I Don't Have Time For This . . .

August 2014

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Member Since:

Aug 08, 2014

Gender:

Female

Goal Type:

Other

Running Accomplishments:

I've been running consistently for almost twenty years. I've done a couple of marathons. 

Short-Term Running Goals:

In 2016: At least 17 miles a week, 67 a month, 800 for the year

Sub 26:00 5K

Sub 55:00 10K

Sub 2:00 half (if I decide to do one this year :)

 

Long-Term Running Goals:

Run another marathon, maybe. Someday. If I feel like it.

Personal:

I love my husband and my four children and running lets me spend more time with them!

Favorite Blogs:

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Miles:This week: 0.00 Month: 0.00 Year: 0.00
Slow milesFast milesTotal Distance
78.800.0078.80
Night Sleep Time: 91.50Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 91.50
Slow milesFast milesTotal Distance
3.000.003.00

Night Sleep Time: 0.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 0.00
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Slow milesFast milesTotal Distance
6.000.006.00

Night Sleep Time: 0.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 0.00
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Slow milesFast milesTotal Distance
3.000.003.00

I would call this an Easy Three, except it didn't feel that way. How about "Should Have Been an Easy Three, But Felt More Like Swimming in Molasses?" Ok, maybe it wasn't that bad, but Monday mornings are hard sometimes, and this was no exception. I did a long run of 8 miles on Saturday and actually felt really good - no IT band flare-up, no stiffness or soreness later. If the only consequence is a sluggish Monday morning, I think I did alright. I was supposed to follow the run with a quick strength training session. I managed a whopping 15 pushups before making breakfast, doing the bills and hauling my girls off on an epic school shopping trip. I'll catch up later.....

Night Sleep Time: 6.50Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 6.50
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Slow milesFast milesTotal Distance
0.000.000.00

Ouch. That zero hurts. It's only the third time this summer that I've missed a day. On the plus side, I got to watch the opening high school XC meet. There were some impressive performances. I'm proud of my freshman son who ran well in his first high school race!

Night Sleep Time: 6.50Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 6.50
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Slow milesFast milesTotal Distance
4.000.004.00

Started my day with that strength training I was supposed to do on Monday. Better late than never, right? Two sets of 15. Not ambitious, but it makes a difference and doesn't take too long.

I felt great and had a terrible run. Or maybe I felt terrible and had a great run. I'm not sure. I was planning on a nice comfy four miles, but about half-way through my heart started palpitating, my chest aching, and my head spinning. I took the sensible route; I turned off the main road (so fewer people would see me), and I walked home. Never fear - my heart is fine. I'm prone to panic attacks and I take medication for mild hypothyroidism. I haven't had major problems for years, but anytime I get stressed I don't eat, sleep or exercise well, so I'm more likely to have problems. I think I'm also more sensitive to my medication than I used to be. Might be time to adjust things. In the mean time, I'll split my pills and take half in the morning and half in the afternoon - that way it won't all hit my bloodstream at the same time. As far as the stress - well, school starts tomorrow. I should feel more relaxed by mid-October.

Night Sleep Time: 6.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 6.00
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Slow milesFast milesTotal Distance
3.000.003.00

I took it easy today. My body is still working through this current episode of panic, but it's getting better. I'm down to some annoying cramping of the esophagus and a little shortness of breath. I walked a block or two near the end when I started feeling symptoms, but I picked it up and finished without a problem. I think if I'm going to be strong enough for a long run on Saturday I'd better move that number in the sleep column up to a 7 or 8. At least.

It's too bad that my first week of blogging runs has to deal with panic attacks. I really only get one or two a year any more. I've learned a lot over the last six years and this is the first time it's affected my running in quite some time. Come to think of it, my worst attacks have all been in August. School must really stress me out. Go figure. Anyway - for me, panic attacks normally start with an overwhelming fatigue (see Monday's post - might not have been the long run after all). Then I get a special headache that I call my panic headache. That was Tuesday; I knew I was in trouble then. That's usually followed by a couple days of shortness of breath, throat cramping, dizziness etc.. Some "attacks" are longer than others, but if I respond with extra sleep and good food I can get through it in a few days. One thing I've definitely learned is that, even if I have to back off for a few days, a little easy running helps me recover faster. 

