I Ran to Boston!

Of course I haven't even run a full marathon yet, so there's no way that I'm "Running Boston"... just so there's no confusion.

I'm not sure that the Boston Marathon is a goal of mine... I know it is for a lot of people, but I guess we're each motivated by different things. Perhaps it's because I've only done a Half so far, and the speed required to qualify is a long way off my pace, so while I'm goal driven, I'm also not delusional. LOL But I'm ok with this! I have a huge respect for the distance of the marathon; those that qualify; those that didn't, but tried their best; and those that are out there running 6+ hour marathons.  In fact, anyone who puts time and hours in training for a marathon and makes it to the start line.  

So this morning, I was thinking about my goal for 2009, and a new way to motivate myself. Picking a distance that would challenge me, but perhaps would have a bit of a story to it.  So I thought, instead of "running Boston" how about running TO Boston.  Never been there, so why not! Also, a friend of mine qualified for Boston this past October, maybe that's part of why I chose this destination?

So I googled the starting line of Boston, put in my Toronto home address as the start, and got the distance.

Ready for this?? Cuz it's about to get pretty weird! If you scroll down and check out my last post.... my distance then, this past Wednesday, was 864km, so technically I ran to Boston this year, and just hit the start line!!!!! :) How random is that! This will probably be the only time I hear congratulations on making it to Boston! LOL!!!!!

I guess I have to pick somewhere else to run to!

I am also participating in NikeMom's Virtual Run Across America.  Head on over there if you haven't checked it out yet, looks like it'll be fun!

I've been working on my training plan for the next few months too. Sunday is the end of the 7 week plan I have been using to return from injury.  It's almost like saying goodbye to an old friend!  My running group is obviously a lot farther along, and no, I'm not going to jump right into the distances that they're doing. So I think I now have it where I'll be at their distance on the Sunday long runs in about 6-8 weeks, and if all goes well, should be able to work up to the 30k race for March 29th.  I'm hopeful, but will listen to my body above all else.  If I'm not ready, there will be other races.

So here's where I need your help.  Where should I run to in 2009?  Know any good destinations? Anyone want me to virtually visit them? I would love to get to Australia, Europe, South America one day... just to name a few, but I haven't been blessed with the ability to run across water, so let's keep it accessible by land for now.  Maybe I'll plan Australia or Europe for a real trip one day :)  Any suggestions?

can i still do it? Plan A or Plan B

I guess MCM Mama and I were on the same page tonight! I just sat down to blog about something that's been on my mind lately, and figured i'd catch up on a few other blogs first. Read her post, and I guess it's been on her mind too! :)

I set myself a goal of 1000km for 2008.  Having started running in May 2007, almost half way through the year, I wasn't sure what a reasonable goal was, so I stuck with an easy number, nothing fancy about this resolution.  I wanted something challenging yet attainable.  2008 was my first full year of running... but "full?" Not so much.

I reached a milestone that I never thought I'd ever do. I ran my first half marathon in March, but got a hip flexor injury which had me sidelined for a month.  Started training again, found out after my 15k in August (I had really wanted to do the 30k, but wasn't feeling right) that I had stress fractures.  That had me out for 2 months.  Sigh!

Here's where I'm at.  So far, I've run 864km this year.  All things considered (having to take a total of 3 months off running, and start again slowly to rebuild both times), I'm still happy with this. This leaves me 136km for the year.  There are 35 days left, which is an average of 3.88km per day remaining.

I'm obviously not going to be running every day between now and Jan 1st. However, most of my runs lately have been 5-8km; so on an 8k day, that would count as 2 days, allowing me a rest day.  Make sense?  That would be Plan A.

I'm not going to risk re-injury just to reach this goal; 2009 is another year, for which I will set myself another goal.  

But wait... I started cycling this summer, and have done 948km so far. Mr. Q once commented that cycling is about 3 times the distance of running (I hope I remembered that correctly!)... so to be fair, 316km.  

Add that to my running mileage, and I've travelled 1180km (using the digits as of today) using my own feet, muscles, body, surpassing my 1000km mileage goal! Always good to have a Plan B right? :)  

Whether this counts towards my goal or not, to think that I've actually travelled that distance within a year, without the use of a motorized vehicle, gasoline, or anything, just me, seems pretty incredible. I certainly would never have thought this to be achievable in my whole lifetime! 

