July 9, 2012 by Darlene

New Shoes, Boating & Running

Thanks to the SRMs for the gift card. They sent it to me when I was first injured and I saved it until I needed it. I have lots of running shoes but psychologically I needed a new pair. So I went to FleetFeet and tried on all brands. They all felt good but none were pink so I choose these funky turquoise ones (Mizuno Wave Inspire 8s).

Then I was off to spend FIVE days on Lake George. We sleep on our boat at the marina each night. During the day, we hang out on our boat or on the islands with different groups of old friends and new friends. Sometimes we barbecue on the island, other times, we eat on the boat and also we eat in restaurants and cookout at the marina. So far this summer, the weather has been almost PERFECT.

Here are some highlights:

me & my hubby on the 4th

a patriotic boat

view of the lake from our July 4th site

view of the fireworks from our marina

our boat pulling a tuber

view of the lake from Log Bay Is

my first jetski ride on the lake

I am still struggling with my running. But I am trying to be patient and not get depressed. I didn’t have time to run on July 4th but I did run/walk 4 hilly miles on Thursday. SLOW!!! My big toe felt strange in my new shoes (after running.) Not sure with all my foot issues, I can blame the shoes.

running in Bolton Landing (down 9N)

view while running

another view

Thursday night, I decided to go home so I could (believe it or not) run at my leisure (my hubby is always impatiently waiting to go out on the boat) and on a flat shady trail. I chose the Colonie Town Park bike trail and it was so much better!! Even my foot felt better.

I got dressed to run on Saturday but it started to rain so I changed my clothes and then the rain stopped.

Sunday, we left early to get a picnic site and then we went back to the marina so I could run. I only got in 3 miles since it was getting late and HOT.

Today, I had planned to run but woke up exhausted and with a headache. Maybe later….

Happy Running! Congrats to all the Boilermaker racers! That’s on my bucket list too!

July 2, 2012 by Darlene

Newbie vs Returning Runner

It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to realize that when you return from a serious injury, you don’t return at the same level as before your injury!!

But where are you in terms of running? And when do you get to where you want to be?

In some ways, it is the same as a “new” runner:

You run slow.
You get out of breath.
You have self-doubt. (Can I really do this?)
You get impatient.
You walk sometimes.
You set goals.
You run a race ahead of schedule.
You “want” to be fast.
You get frustrated.

Then, in other ways, it is so different:

You know you can do it.
You are fearful of re-injury.
You are obsessed with pace.
You rarely run without your Garmin.
You have many types of running shoes (& are totally satisfied with none.)
You get depressed easily (because your expectations are probably too high.)
You are pissed off at having gotten injured.
You whine about it (all the time.)

So I know all this because several years ago I was a beginning runner. I will count my 1st two years as “Year 1” since I ran 6 months the first year & 6 months the 2nd year. I started in the No Boundaries program on April 1, 2008 with the goal of running a 5K in July. Of course, I ran several 5ks before that. I was impatient. I only ran 3 miles because I thought that was all I could do. In these first years, I progressed from being happy to finish to really wanting to get faster. I had the goal of finishing a 5k under 30 minutes.

I did break 30 minutes several times but it wasn’t until year 2 that I did it more consistently and started to think PR at every race. I also started to run longer. By longer, it at most 4-6 miles. I also succeeded in breaking 28 minutes in a 5k.

That meant that I was ready to seek higher goals – run longer races. In year 3, I ran 4 mile and 5 mile races. I even ran 5 half marathons and fell in love with that distance. I even ran a 15 k.

This is currently year 4 for me – the Injury Year.

After 5 months of nothing, I ran a 5k for my first outdoor run. Finishing at 35:39 was a dream because I ran. I didn’t know that I could run.

Now, I am running and the type-A in me wants to know where I am, where I should be and when will I get to where I want to be…

Here’s my invented theory:

Newbie Returning activity

Year 1…………………….Months 1-4 ……………….running

Year 2…………………….Months 5-8 ………………running faster

Year 3…………………….Months 9-12 …………….running longer

If this is true, I will back to where I was next summer… It also means that I will be ready to run a half marathon next March (That’s what I hope since I signed up for one on Mar 17 in Fla.) In addition, I plan to break 30 min. in a 5k by the end of the year.

Back to running…now that I can relax.

Yesterday I ran 4 miles in Bolton Landing. I ran north on 9N for 1 mile which I had never done. It was straight uphill and I walked a lot and I’m ok with that. Then I ran 1 mile south on 9N – rolling hills.

Then I enjoyed the rest of the day. Here are some pics from the weekend.

Sat:

hanging out in Bassin Bay with friends

some cute ducklings

sunset on Speaker Heck Is. where we barbecued with friends

Sun:

my hubby relaxing on Red Rock Bay

view from Dunham’s Bay where we had dinner

This morning I ran a stress-free Garminless 2 miles before work.

Happy Running! Does my return to running theory make sense?

