TexasLindsey

2.5 miles at 5:30 pm.  Weather= 96 degrees, 29% humidity, 15mph wind, sunny.

This is the first day of running in 5 weeks.  I took time off because of injury.  I think I got a stress fracture in my femur.  I didn't go to the doctor because of the cost and time and babysitting involved.  I made a deal with my husband that if I saved money by NOT going to the doctor and just taking time off from running... then I could buy a used treadmill off craigslist.  The only remedy for a stress fracture is time off anyways.  Everyone keeps telling me that a femur stress fracture is rare... but I couldn't even walk without pain for 3 weeks.  I suppose even if the pain is somehow related to a pulled or torn muscle, the remedy is still time off. 

So the run went very well.  No pain in the leg to speak of.  However, it was hotter than all hell.  I was pretty miserable.  I will not be running at this time of day again.  However, I just took a shower and I am feeling a slight pain in the right femur.  Nothing like 5 weeks ago though.  Still....  Jeeeeez....

I am so ready to be running again.  I've gained 5-10 pounds.  I put on my running shorts and I had the very beginnings of a muffin top!  Oh the hell no.  Also, I could tell that not having exercise endorphins was affecting my mood and stress levels... either that or my kids got way worse behaved after I stopped running.  Ha, ha!

I got a treadmill!!!!!   Finally!!!   I am so excited!   It's a Spirit Z100.   I read on some website that if you want to walk, you need a 2.0 hp, if you want to jog, you need 2.5 hp and if you want to RUN, you need 3.0 hp.  I have no idea if that is true, but it seemed reasonable to me. 

I've got it set up in my room in front of the tv.  I'm going to try it out tonight.  Still recovering from this right thigh injury.  All this time I've been thinking it was a stress fracture of the femur but now I'm starting to think maybe it's a hip flexor muscle strain of some kind.  It's getting better after 6 weeks of no running.  I ran a little on Wed and it didn't hurt during the run but it hurt the day afterwards.  I think running on the treadmill will be better than concrete for recovery. 

I can't wait to get back running with my group on Saturdays.  I want to train for Dallas White Rock Marathon on Dec 4th this year.  This gives me 6 months.  I'm thinking my goal is going to be 3:25... which is 7:50/m.  I plugged my most recent half marathon time into a race predictor and it said I should be able to do 3:23 marathon.  If I can get healthy enough to train well, I'm sure I could do it.  The only other marathon I ran was 3:35...  so this would be a 10 min PR.  Sounds like a fun challenge. 

3 miles on my new treadmill.  I've got to get a big fan in there because I felt hot.  It's 100 degrees outside and only 80 inside my house but still... I was hot!  I didn't have pain in my right leg per se, but I was "aware" of the right quad muscle the whole time.  I don't know how to explain it... I just felt every movement.  Does that make sense?   Seems weird.  I don't care though.  I can not stand taking any more time off... I must run!!

After the run I was wearing my bike shorts and sports bra and my 3 year old asked me if I had a baby in my belly!!!!   OMG!  My husband thought that was hilarious!  Thanks, son, for even more motivation to start running again! 

I've gained about 10 pounds since I took off running for this injury 6 weeks ago.  People who usually hassle me about being too skinny have now starting complimenting me on looking more "healthy".  Gee, thanks.  It's mostly my mom and grandmother but also other family.  My mom accuses me of having eating disorders whenever I am at my most fit during marathon training.  I've come to think of it as part of the sport.  It's ironic to me that neither she nor anyone else felt the need to express concern about my health before I started running when I was 145 pounds, smoking cigarettes and going to happy hours all the time...  Ha!  People are funny. 

4.7 miles at 6:30 am around my neighborhood. Weather=78 degrees, 66% humidity, 14 mph wind, sunny sunrise, birds chirping, beautiful morning.  Average pace= 9:46/m.

Right leg did not hurt again!!!  Only problem I had (other than being super hot!) was that my lower back felt stiff.  I guess not running for weeks will do that.  I also felt nervous the first couple miles because I wasn't going as fast as I used to... I felt... almost guilty... for going so slow.  I worked it out in my head over the course of the run though...  I am going to come back from this injury smart.  I know that I have to go slow and build my base milage for 6 weeks before I even think about speed.  Also, I've got to get acclimated to this heat!  My goodness, it's hot!

