recap :: MoHud2013 week 20

Ten weeks left.

My faith was restored after a 5mi long run on Saturday. Unsatisfied with the advice from doctor #1, I went back to my sports medicine orthopedist who said "Of course you can run. Just keep it to twice a week and dont be an idiot." After I stopped clapping, I grabbed my physical therapy script and was on my way (I should also mention that he said if my pain was beyond a 5 on a scale of 1-10 I should stop; obviously my pain will never exceed a 5).

Que some more crackle/snap/pop of my knee as my PT moved my leg around during an eval. Apparently the symphony in my knee is because my right VMO is underdeveloped (read: it isn't doing anything but taking up space). That's unfortunate because while it's just hanging out as the useless quad muscle, my knee cap is moving anywhere it wants without anything to stop it and the other muscles in my leg are working overtime to keep everything in check - hence the pain in my knee, IT band and hamstrings.  and she hooked me up to a e-stim machine and cranked up the voltage to make my VMO twitch and respond while I did pilates style lifts for 15minutes, followed by a tear inducing aided stretch of my IT band and hamstring. Yikes.

a little electrical current to the muscle
really gets your blood pumping.

Then there was homework. More pilates lifting ("to fatigue", to be exact) and get crazy with the stretching. 

My PT agreed that running twice a week is the best way to go at this point, so I jetted out the door on Saturday for a 5mi run that restored my faith. The sun was shining, the birds were chirping, I was actually moving. All wins. I was sore Sunday (but in a good way) and opted to skip spin for a 2.5mi walk around the park, starting with shopping at the farmers market and ending with lunch at the farmers market.

Another plus, all (minus the first doctor who clearly hates athletic endeavors is very cautious) of my medical entourage thinks I'll be able to make it to the start this year, and barring anything ridiculous, be able to finish. I'll count it as a victory over marathon 2012.

For my next trick? Condense 14 weeks of marathon training into 10 weeks following a 4 week no-running streak. Go.

Monday: 1 mi; 30min total body
                scheduled - cross
Tuesday: 60min spin
                scheduled - rest
Wednesday: rest
                scheduled - 3mi  
Thursday: rest
                scheduled - 6mi  
Friday: PT strength training
                scheduled - 3mi  
Saturday: 5mi
                scheduled - rest  
Sunday: 2.5mi walk
                scheduled - 13mi

Weekly mileage: 6mi
Scheduled weekly mileage: 25mi

recap :: MoHud2013 week 19

Thank god the spin studio doesn't judge me when I hobble in, fail to stand for the climbs and sport my knee brace the entire class. Side note: I really don't recommend doing an entire spin class seated.

I'm trying not to focus solely too much on my missed miles. This is my fourth consecutive week of posting zero in the mileage column.

remember me?

Monday: rest
                scheduled - cross
Tuesday: 60min spin
                scheduled - rest
Wednesday: rest
                scheduled - 3mi  
Thursday: 30min spin; 30min total body strength
                scheduled - 6mi  
Friday: rest
                scheduled - 3mi  
Saturday: rest
                scheduled - rest  
Sunday: 60min spin
                scheduled - 12mi

Weekly mileage: 0mi
Scheduled weekly mileage: 24mi

recap :: MoHud2013 week 18

Finally. Activity other than walking the two blocks to my office. This week I realized my disdain for the elliptical - again. Doctors continue to suggest that as an acceptable replacement training tool. Sorry doc, I know you went to school for an uber long time and while I value your professional opinion, you're wrong.

After mustering 35minutes I quit and opted to pedal. And then sat around some more.

At least it's not this:

summer 2012. accessory of the year.

Monday: rest
                scheduled - cross
Tuesday: rest
                scheduled - rest
Wednesday: 35min elliptical; 20min recumbent bike
                scheduled - 3mi  
Thursday: rest
                scheduled - 5mi  
Friday: 60min spin
                scheduled - 3mi  
Saturday: rest
                scheduled - rest  
Sunday: rest
                scheduled - 7mi

Weekly mileage: 0mi
Scheduled weekly mileage: 18mi

recap :: MoHud2013 week 17

Rest rest rest. What do you so when all you training time is now unoccupied?

