First let’s just look at some adorable Duncan photos…
He literally got woo’d away from chewing on the bone when I started giving him a belly rub….with my foot!
Nap on the bone
Tug it Thursday
Tongue out Thursday
OK now to my ramblings….so I’ve been skipping out on at least one mid-week run each week. I’m always finding excuses. Injury, weather, being tired, not wanting to leave the dog. Well some of them are valid to a point but I really am just not trying hard enough here and i know it. I’ve been so frustrated with my injuries and I’m having yet a hard time AGAIN trying to remind myself that it’s never one and done. Let me explain…
When the hubby died, I sort of decided in my head that I was exempt from any further tragedy. Obviously I know that’s ridiculous. Well, for some reason my ridiculous notion of being exempt tends to stick in my head with running injuries too. Last July I had to drop back to the half at the San Francisco Marathon because of injury so I thought I had my “one and done” and I’d be exempt from having any other injuries or compromised marathons/marathon training. Nope. Then came the NJ Marathon this past April. I barely got enough training in because of more injuries. I assumed I’d take a couple of months off and start my NYC Marathon training strong and healthy and that this would be my chance to finally have a full marathon training cycle injury free. And here I am injured and frustrated (especially because it’s due to a cartwheel and not from running!) with little energy or enjoyment from my runs. I’m just shuffling through them (although I was super happy to see my friends this past Saturday and that helped make up for the fact I was shuffling and hurting).
So today I finally got a run in.
5 with the isn-factor
Since I skipped my Tuesday 4-miler and today I was supposed to do 5, I decided to go with the ish-factor and stopped at 4.75 and just walked it in for the last 1/4 mile.
Next up is supposed to be a 12 mile long run this weekend. Hmmm…I guess I’ll play that one by ear.
Switching gears. I received a great piece of equipment in the mail a few weeks ago from TKO—a soft grip jump rope. (While this was given to me at no-cost my opinions are my own.)
TKO soft grip jump rope
First let me just say I LOVE the color combo (Glacier+Lemon). There are so many great reasons to have a jump rope…
1. It’s portable! You can shove it in your suitcase and travel with it. (Perfect timing….i’ll be traveling next week!)
2. You can burn 170 calories in just 15 minutes! That’s insane.
3. It’s great for at-home cardio. Whether working from home, being snowed-in, or maybe you’re waiting for the cable guy and can’t leave the house you can get in a quick sweat-sesh.
4. You can take it outside in the yard while the dogs or children are running around.
5. A jump rope is great to incorporate into a high-interval training program. And this is something I really want to do. I now want to buy some yellow and blue free weights and resistance bands to match. 🙂
6. Most of all, it’s a super inexpensive piece of exercise equipment. (Amazon seems to have the best price. You can get it here for less than $15.)
This particular model has metal ball-bearings so the rope doesn’t tangle or twist. It’s 9 feet in length. The soft grip handles make it easier to keep a firm grasp on them.
What is your favorite inexpensive piece of gym equipment?
Happy Wednesday. I was just thinking how much I’ve been enjoying being free of any rigid training schedule for the last 2 months.
No rigid training for 3 more weeks!!! =)
I have about 3ish more weeks before I start training for the NYC Marathon on November 1 and 3 half marathons before that (although all the half marathons will fall under “long training run”).
Today I did an easy 4 miles. 4 miles is finally starting to feel like a short distance to me again! YAY!
it wouldn’t be a Garmin shot without a doodle bomb
So my friend’s mom who I visited last Friday passed away on Monday. While she was 91 it was pancreatic cancer that took her and I have to say watching her deteriorate over the last 6 months was painful. I would go a few months between visits and when I saw her on Friday I knew it was a matter of days. I’m going to miss her. I dedicated my run today to her and will say my final goodbye tonight at the services. I thought about her and a few other friends who are caregivers to relatives and it brought up a lot of emotion for me. I remember those last few months of my hubby’s life (back in 1999) as Melanoma spread to all his organs. At 25 I had no experience in dealing with any of what I had on my plate. I tried to keep it together and be strong to care for him but I would get so frustrated and overwhelmed. But somehow I managed. And I have those special memories of his final hours before he took his last breath. I remember the first year afterward. I had to remind myself to move, breathe, eat….
