About three weeks ago, I injured myself.  I’m not 100% sure what happened but the series of events are as follows:  went to a pretty intense strength class involving plyometrics, an easy run on the trail and a second easy run later that evening with my run club.  I am pretty certain I landed wrong in class during some tuck jumps… I felt a little twinge in my calf, achilles region but went ahead with easy run#1.   I came home, iced up the area and figured it would be okay.   However, once I stood up from sitting for awhile, I experienced a pain that was hard to ignore… I went ahead with the second run but immediately made an appointment with my active release doctor for the next day.    He said that the area was inflamed, specifically the Achilles and peroneal tendons:

pain in this region even walking

He initially suggested just taking a couple of days off before running again but after a few days, the pain was still there and it hurt just walking.  I would usually wake up without any pain but during the course of the day, the pain would build up.  I was particularly depressed the day we took our son to a college fair in Denver – as if attending a college fair for your first born doesn’t make you feel old enough, I was hobbling around on top of that!   The ART doc suggested a couple of weeks off, with permission to cross train.  He recommended walking in the pool or swimming to rehab the area.    Fortunately, I have access to a very nice pool so I followed all of his suggestions strictly.   I didn’t run, I spent hours on the elliptical and I hit the pool with my kick board.   I also made sure to get a deep tissue massage that really helped ease some of the pain and tightness.

To make long story short, I think (knock on wood) that I have averted a major injury by avoiding running through any pain and following the doctor’s orders.  This week is my first week back and I have completed several shorter runs and one long run.  The pain has diminished with each subsequent run.  I’m embracing my ice packs and foam roller but it looks like  I’m on the road (literally) to recovery.

I’ve also started taking swim lessons and hope to lose that kick board soon!

Before the end of the year, Mark, Sophia (my daughter) and I registered for the 2012 Rescue Run, the annual New Year’s Day run in Palmer Park that benefits the El Paso County Search and Rescue (EPCSAR).   This is a pretty challenging course for both the 5K and 10K with the first mile being a long uphill climb, after which the 5K runners turn around and the 10K runners continue through some rolling hills before heading back down.

I tried to talk my boys into running the 5K but they were both skeptical about a post New Year’s Eve run (even with the later start of 10 a.m.) – they opted to sleep in on the first day of the year.    Waking up after a late night ringing in 2012, I definitely appreciated the wisdom of my sons and was tempted to sleep in instead of heading over to the park on what was a pretty chilly morning (temps in the 20s, windchill around 10 degrees but plenty of sunshine).

I fought the desire to stay in my warm bed, fueled by Sophia’s enthusiasm and joined the 800+ runners for the 5K/10K.  I am very happy that my daughter  motivated me to run this first run of the new year – it was a beautiful course that I had never run before – it was great to be out there and bring in the new year right!  Sophia did a great job completing the 5K and Mark ended up having a great 10K race!

Sophia's 5K finish

good race for Mark!

I enjoyed the beautiful run.

New Tunes:

Chamber of Hellos by Wire Train (song from 1983, just heard it!)

Tongue Tied  - Grouplove

Hazel - Weekend

Goodbye Horses – Garvey

Love comes Close – Cold Cave

As the end of the year approached, I started writing a ‘year in review’ but it was turning out to be a lengthy blog post that was simply summarizing what I’ve already reflected upon as the year was happening.    The injury, the trips, the races, the recipes… family and friends.    I enjoyed the look back, it was nice to remember the moments in what was a very satisfying year.

As I was looking back, what really struck me was how fast the days went by… 365 days in what seemed like a really quick trip around the sun.  It’s cliche but it feels true.   2011 was filled with some very memorable adventures and I am looking forward to the adventures of the next 365 (362) days.

me and Mark @ Garden of the Gods for a 10 miler on Christmas Day

Another thing that stood out on my trip down memory lane, is that there is always one constant in all my posts.     The person who runs every race with me.  Takes the photos, the videos, drives the car and gets my gear together…The person who sits out a run because I am injured, cranky and unable to run…most of my posts refer to “Mark” or “my husband.”   Often, he has a unique perspective and a different experience than I do.   Mark also tends to be a little more obsessed with the mechanics of running, the gear and nutrition that goes into our hobby. As such, we are thinking of starting another blog where he’ll be able to share his perspective and give some good techie opinions and reviews on various products… stay tuned.