Easy answer: enjoy summer. Yes. However, it rained more in upstate NY in June and July than it does in Seattle (true story).

[source]

So in lieu of training. This is what's been happening:

I've been sampling Oatmeal Stout on the couch, 

missed the coaster...I know.

watching Marley meticulously carry his bone around the house as if it was his child,  

ice and compress as if I was active, 

craft outdoor flower vases from mason jars, 

note: this looks cute for a week, then the flowers die and
you have to do something about it. #notmaintenancefree

hanging out with his crazy ass and his squeaky dragon, 

enjoying local craft brews in St. Patrick Day delights on the porch,  

and when I've run out of fun on a Saturday, I take advice written on wooden plaques. 

Monday: rest
                scheduled - cross
Tuesday: rest
                scheduled - rest
Wednesday: rest
                scheduled - 3mi  
Thursday: rest
                scheduled - 5mi  
Friday: rest
                scheduled - 3mi  
Saturday: rest
                scheduled - rest  
Sunday: rest - on Boilermaker Sunday :(
                scheduled - 10mi

Weekly mileage: 0mi
Scheduled weekly mileage: 21mi

recap :: MoHud2013 week 16

So remember way back when, when I was having...concerns blind fear about finishing the Warrior Dash? Well, it was, indeed the epic fail I nervously anticipated. Thankfully I didn't have to need the medics at the Dash, but my injured ass didn't even make it to the start coral.

photo cred: ME. because I was standing with a camera and
backpack of post-race crap for my 2 favorite warriors.

After a lovely 15th week of  MoHud2013 training was complete, I started week 16 with a rest day followed by an easy 3mi treadmill jaunt. It was raining (hence the treadmill) but all was well and I enjoyed a quick, pain free three miles watching Arrested Development. Then I decided to meet my mom for quesadillas, stepped up the tiny, minuscule, less than 6 inches step into the restaurant and felt a weird snap/pop/rip/tear/overalldisgustingsensation in my right knee.

Great. Not thinking anything of it, I took a Tylenol with my quesadilla and enjoyed. 

Blah blah blah, by the time I got home my knee was swollen, hot to the touch and I couldn't walk on it. Terrified, I hobbled to my orthopedist's office and his colleague diagnosed me with ITB syndrome (seriously, I've been foam rolling like a boss and even got a Tiger Tail) and patellofemoral syndrome. He also suspected my kneecap was tracking the wrong way when I ran (gross), told me "now is probably not the right time to continue training". Fail. 

Before I left, I got another orthopedic accessory and (more) advice to cool it with the marathon training for another year (obviously unacceptable - this is the part I stopped listening).

I followed his advice and did NOTHING for the rest of the week. Lesson: don't go for quesadillas during a marathon training cycle?

Monday: rest
                scheduled - cross
Tuesday: 3mi
                scheduled - rest
Wednesday: rest
                scheduled - 3mi  
Thursday: rest
                scheduled - 4mi  
Friday: rest
                scheduled - 3mi  
Saturday: rest
                scheduled - rest  
Sunday: rest
                scheduled - 9mi

Weekly mileage: 3mi
Scheduled weekly mileage: 19mi

...any time now.

Still zero hope of running. Since my treadmill fail I haven't been cleared to try it again. I'm feeling particularly annoyed after a weekend full of races in the area, races I planned to win finish in the middle of the pack. I was never one to look forward to winter running, but if I don't hit the road soon I might actually lose my mind. I've been doing a lot of spinning and pilates to take my mind off of it... it's not working but I'm hopeful that all the spinning will help me fly up hills eventually.

