Runs: Feb 17 - 21

I was pretty good this week! I ran but didn't go over-board. Here is how the past few days played out:

Wednesday, Feb 17: ran 3 miles
Thursday, Feb 18: ran 2.3 miles
Friday, Feb 19: ran 2 miles
Sunday, Feb 21: ran 5.85 miles

I'm feeling great. No real aches or pains in the feet, ankles, or knees. Friday's run sucked ass for some odd reason. My lungs just weren't happy. I guess they can't all be euphoria! Tonight's sure was though!!!!

Running 2/10 - 2/16

My foot is feeling great! I saw my PT on Wednesday and she gave me the green light to run again as long as it feels ok. I worked late that night so sadly, I couldn't run.

On Thursday, Frauke rode my bike and followed me while I ran after dark. It was an awesome run! It was raining and the fresh air felt great. She must have enjoyed the fresh air too, because now she is running outside! Yay! I don't know how far I ran that night, but I imagine it was 4+ miles.

I didn't run on Friday, but I did take a Tango lesson with Jeff, which was fun and exercise.

On Saturday, Jeff and I did the loop around his neighborhood and Silverlake. It was 4.85 miles and it was very enjoyable. We took a swing class that night too!

On Sunday, Jeff and I took the dogs for an easy hike at Wallace Falls. We hiked mostly, but I did run about 2 miles of it.

I took Monday off. I was pooped. I even napped with the dogs!

Today I ran 2.25 miles while Spencer rode his bike next to me. Another great run in the rain. :)

FRUSTRATION!!!

I am so frustrated! My foot is feeling so much better, but can I go running? NO! Yesterday I got the go-ahead to run again, but sadly Wednesdays are my long work days. By the time I got off work, it was dark out and it is safe to run alone. I was going to run today, but it was pouring outside. Jeff agreed to come over later in the evening to run with me, but forgot about a previous commitment and bagged out. Once again, it is dark out and I can't run. What really sucks is that it stopped raining! I can't run tomorrow either because I work a long day again. I feel depressed and unsupported. I think maybe I should buy a treadmill. As much as I hate it, at least I'd be running...

There is the gym... I HATE the gym... You know.. I hate feeling like this more. I should force myself to go and play "hamster." I know in my heart though, that an outdoor run in the night air is what my soul needs.....

Dumb-ass update....

I saw my PT and she did therapeutic ultrasound, massage, and then iced it. She said that even though when I did it it felt the same as my Achilles tear last year, it actually looks like an ankle sprain involving the Posterior Talofibular Ligament and the Calcaneofibular Ligament. Poop. No running for 2 days, then I have to see her again.

I felt more upbeat earlier today. Now that it is the evening and my foot is all bruised and it hurts to bear weight.. I am feeling tearful.

Dumb dumb stupid dumb.

Eww.. in my excitement to go for a fabulous Monday hike, and because of my inherent clumbsiness, I just took a tumble on my stairs... I re-tore my left achilles. I did this last March when I was in Hawaii too, (who knew a foot race with a 5 year old on the beach could be so dangerous!!!) so I know the drill. Instead... of super fun hiking today, now I'm seeing my physical therapist at 12:30. LOL Good times!

My 2/7/10 run and weird toe issue.

I had such an amazing run last night! I ran for about an hour in Jeff's neighborhood and around Silver Lake. It was one of those runs where I enjoy it so much that I grin while I'm running and even hold my arms out and do "airplane" while I run down the hills. I LOVE running late at night. I loved the rain on my face.

I am not sure of the actual mileage. My Garmin was not taking a charge yesterday for some dumb reason... I'm not happy about it. I'm thinking about re-running it when I can get my Garmin charged so that I can report accurately. Regardless, the run felt great and I worked hard. Lungs felt great; huffy and puffy, but not painful, and my back, feet, ankles, and knees were stellar! They didn't even stiffen up when they cooled down when I got home. I like these new runners. I'm using my green Smart Feet in them.

There is something I should report. I am not sure when it started but I think it was very late summer-early fall when I started having some really weird nerve damage signs in my right great toe. When I extend that foot and point that toe, it sends an electric shock-like, burning, shooting pain along the inside of that toe, from the top down to the distal end of the first large joint. It is ridiculous-painful but also causes a superficial numbness in the area. At first, the numbness would eventually fade, but well after the pain had subsided (which generally takes 3-10 minutes). Now, however, it is always numb in that area. The pain is only triggered by that positioning as described above. When the pain is triggered, it does make the numbness more pronounced.

So what is there that I can do about this? Rest and Prednisone and possibly a Cortisone or some other injection to the site is my best semi-educated guess. LOL About 10 years ago, I had similar symptoms, but on the top of my other foot. I had had no injury and I was not a runner at the time. It was totally random. My doctor offered no explanation, told me to stay off of the foot for awhile, (walking triggered the pain/numbness, so I was off it anyway) and she gave me Lidocaine patches to apply to the area. They did very little to help the pain. The symptoms lasted about 6 weeks and then disappeared. About 5 years ago I was working with a guy who had similar symptoms in his ankle after a skiing trip. His problem was unmanageable at work, and had to take something like 6 months off work while he laid on the couch on pain pills and Prednisone. Luckily, my pain is only triggered by something that I can manage to avoid doing... but still... WTF?

Wanted: Motivation, Encouragement, Accountability

This is a copy of a note I posted on my Facebook today:

There are several different possibilities for half marathons for me to run this year, and training season is well upon me. Admittedly... I am floundering. I think it is tough when you've taken time away from something that you love, and when you return to it, you can't perform at that same high level that had brought you such joy. Where is the joy in struggling to complete 3-4 miles?? I guess I need to remind myself that part of the joy was seeing how far I could come.. to see myself progress, get stronger, get tougher.. I am impatient. I want the reward now. But is it truly as rewarding if I don't have to struggle and sweat and shed some tears to get there?? I'm going to do something that I do not often do... I'm asking for help! I could use some words of encouragement people! Any cheerleaders out there???

Renee:
You are my inspiration!! If I can do it you can too!!Come on move you a$$ you can do it!!:)

Alyssa:
Renee, that really means the world to me. Honestly. Thanks so much. :) I am really proud of how awesome you are doing with your running. 13+ miles on your treadmill! You go girl!!! Oh, and I did go right home and I ran. It was only 2.5 miles, and I probably could have done more.. in fact I wanted to, but my left ankle was feeling "fussy by that point." lol

Megan:
Alyssa, I think that taking time off from any intensive sport is good for your body. Now, you can get back into running and achieve all those goals again! It will start to feel good again soon. Just remember that getting out there is the hard part. Keep it up! What 1/2 marathons are thinking of doing?

Alyssa:
You are so right, Megan. Getting out the door is the hardest part, indeed. I hate that friggin' rain and cold! lol But we all know that you warm up within a couple blocks! Here are two races I now have my eye on...
http://www.nodm.com/index.shtml
http://www.berrydairyruns.com/