After the 5k on the 11th, I decided to take time off to let my foot recover. Since I hadn't had any pain pretty much since the 5k, I decided to start back up today with a test run. About 5 minutes in I noticed some twinges in my left foot. Nothing serious but made me pay attention. I noticed pain in my right foot somewhere around the 3/4 - 1 mile mark. That was more serious. I decided discretion was the better part of valor and headed home. Didn't even make myself run all the way back to my start point.
Somewhat disappointing for the first day back, especially since the new pain makes me worry I may be out for even longer. I'll head out again tomorrow or Wednesday to try again. May just need to walk for a week to get everything loosened up again.
Monday, December 20, 2010
Sunday, December 12, 2010
Another 5k another PR
Yesterday's 5K was basically the same route as my first one in October. I wasn't sure how it would go with the foot pain that keeps creeping back, but I decided to go for it anyway. I wrapped my foot, dressed for cold with sun, and made my way to the race.
Got there and got my number. Suddenly realized that I hadn't had any water that morning, just coffee. Luckily there was free water available so I grabbed a bottle and drank it down fast so it would have time to cycle through and started stretching. My foot wrap wasn't comfortable at all so I pulled it off. I should have known better than to do something new on a race day. I figured my foot would probably hurt by the end anyway so it was more about being comfortable until the pain started.
I've finally learned to line up to the front and side of the pack so I can get around the slow folks who line up at the front. As usual there was a group of middle school age kids out at the front, which always troubles me. More often than not they've gotten in my way weaving through the crowd or goofing around with their friends instead of running. I should probably start going to the very front of the pack, but I worry that I'll get in someone's way.
We had a mini parade to the actual starting line and Santa got us started. I got to my pace and focused on keeping my speed up. Knowing the course helped with that. I got to the first mile mark and realized that, unlike the last time I ran that course, there was more of a pack than the last time. I assume that's because I was moving faster than the last time I ran it. That and the fact people were starting to walk the hills helped me keep my pace up.
Somewhere near the end of the second mile, my foot started to hurt. It happened in the middle of an incline as well so I was not happy about that. I contemplated walking the hill to rest my foot, but I realized all that would do was slow me down and make it harder to start running later, so I kept running. I tried to maintain pace, but I'm not sure if I did. I made a mistake around the two mile mark as well, I grabbed water from the water station. It was a mistake because I've never done that before. First attempt to sip at speed went down wrong. I guess I'm just not coordinated enough to drink from a cup while running so in the future water during runs will be in sport bottle form. The only reason I grabbed it was the lack of water before the run. What I did manage to drink gave me a slight cramp so I'll have to work on that for the longer runs.
One of the great things about this course is that it's all downhill after the second mile. At least in my head, that was going to be easier on my foot than a flat or uphill. At least I kept telling myself that and it helped me hold my pace. I sped up around 3 miles and soon after that I could see the clock and realized that I could beat 27:30 clock time if pushed it, so I dug down and found some more speed.
That last mile was more about finishing and holding pace through pain than anything else. I was really happy I managed to gut through it, especially since my foot doesn't hurt at all today so there's no permanent damage.
Got there and got my number. Suddenly realized that I hadn't had any water that morning, just coffee. Luckily there was free water available so I grabbed a bottle and drank it down fast so it would have time to cycle through and started stretching. My foot wrap wasn't comfortable at all so I pulled it off. I should have known better than to do something new on a race day. I figured my foot would probably hurt by the end anyway so it was more about being comfortable until the pain started.
I've finally learned to line up to the front and side of the pack so I can get around the slow folks who line up at the front. As usual there was a group of middle school age kids out at the front, which always troubles me. More often than not they've gotten in my way weaving through the crowd or goofing around with their friends instead of running. I should probably start going to the very front of the pack, but I worry that I'll get in someone's way.
We had a mini parade to the actual starting line and Santa got us started. I got to my pace and focused on keeping my speed up. Knowing the course helped with that. I got to the first mile mark and realized that, unlike the last time I ran that course, there was more of a pack than the last time. I assume that's because I was moving faster than the last time I ran it. That and the fact people were starting to walk the hills helped me keep my pace up.
