Spinning My Wheels

So week 1 of the return to running is officially in the books.  My doctor said to take it slow, first a week on the stationary bike.  And I can tell you hearing those words, the only one that stuck in my brain was "stationary."  Trust me, I've made several attempts to ride those things and almost every time ended with me giving up after a few minutes.  But the more high-tech ones at my gym may have saved me.  

They have Espresso Fitness programs which  have video screens to simulate about 30 different course, complete with scenery and other riders.  But the part I really enjoyed was the feeling that when I went up a "hill," I was actually going up one.  The tension increased and I had to work the gears to achieve maximum effort and propulsion.  I wore my heart rate monitor and was pleasantly surprised to see it jump over 150 beats per minute.  It's literally been months since that's happened.  I was so excited after each workout.  I knew I was finally getting back to where I want to be.  On the road running.  

And to tell you the truth, it made me think about saving up for a bike.  I mean, I will have to get one for a triathlon, won't I?

This week, it's the elliptical.  We'll see how that goes!

Keep on runnin'!

A Long Road to Get Back on the Road

Woo hoo!  Well, maybe more like woo.  Had my check-up with my orthopedist this week.  After resting my hip for two months, he's given me the green light to SLOWLY return to physical activity.  A week on the stationary bike, followed by a week on the elliptical, then a week of walking and jogging on the treadmill, THEN I can attempt to run on the road.  Of course, that's the best case scenario.  Any pain in the hip and I'm back on the IR!  

I'm not too disappointed and trying to stay positive because I'm really anxious to get back to running.  A friend of mine suggested aqua jogging and even my doc said I can start that right away too.  But I've never done it and don't know anyone who has, so a little help here?  Thanks!  

I do have to work on strengthening my hip and leg muscles a lot more as well so that will be something new.  But I'm feeling good about it all as well as continuing to slowly work in Bikram yoga into my routine.  Well, if you have any advice, words of wisdom or encouragement, I would love to hear it!

Keep on runnin'!

A New Addiction

So it's been over two months since I've been able to run after getting diagnosed with a stress fracture in my lower left hip.  Yes, it sucks and blows at the same time.  I was told by my doctor that I cannot do any kind of activity for at least 12 weeks, aside from yoga and Pilates.  I finally gave in and cashed in a Groupon I bought months ago for Bikram Yoga. It's 26 postures in 90-minutes in a room that's 105 degrees with 40% humidity.

I'm hooked.

I was very skeptical at first, not because I don't believe in the benefits of yoga, but I hate hot weather.  And I'm not flexible at all.  I knew I needed something a bit more challenging to help with my flexibility and I really believe I found it.  My first visit was a bit tough. I showed up early like they suggested but ended up talking to the instructor outside so long that I wasn't able to get a spot in the back of the room like she suggested.  I ended up in the middle which didn't hurt me as much as not making sure I could see myself completely in the front mirrors.  No, I'm not that vain, but it helps to see yourself to make sure you're doing the poses correctly.


One day I'll get there!

The first couple of poses were okay but right away I could see how unyielding my body was.  I wasn't embarrassed but encouraged that I had a long way to go and this could help get me there.  The heat didn't really bother me until about 20 minutes in (that's a guess to the time, there were no clocks and I didn't have a watch) and I had to lie down a few times after feeling a little light-headed.  I think it was a combination of the newness as well as not eating at all that morning for a 9:30 class.  The website suggests not eating for 2-3 hours before class.  However for my second class, I did eat some oatmeal about 90 minutes before and made it through the entire class.  It's a matter of personal preference and what your body can handle.

The poses are a progression, each one getting you ready for the next one.  I took a look at some of the poses and really thought a few of those images were the work of a Photoshop wizard.  But sure enough, there were some pretty hard-core students (yogis) in there that were pretty amazing.

When I walked out of that first class, I can't tell you how relaxed and calm I felt.  The combination of poses and breathing really seemed to have a positive effect on me. I was already looking forward to the second class which felt just as great.  The recent icy weather knocked out my last attempt at a class but I'm ready to go as often as I can.  It feels like running to me now.  Not that I'm giving up running, in fact, the opposite.  I expect this to help keep me even healthier to run even better in the future.  Yes, I was a skeptic, but I am now a believer.  Try it out.  I'm sure you'll love it!

Keep on runnin'!

Fractured Stress

Well it's been a while, hasn't it?

Let's just say things haven't gone that great since my first marathon.  Two weeks after logging 26.2, I went out for a run.  After six miles, I started feeling a pain I'd never felt before in the back of my left leg.  I figured it was a strange muscle that I've never pulled before.  Save the jokes.  After running for about a mile, the pain grew bad enough to the point where I had to stop.  I then hobbled home.  That afternoon, I could barely put any weight on my left leg.  I had to lay on my bed to put my pants on.  Fortunately, work that evening did not involve a lot of walking.  But I needed to push myself off every time I got up from sitting.  The next day it felt a lot better but I still couldn't put my full weight on my left leg.  I gave it a week but it only got a little better.  I was finally able to see my doctor the following week, 2 weeks and a day after the injury.  He wanted to get a bone scan to rule out a stress fracture.

