October 5, 2012 by Darlene

Weather, Injury and Race Goals

It rained all last weekend and most of this week (except today.) The forecast for this weekend is no better.

weekend forecast

Normally, I would be so annoyed … especially since I never run in the rain. But it has actually been a blessing. I was not tempted to run. I rested Wed & Thurs and normally I would have run 3 miles each day.

Today my foot feels much better…maybe because I have not run on it.

Oct 6, 2012 in Albany, NY

I am still on the fence about tomorrow’s race (it is supposed to be rainy and cold!). But most likely, I will do it. (I joined a team and I am meeting a friend there.)

At this point in my ankle recovery, I would have hoped to run faster… to finish under 30 minutes, etc.

Now with my new injury, I am hoping to run it without pain, not to aggravate my right foot so I can continue my running next week and after that.

So we’ll see how it goes.

Happy Running! Any racing this weekend? Good luck to all those SRMs running in the Mohawk Hudson Marathon or Half Marathon on Sunday!!!

October 4, 2012 by Darlene

On the DL Again?

I was injury-free for the first 45 years of my life. That’s because I did nothing (exercise-wise.)

Then I began to exercise to stay active and healthy. Here’s what happened:

about 14 years ago – strained metatarsals on right foot – from tennis
about 11 years ago – broken 5th metatarsal on right foot – from waterskiing fall
about 5 years ago – frozen right shoulder, spinal stenosis – from golf
about 4 years ago – meniscus tear in left knee – from tennis
about 15 months ago – Achilles tendonitis in right foot – from running and/or tennis
9 months ago – broken left ankle – from an icy fall
Tuesday – see below for my own diagnosis:

The extensor tendons come from the small muscles in front of the leg. They cross the front of the ankle, pass over the top of the foot, attaching to the big and lesser toes. These tendons function to pull the foot upward as well as work with the Achilles tendon and calf muscles to pull the foot downward. When they are over stressed they become inflamed and painful. Extensor tendonitis is commonly caused by tightness of the calf muscle, over exertion, or falling of the foot arch. Treatment consists of stretching, orthotics, and oral anti-inflammatory medications. In more severe cases, a removable below the knee cast may be utilized until full healing can occur.

I am trying to not freak out!

I assume that it is from overuse which is logical. I have been running, walking & biking for the last 4 months with a recovering left ankle. That’s puts extra stress on my good foot.

I felt fine on Sunday and great Monday evening playing tennis. In fact, I played my best tennis since returning – even won 6-1. 6-3 with two different partners.

Then Tuesday morning, I got up early to run and the top of my foot hurt when I started to run. I hoped that the pain would go away but it didn’t. I tried to walk/run and not make it hurt which was very awkward. I stopped and iced and took ibuprofen. I did that yesterday and I plan to continue with ice and ibuprofen. (It does feel a lot better today than on Tuesday..)

I know rest is the solution.

Do I run tonight to test it? Do I skip my race (for the Cure) on Saturday? Do I skip my long run over the weekend? Do I skip tennis next Monday & Tuesday (it is hard to get subs!!)?

Injuries SUCK!

Happy Running! Anyone experience the same problem?

October 1, 2012 by Darlene

Welcome October…Welcome Fall!

September was a pretty busy month even though it didn’t go as planned.

This is what I had hoped:

Higher weekly and monthly mileage totals – not really but I had good intentions
Lower my 5K time – actually I did but not by as much I would have liked
Lower my 10K time – nope because I changed my mind & didn’t run the 10K
Start yoga – nope here too
Join a gym and work out – well, I didn’t really think this would happen

about 8 of those miles were walked 😦

But let’s focus on the good things that happened in September.

I ran in four races.

showing off my medal from the 4.4 Chase Away Leukemia race

I finished a 5K in less than 30 minutes.

doing it at the MPBA 5k

The weather cooperated and we had some more boating weekends.

cool but sunny day on Lake George

I started my weekly tennis contract and am enjoying it.
I stayed in my friend’s house on Schroon River 2 more times (for running, mah jongg). Love it there!

view from the house

I got a surprise visit from my friend in Russia.

at the NY Botanical Gardens

I am enjoying the foliage in the Northeast.

Hiking on the Indian Ladder Trail at Thatcher State Park

I rode my bike (1x)

at the Nisky bike trail along the Mohawk R.

I used the treadmill once.
I won a healthy receipe contest at work AND I won $25 gift card to Walmarts (from The Happy Runner).

this was my prize at work

For October, I am going to go out on a limb and try to:

Higher weekly and monthly mileage totals (that means long runs on the weekend)
Run at a more consistant & faster pace
Start yoga
Join a gym and work out
Lose weight
Eat healthy

Happy Running! How was your September? Anything different planned for October?

