Good Timing

Not that anyone ever wants to be sick, but some times are better than others for the ole flu bug to hit.

As part of my Plan C I'm still not running.  But with 5 days of sore throat, achy body, and congested sinuses I really haven't missed running.  Since I was feeling like "death on a soda cracker" (another one of my husband's apt descriptions), I've actually slept in everyday and didn't at all feel guilty.

I have forced myself to pedal on our stationary bike twice this week.  Riding a real bike could have been dangerous since I was even getting headrushes and dizziness while lying down in bed.

Know When to Say When

Plan B is not working. I ran/limped 7 miles disappointing miles this morning.  My hip and I.T. band were hurting so much that I changed my gait which then caused all sorts of other places to hurt.

Moving on to Plan C.  I'm going to not run for...2 weeks.  From what others have said I probably should make that 4 or 6 or 8 weeks, but I'm having a hard enough time with the 2 weeks.

Sometimes you got to know when to listen to the signs your body is giving you.  Unfortunately, right now mine is saying:

Live Life to Its Fullest

Today I just can't help it.  I can't stop thinking about my great aunt Mitzie.  On Tuesday she was diagnosed with Acute Leukemia and given 2-3 weeks to live.  On Wednesday the doctors shortened that to 3-4 days.  Early this morning she passed away.  Tante Mitzie was a wonderful woman who endured living in Holland during World War II.  She and her husband emigrated to America in the early 1950s where they eventually opened up The Old Dutch Store (you've got to try their imported chocolates).

When my time comes to pass on that's the way I'd want it: quick but with enough time to say goodbye. 

But the purpose of this post is not to make you sad.  Actually, the opposite.  Since you never know what life is gonna bring you live life to its fullest. 

Stop procrastinating your wish list.
Stop saying "maybe next month" or "maybe next year".

Start saying "I did it!"

Cycling

My I.T. band is still bothering me so I came up with a new plan.

Plan B is to ride my bike instead of running during the week, then go on my scheduled long runs on the weekends so I can still run my marathon this October.

This morning was my first bike ride since buying a new seat (or saddle) for the bike that my husband, son, and I share.  This new seat has lots more padding and is wider then the previous one so I was hoping to not have such a "hurtin' hind end" at the end of my ride.  Unfortunately, I was still a little sore, but I'm gonna keep trying.  When I first started running I was sore all over but if I'd have stopped running  I wouldn't be where I am today.

The true test of my plan B will be this weekend when I go on my long run.  Cross your fingers for me.

Iliotibial Band Pain

Frustrated would be one description.  Ticked off another.  So would a few 4 letter words.  I hate my iliotibial band!

Last year, IT band issues damaged the cartlige in my right knee.  It took arthroscopic surgery to fix that problem.  I thought I'd be able to run pain free, and I was...for a few months.

This year I'm having issues with my IT band on my left leg, but up by my hip as opposed to my knee.  I've tried heat, ice, rest, stretches and rolling it out with a foam roller.  Nothing has worked so far.  It wasn't that big of an issue since I wasn't training for any specific races lately.  But I've been uping my mileage getting ready for an October marathon.  This past Friday I eeked out a 12 miler.  I felt like I was dragging my left leg behind me like Quasimodo.

Short of completely not running for a month or two, does anyone have any advice for how to get rid of IT band pain?

Running Ahead

Looking for a good online running log?

You've got to try Running Ahead.

I run with a Garmin Forerunner 305.  I love the watch and all the features that it has.  What I'm not so impressed with is the Training Center running log that comes with the Garmin Forerunner watches.  The Training Center has good graphs but lacks a detailed, interactive map.

Having tried other free online running logs, I've found that Running Ahead has everything I need in a running log.  Great maps or your runs, ability to track mileage on shoes, keeps track of the type of run you did (fartlek, intervals, etc) and displays them in a summary graph like you see above.  The calendar is a great feature.  You can view your whole month's training in one screen!

If "free" and "great" can ever describe something, Running Ahead is that something.  You've got to try it!

Mattress Disease

For the past month I've been suffering from what my husband calls "mattress disease".  In other words, it takes all my effort to roll myself out of bed to go running. 

But so far this summer, only once have I hit the snooze and failed to going running at all that day.  But I do average 10-30 minutes of laying there not wanting to get up.

Today was no exception but there was a deep twitch in my legs, it's like they were saying "feed me" and what they wanted was speed.

I was too lazy to do intervals but I did convince myself to run fartleks this morning.  My legs thanked me and my brain realized that I did have some speed in me.  All in all, I was pleased with my performance.

So, feel free to hit the snooze but also make sure you hit the pavement too.

Running on TV

With our previous cable company we enjoyed watching the Universal Sports channel.  When we switched to a satellite tv company we regretfully had to give up the US channel.  Much to our delight Directv has no added the Universal Sports channel (ch. # 625) to our line-up.  It couldn't have come at a better time.  The World Championships for track and field are August 27-September 4th.

We've also been able to follow the Diamond League track meets as well as the World Championships for swimming (we got to see history in the making as Ryan Lochte beat Michael Phelps).

U.S. channel also broadcasts more marathons, triathlons and Ironmans then any other channel.

Check out your channel lineup and start watching events happen instead of just hearing about them.

Reasons Why you should run trails

For the past month I've opted to run along the dirt road next to the miles long irrigation canal in our area. 

Here's 5 reasons why you should try trail running:
1. Lighter on feet: With dodging rocks and ruts you'll run more gingerly which will over time make your foot turnover faster which will then make your pace faster too

2. Alleviate some injuries: Two years ago I went to see the podiatrist about my sore left foot.  It turns out I'd irritated a ligament due to doing what I thought was right which is running against traffic.  But if you're always running on the left hand side of a crowned paved road then your lef will work harder as it tries to balance your body.  So running on unpaved, uncrowned dirt roads or trails will help prevent some injuries.  Not to mention the lesser impact your body and joints experience when you run on dirt.

3. Privacy if you need to potty:  Need I say any more on this subject?

4. Strengthen muscles:  Running surfaces in order of hardest to softest is as follows:
a) concrete   b) asphalt   c) dirt   d) grass   e) sand
The harder the surface the harder it is on your joints but the easier it is on your muscles in that it takes less energy to run on harder surfaces (ie concrete absorbs less energy so your pushoff if easier).  So by running on dirt will help strenghten your running muscles as it takes more effort to run on softer surfaces, especially your core muscles and foot/ankle muscles since your constantly trying to find the smoothest path. (Technically, grass and sand are softer but for my area the only large pieces of grass are school fields which are as exciting to run as laps around a track; and I live about 500 miles from any beach so sand isn't really an option for me).

5) Change of scenery: If you're tired of dodging cars and the irresponsible texting drivers then try the trails.

Running on somewhat maintained dirt roads probably won't warrant you needing to get trail running shoes, but if you're headed for "foresty" trails and paths, please run responsibly and get the proper footwear.

Happy trails to ya!

Slothful Success

I've been feeling pretty slothful lately.  After the alarm goes off I lay there for 10-15 minutes before rolling out of bed.  The whole time I'm getting ready to run I'm telling myself I'll just go 3 miles at an easy pace...at least I'm running, right?

Well this morning during my first mile I was trudging along thinking about how I just gave my son a pep talk about trying his best at football practice.  How can I motivate him and expect him to follow through when I can't even get my own hind end in gear?!

With that thought pushing me I ended up running 4 1/2 miles, 3 of which were at tempo pace.

The mind is a powerful tool...use it to your advantage.