Now my kids are in school, the house is quiet. Maybe I'll go take that nap.

Night Sleep Time: 6.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 6.00
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Slow milesFast milesTotal Distance
3.400.003.40

Well, last week was the worst running week I've had in about two and a half months. Not only did the panic episode slow me down, but I woke up Friday with a burning pain in the ball of my foot (outside edge - fifth metatarsal head if you want specifics). It's been coming on all summer, ever since I got that great new pair of Crocs sandals that are so comfortable. I knew on the second day of wearing them they were going to cause problems. But they felt good and they were easy to slip on and I've worn them almost every day. 

Most of my injuries have multiple causes and in this case it's a combination of running and non-running factors: the wrong sandals, combined with tightness in my achilles, caused by lack of sleep over a long period of time and the gradual disappearance of my yoga and strength training regimen. I worried briefly about a stress fracture, but I really don't think you can get a stress fracture on 20 miles a week, can you? Besides, I have similar but milder symptoms in the left foot as well. I think the right is just worse because I do so much running on the lovely left shoulder of the road. 

So - solution time. I've been icing twice daily since Friday. It helps. A lot. I will keep doing it.  I've reinstituted my cross training. I think I've figured out a time of day when I can do it consistently - I'll stick with it. I did an easy run today and it didn't seem to make anything worse, so I'll stick with it as long as things don't get worse. I'm really trying to get more sleep. I was hoping for 7.5 last night - I got a little closer. I'll keep trying. Maybe someday I'll discover what it feels like to function on a solid 8 hours. I'm looking forward to it. And finally - I've ditched the sandals. I'm having a hard time finding another comfortable pair of sandals in my closet. This may require a trip to the shoe store :) 

Night Sleep Time: 6.75Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 6.75
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Slow milesFast milesTotal Distance
2.000.002.00

You see that number in the night time sleep box? Seven! That's right, I got SEVEN full hours of sleep last night. Of course that means I had a terrible time getting up this morning. But hey, I think it's a feat that is definitely worth repeating. 

Only 2 today, but that's how Tuesday goes. The good news is that my Foot Injury Recovery Plan seems to be working. Even though I ran yesterday, the burning pain is decreasing and I can now wiggle my toes without significant pain. The bad news is my foot actually bothered me on my run, and it normally doesn't. I'm choosing to ignore that fact. 

Night Sleep Time: 7.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 7.00
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Slow milesFast milesTotal Distance
4.500.004.50

Had a few little bits of knobbly foot pain, but it's getting better every day. In the last few weeks my cross country running sons have been dealing with their own injuries - everything from High-Mileage Zero-Drop Shoes Achilles Tendontitis(opathy) to I'm-New-At-This-And-I've-Got-IT-Achilles-Shin-Band-Plantar-Splints-Fascitis. I know, sounds serious. I was going to write down a list of suggestions for them based on many years of self treating my own overuse running injuries, but I know it will eventually fall off the fridge one day when someone opens the door with a little too much gusto, and then it will end up in the garbage. So - I'm going to put it here, where I can come back and find it again. 

A CROSS COUNTRY MOM'S BASIC GUIDE TO MINOR INJURY RECOVERY

*notice all the qualifiers in that title - I'm no expert, just experienced

1. TREAT THE SYMPTOMS

     -Take care of your body: Sleep Well (8 hours!), Eat Well (More fruits and vegetables, less sugar and fewer processed foods), Drink Well (Water - lots)

     -Back off: This doesn't necessarily mean stop running. My general rule is: if pain increases during a run, you should probably take some time off (and search out more expert advice than my little list). Otherwise, for a few days simply slow down, skip the hills, and drop the mileage.

