First, where does the time go? Have I really not blogged since mid-month? Anyway, the running is going fine if not slowly. We went to Peoria for a niece's wedding reception and to visit family. What a blast. I not only got a 1 in a million husband, but his sister and her family plus the other siblings and their kids are an incredible bonus.
Ran in Peoria -- hot and humid even at 8 a.m. Decided to just go out and see how I felt. Stop as needed and see if the ankle felt OK. I'd been wearing some New Balance shoes on the track (running at the track as per chiro's suggestion). In Peoria, I went back to the street and my Loco's. Great run. Felt good but with the usual high heart rate (I could tell even without my Garmin). So I'm happy to have run 3 times this week and the ankle feeling good the whole time.
But the BEST news is the cardiologist's office called last week and offered to move up my appt. from October to this Tuesday!! Hallelujah! I am so hopeful he will figure out why my heart rate spikes when I run -- even a slow run. For ex: earlier this week, I was trying to run slowly. So I ran my first quarter mile in 3:08 but my heart rate was like 151 and then went to 165 and up to 175 or so by the end of the mile. Now, my Garmin has shown that my heart rate can get to 180 so even if that's my MHR (which is high for my age), I'm still working out at what a 95 percent of max on a 12-minute mile? Come on. I've been back to running for more than 2 years. Something has to be going on. Hopefully we'll find out what that "something" is soon.
Sunday, July 27, 2008
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Finding the joy
I wish I could find the same peace about running that I have with biking. When I get on the bike, I am home. It feels so right. I don't worry about speed. I'm not racing anyone. I'm just out for a ride -- almost always with my husband. Quality time with him, enjoying whatever season it is, feeling my body gliding along, and it doesn't matter if we are doing 13 mph or 18 mph. If I don't ride well, I don't panic. I realize I've been stressed, I haven't eaten well or haven't hydrated well. And it doesn't matter. It only matters that I'm outside, on the bike, with my husband and LOVING IT ALL.
So why can't I find that same attitude with running? I have been able to release my Type A personality in so many ways, but not running. If I am not checking my splits, I'm checking my heart rate. I'm constantly wanting to go faster, farther NOW. It too often becomes work; I want it to become joy.
My body is fighting me so hard and letting me know my biking attitude is much better for me than my running attitude. My heart rate is normal when I bike; it's off the charts on an 11 minute mile (even after only 2 minutes). I never hurt myself biking. I'm nursing a possible stress fracture. Actually, it's pretty much healed but when I went to run (on a very soft track the other day and I only did two half-miles,) I ended up with a lump above my ankle bone and swelling around it plus a bruise. It doesn't hurt when I walk. Normally, I would have tried to run again since I had no pain. I see the chiropractor tomorrow, so I thought I'd check with her first. Maybe I am softening that Type A. I even bagged yoga yesterday.
We'll see what the doc thinks.
So why can't I find that same attitude with running? I have been able to release my Type A personality in so many ways, but not running. If I am not checking my splits, I'm checking my heart rate. I'm constantly wanting to go faster, farther NOW. It too often becomes work; I want it to become joy.
My body is fighting me so hard and letting me know my biking attitude is much better for me than my running attitude. My heart rate is normal when I bike; it's off the charts on an 11 minute mile (even after only 2 minutes). I never hurt myself biking. I'm nursing a possible stress fracture. Actually, it's pretty much healed but when I went to run (on a very soft track the other day and I only did two half-miles,) I ended up with a lump above my ankle bone and swelling around it plus a bruise. It doesn't hurt when I walk. Normally, I would have tried to run again since I had no pain. I see the chiropractor tomorrow, so I thought I'd check with her first. Maybe I am softening that Type A. I even bagged yoga yesterday.
We'll see what the doc thinks.
Sunday, July 6, 2008
On the road again
So tomorrow was supposed to be the first day I can try to run again. Only a mile but it's a start. But my schedule is a little crazy tomorrow, so I decided to run today.
I have to admit I was a little nervous. I still don't know what caused the ankle pain other than the doc's "impending distal fibular stress fracture" diagnosis. I was hoping it was healed enough to feel good. I started out and noticed I was a little cautious on the right side and I had to consciously put away the fear of hurting myself. I had to remind myself that the ankle issue was caused by a small ankle twist, and not giving it the respect -- and rest -- that it required until I really did it up good during a 6-mile run. I had to remind myself that it had nothing to do with my actual running and there was nothing to be afraid of. So I tried to relax and just enjoy the 1 single mile I was permitted to run. No Garmin, so no time or heart rate, just feeling myself move again.
Great news. No pain, no twinges and tonight no swelling. So I'll run again on Tuesday and then two more times this week, and if all goes well, I'll add another half-mile next week.
I have to admit I was a little nervous. I still don't know what caused the ankle pain other than the doc's "impending distal fibular stress fracture" diagnosis. I was hoping it was healed enough to feel good. I started out and noticed I was a little cautious on the right side and I had to consciously put away the fear of hurting myself. I had to remind myself that the ankle issue was caused by a small ankle twist, and not giving it the respect -- and rest -- that it required until I really did it up good during a 6-mile run. I had to remind myself that it had nothing to do with my actual running and there was nothing to be afraid of. So I tried to relax and just enjoy the 1 single mile I was permitted to run. No Garmin, so no time or heart rate, just feeling myself move again.
Great news. No pain, no twinges and tonight no swelling. So I'll run again on Tuesday and then two more times this week, and if all goes well, I'll add another half-mile next week.
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