Going to the Doctors

I'm still here. Last week I was ill and didn't do anything.. except pilates last Monday. I rode my bike some Sunday night. I have gone to Pilates twice this week and feel good about that. This PF injury is still causing me a lot of grief!

So, I've been trying various things to help my PF pain. Golf balls massaging my arch, walking barefoot on gravel trails, stretching. Still, if I walk around, just doing normal daily activities, the pain at night and in the morning is excruciating. Yesterday I ran a few errands and walked with my very pregnant, due any day client who I could hardly keep up with- she walked way faster and farther than I had anticipated! Embarrassing for me, but true.

I read today that many people suffering from this say it feels like someone is stabbing them in the foot... same thing I've been telling my husband for weeks. And, it just sneaks up on you and BAM! I have a high pain tolerance but this makes me want to bawl my eyes out. Even when the pain isn't the sharp, stabbing pain it is a dull ache.

Reading more about this is a double -edged sword. I've found out that cycling can actually cause more pain/inflammation. Good to know. There goes my "safe" exercise option... the only one that seems to be recommended is swimming so I'm going to start that soon. Maybe tomorrow. Also, some stretches that are recommended are controversial- such as the calf stretch on the stairs which I find painful but have been doing thinking it would help! I found some alternative ones that feel better and I'll let that guide me.

It is kind of depressing to read the message boards about this injury. Some people have suffered for YEARS, despite cortisone shots and surgery. I am trying to focus on my belief in my body's ability to heal. It's already taken longer than I thought it would though. I thought if I stopped running for a couple weeks it would just heal up...

I'm scaling back on commitments and holiday shopping. Some things are just are not going to get done. Will has helped me realize that the only thing I haven't tried is something that is said to be very helpful...rest. Although with the illness last week I gave it a few days!

Hopefully the doctor tomorrow will have some good advice and will get me in a "boot" to wear at night- it keeps the calf muscle stretched and the PF tendon relaxed.

"I need to open myself to the possibilities here and now"

That is what I wrote in my journal this morning. Since my husband took a different job here, after we considered moving back to Utah or closer to Utah, I have been mourning the loss of being nearer my Utah family, friends, and the mountains. In doing so, I know I've been missing out on the love all around me here. I have not really invested in many friendships here, and then I wonder why I don't feel as close to some friends here as I did in Utah. I have not actively looked for a new mountain biking gang, because I was so lost in the feeling of missing my old one. And, although I've found beautiful places here in Texas, there is always beauty in nature, I know my eyes and heart have not been completely open. Until my bike ride this afternoon!

On a whim, I detoured from my usual "mountain bike" ride along a side walk. I had rationalized this was good training for mountain biking some day. Adrenaline from cars stopping at the stop signs just the nick of time. Swerving from sidewalk, to crossing road, to sidewalk.. surprisingly you have to be a little bit aware and agile!

Anyway, I have passed a two lane dirt road every ride. I look at it and go on. Today I just took it. I've always been a little worried it was private property, so much is here. But, I saw no sign. I followed it to a place it overlooks a clear river. I stayed there for a few minutes just listening. Five minutes from the road I found a little escape. Then I noticed a little trail, off of the steep hill on my side. I sent a text to Will, as I thought someone should know my general whereabouts! And, I found a roller coaster ride, sounds of water flowing and wind in the trees and birds singing, loose rocks and loose dirt, sharp turning, stream crossing, steep inclining, crunchy fall leaf laden, challenging roots crisscrossing (where once or twice I wondered if I was headed over my handle bars), TRUE MOUNTAIN BIKE RIDE!!! WHOOO HOO. One of my favorite places to ride in Utah was a little neighborhood park, 15 minutes away at the base of the mountains. Occasionally you would see houses, but you FELT like you were away from it all. That is how I felt today.

I won't bore you with my weight training stats today:) But off I go to work my legs a little bit more!

1 hour+ (who cares!) mountain bike ride

This one's dedicated to Kim and Valeria!

Because Kim called to talk and listen, and she was going to find time tonight to exercise so I said I would too. Mostly I had to find energy. Valeria because she is just a motivating, energetic person, a SERIOUS runner, who is giving me lots of great advice... best of all might be to WAIT for this PF injury to heal. It was great visiting her and Baby Nico today. During my lunch date with Will we came up with a good t-shirt for me if I try running the marathon.. maybe really slowly.. maybe only part of it. My t-shirt could read: "Seriously PF'd".

Today I RAN!!! Errands. :) Seriously though, they are tiring.

After my conversation with Kim, I didn't quite get on my bike (on the trainer as it is a cold 50 degrees here today... too cold for biking outside). But I did my weight training. I've started alternating arms and legs every day. For two days now:) After I record it all once though I don't really like to go through it all again. Since it is the only thing I have to report today.. here it is:

CORE
*Crunches on the ball: 50+50+50=150 (Since pilates I love that I can focus the movement ON MY ABS, I never realized how I'd swing my arms, back, etc instead of just letting my abs do the work!)
*Obliques "": 25e+25e+50e=100 each side
*Elev Plank: 20 sec + 20 seconds= 40 seconds (up from 24s total yesterday!)
*Low ab ball pass off: 12+24=36
*Pilates 100s: 30+25=55
*Hula: 25 rotations each side

Shoulders
*Standing w/ 5lb weights: 12+12=24
*Triceps
Above head w/10 lbs: 20+20=40
Lifting self with arms behind me on stair: 24+12=36
*Biceps w/10: 12+24=36
*Chest
Lying on floor: 5lb 24 reps, 10lb 24 reps, 5 lb 24 reps
*Pushups: 12+12=24 on knees
AND 3 Regular (I know, wimpy.. these are SO hard for me.. and it was towards the end of my work out so tired arms)

75 Degrees and Cycling Bliss

DISTANCE: 14 miles
Time: 55:30

Today I went to Pflugerville, the town south of us that we've trained a lot in for our long rides- it is farm land with little traffic. After my injury, even road biking and pointing my toe would hurt my PF quite a bit. So, I've been only mountain biking. It felt good most of the way, but there were a few twinges that were painful.