MapMyRun.com has an interesting section when I log in:

Green Stats 

Total Workout Days: 265 

Distance Traveled: 1,759.78 km.

Gas Saved: 229.96 liters 

Money Saved: $211.40 

Carbon Offset: 1,176.1 lbs. of CO2

Pretty neat that I've done this by exercising. :)

Good luck to those who are Turkey Trotting tomorrow, or participating in any other races! Happy Thanksgiving for those south of the border!

Oh boy, Jay just got home with an ice cream bar, must go eat it before it melts. Yum. Not sure how I'll get to sleep tonight but I'll deal with that later.

familiar ground

something interesting happened during my run this morning.

I'm on my last week of this return to injury program that I've been following, I can't believe it's already been over 6 weeks since I got the ok to start running again. Things have been going well.

About 1/2 way through my run, I found myself checking my Garmin a lot... and noticed that I was fairly quick (to my standards anyway LOL) but really felt the urge to take a walk break. Whether 5 seconds, 30 seconds or a minute, just felt like I needed it, but at the same time I was in a groove.  Classic devil and angel on the shoulders...

So I bargained.  Let me hit the end of this street, and if I still need a break, I'll take one then.  I didn't, and by the time I realized it, I was on a completely different street.  

Devil played with my mind again, "hmmm, maybe you should walk now?"  Again, I bargained.  If I hit the stop sign and still need one, I'll take one then.  

I ran home. :)

This type of trickery, delaying, pushing aside the devil, bargaining in my own mind was a huge part of my success in quitting smoking over 3 years ago.  Instead of having a cigarette, then doing something, like dishes, cook dinner, or whatever, I'd do the opposite.  I knew that chances were good that I would get busy, distracted, eventually delaying the next cigarette longer and longer.  

It worked then, and worked today.

Hoping tomorrow's run will go as well, and give me the same positive feeling to get my out of my funk.  Since this afternoon, I've been feeling particularly emotional, sad, and just blah.  Nothing happened, there really is no reason for it; I'm just down.  Perhaps just the weather, cold, grey, dark, dreary days... but I hate this feeling.

Happy early Thanksgiving to all my US neighbors in case I don't chat with you all before then... safe travels to those of you travelling!  And good luck to all of you racing!

age has nothing on her!

I know it's my second post today, probably both within the hour, but thought this was blog worthy too!  

HONOLULU -- Thousands of runners are training for the Honolulu Marathon, which is in three weeks.
KITV's Dick Allgire met a 90-year-old great-grandmother who is training to set a world record.
Gladys Burrill is in training for her fifth Honolulu Marathon.
In 2003 Burrill saw the fireworks at the start of the marathon from her lanai, and thought: "How exciting! I should do that."
So she trained in racewalking and now she's going for a record.
"Well, I plan to break the world record for women between 90 and 94 years of age," she said.
She hopes to finish the marathon in eight hours and 30 minutes.
Gladys is nicknamed the Glady-ator.
"Oh, it is exhilarating, even though back about a mile you get kind of weary, when the finish line gets in sight it's so exciting," she said.
Burrill has been a pilot, she's climbed Mount Hood and has 22 great-grandchildren. Her advice?
"It's important to be athletic -- exercise and doing something, walking is the best. Your attitude -- think positive and sometimes it might be hard to think positive, but you just do it."
That's not a bad athletic slogan. She'll do it beginning at 5 a.m. Dec 14 when runners line up on Ala Moana Boulevard for the Honolulu Marathon.

How's that for motivation, i'm roughly 1/3 her age!!!!!!!! I just hope to be that healthy, strong and determined at her age! :)  WOW.

watch out for flying animals!

Happy monday... I came across this article this morning.  Yikes!!!

GUELPH, Ontario, Nov. 24 (UPI) -- A deer struck by a car outside the city of Guelph, Ontario, was thrown on top of a passing jogger, but the man wasn't injured, police said.
The car was traveling on a road outside a preservation park Sunday when the deer bolted in front of it, police said.

