

$%&**&*%@!!!!!

Sorry, had to get that out of my system.

OK, OK!! I cry uncle. I'll buy the freakin new shoes!

So, I walked from the UC Davis track back to Fleet Feet - prepared for the new shoes, but not happy about it.

Enter Keith - shoe salesman extraordinaire. He really knows his stuff and spent 30 minutes educating me on a lot of things. Here are some things I learned:

1. I over-pronate when I walk (roll my foot slightly in)

2. I DO NOT over-pronate when I run!! I am a more efficient runner than walker. I guess I should run everywhere . . . NOT!

3. The pain in my knee probably stems from my IT band - which needs better support.

4. There are running shoes with a Bunion Window!!! How AWESOME is that?? A little comfy window (soft mesh) for my big ol bunions. I am in love.

But OF COURSE they didn't have my size in stock in any of the shoes with a Bunion Window.

Of Course.

Keith did fit me in a very nice New Balance shoe, perfect for a runner who does not over-pronate. I can special order the lovely Bunion Window shoe, but it will take one to two weeks to arrive and my knees don't have that kind of time!!! Such a dilema! Fleet Feet has a 90 day return policy . . . what do I do???

I left Keith and the New Balance shoe at the store (on hold). I will sleep on it tonight.

To Bunion Window or Not to Bunion Window? That is the question . . .

Battlescars from my 8 mile run - alternate title: Aquaphor, A Love Story

On Saturday morning, I set out on an 8 mile run. The longest run I've ever attempted, so I was excited and intimidated at the same time. I had purchased a water belt and packed some PowerBar gels to chew around mile 4 - for that extra shot of energy. I felt very prepared. I even left my ipod at home, seeking to train like it was race day, where ipods are banned.





It didn't feel like February at all, the sun was shining and the crisp air felt more like Springtime had arrived. By mile 4, I was feeling great! My muscles were warmed up and I was in my groove. I was thinking, "Maybe I am a runner!".





Then, at mile 5, my right knee began to throb. Actually, the tendon to the right of my right knee began to throb. This is an old injury that I picked up last summer when I competed in the Donner Lake Triathlon and biked up a freakin MOUNTAIN. And usually, between mile 5 and mile 6, this knee starts to give me a little pain. But I kept running.





Then, around mile 6, my left knee began to hurt. What the . . . .????? And the right knee began screaming. By the time I reached mile 7, I was reduced to 3/1 intervals (running for 3 minutes and walking for 1 minute) because my knees couldn't handle it. I was limping!





By the time I reached the end of the route, I felt so discouraged. If I couldn't make it 8 miles without falling apart, how am I supposed to run 13.5 miles next month??





One of my running coaches immediately suggested I get fitted for new shoes. This may in fact be the problem, however, the skeptic inside of me also recognizes that my coaches are also employees of Fleet Feet and shoe saleswomen. And their first solution to everything is "buy new shoes".





When I got home, I told my sad story to my husband, Mark.


He laughed and told me I am getting old - but I am in luck because he has every knee brace/support known to man and I am welcome to use them!


*sigh*





I then move on to the shower, to wash away my defeat and sweat.


It was then that I discovered that I AM GETTING OLD, because my memory is apparently shot!





One of the lessons learned from my Triathlon: Apply GLIDE anti-chafing stick to multiple areas or live to regret it!





Because I have a co-ed readership, I will refrain from detailing exactly which areas of my body were chafed from 8 miles of clothes rubbing, etc. But I will say that my shower was VERY PAINFUL and I literally have scars.





Aquaphor to the rescue!

Post shower, Aquaphor soothed my wounded skin. It is a miracle in a jar - God bless the folks at Eucerin. Aquaphor was the only spot of sunshine in an otherwise very disappointing experience.

This Saturday is 9 miles. It will include GLIDE and a knee brace or two . . .

My Grandma's Training Program

Last Friday, I attended my Grandmother's 80th birthday party.

80 years! What a blessing . . . and if you knew my Grandma personally - you would know that we're the ones receiving the blessing.

My Grandma is my hero, my inspiration, my role model.

Can you believe that at 80 years old she takes no medications? That she has only been in the hospital when her children were born and when she was in a car accident? She is as healthy as an ox - and as strong as one too! She has been "retired" for many years, but continues to work for hours each day, volunteering her time at her local Food Bank, helping others.

My Grandma is always helping others.

When I decided to begin my triathlon training, I was seeking to improve my heart health . . . lose weight . . . build muscle, etc. I am humbled by the knowledge that at 37 years old, I haven't always treated my body as a temple of God. This body that God has blessed me with and all of the amazing wonder of it's inner-workings . . . I have taken for granted.

I would bet good money that my Grandma, at 37 years old, would have been able to complete a Triathlon - piece of cake! There is a woman who has always treated her body as a temple of God - she has never so much as pierced her ears. I've never seen her over-eat (she probably doesn't eat enough). She doesn't keep late hours and gets plenty of sleep. And goodness knows she gets plenty of exercise . . . she is in constant motion. My brother and I used to call her Speedy Gonzalez when we were kids.

What if I lived my life like her? Worked hard . . . even after a full day at work, came home and cleaned my house, cooked for my family, ironed my husband's shirts? What if I went to bed and let my body rest and rebuild instead of staying up late and watching Netflix? What if I ate only what my body needed? What if . . . I lived as a woman of Proverbs 31?

What if my everyday life was my training?

Food for thought.

I love you, Grandma. Your life inspires me in so many ways and I pray that just a little of your strength is somewhere in me . . . I'll need it to get through 13.5 miles!