I drank the dye and went back to get my bone scan the next day.  After the scan, the tech asked me, "Do you run a lot of hurdles?"  Great.  Looking at the scan pretty much confirmed what the tech had assumed.  All the dye went straight to the spot that hurt, the pubis of my pelvis. 

The next day, I took the bone scan image to my doctor and got some of the worst news a runner could get:  STRESS FRACTURE. 

The treatment?  Do nothing.  Literally.  For at least 8 weeks from the date of the diagnosis, not the injury.  Definitely no running but also no elliptical, no stationary bike, no swimming, nothing.  The shearing forces from all those movements would put too much stress on the area and delay the healing process. He did say yoga and pilates were okay.

So for the last nine weeks, I've done nothing.  And it has sucked.  And it has been difficult.  Especially when I know friends that went to Orlando to run the Disney World marathon six weeks after they ran with me in San Antonio.  Or seeing anyone running.  Add some personal issues in there and these past two months have easily been the toughest I remember going through. 

On Friday, I finally got off my Wahmbulance and tried out Bikram yoga.  I knew it'd be tough but had to do something.  The room wasn't so bad in the beginning but the sweat came like rain soon enough.  I hate hot weather but enjoyed it.  For starters, I'm not flexible at all and know that I need something like that.  When it was over, I was happy to get the Hell out of there but also excited about going back.  Seeing the way some of the veterans were able to move gave me hope.  It's not going to replace running but it will help me get through this waiting.  And I know I'll be better for it physically and mentally. 

Curbed Enthusiasm

No one's harder on myself than myself.  I have a problem with overanalyzing.  It's a curse really.  From the moment I crossed the finish line Sunday morning, my mind began replaying the 30,500+ steps I took along the way of my first marathon.  It's what I do.  I know I should have just sat back and enjoyed my accomplishment and part of me regrets that.  So I will try to do that a bit as I describe my first experience with the marathon.

Passing 3 miles at St. Mary's & McCullough

     My morning started at 4:59 a.m. when I woke up wide-eyed, 31 minutes before my scheduled wake-up call.  I tried to fall back to sleep but gave in to some early morning nerves and went to the hotel lobby for a quick breakfast of two slices of peanut butter toast.  I decided to stay in a hotel that was close to the start since I knew I wouldn't get out of work until close to midnight and wanted to maximize my sleep, which turned out to be about five hours.  As I sat there eating breakfast, it was very interesting seeing all the different attire of all the runners.  After breakfast, I went back and started suiting up.  Fortunately I had my outfit laid out the night before so that didn't take too long.  The walk to the starting area took about 10  minutes and I was so relieved that the only traffic I had to fight that morning was the people on the streets.  After a quick trip to the bathroom, I started to make my way to the start area and began my usual pre-run routine of stretching and ran a few strides to warm up as best I could before walking into Corral #2. 

     I wasn't as nervous as I thought I'd be in my corral waiting for the prayer, national anthem and the starting horn.  I think I used up all my nerves in what was a very emotionally draining week.  As I said last week, self-doubt is a huge weakness.  Sometimes you want to take the advice from friends, but sometimes you still think you know better.  When the horn sounded, I knew this was it.  I didn't see the elite runners take off but I ran through the starting line 75 seconds after them, already nearly a quarter-mile behind.  That first mile was all about fighting traffic to find open space as well as warming up before trying to hit my goal pace.  My GPS was a bit off of the actual course, thanks to my weaving around the other runners but I hit my first mile in 7:33, right where I wanted to be.  Feeling good, I picked up the pace through the halfway point at 1:32:09, which had me dreaming of a sub-3:10 marathon, easily qualifying me for the Boston Marathon.

    Then I got to "The Wall," essentially the point where all your glycogen (or main source of fuel) is gone and your body starts relying more on any fat you have.  The transition can be quite tough.  My 20th mile dropped to 8:00, my slowest since my first mile.  Feeling exhausted, I stopped and stretched my calf muscles and hamstrings.  I plodded along for a couple more miles, even getting one more sub-8 mile before the tightness really began setting in.  My last three miles averaged 9:40.  

Approaching the Finish Line!

     As I hit the 26-mile mark, I knew I had less than a quarter-mile to go but a nice steep incline to the finish line.  I looked at my watch and saw my initial goal of 3:20 within reach and I ran as hard as I could up that hill and to the finish line, every face a blur, every noise melting into one.  I didn't even hear my wife screaming my name as I ran by.  Approaching the finish line, I held up both hands like pistols and for the briefest of moments, celebrated my run.

