October 2020 Monthly Running Challange
Replies
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Thanks @quilteryoyo. I'm starting to get excited about the opportunity. And I feel really bad for my boss too. I know he never wanted it to come to this point.
Thanks @scot6255. I'm really glad that I will be able to move from one job to the next without a gap between them. Plus I already know some of the people over there.
Thanks @TheMrWobbly! And I'm really looking forward to Running the World.
Thanks also @skippygirlsmom and @Marisap2010. I kind of feel like he's been trying to figure out for months how not to have to let me go and then when he heard that his best friend's company needed someone and was having trouble finding a good candidate he decided that was a sign. In the end I think it will work out for all of us. Change is hard though and I am used to being the entire office and doing whatever I want as long as I get my job done so it will be an adjustment. But it might be nice to not be by myself 75% of the time like I am now.
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10/1 – 5.23 miles
10/3 – 21.06 miles
Goal – 125 miles
Last long run before my virtual marathon. It was a chilly 39F at the start and we had to use a light for the first three miles as it was dark on the trail when we first began. We soon warmed up though, the sun came out and it was a nice 60F when we finished a few hours later.
Question of the month: I’ve been very blessed with minimal running injuries. Last was gluteal tendinitis and before that I had bursitis behind my knee. Each time about 7-10 days of non-running, stretching, and RICE greatly improved things. My one recommendation for running related injuries is to go to a doctor who runs. They understand and will do what they can to get you back to running as soon as possible.
@rheddmobile – From looking at your pictures I would never in a million years guess that you were once obese and physically incapable of exercising. Congratulations on all the hard work it took to turn your life around.
@kgirlhart – Sorry about the work upheaval. I hope it is a blessing in disguise and you will be challenged by and love the new job.
Congrats on the PRs @eleanorhawkins! Very impressive times!
I’m all in for the Run the World challenge @TheMrWobbly! I will be running in Virginia.
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@TheMrWobbly Glad you had one of those runs where you feel like you could just keep going. I forgot to mention, when I said yes to the challenge, that I live in E. TN.
@skippygirlsmom WOW! That was a horrible string of injuries! Glad you were patient and pushed through and made it back! Being 61, I fear recovery will take longer than I want it to.
@marisap2010 Those infections of unknown origin are horrible. Glad it all worked out. Hope you aren't too sore tomorrow.
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@kgirlhart - so sorry about the job loss but thank goodness for being able to walk into another good job. I'm sure it was a stressful and tough situation though.
Wonderful run @Scott6255!
Re: the monthly question - I am also lucky not to have dealt with serious injuries and long recoveries. The two biggest things were when I had some terrible back pain and was unable to run for about a week then eased back into it, and when I fell at a race and bruised my ribs. It was a couple of weeks before I could really run with that one. I also had a really hard time coming back for a couple of weeks from a Spartan race in December last year because my calves and hamstrings really took a beating from the terrain and my zero drop shoes. That's really the most I've felt actual use injury from running. I just did a lot of rolling and sauna time and stretching, and took time off from running. Which was right before I started my current run streak actually.
Date :::: Miles :::: Cumulative
10/01/20 :::: 2.1 :::: 2.1
10/02/20 :::: 1.8 :::: 3.9
10/03/20 :::: 5.0 :::: 8.9
I had to cut short the long run this morning to get to work for another 3 hours of zoom meeting. I had a nice run with my friends though, who listened and commiserated about my various stresses and heartbreaks right now. I feel fortunate to have the outlet of running but more so the friends to go with it.6 -
I played singles tennis this morning. I didn't feel like I got a lot of exercise, but my friend/opponent was impressed by some of the balls I was able to get to and said, "You are defiantly faster than you used to be." That's nice to hear.
I came home and ran 3 miles, easy pace on the driveway, and walked 1 mile. First run of the month.
Some of my friends and family were concerned about my continuing to exercise/run, even though the Physician's Assistant had said it was okay. I was second guessing it myself, as I realized last Saturday that I had developed a cough when I run - have had it for about a month. (One of the symptoms of the aneurysm being large is a cough.)
So, I called the doctor and finally got to talk to them yesterday. At first, when the nurse didn't realize that I had been running, they told me to run a little bit and check my BP to make sure it wasn't getting too high. But, once they knew how much I had been running, they said not to worry about checking it, that as long as my "resting" blood pressure was good, I would be fine. Just for grins, I checked it after my run today. It was 114/72. Yeah. I think I'm good.
Also, they said that the cough could be exercise induced asthma and suggested that I get a script from my primary care physician for an inhaler. I had been diagnosed with this a few years back, but it hadn't seemed to be a problem lately. Anyway, I called my PCP and was able to get an inhaler yesterday. I used it today and it did seem to mitigate the cough. So, good news on both counts.
