Run Redux.

I've had some trouble readjusting to the East Coast. Let's leave it at that. I had an amazing trip, got in way more training than I expected, and also was able to pretty much hit every workout this past weekend while painfully trying to cure my jet lag.

Most Tuesdays I have a tempo/lactate threshold interval run. They hurt, in a good way. I like them because I have seen progress, been able to learn about HR and pace and hills and wind. But I also I dread them. Like I said, they hurt.

So I set my alarm to do the run Tuesday morning (warm up + drills, 2x15 minute LT intervals with 5 minutes active rest, warm down). I finally caved and took something to help me sleep on Monday evening. When I woke up, thinking my alarm had gone off, I convinced myself with every reason available that I should keep sleeping and do the run in the afternoon. When I picked up my phone to reset my alarm, it was actually 4am and my alarm had, in fact, never gone off.
Fail #1.

Skip to Tuesday evening. I rushed home, the weather was great, my stomach felt fine, and I had a quick snack. I headed out about 6pm. After the first 15 minutes and a quick stop at McDonalds (that is roughly .25 mile from my house) it was very clear that my stomach wasn't going to agree with this run, and mentally I just wasn't there either. So after completing warm up and some drills, I decided to simply listen to my body and enjoy the weather. 50 minutes and 4 miles of walking/jogging/running later I was feeling defeated and down on myself.  So I made a mental deal with myself: I would not look at this run as a failure, I was being honest and listening to my body, and I would try one more time, Wednesday morning, to get the run done.
Fail #2.

Fortunately, it seems the jet lag has finally passed. I was able to fall asleep at a roughly normal time last night. [I did however, have a dream that when I woke up, it had snowed and I couldn't find my Yax Trax, so I clearly couldn't do the run.]  I woke up, only snoozed once, and was out the door by 6:45am. From the get go, it was clear there was no pep in my legs, but I mentally committed to the run. Whatever the HR was I was going to complete the 15 minute intervals - and I wasn't going to look at pace until I got home. So I did it. Yes it was sort of awful and I couldn't get my heart rate over 150, but it is done. The pace and HR aren't even close to what they were for the same run 3 weeks ago, but mentally, this was a win.

In the past 4 weeks, I have learned that you can't take Ironman training workout-by-workout. You will slowly go insane and have no confidence and doubt every step (or stroke) you take. Traveling has taken a toll. My body has been confused and screaming at times - but I've gotten the work done. Sure, there was a week when I felt like I hadn't swam in YEARS, and yes, this morning's run I couldn't get my HR out of the 140s during 'tempo' - but I am focusing on the big picture:

• In the last 30 days - between 2 international trips, moving, and managing a huge project that kicks off tomorrow (fingers crossed), I have run almost 100 miles.
• Despite the random off day, swimming feels the best it has in years and I am completing sets and holding intervals that make me really happy and REALLY excited for this year.
• I am still 4 months from my race.

Focusing on the big picture is the only way I am going to stay sane right now. And after 1 more flight this weekend, my feet will be FIRMLY planted on the ground through August.

Now, for some random musings:
1. Why are all the squirrels near the airport black? Had anyone else noticed this?

2. Ducking into holly bushes to avoid bike commuters riding 3 abreast on a narrow trail - not recommended. I have scratches on my face to prove I didn't win.

3.  I really want to start bike commuting, but I'm weirdly scared about it for some reason. This makes no sense. I live 10 miles from work, I can ride 9 of those 10 miles on trails. It takes roughly 45 minutes to drive to work in the mornings - riding should be a no brainer.

Travelin' Dreams

Craving an adventure right about now. Pictures will have to suffice.

Versailles, Summer 2009

Really British Airways?

$145 fare, plus $449 in fees and taxes!? Lame-sauce.

But I'm looking O - I want to see your pretty face.

Zambian connections.