September 19, 2012 by Darlene

AMR’s 10 Running Related Personal Questions

The ladies at Another Mother Runner came up with questions for everyone to answer. Have you answered? If not, why not do it now?

1. Best run ever: Probably the Mother’s Day 5k 2011. It was on my birthday and I finished in 25:xx which is amazing for me. Unfortunately the course was short. But I felt almost fast for the only time ever.

2. Three words that describe my running: Empowering, energizing, rejuvenating (most of these describe how I feel after I’m done LOL)

3. My go-to running outfit is: Running skirt, sleeveless tech top, compression socks, baseball cap in the summer (Of course, it changes as the weather gets colder to tights under the skirt & a wind shirt on top.)

4. Quirky habit while running: I think I breathe heavy and make noise when breathing. At least it seems to me that I do that when I am struggling. I hope that most runners around me are wearing headphones.

5. Morning, midday, evening: Morning. That’s when I have the most energy but often I have to postpone my runs until after work.

6. I won’t run outside when it’s: Raining. I’m a wimp. I don’t like getting wet.

7. Worst injury—and how I got over it: That’s an easy one. It’s a broken ankle and I am still getting over it. As with any injury: rest, patience, PT, patience, re-up mileage slowly, patience.

8. I felt most like a badass mother runner when: Recently I chic- ed a guy. I was behind him almost the whole race and then I passed him near the finish line.

9. Next race is: This Saturday… a 5k. I race almost every Saturday.

10. Potential running goal for 2013: A Half Marathon. I haven’t run one since November 2011. I really want to see if I can do it again.

Happy Running! Feel free to answer these questions on your blog or in a comment here.

August 30, 2012 by Darlene

The Elusive “P”

At Joan Benoit Samuelson‘s talk Tuesday night, she mentioned that there were several P words that were important in order to be a successful runner. She asked the audience to guess them. And we did except one.

Here are the ones I remember:

PASSION
PERSEVERANCE
PURPOSE

She was surprised that no one said one important one.

What is it??? Can you guess?

If not, it’s:

Yup, PATIENCE!!

As I was running this morning and my running was not good, I berated myself that almost 3 months ago, I ran 3 miles for the first time and today, I am still struggling to run 3 miles!!!

Shouldn’t I be farther along? Should I try harder?? If patience is a virtue, I don’t have it!!

Then I found the above quote.

I remember saying while I was injured and not running: “I just want to run again. I don’t care how far or how fast, just run!”

So I am going to try to remember that.

And another “P” word.

“Don’t push it. You were injured. You are still healing!”

Happy Running! Are you patient?

August 16, 2012 by Darlene

Running Injury-Free for Life

Of course, this would be a topic that would interest me.

This workshop was offered last night at the Crossings and sponsored by FleetFeet.

I signed up a while ago and had planned to run beforehand because I love to run at the Crossings.

However, since I had run 2 days in a row, I opted for checking out the new Trader Joe’s nearby instead. (I think that I was not that impressed because I don’t cook healthy –however, I did find a few interesting foods to buy.)

The workshop was given by a Sports Physician who is also an accomplished (Marathon) Runner and Triathlete. The room was pretty full…with what seemed to be older new runners and older experienced runners.

That would make sense, we older runners probably experience or worry about injuries more.

The presentation consisted of a bunch of boring powerpoint slides (once a teacher, always a teacher…others may not share my opinion of his talk) but I did manage to glean a few things (however, most things I already knew or were common sense):

Running injuries are more common:

to women
when you have already had an injury
when you run too many miles

What is important when running races:

have fun
finish
meet a goal

How to avoid running injuries:

quality miles (possible in 3 days a week – tempo, hill repeats, long run) not garbage miles – make your runs count
realistic goals
balanced diet (yes, you can cheat, if you need to and coffee is good for energy)
do hip stretches if you are prone to IT Band issues
listen to your body (heart rate too high = back off)
mix up your surfaces – trails, multi-directional runs, hills
shorten your stride

So although I didn’t learn a lot of new things from this workshop, it was motivating.

I set my alarm for 5:45 am and ran before work. It was a beautiful morning to be out there. I only ran 3 miles on a route with some hills and I tried to run with a short stride (I think.)

Happy Running! Any other advice on avoiding running injuries?

August 10, 2012 by Darlene

Impromptu 10K

My favorite quote of the moment:

“The most powerful time to persist is when you don’t feel like it. Keep going, and the persistence itself will make you feel better.” – Ralph Marston.

