It would be cliche to call it one of "those" runs. What I didn't know is that it would be painful. And revolutionary. And one of the most awesome and disappointing runs that I'd ever been on.
Here's how this all happened. On December 23, I went out for an eight-mile run. I had less than a month before my first half marathon. The run was perfection. I was on pace. I was moving like I'd never moved before. The last mile was clocked at just a tad over 7 minutes. I was stoked. That race was mine for the taking.
And then the pain. Top of the foot and unrelenting. A horrible ache that took over my consciousness.
Suffice it to say that the next day, walking was a chore. A painful chore.
It'll get better. I just need a little rest.
I thought those things over and over and over...
A week and a half later, it wasn't better and the rest was making me anxious. I had a half marathon to run in two weeks. Fifteen days to be pain-free and confident enough to run those 13 miles. The confidence was what I was really worried about. Training and endorphins can get you pretty far in a race, but your belief in yourself is what gets you across the finish line (call Hallmark, that's a winner).
So then, like anyone who is grieving, I started to negotiate.
If I don't run between now and the race but stay healthy and positive, I can do this.
I thought those things over and over and over...
I had to pull the plug. I couldn't run my first half marathon injured. And man, was I injured. Physically, mentally and emotionally. Drained and hurting.
Somehow it was easy to tell people that I wasn't running the race. Injury, especially when people had seen me hobbling around, was a perfect out. I felt a weird sense of relief that I wasn't running the race. The pressure was gone. The worry about whether I was going to run in pain was gone. It as a little scary how ok I was with not running.
And then the real need-endorphins-must-take-charge-of-everything part of me kicked in. I couldn't be sitting around, wallowing in the story that "I was injured and just needed some rest". That wasn't the person I wanted to be. I was better than that injured person that I had become so easily and freely.
I made a doctor's appointment at one of the top sports medicine clinics in the South Bay. I got sweet x-rays of my feet. Unfortunately, nothing showed up on them. No definitive diagnosis other than overuse came from that doctor and a script for physical therapy and anti-inflammatories were the only things I had when I walked out the door.
Turns out, the physical therapy was much better than the pills.
After some poking, prodding, stretching, testing and videotaping, the physical therapist deduced that my upper thighs and groin area were SO tight that they were affecting the way I was walking. Yup, I was told I was walking funny because the tightness was inhibiting my body from performing the way it was naturally supposed to.
It's been about three weeks since that realization. I've been doing my stretching exercises religiously and staying positive about my recovery. These are the small things that are going to change me and get me back on the right track.
I go back today for another physical therapy appointment. I'm hoping this one is the one where he says, "You are ready."
Ready for the pavement.
Ready for the early mornings again.
Ready for the feelings that I had that day in late December.
Minus the pain.
Wednesday, March 7, 2012
Coming Back Stronger
Monday, December 5, 2011
To You, I Ask
Monday, November 28, 2011
Here We Go
Taking deep breaths...
Just registered for the 13.1® Los Angeles half marathon.
Wow. This is now real. I have no choice but to train. I can't back out.
I'm pretty sure the Rocky song will be replayed many times between now and then to pump myself up.
Monday, November 21, 2011
Big Confidence Boost
 |
| Source |
Things have been a little crazy lately...spending time with the boy...visiting friends...dog sitting (walking three dogs at a time can be complicated)...staying out of the rain...learning...getting ready for Thanksgiving...Christmas-gift shopping...
But you know what happened on Sunday? I went for an 8 mile run and I felt A-to-the-MAZING! That was the longest run I've done in a really, really long time. I got caught in a short downpour that made things interesting, but overall, my body was diggin' the run and working smoothly. My overall time was good and I can't wait to hook my Garmin watch up to the computer to see my splits.
This was a huge confidence boost for me in my hopes to do a half marathon in mid-January. I think in the next few days I am going to put together a more concrete training schedule so I make sure to build up to 10, 11 or even 12 miles before the race.
Knowing that all of the major holidays are in between now and the half-marathon is a little daunting. But when I worry or am unsure, I am going to think back to Sunday's run. Because there's almost nothing better than knowing you knocked out 8 miles (and felt strong doing it) before most people had their first cup of coffee!
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Am I Crazy?
 |
| Source |
Monday, November 7, 2011
Fast Girls Finish First
 |
| Firehiwot Dado of Ethiopia wins the 2011 NYC Marathon |
I caught a glimpse of her out of the corner of my eye. I could immediately tell she was a runner. Not just a person who runs to lose weight or to clear her head (although those are always nice perks). No, she was someone who had speed and had probably run while in college. She had a purpose to each step and held her body in such a way that seemed comfortable, like she had had that same running form for years. I watched her as she ran out of my line of sight. She was fast.
