road to recovery – Masher Runs

It’s been awhile since I’ve done a weekly recap of my workouts, but I’m happy to say that I’m back to running and building up my base. I went back and forth on whether or not I would publish these, but I think it helps to keep me accountable, as well as making sure I’m building a strong, healthy foundation before training starts for fall races.

This was my first full week of running. The previous week I had two workouts that consisted of running/walking increments and then I was finally able to switch to running full time. Although I don’t consider the weekend part of last week, because of how important it is to my recovery, I’m adding them this one time.

Saturday: 2.12 Miles + Abs, Arms, & Hips

Sunday: 2.63 Miles + Abs, Arms, & Hips

Monday: 0

Tuesday: 4 Miles

Wednesday: 0

Thursday: 2 Miles + Abs & Hips

Friday: 0

Saturday: 0

Sunday: Coastal Delaware 9k (5.6 Miles)

Total: 4.75 Miles & 11.6 Miles

The first Saturday listed was my first true run since January 23rd. I ran 30 minutes, on the treadmill, and didn’t have an ounce of pain. I ran at an extremely slow pace, mostly because I was still nervous but also being cautious. It was probably one of my best runs ever, only because I finally felt like I was on my way again.

First run in new shoes and 2.5 months!

That next day I couldn’t help but jump on the treadmill again for some more slow miles. This time I went for 35 minutes and still felt pain free. As slow and as awkward as I felt, things were starting to feel normal again and not so much like a giraffe learning to walk for the first time.

Post run relaxation and Nuun

Tuesday I met up with Mallory after work and we ran Roscoe with her dog Walter. Our pace was easy, the weather was nice and I felt pretty good. A few times I felt out of shape, but that’s to be expected and eventually running will feel effortless again. I may have gone a little longer than I had planned, but the pace was slow enough that I didn’t feel I was pushing myself beyond my current limits.

Slow and steady win recovery

Thursday, I knew I’d be short on time while trying to get ready for a weekend away. I opted for a shorter run of two miles, instead of my planned three. I could have had time for another mile, but instead I Face Timed with Darren while he was in Brazil. Priorities.

Sunday was a big day. Way back at the end of last year I registered for the marathon at the Coastal Delaware Running Festival. Well, we all know how training went, but thankfully, through hard work, tears, and a lot of patience, I was able to work my way up to attempting the 9k without it being too much of a stretch for me. My recap will be up on blog later this week, but even though it wasn’t my typical race, it felt like the beginning of a new way of training.

Packet Pick Up. We made it!

My recovery has been a good one so far, and I feel that I’ve been able to really examine all parts of my running, including cross training, form, nutrition and sleep. I’ve been keeping up with my ab workouts and lifting on days of workouts, but still struggle at times to remember to do abs on the days I’m not running. I’m feeling stronger, especially in my hips which has always been a week point for me.

I’ve tried a few new foods and I’m hoping to figure out what works for me and what doesn’t. Finding Lactose free butter has made a huge difference in my life and substituting Nuun at dinner instead of wine can have its benefits. But let’s be honest, I’m still eating at least a box or two of Cheez It Grooves every week. Some habits just can’t be broken.

I also took the time to get my shoes fitted again. I never thought my shoes were the reason I got injured, but when you’re starting from scratch you might as well check everything. Turns out my shoes aren’t really an issue, but there are shoes out there that can be a better fit. Enter Saucony Guides. I’ve been faithful to Asics for about 15 years, after one year of Adidas. This time I vowed to be open to all shoes, no matter what brand. I have to admit, I was scared to break from my normal shoe and brand, but the Saucony Guides felt amazing. Turns out they were so amazing that I got a second pair when Amazon had a sale….bringing my shoe rotation to 5 or 6? Let’s not judge here.

All in all, I think things are going well, and I’m excited to slowly bring up mileage and speed and get ready for a hopefully race filled summer and fall!

Oh, hello. It’s been a while. Seven weeks to be exact. I didn’t intend to let the blog sit empty for so long, but it was a rough couple of weeks, months really. The last time I wrote, I gave an update on my injury. So let’s catch up, shall we?

Since the appointment where I found out I had two stress fractures, I was on a roller coaster of emotions. Instead of thinking I’d need a few weeks off, I ended up taking two months off. Sixty days came and went from my last long run to my first steps back on the treadmill. I spent three weeks in a boot, and worked my way to walking on the treadmill for extended periods of time. Mentally, I was in a deep, dark area, but I was also able to figure out what I needed and what I wanted. Not only in running, but also in life. When you have time off of running, you spend a lot of time thinking.

I’m excited to say that I’ve started running again. Well, slow jogging really. I’m taking the cautious way back into running, and taking things slow. I was nervous to make that transition from walking to slow running, but I couldn’t hold off forever. When one of your best friends is a PT, she helps you take that leap of faith and the first steps of running once again.

First run in 60 days!

Those first steps were awkward and timid, but exciting! I didn’t know when I’d be able to run again, or if I’d want to try, for fear that I would still be injured. But I tried, and I did it. And those three minutes of extremely slow and awkward running, were the best moments I’d had in two months.

So what happens now? I have a plan set to get me slowly back to a comfortable pace, but also making sure I stay healthy and uninjured. It’s a 30 minute workout that includes both walking and running, building myself up to a full 30 minutes of running, and I’ll do it every other day as long as I’m pain free. So far I’ve done 3×9 minute walking/1 minute jogging and 3x 8 minute walking/2 minute jogging. It’s a slow process, but the minutes I get to spend running (even at a very slow pace) are magical.

I’ve also been adamant on doing abs and lifting as well. The goal is to try to do an ab workout everyday and lift on the days I run. I know doing this extra bit will help to keep me healthy and fit, but hopefully keep any injury away. And maybe I’ll get back into yoga, but let’s not rush it.

I have no time goals set or a certain mileage I want to hit each week. I just want to come back healthy and hopefully stronger than before. It wasn’t until I was truly injured, that I took a step back and realized there were things that needed to be changed, and what I need to do in the future to make myself a better running.

I’m no where near where I was, and I’ve got a long road ahead of me. But I’m finally starting to feel like myself again, and I couldn’t be more excited!