Ah, mental vs physical energy.
Running Aches and Pains
It was a very hard and trying week on the running circuit for me with so many running aches and pains.
Workouts
- Monday =5k + strength
- Tuesday =4.5 x 1600 at race pace
- Wednesday =5k + yoga
- Thursday = 55 minute tempo
- Friday = 7 miles
- Saturday = off
- Sunday = off
Running Aches and Pains
I clearly did not do the right workout for Friday. It was supposed to be 11 miles. But because of these problems, I only made it to mile 7. I paced just some under 8:40/mile, but still….I did not make it. As a matter of fact, by mile 4 I was in misery. I pushed on through. I had it in my mind to get through the 11, but somewhere around mile 5 I got smart. My thoughts transitioned to, “Stop pushing. Your body is clearly telling you something.”
At this point, I’m extremely frustrated, and I don’t understand. The icing, rolling, yoga and stretching just isn’t doing the “trick.” And perhaps there is no “trick.” The secret is in resting, laying off it and allowing it to heal before it completely goes out on me. If I didn’t have the Rock ‘n Roll Vegas in 2 weeks this would be a little easier for me to comprehend, but being that I want so desperately to run the race and cross the finish line, I’m not sure what to do.
I’m 28 going on 70 it seems. I want to run forever because I love it. So, so, so much! I’m hanging on by a thread….
And perhaps this thread will have to hold together the aches and pains for a couple more weeks as best it can….the thread, or my positive mind.
Either way, I’m praying to keep it together.
Xox,
SKH
Faster Stronger Injured
Faster stronger injured. It’s where I’m at.
While training for a half marathon, have you found yourself getting faster, stronger and more lively with each run, only to have an outcome “injured” status? I’m there!
My workouts last week looked like this:
- Monday = 3 miles + strength
- Tuesday = 7 x 800 at race pace + yoga
- Wednesday = 3 miles
- Thursday = 50 minutes tempo + strength
- Friday = 10 miles
- Saturday = 30 minutes elliptical + stretching
- Sunday = off
I realized while doing the tempo run on Thursday that those are my most favorite runs. They teach me patience and pace. I never outrun myself in the beginning, and I gradually get better as the minute’s pass. The tempo runs have gotten me faster and stronger.I know this for a fact because this week when I did my 10 miles, I had all the energy in the world. I wasn’t even out of breath upon finishing the 10 miles.
Running this past month fairly hard has resurfaced all my injuries (again, these injuries are not to be confused with the reason I wasn’t running before). Even with my frozen water bottle, lacrosse ball and other running healers, the plantar fasciitis and all sciatica problems have come back. And mounted on top of both of them has surfaced this left-sided knee pain, which I’m sure has to do with the prior two problems. I made it about 5-6 miles before it really started on Friday night. But by mile 7, I was miserable and consequently, my pace slipped. By mile 8.5, I was literally almost limping to run the rest of the way.
Tears nearly filled my eyes as my run ended. I felt amazing because that’s how running makes me feel – on top of the world, free and confident. And yet I was in so much pain I could barely walk into the house, and my overall pace slipped to almost 9:20/mile.
I spent Friday night on the couch with an ice pack. I then spent the rest of the weekend thinking of how I will get through this half marathon with pain as such. With the race so close, I don’t think there is too much I can do beyond my day-to-day stretching, icing, and yoga? Would a knee brace help? Or taping my feet? If I had the time, I’d make the hour trek to my sports doctor again, but this time of year I’m much too busy to go see him.
I’m still positive and optimistic about seeing the finish line at the Rock ‘n Roll Las Vegas. The only thing that has really changed is the idea that I might make a sub 1:45 finish. But so is life….
It’s not always how we get there, but that we get there.
I made a commitment, and I will stick to it no matter what.
Question: Are any of you currently injured and training for a race? Frustrated? Still going through with it?
Xox,
SKH
Running Frozen Water Bottle
Do you have a running frozen water bottle? If you’re a runner, you should.
I have had running aches and pains for quite some time now (not to be confused with these pains). I still struggle with plantar fasciitis, my sciatica bothers me from time-to-time, and I have not completely overcome the pain in the outer edge of my left knee. But let’s not sit around here today and pretend that I’m the only running with the aches and pains. I’m not!
I run through it while taking care of it on the side as I can because it’s worth it to me. The aches and pains impact my life much less than the boat loads of sweat that pour from my face and runner’s high I get after each run! And whenever we make something a priority and truly important in our lives, we work around it – no matter what!
Running Frozen Water Bottle
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Enter: frozen water bottle, lacrosse ball and other running healers! Here are some things I do to continue making me a happy runner. They are all things you can do as well – simply and totally on the cheap. After all, don’t you want to save your money for new running shoes, compression socks (yes, I need to get me some, Clover!), arm warmers, music, fanny packs running belts and all other running apparel and gadgets?!
Tell me: Do you struggle with any of the same aches and pains I do? What do you do to keep on moving, in the healthiest way possible? Any great cross training workouts you love?
Xox,
SKH
Half Marathon Training Confusion
I’ve entered a little half marathon training confusion.