Thanks to everyone who has shared their medical woes. It is inspiring, as I had hoped it would be.10 -
9.3/70 miles
10/2: 3.1 miles
10/3: 6.2 miles
Did my longest run in several months this morning. My body could definitely tell when I hit 4.5 miles and it started struggling a little but it felt nice to do a longer distance. I'm trying a new training plan and it adapts to your fitness. I guess the cooler weather perked my pace up too much because it adjusted and my runs are a little longer and the speed work is faster. I'm not sure I can do it, but I'm going to try and see what happens. After all, I can't really fail. Maybe I'll surprise myself!8 -
@TheMrWobbly I would also be in for running the world.
@kgirlhart There’s a thingy I learned about way back in my psych student days, for grading stressful life events, and losing a parent is way up there and so is changing jobs. I’m sure you are probably already aware your life is stressful right now, but please be extra careful! Be cautious and eat right and try to get good sleep and lean on your friends!
@quilteryoyo Not gonna lie, when my dad was recovering from his heart valve replacement he said having his chest cracked was no fun at all. But the recovery itself didn’t take as long as you might think, and he came back strong. In your position I would make sure all the members of my team knew I was a runner and athlete and intended to remain one, and discuss what to expect beforehand.2 -
@TheMrWobbly wrote: »
Our Pastor Vincent challenge that @rheddmobile set up was very inspiring so I would like to set up a challenge for this group to "Run the World" in 2021. We have over 30 active members in the group so covering 24,901 miles (the equator of the earth) between us is achievable especially if @AlphaHowls is on board!
The challenge will run for the full year and I would like to create a route map with as many of our home towns on as possible so if you would like your home town featured or a memorable running spot let me know where to add. It might not be possible to fit them all in though I know I can get Europe, North America, Japan, Australia and New Zealand in the mileage depending on how many zig zags are needed.
If we have enough people I will organise some free bling to go with the challenge.
*dew claws up*
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eleanorhawkins wrote: »
It's a lot better today, doesn't seem to be leaking any more unless I press down hard on the nail, I think I just burst the blister with the clippers and it was the liquid inside that that was slowly escaping. At least it hasn't hurt today. More antibiotic slathering before bed. Maybe I will just do the distance for the virtual race tomorrow but not 'race' it. Who am I fooling?
Take care of yourself!
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eleanorhawkins wrote: »The main thing I like about the Hal app is you tell it which days you want to run and it adapts the plans to that. So as long as you always run on the same days it's great. No flexibility though.
So, dunno if anyone believed me when I said I wouldn't race my virtual race this morning. Cause oh boy did I race it. Apparently dodgy toenails lead to PRs galore! I had never expected to run a sub 30 minute 5k (28:53), or a 61:13 10k, even less so during a solo virtual race. The high hasn't worn off yet :-)
Whoever said the Galloway (run-walk-run) method isn't running can look at those numbers and go take a hike! 😂
Congratulations on all the PRs!0 -
@durhammfp I started using the Hal Higdon Novice 2 HM training plan when I trained for my first Half. I picked it because it has you running 4 days a week instead of 5 and that is what I do. The distance was less than I was already running though so I tweaked the mileage. But I stuck to the basic plan of 1 long run, 1 day of speed work and the other runs easy. That was actually advice given to me by @PastorVincent.
@martaindale and @kgirlhart I can't remember if I mentioned, and this thread gets soooo long soooo fast, but I'm using one of Hal's plans for the 10K. Really I just picked one at random but it is for 5 days/week and I wanted to see if I could do that. So far so good. I'm glad to see his plans are working for people. Hal's 10K plan was my graduation from the c25k/b210k apps and I am using it mostly as a reminder to just get out there and run.
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polskagirl01 wrote: »
I do a similar thing with Hal's plans, except I start with the advanced plans (because I like the speedwork suggestions), delete one easy run and sub out another easy/medium run for cycling or swimming. I do the days in whatever order fits my schedule. So he probably would say I'm not actually following his plan. I'm ok with that
As I mentioned in another post, (in response to @kgirlhart and @martaindale) I am just getting out of the c25k/b210K apps and saw Hal's plans online. (Since then I have noticed a ton of other free plans that all seem a lot more complicated than Hal's.)
I would like to do speedwork at some point. Right now in my 10K plan I am subbing just plain old easy runs for those days b/c all the speedwork suggestions can be confusing. Take hills for example. I was watching Anna on The Running Channel (youtube) talk about hills. I need to find a flat one-mile-long place to run that leads up to a hill of a certain grade for a certain distance. Um. No. Where I live there are hills and they are low but they are pretty much everywhere. Finding a one-mile flat run that leads up to a steep-ish hill is just not going to happen.
So if you were a new runner and just starting speedwork, what are the one or two types of sessions that would be very simple? Also, when they say do 1x1600 followed by 2x800 followed by 4x400, what do they mean? I know the 400 is 400 meters, but are there rests between each 400 meters and another rest between the sets of different lengths? It just seems overly complicated.