Happy New Year, Happy New Adventures in 2012.

We literally had record high temperatures here in Colorado on Monday … only to wake up to a snowy morning today (just a couple of days later!)

snow on our trees

early taste of winter

Unfortunately there wasn’t enough snow on the roads for the kids to have their first 2011/12 snow day from school.  I actually felt sorry for the babies this morning as they bundled up and headed to their bus stops.   I fortunately had to be absolutely no where this morning!

watching the snow from my couch

As an added bonus, I was prepared for today’s weather for a change!  I went to Whole Foods yesterday to shop for ingredients for a nice, warm tofu chili which is simmering in the crock pot as I type and the snow continues to fall.

Tofu chili is easy and flexible – pretty much how I imagine any regular chili to be.

This morning, I started with the following veggies:

• yellow squash
• purple and white small potatoes
• white onion
• red pepper

in the past, I have added zucchini and even eggplant.   Veggie-wise, anything goes with this dish!

veggies

I added a few assorted beans to the vegetables.   Today, I used a short cut with canned beans but dry beans prepared in the pressure cooker work great as well!

black, kidney and pinto beans

extra firm tofu - frozen, then defrosted

I chopped up and added some extra firm tofu to the mix and spiced it up!

select a few spices

Meatless crumbles also make a nice addition to this chili.    Before starting up the crock pot, I mixed in one small can of tomato paste, a can of diced tomatoes and enough broth to make the mixture into a soup/stew consistency.    Plugged it in, set it to cook for 6 hours.   Dinner is done!

just a few more hours

So with a workout in my home gym done and dinner simmering… I am going to enjoy this early snow day.  By tomorrow, we have sun again and the temperatures warm up for what is looking to be a lovely weekend!

some of the new tunes on my iPod:

The Look - Metronomy

Chinatown – Wild Nothing

Stay Gold - The Big Pink

Poor Animal – Zola Jesus

Let me Take You Out – Class Actress

just like that – summer has slid into autumn … the leaves on the trees are changing into vibrant colors…the first few snowy days on the peak have already made the local news.

snowy peak, second week of September 2011

Fortunately the temperatures are still summer like…creating the illusion that we won’t soon be donning our tights, half zips and gloves before going out on the roads and trails!

After this summer’s Pikes Peak Ascent, I had a bit of post-event blues.   I guess when you spend so much time on the mountain (or planning trips up the mountain), you are bound to miss it a little when it’s all over!  Just like last year, I find myself slowly (key word…slow) returning back to non-mountain running. .. slow twitch vs. fast twitch and all that I guess.

I’ve also participated in a few very fun fall events:

The American Discovery Trail Marathon (relay)

The relay is always a great way to cover these 26.2 miles on the Santa Fe trail.   This year, we had two teams – double the fun!  Our team came very close to coming in 3rd for the co-ed relay category.  Unfortunately, I was the weaker link with an average 8:40 mm pace on my leg.   Like I said, I return slowly to non-mountain running!

fun group of relay runners!

our team

The Dirty Girl Mud Run (5K)

A great 5K with 11 obstacles, a lot of mud and no clocks, timing or regular race pressure – just a great time with some fabulous ladies (and for a good cause – proceeds goes to support breast cancer research, awareness & education).

looking good (and clean) pre-run

finish!

muddy, dirty girls

And just this morning, we took a trip up the Incline to No Name Creek … the trees are changing for sure!

a fall day on the Manitou Incline

self portrait

we’ll keep running this fall and to keep some structure during this season and the holidays, my friends and I have put the Rock Canyon Pueblo 1/2 marathon on the fall/winter schedule.  I ran this one last year as well – it’s cheap, local and a good time!  Can’t beat the race schwag: big, cozy sweatshirt!