Week 2 of my Rock ‘n Roll Las Vegas 1/2 Training was a success! But like most successes in life, it didn’t come without road bumps along the way.
Workouts from last week
- Monday = 3 miles + strength
- Tuesday = 6 * 800
- Wednesday = 3 miles + strength
- Thursday = 45-minute tempo
- Friday = 8.35 miles
- Saturday = stretching + light abs
- Sunday = off
I wanted the whole weekend off from running – two full days to rest, relax and recover. I tackled the 8-miler on Friday night. I began around 4:30 pm, and I figured this would be great because it would allow me to see how I adjust to running at that time of the day. I am an early morning runner, but the Rock ‘n Roll is at night this year. I’ve never run a half at that time of the day. (Anyone with Colitis knows this could present problems.)
The run as a whole was a success. I ran outside and actually ended up slightly over 8 miles since I was running outside (I mean c’mon, like my Nike shirt says, “How am I going to get home if I stop running?”).
Half Marathon Training Confusion
And now for the confusion: Miles 1-4-ish I have a major lack of energy. It takes all the mental energy I have to continue on. But then around mile 5, I get a huge burst of energy. I’m barely breathing heavily, and I could soar. And then issue #2 settles in –> my legs get so sore and achy and that slows me down. Finally, upon finishing these longer runs, I feel nauseous for about an hour afterward.
I am left to wonder….is this just weakness leaving my body?
It’s all very bizarre.
Question: Does this happen to you while training? What do you do? How do you train for and around it?
Updated in 2017: This image was taken from my Brazen Racing passion.
Xox,
SKH
Rock ‘n Roll Las Vegas 1/2 Marathon
On August 8th I took myself off the running circuit. It’s been about 3 months (I was not running before August for about a few weeks). These past few months have been amazing for me, physically. I have mostly focused on walking, yoga, stretching and light weights. And like magic, I’ve had no pain! And also like magic, my craving to run has grown ten fold, more than before soooooooo Rock ‘n Roll Las Vegas 1/2 Marathon anyone?! A few weeks ago, I started walking/jogging. My workouts have looked similar to:
A few weeks ago, I started walking/jogging. My workouts have looked similar to:
- 2+ mile walks first thing in the morning with Ryan and the dogs
- 2-5 miles later in the day, alternating between 2 minutes jog/30 second-to-1 minute walk
- strength/yoga/stretching on random days at night
I haven’t talked much about my gradual return because I was trying not to get my hopes up. And then this past week (Monday through Saturday) I completed a total of almost 30 miles. Each day that went by I nearly screamed because the pain was still gone!
Saturday came, and I did 6 miles – all running – slow and gradual, finishing with an 8:45/mile pace. I was sweating profusely, but I had the biggest SMILE on my face. It’s been so long. I told myself that if I could run 6 miles nonstop sans-pain on Saturday, I would enter the Rock ‘n Roll Las Vegas 1/2 Marathon.
And so I did.
And here I am, ready and preparing for my 2nd Rock ‘n Roll Vegas.
Crazy? Maybe. But I’m taking the plunge.
5 Reasons I’m Running the Rock ‘n Roll Las Vegas 1/2 Marathon
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- I hate you, Mr. Colitis. Remember, this race is for Crohn’s & Colitis. Most of you know my story. If not, here is more on Colitis. And because I make solutions, not problems – this is all a part of the solution. I run against Colitis. Because I can.
- Finish Line. Life is about crossing finish lines; multiple ones. This will not be a sprint for me. I don’t expect to PR since I’m so late to the game and I’m still (very much so) cognizant of the pains that could resurface. For me, this is about running because I love it and running because Colitis is not currently holding me hostage.
- It’s Vegas and it’s Rodeo. Love Vegas, always have and always will. I love the lights and entertainment. And what makes this weekend even better is that the National Finals Rodeo happens. This, of course, means there are country acts everywhere, making the time spent in Vegas uber exciting! Last year we saw Jake Owen and Ryan and I went to the big Country Convention. It just rocked, and I can’t wait to do it again.
- Fearless. Every time I hear Taylor Swift sing, “Fearless” I can’t help but get chills. I’m not sure why because the truth is that I’m not a huge Taylor fan, but something about the song gets me. And then this past weekend I read, “Be Fearless. Be Free” by the one and only Amy Jo Martin. Amy ran the Nike Women’s Marathon this past weekend in San Francisco. Her story is amazing – I had no idea. And that’s just it….people struggle with things each day, things that are bigger than my own problems. Amy’s post was a nice reminder to me to be fearless. Fearless with my Colitis. Fearless with crossing finish lines. Fearless in life.
- Training. I love running outside in the fall. The air is so crisp and cool (well at least in the mornings it is – remember, I’m in California – it’s still hot here)! There is something so completely freeing about running in the peace and calm of the morning. For me, it’s the zen that is running.
Bottom line….I’m super excited! Today I officially start training, though my long run will already be at 7 miles this weekend.
(I will try to post my training schedule as often as I can, or perhaps even in one lump. Would you benefit from it?)
Xox,
SKH