5 miles with my group this morning.  Weather= 80 degrees, 55% humidity, 9 mph wind, sunny.  Average pace = 9:24/m

First 2.5 miles I ran with the 10 minute group averaging actually 10:15/m.  Then I turned at the first water stop to go back because I don't want to do too much too soon and risk re-injury to my leg.  I ran with this 21 year old guy on the way back and we picked up the pace and averaged 8:40/m the final 2.5 miles.  I was out of breath but my leg didn't hurt.  Leg still doesn't hurt after I stopped!  Woo Hoo!

I talked to the group I was running with before I got injured.  Today it was just Emily and 4 other guys.  They were doing 12 miles at 7:45 pace.  They zoomed past me when I was in the 10 minute group.  I can't wait until I can run with them again.  Patience Lindsey, patience...  Gotta stay focused on recovery and building up my milage before I even think about trying to keep up with those guys.

5 miles at 5:50am.  Weather=80 degrees, 59% humidity, 14 mph wind, sunrise.  Average pace=9:39/m. (10:29, 9:41, 9:18, 9:41, 9:04)

Last week I was talking to my mother and I was explaining to her how much worse my life has been since I stopped running because of this injury... then I told her I had taken enough time off for the leg to theorically heal and I could start running again but I didn't "feel" like it...  I started telling her why I can't run in the morning and why I can't run in the afternoon and I why I can't run with the kids...etc, etc. 

Suddenly, it hit me... I have this written on my wall and see it everyday:  "If you really want to do something, you find a way.  If you don't, you find an excuse."  

OMG, I'm making excuses...  I realized that I was telling myself it was "hard" and I was believing it.  I think inertia was getting the better of me.  I think I was getting used to not running and my mind was coming up with excuses to keep me in the status quo... convince me not to change my daily habits because change is hard.  As bad as I viewed my situation without running, on a sub-conscious level I was resisting starting to run again because it was "hard".  Funny how that works. 

Sometimes I catch myself trying to decide how I "feel" before I make a change.  Ha, ha!  I check my gut to see if it feels right.  Maybe that's a good strategy for some things in life but I've learned you can't go by how you "feel" to start an exercise regime or a workout.  Most of the time you may not "feel" like you want to run... "feel" like you want to get up in the morning.. "feel" like you want to go faster or farther.  At least not at first.  It always gets better... and I've never finished a run and regretting running.  OTOH, I've skipped a run and regretted it. 

No, sometimes, you can't go by how you "feel" in life.  Sometimes you have to suck it up and, to quote Nike, "Just Do It".   

"Sacrifice is a requirement of life.  You either sacrifice today to reach tomorrow's goals or you give up your goals in favor of the fleeting comfort that is distracting you."  Sacrifice is doing something you don't "feel" like doing.  What many people don't consider when they are deciding whether or not to do something "hard" is that comfort is abundant (and sweeter) once long term goals are met.  

Ok.  So on the phone with my mom that day, I caught myself being a whiny baby.  After I realized what I was doing, I started running again.  And I started waking up early and just doing it.  It's not nearly as hard as I imagined.  Heck, it's a great time of year to run at 6 in the morning.  It's light outside... warm enough to wear tank and shorts and it's the coolest part of the entire day without oppressive sun. 

"Telling yourself a miserable mental story about your circumstances, creates suffering... Telling yourself a more positive and grateful story creates happiness".   The truth is... mornings this time of year are a gift.  Running is a gift.  I need to wake up every morning to run and say, "Thank you God for the ability to run and this glorious morning". 

I keep reminding myself that I've got to be patient coming back from this injury.  My leg still feels a little weird even if it doesn't hurt.  My plan is to take it slow but increase my miles gradually over the summer.  Last week was my first week back and I did 13 miles.  This week I'll do 20.  Week 3 - 25 miles.  Week 4 - 30.  Week 5- 35 miles.  Week 6- 40 miles.   It still makes me nervous to be running so slow... but I looked back at my running this time last year and I was even slower.  I got lots faster in the fall/winter/spring that followed.  If I do as good of a job as I did last year with building my base over the summer, I should be able to reach my goals.  Sacrifice, patience, determination, discipline, persistance, hard work...  If I put in the work, I'm sure I could achieve a 3:25 marathon in December. 

5 miles at 5:50 am.  Weather=78 degrees, 64 % humidity, 10 mph wind, sunrise.  Average pace=9:47/m.  (10:29, 9:47, 9:49, 9:45, 8:58)

First two miles my right leg... felt like my femur was giving me trouble.  It hurt when I impacted the ground.  However, after the first two miles I didn't feel it anymore. 

Excellent morning.  I love this time of day during the summer. 