When my bones decide to stop betraying me, I must remember how many times  since August 13th I thought the following:
- I wish I never skipped a run because I was too tired, hungover, cold, "forgot" to set the alarm,  didn't have a buddy, wanted to watch Bravo, wanted to go to brunch, etc.
- Always get out of bed and on the road because you never know when you won't be able to anymore. 
- I will cross train. I promise.
- Stop focusing on arbitrary number goals, focus on improvements over time.
- Shut up and follow your plan. 
- Don't complain.
- Stop whining.

for real.

pt for me.

Following all the extreme jealousy fun of marathon weekend, I limped into my orthopeadist bright and early on Tuesday morning waiting to hear "you're cured!! get your sneakers out of the closet and hit the road, friend!".

xoxo, miss you.

That didn't happen.

Apparently when there is some kind of trauma that destroys your bone, it takes quite some time to completely repair. Although I'm cleared for weight-bearing activities, I'm certainly not in any shape to run, jump, hop or skip to the start line of my next race. I've been banished to spin classes and the elliptical which could be a little setback in marathon training round two that I anticipated starting on October 31st.

Current status: Healing.
Next step: PT for six weeks. Six weeks puts me in mid-November. I'm not too broken up about having to go work out for an hour twice a week with someone who will be teaching me proper form and giving me pointers along the way. I'm also really hoping the physical therapist has superpowers that will enable instantaneous healing and restore all of the muscle I've lost in my left leg. Seems reasonable.
 

marathon weekend

Cue sad face. I wish I was sweating it out for 26.2 then propping my feet up on the ottoman dawning my compression socks, but alas. I was volunteering and wearing my ankle brace.

not quite compression socks [source]

Although I planned to be attending the event as a struggling runner, not a volunteer, it was still a fabulous and fun.

My co-volunteer and I made top hats and signs. The top hats were a big hit. We received numerous compliments from runners and there were a lot of smiling faces - you can't be anything but gleeful when you see someone wearing a top hat adorned with glitter paint.

I booked our hotel for my next attempt. Now I'm crossing my fingers and anxiously awaiting medical clearance.

you're going to get hurt.

Well, that's accurate. A few days after I hurt myself I attended a (previously scheduled) seminar offered by my marathon training group as a supplement to the program. They frequently have education sessions with great guest speakers who can provide a lot of practical insight. This session was hosted by an orthopedist who worked mostly with patients who ran themselves into injury (...totally weird, who would ever do that?).

...just kidding. (well, not about the Giants game. GO G-MEN!)

He was focused mostly on common running injuries, treatment options and prevention, but, he was also a multiple marathoner and Ironman, so his perspective was a bit more realistic than advice coming from people who don't willingly drag themselves out of bed at 6am on a Sunday morning to log double digit miles before the rest of the house stirs.

He led and ended with "you're going to get hurt". Not because you're not trying to avoid it, but because it's truly inevitable. His suggestion was to take your injury as an opportunity to learn what being hurt feels like, as opposed to being uncomfortable or wanting to quit. It's also a good time to let your body reset itself and reevaluate your training techniques.

Hey fractured fibula, thanks for the not-so-cryptic message. I get it. I'll be lengthening my training plan to a 30 week program and not skimping on the cross training - promise!!

she's crafty.

Just to recap, I was basically told to sit out of everything fun or even remotely athletic. This includes the half marathon on the horizon, a bunch of 5k races, regular summer/fall fun events (think swimming, biking, shopping)...oh... and yes, the marathon I've been training for since January.

"hang out with the dog" is included in all of these approved activities - Marley loves injured owners.

With a whole lot of sitting on the couch in my future, I did what anyone would do - logged onto my Pinterest account and decided to pull out my box of craft supplies. While I was housebound not only did I catch up on reality television shows that have been taking space on my DVR since the Olympics, but I also discovered Boy Meets World and Saved by the Bell are on daily (thanks, MTV2!).

Weekends were pretty much empty - enter: crafting. I have dappled in scrap-booking before, I've struggled through taken a knitting class and I'm no stranger to making holiday ornaments. Thanks to Pinterest, my crafty side has been re-inspired. I even bought this gem:

try making a crappy craft with a zebra print glue gun - impossible.