Hm, and here I thought I was in Zambia :)

It has been a wonderful (and hard working) trip so far. This morning I met a new friend for a run outside of town. I love that this sport can take two strangers from opposite sides of the globe and bring them together to share something they love : a good, hard run. Made even harder by a 4500' elevation for this city sea-level girl.

After 10 days of running 2k circles around a pretty standard neighborhood, it was lovely to get out to a more rural part of Lusaka and run along a seemingly endless, rolling road that dead-ended into a breath-taking sunrise. Hopefully a similar run will happen Friday morning prior to my journey home and I will be sure to bring my camera.

Zambian Distraction

Just a quick trip to Zambia. Although I was worried about the added stress and travel before the marathon, I am hoping the trip and meeting will be a good distraction from the taper-induced anxiety that I have been dealing with - and so far so good. Last weekend during my 'logn' run, I decided that I didn't even want to run the marathon anymore, but I think the legs and mind are coming around.

This morning, I did an easy 8.5km on a treadmill that reset every 2km, and shocked me if I touched it. Unfortunately, the only 'new' treadmill in the gym was being used by a man doing sets of 30 second sprints+squats on the treadmill. He did this the entire hour I was in the gym.

Triathlon Season...starts NOW (tomorrow)

It rained EVERY SINGLE day I was in California. ARE YOU KIDDING ME!? It did allow lots of quality time with my friends, but REALLY!?!

On Valentine's Day, after a long walk up and over Coit Tower and a fabulous Ferry Building brunch, the rain regulated us to baking and wine drinking.

Mmmm Apple Galette.

OK, no more bitching allowed. The rain and crap weather, in addition to my brother now living there, means I just have to go back.

Bay to Breakers is OUT, so I am thinking.....maybe I will go for a little swim if my work travel schedule allows it???



In other news...

I decided triathlon training officially starts today. As in, some biking and swimming will be added back into the schedule. I won't admit how long it has been since I did either...Nothing crazy right now, just one or two spin classes per week and a longer trainer ride on the weekend, and one swim per week.

Oh, and when I say 'today', I obviously mean 'tomorrow', as my bed was way more comfortable than my trainer this morning after the red eye monday night.**




**This was obviously the correct decision, as I woke up to NO HOT WATER this morning and am a stinky, pony-tailed mess at work right now.

Staying positive...

Despite rain soaked days and temps colder than NYC, I have had a randomly-amazing trip so far...

It has included white (albino?) peacocks..

Freshly picked avocados...

Rainbows...

And endless views.

Three more days...

and I will be replacing this....

grr more snow in NYC

with this....

Sunset in Santa Barbara!

..and then this!

yay for long trail runs on the Dipsea!

The plan.

Feb 6-9 Santa Barbara (never been, so excited)
Feb 9-10 PCH, stopping overnight in Cambria
Feb 10-16 San Fran!! [Maybe a day/night of skiing/playing in Tahoe if possible]


I am so pumped. Sort of annoyed at Delta, but hopefully my Elite Status will get me an upgrade and free drinks on the red-eye home, and all will be happy.

Back to reality.

After two weeks of wonderful vacation on my parent's couch, today was back to the grind.

However, I got the time off to join my brother in California in February for a week, so at least I have something very soon to look forward to...ahhh the PCH.

I will hopefully be spending a weekend with my college roommates somewhere in Southern Cali (one lives in San Diego, one in Santa Barbara), then spend a few days in LA with friends, then head up the PCH to San Fran with the bro.  Two of my best friends are in San Fran as well, so needless to say, this is going to be a GREAT 10 days.  I was going to use miles for the plane tickets, but tickets are SO CHEAP right now...as in $129 NY-San Diego! Craziness.

I'm holding my breath a bit on it, but I met someone great over the holidays.  'Met' is not really the right word, as we have actually known each other for years and years, probably since I was 12 or 13...he was a swimmer.  DC area club swimming is a very small world.  