Somewhere near the end of the second mile, my foot started to hurt. It happened in the middle of an incline as well so I was not happy about that. I contemplated walking the hill to rest my foot, but I realized all that would do was slow me down and make it harder to start running later, so I kept running. I tried to maintain pace, but I'm not sure if I did. I made a mistake around the two mile mark as well, I grabbed water from the water station. It was a mistake because I've never done that before. First attempt to sip at speed went down wrong. I guess I'm just not coordinated enough to drink from a cup while running so in the future water during runs will be in sport bottle form. The only reason I grabbed it was the lack of water before the run. What I did manage to drink gave me a slight cramp so I'll have to work on that for the longer runs.
One of the great things about this course is that it's all downhill after the second mile. At least in my head, that was going to be easier on my foot than a flat or uphill. At least I kept telling myself that and it helped me hold my pace. I sped up around 3 miles and soon after that I could see the clock and realized that I could beat 27:30 clock time if pushed it, so I dug down and found some more speed.
That last mile was more about finishing and holding pace through pain than anything else. I was really happy I managed to gut through it, especially since my foot doesn't hurt at all today so there's no permanent damage.
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
Running may have been a mistake
Just today not in general. Things started out fine. Woke up and my foot didn't hurt when I put weight on it. Got dressed, stretched and went out to face the subfreezing temperatures. Warm up walk went fine. First couple of miles went fine. Most of my body was warmed up by then. My hands were blocks of ice, but that's not a big deal. The run up to that point was going great. I told myself I should probably head back when I first felt the discomfort in my foot, but for some reason I talked myself out of it. I think I was convincing myself that it was just my brain trying to get out of running. So I turned to do the next leg of my run. Still was just a little soreness during that whole time. Never the pain I experienced last week when it started. At least not until I finished my 3.27 miles and started my cool down. Then it hurt every time I put weight on it. Maybe it has something to do with the running versus the walking motion and the amount of time my weight is actually on my foot when I walk compared to when I run. All I know is I popped Advil and got out the ice pack as soon as I got home. Hopefully that, wrapping the foot and ankle, and resting for 72 hours will put me in shape to run on Saturday. Then I'll just take time off and do other exercise for a while.
Sunday, December 5, 2010
Another 5 days no running
I woke up last Thursday with foot pain. Based on research, it was tendinitis. Hurt to put weight on it, hurt to walk, but RICE and Advil helped so I was pretty sure I didn't break it. It's mostly healed up now, though there was a twinge when I first put weight on it this morning. I attribute that to spending all day yesterday on my feet. I'll walk 2-3 miles tomorrow to loosen everything back up and run Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday.
The JAG app is now pending board review instead of just being under completeness review. Kind of scary really because I'm nowhere near the weight I need to be, but I really want it to come through so I can get my law career started. Applying for everything under the sun, but JAG just seems the be the right choice.
The JAG app is now pending board review instead of just being under completeness review. Kind of scary really because I'm nowhere near the weight I need to be, but I really want it to come through so I can get my law career started. Applying for everything under the sun, but JAG just seems the be the right choice.
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
New personal records
Today was supposed to be the 35 minute OHR run for Week 4. Actually, that was supposed to be yesterday but a headache and rain made me postpone. I'm sure part of it is knowing I've run for 35 minutes before so it didn't seem like much of a milestone. Regardless, I was bound and determined to do it today. I mapped out a route that would require me to maintain an 8:20 pace to finish in 35 minutes. I did that so that I wouldn't run out of run before I ran out of time.
I made my way out into the frigid morning, 35 that felt like 26 according to weather.com. I was tempted to run a second round on the hill loop, but since it had been almost a week and I mapped out my route with only 1 lap of it, I stuck to the planned route. I didn't want to try to estimate my distance and screw things up.
I realized during the hill loop that my 5 minute warnings weren't chiming. I almost stopped to look at Interval Runner to make sure it was going, and those announcements help me with my speed, but I decided knowing my time wasn't important. I was going for the distance no matter how long it took. I kept running and decided to do the side street in my neighborhood before going to the main road. It's basically flat which helps after that long climb in the first mile.
