Injury rundown

# 1 Injury:

Who knew tubing would take a month off of my running/workout schedule??  Ugh!

I spent 4th of July weekend at my friend's lakehouse in Canandaigua, which was an absolute blast!  We went tubing and I flew from the tube once....so, clearly I had to redeem myself and got on again.  The second time I held on for dear life, but after a few hard hitting waves and some quick turns by Terry, I once again flew from the tube.  Unfortunately, this time hitting the water felt like hitting a rock!  I felt my entire rib cage crush and then my body went into shock.  My lifejacket was my savior that day!  I floated for a minute b/c I couldn't move right away, and then they pulled me back into the boat.  I was sore for the rest of the day, and was just hoping I didn't do any serious damage!

Over the next few days, I was REALLY sore and was having a hard time moving around, breathing, laughing, coughing, and pretty much anything that required my rib's.  In fact, one sneeze brought me to tears!  With Boilermaker only a few days away, I decided to visit my doctor (who is also a runner) and have her take a look.  Initially she thought I cracked a few ribs...SERIOUSLY?!?!  After x-rays she called me and said no cracks massive bruising.  Cool, I can still run Boilermaker and go from there.  Little did I know, this injury takes forever to heal!!!!  I'm still feeling some soreness and it's been a month since it happened.  At least now I can take deep breaths and run and get back into the gym.  In fact, this is my first week back at the gym in a month.  Hopefully this is the end of it!

# 2 Injury

Foot/Calf Cramps!!!  I've talked about this a few times and have learned that I never really recovered from when I first had Plantar Fasciitis.  While the pain decreased, it never really went away.  I've just been running through it, but recently, I can't get up over 9 miles without the massive foot/arch cramps that ultimately make it difficult to continue running.  I'm also waking up with the heel pain and end up hobbling around for a while until it loosens up.  So, in order to continue running and get through this the right way, I'm increasing my stretching exercises, adding Yoga to my training, and working to strengthen my feet, ankles, and calves.  In a little over a month I'll run the Rochester half and will hopefully see a difference in the cramping and pain! 

I have 3 months to Marine Corps and with a lot of focus and hard work, I should be able to get myself into acceptable marathon condition!

Getting back on track & nasty little bugs!!

Taking a injury prevention time out is where I've been! I'm having some problems with my feet again (heel pain mostly, some pain on outside of rt foot as well). So, in light of that....and not wanting to be in the same predicament as last summer (plantar stuff), I took some time from running and dedicated it to gym work. I spent a little over a week just spinning and doing boot camp at Gold's. I did some short runs, 3 miles max, but that was about it. I figured if I could nip this now, then I could still jump right back into marathon training.

I got back to the running this past week doing my 4m, 7m, 4m weekday runs. I also did 2 spinning classes and 2 boot camp classes. Awesome jump back into it and I felt good on the runs. I was especially looking forward to the 12 mile run for this past weekend. On Friday, I had to mow the backyard and while mowing, something (A bug of some sort) jumped out of the ground and zapped me! Wouldn't have been a big deal except the searing pain I felt wasn't like a regular bee sting or bug bite. I did a few more passes around the lawn before I decided to go in and ice it. I was in that much pain!! WTF?? It felt like someone put a hot poker to the back of my calf and the pain just radiated throughout my lower leg. Awesome! I iced, finished the yard, and went about the rest of my day. Still had some pain, but I was trying to ignore.

I got up Saturday morning and the red area had tripled in size and it was extraordinarily painful!! Seriously?? It was a bug bite! On my husband's suggestion, I took some Advil and put some Benadryl lotion over the area. Neither of these things helped. We went out with some friends and had dinner/movie/drinks, and by the time we got to drinks, my leg was swollen, my ankle was starting to disappear and it was bright red and hot to the touch. Not a good sign.