But I always thought he was 'too cool', he was two years older and a really fast swimmer, and he thought I was a bitch, so we were never really friends, but had all the same friends.  Ha, typical.  As I said, I am holding my breath a bit, as he lives in DC and I am now back in NYC, but I am excited about the possibility....

oh and BUMMER! I realized today that I have a bachelorette party in NYC the weekend of the trail run I really want to do.  I am super super bummed, but there is always next year, and I am on the search for something else to keep my running motivation up.   

SO EXCITING!

My bro is officially moving to San Fran!! I am currently scheming up a trip to accompany him on part of his trip across the country (he decided today and I have already invited myself along). 

Depending on timing, I will hopefully be joining him somewhere between Dallas and Tuscon, and spend time in LA, Santa Barbara and then San Fran!  I just tried to work San Diego into the route, but he said it was too far out of the way.  I'm still going to work on it.

So excited.

Let the scheming begin, we needed something to fight over during Christmas Dinner anyway!

An unexpected Birthday post

Not what I hoped to post on my birthday- but the events of today in Mumbai, a city I spent about a week in earlier this year, has left me just totally and completely.....with no words.

Of the time I spent in Mumbai, I visited and even spent a significant amount of time at 3 of the main sites attacked today: The Taj hotel, the CTS train terminal, and worst of all Leopold's Cafe. 

The CTS station was one of the most impressive and beautiful places I saw in my time in India (and one of my fave pics):

 

The Taj hotel, which is still on fire as I watch CNN right now, was equally as impressive, although quite out of my price range

Leopold's Cafe is an institution in Mumbai -read Shantaram, you will realize how much history is wrapped up in this place.  I stayed about 2 blocks from Leopold's, and ironically, it was a place I felt VERY safe in my first days in such a foreign place.  

I am just so very sad.  How much of this terror and randomness can people take before they begin to shut down and become unwilling to travel the world and see amazing places and experience new, amazing cultures?  It is a question I fear I soon will need to answer myself.

I am praying for the hostages and their families, and realize just how very much I have for to thankful for.

Labor Day 2008

It was an overall amazing and relaxing weekend, and I begin to worry that my days are numbered being able to survive in the concrete jungle of NYC. I absolutely love my life and living in New York City, but continue to discover gems of places a stone's throw from the city that I can easily imagine myself falling into a completely different lifestyle without hesitation. So, yeah, when I no longer need to work, I will let you know where I relocate :)

Friday, we rolled into Lake Placid about 6:15 and were in Mirror Lake by 6:45pm, racing the sunset. We quickly realized we had both forgotten wetsuits, but the water was pleasant enough for 1 loop. Finished in 31:55, which was more than enough time to justify beers at the Brewery across the street.

Mirror Lake, Lake Placid

Saturday, a 7-hour ride was on tap for my Kona-training friend. We figured the full Lake Placid course would put her close to that. As much as I wish I could have ridden the entire thing with her, I knew I was not in that kind of biking shape. If it had been a flat course, I would have gutted it out, but there are no detours around the climbing in Lake Placid. So I settled for 1 loop. Well, almost one loop, as we were too busy chatting away and missed the turn-off for the out-and-back section of the course (14miles). By the time we realized, we decided not to back-track, but I was sorta bummed to not ride the entire course. So I ended my day with 42 miles. The course is absolutely amazing and I loved every second of it. I really wished I was in the shape to ride the entire thing, but it will come with time. My hip was ready to call it a day, so I hung around downtown Lake Placid while my friend finished her ride.

After a quick gas station clean up, we were on the road with 1 destination in mind:

My happy place.

