I've talked about my many running partners in previous posts. They are all awesome and I love running with each of them. Yesterday I found yet another partner. Bo, our German Shorthair.
We've had problems in the past with Bo chewing up toys, packages, fishing rods, boots, etc. It's probably because he's bored. For the first few months we had him, he stayed in our yard. Slowly he started to venture further and further. Our neighbors would call saying he was at their house. Michael would go load him up, bring him home, then he'd run down there again. We were getting frustrated. What to do? The last straw was when he killed a neighbor's chicken. We knew he couldn't be trusted. So, we put invisible fencing in our yard. The bad part about our yard is there's nothing for him to do. He has become an excellent butterfly and bumble bee hunter. He needs more exercise... which is kind of my specialty.
Michael has asked if I'll start walking/running with Bo. Bo hasn't gone through obedience classes so I have been hesitant. I knew he'd catch a whiff of some bird and want to take off. Yesterday I finally decided to try it.
The first mile was rough. I did a lot of pulling to keep him on the road. There were a few times he wanted to drag me. But, the last three miles were better. He figured out what we were doing. My hope is that he improves each time and will be a consistent partner.
My next challenge is getting Michael to go with us.
Thursday, March 29, 2012
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
New toy... kinda.
I have stepped out of the Blackberry world and into the realm of the iPhone. Honestly, the only reason I did was because it was the only touchscreen phone small enough to fit in my running armband and in the pocket of my jeans. Yes, that is seriously how I made my phone choice. The guys at the cell store told me I didn't have to wear tight jeans, which face it, that's why I run in the first place.
One fateful Friday my Garmin did not want to cooperate. It didn't even do as much as turn on. If you've ever run with a GPS, you know how addicting they are. Mine is a hand-me-down from my mom. I knew the day would come when it could not be revived. I figured that day had come. During the run I was thinking how/when I could get it replaced. Why spend my own money when Michael could spend his on a birthday gift for me? But, what would I do to get me by?
This is where the iPhone enters the picture. I loaded the iMapMyRun app just to see if I liked it as well as the Garmin. It is awesome! Not only does it log distance and pace, but I can log my food, water, etc. I find it very useful. The one downfall is that it's in my armband. I can't flip my wrist to see how far I've run or my pace.
Follow up on the hip.... It's still not completely healed. I feel pain when I run and a little after runs. It's better than it was, but definitely not 100%. I debate constantly if I should push through to run the marathon the end of May, or relax a little and train for a marathon later in the year. I've heard many horror stories about people destroying their bodies while training for this distance. I don't think I'm ready for that. I want to be a life-long runner. I take it one week at a time. Unfortunately I'm down to crunch time and don't have the luxury of dilly-dallying.
One fateful Friday my Garmin did not want to cooperate. It didn't even do as much as turn on. If you've ever run with a GPS, you know how addicting they are. Mine is a hand-me-down from my mom. I knew the day would come when it could not be revived. I figured that day had come. During the run I was thinking how/when I could get it replaced. Why spend my own money when Michael could spend his on a birthday gift for me? But, what would I do to get me by?
This is where the iPhone enters the picture. I loaded the iMapMyRun app just to see if I liked it as well as the Garmin. It is awesome! Not only does it log distance and pace, but I can log my food, water, etc. I find it very useful. The one downfall is that it's in my armband. I can't flip my wrist to see how far I've run or my pace.
Follow up on the hip.... It's still not completely healed. I feel pain when I run and a little after runs. It's better than it was, but definitely not 100%. I debate constantly if I should push through to run the marathon the end of May, or relax a little and train for a marathon later in the year. I've heard many horror stories about people destroying their bodies while training for this distance. I don't think I'm ready for that. I want to be a life-long runner. I take it one week at a time. Unfortunately I'm down to crunch time and don't have the luxury of dilly-dallying.
Wednesday, March 14, 2012
On The Mend
After two and a half weeks of cutting back and babying my hip, I'm finally back at it. I'll fall back into my marathon training as long as the injury doesn't flare up again.
I went to the chiropractor three times last week. I could tell a huge difference just after the first treatment. By Friday I was walking with little pain. I did the exercises he suggested, along with ones my friend Kerri told me to do. If it prevents me from having the same issue, I'll continue to do the exercises until I'm too old to get myself up off the floor. I also ice my hip at least once a day. So far it seems to be working.
Tonight Amber and I ran a killer 6 miles. Anything that includes that many intense hills should count double. This weekend I'm planning to run 10 miles with Katie at the cabin. With this nice of weather, especially in March, I see no reason to get on my treadmill.
In between runs I've been trying to rest, which is not easy. I was running 6 days a week and no less than 4 miles. Now I'm backing it down to 4 days a week. Yesterday Kincaid rode his bike while I walked 4 miles. I am thankful he pedalled his little bike. I would have ran just to get done. He was a trooper and should get lots of credit. He'll wear his training wheels off before he learns to ride at this rate. I see a future RAGBRAI-er.