Step forward. Repeat. Breathe!
Thankfully now I have running in my life. It really helps me when the emotions build up. Such a release!
And now I have Mr. SOTSS too! A second love story in the making.
My smiley. Love him so….
Last night we had a crazy thunder/lightning storm but it ended about 20 minute before sunset and left this beautiful colored sky.
So, my injuries? Here’s where we’re at:
My shoulder/rotator cuff: Remember when I fell of the snowmobile back in February while on a winter weekend getaway with Mr. SOTSS? Almost 5 months later and I can finally raise my arm straight up. I still can’t lift it out to the side and up but I can get it about 90 degrees. I can finally put my hair in a ponytail and get dressed without difficulty. I’m doing all of my PT exercises once or twice a week at home and feel pretty confident I’ll be close to 100% before the year is out.
My knee: Well back in March I started seeing Dr. Willams who told me it was scar tissue that built up in my quads and was causing my knee to be off track hence the pain. I still feel a “twinge” when I’m running and going up and down stairs but it is so minor and really not an issue anymore as far as my running goes. My daily foam rolling, hip, glute and core strengthening and stretching is definitely keeping things status quo.
My ankle/calf: This is also pretty much resolved although like the knee I’ll still feel a little aching the day after a long run or if I’ve been on my feet all day. I’ve been rolling and stretching here too and I’m fairly certain it’s also working at keeping things at bay.
My lower back: I haven’t mentioned this much. It started hurting a few days before the New Jersey Marathon back at the end of April. I kept thinking I slept on it wrong. Well, 2 months later and it seems that it’s a posture issue. I sit a lot during the day and don’t focus too much on my posture. Running seems to actually bring the most relief probably because it loosens up the muscles. I’m working at strengthening the abs/core which I’m sure are a big reason my back has been achy. Standing is the absolute worst. I was taking photos at a party for 5 hours a few weekends ago and after felt spasms that actually started to wrap around to my hips in the front.
So hopefully another 3 weeks of easy non rigid training will allow my body a little more healing times so I can kick off NYC Marathon training feeling strong.
Duncan thought he’d get a good stretch in too to prevent injury.
Sort of a downward dog
How are you feeling?
Any injuries?
Who here has back issues?
Have you ever been with someone as they took their last breath?
I have so much to talk about and I thought i should break this post up into chunks. First Let’s talk about my unnecessary rollercoaster ride process to my decision on whether to run the Brooklyn Half tomorrow.
EVERYTHING BUT THE MEDAL
Wednesday afternoon, on my lunch hour I took the subway from my office in Manhattan to Pier 2 at Brooklyn Bridge Park where the Brooklyn Half “Pre-Party” (expo) was being held.
This is my stop!
But seriously…
I wanted to pick up my race bib and t-shirt regardless of what my final decision on running would be. For one, I paid a good amount of money for registration including the tech shirt….
Because i need another race shirt
plus, i love that it was being held at such a scenic spot in Brooklyn where the views of lower Manhattan are just breathtaking. For whatever reason this race has become a large event with runners from all over and they made sure to tailor the pre-party for the out-of-towners and also highlight some of Brooklyn’s unique eats and music. I love when my hometown (while I live in the neighboring borough of Staten Island, I was born in Brooklyn) can be shared with others.
Sally selfie
let the “pre-party” begin
A tree grows in Brooklyn
Yesterday morning, I drove to physical therapy for my shoulder and i was still wrestling with the whole Brooklyn Half situation. How could I possibly be in jeopardy of having to drop out of running this half marathon due to injury 2 years in a row???!!!! And for the same (overuse) injury! After 6 weeks of knee-hab here I was dealing with my ankle demons.