We loaded up on beer for the weekend, and headed to the house our friends had rented on Lake Champlain. To reach the house included a bit of off-roading and 10 miles on a dirt road, but it was worth it. The cabin was completely secluded, right on the shore. I spent the day Sunday here:

We got drunk, played Yahtzee and Rummy, and went to bed at 10pm. Girls Gone Wild, Vermont-style :)

Monday, my friend had a 2 hour recovery ride on tap (she ran 3 hours Sunday, as I coached her from the hammock ha). We decided to ride into Burlington, as we were about 15 miles north and figured it was a perfect distance for the recovery. We arrived in Burlington to eat the WORLD'S BEST SANDWICH*, to be greeted by this:

A 4-day stage race in Vermont over the weekend was culminating with the crits in downtown Burlington. Such a fun surprise! We sat in the sun and didn't complain as the Men's Master's 30 year old division passed us 15 times. We rode back to the house, climbed the steepest hill I have ever biked on, and swam a bit in Lake Champlain. After that we packed it up to head back to NYC.

Back to reality, GWB

Today is back to reality. NYC is crowded again after an empty August. The subway was packed. The line for the bus was long. But I had a glorious Marathon-Pace run this morning after the week off running, and all is well.

*I'm not joking that this is the best sandwich I have ever had. Every year we go back, and every year this is confirmed. If you are ever in Burlington, or even within 60 miles, the trip is well worth it.

Chicago in Pictures

Left for Chicago last Wednesday. My flight was about 3 hours delayed due to poor weather in Chicago, and sadly, made me miss the Tom Petty concert for which we had IBM company box seats :( Was really sad, but it was beyond anyone's control, so tried to be a good sport. This is how I spent the next few days:

The view from where I sat on my ass in the sun all day Thursday, on my best-friend-since-I-was-13 rooftop in Lincoln Park:



The view from where I sat on my ass in the sun all day Friday (sensing a theme?), on Lake Michigan, just south of Fullerton:



This is the fabulous dinner we made on July 4th. What could be more American than corn on the cob and a Yuengling? (A hot dog you say? Don't worry- had that for lunch on the beach!)



The Chicago fireworks from the roof in Lincoln Park. You could see the Taste of Chicago show in Grant Park and the Navy Pier show, as well.




We headed up to Madison for the weekend, more pics to follow.

Diagnosis Confirmed- again.

Yes, my hip is still stress fractured. But it is not 'cracked', which apparently is a good thing. Looking through the MRI with Dr. M was CRAZY! It literally felt like I was seeing through my body, it was so, so cool.

You were clearly able to see the area of major swelling in my femoral neck and hip joint. Although I am OF COURSE not 'happy' to be hurt, when you are in as much pain as I have been in over the past month, to see a tangible PICTURE of the pain, somehow made me feel better about the entire situation. I have never been seriously injured in my athletic career (save major ITB issues while swimming in college), so even being able to describe the pain in my hip has been hard for me. I couldn't pinpoint exactly 'where' it was or exactly 'how' it felt:

Sharp? Yes, when I step wrong or with too much weight.
Dull? Yes, when i lay on it and try to sleep.
Achy? What's the difference between dull and achy?

See how hard it is??

Anyways, the treatment plan (at least for the next 10 days before I leave) is:

1. To get a bone density test this week, Dr. M wants to rule out any osteopenia.

2. A calcium supplement, such as Viactiv, EVERY day. I am awful about taking pills or anything on a regular basis, so this is going to be a challenge for me.

3. To try to get in at least two Physical Therapy sessions before I leave. Although I can't imagine doing any type of strengthening right now, hopefully some heat, electronic stimulation and/or ultrasound will help with the pain and swelling of the bone before I leave.

4. Re-evaluate where I am when I return. Absolutely no running while I am away. And as Dr. M put it, trying not to do anything that would hinder the healing process (like I did when I drank way too much on Saturday night and ran to catch a subway train...just an example :). So an hour and a half hike around Table Mountain while in Cape Town? Or a day full of walking around and exploring the ancient ruins at Ellora? Yea, I should be aware of those.

Dr. M also gave me a great article about dealing with injury. It was pretty clear in our appointment that I am having some trouble accepting the injury and what the future holds. I understand that I cannot be running right now- I have accepted that, mostly likely due to the simple fact that running is too painful, and I get that. However, I think in order to heal and have hope for my future running, I need to let go of any type of timeline for return, and let get of the worries of how long it is going to take to get back to where I was. I have to simply focus on healing myself, and allowing PT to strengthen my hip, so when I CAN return to running, my legs are in the best place they can possibly be in.


