More progress

It's been almost a month since my last post. I'm happy to say that I have started run/walking...kindive.

My PT gave me the "Green Light" after we ensured the pain in my leg (triggered by the herniation) was gone for at least a few weeks. I think I had improved due to the fact I religiously did my exercises and stretches for the past few weeks.

With the"Green Light," last week at my PT I ran for 4 minutes at a speed of 5.4 (...slower for me, my running pace was around 7.2 pre-herniation) with a 1 minute walk following each 4 minute run. I did the run/walk cycle for 20 minutes total and felt OK! I was really encouraged by this! The only "gray cloud" I have is that over the past week, I have worn heels, been on my feet all day, traveled to another city, drug a suitcase around Chicago and have done little exercise. That said, the back is feeling a little twinge and the pain down my leg is coming back. Bad sign. More to come soon...hopefully good stuff! Stay tuned!

A bump on in the road

Have I told you what I'm going to do?! Cross the Grand Canyon! I can't wait! It was time to take some marathon time off, so I have decided to do something VERY different...hiking across the Grand Canyon. 14 miles down one side, cross the Colorado River, up 12 miles the other side. All in ONE day. This is scheduled to happen in May! Exciting!

Until then, despite many day off (weeks, rather) from running, I have started getting back in the swing of weekly workouts with the group. This morning, probably because it had been so long since I had run, I tripped and fell towards the end of my workout! Couldn't believe it! It's a good thing its cold outside - without the coverage of tights and a jacket with some gloves, I would have done some serious damage. I now know that if I'm not a bit more consistent with mileage and workouts, I will be slipping all over the Canyon! I have also been told that I need to work up to 2 hours + on the Stair master. Seriously?! 2 hours?! I'm sure my next post will be about how much fun that is!

Dallas White Rock 1/2 Marathon

There was nothing easy about the 1/2 marathon today. It started with warmer weather (I live in Dallas, did I expect it to be anything less than warm?!) and a windy sky. Miles 1-8 were good - I ran with my fellow running group, but at mile 9, things got hard. We turned to head back to the finish line area (American Airlines) and when we hit McCommas, it was uphill. My legs started feeling like tree trunks and no matter what song I decided to play on my Shuffle, it didn't make me feel better. I took a Power Gel, but even that didn't help. My saving grace was the fact the rest of the course was downhill after mile 10. My friend was running with me and even though he tried to tell stories since he knew I was hurting, it didn't seem to make a difference...I just kept pounding the pavement! Mile 13 came and went...and then I was finished. Finally! What I now know for next time is that if you want to run a 1/2 marathon after a full (or after your training season)....make sure you get more than 5 or so runs in within the 5 weeks post marathon...that extra training would have helped me make it through without feeling so bad!! Now...time to rest, start shorter distance runs and get ready for the Quick Beat program!! 5K's and 10K's, here I come!! The half and full marathons are on the shelf for a few months!!