I figured I'd see how it looked by Monday morning and call my doctor if it was worse, however, I didn't make it to today. I got up yesterday morning, again in terrible pain and I totally had a cankle at this point. In fact, the swelling was well into my foot. So, once the house was ready for the Open House, I decided to head over to Urgent Care and have them take a look at my leg. Turns out it was an infection (Cellulitis) and it started from whatever bit me. I even had a fever when I got there! I had no idea.

So now, I sit here, not discussing my 12 mile run, but discussing the fact that I'm couch bound with my leg propped and heavily medicated. While I'm feeling groggy today, I feel that my leg already looks a bit better.....well it's at least not as warm and red as it was yesterday. If I wake up tomorrow and the swelling it all gone and it looks a lot better, I will try for my 12 miler.

In fact, if I'm feeling better later today, I may try to head over to the gym for a mini workout. I hate just sitting on the couch!! Although it's raining and in the 60's, so it a perfect day to have to be immobile!!

Yay for 12 miles!

OK, maybe I shouldn't be that excited because it was 12 miles and who gets truly excited about 12 miles of running at 8am on a Saturday morning?? I'm probably more excited about the running being over and that I finished it having not run since the week before! I was so worried because I had been in such a running slump and I felt I was really going to struggle with the 12......but, I actually felt great!! Well, I felt great right up until 10.5/11 miles and then I had some difficulties. My damned feet were hurting so bad it felt as though I was running on stumps. Not good.....

So, in talking with some people and doing some research on my symptoms, it turns out I have Plantar Faciitis. Awesome.....can I please get through a running season without an injury?? I met with Todd (my massage therapist) yesterday and he worked on my feet for a while to get them feeling better. This issue actually started at least a month and a half ago, but I'm really good at ignoring pain (with the idea that I push my body pretty hard, so of course there will be pain) until it never goes away.....then I take notice. The defining symptom is the foot pain when you first get out of bed in the morning. I have been experiencing excruciating pain first thing in the morning and it takes me about an hour to get my feet moving properly. Once I'm past the initial pain, I'm good, unless I stand or sit too long, then I have to start from square one again.

Now I have a whole schedule of remedies I'm following to ease the pain. I always ice when I come home from a run to ease the inflammation. I also froze a water bottle and I roll my foot over the bottle to ice and stretch at the same time. Todd, my massage therapist, is awesome and will work on my feet a few more times before the half marathon (and he is in the massage tent at the end, so I will certainly be seeking him out!). I think I should be able to move past this and maintain some running!

So now I'm headed into my taper!! Whoo Hoo!! This is my favorite part of the training because you know the event is right around the corner! I'm excited to have met some fabulous new running friends who actually run at my pace.....this means I'll have people to run with during the half! Love it!

Happy Running!

Back in the gym....FINALLY!!!

So I finally was able to head back to the gym today! YAY!! I didn't do anything crazy and really only focused on upper body, but I did a wee bit of cardio and it felt great! I then took the dog for a little one walk/jog around the pond at the park and didn't have any hip pain at all. I definitely feel like I just might be totally better!! I go to the Ortho one more time next week and hopefully will be given a clean bill of health!!

It's been a while....

I have been a bit crazy with grad school and the internship, so my posting has fallen to the wayside! (Sorry Judy!) I've also been thinking about the direction I might take this thing because I'm not running for the moment, and it's hard to write a journal about something I'm not doing!! A quick update on the stress fracture in my hip....saw the Ortho on Tuesday and after some X-Rays, he said it's healing nicely and I can start putting up to 40% weight on my leg. I'm still on the crutches for another 2 weeks, but he thinks he will be able to take me off of them after my next 2 week visit. Whoo Hoo! I have absolutely decided not to run again until after the 1st of the year so I can have enough time to make sure the hip is healed and start strengthening it again.