5 miles at 5:40 am.  Weather=79 degrees, 66% humidity, 14 mph wind, sunrise.  Average pace=9:48 (10:09, 9:38, 9:54, 9:43, 9:32)

Had some minor aches and pains in right knee and right leg at first.  Just went really slow and I forgot about it.   I'm really loving waking up early and running.  When you watch the weather and see the forcast everyday for 100 degrees, you think this would be a sucky time of year for running...  but actually, the mornings are great.  Sun is up so early in the day, you can start in the 5 o'clock hour.   I much prefer running this time of year than in the winter.

8 miles at 6:30 am with my running group. Weather: 82 degrees, 70% humidity, 21 mph wind gusting to 24 mph, sunny. Average pace=9:00/m.  (9:16, 8:56, 8:58, 9:05, 8:57, 9:02, 8:53, 8:50)

It was rough conditions because of the humidity. I ran with Brenda. It was FUN! I'm so happy to be running again!!!!

By the way, it's supposed to get up to 105 degrees here today! 

5 miles at 5:45 am.  Weather=78 degrees, 65% humidity, 27mph wind gusting to 34 mph, sunrise.  Average pace=10:04/m  (10:43, 10:05, 9:56, 9:52, 9:36)

WINDY!!!   I was running against the wind up this hill... It felt like level 10 on a stairmaster!  I didn't even feel like I was moving forward.  The wind resistance made it a very good workout even though I wasn't pushing the pace.

6.6 miles at 6:30 pm.  Weather=96 degrees, 45% humidity, 67 degree dew point, 5 mph wind, sunny.  Average pace= 9:35/m.

Ran with Ashley around the neighborhood.  It was fun!  We were attacked by swarms and swarms of little nats.  Several, several, several got stuck to the sweat on my body... up my nose.. in my mouth... and one even in my eye.  I have never seen so many nats in all my life.  It was really hot!!!!!   I'm meeting Ash on Thursday at 5am... going to see if she likes running that early before work.  She has to leave for work at 7 am so we will see.

I am starting to wonder if the problem with my right leg either was sciatica nerve issue or else may have triggered a nerve issue.  I'm having weird feelings in the leg around the femur but it shoots up my buttocks now... also my big right toe is bothering me again (was hurting in Jan-Feb, prior to the right leg injury).  Doesn't affect my form though.  Not too painful... but just feels weird.   I just do not care.  I refuse to stop running.  I feel that 6 weeks was enough time off.  If I have to go super slow, fine.  But I'm not going to quit again.  I love it too much!!   : )

5 miles at 5:50am.  Weather=72 degrees, 80% humidity, 65 degree dewpoint, 7 mph wind, sunrising.  Average pace=9:58/m. (10:59, 9:50, 9:27, 10:07, 9:22)

It stormed last night so it was nice and cool this morning.  Great run!  I charged the hills and went about 8:30 or 8:45 up them.  Just some minor pick ups.  Leg felt funny but didn't hurt.  I'm really leaning toward thinking it's a nerve issue. 

6.5 miles at 5:00 am.  Weather=72 degrees, 81% humidity, 66 dew point, 6 mph wind, dark.  Average pace=8:58 (9:52, 8:48, 8:50, 8:39, 8:50, 8:51, 8:46)

Ran with Ashley and her husband, Tim.  We had to meet extra early because the two of them had to go to work afterwards.  Awesome run!  Several hills but we kept the pace pretty even.  The sweat would not evaporate so I am so soaked right now.  I feel great!  My leg bothered me before the run and after, but not during. 

Tomorrow I'm meeting Ash for 5 miles and then on Saturday we're running 9-10 miles with the group. 

5 miles at 6 am.  Weather=75 degrees, 79% humidity, 70 dew point, 9 mph wind, sunrise.  Average pace= 9:35/m.  (10:25, 9:21, 9:16, 9:12, 9:43)

Ran with Ashley.  My legs felt heavy today and I was having a hard time catching my breath.  Course, I did talk ALOT.  I think the heat/humidity are making it hard to breath too.  I read in Running Times that dew point was a big factor in performance (which is why I've started adding dew point). 

Tomorrow I'm supposed to run 9 with the group.  I've had a great week of running this week.  Feeling great!  My leg didn't hurt at all.  I feel like it's getting better!!

9 miles with my group at 6:30 am. Weather=78 degrees, 74% humidity, 69 dew point, 20 mph wind gusting to 33 mph, cloudy. Average pace=8:24/m.