Anyway, thanks for letting me kvetch. :-)1 -
martaindale wrote: »9.3/70 miles
10/2: 3.1 miles
10/3: 6.2 miles
Did my longest run in several months this morning. My body could definitely tell when I hit 4.5 miles and it started struggling a little but it felt nice to do a longer distance. I'm trying a new training plan and it adapts to your fitness. I guess the cooler weather perked my pace up too much because it adjusted and my runs are a little longer and the speed work is faster. I'm not sure I can do it, but I'm going to try and see what happens. After all, I can't really fail. Maybe I'll surprise myself!
Interesting, this is my plan for today and tomorrow... 3.1 followed by 6.2. Actually on the plan it is 3 and 6 but heck I can't help but round up. 10Ks in training are still a little scary to me.2 -
@durhammfp here's some examples of basic speedwork sessions that my coach has us do on a cycle.
Hill repeats - just find a hill that takes a minute or so to run up to the top. Alternate running up halfway, jogging back down, run all the way up, jog back down, and keep alternating for between 15-30 minutes total.
Short intervals: e.g. 1 minute intervals with 1 minute recoveries between (jog or walk recovery) x 12 times. These can be done out and back or on a track you can keep looping around. Run as hard as you can sustain for 1 minute at a time, 12 times.
Long intervals: 5-7-3 minute intervals x 2 sets with 90 seconds recovery between.
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Wow. That was pretty damn inspirational.
I had a come-to-Jesus moment myself when I needed to lose 50 pounds... but it was based on how I saw diabetes/insulin resistance/Alzheimer's wreck my father's life, not on a scary life situation of my own. It really put a fire under my *kitten* to change my ways when I witnessed my father dying.
One thing I like about your story is how determined you were and how you came to your partner and just laid it down what changes were going to happen. I think the one thing that helped me lose weight was knowing my partner had/has my back 100%. That's important for a lot of reasons but a big one is being on the same page as far as cleaning all the junk out of the house.rheddmobile wrote: »quilteryoyo wrote: »I don't think we had a monthly question in September. I'd like to propose that the following as a strictly selfish one to give me inspiration as I recover from surgery - hopefully this month. "What is the worst injury/medical issue that you have come back from and how did you do it?"
Yeah skip the following if you are squeamish about surgical details.
Ovarian torsion caused by a massive (benign) tumor which led to the death of the ovary. Did not have health insurance at the time so the hospital really wanted to pretend I didn’t have a problem - they sent me home with a torsion, saying that the ultrasound showed I had blood flow (found out later by reading this is not diagnostic of torsion) where I stayed for about a month in off and on blinding pain. At this time I developed diabetes for the first time, which is apparently pretty common for it to first emerge during a severe illness when stress causes a cortisol spike, blocking the effects of insulin. Anyway I felt as if I was starving, too exhausted to get out of bed, and scarfed down entire bags of candy at one sitting, yet lost 25 lbs in a month, because I wasn’t getting enough insulin to metabolize my food. Finally went back to the ER and literally threatened to kill myself if they didn’t do something, which got their attention - I had to have someone sit with me at all times from that point forward - but also got a compassionate doctor to call his personal friend who was a gyn to recommend I be admitted. Seriously that dude has a place in heaven. They took 2 days to get me stabilized enough to operate, found out the ovary was dead and necrotic and had a 11 cm tumor on it, and also oh by the way your bg was 270 the first time we saw you, we just didn’t bother mentioning it to anyone.
I definitely got to see the best and worst of the medical profession at that time! The ER doctor who claimed I didn’t have anything wrong with me is still an ER doctor. I have encountered him since when visiting the ER and he once again misdiagnosed me, saying my ruptured Baker’s cyst wasn’t ruptured because “they don’t do that.” When I eventually got into an ortho clinic they said it was the worst rupture they had ever seen of a Baker’s cyst. On the other hand once I got past the ER, the staff at the women’s hospital were amazing. My surgeon went out of his way to get my tumor out without having to convert to an open surgery - he was very proud of his ingenuity, he put the tumor in a baggie and drained it into the baggie, then brought it out without having to enlarge the incision.
And then once I was back in the care of normal, not women’s hospital professionals, they were Star-spangled morons again - like the endocrinologist who sent me home with a massive prescription for medication that lowers blood glucose, no advise and no monitor. And the hospital dietician who gave me a consult for my diabetes and recommended eating no more than “three carbs” per meal, with one carb defined as a baked potato, sweet potato, piece of pie, or whatever. I still have the chart she gave me and it’s horrifying in how inappropriate the advice is. I guess she was used to dealing with people who ate a certain way and weren’t willing to make changes, so she had dumbed everything down to the point of uselessness. I do remember that I asked if quinoa was better or worse for diabetics than other grains and she had never heard of it. It occurs to me now that possibly she had seen it written and never heard it out loud, and had no idea how it was pronounced. Fortunately I did my own reading, bought my own meter, and got my own blood sugar under control.
