Tonight was such a gorgeous one that I decided I just had to get outside - and run. My hip didn't hurt as much today, so I thought I would just try to run, and if it was simply too painful, I would walk. I didn't tell my husband ahead of time, but I suppose that he knows me well enough to know that when I said I was going to town to walk, I would try to run. Regardless, I knew that he would not be happy with me, and I prayed that I wouldn't see him as he was driving to a meeting. It was like being afraid of getting caught by my mom! (part of the reason I love him is that he cares so very much)
I ran about 2 1/2 miles, which satisfied that craving. My hip was a little uncomfortable, but not unbearable. My feet, however, were really uncomfortable. As I was analyzing why the heck my feet were bothering me, it dawned on me - my shoes are too big! I paid $125 to get really good running shoes because Gary and I decided that the investment was worth it since we need to take care of our feet. The salesman convinced me that I needed a size 7, although my other Asics were 6 1/2. When I run, my feet feel like they are just flopping on the pavement. The tops hurt. That discomfort makes my legs feel heavy, which hasn't really happened since I started running regularly. So now I am a bit ticked that I let him convince me to spend that much money (Gary's money actually) on shoes that I can't run in. Even walking was not comfortable in those shoes. I am going back to my old shoes on my next run just to prove that the shoes are the problem, but only for my feet. The hip is another story.
I have an appointment with a chiropractor tomorrow for the hip problem. I am really anxious about the pain he might inflict. Several of my running friends have recommended this route since the steroids had no effect. At this point, I just want to get back to my routine, so I am willing to try it.
It is odd how this lack of running has affected me. I am making my husband crazy! Last night I was just totally depressed, knowing full well that it was stupid to feel that way. I was near tears just walking through Walmart, and then my sweet niece sent me a really kind text message, and I really teared up! I really believe that after exercising regularly for the past 8 months, which releases feel-good chemicals in the brain, the sudden stop in activity really had a negative impact on my mental state (or I really am just crazy). So, after running today, no matter how little or how slowly, I feel better. My hip doesn't feel any worse, and I am ready to try it again tomorrow!
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Monday, October 19, 2009
Moving into Depression...
Sooo...I have been on steroids for a week; I have truly rested my hip; and it is no better. It still hurts just to walk. Every once in awhile I think that maybe it's better, but then the pain comes back. I would just like a magic pill to make the pain disappear! It's is a gorgeous evening, perfect for a long run, and I can only hobble.
One might think that I am finding other forms of exercise, but he would be mistaken. I enjoy doing TurboJam, but much of it is leg work, and just the thought of it makes me wince. I could bike, but that means hauling my bike to town, and sometimes I just don't feel like it. So, instead I am eating, which is exactly what I don't need to be doing!
Yesterday Gary, Morgan, Addison, and I went to the Apple Fest in Owensboro. It is somewhat of a family tradition for us. The food is just wonderful! I had a steak sandwich (with lots of fat), an apple dumpling with ice cream (mmm...), some of Morgan's bloomin' onion, and a bunch of kettle popcorn (love it!). I told Gary that I felt like a toad by the end of the evening. Addison got a fried apple pie with ice cream, which makes me want to make fried apple pies. My grandma used to make them, and her sister told me an easy way so that I could try my hand at a family favorite. Did I mention that I made chocolate eclairs (yes, homemade) on Saturday, and the I ate 4 of those? Winter is tough on me because I love to bake in the winter. I am not a good cook by any stretch of the imagination, but I can bake!
So, I am not exercising, and I am increasing my food intake...it won't be long before the new smaller clothes I bought will be packed away if this hip doesn't improve!
One might think that I am finding other forms of exercise, but he would be mistaken. I enjoy doing TurboJam, but much of it is leg work, and just the thought of it makes me wince. I could bike, but that means hauling my bike to town, and sometimes I just don't feel like it. So, instead I am eating, which is exactly what I don't need to be doing!