I shut down my mind and focused on the exercises they had me do for my shoulder. Unfortunately due to insurance reasons this was my last session. Crazy since I’m nowhere near healed. But I know the exercises i need to do and will continue to do them 2x a week at home. And maybe Mr. SOTSS can pinch hit for the shoulder massage part. =)
But as soon as I left PT, my mind was racing again….literally! I know I can physically run 13.1 miles on Saturday which is what’s been making it so hard to make that final decision. It’s what i’m risking in the long run. I’m pretty sure it would leave me with a longer road to recovery. My ankle tendonitis is mild at the moment. But this could be just too much for those tendons to handle and I know it took 4 months to heal last year when it was severe. I don’t want to lose 4 months again. Especially after I just experienced being sidelined for the knee.
And I am running a 5k on Sunday with Mr. SOTSS and his daughters and I definitely don’t want to jeopardize that in any way. So really It’s my pride that’s really has been standing in the way here. But I made the final decision just hours ago that I won’t be running. And you know what? It’s not the end of the world. And the silver lining is that I get to be a supporter/spectator this time. I had lots of practice being a spectator last year at the Spring Lake 5, Jersey Shore Half and NYC Marathon. I’ll be waiting at the finish line to cheer as my running peeps cross and then I’ll hang out with them after and help celebrate their finish. I miss them! Plus, my running peep Elvia is also needing to sit this race out so we’re going to meet to run/walk just a couple of miles while we wait for the rest of the crew. YAY!
With my pre-party experience, race spectating and post race celebration basically I’ll have everything but the medal. =)
This brings me to my next share…
Yes, I trained hard for that. I ran 65 miles in 5 days in the week of those races. I had never run as much as I did that fall….and then came the NYC Marathon that November followed by a cold and snowy winter that I battled to keep my training going for the NJ Marathon in April of 2014. I did lots of speedwork on a treadmill mainly because the snow forced me indoors and treadmills bore me. So the speed intervals kept me focused. This all proved out as i set a HUGE PR in the 1/2 marathon last March (in the pouring rain) in Philadelphia and then another HUGE PR at the NJ Marathon. I also set a 5k PR in that time as well.
Setting my marathon PR at the NJ Marathon
After setting a 13.1 PR in the pouring rain
Breaking 5 hours for a course PR at the NYC Marathon
So when I think about all my injuries….the ankle, the knee, the hip, the hamstring, and non-running related but definitely draining the shoulder it makes sense that i’m still suffering (also, i’ve been poor about the preventative stuff like strength training and stretching).
And so I have given myself permission for these set backs to take a while longer to recover from.
Permission that 2015 just isn’t going to be a stellar year for my physical running capabilities.
Permission to let it be the year I learn a whole lot about the importance of the 10 percent rule and strength training.
Permission to stick to (and rekindle the joys of) short 2 and 3 mile runs a whenever I feel up to it instead of double digit long runs and a religious schedule.
Permission that planks just can’t happen until my shoulder is feeling stronger.
Permission to take multiple trips to bring in the groceries while my arm isn’t 100 percent.
Permission to accept that this is temporary. And temporary doesn’t have to mean a week or a month. This could be an entire year of working toward getting back to where I was.
But the biggest permission slip here is still new for me. I’ve been in a relationship now with Mr. SOTSS for a year now (side note: We went out last night for dinner to celebrate one year since our first date and I even got flowers =)
a year together.
The last thing I want to do is whine about my injuries and not being able to run blah blah blah….but I’ve given myself permission to do it anyway (within reason!). He’s a great listener and as a runner himself he gets it. He understands that missing out on a run can impact so many things and like a catch 22 I don’t want to become irritable for not running and then take it out on him. Gosh I’m such an adult these days! I’m so grateful and lucky to have hjm as my biggest fan and to be supportive.
OTHER STUFF:
Yesterday I ran an easy 2-ish miles in my new Lululemon shorts that I bought last weekend when shopping with my niece. Let me just say that I LOVE them!
the waist sits just below the belly button and felt very comfortable on me
Love how the boring compression short turns into what looks like stockings. It’s a pretty feminine detail and let’s be honest….hot summer runs require breathability.