So, when I emerged from the hospital, I had a new diabetes diagnosis, lots of meds, a three inch incision on my belly, and instructions not to drive for at least two weeks. I also couldn’t see, because the sudden change in blood glucose had warped my corneas and my vision was temporarily very blurry. I was morbidly obese and had been so sick for so long that I couldn’t walk to my mailbox without getting winded. And I was d.o.n.e. Done with being sick all the time. So I sat down with my husband and had a talk about the bad habits we had and how I wasn’t going to be a part of them any more. I had previously lost 50 lbs twice before, and put it all back on both times due to gradually giving way to eating more like he did. I told him I wasn’t cooking junk for him, I wasn’t going out to eat junk, and I wasn’t going to be around it in my home. And I was going to start working out every day, and I didn’t expect him to complain about it. And having seen me nearly dead he was pretty scared and agreed to support me. And to be fair he has done exactly that ever since.
I was so weak when I started that walking around my block was exhausting. But I did it, the day after I got home. I started lifting cans and water bottles until I was strong enough to lift weights. I did research and started eating to the meter - testing my blood after every meal and adjusting my carbs accordingly to keep my blood sugar within normal range. At my first follow up appointment my doctor lowered my meds because I kept going low. By the second appointment he took me off everything but metformin, and called in the other doctors to show them how much weight I had lost and how he wished all patients were like me. I still had stitches at Christmas and my goal was to be no longer obese by my birthday in June. I made it, and started running shortly after. By December of that year I was normal weight and had run my first 5k.
So, when most people say couch to 5k, they didn’t literally start from the couch. I did. I could barely even walk short distances and was almost completely disabled by illness when I started. This short telling makes it sound like I was determined and put in a bunch of hard work, but I’m leaving out the parts where I cried and cursed my life and screamed things like “If I have to work out every day in order to eat I don’t know why it’s even worth it to be alive!” Yes, this is a real thing that happened. For months, while I was getting used to doing what I needed to do. No pie, ever - sugar substitutes taste like poison to me and even a small sliver will spike my blood glucose. No Coke, ever. I used to drink giant coke icees all the time, they were literally my favorite thing. And instead of playing video games all day (I make video games for a living so playing them is an occupational hazard) I didn’t have time, because I was running and lifting. And I really did hate it. But I did it, because when you need to do something or you will die, you just do it. Not being able to see really brought home to me that high blood glucose destroys the body. Reading about the high chance of stroke, heart attack, and amputation if I had uncontrolled diabetes, combined with the death that year of my dear friend from diabetes related causes, drove home the point. I had to change to live and I did it. But that first six months I hated every moment of every day.
I had to seek out new pleasures and new sources of pleasure to keep going. Now I love running, I love lifting, and I love the food I eat. I don’t fear going back to my old way of living because it seems terrible and I can’t imagine why I liked it at the time.
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Question of the month:
So, in terms of coming back from in a running perspective.... it is probably the origin story for the wonky ankle.
Now, because I think there are lessons to be learned from my stupidity, I’m including some additional details.... for the younger readers.... if you ever find yourself infatuated with a boy, and your brain ever goes thru any of the same thoughts mine did in part one of the story.... please run the other direction! Like in the literal, and figurative sense!
So, forgive the novel, but there are soooo many “do what I say not as I do” lessons. Promise not too much gore.My best friend had been trying to get me to be a runner since we were in 7th grade. I was not being fooled by that craziness. But... at 25, and having gained 5-10 lbs a year since graduating high school, I realized I needed to do something. So I was doing C25K for the first of what has become dozens of times. And was making great progress on both the running and the weight loss.
Then one night, I was out doing chores (I was living with my fiancé at the time, and we had more dogs and horses than anyone should find logical.) and I failed at walking. I would love to say I stepped in a hole, but no, I don’t even think there was a low spot, I just failed at walking. But the ankle made noises I can’t even describe, and took all my air with me, and I hit the ground. I spent a few minutes not even convinced I was going to get up, and finally managed to do that. And THEN because of *insert red flag #1 for thoughts that indicate a bad situation here* ... knowing it was in my best interests to hobble around and finish the chores, than come inside without them having been finished.... that is what I did. (Chores took about 30 minutes longer than they should have, and no, somebody never came out to look for me.)
Then, because we had his friends coming over, I knew there wasn’t time to get it looked at, and as I was supposed to be the lovely little housewife, I literally duck taped a ziplock bag of ice to my ankle, and proceeded to be the lady of the house. *insert red flag #2 here*.
This all happened on a Friday, and we lived in a small town, and so, since my only choice the next morning would have involved an ER, and I knew that we didn’t have enough money for that, due to somebody’s spending habits (not due to actual income) *insert red flag #3 here*.... I waited clear until Monday to get it looked at.