OK, so I am thinking I might go with an election discussion as that is a pretty hot topic right now, and something that gets me all kinds of fired up! It has also taken over my life (in addition to school) for the past few weeks and months. Alex & I hosted a debate party for the first Presidential debate and my friend Dina came over, along with some other Rochestarians who we connected with through the NY Obama website. We also went to see Bill Maher Live at Cornell University this past weekend and he was brilliant!! Alex, Dina, myself, and our friend Cliff took a road trip to see him this past Sunday and it was so absolutely worth it!! Raunchy as hell, but I just loved everything he said....however, Dina & I felt really bad for the sign language interpreter who had to sign some of those words!! We also ordered our yard sign and have looked into some of the Rochester helps Ohio/Pennsylvania road trips. It really is an amazing feeling to be a part of this in the hopes that our country will realize we need something new because the old just isn't working anymore!

So, we are now preparing for tonight's much anticipated V.P. debate! Our friend Jeff (and possibly Mara) is coming over and we have discussed some possible Sara Palin drinking games....for example: every time she says "shore up the economy" you drink 1....every time she says "Alaska keeps an eye on Russia" you drink 2.....every time she cracks a joke about Biden's age you drink 3 (for the sheer stupidity of that remark)....and so on!! OK, maybe that was a little low, but seriously, I am insulted that McCain's camp believes that simply by placing a woman on the ticket, they will get a woman's vote. Are they delusional? Really? Just any old woman and I should vote for her? I was a Hillary supporter, so I'm part of that target group, and I wouldn't even entertain the idea of voting this woman into the second most important office in our country. I voted for Hillary in the primary and was really hoping she could grab that nomination, but not because she's a woman, because she represents many things I align with and support. I respect McCain, I really do, he sacrificed a lot for this country.......WAY BACK WHEN!! There has to be a change. Something has to give in this country because the direction we are headed in is not good for many many reasons beyond the economy. How about Education? Does anyone realize what we are doing to the children of this country, or should I say not doing? How about we focus more energy on the inside instead of the outside. There is enough turmoil within our own borders to keep the government busy for years to come, yet, we choose to spend our energy and resources on others.....who don't even want us there!! But I digress.....and I will get off my little soap box now!

I guess, take what you want from this posting. I guess the big message here is GET OUT THERE, REGISTER, AND VOTE!! I don't care if you vote for my candidate or the other guy, (as Nike put it) just do it!! It is your right and duty as a US citizen to help make a difference. Also, I certainly welcome other opinions and ideas as I feel it always offers an opportunity for personal growth when you hear others perceptions and thoughts.

Today's Run

I did my first 5K today (Greece Police Athletic League 5K) since the middle of July and I didn't feel too bad. I had some minor pain initially, but it faded after the first mile and I felt good the rest of the run. My time wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be after not running for so long, so I'm happy with the whole morning. I did start to have some minor hip pain about 20 min after I was done running, but nothing I couldn't handle. I think I might be able to get back on track and I'm definitely planning to do the Rochester half marathon in a few weeks. Of course, I'm going to take it easy, I certainly don't want to aggrevate the injury too much!

Ortho Appt.

No real news here, I met with the doctor and he (just like everyone else) says I have a stress fracture. He wanted an immediate MRI and to see me back on Monday before I go on vacation....however, due to my husbands insurance being out of area, they couldn't schedule anything until it was approved. Sweet, gotta love insurance companies, but I'm not going to start on that one. Anyway, I have to call back first thing Monday morning to schedule and hopefully get it done before I leave, but it's not looking good.

What I did learn is that a stress fracture can be detected with an X-Ray, but not very well. The MRI will actually show the stress fracture much clearer than the X-Ray. So, until I meet him again, he absolutely forbade me from running at all.....and of course I was thinking 'yeah, I got it!!' I love running, but at the same time, I also love walking and dancing and all the other fun stuff I can do with two functional hips! :) I promise, no running until I'm totally healed!!

On another note, Alex & I went to our friends house for an amazing homemade Italian dinner. Colleen & I met through running, but Ange and Alex bonded over bolognese sauce while we were running the Boilermaker last month!! So, Ange told Alex he would have us over for dinner and make his famous bolognese sauce. It was nothing short of fantastic! We had a wonderful dinner, wonderful conversation, then enjoyed dessert (thank you Wegman's) while watching some of the Olympics. It was a fantastic evening! Huge thanks to Colleen & Ange!