The animal, thrown from the vehicle, knocked down an unidentified 38-year-old man who was jogging on the sidewalk by the forested area, the Guelph Mercury reported.

The jogger declined medical attention. The unidentified driver of the car was also uninjured, although the impact of the crash was so severe police declared his vehicle a write-off, the newspaper said.

The deer died from the impact.

Police warned drivers that deer are more likely to be on highways during daylight hours because of the season change, the newspaper said.

Consider yourselves warned :)  Poor deer... I can't even imagine what I would do.

...please start... please start...

6:20am.  The time my alarm clock rang this morning.  It's sunday. sigh.  I must really love running :)

I haven't run with my group since August, but I've seen them a few times to indulge in bad food and drinks after celebrating races.  I missed running with them, but have to admit that it's been nice sleeping in on sunday mornings!  I woke up a bit earlier though just in case.  

In case of what?  My *$&%(*@$ car.  

I think it's trying to suggest we move to a warmer climate; it's cold out, and my car won't start below a certain temp, and it's not even really winter yet!!! I need to take it back to the dealership at some point to see what's going on, but I was a bit nervous as I opened the door, and felt the cold air immediately... so as I walked to the car, I chanted please start... please start.

I really didn't want to sit in my driveway after waking up so early, crying in the drivers' seat, in the darkness of the morning, before 7am, hitting the steering wheel, begging an inanimate object to function properly.

My chant didn't work.  So I sat, pissed off, determined to make it on time, while thinking how thankful I am to work at home now, cuz I'd probably be late for work everyday during the winter months!  10 minutes later, almost frustrated, I opened the car door, started my way back to the house to see when Jay would be leaving for hockey and maybe get a boost, but for some reason I went back to the car to get something.  While there, I tried the key one more time, and finally!  It worked! Did it feel threatened that I walked away, and knew I was going to "tattle?"  lol

So by the time I got to the community center, I was right on time.  Their plan, 29k, which turned into 23k after a bit of discussion due to route changes, and many having other commitments this afternoon; my plan, 50 minutes (which i realized only afterwards.  I've had it in my head all week that I was scheduled for 55 minutes, which is next sunday's schedule... the last day of the plan).

Beginning of their 23k route was an out 'n back before turning off in another direction, which worked out perfectly because the turn-around point was my halfway mark!  I had a nice easy, conversational pace, while chatting away with someone who joined the group while I was out with my injury. Turns out he's a chiropractor... so we were talking about my stress fractures, the issues with my shoes/orthotics from this spring, the medications I was on, and the bone density test I just did last week.  I started explaining my efforts in changing my gait, trying to land with my forefoot rather than heel-striking etc, hoping to avoid further injury.

Opinions are as unique as individuals; it's quite amazing, and I fully respect it... but he disagreed with me. He said that while walking, your natural step is to land on the heel and roll forward, running should be the same, this is how he's been taught. Meanwhile, it was my chiropractor and another in his office that showed me the video on the Pose method in their office, and have now lent me the dvd's, which I'm reviewing. 

I think that the important thing is finding what works for me, and you figure out what's right for you, and you and even you; it may be different for each one of us, there really probably is no wrong or right.

So back to my run, finished 8.82k in 55:54, my longest run since my return. I stretched out, added some layers before getting a chill, and drove home to get ready for a friend's 3 yr old's birthday party.

I also got a reply back from the Pose Instructor which I emailed a few weeks ago... seems that my last email to her got lost in the shuffle, but it turns out that she would make time for me on a weekend, and lives close by! So hoping that we can figure out a time to meet soon just to make sure I'm on the right track.

That's it for me today, have a great week!

who would have thunk it?

Check out the newest logo on my left banner!

I recently got a comment on one of my posts introducing me to Wellsphere, a top 10 health website, with various communities.  I was awarded a Top Health Blogger status, which is really exciting for me!  You read it right!  Moi!  I feel so honored!