So, hobble into doc, with vet wrap on the ankle. They X-ray it, not broken, apparently. I get told that I sprained it badly enough that I would have been better off to have broken it. And RE-WRAP THE VET WRAP I came in with.... tell me to use crutches for two weeks.... and send me on my way.... no follow up, no pt, no protection, no nothing..... I have since learned this is not at all what’s should have happened.
And let’s just say I still really couldn’t walk on it after two weeks, but that’s what the doc said, so that is what I did. It eventually got better seeming, and I dabbled in and out of running, falling off the wagon many times. But over the next several years, if I did something dumb, or stepped off a sidewalk wrong, it would swell up pretty good. Didn’t think anything of it. Would go away after a couple of days.
Then... I got talked into training for a half marathon. Originally by my boss, who later backed out, but not before best friend was convinced we were going to do it. I did pretty well until I started to get into 8-10 mile runs. Then it kinda got swollen, and didn’t go away. This was in February. I knew that’s if I got it looked at I would get told to stop running. So, rather than run AGAINST medical advice... I just didn’t seek any, until after the half marathon in June. (Perhaps logical, but not smart.) and then I started with more small town not awesome medical advice. So, even after half marathon. Spent 6 months with essentially “don’t run” type advice, and an ankle that was not only swollen but “clicking” and aching when I walked or ran....
Was actually the personal trainer I found to help with my lifting (since without running, my lifting was progressing faster than my form could keep up.). Anyways, it was the lifting coach who expressed far more concern with the instability, weakness, swelling, etc he saw in the ankle, than anyone else had. Recommended me to an actual orthopedic doctor, and GOOD physical therapist.
And we made progress.... I was back up to 5-9 mile runs.... and then work moved me. And I fell off the wagon. And got fluffy. And now I’m on round 3 of building back mileage, and going back to physical therapy, because despite knowing dozens of pt exercises to help with wonky ankle.... I apparently require some of the manual manipulation, and other anti inflammatory voodoo that I can’t seem to do to myself.
So,I’m on like round 500 of my running come back. But I just keep trying. Down 15 ish lbs this time. So, doing better than if I didn’t try again.
But I’m also not married anymore.... and based on the above story... I consider that to be an important recovery or “comeback” to my self and self confidence, sort of thing, also.
No running today, still a bit gimpy from pt... and had adulting to do. So, we will try again tomorrow.
Edited to add the PS- I am game for run the world...I can hopefully be a less flakey helper going forward, but no promises.... but sounds like a fun idea. And wyoming isn’t on the way to anywhere so, no offense taken if the path comes no where close.6 -
katharmonic wrote: »@durhammfp here's some examples of basic speedwork sessions that my coach has us do on a cycle.
Hill repeats - just find a hill that takes a minute or so to run up to the top. Alternate running up halfway, jogging back down, run all the way up, jog back down, and keep alternating for between 15-30 minutes total.
Short intervals: e.g. 1 minute intervals with 1 minute recoveries between (jog or walk recovery) x 12 times. These can be done out and back or on a track you can keep looping around. Run as hard as you can sustain for 1 minute at a time, 12 times.
Long intervals: 5-7-3 minute intervals x 2 sets with 90 seconds recovery between.
I am putting these in my back pocket. Thanks! So for your long intervals you mean 5 minutes hard, 90 sec recovery, 7 minutes hard, 90 sec recovery, 3 minutes hard, 90 sec recovery, then do it again. Right?1 -
polskagirl01 wrote: »
I do a similar thing with Hal's plans, except I start with the advanced plans (because I like the speedwork suggestions), delete one easy run and sub out another easy/medium run for cycling or swimming. I do the days in whatever order fits my schedule. So he probably would say I'm not actually following his plan. I'm ok with that
As I mentioned in another post, (in response to @kgirlhart and @martaindale) I am just getting out of the c25k/b210K apps and saw Hal's plans online. (Since then I have noticed a ton of other free plans that all seem a lot more complicated than Hal's.)
I would like to do speedwork at some point. Right now in my 10K plan I am subbing just plain old easy runs for those days b/c all the speedwork suggestions can be confusing. Take hills for example. I was watching Anna on The Running Channel (youtube) talk about hills. I need to find a flat one-mile-long place to run that leads up to a hill of a certain grade for a certain distance. Um. No. Where I live there are hills and they are low but they are pretty much everywhere. Finding a one-mile flat run that leads up to a steep-ish hill is just not going to happen.
So if you were a new runner and just starting speedwork, what are the one or two types of sessions that would be very simple? Also, when they say do 1x1600 followed by 2x800 followed by 4x400, what do they mean? I know the 400 is 400 meters, but are there rests between each 400 meters and another rest between the sets of different lengths? It just seems overly complicated.
Anyway, thanks for letting me kvetch. :-)
They should tell you how long to rest for and whether it’s a total stop or running slowly. That being said, the longer the interval the longer the rest - my 800s last week had 3 minutes at an easy pace between, and I’d think probably 90 seconds for 400s. After your 1600 you’d want at least three minutes to recover after that.