So in 10 days, this blog will officially turn into a travel blog and may be opened up to my friends and family and the whole world to see. As of now, I have only shared the link with people who I feel like I have come to know through their blogs over the past year, and 1 friend (who shared her blog with me so I felt it was only fair!). I am conflicted about it, not sure about it yet. We will see.

Doc Update

Grade 2/3 Groin Pull? Who would have thought. I never even considered it being my groin, but the doc said all the symptoms I was describing are pointing to a severe groin pull. Apparently the severity/grade is based on if there is discomfort walking (YES) and sleeping (YES). And the fact that there is no lateral pain is a good thing on the stress fracture front.

I am obviously going to keep the the sports med consult next Monday, as this was my GP who I don't love and also told me my shin splits in June was a stress fracture. BUT just the possibility that it could be something else than a stress fracture makes me rest a bit easier right now.

Oh, and the cold dip? Not such a good idea for a pulled muscle (tightens it up even more), so that could be an explanation as to why it was feeling so much worse over the weekend (I did 20 in the cold plunge at my gym on Thursday night.)

....But I mean, let's be honest...all this happiness could also just be due to the wonderful 'narcotic-like' anti-inflammatory the doc prescribed :) I usually hate taking meds, I feel they just cover up injuries, leading to worse injuries with type-A's like we all are, however....this....is....bliss :)

So NOTHING is allowed until I see the Sports Med Doc. No swimming. No cycling. Obvs no running. Just a whole lotta time spent being that creepy person who goes to the gym and sits in the hot plunge and doesn't work out. Maybe I will make some interesting friends???

Nat- thanks for the advice on the shots. I did indeed take some Motrin over the weekend. Malaria doesn't have a vaccine option, so it's pills or nothing. Since work is paying the tab, i will definitely fill the prescrip, however it just depends on the area of India we end up in if they are even necessary.

________________________

And so this isn't a post/blog of only injury whimpering...I made my final travel arrangements today for my trip. And when I say final, that means they may only change 5 more times before I leave. I will be going to India for a conference to present research, with personal time on both sides of the work to travel and visit old friends. From there I will head straight to South Africa where I will be working the entire time, which means I get paid to play on the weekends....not bad. And one weekend happens to be Easter weekend which is a 4 day holiday there (Fri-Mon), which is also the weekend of the Two Oceans Marathon/Half Marathon. So as of today:
Feb 14-Feb 20 Mumbai (leave US Feb 14, arrive night of 15th).
Feb 21-Feb 29 New Delhi for work
March 1-March 9 Personal Travel time
March 10-March 14 Jo'burg
March 15-March 24 Cape Town (Two Oceans!)
March 25-17 Durban

WHEW, even though I am so so excited to be going, it makes me exhausted to even think about that. And how does one pack for 6 weeks and two continents??

If it's not one thing...

So over the past two years, I have slowly been trying to 'become' a runner. After swimming from the time I was 10, through college, I took a good year off from any type of physical activity, and slowly began running. I ran my first 10 mile race in Oct 2005 while in my second year of graduate school, on a long run of 6 miles and perhaps 10-15 mpw. It was painful and slow, but I was hooked.

Since moving to New York, running has become a way of life. I have learned to enjoy the daily release, the long run, and friendships that form on the streets of Central Park. However, over this time, I have constantly been dealing with making sure my body is on board with my new-found love of running.

Through-out college, I had horrible ITB problems, due to swimming 10 times a week, being a breaststroker, having minor scoliosis, and a 'tilted pelvic' (ie one hip is about 2-3 mm higher). I was religious about PT, stretching, icing, and managed to get through it. I also saw a Chiropractor on a regular basis for about 3 months in my sophomore year, and I think this is one thing that made a HUGE difference.