      -RICE it: That is - Really ICE it. Two to three times a day for 15-20 minutes. Faithfully. For at least a week. Or two. Just don't give yourself frostbite (it can happen).

      -Massage: Most running injuries are caused, or at least exacerbated, by tightness, usually in the glutes, hamstrings, calves, and that wonderful IT band (my personal nemesis). A stategically applied foam roller can work miracles on loosening up those tight spots and alleviating discomfort. I actually use a full #10 can on carpet (food storage to the rescue!). It works, and it's cheaper. "How to" instructions and videos are available on the web in abundance.

       -KT Tape: There are some scientifically-based and thoroughly-researched reasons for taping up an injury. Something to do with compression and circulation and such. It's a good idea, it feels pretty good, and the eye-catching colors will insure that the whole world knows you are injured and shouldn't be expected to run at your peak. It's relatively cheap, can be found at Walmart and applied by anyone (with a little help from Youtube). 

2. TREAT THE CAUSE

      -Shoes: YEA!! This is the best part. Many experts agree that when you get injured, you should start by examining your shoes. Are they too old? Too small? Too flat? Too narrow? The wrong color? Runners are more shoe obsessed than almost any other sub-category of the human species. There is a good reason for this - it matters! See your local specialty running shoe store for expert advice. They will tell you to consider rotating multiple pairs of shoes to keep from hammering the same spots every day. This is a good idea, and it helps them sell more shoes and stay in business. Win-win. Also - if your injury is foot related, take a good look at your every day shoes. Sometimes it's the shoes you're wearing for eight hours a day that are the culprit.

     -Cross Train: I know, I know. Runners just want to run. I get that. Unfortunately, I've never been strong enough to just run without injury. Maybe if I'd been taught proper form from the very beginning I could do it, but a lot of us novices need a little extra help. The bottom line is all that working a few of those opposing muscles can help prevent injury in the first place as well as speed recovery. Here are a few specific ideas:

                        Plantar Fascitis - when you sit down to watch a show, or read, or do homework etc... dump a bucket of marbles (or other small object) on the carpet. Pick up the marbles with your toes and drop them back in the bucket. This exercise and the next one may also help with shin splints.

                        Achilles Tendonitis - ECCENTRICS!  Heel drops, or calf raises, or whatever you want to call them. They are amazing. Google them. Do them consistently and do them well. Problem solved.

                        IT Band Syndrome - I'm so sorry. It's really best to keep this one from getting out of control. Once the inflammation has decreased (see note below), lunges and squats are the answer. Bike riding could also help. Be careful though, if you're still tight these exercises could also make things worse. You'll know if you feel that special ache coming on. Single leg squats are probably a better option at first. The idea is to strenghten your quads. 

                          *Note - A lot of injuries will allow you treat both the symptoms and the cause simultaneously. With some, however, it is best to wait for pain to subside before treating the issues that caused it (IT band pain is an example)

This list is by no means comprehensive, and it focuses mainly on the issues we've dealt with in our home, and I'm sure I'll be back to revise and edit it often. Here's to a healthy season!

    

Night Sleep Time: 6.75Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 6.75
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Slow milesFast milesTotal Distance
3.500.003.50

A beautiful run around the reservoir this morning. I thought about taking a break and sticking my feet in the cold water for a few minutes, but I was feeling good so I just headed home. I owned the big hill - at a nice, solid, tortoise-like pace. But I owned it none-the-less. My foot is feeling good enough to try try a long one tomorrow. Yea!!

Night Sleep Time: 7.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 7.00
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Slow milesFast milesTotal Distance
3.500.003.50

This is me not beating myself up over missing my run on Saturday. Especially since I got to cheer on some really amazing high school runners instead. I'm ready to get back to my normal routine this week though. Currently icing my sore foot. It's not any worse, but not all better either. Today's run was mentally theraputic which is just what I needed :)

Night Sleep Time: 7.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 7.00
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Slow milesFast milesTotal Distance
2.400.002.40

Not nearly enough sleep last night, but it was a nice easy short one today. A little yoga this morning. Haven't iced my foot yet, but it's better than yesterday. One of these days I should run more miles than hours that I sleep. The rate I'm going that shouldn't be too hard. 