Another speed work option which I love are fartleks. Google it. They’re simple and don’t require a track. However, a simple one would be to run at an easy pace for 10 minutes to warm up, then run at 5k race pace for 2 minutes, then 1 minute at easy/recovery pace. Repeat this five times (add more as you get fitter). Then run slowly for 10 minutes to cool down.
As for hills, find a slope (one that’s not too steep) that is long enough for you to run continuously for 30 seconds. After you’ve warmed up, run up the hill at a steady pace and walk/slowly run down. Then repeat five times. Time your hill sprints and aim to get them all exactly the same time. This will mean the first couple may feel easy and the last one will be tough. Once again, as your strength and fitness builds, increase the number of repetitions, or run slightly longer, say 40 seconds uphill.
Hope this helps.5 -
Question of the month:
So, in terms of coming back from in a running perspective.... it is probably the origin story for the wonky ankle.
Now, because I think there are lessons to be learned from my stupidity, I’m including some additional details.... for the younger readers.... if you ever find yourself infatuated with a boy, and your brain ever goes thru any of the same thoughts mine did in part one of the story.... please run the other direction! Like in the literal, and figurative sense!
So, forgive the novel, but there are soooo many “do what I say not as I do” lessons. Promise not too much gore.My best friend had been trying to get me to be a runner since we were in 7th grade. I was not being fooled by that craziness. But... at 25, and having gained 5-10 lbs a year since graduating high school, I realized I needed to do something. So I was doing C25K for the first of what has become dozens of times. And was making great progress on both the running and the weight loss.
Then one night, I was out doing chores (I was living with my fiancé at the time, and we had more dogs and horses than anyone should find logical.) and I failed at walking. I would love to say I stepped in a hole, but no, I don’t even think there was a low spot, I just failed at walking. But the ankle made noises I can’t even describe, and took all my air with me, and I hit the ground. I spent a few minutes not even convinced I was going to get up, and finally managed to do that. And THEN because of *insert red flag #1 for thoughts that indicate a bad situation here* ... knowing it was in my best interests to hobble around and finish the chores, than come inside without them having been finished.... that is what I did. (Chores took about 30 minutes longer than they should have, and no, somebody never came out to look for me.)
Then, because we had his friends coming over, I knew there wasn’t time to get it looked at, and as I was supposed to be the lovely little housewife, I literally duck taped a ziplock bag of ice to my ankle, and proceeded to be the lady of the house. *insert red flag #2 here*.
This all happened on a Friday, and we lived in a small town, and so, since my only choice the next morning would have involved an ER, and I knew that we didn’t have enough money for that, due to somebody’s spending habits (not due to actual income) *insert red flag #3 here*.... I waited clear until Monday to get it looked at.
So, hobble into doc, with vet wrap on the ankle. They X-ray it, not broken, apparently. I get told that I sprained it badly enough that I would have been better off to have broken it. And RE-WRAP THE VET WRAP I came in with.... tell me to use crutches for two weeks.... and send me on my way.... no follow up, no pt, no protection, no nothing..... I have since learned this is not at all what’s should have happened.
And let’s just say I still really couldn’t walk on it after two weeks, but that’s what the doc said, so that is what I did. It eventually got better seeming, and I dabbled in and out of running, falling off the wagon many times. But over the next several years, if I did something dumb, or stepped off a sidewalk wrong, it would swell up pretty good. Didn’t think anything of it. Would go away after a couple of days.
Then... I got talked into training for a half marathon. Originally by my boss, who later backed out, but not before best friend was convinced we were going to do it. I did pretty well until I started to get into 8-10 mile runs. Then it kinda got swollen, and didn’t go away. This was in February. I knew that’s if I got it looked at I would get told to stop running. So, rather than run AGAINST medical advice... I just didn’t seek any, until after the half marathon in June. (Perhaps logical, but not smart.) and then I started with more small town not awesome medical advice. So, even after half marathon. Spent 6 months with essentially “don’t run” type advice, and an ankle that was not only swollen but “clicking” and aching when I walked or ran....
Was actually the personal trainer I found to help with my lifting (since without running, my lifting was progressing faster than my form could keep up.). Anyways, it was the lifting coach who expressed far more concern with the instability, weakness, swelling, etc he saw in the ankle, than anyone else had. Recommended me to an actual orthopedic doctor, and GOOD physical therapist.
And we made progress.... I was back up to 5-9 mile runs.... and then work moved me. And I fell off the wagon. And got fluffy. And now I’m on round 3 of building back mileage, and going back to physical therapy, because despite knowing dozens of pt exercises to help with wonky ankle.... I apparently require some of the manual manipulation, and other anti inflammatory voodoo that I can’t seem to do to myself.
So,I’m on like round 500 of my running come back. But I just keep trying. Down 15 ish lbs this time. So, doing better than if I didn’t try again.