I went to the chiropractor three times last week. I could tell a huge difference just after the first treatment. By Friday I was walking with little pain. I did the exercises he suggested, along with ones my friend Kerri told me to do. If it prevents me from having the same issue, I'll continue to do the exercises until I'm too old to get myself up off the floor. I also ice my hip at least once a day. So far it seems to be working.
Tonight Amber and I ran a killer 6 miles. Anything that includes that many intense hills should count double. This weekend I'm planning to run 10 miles with Katie at the cabin. With this nice of weather, especially in March, I see no reason to get on my treadmill.
In between runs I've been trying to rest, which is not easy. I was running 6 days a week and no less than 4 miles. Now I'm backing it down to 4 days a week. Yesterday Kincaid rode his bike while I walked 4 miles. I am thankful he pedalled his little bike. I would have ran just to get done. He was a trooper and should get lots of credit. He'll wear his training wheels off before he learns to ride at this rate. I see a future RAGBRAI-er.
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
Injury
I'm experiencing my first running-induced injury. Not fun. I've heard and read of people with major injuries, but I secretly thought to myself "How bad can it really be? Can't they just work through the pain?" Karma has bitten me in the ass.
Last Monday after my treadmill run I sat in my office chair, legs folded under me, and worked on my laptop. When I got up, I noticed a nagging pain on my left hip. So, naturally I thought I could run it out. Tuesday and Wednesday I did the same treadmill run followed but sitting in my chair with legs curled. I also made a trip to Des Moines each of those days. I had no idea how much my natural way of sitting was hurting me.
Thursday through Saturday I took off from running. I thought if I rested it, that may help. The pain was still there. I thought for sure the stairs on Sunday's climb would cripple me. It wasn't any worse than before. So, Monday Amber and I ran a killer 5 miles. I worked through the pain and felt okay at the end. By the time I drove 15 minutes home, I could barely walk. I was now ready to see a doctor.
Today I went to the chiropractor. He found my hip bones were way off. My right hip was rotated forward and my left was rotated backwards. When I was sitting with my legs folded under me or leaning off to one side that was stretching and straining muscles. Also, the bones in my knees were not aligned. The cause was partially due to all the treadmill running and partially because of how I strain my muscles when I sit. Even as I type this, I'm itching to fold my legs up or lean to one side.
Now I'm in the routine of icing it, sitting on an exercise ball, doing a few stretches and exercises, and visiting the chiropractor a few times a week. I can't run for a few days. If I weren't in the middle of training I probably wouldn't listen as well, but the marathon is only a few months away.
Moral of the story: Don't tempt Karma.
Last Monday after my treadmill run I sat in my office chair, legs folded under me, and worked on my laptop. When I got up, I noticed a nagging pain on my left hip. So, naturally I thought I could run it out. Tuesday and Wednesday I did the same treadmill run followed but sitting in my chair with legs curled. I also made a trip to Des Moines each of those days. I had no idea how much my natural way of sitting was hurting me.
Thursday through Saturday I took off from running. I thought if I rested it, that may help. The pain was still there. I thought for sure the stairs on Sunday's climb would cripple me. It wasn't any worse than before. So, Monday Amber and I ran a killer 5 miles. I worked through the pain and felt okay at the end. By the time I drove 15 minutes home, I could barely walk. I was now ready to see a doctor.
Today I went to the chiropractor. He found my hip bones were way off. My right hip was rotated forward and my left was rotated backwards. When I was sitting with my legs folded under me or leaning off to one side that was stretching and straining muscles. Also, the bones in my knees were not aligned. The cause was partially due to all the treadmill running and partially because of how I strain my muscles when I sit. Even as I type this, I'm itching to fold my legs up or lean to one side.
Now I'm in the routine of icing it, sitting on an exercise ball, doing a few stretches and exercises, and visiting the chiropractor a few times a week. I can't run for a few days. If I weren't in the middle of training I probably wouldn't listen as well, but the marathon is only a few months away.
Moral of the story: Don't tempt Karma.
Monday, March 5, 2012
Fight For Air Climb
This past Sunday I tackled and conquered another challenge... The Fight For Air Climb for the American Lung Association. It was a great experience and I can't wait for next year!
Kerri Bishop, Megan Allen, and myself scaled up 66 quad-exploding, lung-burning floors divided among three buildings (The Hub Tower, The EMC building, and Downtown Marriott). Sure I can run miles and miles, but hiking up stairs is different. My legs aren't used to that type of a workout. I was pleasantly surprised that my body didn't disappoint. Next year's goal is to beat my time for all three buildings.
I love that two of my closest friends are willing to accept whatever crazy physical challenge crosses my brain. This one was actually Kerri's idea. When we had the choice of doing one building or all three, we HAD to do all three. If you want bragging rights, you gotta go all the way.
So what's next on our list of challenges? The Iowa Sport's Foundation Mud Run, Warrior Dash, RAGBRAI, and anything else that seems a little out of our comfort zone. Since we did the mud run last year, our challenge is to get as muddy as possible. We shouldn't be recognizable by the end.
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