As someone who considers herself a "runner," it's hard not to notice the fast girls that are in my neighborhood. And to my surprise, there are a few. There's the one I saw this morning (blonde ponytail, has a small dog she walks in the morning). There's also a smaller chick with long brown hair who wears it in a braid. She always runs in the road (which I think is one of the signs to spot a "real" runner). And then there is a middle-aged woman who wears shortie shorts, but I haven't seen her in a while...maybe she moved.
Yes, I've made some stereotypes here of who a real runner is and the tendencies of such a person. But these are the girls who get up early to squeeze in their run before the rest of the day happens. These are the girls who probably eat well and often, but aren't afraid to down a few beers or an ice cream sandwich (like I did this weekend). They cherish their GPS watch and favorite running bra, but still like to get all fancied up for a night with their special someone.
Sometimes, I consider myself one of them, one of a small group of women who aren't afraid to run in the dark or in the rain (like I did this weekend). When people casually mention that they run, I have to throw my two cents in and one-up them. You ran five miles yesterday? Well, I ran five miles...uphill yesterday.
But sometimes, I am not them. I lack motivation. I don't have a set training plan to follow. I eat one too many cookies even though I know I should stop reaching for them. Sometimes, I take a week off for the heck of it because I just don't feel like running.
When I catch glimpses of these fast runners, I'm jealous. They always look like they have a purpose to their running, like they know exactly what they are doing and what their mile splits are for each of the five routes they have around town. I want their resolve to train for something big, for not being afraid to push to the absolute brink of exhaustion, both mentally and physically. I want their swagger and confidence when they say, "Yeah, I'm a runner" because deep down, they know that running is their gift, their talent that other people just don't have, but something that others crave.
Maybe I'm a fast-girl-in-training. Maybe I need to focus my mind and create a real training schedule for myself. Maybe I need to work on my speed so that the next time someone sees me, they think...wow, she's fast. And I'll feel confident enough to know they are right.
Monday, August 29, 2011
No Matter How Far You Are
It's a fine Music Monday, peeps! I realized something this weekend and found Ms. Alicia Keys to be able to put it into a gorgeous song. I am a HUGE Alicia fan; I own all of her albums and have seen her in concert (which was a-to-the-mazing). She has such a great sound and stage presence. The combo of her classical piano background and soulful lyrics bring everything together. So, let's take a listen and I'll explain why this song is special.
Alicia Keys - Distance And Time. LIVE by LeVitrail
Alicia starts this song with a shout-out to "all the lovers in the world separated by distance and time." Over the weekend, I realized that I have suddenly found myself in that category,.
I live here.
My boyfriend lives here.
Ok, it's not quite like that. It's more like 60 miles separating us. Add in full-time jobs for both of us, LA traffic, a puppy to take care of (I seriously cannot write a blog post without mentioning Austin) and it all adds up to only getting to spend time together on the weekends, which is really, really hard.
Yes, we talk A LOT on the phone - phone bills keep growing & minutes have to be added. I do think this is a great way to build a relationship because if you are suddenly drawing blanks at the three-minute mark, then how are you going to get to know each other? Our nightly conversations are lengthy and I've learned so much about him in a short span of time.
But there is only so much a phone conversation can do. I want to be able to sit next to him, or hold his hand while walking down the street. Being physically near each other is also important to building a relationship. Seeing each other on the weekends is great because we can go out and catch baseball games and go shopping and hang out with friends and find cool restaurants and eat dessert (we like dessert). Weekends afford us the flexibility of having days to ourselves. BUT, if you hadn't noticed before, weekends are only two days long. You can only stuff so much into two days. This is where the struggle is.
The other sticky point is that while I want to spend as much time as I can with him, I don't want to monopolize HIS weekend. He has friends and family in the area that he likes to catch up with. I do like to hang out with his friends and that is a great way to kill two birds with one stone. But as any girlfriend can tell you, we all want "only us" time. But how can we do "only us" time without being totally insular and becoming "that" couple that only hangs out with each other? Maintaining balance (in life and in a relationship) is a big key to staying happy.
I guess I need to be patient and realize that things won't always be like this. I need to embrace the time that we do have together and focus on the positives of our relationship. This one's definitely worth working for and waiting on.
"No matter how far you are
No matter how long it takes him
Through distance and time
I'll be waiting
And if you have to walk a million miles
I'll wait a million days to see you smile
Distance and time, I'll be waiting."