But I’m also not married anymore.... and based on the above story... I consider that to be an important recovery or “comeback” to my self and self confidence, sort of thing, also.
No running today, still a bit gimpy from pt... and had adulting to do. So, we will try again tomorrow.
Edited to add the PS- I am game for run the world...I can hopefully be a less flakey helper going forward, but no promises.... but sounds like a fun idea. And wyoming isn’t on the way to anywhere so, no offense taken if the path comes no where close.
So you had one good PT who recommended a better PT for the ankle injury? That's heartening, especially after reading about the previous medical (in)attention you received.2 -
Today’s long run called for 60 minutes at aerobic pace followed by 75 minutes tempo. I ran out of steam at around 20km and had to work really hard to maintain pace to get home. Note for next week, carry a gel!
I’ve had and Epsom salt bath, a gentle walk (with ice cream and coffee) and am now lying on my bed with my legs up the wall. They’re still achey!9 -
October Goal 60ish miles
10/1 3.52
10/2 snorkel 1 hour (lousy conditions)School of Convict Tang with Trumpetfish10/3 3.08
Total 6.60
@TheMrWobbly I'm in! (In Hawaii, I can be the stop-off point for North America to Asia (or vice versa....)
RE: monthly question.....since I didn't START running till I was 60, and move pretty much like a big turtle (some will see what I did there.....), haven't really had any injuries to come back from.
Upcoming and current races:
D-Backs Virtual Run Against Cancer on 10/17 (which would have been my son's 43rd birthday....)
https://raceroster.com/events/2020/27903/2020-d-backs-virtual-race-against-cancer
4 -
As for my injury stories, I too have been fortunate not to have many at all. Aside from tripping over about three times and each time smacking my head on the footpath (not advised), my only real injury has been a calf tear which I actually got dashing across a car park in high heels in the rain! To be fair, I had strained the muscle running a very hilly trail event the week prior and that quick, 20 metre sprint was just the straw that broke the camel’s back. Recovery was slow and I set myself back by doing too much too soon, as nearly all runners do, but it was Avery minor injury in the grand scheme of things.
Earlier this year you may remember me moaning about my soleus muscles giving me grief, but while it hurt to run they weren’t injured, I just had to build them up (new coach = increased mileage = muscle fatigue). Finally, now nearly six months later, they’re completely pain free and I can walk downstairs properly in the middle of the night/first thing in the morning. Hallelujah.
I think we runners learn so much about our bodies as the years pass, and I can confidently choose to listen to or ignore a variety of niggles and twinges and assorted pains while running, knowing which ones will pass and while ones require me to stop.
Also, as someone mentioned earlier, ensure you GP is a runner, as well as your physio, chiro/osteo, massage therapist and nutritionist. They think like us and will provide better advice and care.4 -
ContraryMaryMary wrote: »As for my injury stories, I too have been fortunate not to have many at all. Aside from tripping over about three times and each time smacking my head on the footpath (not advised), my only real injury has been a calf tear which I actually got dashing across a car park in high heels in the rain! To be fair, I had strained the muscle running a very hilly trail event the week prior and that quick, 20 metre sprint was just the straw that broke the camel’s back. Recovery was slow and I set myself back by doing too much too soon, as nearly all runners do, but it was Avery minor injury in the grand scheme of things.
Earlier this year you may remember me moaning about my soleus muscles giving me grief, but while it hurt to run they weren’t injured, I just had to build them up (new coach = increased mileage = muscle fatigue). Finally, now nearly six months later, they’re completely pain free and I can walk downstairs properly in the middle of the night/first thing in the morning. Hallelujah.
I think we runners learn so much about our bodies as the years pass, and I can confidently choose to listen to or ignore a variety of niggles and twinges and assorted pains while running, knowing which ones will pass and while ones require me to stop.
Also, as someone mentioned earlier, ensure you GP is a runner, as well as your physio, chiro/osteo, massage therapist and nutritionist. They think like us and will provide better advice and care.
I'm hoping to start back on Tuesday after my calf tear. Interesting mine was similarish to yours, niggly calf after a lot of hills and increased milage, and one event (running barefoot across the floor to get my gait analysis done in my case) caused the more major injury.
10 weeks I've been off.
And ill be following the plan my physio sets to the letter. Fortunately he is a distance runner so he gets it. I would rather start slow and build up than go too fast and get another injury!
Though I'm also open to any advice here!!
2 days. I can't wait!6 -
@TheMrWobbly I'm definitely in!!!
8m in New Plymouth, New Zealand so that gives us 2 kiwi towns (I'm just assuming @ContraryMaryMary is in!)
3 -
@TheMrWobbly I'm definitely in!!!
8m in New Plymouth, New Zealand so that gives us 2 kiwi towns (I'm just assuming @ContraryMaryMary is in!)
