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Return to Tennis

my attempt in May

I hit the ball a few times while on vacation in Florida but last night was my first time playing doubles since December.

I couldn’t move well but I could move.  I wrapped my ankle for psychological reasons and it didn’t hurt or swell any more than usual.

I have a lot of work to do to get back into being competitive shape. But I was able to play!!! That’s what counts now. (I hope to play 1-2x  per week indoors starting in Sept.)

I played with 3 different partners…all very understanding. (The scores were 0-6, 4-6, 4-6, my first set was with the weakest player.)

I am glad to be out there playing again…cross-training has been lacking in my routine. And some of my closest friends are those I see playing tennis.

Next up…YOGA??

Happy Running!  Do you do any other sport besides running?

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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!

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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?

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June Recap

What happened in June?

  • doctor visits came to an end
  • PT visits came to a end
  • walking frequency has slowed
  • biking has almost been non-existant  – only once
  • almost every weekend was spent on Lake George (4 out of 5)

    same chair – different island each weekend

  • several books read

    another ya trilogy – like Hunger Games

  • running has increased –  46 miles this month…yea!

 

running on one of the many bike paths

  • Racing has begun – two 5K races …whoo hoo!

    are you tired of this pic yet?

Things can only get better…

What’s planned for July?

  • tennis
  • more running
  • faster running
  • longer runs
  • another 5K race
  • more boatimg
  • more reading

Happy Running!  Anything exciting planned for July?

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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.

  1. 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.)
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. Get an Age Group award
  5. Run a 10K race
  6. Run a 10 mile race
  7. 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.
  8. Run at least 12 races (one per month, if possible)
  9. Run a race in another state
  10. 5. Run a NEW race. Yes, Stride4Stride 5K was new.
  11. 6. Listen to my body and slow down when necessary (In other words, do not get re-injured…) Yes, so far.
  12. 7. Continue blogging regularly (to keep track of miles, as a motivator, to meet new runners…) Yes, definitely.
  13. 8. Volunteer at a race. Not yet, but I did spectate.
  14. 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?

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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?

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Where I Was and Where I wanted to be

Let’s start with where I REALLY wanted to be yesterday…

This race has been on my bucket list since I started running.

First, ten miles was too long a distance (I was only running 5ks).  Then last year, I was away at a conference (& injured).

This year was going to be  the year….and then I got injured!

The race starts from the Lake George Fire Department in the Village and the course forks onto Lake Shore Drive, heading north with the lake towards Bolton Landing and concluding at the Rogers Memorial Park Beach.

That Beach is next to the marina where we keep our boat.  I am there every weekend….so convenient…so cool!

Instead, I was at the marina on our boat.  We spent the day on the lake. (I know…poor me!)

my view from West Dollar Is…

After lunch on the island, we went for a boat ride heading north…we hardly ever go in that direction any more.

kids jumping from the cliff…oh to be young again!

We looked for and found a church nestled on an island.

Just past there, we “threaded the needle.” (passed in between two islands).


Beautiful weather…relaxing day…but I’d rather have been running!!! Next year!

Happy Running! What race is on your bucket list?

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I’m a Parrothead

Not really.  But my friends are. So we went with them to the First Annual Parrothead Festival in Saratoga:

Parrot Head Festival is the official kick off to summer in the Capital Region, with a Jimmy Buffett Tribute Band experience. The day kicks off with some tailgating in appropriate Buffett fashion, doors open at 2:00. Make your way in to the sounds of ROBONIC, a local reggae band and great island sound. John Frinzi and John Patti Duo kick things off with a tropical rock twist and the beverages should be flowing by this point….kids have an entire area dedicated to themselves! When the sun begins to set, CHANGES IN LATITUDES takes the stage to a tropical backdrop and the conclusion of a magical day! Inside the event will include food vendors, beer and other Margaritaville beverages…

Now remember this is the same day as my 5K race.  I rushed home and showered and changed into Parrothead garb.

me and my hubby

We only bought one VIP parking pass (where you can tailgate and drink alcohol). So we met nearby and then all piled into my hubby’s pick-up.