Still Resting...

Yep, still inactive. I went for a hike with Alex yesterday at Letchworth State Park, and it was going well until I slipped on some uneven ground and landed on my right leg. The blast of pain that shot through my hip was blinding. Anyway, my hip is still sensitive to some weight bearing activities, but it's definitely getting better. I just have to make sure to come back slowly and continue to stay on top of how my body is responding to running in particular.

On another note, Letchworth is amazingly beautiful and exactly what Alex & I needed yesterday. It was a really easy walk along the Gorge Trail and I took some amazing pictures! We are definitely planning a trip back there to hike some of the other trails (once I'm feeling much better of course). I think the fall would be perfect at Letchworth!

Injury Update & Wedding news...

I am lucky to have a Dr. that is also an avid marathoner and understands running injuries and how to work with them. Anyway, she was great and confirmed it as a stress fracture in my hip. She had a lot of x-rays taken of my hips & lower back from all angles & gave me a prescription for an anti-inflammatory. She also referred me to a sports orthopedist, who I actually saw last summer for knee pain, as he will be able to work with me more specifically on how to heal the hip. I will see the ortho on Aug. 15, so it will be a little over a week before I know what is going on. Per my Dr., I am not to run, bike, or even take a brisk walk. Sweet. That totally made my day.......I have to say, it's really tough on the psyche to go from a lot of activity & a goal to no activity at all.

We also celebrated my sisters nuptuals in Watertown, NY this past saturday. It was a super fun day where we were able to spend time with our family and celebrate my sister and Rich as well as my parents 40th anniversary and renewal of their vows. Congrats Karen & Rich and Mom & Dad!

To be continued.......

Bummed.....

I know it's been a little bit since I've updated my training status, and that is most likely due to my denial of an injury. I have been dealing with increasing hip pain over the past 3-4 weeks and last week I simply couldn't ignore it anymore. I tend to view pain as a temporary thing that I can just work through and move on. However, when the pain begins to prevent me from sleeping, walking, sitting, or just about anything that I'm doing, I need to pay attention. This hip pain has just been annoying for a few weeks, but I figured I'd eventually go to the chiropractor and be all set. When I set out on the 10 mi run last week, I was in excruciating pain with every step. It eventually wore off and I finished the 10 miles, however, I had difficulty walking within an hour of that. So, based on the coaches recommendation as well as my teammates, I made an appt with my chiro for 8am that Monday morning. When I saw my chiropractor, he thought it might be bursitis based on the location of my pain, and possibly some tendinitis. No biggy, he told me to cut my running by 50% and substitute with biking. I could totally do that....or so I thought!

I spent all last week half biking and limping through a short run. A mile here and there, but the pain was getting to be too much. I was having problems sleeping, I can no longer lay on my right side at all, and every time I put weight on my right leg, I have shooting pain. It's like a shock in my hip with every step. It radiates out from the hip joint and then fades after a minute. So, I was back at my chiropractor on Thursday, extremely frustrated b/c I had been resting, icing, taking Ibuprofen, and doing everything he told me to do, but not feeling any better, in fact, possibly feeling worse. So, he poked and prodded and pulled on my leg, then did an ultrasound to check some tendons and decided I needed x-rays because I may actually have a stress fracture in my hip. Sweet! So, now I'm totally banned from running until further notice and sooo not happy about that. I am going to make an appt with my primary care doctor for tomorrow and have her check me out, do the x-rays and go from there. I will have another update when I know more of what's going on.

On another note, I had to recommit to the fundraising and marathon training this past Friday (Aug. 1). With my current condition and just not knowing what is going on, I was not able to recommit. Hopefully I can transfer my fundraising to a later marathon, but that is pending doctors and stuff. All of this does not mean I'm done running, it just means I need to take a little break, take a step back, and build more slowly toward my goal of a marathon. So I don't make it this year. You bet your ass I'll be at Marine Corps next year!! And, I will be stronger than ever!

So, I will update again when I know more.........