I am @TheMrWobbly. And I’m in Auckland.3 -
@durhammfp - I tried to make the distinctions of “PT” clear enough because different things share initials... but I probably got fuzzy somewhere.
The misadventure had 1 lousy doc with no pt, 2nd lousy doc who eventually gave a “PT” referral in the form of Physical Therapy (I think referred to colloquially as “physio” in non US countries??) .... the Therapist and that particular doctor’s general plan was “well just don’t run” - as in we will fix you by having you be completely inactive, but no suggestions to keep other health metrics in check, nor did they see a problem in inactivity, or other solution
I eventually in this process sought the services of “PT” in the form of Personal Trainer while the “PT” Physical Therapist was forbidding running, because not running (and still staying on a relatively healthy track) led to my lifting capacity exceeding my ability to self correct on form.... it was the Trainer who gave the recommendation to an orthopedic specific doc, who he had worked with since he was a collegiate athlete, so some known sports medicine experience, and still recommends.... who has a closely associated “PT” as in Physical Therapist, which led to progress.
But, i still seem to need additional support/intervention when I reach 10 miles a week or more.3 -
eleanorhawkins wrote: »The main thing I like about the Hal app is you tell it which days you want to run and it adapts the plans to that. So as long as you always run on the same days it's great. No flexibility though.
So, dunno if anyone believed me when I said I wouldn't race my virtual race this morning. Cause oh boy did I race it. Apparently dodgy toenails lead to PRs galore! I had never expected to run a sub 30 minute 5k (28:53), or a 61:13 10k, even less so during a solo virtual race. The high hasn't worn off yet :-)
Whoever said the Galloway (run-walk-run) method isn't running can look at those numbers and go take a hike! 😂
This is awesome! Great job!2 -
@TheMrWobbly you can add me in Poland (any part of the country, hopefully I'll be changing cities in 2021 anyway)
@durhammfp as far as those intervals, they're usually all in meters (and convenient for doing on a standard 400-meter track). For recovery, if they don't tell you, you can play it by ear. If you're on a track, once around (400m) tends to work well for me. Or if I'm on roads or trail, I might for example do 800's as 200m warmup, then go fast until the kilometer beep on my watch, then walk/jog 200m to recover and repeat. You might be able to program the whole thing into your watch, I don't bother. You can also go by time, using an interval timer app on your phone. I've even gone back and done the C25K workouts as my speedwork for the week, subbing fast running for the run intervals and slow running for the walk intervals.
Hills don't have to meet that specific of guidelines to help you improve. Pick one you like that isn't too long, like I think katharmonic mentioned and go high intensity up, recover down.
The good news is, if you don't get the intervals/recovery/hills/etc perfect, you're still getting a huge benefit by doing something to improve your speed.
Alright, I'm going back to watching London Marathon online now6 -
katharmonic wrote: »@durhammfp here's some examples of basic speedwork sessions that my coach has us do on a cycle.
Hill repeats - just find a hill that takes a minute or so to run up to the top. Alternate running up halfway, jogging back down, run all the way up, jog back down, and keep alternating for between 15-30 minutes total.
Short intervals: e.g. 1 minute intervals with 1 minute recoveries between (jog or walk recovery) x 12 times. These can be done out and back or on a track you can keep looping around. Run as hard as you can sustain for 1 minute at a time, 12 times.
Long intervals: 5-7-3 minute intervals x 2 sets with 90 seconds recovery between.
I am putting these in my back pocket. Thanks! So for your long intervals you mean 5 minutes hard, 90 sec recovery, 7 minutes hard, 90 sec recovery, 3 minutes hard, 90 sec recovery, then do it again. Right?
@durhammfp yes that's correct. The recovery varies from 60 seconds to 2 minutes, something like 90 seconds for the first half of the intervals and then 60 seconds for the last half. I can never remember so I just do 90 if I'm doing it on my own.2 -
10-1 7k easy
10-2 7k slow
10-3 7k slow
10-4 7k easy
October Total: 28k
October Goal: 170k
January Total: 161k
February Total: 167k
March Total: 181k
April Total: 191k
May Total: 200k
June Total: 156k
July Total: 180k
August Total: 172k
September Total: 176k
2020 Total through September: 1584k / 176k per month
Mostly cloudy, 50 degrees F, and a little breeze from the southeast. Watch found the GPS satellite right away; I was afraid I'd have to do a reset. Saw a red fox.
When you pop in here claiming your December 2020 mileage, what accomplishments will you have made?
Return to a good running weight of 175 lbs
Run at least 4 5k races
Get a 5k PR
Average at least 138k per month, to meet my Run the Year pledge of 1,020 miles
Stretch goal: If I can average 169k per month, I can run 2020k in 2020
Run the Year Team: Pavement Pounders -- Completed 9-29
2020 races:
9-8 to 9-13 "Virtual Boston with Vincent" Time goal 5:15:00; actual time 4:47:014
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