Craft 1: Fun wreath for the bathroom for under $10
Supplies: wreath ($3); rosettes ($4); bronze glitter blast spray paint ($4) - you'll only use a bit of spray paint, but save it because you'll find things around the house you'll want to glitter blast.

you'll also need your trusty zebra glue gun and
scissors to get the rosettes out of the damn package

Steps:

1. Glitter blast the wreath until it's bronzed and glittery and fabulous
2. Once the paint dries, take the wreath inside and fire up your zebra glue gun
3. Fight with the packaging to free the silk rosettes
4. Arrange rosette and place a dab of glue on the back of each rosette, press into place 

The whole thing can be done sitting down (for those with mobility issues) and it takes about 15 minutes.

Viola!

More crafting to come. Stay tuned.

no more marathon.

[okay okay okay - I know I said I was trying to work on being a consistent poster... still working on it.]

Post DNF failure, I took a little run break for a few days to assess the situation. The assessment turned out to be something felt really strange, I was walking pretty ridiculously and I decided to make an appointment with an othopeadist (because I'm 97).

I had my appointment thinking I'd leave with a tendonitis diagnosis, sit out for a week and be on the road again in no time. Following the exam and a series of x-rays, the doctor ordered an MRI of my leg for the next day and told me to put no weight on it as he thought it could be tendonitis, but x-rays indicated a "stress overuse injury".

Me: "When you say no weight, what do you mean?"
Doc: "You can't use your leg."
Me: "I have a spinning class otnight, can I go to that?"
Doc: "No, I think you use both your legs in spinning."
Me: "I'm registered or a 5k this weekend, can I do that?"
Doc: "No, that would mean using your leg."
Me: "If I do a training walk instead of run, can I get mileage in this week?"
Doc: "Nope. You just can't use your leg. You can only use your right leg and keep your left leg elevated while you use crutches. You can not put any pressure on your left leg. No exercise, no walking, no standing, no stretching it, no pressure."
Me: concentrating to figure out how serious he was... "Okay."
Doc: "If you use your leg and do more damage, you'll be sitting out for longer. You can aquajog if you want to exercise."

Fine.I went home mad and dug up the family crutches that have supported many family members through injury and sat on the couch.

crutch pool with the pup.

Sidenote: Crutches suck. They hurt and you can't carry anything when you're using them. You also can't use a purse, you have to trade your Michael Kors tote for a Northface day pack in order to go to work with all of your supplies. Don't get hurt badly enough to require crutches ever. 

MRI day was here and I crutched myself into the exam room. Sat for 30 minutes while this crazy jackhammer tube took all the pictures the doctor needed and planned to leave immediately. Well, the radiologist stopped me on my way out the door and asked what I planned to do with my leg, starring at it unwrapped sporting a flip-flop. I must have looked confused because he elequently stated, "you're going to have to do something with it - that's fractured across. Have you been running a lot?" Stunned, I explained that I've been training for an October marathon, so yes. He laughed outloud (literally lol'ed) and exclaimed "Well there goes that marathon!!" gleefully.

I cried the entire way back to my office and talked myself out of what he said because clearly he had to be an alarmist. Two hours later my doctor called to schedule a cast fitting for the next day.

But if anything was going to lift my spirits,  it is certainly this little gem that I picked up at the orthopedist the next day.

Meet my newest accessory - Black Beauty.

So along with that lovely new shoe came the news that I would be on crutches for at least three more weeks. After intently examining my MRI results, I came to the conclusion that my ankle looked like a kid drew their rendition of an earthquake straight across the bone. Now that I had evidence, I actually believed what they were telling me so I composed myself enough to ask how long it would take to heel. Eight weeks. I should be ready to walk normally on October 8th - the day after the race I've been training for since January.

the dnf that wasn't.

