My KJ Leg

The Race where my soleus became “quite angry” with me.

Yes, I just called my leg a “Kill Joy.”  More specifically, I’m calling out my Soleus Muscle.  My who-what?  Yeah, that was my reaction too.  This is a muscle around your mid-calf area.

The soleus muscle is found in the back of the leg above the Achilles tendon extending up to the main calf muscle. The soleus is a group of strong muscles which are essential for walking and running. They also help in stabilizing the ankle hence preventing us from falling forward when standing.

It has put a pause in my running and it couldn’t have come at a worse time!

I joined the “No Boundaries 5k Training Running Group” with our local Fleet Feet that just opened.  Our training group, “NoBo” for short, started in May and ended with a 5k race in August.  We would meet 2x/wk and would go out with mentors rain or holy humid hotness or shine.  This running group and crossing that finish line in our Graduation Race in August did it for me, I caught the running bug. I did trigger my mini injury the week of that Graduation Race.  I was too excited and probably ran harder than I should have (it was taper week after all).  I started to feel a pain in my right leg.  I was ok though.  Just some ice and I was fine.

I signed up for 2 more races in September and I was able to run one.  I guess I ran that last one too hard.  I did set a PR though 🙂  I stretched pre and post race, but all throughout, I kept looking at my Garmin and seeing that I was pacing at under 11 minutes which was miraculous.  I tried to dial it down a bit because I kept thinking that I was going too fast (for me).  I just couldn’t.  I had the adrenalin going and my momentum was just carrying me!   I felt good after the race.  I knew I would need to ice my leg when I got home, but still, I felt great!

What wasn’t a good idea was that I was in the drive-thru line for Steak N Shake for over 30 minutes.   I usually wouldn’t mind that because there were a lot of people and it means they’re making things fresh.  What I didn’t realize was that sitting in my truck (SUV) for that long wasn’t good for my leg at all.  Once I got home and tried to get out, I almost fell because of the excruciating pain I felt.  I was literally hopping on one leg into the house and limping for the next week and half.   I missed the second September race I signed up for because I was still limping, but it was ok b/c it was also my daughters’ birthday party.

I stayed away from running for a week and half and attempted to run with Buddy that Tuesday.  I went 2 tenths of a mile  on a jog and was just done.  I just walked Buddy…no more attempts of running.  I was supposed to run a 5k that Friday, not happening.

I went to Fleet Feet and talked to one of the guys that worked there.  We spoke about and it and he was right in saying it wasn’t a shin splint (this whole time I thought it was).   He said to try to run through the pain, but if it went over a certain threshhold, to stop.  I did just that on Friday night and ended up running 3.19.  I had some pain and so the ice came out again. I guess I could’ve run a 5k afterall.  It would have been  my slowest, but still.

I tried running again a couple of days later…the pain was back.  I finally went to see a Physical Therapist / Sports Medicine Doc.  That’s who told me my “soleus is quite angry” at me.  He  made me run a little on the treadmill and said, “I notice your limping”.  I simply said, “yes, because it hurts!”.

So, I’m supposed to start therapy for at least an hour 2x/wk.  I haven’t heard anything yet.  Maybe my regular dr. hasn’t given him a prescription yet (hasn’t given me one at all).

I’m being stubborn and ran on the treadmill on Monday.  It wasn’t too bad, but I was really going much slower than I usually would…about a 14+ minute pace.  Maybe that should be my pace for awhile.  I only went for 1.85 miles, but still, better than nothing.

I really hope my leg starts to cooperate soon.  There are 3 5ks I want to run in October and November.

WWW…Weak Workout Week

breakingthetape.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Yup, not a great workout week at all. I just didn’t have it in me this week and add to that everyone has either a cough or cold or both – including the 19month old who was SO stuffy one night she just kept waking up EVERY.HOUR…no exaggeration!

Last Sunday, I spent almost 2 hours at the gym (well, including walking to and from the gym). I mean, I killed it! I did my Week 3 workout for Couch to 5k. I did some weight training and did some time on the bike. 2 hours…That’s long for me because I usually try to sneak in my gym time in the mornings before I have to bring big girl to school. What does this mean? This means that even though my alarm goes off at 5:30am (yes, I even made it earlier this week), I keep going back to sleep and then eventually wake up around 6/6:15…proceed to make coffee, walk the pup, drink coffee, walk the pup again and then head out. By the time all is said and done, I have about 30 minutes to get to the gym, workout and head back (sorry for being repetitive, I’m sure I’ve said all this before).

