Tag: Ankle

Lies and squats

It’s Thursday!!!!! (By the time I post this it will be) 🙂

In keeping with the “get some rest’ theme, when work ran a little late on Monday, I kept my running gear in the bag and just headed home. Sorry Garmin. On Tuesday, 4 days off were making this Slacker feel a little lazy and a little puffy 😦 I went to the lake path for 3 easy miles. This runner lies. I either tell myself I am going to do an easy 3 and then do more or I tell myself that I am going to run and then don’t. This night, my easy 3 turned into 4.5 miles followed by a cool down walk. I did keep the pace relatively easy and took a walking break or 2. I felt a little sluggish but that’s too be expected after 4 days off. Plus I am still trying to work out the inhaler. I am supposed to use it before running but I noticed it takes an hour before I notice anything even slightly different. I need to remember to use it about a 1/2 hour before I leave work. It felt good just be running, though.

Oddly my left ankle felt a little cranky during the run. Which is leading me to think I forgot how to squat. I used to do squats every single day but when I was having left leg issues back in February I took a break. This past week, I was having an attack of vanity and noticed that my butt isn’t where it used to be (such a girl thing) so I started the daily squats again. Aaaannnd, my ankle hurts. Hmmm, think it’s related? Ha! So maybe no more squats until after next weeks half marathon. And I should probably try wearing shoes too. 🙂

Today, I had planned on running but a late doctor’s appointment and the almost 90º temp at my house after 5:00 put a kibosh on that one. Plus I had to get to Target before the pharmacy closed to pick up a prescription. My appointment today was a follow up to last weeks’. Apparently I have been a fighting a lingering infection for the last month or 2. Oops. So now I am on antibiotics. Which I will be on for both of my upcoming races. I am still cleared to run; I just might not be at my best. Which in one way completely sucks, but it has a glass half full side to it to. Thanks for taking the pressure off Doc!! And the nurse who took my blood last week was a sadist! This is my arm a week later-

My race this Saturday was never going to be a PR anyways. When I ran this race last year, it was advertised as the toughest 5K in the county. Which I chalked up to hype. It was supposed to be part road and part trail and I figured I had run both types before, and knew the town as being flat, so how hard could it be? I even talked my friend, Bix, into running with me. We stayed together for about 1/4 mile before she told me to just run, that she was going to take it easy. The first 1/2 mile was flat and on the street, so no surprises. Hit the trail and still mostly flat, and then… what the frak? Where the hell did the freakin’ mountain come from! I now know that we gained 500 feet in about a 1/2 mile. And the only reason it was even a 1/2 mile is because it was all switchbacks. My first thought was- Bix is going to kill me, second thought- breathe! My first 2 miles were in the 12:00 range, mile 3 (downhill and flat) was in the 9:00’s. Finish time 33:31. My only goal for this race this year is to be better prepared and maybe finish a minute or so sooner. And have fun. 🙂

Last year- post race. This picture makes me laugh

With the temperature’s steadily rising here, I need to get used to running in the heat again. How is the weather in your neck of the woods?

How has your week gone so far? Everyone get their taxes done?

Anyone else been totally surprised by a race’s course?

Loving this Light

I mentioned in my previous post that this week is inspection time at work. I thought I was prepared but what I was not prepared for was for him to show at 8:05 on Monday morning. Seriously?!!? I hadn’t had my coffee or my soda; I was in a sudden panic that I hadn’t crossed my I’s or dotted my T’s. Aargh!!!! By the time the day was done, I was just stressed and cranky. I needed to run but I knew it wasn’t going to be awesome; my brain was tired.

I may have been stressed but I was so excited to take advantage of the time change! I changed after work and headed for the lake path that I haven’t been able to run since the time changed last year. My commute is a narrow two lane highway going through a canyon which is prone to rock slides. The road has no shoulders, blind corners and is heavily shaded. Seriously I think my hips are bigger than the “shoulder”. The speed limit is 55 but most treat that as a suggested minimum. Imagine my surprise rounding one of the corners to find a man running with traffic wearing black. Seriously, dude?! I get that you want to make the most of the extra daylight, but this is not the road for it!

Once I arrived at the park, the weather was amazing. I was aiming for 5 miles. The path is a little over a mile around so I was hoping that 4 laps would be 5 miles. That would be perfect, right? Not so lucky. Lap 1 came in at 1.18. Lap 1 included my warm up but I could tell I was sluggish. I was ok with that because I just wanted to run. I was also a little sore from Saturday’s long run, wearing new boots all day hadn’t helped either.

Miles 2 and 3 were a little rougher than I would have liked; this trail is flat after all. I feel like it was just after mile 3 that I settled in. Mile 4 felt good and 5 was better. Since I was on the backside of the lake when I hit 5 I kept running until 5.5. I figured that still gave me a quarter mile to cool down before hitting the exercise equipment that I use to stretch. I didn’t have any real goals with this run, just to enjoy the weather and the path and run off some stress. Mission accomplished!