I know I've mentioned it already, but I thought my blog would be something like a journal for me; never did I think that I might be able to inspire anyone, let alone get an award! :)

As a child, it always seemed like there was something.  I wasn't a sickly child, usual kid stuff, but one thing after another. My mom would always say "I'll add it to the black book."  To this day, at the age of 31, whenever I tell her about running injuries, or stitches from falling off my bike, or anything else health related, I still get the same line.  I've been meaning to ask how many pages this book has, and when I can get my hands on it to look back!  LOL 

If there really was a "black book" I'm sure it would be full, exploding at the seams, pages falling out everywhere, but I suppose all of these experiences I wouldn't have much to write about!  So thanks for making me feel like I can make a difference.

Marci, you once commented on one of my posts and asked me if I ever considered doing speeches (or something like that, I can't remember your exact wording!!)  I wish I had the personality to feel comfortable with public speaking... but maybe this will be my way of being able to help!? Oh! And good luck to you running Philly this weekend! Can't wait to hear about your race!! :)  And to Mr. Q on your ultra!!! 

Ok, finally a change of pace!  Literally!  Had my usual breakfast, a bagel with a bit of light cream cheese, and a coffee.  I swear, I did nothing different.  It was cold out... a biting wind.  

I chose a new route to add a few hills. Yes, I said it, I purposely picked a route to include hills!  I have finally accepted that they are good for me, make my ex-smoker lungs work hard, makes me stronger, so I no longer dread them!!  How cool is that!  Pace?  Well, since my injury I've been averaging around 6:22+/km, even with the hills today, 6:11/km!  I was so pleased.

I've been following a 7 week plan to return to running plan.... Guess what.  I will be starting week 7 on monday!  Time flies when you're having fun! Oh! I am also hoping to join my running group for their Sunday morning -- haven't run with them since August :)   Have a great weekend all, stay warm!

TIART - Life with Running

If only I had discovered it earlier... but it was something I hated!  I'd see people run, and never understood the pleasure or benefits.

If I had "discovered" running years ago, given it a chance instead of always reverting back to memories of elementary school gym class, where I was always last, would I have stuck with it? And if my seizures were stress-induced like the docs said they were, would I have had to go through brain surgery? Would I have even developed epilepsy after it being dormant for about 18 years? Would I have had to be on disability from work for almost 2 years? Would I have had my independence taken away from me at 22 years old, already being a mother?  Would I have needed someone in the bathroom to keep an eye on me to simply have a bath as an adult? 

If I would have had something -- anything that would help control or deal with stress, such as what I feel now from running, would I be able to remember my son's first steps, first words? Cuz now I can't.  Would I not feel as though I missed 3+ years of my life?

I can't turn back time, I can't change the past, and I will never get the answer to these questions. I have no way of knowing what life could have been or would have been different had I better controlled stress, however, I have some control over my future.  Running is helping me accomplish that.  It's now part of my life, and everyone around me knows that.  I spoke to an old colleague today, and one of his first questions was if I was still running.  "Absolutely  I am, because I can."

Running has made me a better person.  I care about myself and take care of myself.  I don't live to eat, but eat to live, and live healthy.  Running has made me realize that even though I haven't done things all my life, I can still accomplish anything I put my mind to.  I've run a half marathon!!  I guarantee you, if you asked any of my school friends, my parents or even me, me and a half marathon wouldn't be used in the same sentence.  

I hope that I've shown my son how time, practice, dedication, patience, determination, acceptance of failure and defeat, making goals, and celebrating your triumphs can help you do anything you set your mind to. Without running, I'm not sure how I could have taught him this.

The blog community has been paramount in my pursuit of running.  I've met a few bloggers already, who are now friends.  There are many that I wish I could meet, but maybe won't have the opportunity... but trust me when I say that without you guys, I may have given up, so while I'm thankful for running, I'm equally as thankful for you all!  Hugs to you all! :)

And while I complain about the elements at times -- wind, rain, snow, ice, humidity -- I'm thankful to be able to experience and see new things.  

Running has also guaranteed me that I will never be a smoker again!

I have my independence back!  Running is a constant reminder of that, and it's my "me" time.

Without running I also wouldn't be able to justify spending money on gadgets, and I love me some new techy toys to play with :)

I went for the bone density test today, 20 minutes of painless fun!  As the tech was positioning me to scan my hips, she said "oh you must be an athlete, you have very muscular legs".  For comments like that, I'm also thankful to running  :)

not sure where that came from... and boobies!