And I’m wondering why I’m not where I thought I would be after 2 months of going to the gym.

So, I need to make myself accountable. I need to:

• Start getting up earlier. I’m not a morning person. I don’t know how some of you get up before the crack of dawn to get to the gym or boot camp. Does it help that things like boot camp or early morning yoga classes are a group setting? I’m just going to our local “basics” gym where there is cardio equipment and weights, but no classes and such. I need to just start sleeping earlier too.
• Make sure I have enough time to stretch before and after because I tend to switch to the bike or skip a day b/c I’m feeling sore still.
• Set a new goal.  I know I’m on the Couch to 5K plan that says don’t push it or move too quickly through the steps/weeks, but maybe I can put forth a goal of “moving” at least  30 miles a month.  I’d prefer that to be all in the running category, but I think I’ll have to mix it up with the Elliptical and the Bike….at least until I finish the Couch to 5k program.
• Sign up for a 5k.  You may think I’m crazy, but I’m following this Couch to 5K program and I haven’t even signed up for one!  I know there’s one around here on 5/12.  I’m thinking about it, but that’s in 2 weeks and I’m only starting Week 4 (out of 9) today.
• Set a weightloss goal.  I told myself I wouldn’t do it this time.  Usually, I start my workout waves by saying things like I need to lose 30lbs and will lose it in 3 months (or something crazy like that…possible, yes, but hasn’t been for me).  What happens is that I burn myself out within the 1st 2…between the change in diet and exercise…However, I think I should.  30lbs in 3 months sounds a bit crazy though…especially since I haven’t even lost 10 in 2.  So, maybe 20lbs in 5 months?  I don’t know, I’ll have to think about this some more.

So there…Now I just need to wrap my head around it all and commit.  Here’s to hoping that May will definitely be better than April in terms of working out…

 

About that “Running”

I feel like I’m stuck. I’m following the Cool Runnings Couch to 5k plan and have finally moved onto Week 3, but may be going on too fast a pace b/c I don’t think I can run and talk at the same time. I’m out of breath as it is. I was on Day 2 yesterday and couldn’t finish the last 3 miniute jog. My legs got real heavy and my shins started to hurt 😦 Looks like I will be staying on week 3 for awhile, it seems, but I guess that’s ok. I don’t like moving to the next week until I’m really comfy in the week I’m in. I was on Week 2 for 3 weeks. I just feel like I’m never going to be able to run 30 or 45 minutes straight or the whole 5k straight. I wanted to see if I could sign up for a 5k on May 5th, but I don’t think I’d be ready for it 😦

I’m new-ish to all this running (I attempted all this 3 years ago and didn’t get past week 2). Anyway, I’m wondering if shoes can cause my shins to hurt? I love my Lunaracers, but they do feel too snug (or are they supposed to be?) on my semi-wide feet.

If anyone out there has any tips or techniques for this newbie runner, greatly appreciated! I feel like I want to go at a faster pace so I can get better time, but I guess I’m supposed to be able to run and talk at the same time (from what I’ve read). Just don’t want to get bored of it all 😦

Also, what other exercises should I do? Any other cardio? I’m doing a little strength training, but I just started this week and focused mostly on my arms (since I feel like my legs are getting a workout from the walk/runs) and also a little on my hips and back.

I want to be able to run and get “shredded” and be fit and be healthy, but I’m starting to get bored and frustrated…

/end of newbie runner rant

PS – thank you to Eastbay for the quick exchange! The whole return/exchange process (the ones I originally ordered were too small) was completed in 1 week! I guess it helps that we are both in the midwest, but THANK YOU! Great customer service too!

WW – Run/Walks 2010

to see more Wordful Wednesdays, check out Angie’s Blog
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Mom and I taken at the Revlon Run/Walk NYC – 2007

02.14.1985 – 02.14.2010 = 25+ years…
A Quarter of a Century!!!

Yes, that’s how long Mom has been a Breast Cancer SURVIVOR!!! We know how lucky and blessed we are to be surrounded by her love, presence, sense of humor and great cooking and baking too! Don’t you want to give that same opportunity to others who have loved ones with this disease? Don’t you want to help find a cure so no one else has to suffer? Please make a donation…any amount helps!