In the middle of a busy week of summer and in the middle of my training, I needed to kick it up a notch and make sure I was actually sticking to "the plan". Following my 15+miler the previous week I was supposed to scale back a few miles with a goal of 13. I thought there was no better way to assure that I'd actually get my butt on the road (and not revisit the epic brunch of the previous weekend) than to sign up for a half marathon. A quick 13.1 around a lake in the morning would get my long run checked off my list early Saturday, leaving the rest of the weekend to play. I ran a 10K on the same course last year, so in addition to logging a long run and working on my half marathon time, I knew I'd be getting a good hill workout too - bonus.

The race started and it was muggy and drizzling, not exactly ideal, but the rain let up and it was no longer humid, just super hot. Luckily the route was well equipped with water stations and I had my fantastic fanny pack fuel belt for sips in between stations.

I was cruising to take about 20 minutes off my PR from my previous half. Around mile 7, I stopped for a water break, took a sip and then started to run again. Well... tried to start running again. Instantly I felt electricity from my leg shooting up towards my torso. I took it as a sign, slowed to a walk and stretched a bit as I kept moving forward.

I was losing my (solidly in the middle) "spot" and other runners were beginning to pass me, so I ended my walk break and started to run. It wasn't so much of a run as a hop with one leg and drag the other. Not wanting to risk the marathon to injury, I knew it was time to quit and was okay with having "DNF" listed next to my name in the results. Luckily I was coming up on a water station, so I could stop and ask for a medic.

check this out for next year, Race Director
[source]

...Nope. The water station was there, but when I asked a volunteer for a medic or a car to take me to the finish I found out that there wasn't one. A medic or a car. [Sidebar: who the hell hosts a HALF MARATHON with no medic?? You shouldn't even have a 5K with no medic, but a half??]. After I asked to quit and realized I couldn't (short of taking a ride from a stranger on a quiet mountainous road around a lake), I wanted the race to be done as quickly as possible. So I got really good at the hop and drag method of moving my body forward with short interludes for walk breaks and pausing completely to unclench my jaw and wipe tears from my eyes.

As I was running/walking/wincing I was trying to diagnose myself. My ankle hurt and clearly wasn't working. I couldn't point my toes and extend my foot forward, nor could I flex my foot comfortably. Everything under the tendons on the outside of my ankle hurt. Every step felt like I was hitting bone on bone. I thought a sprain, but there wasn't any swelling and periodically the electric shock of pain would radiate from my ankle, something that didn't happen when I had previously sprained my ankle (doing yoga).

Before I knew it I had propelled myself to the water stop that marked mile 11. I stopped, began practicing what has to be equivalent to Lamaze breathing techniques and looked behind me. With 2 miles to go, if I kept up the 13-ish minute per mile pace I wouldn't finish last. So that was my last walk break and the final 2 miles were a countdown to the finish line with "it's going to be pretty embarrassing to see your name last on the results page - so move it" playing on repeat in my head.

Upon seeing my (smarter) runBFF at the finish line (she opted for the 10K), she instantly knew something was up based on my time alone. I told her the deal and she instantly ran to get a medic (I already told her there wasn't one on the course, but we thought they MUST have one at the finish) and some ice. Coming back alone and empty handed it was clear there was no medic and no ice. [Another sidebar: okay... no medic, ridiculous alone, but no medic and no ICE at the finish line???].  After a 15 minute wild goose chase for ice, I finally put some on my ankle and took my shoe off to wait for the swelling to begin. But it never did. It hurt, it was hot to the touch and I couldn't bear weight on it.

my finisher medal, because I wasn't allowed a DNF

Meandering back to the car to pop some ibprofin, people asked what happened (because who the hell would walk like that if they weren't hurt). I reported I had probably just rolled my ankle on gravel or something (not that I remember doing it) but wasn't sure as no one (qualified) was available to assess my injury. My fellow runners were also surprised to learn of the lack of medical care (take note for next year, fellow runners!) or even a first aid kit.

Oh! And the best part - I did not finish last (6th to last, but not last) and was only 3 minutes over my previous half marathon time. Win!