No creeping! No chafing! #WINWIN
The first time I’ve had a pair of shorts just fit without riding up or needing to be layered over compression shorts. I’m going to be blunt….I have a lot of thigh-age. I don’t hate my legs but I know that they rub and I chafe easily. I also know that most running shorts creep up and look pretty unflattering. So usually i’ll put a pair of compression shorts underneath. These came with an already attached pair of tight fitting shorts but they are so light.
I met my friend for a walk later on in the day and we came across this cute lil frog.
froggie
This morning I took Duncan to the vet for a checkup. He got a clean bill of health. We celebrated with a walk in the park.
Tranquility
The left side of my face felt like being camera shy.
Yesterday I was at my shoulder physical therapy appointment. The exercises I had to do were so painful. I cried it hurt so bad. I cried some more because I felt so weak and even the easiest tasks just seemed impossible. Here it is almost 3 months since I fell off that snowmobile and I can’t wash a window with my right arm. I can’t put my hair in a ponytail (unless I bend down and do it upside down), I can’t lift myself off the couch or do a push up or plank….and the list goes on. All the pain, frustration and tears turned into anger and since I’m not a naturally angry person, that anger quickly turned into determination and I pushed through to finish my exercises and scheduled my next appointment.
I then posted this to Facebook:
And then I had my “aha!” moment. This is one of the many reasons I run marathons. It makes me stronger just as much on the inside as it does on the outside. Training for a marathon and the marathon day itself show me I can get through hard things. I can take the impossible (how on earth can i run 26 miles?!) and make it possible (baby steps! start with a long run of 7 miles and 14 weeks later run 20.). And with every marathon and training cycle I learn more about myself, my strength, my endurance and my capabilities. I learn through injury that I have weaknesses too. But I also learn that I can use my marathon training mind to get through those injuries.
I just need to stay in the mile i’m in! Just going to remind myself i’m only in “mile 1” of rehab for the shoulder. So my mantra for Sunday’s race has now become my mantra for shoulder rehab too. And if when there comes a day I’m not injured or rehabbing I’ll be able to apply this mantra to some other aspect of my life.
Setting my PR of 4:38 last year. Best moment ever!
Running marathons have given me confidence and to a degree an identity. If you’ve ever had the chance to see my Dicks Sporting Goods “Every Runner Has a Reason” video I said “I’m becoming more and more Sally, the runner rather than Sally the widow”.
I’ve also created some amazing friendships and just feel so at home in the community of runners.
Me and Lisa at my first marathon—the 2011 NYC Marathon
My Ragnar Relay family!
Jane and I at mile 25 of last year’s NJ Marathon
running and chatting
I really learned this after taking on the part time job working for the NJ Marathon. Speaking of, here’s a great interview with Joe Gigas, the race director of the NJ Marathon and a huge source of support and encouragement for me. This man cares so much about the runners!
That’s Bre, Joe and me representing NJ at the Philly expo this past November. Photo: RunJersey
Lastly, while I was shooting for the Dicks Sporting Goods campaign a couple of years ago I met some amazing runners including Leah Thorvilson.
Me, Leah, Meggan (Rest in Peace….she lost her battle with breast cancer this past fall…I thought of her last month while running the Philly Love run right when I had that moment that I decided to stick with the full for NJ ) and Tara—who’s also running NJ on Sunday!
She’s run a 2:42 at the Olympic Trials and won the Mount Desert Island Marathon last October with a 2:49 after hamstring surgery no less! Now she’s faced with another huge setback a hole in the cartilage of her knee and she needs another 2 part surgery that will happen far away from where she lives and will keep her from any type of exercise for at least a year! But this girl is determined to run. And she has the biggest heart and gives so much of herself to others that I’ve decided to pledge money toward her traveling expenses for each mile I complete on Sunday (which will most definitely be ALL 26.2 even if it takes me all day). It’s not so much the money aspect but the return of support. She should know that the community of runners that she’s inspired is there for her as she undergoes another challenging year.
Oh I could go on all day about why I run marathons but I’ve got to head out for my last run before the big day.
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