We had a lot of fun tailgating…


until the rain (and hail) came!


We hung out under our canopy or in the truck.

singing in the rain?

The rain was brief and stopped around the time we had to enter the fair grounds to listen to the bands.

time to let the “fin” begin

I changed into dry clothes and we hung out for several hours listening to music.

I bought a t-shirt (like I need another?)

The last band was the best – Changes in Lattiude – a Jimmy Buffet tribute band.


I did manage to drag my tired running legs out to dance quite a bit.

my friends Pat & Kathi having “fin”

Happy Running!  Did you do anything special this weekend? Do You like Jimmy Buffet?

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Stride4Stride Race Report


and

Thursday, it was 102 degrees when I got out of work according to my car thermostat.  I waiting a few hours until it went down to 95 and headed to the Corning Preserve.

No, I didn’t run the course.  I went for a bike ride. For the first time on this trail, I didn’t see any runners!!  Pretty obvious why. I am glad I decided not to run.

 

The sun looks like fire on the river

My bike ride was rather pleasant.  It was hot but there was a nice breeze off the river.  I haven’t ridden my bike since I started running again.  I actually miss it.

Back to the race.

I got up early and truthfully did not feel well – head achy & nauseous. But I ate my usual race breakfast and headed to the race because I wanted to be sure to get a parking spot. There was no problem but who knew since I had never done this race before.  It turned out to be a small race of a little over 100 runners.  It was the first race that I’ve gone to in a long time where I did not know anyone.  If I were healthier, I would have been running the Valley Cats Home Run 5k (that I have done twice before) and I would have bumped into friends there.

beautiful morning for a race though a little too hot

Anyway, I walked around to warm up – there were two area with public restrooms.

view of the city

As I waited, it was getting hotter and I was feeling not too great but anxious to RACE!!

ready to run

Finally we approached the starting line.  This race was only gun timed but I didn’t really care to start too close to the front.

start & finish line

As soon as I started running, I knew this wouldn’t be a great race.  My legs felt heavy and my calves sore. It was hot and no shade at all (we turned halfway before the bike path gets shady.)

I struggled…I walked at the water stop at 3/4 mile and then again at the 1.5 mile turn around.  It got harder and harder and I walked more and more – I think at least 4 more times.

I have never walked this much during a race – in fact at the FRW a few weeks ago, I only walked 2x briefly…maybe it was the heat or I ran the 1st mile faster than I should have at this point in my injury. I also have not been running a lot yet.  Another problem with a small race was that after the first mile, I was running  alone.  The fast runners were way ahead and the slow ones way behind.  I think running with others would have motivated me not to walk (just saying.)

yup, positive splits!

Anyway, I finished the last .1 mile strong – the clock registered at 32:50  (and I didn’t puke though I thought I would.)

Once I recovered with some water and ice cream (yes, they had a truck).  I was very happy with my time.  It was almost 3 minutes faster than the FRW on June 2.

Goals for this race:

  • run most of it – sorta (too much walking in my opinion)
  • finish faster than the FRW (35:39) – YES!!!
  • enjoy it – kinda (but did not feel great)

So what’s next?

 I know that  I have to walk less and that means getting in better running shape.  The 27 minutes 5k finish times may never come back but I do not want to feel miserable throughout a 5k race. I also want to be able to run longer distances.

Patience!!

Happy Running! Any races this past weekend?

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Un-Race #2

I say “un-race” because I was not planning to run a 5k “race” until September. I try to remember than I am still healing.

So I ran the Freihofer’s Race (FRW) and survived. My running has been less than stellar since then so I decided to sign up for another 5k. (I like to race and I can just call it a “training run.”)

This race is being held where I like to run – the Corning Bike Trail. 

after my run here on June 16

It is fairly flat.  However, unlike the FRW, I plan to run (not walk).  Of course, I will walk if I have to especially since it may be warm!

Goals:

  • run most of it
  • finish faster than the FRW (35:39)
  • enjoy it

Happy Running!  Ever sign up for a race as a training run?