A few new tunes on my iPod:

Santa Fe by Beirut

Go Away by the Coathangers

After the Moment by Craft Spells

Wild Window by Fool’s Gold

Down by the Law by the LK

]]> http://keeprunningirl.com/2011/09/29/summer-eases-into-the-fall/feed/ 0 http://keeprunningirl.com/2011/07/06/seattle-2011/ http://keeprunningirl.com/2011/07/06/seattle-2011/#comments Thu, 07 Jul 2011 01:34:11 +0000 Keeprunningirl http://www.keeprunningirl.com/?p=1300

We’re back from our annual Seattle trip.  It was another great year – family fun, urban living, good eats, pacific beach, crescent lake… sea level running!  I decided not to run the Seattle Rock n’ Roll half marathon this year.  I ran the race in 2009 and 2010 but after spending the first part of this year plagued with injury, I decided to limit my races this summer.  I have to admit, I kind of regret it  -  running at sea-level was particularly awesome this year!  It must be the runs up to Barr Camp but I found myself cruising through the urban jungle at near-race paces and it felt pretty effortless.

view from Kerry Park. I ran by several times!

kids @ Crescent Lake

rainbow over Crescent Lake

kids @ Ruby Beach

flying kites @ Gas Works Park

fireworks @ Lake Union. from the couch.

It was an amazing trip – we really love the area!   It’s time to get back to work – Barr Camp Mountain Race is in a week and a half!

The Colorado Marathon is in just two weeks and being 100% at peace with my decision to bow out this year, I am so excited for my fellow runners (the beans) who have trained with such dedication and resolve.  I am really so proud of them.  And while they are enjoying their taper, I am enjoying my slow return to running.

For the most part, I am running with no pain.  I feel a twinge when I push the pace and the trail is more comfortable than concrete.  My active release sessions are over but I still have a few more scheduled sessions of shockwave and light therapy.

I have been trying some dynamic stretching to help prevent a reoccurrence.  Dynamic stretching has proven to be a great way to warm up and ease myself into these runs – rather than going in cold or even using static stretching.

So anyway, I am on my way.  And I also registered for the 2011 Pikes Peak Ascent.  So much for my post-Ascent declaration from last year (I am never doing that again)…

and here are some of the cool new tunes on my iPod:

- Living in America by Dom

- Swimming in the Flood by Passion Pit

- Second Chance by Peter, Bjorn and John

- 23 Minutes in Brussels by My Robot

- You were the Last High by The Dandy Warhols

- If You Were Here by The Cary Brothers

spring break in San Diego

Mark and me, our kiddos took a relaxing, fun vacation in San Diego.  The weather could’ve been a little better but we took advantage of the sunny moments and hit the beach whenever we could.

some stormy evenings

beach time

We roamed La Jolla Cove, watched the seals swim to the beach for their naps, shopped, ate lots of yummy food (the vegan options in SoCal are unbelievable)..we took a day trip to LA and spent time with friends… it was quite perfect.

la jolla cove

chillin' with the wildlife

Having the ART doc’s blessing, I ran a couple of times including an easy 5 miler on the beach.   Leg’s holding up, shin pain during the San Diego runs was minimal.    Momentum was on my side and then I caught a cold.. that lingered for a week and ended up becoming a sinus infection.  So I found myself derailed again (albeit temporarily) this week after our vacay.

Needless to say, I was frustrated, had a mini, irrational meltdown. You know: “poor me, somethings gotta give type of thing.”   But anyway the extra days off maybe fortuitous because after laying around sick for a couple of days, I tried a quick treadmill run and while I felt like total crap, my leg didn’t hurt.. at all.   Same story today – an easy 4 miles.. no pain ..at ..all I haven’t been able to say that in a very long time.  Fingers crossed.  In the meantime my Nike tempos are laundered and ready to go.. it’s springtime after all

i need a few more pairs

Last week I was given the okay by the (active release technique) ART doctor to start running… slowly and short distances but running nonetheless.    After the last month-and-a half of cautionary advice against all running, this was pretty damn good news!

So I left the doctor’s office with a happy, positive attitude.  Somewhere in the back of my mind, I was still hoping to head to Ft. Collins for at least the half marathon.  But after a couple of short runs, I had to accept some realities.

First of all, I can still feel some pain when I run… back of the knee, calf and the inside of my shin.. the familiar twinge is still there.    It’s 90% better than the morning of February 7th when I woke up with a stiff, achy leg that could bear little weight without pain, but it is still there.  Then the next appointment (two short runs later)with the ART doctor indicated that the running increased the inflammation a little bit and even though he wasn’t concerned, even encouraged me to keep running, it opened my eyes as to how long this road is really going to be.  Ft. Collins isn’t in the cards for me this year… but I’ve come to terms with that.    There will be a race for me to tackle once I can get to a 100%.  If I do things right hopefully it will be a little sooner than later.

a couple more tunes:

Cut Copy – Need You Now

She Wants Revenge – Must be the One