Yesterday Gary, Morgan, Addison, and I went to the Apple Fest in Owensboro. It is somewhat of a family tradition for us. The food is just wonderful! I had a steak sandwich (with lots of fat), an apple dumpling with ice cream (mmm...), some of Morgan's bloomin' onion, and a bunch of kettle popcorn (love it!). I told Gary that I felt like a toad by the end of the evening. Addison got a fried apple pie with ice cream, which makes me want to make fried apple pies. My grandma used to make them, and her sister told me an easy way so that I could try my hand at a family favorite. Did I mention that I made chocolate eclairs (yes, homemade) on Saturday, and the I ate 4 of those? Winter is tough on me because I love to bake in the winter. I am not a good cook by any stretch of the imagination, but I can bake!
So, I am not exercising, and I am increasing my food intake...it won't be long before the new smaller clothes I bought will be packed away if this hip doesn't improve!
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Gettin' Cranky!
Did I just sleep through fall? I walk out the garage door toward my car this morning, and suddenly it's winter! What happened to our nice fall days? I do not like winter. At all. My husband, on the other hand, loves the cold weather. He would retire to Minnesota; I would retire to Florida. I suppose that means we will live out our lives right here in the middle.
Running...right now it is not even a possibility. My hip just has not gotten any better. Saturday morning Gary and I ran the 1 mile fun run in Cannelton, and then I met Jackie for our 'real' run. I didn't know how it would go because my hip just didn't feel right. We ran 5 miles, but it was an excruciatingly slow 5 miles because my legs just didn't want to be out there on those streets. They had given me all of the warnings that I needed to take a break, but I just couldn't stop. Sunday I stopped. I met Jackie once again, even though I was in pain all day Saturday after forcing my legs to hit the pavement. We ran about 1/2 mile, and that was it for me. I just couldn't do it. I was so frustrated, but knew that if I attempted to continue, my running career might be short-lived. Did I sit at home that day? Nope. I went home, loaded my bike in the back of my car, and biked for 11 miles. It didn't hurt at all, and I was getting some much-needed exercise.
I was finally convinced that more drastic measures were needed. Should I go to a physical therapist, a chiropractor, or good ole Dr. Ress? All three had been recommended. I am leary of a chiropractor because I just don't like people touching me. I, under the advice of my husband, chose Dr. Ress. And I decided not to even try to run until after my appointment. Monday night Gary and I rode bikes so that I could at least be out on that beautiful evening, but I have done NOTHING since. I am getting very cranky, and I feel really tired. Getting out to run really gives me more energy.
My appointment with Dr. Ress was Tuesday afternoon. He determined that I have tendonitis in the tendon that attaches my quadracept to my hip area. It is irritated, and there is a nerve that runs along side of it that is also bothered. That's what causes the odd feeling that runs down my leg when I run. He gave me a week's supply of steroids, and thinks that by the weekend I will feel up to running again. Gosh, I surely hope so! Today my hip feels worse, but he said that the cold weather could make it worse (Florida for health reasons??). So, I am thinking that since I am on steroids, I could get kinda buff and run really fast! That would be worth it! Really, I just want to stop hurting so that I can get out with Jackie and run out the stress and calories!
Since neither of my good friends will brag on themselves, I am going to take the opportunity to do it for them. Kim Strobel ran the Evansville Half Marathon (13.1 miles) this past weekend. Her time was 1 hour and 37 minutes!!! She placed 3rd in her age group, and 16th out of over 1200 (no, I didn't add an extra '0'!) women! Isn't that amazing? I am so proud (and envious) of her. To put her time into perspective, that's 7 min. and 24 sec. per mile...If I can run 3 miles at 9 min. per mile, I think I am really fast! I cannot begin to even imagine running so fast, let alone for so long! My other friend, Wes Noble, ran the Chicago Marathon (26.2 miles) this past weekend. Wes has done some amazing things recently, but wants no recognition (sorry, Wes!). I don't remember his time, but it was awesome and he surpassed his goal, and HE QUALIFIED FOR THE BOSTON MARATHON! Wow! Congrats to Kim and Wes. You are both inspirations to those of us who are attempting to run.
Running...right now it is not even a possibility. My hip just has not gotten any better. Saturday morning Gary and I ran the 1 mile fun run in Cannelton, and then I met Jackie for our 'real' run. I didn't know how it would go because my hip just didn't feel right. We ran 5 miles, but it was an excruciatingly slow 5 miles because my legs just didn't want to be out there on those streets. They had given me all of the warnings that I needed to take a break, but I just couldn't stop. Sunday I stopped. I met Jackie once again, even though I was in pain all day Saturday after forcing my legs to hit the pavement. We ran about 1/2 mile, and that was it for me. I just couldn't do it. I was so frustrated, but knew that if I attempted to continue, my running career might be short-lived. Did I sit at home that day? Nope. I went home, loaded my bike in the back of my car, and biked for 11 miles. It didn't hurt at all, and I was getting some much-needed exercise.