Night Sleep Time: 5.50Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 5.50
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Slow milesFast milesTotal Distance
5.000.005.00

What an absolutely gorgeous morning! Days like today are what keep me running. There's nothing quite like running down a quiet path on the side of a mountain, looking over the majestic scenery and feeling like you're a part of something glorious. The sun  was perfect, the breeze was perfect, and when I rejoined civilization on the road nobody even tried to run me over. What more could I ask for? I went a little farther than I set out to, but I felt good so I kept going. I'm glad to finally get something in over four miles. Maybe I can get back to a seven or eight mile long run on Saturday.

Night Sleep Time: 6.75Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 6.75
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Slow milesFast milesTotal Distance
2.000.002.00

Have I mentioned I love this time of year? The sunflowers are blooming which means it's time to run the east bench trail. Yea! Yoga this morning followed by an easy two miles. My foot started bothering me after 1.5. Probably shouldn't have worn the green shoes, but I'm tired of wearing the blue ones. Definitely time to look into new shoes. Maybe I should actually pay attention to what I have. The green ones are Brooks Pure something-or-other. I've had them for a couple of years, but not used them very much. The blue ones I've had for a year and I wear them most of the time, but I seriously don't know the brand. Saucony, I think? That's pathetic - without even looking my son could tell me the brand, weight, drop and all the pros and cons. I'd better take him shoe shopping with me. If I ever actually go do it. 

Night Sleep Time: 6.75Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 6.75
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Slow milesFast milesTotal Distance
3.500.003.50

Five days in a row. Yea! Now that's more like it. Today was a little warmer than I prefer, but nothing to complain about. My foot hurt again about a mile to a mile and a half into the run. It eventually went away, but I'm still a little concerned. I haven't had as much of that burning sensation in the base of the pinkie toe (since I ditched my crocs sandals), but it was aching more on the top of the foot this time. Doesn't hurt much during the day. I really think it's just a combination of bursitis and tendonitits, but in my forefoot instead of my ankle/heel. If it ever gets really uncomfortable I should probably actually get it x-rayed to rule out stress fracture. In the meantime I'll just continue with my standard treament protocal which is to ignore it and hope it goes away. 

Night Sleep Time: 6.50Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 6.50
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Slow milesFast milesTotal Distance
9.600.009.60

My husband tried to kill me. It's been a few weeks since my last long run, so I thought I'd just do a mediumish 6 or 7. He not only talked me in to joining him on his run, but then convinced me to do the entire thing with him. The good news is that it did not, in fact, kill me. And the even better news is that I don't even have any residual tightness or achiness. I did soak my feet a couple of times afterwards and they are not any worse than usual.

 

As I post this I suddenly realize that all of my posts have been a week behind. I ran 20 miles the first week of August, not 10! I can't believe I didn't notice for three whole weeks. Guess I'm subconsciously trying to prolong summer. 

Night Sleep Time: 6.50Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 6.50
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Slow milesFast milesTotal Distance
3.000.003.00

Actually August 5th. For some reason I stared blogging on the wrong week. So the 1st, 2nd and 3rd weeks of August on the blog were actually the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th weeks. I'm sticking the real first week of August here on the 4th week because it would be way too complicated to sort it out. At least the mileage will all be there. 

Night Sleep Time: 0.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 0.00
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Slow milesFast milesTotal Distance
4.000.004.00

Night Sleep Time: 0.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 0.00
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Slow milesFast milesTotal Distance
2.400.002.40

Night Sleep Time: 0.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 0.00
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Slow milesFast milesTotal Distance
3.000.003.00

Night Sleep Time: 0.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 0.00
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Slow milesFast milesTotal Distance
8.000.008.00

Night Sleep Time: 0.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 0.00
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Slow milesFast milesTotal Distance
78.800.0078.80
Night Sleep Time: 91.50Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 91.50
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