Mile 1- 8:32

Mile 2- 8:02

Mile 3- 8:25

Mile 4- 8:26

Mile 5- 8:23

Mile 6- 8:18

Mile 7- 8:20

Mile 8- 8:34

Mile 9- 8:45

I started running with the "fast" group today, although they weren't going that fast because of the heat/humidity. Everyone else was just chatting away having a really easy pace... and I had to put in my ipod and focus just to keep up. I haven't run this fast since before I got hurt 9 weeks ago.

At mile 7.5 there was a steep short hill. I charged it and was one of the fastest up it, but then as soon as I got to the top, it was like my legs were made of lead. They wouldn't move at 8:20 pace anymore.  Also, we turned into the wind at that point so it got more difficult. I fell behind the others.

They got about 200 yards ahead of me by the final stretch. When there was .5 miles left, my average pace for that mile was 9:15... I mustered up the will power to give it one final push. I sped up as fast as I could and by the end of it, I dropped the average for that mile down to 8:45... closed the gap between myself and the lead group to maybe a little less than 100 yards.

I'd call this a good workout. I'm happy with myself. My leg didn't hurt during the run but it is bothering me after. My big toe on my right foot is hurting now. Geez! I wonder if I'll ever be injury free.

AM:

5 miles at 9 pm. Weather=85 degrees, 53% humidity, 69 dew point, 20 mph wind, sunny. Average pace=9:58/m.

I decided to do a really easy run today since I had babysitting available. It was hot with the sun out!!

8 miles this morning at 5:00am.  Weather=80 degrees, 72% humidity, 70 dew point, 9 mph wind, dark.  Average pace=8:58/m.  (10:15, 8:23, 8:27, 8:37, 9:09, 9:12, 8:49, 9:13, 9:30)

Ran with Ashley and Tim.  We live less than a mile apart from each other so we just meet halfway.  I ran really slow until I started running with them.  After we did an 8:20-8:30 pace for 3.5 miles on this hilly route, Ashley started feeling sick.  She was probably dehydrated and with the heat/humidity we were probably going too fast- especially up the hills.  We slowed to about 9:00 -9:15/m for the rest of the way.  Much more comfortable after that.

It really sucked to wake up at 4:30 am but I feel great now!  I'm looking forward to tomorrow.  Tim says he tries to get at least 10 miles a day in... I think I'm going to work my way up to doing that too.  He also runs after work when it's 100 degrees outside - I'm not sure if I can handle that... we'll see.   I'm going to try to go to bed at 8pm tonight. 

11 miles at 4:45 am. Yes, 4:45 am. Weather=80 degrees, 64% humidity, 67 dew point, 6 mph wind, dark.

Met up with Ashley and Tim again this morning. Started at 4:45 because Tim had to finish in time to make it to Dallas at 7:30am.

Mile 1- 10:38 >First mile was slow as I was running to meet them halfway.

Mile 2- 8:35 > miles 2-7 were challenging. Like a tempo run with lots of hills. Ashley and I were basically racing up the hills. Very good workout!

Mile 3- 8:41

Mile 4- 8:20

Mile 5- 8:32

Mile 6- 8:20

Mile 7- 8:31

Mile 8- 8:58 >Slowed down after I left them.

Mile 9- 10:07 > When I got home, I drank water in my driveway and noticed how beautiful the sunrise was. My kids were still asleep at this time so I decided to do an easy 3 miler to make it 11 for the day.

Mile 10- 10:11

Mile 11- 9:47

My leg did not hurt in the least today. Maybe running is the cure?! I'm convinced it was a nerve issue. I have been doing lunges and stretches throughout the day trying to strengthen my muscles because I read that helps with nerve problems.

I'm meeting them again tomorrow for another 8. I'm hoping they will be into a slower day but I doubt it. Either they will kill me this summer or make me improve 3 fold.

9.75 miles at 4:45 am. Weather=89 degrees, 58% humidity, 63 dew point, 7 mph wind, dark.

mile 1- 10:01 >First mile slow on my way to meet up with Tim and Ashley.

mile 2- 8:41 > miles 2-7 I ran with them

mile 3- 8:40

mile 4- 8:28

mile 5- 8:38

mile 6- 8:32

mile 7- 8:56

mile 8- 9:49 > slowed down after I left them and did another 2.75 miles

mile 9- 10:08 > felt good to go slow

mile 10- 9:55

I must say this week has worn me out! I don't think I'm aggrevating my leg injury... just the normal tired that happens when you ramp up your milage. Tomorrow we're doing an easy 5. Then on Saturday it's 10 with the group.