Since 2003, I have asked for your support in the Revlon Run/Walk in NYC. I am participating in 2 (yes TWO) Run/Walks like last year. I will be doing the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure on April 25, 2010 and the Revlon Run/Walk on May 1, 2010. I hope I can count on your donations yet again! You can donate to just one or both 🙂

Most of you already know my mom’s story, but just a quick recap – she is a 25 year Breast Cancer survivor as of this past Valentine’s Day. You can read her full story below…

You can make your donation on my page(s) as well or mail it(them) in…Please let me know if you want more info on mailing donations.

If you’d like to walk / run, register and let me know! Maybe we can form a team 😉

As usual, thanks for your generosity!

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My Mom’s Story…
February 14th is known to many around the world as Valentine’s Day, but for our family, this date is significant for another reason and will forever be etched in our minds as the date Mom, Myrna, went to the hospital so the doctors could perform surgery – February 14, 1985. They have to do this to Mommy so they can “remove the bad stuff in her body” and “make her feel better” – as explained to me, a 7 year old in the first grade. I had no idea how serious this was back then and when I started to finally realize the gravity of it all, I didn’t even think she would make it to my 8th grade graduation.

Before this disease, Mom was a religious, family oriented, smart, beautiful, hard-working, diligent, always worked overtime, aerobic crazed, marathon-running, barely ever without make-up and always looked her best before stepping out of the house kind of a woman (nothing wrong with any of that). I can come up with more positive adjectives, but I think you catch my drift. Afterwards, she focused more and more on religion and family than ever before and less on work or having to always look her best. She instilled even more values and her “new” or “stronger” views on family, religion, etc. on us and helped us sort out our priorities and views. She would sit or lay there telling us her corny jokes to keep OUR spirits up while she was the one suffering. She sounded like she was strong and out and about, but in reality, I remember she was very frail and sickly…

I still have vivid memories of going w/her and my dad to her chemo appointments. As soon as she stepped foot into the doctor’s office, she went straight to the bathroom to vomit b/c of the smell…I remember her balding and having to buy a wig…I remember her trying to get a perm when her hair was finally growing back – to make it look thicker – only to hear her scream in agony b/c the chemicals were burning her scalp.

After a few more check-ups later that summer, multiple doctors kept telling her she had 6 months to live…Forget my 8th graduation, she wouldn’t even make my First Communion the following year!

Of course, Mom had to prove everyone (including the doctors) wrong, as always 🙂 Don’t know how, exactly, but that’s Mom for ya! We all think it has a lot to do with her strong faith, determination and newfound outlook on life. It is now over 25 years later and she is still good ol’ Mom, proving everyone wrong and that “mother knows best”, donning less make-up, but more beautiful than ever because her beauty radiates from within.

In honor of my beautiful, strong-willed, dedicated, smart, independent, [insert any and all positive adjectives you can think of here] breast cancer survivor of a mother, I will be participating in Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure on Sunday, April 25th, 2010 and Revlon Run/Walk on May 1, 2010 in hopes that we can keep raising enough money to fund research…Hopefully, one day, there will be a cure so that no one will have to go through what my mom and all the other women have endured in dealing with this disease.

Please donate what you can…any amount helps!

Weightloss Plateau

Yup, I hit one again. I lost 12 lbs and I’m stuck there. Sucks when I’ve been working so hard. I’m not even sure what I need to change. I went almost “no carbs” for over a month. I even went to the gym at least 3x a week* and when I didn’t get to go, I would walk/jog for at least 3-4miles. I’m glad I lost the 12lbs and feel great! My clothes fit better and some are even loose on me now, but still…I wanted to lose 20lbs and I don’t know what to do to get there. Protein shakes/meal supplements? I mean, I basically just have salads and some kind of meat for lunch/dinner. I don’t even eat breakfast daily.

I did read somewhere that you’re supposed to eat 5 small meals a day. I think that’s supposed to help you build up your metabolism. But the reality is that I don’t have time to prep 5 small meals or even healthy snacks.

*What’s odd is that I “lost’ 2lbs in one week when I didn’t go to the gym or do a jog/walk. I guess b/c my muscle mass wasn’t up and the fat was taking over and that weighs less, as ironic as that sounds?