I’m postponing today’s “long run” because my ankle is giving me a little trouble. On Saturday the 7th, I was out in my yard in some slip-on shoes that have quite high heels. I stepped in a hole and turned my ankle. Afterwards, though, it didn’t hurt. My knee felt odd, but my ankle felt fine. So I went on my Sunday run, my Tuesday run and my Thursday run as planned. My ankle continued to feel fine until that Thursday run, after which it hurt a fair amount for about 30 or 45 minutes. Then it went back to fine again.
I thought perhaps it would be a good idea to give it an extra day anyway, but then last night, when I was more awake than asleep, I could feel some tightness and discomfort. So I’ll still do something today, whether it’s yoga or core strength or upper body, but I’m putting off my run and icing my ankle.
I don’t know how other runners feel, but I have a strong desire not to get injured, and am going to pay close attention to these sorts of things.
So today’s post is more of a progress report than anything. As I mentioned, I did my Thursday run as planned. I tried again for the 120s/60s run/walk split, but I wasn’t up for it and went back to 60s/60s after about 1.5 miles. It may have just been one of those days that I hear other runners talk about, or it could have been the unfamiliar path I took, or the fact that I was carrying a pack. I don’t think I like running with a pack. Or maybe I just don’t like running with my pack. It’s pretty big.
On my off days I’ve been doing yoga or planks and crunches, and I’ve just added in kneeling push-ups. As with everything, though, I’m starting small and stretching a lot, to prevent soreness as much as I can.
I did, finally remember to weigh myself on Thursday and I’m very pleased with my progress. I considered taking a photo similar to a Jared from Subway pic, but it’s hard to take that sort of photo of yourself, and my progress isn’t nearly that dramatic. I did, however, take a picture of two pairs of pants, which I will share. The light colored pants were unflatteringly tight on me at the beginning of June. Now I can take them on & off without undoing the buttons or zip. The jeans are in my current wardrobe rotation. The difference isn’t huge, but I’m pleased as punch.
In a few days, Jeff Galloway will be in town and he’s giving a free presentation that I’ll be attending. I’m really looking forward to that. And as of today it’s only 174 days to the marathon. I still think I can do it, but class will be starting soon, so we’ll see if I stay so confident.
Running Before I Walk 
Take it easy and slow!!!!!!!!!!!!
cheers
I shall! Thanks. 😀
I can confidently report than many runners have a seeming death wish when it comes to running. They get stubborn, and then they run regardless.
The fruits of such fevered labor are mixed. Annecdotally, I’ve one friend who does ultramarathons and another who has done a marathon or two but never quite makes his goals. Both of them are of the stubborn variety, the key difference being the ultramarathoner will both back off when forced and will resume training while the other never quite keeps to the training schedule (postpone = never).
I’ve more friends who’ve marathoned, they’re less prone to “going at all costs” and, except for the ultramarathoner, the going trend is towards paying better attention to your body = better results so long as you keep training (albeit on a modified schedule). And of the stubborn ones, I can’t say the ultramarathoner doesn’t take care of himself, he just pushes so damned hard that he does get into a spot where he needs PT. (He’s then pretty responsible about adhering to whatever restrictions his doctor gives him, so there’s that.)
LONG story short, please do pay attention and take good care of yourself. You want to be in this to finish, so you do that and keep training. =)
PS — Keep having fun with it, too…
Yeah, I don’t think I’m going to turn out to be one of those super serious or super competitive people. If my ankle (or knee) had hurt at all, I would have paid it greater attention. All it ever did until Thursday was feel slightly odd.
But I’ll warm up gently & stretch before I head out for my run today. It is snowing just now, so it’s a good time to be more careful. 🙂
Didn’t mean you should be doing anything different, but rather that you’re probably doing it exactly right… 🙂
Thanks. 😀 I guess if I had to express the “ultimate” goals of all of this it would be: Feel good and have fun.
Don’t get hurt comes next, but goes along with those two so well that it may not really need to be enumerated.
Get fit is another one, but also may not need specific enumeration. 🙂
I think you understand, though. 🙂
Discovered your blog via your profile on Fitocracy and am enjoying reading about your journey. I’m not sure I’ll get the “running bug” but you never know!
I didn’t think I ever would, either. But the Galloway method really works for me. I think more folks should try it, but that’s just my opinion. 🙂
Thanks for stopping by. 😉