When I got to the main road, the wind hit hard. I actually felt myself slow down. I swear the wind changed when I got to my turn point and was in my face again back down the hill. Then it turned again for the run back up. Only had a tailwind on the last downhill portion before I went back into my subdivision. I was feeling good by then and actually considered a third run up that hill, but I knew I was running short on time. Made my way toward home, dodging the idiot woman who almost hit me at the 4 way stop. She waited until I was running in front of her car to decide she should start moving. Luckily, I always expect people to be idiots so I was able to dodge her. I was tempted to get her license plate and hunt her down later, but it wasn't worth the effort.
Only pain I had was a side stitch that started around mile 2 and went away at some point. I'm just glad I was able to run through it. Shame no one knows what causes the pain.
I'm pushing the next week of OHR to next week. Wind sprints at the tennis court tomorrow morning and an attempt to do 5.25 or 6 miles on Saturday.
I made my way out into the frigid morning, 35 that felt like 26 according to weather.com. I was tempted to run a second round on the hill loop, but since it had been almost a week and I mapped out my route with only 1 lap of it, I stuck to the planned route. I didn't want to try to estimate my distance and screw things up.
I realized during the hill loop that my 5 minute warnings weren't chiming. I almost stopped to look at Interval Runner to make sure it was going, and those announcements help me with my speed, but I decided knowing my time wasn't important. I was going for the distance no matter how long it took. I kept running and decided to do the side street in my neighborhood before going to the main road. It's basically flat which helps after that long climb in the first mile.
When I got to the main road, the wind hit hard. I actually felt myself slow down. I swear the wind changed when I got to my turn point and was in my face again back down the hill. Then it turned again for the run back up. Only had a tailwind on the last downhill portion before I went back into my subdivision. I was feeling good by then and actually considered a third run up that hill, but I knew I was running short on time. Made my way toward home, dodging the idiot woman who almost hit me at the 4 way stop. She waited until I was running in front of her car to decide she should start moving. Luckily, I always expect people to be idiots so I was able to dodge her. I was tempted to get her license plate and hunt her down later, but it wasn't worth the effort.
Only pain I had was a side stitch that started around mile 2 and went away at some point. I'm just glad I was able to run through it. Shame no one knows what causes the pain.
I'm pushing the next week of OHR to next week. Wind sprints at the tennis court tomorrow morning and an attempt to do 5.25 or 6 miles on Saturday.
Monday, November 29, 2010
Slacking
Mostly on posts. Short work weeks and going out of town are distractions from regular posting.
I did run last Wednesday and Thursday. Wednesday was a slower than normal pace, at least slower than recently. I guessed at total time since it was the 29 minute OHR Week 4 run. I suppose it's entirely possible I ran it faster, but I prefer to assume I ran about a 10 minute pace.
I didn't count Thursday toward OHR because I only timed my first 1.2 miles because I wanted to run it at a fast pace. Ran an 8:32 pace for the first mile then finished up the normal 3 mile run and went home. I assume my pace was about the same as the run for justice.
I planned to run Saturday, but I woke up with a headache that just wouldn't go away. It was bad enough to put me back in bed to try to sleep it off, which I never do. Was going to make up for it today, but the little one woke up at 1am again and that threw my whole sleep schedule off so I decided to push it to tomorrow morning. I'll run Tues, Thurs, Sat the next 2 weeks since I have a 5k on the 11th. May throw a light Sunday run in there on the 5th just to do it.
I may try driving to a run site tomorrow morning. It's only about a mile away and it lets me run for 2 miles before I turn and go back instead of the .4 mile turns I normally do.
I did run last Wednesday and Thursday. Wednesday was a slower than normal pace, at least slower than recently. I guessed at total time since it was the 29 minute OHR Week 4 run. I suppose it's entirely possible I ran it faster, but I prefer to assume I ran about a 10 minute pace.
I didn't count Thursday toward OHR because I only timed my first 1.2 miles because I wanted to run it at a fast pace. Ran an 8:32 pace for the first mile then finished up the normal 3 mile run and went home. I assume my pace was about the same as the run for justice.
I planned to run Saturday, but I woke up with a headache that just wouldn't go away. It was bad enough to put me back in bed to try to sleep it off, which I never do. Was going to make up for it today, but the little one woke up at 1am again and that threw my whole sleep schedule off so I decided to push it to tomorrow morning. I'll run Tues, Thurs, Sat the next 2 weeks since I have a 5k on the 11th. May throw a light Sunday run in there on the 5th just to do it.