So since starting running, I have been very good about stretching/icing. My knees have flared up a few times, but with proper attention, it seems to be fine. However, it always seems "If it's not one thing...it's another." I always wonder what it would be like to be one of those people who can run and run and never get injured. Oh the joy. I battled with a shin splint flare up this past summer (June 06), but was able to rest and ice my around it through the end of triathlon season. I was also able to attribute the timing of the shin splits to a new pair/brand of running shoes. After switching back to my old shoes, I was able to slowly return to my weekly mileage.

This summer also marked the first time I started doing weekly workouts with a running group. I was doing things that I had never ever heard of: hill repeats, fartlek runs, tempo training. I loved the challenges, as they were akin to my swimming background, and I improved dramatically in a year. (HM time from 2.02 to 1.48, 10k from 52 to 48). I decided this winter I was going to focus on the run. If was going to achieve my goals and finish a HIM, I needed to be running consistently and smartly.

Best laid plans, right?? Around Thanksgiving I got fitted for new shoes. Not new shoes, actually, as I wanted to stay with my trusted NB 992 (not everyone loves, but they are the only shoe that I have found that don't aggravate my ITB). I did however, want to get fitted for size, as I had started to get constant blisters on the ends of my toes. The running store (a trusted and reputable one here in NYC) agreed that I should go up a size. After this, my heels started bothering me. Nothing too bad, just a soreness on the sides (not bottoms). I attributed it to the new shoe size, as well as the switch back to treadmill running with the weather turning. No biggie.

Then last week, during my long run of 8 miles (yes, that is long for me right now), around mile 6, my hip started to hurt. Nothing sharp, just a dull ache. By the time I got home, showered and stretched, I almost couldn't lift my right leg. Trying not to be a hypochondriac and use google against my good judgement, I iced and stretched and backed off a bit. Ran 3 more miles on the 'mill a few days later, felt fine, but it was definitely affecting my stride length (shortening).

So, I believe I have self diagnosed a hip flexor strain. All the symptoms I have read about are exactly what I am experiencing, and a common cause is 'over compensating for Achilles tendinitis'...hmmm remember that heel pain I was talking about? Damn. I will not over-react and freak out that i have a femoral neck fracture, b/c there is no way I would still be running.

One thing I am not good at is rest. Since my hip started hurting (8 days ago) I have: taken three days off, (only 2 in a row) run three times (3.5, 3.1, 4.1) and been spinning. My hip has hurt more after each run, but feels better before so I think I can do. Just at a slower pace.

After the novel that is this post, I NEED to take time to rest and stretch and just, perhaps go to the doctor. I am just SO bummed b/c I have some great running races planned over the next few months, ending with the Two Oceans half marathon in Cape Town that will be a once in a lifetime chance to run one of the most beautiful courses in the world. I NEED to find a way to stay/get healthy so i can be consistent in my training up through March 22. I don't' need to "race" ANY of my half marathons until tri season. I just scheduled them to help me maintain the distance of my long runs (9+) through the winter months.

I was hoping writing all this down and re-reading will help convince me I need to make a doctor's appointment, stop running for a few days, and realize it's not worth it. It has in a way, but it also makes me realize that my legs have protested my love of running from Day 1, and icing, stretching and Advil has averted every other problem I have encountered. It also makes me realize that all the injuries are no doubt related and go back to my back and pelvis. So the first appointment I will be making on Monday morning is with the chiropractor to get readjusted and evaluated. One visit the last time made a world of difference, and I am hoping for a miracle.

So it's yoga, swimming and spinning in the saddle until then. Think I am going to give up on the Manhattan Half Marathon (Jan 27) for now to take some of the pressure off of myself.

Oh- I ran 4.1 miles last night on the Westside Highway from Bank Street down to Battery Park and back- slowwww and steady and in not much pain. But this morning? Yeah, I'm like a lame duck. This stinks.

Also watched a GREAT movie- 'The Waitress' with Keri Russell. HIGHLY recommended- funny, sweet, poignant Very good.