So I had been feeling guilty about not running Tuesday or Wednesday am but it was 93 degrees when I left work on Wednesday.

I put on my running clothes and went to the Corning Bike Trail. I wanted to run 3 miles at least. I decided to run 3 miles out because the farther you run, the shadier it gets and then walk back.

I ran 3.1 miles slowly in 35 minutes and then turned around and headed back. Then I saw a very old lady running VERY VERY slowly but running (without walking). I felt guilty walking so I started to run and passed her. Then I walked and she passed me. We played leap-frog for a while until I tired and walked more (and she turned and headed back to where she started her run – the opposite direction as me). I was impressed with how slow she was running. I can’t run that slow and how she kept that consistent pace (even in the heat).

I ended up finishing my 2nd 5k in 41 minutes. Total time for the 10K was 1 hour 16 min.

Last year, I would have been discouraged in finishing in over ONE hour. Last week, I would only have attempted 3 miles.

But now, I realize that I can push myself through the pain. And yes, I did feel better afterwards.

Will I run the 10K on Saturday?

Yes (unless it is raining/thunderstorms)!

13.1 miles in the pouring rain…never again!

Happy Running!

July 31, 2012 by Darlene

July Recap – Where has the summer gone?

What happened in July?

The Good:

My mileage has increased. 64 miles this month!!! Woo Hoo!
I ran several 4 milers. (It’s still a struggle but it’s a start.)
I ran in a 5k race. (My pace was better than the last one. Love.Racing.)
I played tennis 4 times. (I’m rusty but enjoyed it)
The weather has been perfect for boating and relaxing on the weekends. (YAY!!)

The Not So Good:

Lunchtime hour walks have disappeared. (lazy, lazy, lazy – boo!)
Biking has been nonexistent. (no time & bike rack is on my hubby’s truck)
Stretching & icing- oops – none of that either. (Bad Girl!)
Running is still a struggle aerobically…too much walking…pace too slow…blah, blah, blah
Ankle is still painful…(almost all the time) YUCK!

Basically my plans for August are almost exactly the same as for July:

running (4 times per week)
faster running (fewer walk breaks)
longer runs (5 miles or more)
another 5K race (hopefully faster than the last one)
tennis (once a week)
boating on weekends
reading (when not watching the Olympics)
fun times with friends & family

In addition, I should go back to stretching, to walking at lunch & to biking (on non-run days). No promises here but I will try!!!

Sorry Ankle…I’ve neglected you!

Happy Running! How was your July? Anything different planned for August?

July 19, 2012 by Darlene

TTT: Heat, Tennis & Running

1. It has been HOT in the Northeast. 90’s!! It has also been HUMID in addition to being hot. I have been feeding my friend’s cat before work while she has been on vacation. So I am been doing my activities outside AFTER work. (Not smart, I know.)

my friend’s car on Tuesday

2. On Tuesday, I played tennis for the 2nd time. Doubles again and I felt a lot more comfortable. (with my tennis not the weather) I even won with 3 different partners. Afterwards. we all went to one player’s house to go swimming in her pool. YAY!

pavillion where we started

3. Yesterday I ran the 2nd Run with Mizuno sponsored by FleetFeet. It was held this time in Central Park in Schenectady. Again, a very small group of runners – ALL FAST!! I tried similar Mizunos as last week but in a different color.

Again, they felt pretty comfy.

We ran the Cardiac Classic / Run 4 Your Life 5K Course which I had done in 2011 and 2009. I ran alone and was way behind all the other runners. My pace is still VERY SLOW but I ran the whole time (but it was a struggle!) I had no idea where I was going and wound up missing .5 miles of it. (I added another .5 mile afterwards to make it 3 miles for the run.)

This park is a beautiful place to run

I love these runs because it forces me to run in a new location and run faster. My time was a 33:xx rather than 29:xx in 2011. I am not going to beat myself up about it. (My ankle was not happy last night…so I have to be PATIENT.)

Today the humidity and temps are down finally.

Happy Running! How are you dealing with the heat?

–

July 15, 2012 by Darlene

A Good Run and a Good Weekend

I ran 3 miles after work on Thursday and it was pathetic. I had to stop and walk almost every tenth of a mile. I’m not exaggerating. Yes, it was hot and humid & I was tired but that’s no excuse.

I took Friday off and went up to the lake.

Saturday morning, I went for a 4 mile run. It was VERY hot and humid (I didn’t get up as early as I should have). I went south on 9N in Bolton Landing which has rolling hills and cut through the cemetery and then ran back to the marina.