I may try driving to a run site tomorrow morning. It's only about a mile away and it lets me run for 2 miles before I turn and go back instead of the .4 mile turns I normally do.
Sunday, November 21, 2010
My second "race"
Yesterday was the Run for Justice 5k. There wasn't enough parking when I got there so I had to walk about half a mile to check in. Then back to my car to drop off my t-shirt. I probably should have taken off the long sleeve shirt I was wearing as a base layer, but I was stupid. Back to the start to warm up and try to meet some lawyers. They seemed to congregate in groups by firm and not let anyone in.
They announced the start of the race and walked us a half a mile to the line. Wish I'd known that in advance, I would have gone over there early. Luckily, most of the walkers, doggers, and strollers went to the back of the pack so I didn't have to dodge too many people to get to an open space to run. I'll admit my competitive spirit kicked in at the beginning and I pushed a little hard to keep up with some folks. Finally got control again about half a mile in and found my stride. I picked two people to try to keep up with who seemed to be about my speed. Unfortunately I lost one of them after the first big hill. It was ungodly steep so I slowed at the top to recuperate a bit. One of the people I was marking did the same, the other held pace and disappeared around a turn. About the 1 mile mark, my legs were back so I sped back up to what felt like my desired pace. I dropped the other person I marked, so I picked 2 more.
The second mile was pretty calm. I had to make sure I wasn't plodding. One of the people I marked after the hill started to fall away about 1.5 miles in, so I had to pick another person. I was also hot by then. The long sleeve shirt and the wool socks were great at 7am when I was getting ready but too much after more than a mile of running in the morning sun. Pulled my sleeves up as high as I could and kept going. Was pretty much in mindless running mode by that point. If I hadn't been trying to keep up with people, I probably would have slowed down.
Mile three started with a climb. I half expected another really steep one, but it was just a gradual uphill. Made me glad I'd started running the hill in my neighborhood over the last two weeks. Kept my pace pretty well and passed one of my marks. Passed a few other people on the downhill as we came to the end. Made myself speed up when I saw the cone for the 3 mile. I was trying to pass two people, but one of them apparently decided to stay ahead of me. When I saw the time was 28 minutes as I got close, I was actually disappointed since my only real goal for the run was sub 28.
Consensus on the course was that it was hilly. I only remember the two hills. However, I'll listen to the people who said it was hilly. My next 5k is the same course as my first one so that will be a better indicator of my improvement over the last few weeks.
They announced the start of the race and walked us a half a mile to the line. Wish I'd known that in advance, I would have gone over there early. Luckily, most of the walkers, doggers, and strollers went to the back of the pack so I didn't have to dodge too many people to get to an open space to run. I'll admit my competitive spirit kicked in at the beginning and I pushed a little hard to keep up with some folks. Finally got control again about half a mile in and found my stride. I picked two people to try to keep up with who seemed to be about my speed. Unfortunately I lost one of them after the first big hill. It was ungodly steep so I slowed at the top to recuperate a bit. One of the people I was marking did the same, the other held pace and disappeared around a turn. About the 1 mile mark, my legs were back so I sped back up to what felt like my desired pace. I dropped the other person I marked, so I picked 2 more.
The second mile was pretty calm. I had to make sure I wasn't plodding. One of the people I marked after the hill started to fall away about 1.5 miles in, so I had to pick another person. I was also hot by then. The long sleeve shirt and the wool socks were great at 7am when I was getting ready but too much after more than a mile of running in the morning sun. Pulled my sleeves up as high as I could and kept going. Was pretty much in mindless running mode by that point. If I hadn't been trying to keep up with people, I probably would have slowed down.
Mile three started with a climb. I half expected another really steep one, but it was just a gradual uphill. Made me glad I'd started running the hill in my neighborhood over the last two weeks. Kept my pace pretty well and passed one of my marks. Passed a few other people on the downhill as we came to the end. Made myself speed up when I saw the cone for the 3 mile. I was trying to pass two people, but one of them apparently decided to stay ahead of me. When I saw the time was 28 minutes as I got close, I was actually disappointed since my only real goal for the run was sub 28.
Consensus on the course was that it was hilly. I only remember the two hills. However, I'll listen to the people who said it was hilly. My next 5k is the same course as my first one so that will be a better indicator of my improvement over the last few weeks.
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