I was finally convinced that more drastic measures were needed. Should I go to a physical therapist, a chiropractor, or good ole Dr. Ress? All three had been recommended. I am leary of a chiropractor because I just don't like people touching me. I, under the advice of my husband, chose Dr. Ress. And I decided not to even try to run until after my appointment. Monday night Gary and I rode bikes so that I could at least be out on that beautiful evening, but I have done NOTHING since. I am getting very cranky, and I feel really tired. Getting out to run really gives me more energy.
My appointment with Dr. Ress was Tuesday afternoon. He determined that I have tendonitis in the tendon that attaches my quadracept to my hip area. It is irritated, and there is a nerve that runs along side of it that is also bothered. That's what causes the odd feeling that runs down my leg when I run. He gave me a week's supply of steroids, and thinks that by the weekend I will feel up to running again. Gosh, I surely hope so! Today my hip feels worse, but he said that the cold weather could make it worse (Florida for health reasons??). So, I am thinking that since I am on steroids, I could get kinda buff and run really fast! That would be worth it! Really, I just want to stop hurting so that I can get out with Jackie and run out the stress and calories!
Since neither of my good friends will brag on themselves, I am going to take the opportunity to do it for them. Kim Strobel ran the Evansville Half Marathon (13.1 miles) this past weekend. Her time was 1 hour and 37 minutes!!! She placed 3rd in her age group, and 16th out of over 1200 (no, I didn't add an extra '0'!) women! Isn't that amazing? I am so proud (and envious) of her. To put her time into perspective, that's 7 min. and 24 sec. per mile...If I can run 3 miles at 9 min. per mile, I think I am really fast! I cannot begin to even imagine running so fast, let alone for so long! My other friend, Wes Noble, ran the Chicago Marathon (26.2 miles) this past weekend. Wes has done some amazing things recently, but wants no recognition (sorry, Wes!). I don't remember his time, but it was awesome and he surpassed his goal, and HE QUALIFIED FOR THE BOSTON MARATHON! Wow! Congrats to Kim and Wes. You are both inspirations to those of us who are attempting to run.
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
When the body fails to cooperate...
In my previous post, I was ecstatic after having won my age group in a 5k in Owensboro. I had my fastest time that morning, and was feeling quite proud of my accomplishments. Just when things are lookin' good and confidence is high, my hip begins to hurt.
The pain and discomfort seems to be in the joint. Last week I continued to run, but not without complaining. Jackie and I ran our 6 miles on Wednesday evening, but then I was sore the next day. When running, the discomfort crawls down my leg; it feels like when I try to walk after my leg has fallen asleep - just a bit crampy. Thursday is our normal day off, and rain kept me in Friday morning, so I felt that the two-day break would be sufficient for me to be ready for a race on Saturday. Wrong.
Gary, Erin, and I were set to run in the Rocktober Fest (I think that's a really funny name!) in Rockport. It was a really cool morning, and I really prefer to run when it's warm - not scorching, just warm. We had been warned about a couple of hills in the Rockport course. No problem; I run Mozart Street at least once a week, so how bad could it be? There were only about 40 people racing that morning, which is surprisingly more intimidating than a larger race. There weren't as many people who could end up behind me! We took off, and I ended up running with my friend, Kelly Hollinden's, cousin. She is a teacher in Rockport, so we passed the blocks talking about school. Just past the 2-mile mark were two hills. One was really short, so it wasn't a problem. The next should not have been a problem, but once I reached the top, I just didn't feel well. I told Kimberly I was going to have to walk a little. Was I ever annoyed! That was my 7th 5k, and I hadn't had to walk yet. My hip wasn't really even bothering me; I just didn't feel right, and knew I had to slow down.