The lake was not as low as I thought it would be. We still desperately need rain but the ducks and geese had some water. There were plenty of people taking advantage of the weather as well. I saw other runners, walkers and plenty of dogs. Some were running solo, some with friends. Everyone was friendly too. I had a conversation going with a guy as we passed each other on laps. He was out walking and saw me pause to take pictures. I told him I needed a little break. 😛 I also loved that there were 3 guys who looked like they had just come a jam session with their garage band doing laps.

Today, I had to remind myself that rest days count as training too. The weather was awesome again. The inspection is still going on and I am discovering the meaning of stress sweat (TMI?). I have been through so many of these before but this one just seems intense. Leaving work I had to go return the previously mentioned new boots. They ripped yesterday, classy right? Then driving home, I passed no less than 9 people out running. Against traffic on wide roads, yay! I was so jealous. But rest is good, plus I had classwork to do. 😦 Besides tomorrow is another inspection day, more stress to run off!!!

I am thankful that the extra daylight brings the lake back into play. It is outside and flat, both dirt and paved. More fun than a treadmill but better for my ankle than all hills. It also brings me back to be being a 3 town runner. I don’t know why, but the fact that I can run in 3 towns on a weekly basis just makes me smile. 🙂

I am 11 days out from the Wine Country Half and we are officially 46 days away from SLO Marathon. I am so excited for both but I am getting nervous. I still have a discount code for the SLO Marathon– anyone want to come run with me? Or faster than me? 🙂 Check out the amazing town and people too! Check out this bling for SLO Marathon–

Who is ready for hump day?

Anyone taken advantage of daylight savings yet?

Am I the only one who has formatting issues? Thanks WordPress, thanks.

5k to Start March

Sunday was one of those overcast, slightly rainy but still really wet days. The ones that just make you want to curl up inside with a nice warm blanket and a good book. We rarely get that in California, so I decided to take advantage of it. Plus with my less than graceful self, I figured I would still manage to find a way to fall even if it wasn’t pouring.

Yesterday was actually a pretty good day, no Monday blues in sight. I packed my stuff so that I could run right after work. My first run in 7 days and a chance to test my new shoes. A heavy marine layer had rolled in by the end of work, so I decided to turn the planned 4 miles into 3. It was darker than I had hoped for, but even 3 is better than last week!

The shoes were ok. They definitely have more cushion than I am used to. So much in fact, that I had troubles with the gas pedal on the way home. 🙂 The right shoe still feels abnormally loose but I am hoping I can adjust. Overall my legs felt good, maybe a little too good because my pace was faster than it should have been. The only thing that really annoyed me during my was that my belt kept sliding down. I had to yank it back up every half mile.

I finished a little over a 5k and then forced myself to walk around the block again as a cool down before stretching out. I am trying to be smarter now. Anyone want to place bets on how long that lasts? Tonight, I packed my stuff for the gym but did not want to run, I wanted to give my legs a break since yesterday was less than easy. I told myself I would do a few miles on the stationary bike. But I was totally looking for an excuse not to go, and it came! I ended up staying another hour at work with IT. Thanks pesky computers!

After driving home, I did complete a stretching program and some push ups. I attempted a plank or 2 but that was just an epic fail. 🙂 I am planning on a few more miles tomorrow but haven’t decided when or where yet. So this brings my total for the Around the World Running Blog Relay to a spectacular 5k. Woo hoo!!!!

I had a minor panic attack today when I checked my Facebook feed. There was a post reminding me that I only have 18 days until Wine Country Half. Yikes!!!! I’m not ready!!!! I need to get my training back on track, not only for this but for the SLO Marathon weekend too. Where did the time go? There is a 5K race that I was going to run on Saturday but I am on the fence. It’s kind of pricey for a local 5k and I need to do a long, slow run. I have to decide by tomorrow because that is the last day to register. Decisions, decisions.

While today may have been National Pancake day, I did not have pancakes today. 😦 However, I did have breakfast for dinner- scrambled eggs and cinnamon rolls. So yummy.

I still have a discount code for the SLO Marathon,anyone want to come join me?

Who ate pancakes today?

How did everyone’s week start?

February Recap

February ended with a whimper. I did not get in a run on Thursday like I hoped. I decided that another rest day was smarter than just trying to add to my monthly mile total. Plus by some freak chance of nature, the mileage came out perfectly even and I decided that was pretty cool-

The numbers geek in me is smiling :) — The numbers geek in me is smiling 🙂

Mileage- 70 Miles
Races- Super Fun Run 5k and Heart & Soles 10K both of which ended up being way harder than planned.

Friday I was prepared for a 12 hour work day but it only ended up being 10ish. No complaints here. 🙂 Everything got done (hopefully) and we were home free. Our area has been pummeled by rain the last few days. While I’m not complaining because we desperately need it, driving in it is not so much fun, even less so at night. Turn on your headlights people!!!

Today’s weather was more of the same but that didn’t stop me from heading to SLO for a little shopping, good food, and a trip to the Running Warehouse. Lunch was the usual yumminess, and I was able to show restraint when shopping. For the most part, I did buy two new pairs of running shorts. 🙂 You can never have too many right? Plus it occurred to me that I didn’t own a pair of black shorts, how did I let that happen? Problem resolved.