Phew!  I'm so happy I ran earlier today and that tomorrow is my rest day! Today was my longest run since my return, 7.53k! I was so happy! Marlene, I was almost at your office! :) It's now snowing out; I've already shoveled the driveway once with my son, and it already looks like it was never done. Supposed to snow through the night. So that counts as cross-training right?

We got back inside, he made himself a hot chocolate, and sat down next to me as I was reading comments from my last post. He happened to catch the picture of him on the left side panel.

"Mom, why is there a picture of me there?"  I scrolled back down to show him the heading My Inspiration. He got a little glossy-eyed. Then, with his little voice quivering, he said "mom, if I die before you, I want you to run a marathon in my memory, for me."  He's 10... far beyond his years.  This started the tears for both of us, he hugged me, i cried more; it was such a special moment. Then, he looked at me, and started laugh-crying... and said "So let me understand this, whoever reads your blog can see my boobies?" LMAO... it was pretty funny.

He is such a good kid; I am so proud of him and lucky to be his mother.  

the full "work-up"

Went to my gp/doctor today to follow up on the health concerns I blogged about last month. (click here if you want to take a trip down memory lane). Doc comes in and asks "What's wrong?"  I simply told him that there should hopefully be a letter from my chiro in my file, which there was, so he took a few minutes to read it over.

I am never sure how "professionals" are together... does one think they're better than the other? So I was kinda prepared for a little backlash... and questioning about why he wasn't involved in treating my stress fractures.

However, I was pleasantly surprised when I got the opposite.  Doc says "Next time you see your chiropractor, please tell him that I'm thoroughly impressed by his diagnosis, his information, everything.  I've dealt with many, and never any as good as yours, he's quite obviously very well trained.  Stick with him" WOW!  He told me to get business cards to keep in his office for referrals; thought that was pretty cool.  He said that he is concerned about my bone health, will get me the "full work-up" and if nothing, at least we'll have a good starting place to monitor.

Then I told him what I discovered after speaking to the chiro, about the anti-seizure meds. He said that we have made his job easy, presenting some very possible causes/issues and now it was a matter of putting the puzzle pieces together.  He did confirm what I researched about these meds blocking or reducing calcium absorption, affecting bone density. With these meds being taken during my formative years, I may only now be seeing the effects. He's also going to check thyroid functions, which may be more correlated to my "female functions."

So, with that said, it's going to be a busy week with the medical professionals.

Today - Dr in the am, chiro this evening for an ART treatment on my foot.

Tomorrow - blood work in the morning  GAH! I hate needles :(

Thursday - Bone Density test

Next week will be my followup

I hope that I can get some answers out of all this.

On a more positive note, I ran this morning...  Mapped out a 5k route that I've never run before but had some biggish hills and ended up with the same pace as yesterday's run, which was flat! I ran up the hills and felt great! Other than almost being hit by an SUV, it was an awesome run!  Will be running again tomorrow once I'm refueled after fasting tonight. 

Nighty-night.

have you met the genius?

I see a lot of articles in running magazines, etc. about running with music, creating playlists, what to listen to while running so I thought I'd offer my 2 cents.

I am one of those that really strongly prefers running to music.  I don't necessarily concentrate on the songs that are playing, and often, by the time my run has ended, I couldn't even tell you the songs that played, but it offers me a distraction. I only run with one ear bud in so that I can still hear my surroundings, but the music masks the heaviness of my breathing which sometimes makes me think I should be slowing down or walk when I may not really need the break.

Anyway, when I updated my iTunes a few months ago, there was a new feature called Genius. Not sure if any of you have used or discovered this, but it provides a refreshing new playlist with the music you already have.

Initially you need to Update Genius, which sends Apple info about the songs you have in your library, then makes suggestions for songs that "match up."  (not sure what makes them match (ie. BPM--beats per minute, genre etc).  Once it's been updated, you then select a song in your library, hit the genius icon, and it creates you a playlist with 25, 50 75 or 100 songs, based on your selection.  You can then save this playlist and sync it to your ipod.  (Apparently the matches are supposed to improve over time as well... so sometimes there may be a weird one in there...)