After walking 2 blocks, I began to run again, and finished the race running. I added 2 minutes to the previous week's time. It just wasn't a good run for me. However, Erin knocked 4 minutes off of her previous time (she didn't have me holding her back), and Gary knocked even more time off. Since his first 5k, he has knocked about 9 minutes off his time, which is outstanding.
Frustrated, but determined, I met Jackie for a run on Sunday morning. I couldn't even run 2 miles. My legs just ached. We ended up walking about 3 1/2 miles. Monday morning we went out again (it was cold at 5 a.m.!). I just decided to go as far as I could stand. We ran on the track because it is softer and level, and it did feel better. I ran 4 miles that morning, but could hardly walk at school that day. After I sat, even for just a few minutes, I was really stiff when I got up. Ugh! Tuesday morning we met at the track again - yes, I am stubborn! I ran only 2 miles, and walked 2 more. I wasn't so sore at school. Of course, by 10 a.m. I was headed home with a sick daughter, so I lay on the couch all afternoon, claiming to be resting my hip!
I am home with Addison again today, but plan to run this evening. It is so discouraging to spend so many months building up endurance and speed, only to have my body say stop. I just want to get out and run. I have tried to analyze why I suddenly have this pain. Maybe running four 5ks in five weeks was too much, but it isn't like I am training like a crazy woman! I know that this will pass; I just hope it does so quickly. I don't intend to try to add miles over the winter, but I don't want to lose ground either. It's too much work to have to start all over!
Better go check on my sick daughter...
The pain and discomfort seems to be in the joint. Last week I continued to run, but not without complaining. Jackie and I ran our 6 miles on Wednesday evening, but then I was sore the next day. When running, the discomfort crawls down my leg; it feels like when I try to walk after my leg has fallen asleep - just a bit crampy. Thursday is our normal day off, and rain kept me in Friday morning, so I felt that the two-day break would be sufficient for me to be ready for a race on Saturday. Wrong.
Gary, Erin, and I were set to run in the Rocktober Fest (I think that's a really funny name!) in Rockport. It was a really cool morning, and I really prefer to run when it's warm - not scorching, just warm. We had been warned about a couple of hills in the Rockport course. No problem; I run Mozart Street at least once a week, so how bad could it be? There were only about 40 people racing that morning, which is surprisingly more intimidating than a larger race. There weren't as many people who could end up behind me! We took off, and I ended up running with my friend, Kelly Hollinden's, cousin. She is a teacher in Rockport, so we passed the blocks talking about school. Just past the 2-mile mark were two hills. One was really short, so it wasn't a problem. The next should not have been a problem, but once I reached the top, I just didn't feel well. I told Kimberly I was going to have to walk a little. Was I ever annoyed! That was my 7th 5k, and I hadn't had to walk yet. My hip wasn't really even bothering me; I just didn't feel right, and knew I had to slow down.
After walking 2 blocks, I began to run again, and finished the race running. I added 2 minutes to the previous week's time. It just wasn't a good run for me. However, Erin knocked 4 minutes off of her previous time (she didn't have me holding her back), and Gary knocked even more time off. Since his first 5k, he has knocked about 9 minutes off his time, which is outstanding.
Frustrated, but determined, I met Jackie for a run on Sunday morning. I couldn't even run 2 miles. My legs just ached. We ended up walking about 3 1/2 miles. Monday morning we went out again (it was cold at 5 a.m.!). I just decided to go as far as I could stand. We ran on the track because it is softer and level, and it did feel better. I ran 4 miles that morning, but could hardly walk at school that day. After I sat, even for just a few minutes, I was really stiff when I got up. Ugh! Tuesday morning we met at the track again - yes, I am stubborn! I ran only 2 miles, and walked 2 more. I wasn't so sore at school. Of course, by 10 a.m. I was headed home with a sick daughter, so I lay on the couch all afternoon, claiming to be resting my hip!
I am home with Addison again today, but plan to run this evening. It is so discouraging to spend so many months building up endurance and speed, only to have my body say stop. I just want to get out and run. I have tried to analyze why I suddenly have this pain. Maybe running four 5ks in five weeks was too much, but it isn't like I am training like a crazy woman! I know that this will pass; I just hope it does so quickly. I don't intend to try to add miles over the winter, but I don't want to lose ground either. It's too much work to have to start all over!
Better go check on my sick daughter...
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