Crossing the line in under 3:20

     The walk through the finish area was disoriented and slow.  It was filled with a few marathoners and many half-marathoners who were finishing as well.  I grabbed a water and a banana and did my best to make my way to the exit.  I couldn't find my wife and was unable to use my phone to let her know where I was.  Cell reception was a huge problem race day.  I went back to the finish line to see if I could seen any friends cross the line around the 3:30 mark but missed any if they did.  A few minutes later I saw my wife and she could see it in my face.  "It's okay to cry," she told me.  I have to admit, I almost did.  It wasn't that euphoric feeling people kept telling me about.  It was frustration and disappointment coming together.  I know, I'm crazy.  I just ran a 3:18 in my first marathon.  I should have been looking for a cold beer and celebrating.  That's how I am and I'll never change.  When a woman at the race asked me about my GPS, I showed her some of the functions and immediately noticed that my steps per minutes were about 20 lower than normal.  So I know I was overstriding, which may have played a role in my tight hamstrings and calf muscles.  One more thing I plan to work on. 

Not too tired to smile.

     Today, reading all the congratulatory Facebook posts, I've appreciated what I accomplished much more than I did yesterday.  I couldn't even take a nap before work after the race because my mind would not shut off.  But the best part, is that knowing whether I qualified for Boston or not, I knew I'd get to do it all over again.  I'm officially a marathon runner now. 

As Nervous As Ever

     Man, I cannot believe the San Antonio Rock 'n' Roll Marathon is only 3 weeks away!  So this week I attempted a 23-mile run and all it did was make me even more nervous about race day.  Just after 17 miles I decided to try to finish strong and ramped up to my goal pace.  I got in just about two miles before a very small muscle on my right hip felt like it was going to explode.  I ended up trodding through a few more miles before stopping.  This soreness, inflammation is really driving me crazy. 

     Maybe I'm just a wimp.  I recently read a NY Times column about the mental toughness of competitive runners and their ability to push through pain.  That really didn't help.   I appreciate all my friends that are marathon veterans telling me not to worry, that adrenaline will carry me through the last 6 miles.  Is that what you noticed the first time you ran one?  Did you share the same fear that I have, that maybe I didn't do enough?

     I'm usually a fairly confident person but I have to admit this it the most nervous I've felt this far ahead of any athletic endeavor I've pursued.  I think I'm really gonna need a short run the day before to shake out any jitters.  Hope to see you at the finish line!

      Keep on runnin'!

Fitness is not a 26.2 mile journey. MUCH Longer.

     Four years ago this month, I ran my first race beyond a 5k.  It was the Twin Cities 10-mile run in Minneapolis, Minnesota.  I remember it was a great cold October morning.  By the time I arrived at the Metrodome for the start, the temperature was just above 40 degrees.  I didn't layer, knowing I'd warm up from running, and wore just shorts and a regular running shirt.  No hat, gloves, sleeves, nothing else except my Polar chest strap and watch.  My goal was an 8:30/mile pace with a secondary goal of finishing under 85 minutes, just a tad faster.  I was way in the back of the pack at the start and still chilly after a very brief warm-up, still a greenhorn to the running world, having only seriously attempting to take up the sport a few months prior.  Throughout the race I kept a constant eye on my heart rate which seemed to hold steady at 180.  But I didn't feel like I was maxing out, so I decided (yes, probably against better judgment) to hold my pace as long as I could.  I ended up crossing the finish line in 1:20:35 (faster if I hadn't taken that ONE restroom break!), euphoric that not only did I shatter both goals but nearly averaged eight minutes a mile, an unheard of pace for me at the time.  

     Fast forward to October 2010, warming up for a track workout on a similarly cool day in San Antonio.  My workout began with a 2-mile warm-up run.  As I jogged around the track, three older women were walking around it together.  One of them yelled as I approached, "You make it look so easy!"

     I replied, "Well it sure isn't!"

As I continued to run, I checked my Garmin for my pace and heart rate.  My pace was 7:40 and my heart rate was just over 150.  I had to smile a little.  Four years ago, that pace may have literally killed me.  Now, it's a warm-up for a planned track workout of six 800-meter runs as close to 3:00 as possible.  

     I know my pace is far from world class, or even city class.  And I haven't run non-stop consistently over the last four years, because I may have been able to get even faster.  But if you told me four years ago that I'd be training for a sub-7 pace in 2010, I may have looked at you with optimistic excitement but thinking you're a bit crazy.  I understand not everybody starts running to see how fast they can go.  A lot of people do it just to get in a little better shape.  But whatever type of runner you are, I hope you take away from this blog entry that you just have to stick with it.  

     

     There really is no quick fix.  No magic pill to get you in better shape without putting in the hard work.  But it is such a gratifying feeling, not only to know that you've stuck with it, but that you know you're reaping the rewards.  Who knows?  I may have reached my peak already.  I don't think I have, so I'm going to continue pushing.  But I'm not going to try to run 5-minute miles tomorrow.  It's a long, slow progression.  One that I've finally learned to appreciate.  

Keep on runnin!