The Warehouse was packed. I had hoped that the rain would keep the crowds down, but I should have know better. We runners are crazy, right? I knew I was going to take awhile, so I was ok waiting. I had come prepared and I had both my Inspire’s and my Wave Rider’s with me. I explained everything to the guy who helped me. I am pretty sure he has helped me before and he seems super knowledgeable and friendly. I then ran on the treadmill in both of my current shoes. I still over-pronate but only on the right foot. The shoes didn’t make a giant difference either. Apparently I do things backwards, my right foot is smaller than my left and also has a higher arch. But it is my left that hurts. Truthfully, it feels like my shin splints used to, so I know ramping up my mileage and pace were factors. I am also come to realize that my left glute is weaker than it should be. Which is kind of hilarious actually, not only am I a Slacker but I have a lazy ass to prove it. 🙂

After the treadmill test it was time to try on shoes. All the shoes!! Haha, just 4 pairs. I tried on the following- Mizuno Wave Inspire 10, Asics Something or other, Brooks Transcend and Brooks Adrenaline 14. I guess that tells you how the Asics worked out. 🙂 The toe box pinched in a way I did not think I would get used to. Whereas the toe box in the Transcend felt huge, plus the price tag was a little steep. The Inspire’s felt ok but not great. The Adrenaline’s felt loose but more cushioned. Each time I tried on a pair of shoes, I ran up and down the concrete walkway outside the building. I am sure the people in the cycle store thought I was looney. I have seen people doing it before but never have. I felt like a weirdo but it was better than the treadmill.

I mentioned that the right Adrenaline felt very loose. He tied my shoe in a way I had never seen that made it super snug. They called it shoe-doo (shoe +voodoo). I was torn, I wanted to stick with Mizuno out of principle and I had a knee jerk reaction to the Adrenaline’s. Probably because the very first pair of running shoes I ever owned were Brooks Adrenaline. In the end, I went with the cushioning and chose the Brooks. As long as they work out, my shoe rotation will now be the Adrenaline’s and the Wave Rider’s. So long to the pink Inspire’s that have not been so friendly.

My mother was with me and I took so long that the new Brooks Cascadia caught her eye. She’s had the previous two versions. She tried them on and loved them, so she left with shoes too. I then treated her to dinner at Woodstock’s. Today was my cheat day, so yum!

I didn’t make it home in time to run today. It was already dark and my gym closes early on Saturdays. I am anxious to finally get back out there tomorrow. Both because I am getting twitchy and to try out the shoes. I am hoping for a break in the rain because I would like to test them outside and not have them turn into a giant mud ball. I need to get back into training!

Who raced today?

Anyone else ever feel like they are cheating on their shoes?

Slight Stumbling Block

Happy Hump Day!!!! Although by the time this is posted, it may be Thursday. 🙂 Which is better right?

Monday I was set to run after work. My ankle was a bit sore Sunday evening and Monday, so I figured I would head to the gym for the softer but boring treadmill. I changed before leaving work which involved taking off my derby socks and then went to tidy up a few things. That little amount of walking around the building made me rethink things. I was more than sore, I was straight up hurting. I had an argument with myself about what to do. I was smart, urgh, and did not run. I did not run yesterday nor today. 😦 Instead I have spent time like this-

What you can’t see is the laptop open to a blank page that should be a paper and a Netflix marathon on the tv. Does that kind of marathon count? I have spent plenty of time stretching and foam rolling too.

Tomorrow is up in the air. I am optimistically taking my running clothes with me but I am not expecting much right now. The smart little voice in my head says I should just take the 5 week days off. The cranky runner in me is growling at that. Grrrh. I have a half marathon in 25 days and have not done a long run since February 9. I was hoping to get to a 12 mile training run this time around but at this point I will be thrilled with a crawling 10 8 next weekend. I am supposed to racing a 5K on the 8th too, but I am not sure about that now.

Friday will probably end up to be a very long work day, like 12 hours or more, so I have absolutely no guilt about not running that day. Yesterday was a later meeting so it was easier not being able to run since I was busy. This weekend will hopefully have some decent runs (please!) but I also have a date with the Running Warehouse. My Inspire‘s have not seemed friendly lately and they only have 250 miles on them. I think it is time to be refitted for shoes. Especially when I consider that I have only been fitted once and it was before I even ran, I was 40 pounds heavier and had never been on a treadmill before. I am interested to see if things have changed since then. Also hoping that it may help my ankle issues.

Not using that word but yeah... Thanks Pinterest — Not using that word but yeah…
Thanks Pinterest

I am anxious to get back up to speed, with last’s week’s easy miles and this weeks zero, I feel like I am falling behind. I had such hopes for Wine Country and even more for the SLO Marathon. Plus I feel like I just sound like a complete cranky pants right now, sorry! I was so bored tonight, I weighed my cat, which also meant I weighed myself, ugh. She’s 15 pounds by the way, she doesn’t look that big, but maybe she needs a treadmill too.

As I type this, I can hear it pouring outside, yay- rain!!!!! Driving home not so much fun but the rain is awesome. Keep it coming!

Who’s racing this weekend?

How has everyone’s week been going?