It was a perfect cycling day. 75 degrees, sunny, and somewhat windy. As I looked down to see I was going 26 MPH (when the wind was at my back) and just moderately working, I remembered what I love about this sport. It really is amazing how fast you go, how much you see. Sometimes I feel like I am flying.

Still, I noticed it doesn't quiet my brain like running does. I was worrying and planning over Christmas gifts, my son getting home from school, and little things. Running is hard enough for me that it is all encompassing, my breath and the rhythm of my feet lull my brain to silence. There was more traffic (it's been steadily increasing as they opened the toll road by it), and I remembered, some cars do not slow down and drive way to close for comfort. Then I spend energy considering ways to make drivers give me the space they legally have to- a bar extended out that far on the sides of my bike, perhaps with a old key welded on it that would scratch the hell out of their car if they come to close?? Yet, there is no way to even up a human and a car, and I know I would end up the one worse for wear in any of my revenge fantasies.

Cool Fall Ride

We got back from Dallas today, and a wonderful Thanksgiving. I got ready to go and hopped on my bike. Heel was hurting from a walk we took with Jeanie's family yesterday.. yep a WALK. After a week off running, I still can't walk over a mile without a lot of pain afterwards.

At 3:30 pm I took off to the gym. It was 50-60 degrees. On a bike it feels cooler. I know, I know, those of you in Utah are in REALLY cold weather:) But, to me, this feels cold. It was nice once I warmed up on the way there, I didn't need my cycling arm warmers. It smells like Fall right now. I love it. I love crunching through leaves and acorns.

Spent some time doing my normal weight routine and some time on abs. I'm learning some great stuff in my pilates class. All in all I rode about an hour. Maybe a little less as I was VERY cold on the ride home and it was getting dark.

The cardinals are back!!!

Learning Experience

So, I ran Sunday. I ran for almost 2 hours at a slow pace. Will had the GPS and ran 11. I have no idea how far I ran, and I did walk a few times because of pain. Not the pain in my heel, that warmed up and felt pretty good. But, the outside of my other knee! So, either my form is messed up due to the injury and I was overcompensating with that side or my muscles just aren't used to the new running form I'm trying to use- abs in, feet facing straight ahead, chin tucked, etc. Which wasn't as hard as I thought actually! And, I noticed that while I ran on trails I just naturally did most of it.

I am *really* done training for this marathon though. Sunday night and Monday I couldn't put any weight on my sore foot. I'm going to end up needing surgery or something if I keep running. Sunday's run really was so beautiful, perfect cool temperature, fall leaves, Will saying hi and encouraging me when he passed me. It was a good way to end my current running dream.

I like to learn from all my experiences. I've learned that it really is important to start gradually and listen to your body- you may feel tough jumping in and doing way too much, but it will catch up to you. Looking back at my exercise journal I had roller coaster training where I'd run 9-10 miles total, then 15, then 8, 14 etc. Until I got on a training schedule and then I jumped up to 20-25 every week- which was too much given what I had been doing, but at least it was a nice gradual increase from then out. So, next time I do this, I am all about the boring schedule, someone telling me what to do, and less about just running as far as feels good on any given day. I will especially take it nice and slow with the vibrams.

Another thing I've thought a lot about is that while I was running I did eat better in some ways, but I also felt that "if the oven is hot enough anything will burn". I would eat things that weren't very good for me because I figured I had more leeway and wouldn't gain weight. Now, I think that while I was demanding so much of my body I should have been taking extra good care of it.

After not being able to run, I realize I was taking it for granted and that it had become more of a "have to" rather than I "want to". I hope when I can run again, I can focus on how strong my muscles feel after running, how free and peaceful I feel while running (once I get in the zone), and how happy I feel on days I get to run.

I know so much more about running form now, that I'm excited to start over and use my knowledge to hopefully prevent any injuries in the future. When I ran with a better form Sunday I really felt great aerobically- I was running slower I think but usually I breathe hard most the time I run, but breathing felt really EASY! I'm going to work on strengthening my core, weight training, and bike to keep my aerobic level up. When my feet feel totally normal, I'll start training again but nice, slow, and gradual increases.

Am I ready for my long run tomorrow??

I haven't missed one long run yet. I heard that they are the most important part of preparing for a marathon. You can get away with missing a few of the shorter ones, but you need to do the long ones...

To be completely honest, I'm still sore right when I wake up. It takes a few steps for the bottom of my foot to flex. But, MUCH, much better. Yesterday after running a bunch of errands it was also sore. Strange because usually once it warms up it's usually pretty good. I think it might have been the shoes I was wearing.

Anyway, I committed to not run again until I had no pain. It's been a week tomorrow since I ran. I MISS IT! I have not decided about my run tomorrow night. It's supposed to be our longest yet, 11 (up from 8-9, last week on the rest week only 6). I may just try 8 or 9 again, and try to jump back into training Tuesday...

Maybe that gravel walking will work it's magic and I'll wake up PAIN FREE in the morning:)