So if you have a favorite song that gets you in the zone, an ideal pace, it's super easy to put a bunch of identical songs together!  

Every time I've made playlists, I just put my favorite songs together, but I tend to get bored easily.  Using the Genius feature of iTunes, I have discovered great music that I may not have added to any playlists or even heard before as they weren't title tracks for albums I purchased or imported from CD's that I had.... I have about 8 different playlists using this feature saved on my ipod, and i just pick one depending on my mood that day!

Anyway, just thought this might help those that have/use an ipod and use iTunes for a little extra motivation by refreshing the tunes for those runs in colder temperatures!  Have a great week!

mind vs. body

i had every excuse in the book prepared.

• it's raining... been raining all day, I'll just wait till it stops.
• out 'n about all day, awake since 8am for boyfriend's daughter's hockey game, i'll run tomorrow instead
• lunch was crappy, a quick stop at a fast-food joint, chicken finger wrap, of which i only ate half cuz it was kinda gross, and taters. Not exactly good pre-run fueling.
• Working on my friend's computer took longer than expected, slowed down the whole momentum of my day, I can run tomorrow instead.
• Did I mention it's raining?
• Barely had any water today
• Jack&Jill to go to tonight, gotta get ready.
• Crap, it's still drizzling outside.

So there you have it.  My mind was ready to give up before I even started but I fought it. Mind vs. body and body won!  Ya baby!  I was really excited that today was going to be day 3 of 3 in a row!  It's been a long time since I ran three in a row!

I got dressed, laced up, listened to Jay say I was crazy a few times as I got Garmin ready and ipod playlist going, and set out.  Did my usual 2min walk to warm-up a bit, and started running.  Firetruck blared down my street, got me into a pretty good groove. ;)

Then Mother Nature decided to try to make me question my decision.  It started raining like a mother...  whatever, I was wet already, i kept going and loved every minute of being out there. I was scheduled to do a 40min run, only ended up doing 25m... but I was soaked, it was getting dark, so I opted not to do the additional loop to make up the time.  I just booked it home -- still better than letting my mind win.  :)  Ironically, it was my fastest pace run since my return from injury.

I've heard it said before, but it's funny that you will regret not going for a run, but will never regret having gone for a run.  That was exactly how I felt today.

Like yesterday, I paid attention to my stride, but allowed myself to relax more, which I think really helps.  Tomorrow I'll have most of the day to myself, so I think I'll hit the gym for some weights!

Oh and now it's freezing rain and snow :(

jello legs

Thanks everyone for the comments on my last post!  

Had my first massage today... ahhhhh.  By the time I got off the table, my legs felt wobbly, and there was nothing I wanted to do more than curl up in the fetal position under my blanket to sleep.  Definitely something I want to do more often!!

Ran yesterday, today, and tomorrow!  yep, I've reached that point!  I'm at the end of week 5 in the plan I was following where I move to 3 days running in a row! Yay! 2 more weeks of this plan, then I will start a regular HM training plan to slowly catch back up to my running group.

This re-learning to run thing is harder than I thought, but in a way kinda neat. I haven't heard back from the running coach so I'll likely call her next week sometime to see if I can book a session with her. After yesterday's run, I had a bit of tenderness just under the ankle bone on the inside of my foot.  After stretching out,  I was better.  I think it's because I'm making much more effort to not land on my heel, so the muscles are being used differently.  Today, I was still conscious of my running form, but allowed myself to be more relaxed, and felt a lot better. Hoping tomorrow will be the same.  Interestingly, the tightness I was feeling in my shin and calves have pretty much disappeared!  It's very fascinating how minor and maybe not so minor changes affect the way muscles are activated.

Good luck to those racing this weekend!  I will be running tomorrow as well as doing more computer work for a friend, gym sunday, maybe swimming sunday night! Have a great weekend!

young and inspired?

My son is in grade 5, and part of his curriculum is to read a minimum of 30 minutes each day. He's also in french immersion school (since I am fluently bilingual, and want him to have the same opportunities that I did, having a second language.)  He recently finished a french book, so wanted to switch to an english one. He asked me if he could read 50/50, Dean Karnazes' latest book? (Sorry Marlene, I promise, you're next! LOL) When asked why, he said that 1km is far to him, he can't imagine someone running 50 marathons in 50 days.  It is pretty neat to see him take an interest in something I'm interested in.