June 28, 2012 by Darlene

Six months

Report Card

Each year I look at my yearly goals at the halfway point.

However, as you know, I had to re-write my goals after I got hurt.

~~Run 3-4 times a week ALL YEAR (use the treadmill when it is too cold or slippery or raining outside)~~ Follow doctor’s orders and stay off ankle until allowed, go to PT and do the recommended exercises, and start to run when & as often as recommended. Yes, for the most part (I may have run a little sooner than allowed.)
~~Continue fitting in tennis and yoga at least once a week (as cross-training)~~ Same as above, start tennis & yoga when allowed, join a gym to do crosstraining/machines to stay fit. NOPE, not yet.
~~Finish my 5K races under 30 minutes and not stress about a PR (though getting one would be super!)~~ Run a 5k race before the end of the year, if I am able to run several, get faster with each one. Yes, 2 5ks so far & the 2nd was faster than the first.
~~Get an Age Group award~~
~~Run a 10K race~~
~~Run a 10 mile race~~
~~Run at least one half marathon~~ 4. Start to train for a half marathon in 2013. Not yet but I registered for one on March 17, 2013 & I plan to start training in Dec.
~~Run at least 12 races (one per month, if possible)~~
~~Run a race in another state~~
5. Run a NEW race. Yes, Stride4Stride 5K was new.
6. Listen to my body and slow down when necessary (In other words, do not get re-injured…) Yes, so far.
7. Continue blogging regularly (to keep track of miles, as a motivator, to meet new runners…) Yes, definitely.
8. Volunteer at a race. Not yet, but I did spectate.
9. Bring a cell phone whenever I go running alone. Yes.

I think I am doing pretty well, considering. So I am going to add 3 more goals:

10. Run a 10 K race.
11. Finish a 5K race under 30 minutes.
12. Run 12 races.

Six months:

from here

to here

Happy Running! How is your year going? Did you set goals?

June 26, 2012 by Darlene

Graduation

I have graduated …

6 months of doctors visits are over!!

Yesterday I told my ortho that I ran a 5K race (That may be influenced his decision.) But unless I have problems, I don’t have to see him AGAIN!

He cautioned me to stretch before running and ice after and NOT TO OVER DO!

He said that the mobility should improve and the swelling should go down over the next 6 months.

Of course, I wanted to know if I will be the same as before and will I get all the movement back. He said no…too serious an injury but most of it will come back with time.

I have also graduated from physical therapy.

4 months of torture are done (good torture)!!

I am a little nervous about that. Will I work hard enough on my own??

So this morning, I celebrated with a run…my first morning run since Dec! The hardest part was getting out of bed.

Happy Running! Are you a morning runner?

June 21, 2012 by Darlene

Mind and Body

Running is mental, they say.

Thanks to the Happy Runner for posting this

Sometimes you feel you can’t do it, but you can. You just have to “think” you can.

Here I just willed myself to run 3.1 miles after 5 mos of no running.

But what if you think you can, but you can’t? Isn’t that how runners get injured?

It was easy when I had a broken ankle. My body said “no” and my mind was forced to agree.

It is pretty obvious that I cannot run.

The problem is that there is fine line between what the body can do (without risking injury) and what you make the brain thinks it can do (so you can achieve the max.

So when do you push yourself? When do you hold back?

Me myself, I seem to push myself in races. Otherwise, not so much.

I may have had my last PT session yesterday. I am not fully healed. My ankle is still stiff. I cannot hop on it. PT sessions push me. PT guy J says I can run so I am done. The healing will take at least 4 more months and that I can do it on my own.

Will I? Can I push myself? But not too much so I get injured.

Time will tell.

Happy Running! Ever experience the mind and body tug-a-war?

June 11, 2012 by Darlene

A Weekend of Running

My running shoes missed me!! Can’t even tell which ankle was broken…

Yes, running!

After my last post of whining about my lack of running, I decided to “Just Do It!”

I ran Three days in a row.

Friday I squeezed in 3 humid miles …slow ones… In my neighborhood. ..in 37 minutes! (Just ran a 5k in 35 min. – I just need an audience!!)

Saturday, my hubby went up to do work on the boat and I did errands and in between 3 more humid slow miles on the Corning bike trail… in 39 minutes! (getting slower!)

Not as shady as I thought

Then yesterday on my way up to Lake George, I ran 3 miles on the Nisky (scene of broken ankle) Bike Trail… in 36 minutes (and negative splits)!!!

I am hotter than I look

Is 3 days in a row too much?

here’s how my feet spent the rest of the day – yes it’s the left one…

Maybe but I am running slow and walking when necessary.

I may go for run number 4 today since I may not have time before the weekend and rain is on the way…

another look at my Sunday afternoon view…I did ice my ankle in the cold lake water

Happy Running! Do you run more often than you should?

June 4, 2012 by Darlene

The Cat is Out of the Bag

This photo was published on the front page of the sports section of our local paper yesterday.

I am the one in the purple shirt front and center.