WHY?  Why?!  Why have I waited so long?  I've been running for about a year and a half now, and only this week it hit me.  I should get a massage.  Jay's sister is a RMT, Registered Massage Therapist?! Why haven't I thought about this earlier and taken advantage, and just loosen up some of the muscles occasionally?  Ahh well, can't turn back time, so Friday is the day.  I can't wait!

Still continuing with drills for the Pose method, and as always, trying to get as much info as possible.  SLB also mentioned Newton shoes, which are designed to mimic barefoot running which is essentially forefoot running... no retailers out in Toronto yet, only in Alberta and BC.  The shoes are not cheap, and for something like that, I'd really prefer to try them on before purchasing!  So I've written to the company to find out if they're expanding in this area anytime soon!  Thanks again for the info!

In the meantime, I went back to the Pose Tech website to find some video clips demonstrating technique (with the positive feedback I got from my first post about this, thought I'd mention that if you are looking for info, the website is full!  (See my disclaimer in my previous post here... if you think i'm trying to "sell" you on something, I'm not.)  The hardest part for me to relearn running is knowing if i'm doing any of this stuff correctly.  I managed to find coaches on the site, and there were 2 in Toronto!  She's a competitive triathlete, who sought info on how to improve her running, and rather than learn it on her own, got her certification so that she can help others.  I emailed her last night and she charges $75 for a 1hr session, pretty standard in the industry I think, and said that one session would likely be enough to show me some tricks and things learnt, and to "see how i'm doing." If I can run injury-free, it will be $$ well spent. So we're playing a game of email-tag to make arrangements, but I'm pretty excited about it!

I made sure to let her know that I'm a middle-of-the-pack runner, nowhere near elite or professional or anything like that so that she knows what to expect.  Her response "A happy injury-free middle of the pack runner works for me if it works for you" 

I'd love to hear your thoughts.  Would you spend the money, and do you think it's money well spent if you had a chance of running with potentially less chance of injury?

maybe a swim tonight, and a run tomorrow.  Have a great day! ;)

a little weird

Went for a run this morning, I've had better.  My calf was pretty tight, I think that with changing my landing/gait/running, I'll be getting new muscles involved, so sort of expected. But mentally, I was defeated by each hill I approached.  Not sure why, just one of those days.

Today is Remembrance Day in Canada, and Veteran's Day in the US.  11th day of the 11th month. Plugged in my numbers into one of the sites I use to track my workouts and check this out!

This Week's Workout Summary
Running: 11.11 km 1:11  <--- The distance of yesterday's run with today's was 11.11km, 1h11m  A little odd right? hmmm, maybe even a bit creepy?!!  

Next run thursday.  I think it's gotten cold enough now that I will also put my bike up on the trainer... not sure how many more outdoor rides I'd get outside before old man winter rears it's ugly head, so I might as well. Have a great night everyone, or day, depending where you are.  :)

learning how to run

running is something that we've all done soon after we started walking.  Once we were able to figure out how to get from one place to another quickly, we did.  But it's not like riding a bike, where our parents held the back of the seat until we got enough confidence for them to let go. We just ran.  But what if you run "wrong".

Rewind back a few months, to my struggles with shoes, shin splints, and later stress fractures. After doing my second gait analysis, my chiro told me that he was going to have another doctor/masters runner review my video to get his opinion.

We run a little differently on a treadmill when compared to being outside, and during my gait analysis, I wasn't told what pace to use, so I probably wasn't going my normal outside pace, so I think the "wrongness" of my running was exaggerated.  We had reviewed the tape together, looking at my pronation, my heel-striking, and my gait in general, but this is me; this is how I run.  Never been taught otherwise.

He showed me bits and pieces of a DVD that he had by a Dr. Romanov, who developed the Pose Method of running.  *disclaimer* Please understand that with this post, I am not trying to convince or sway anyone that this is the "correct way" or the "only way".  I am trying this for myself, and blogging about my experience... *disclaimer done*

Shortly after that visit, I ordered the book.  While I thought about reading it during my recovery, reading a book about running techniques while not being able to run would have been driven me crazy, and would have served little purpose as i would not have been able to practice any of the drills or anything anyway.  So I recently picked it up.

While you never want to be told you suck at something, I pretty much came to that conclusion. There's a page near the back of the book which shows common errors, and yep, there I am #2. Keep in mind, I've seen me run... so I have a pretty good visual. The listing of injuries associated with my "running style?"  Shin splints, and stress fractures.  

So I have 2 choices.  Continue running the "way I run" and risk continuing to injure myself, or use this knowledge and continue striving to be better. Knowledge is power right?

I've been practising the drills he recommends and uses to explain his method, and on this morning's run, I tried to be much more aware of running.  Aware of my muscles, my landing (more of the ball of my foot than the heel), my body positioning, most importantly, making sure I wasn't swinging my leg forward from the knee, landing with a straight leg.  This will not be an immediate change, and until/if this becomes second-nature, it will certainly require concentration, work, and practice.  

This morning I ran partially on a trail. I know the trail continues much further than I went today, but I can't seem to find it! LOL I get to a dead-end, a set of stairs, which takes me to a church parking lot.  There's a sign showing the trail, but no indication of where to get the connection. So rather than waste a bunch of time running aimlessly, I finished my run on sidewalk/road.  I felt great! Got home, stretched out, and synced the Garmin, and realized that since my return, today's run was the fastest but I didn't feel like I was working any harder, and I felt great. There was an interesting paragraph he wrote about the amount of time you're on the ground, and that with landing on a straight leg, i'm essentially applying the brakes, slowing myself down. Makes sense. Something to be said for change i suppose. Will see how this continues.  Have a great week! 

Did you hear about this?

Jogger runs a mile with a rabid fox on her arm!!!  Click here for the full story.  Don't mess with her!

welcome to the club

yesterday morning, went out for a 4.35k run.  went back to the kickboxing club last night, and *gulp* i signed up. actually, i'm happy with the decision, but i remember thinking at some point during the workout "hmmm, i paid for this..."  lol.  my friend and i went out for a coffee after, to discuss what we had gotten ourselves into :)

5.79k run this morning and tomorrow is a rest day.

I've now gotten through 4 weeks of the 7 week "return from injury plan" I've been following. For the most part, i've been feeling great.  The twinges I was feeling a few weeks ago have almost subsided, I'm rarely feeling them anymore.  I do have a little tightness though in my inner calf, relatively close to where one of the stress fractures was. Feels like a little ball that forms when my muscles cool down, always in one spot, and feels like a bruise when i rub it out or push on it, but doesn't bother me at all, no pain when i run, walk, cycle,

kickbox, go up or down stairs, it's just there. I stretch out a lot after my runs, especially in the calves as recommended by my docs, and I was also told to ice regardless of whether i'm in pain or not. Doing that too...

Mileage had been ultra-conservative... today's run of 5.79k is the longest so far, weekly mileages haven't increased drastically, following the 10% rule... 

so i'm hoping it's nothing, just a gentle reminder of the aches and pains that come with being a runner, living an active life... I prefer this to the alternative -- being relatively pain-free, spending any spare time munching on chips or cookies watching tv.  Sure it may hurt less, but I wouldn't like myself.  I will just keep seeing how I feel, and next week will be going to see my family doc to discuss the anti-seizure/calcium/female issues, and see if there is anything to any of it.

tomorrow will be a rest day... yay!  but i need to help a friend with computer stuff though... may feel like a workout by the end of it. :)  hope everyone has a great weekend!

**edit -- i appreciate everyone's concern and comments, but just thought i'd add a little note... the kickboxing is non-contact.  We learn technique, can hit a punching bag if one is available, but mostly it's me against the air. There are about 20 people in the classes, it's about half men, half women.  You will not see me in the Octagon, in an MMA fight, or anything like that. :) I'm not doing any of those jumping, spinning high-flying as-seen-in-movie kung-fu kicks... so I just don't want anyone getting the wrong impression.  But thanks again for the concern ;)  **