No, my doctor did not clear me to run yet. My Pt guy told me I could only walk it.

Oops!

Happy Running? Ever ignore an injury and run in a race?

June 2, 2012 by Darlene

Freihofer’s Run for Women Un-Race Report

I got a medal

Obviously not a PR…but this medal is meaningful in a different way.

On Dec 29, 2011, I thought I may not ever run again.

Today, I know I will but I am not sure how fast I will get or how long a distance I will run

But it’s okay. I definitely appreciate being able to run a lot more.

My new favorite quote:

I made a pact with myself to never complain about an event I’ve successfully finished. No matter what my finish time or pace, I will cross the line with a pocket full of gratitude. Records are meant to be broken, but those moments are far and few between. Every adventure offers an opportunity to evolve, explore, and celebrate life. And that is the gift that keeps on giving. — Jenny Hadfield

So now about the race.

Yesterday, I took my daily lunch walk to pick up my bib, tee-shirt (& goodies – loaf of bread, box of cookies, lots of free samples). It’s about a 5k there and back. However, going back is UPHILL.

It was tough; my ankle HURT and I wondered how would I do this race. Why was I doing this race??

I woke up early today to RAIN!! I toyed with not going since I wasn’t racing anyway and walking in the rain would take twice as long.

But I put on pants over my skirt, grabbed a jacket and umbrella and drove to work.

The rain let up a little and the walk to race was a good warm up for my ankle.

this year’s banner along the route

I love the ENERGY of this race!! All women! Elites and first timers!

As I approached the race start, I knew I made the right decision to WALK this race.

I bumped to many people I knew…and finally some of the SRMs for our photo shoot.

some of the group

It was now drizzling but looked like it would rain at any moment. I decided to hide my pants & umbrella but tie my jacket around my waist & wear the cap. (It was very HUMID so I should have left the jacket behind too.)

I squeezed in with the other YELLOWs (though I thought that I should go to the end with the walkers but it was too far to walk!)

view from above

As soon as the gun went off, off I ran.

Yes, I ran!

I ran up the hill. I kept running and running and running.

I cautioned myself to go slow so that I would be able to finish the race.

Everyone was running. I felt that if I stopped to walk, I would be trampled. Yes, runners were passing me but for the most part I was keeping up at my slow pace.

There were timers at every mile and every K. I left my Garmin home (not on purpose – I forgot it.) My pace was consistently between 11-12 min/mile…I was happy and I was not struggling to run at that pace. My ankle did not hurt.

I stopped at both water stops to walk not because I had to but because I was thirsty and felt I should walk some.

As we approached the end…it was downhill. I slowed as to not FALL and then I sprinted (yes sprinted) across the finish line.

I had TEARS in my eyes. The last time I felt like this was after my FIRST HALF.

5th FRW

I’m not sure what the chip time was but the gun time was 35:xx. I far exceeded all my goals!!!!!!

It is my second slowest 5K time (my first 5k was my slowest) but I am SO HAPPY!!!!!!

As soon I finished, it started to rain.

I have to admit, that my ankle really hurt afterwards. I struggled to walk back to my car.

It was worth it.

So it seems that the cure for a stiff weak ankle is a RACE!!

Happy Running! Enjoy your weekend!

June 1, 2012 by Darlene

Hopping and Racing

I found out at PT why I am having trouble running. I cannot hop!

Of course, I can hop on my good foot but I can’t on the other. As a result, I can only push off on one foot and I am sorta dragging the other … so my running is slow, painful and awkward.

I was told to keep trying to hop.

I know it will come because there was a time when I couldn’t stand and couldn’t walk and couldn’t run.

So when I can hop, I think I will be able to race.

Speaking of racing, tomorrow is one of my favorite races.

Hopefully, it will not rain as predicted. The SRMs are planning a group photo. Many of the recent SRM marathoners will be cheering.

SRMs in 2011

Obviously, I cannot race it but I am doing it anyway.

Goals:

Walk fast and finish in under an hour
Run some and finish under 45 minutes
Have fun

Happy Running! Are you racing this weekend?

May 31, 2012 by Darlene

My Favorite Month Has Ended…

May was a pretty good month:

went on my tennis vacation to Florida

turned 59 on 5-9

got to visit with my Russian friend Anna

started boating on Lake George

did a lot of biking

ran my first mile

Here were my May Goals:

Continue PT 1-2x per week. Yes, except when on vacation.
Do exercises on my own, as well 1-2x per day. Yes, but not a diligently as before.
Use exercise bike and/or treadmill at work on days with no PT. Yes, when raining bcause I have been walking outside.
Go biking outdoors 1-2x per week. Yes and everyday when on vacation.
Go for walks outside. Yes, everyday at lunch.
Run outside (at least a few steps or maybe on a track.) Yes, one mile on dirt/sand 4 times so far
Hit a few tennis balls (maybe practice serving or volleying) Yes, while on vacation.
STAY POSITIVE!! Trying but it is tough!