Week 6: Back in the Saddle

This week I ran 3.13 miles.

464.87 miles to go!

So Saturday I set out to run another 5k, this time just around my neighborhood. Not once did I experience any leg pain and when I got home I didn't feel the need to ice or take Aleve. I think it's safe to say I'm back in the saddle again! 

After running, my loving husband used the runner's stick on my legs. I'd be lying if I told you it felt good. In fact, I was in so much pain that I may have caused our young son some trauma. He knelt beside me the whole time, holding my hand saying, "It's OK, mama. I sorry, mama." I may or may not have said that I hated his dad... 

Ultimately, I'm positive my husband's "therapy" did more good than harm. I felt great the day after the run and I'm ready to go again today. 

My biggest supporter and me

Week 5: Baby Steps

This week I ran 3.1 miles.

468 miles to go!

I ran the Girls on the Run of Hamilton County 5k on Saturday with my husband, son (in his jogging stroller) and a family friend. I was able to run a 10 min/mile pace without stopping -- an effort I'm pretty proud of considering I haven't ran in two weeks.

Too bad my name was wrong on my bib. But 33rd out of 243 is pretty good. To be fair, most of the runners were girls in the GOTR program. I was so inspired by each of them. I found myself cheering them on and they yelled for me, too. They smiled the whole time, laughing even with their friends. I would have loved to have ran my first 5k in elementary or middle school instead of when I was 29 years old! Seriously, if you're not familiar with this program and want to learn more about it, the best thing you can do is sign up for our next 5k in spring 2014. I'll post links when I have the info.

All in all, I consider this weekend's achievement to be my baby steps back into a real running routine. I'm hoping with some ibuprofen, ice and a foam roller I can get in at least five this week at a reasonable pace. Here's to hoping the weather stays sunny!

Week 4: Healing

This week I ran a total of zero miles.

471.1 to go.

In an effort not to screw up my leg further, I didn't run this past week and tried to massage my I-T Band to the best of my ability. Granted, "the best of my ability" would probably be graded as a C- for effort BUT I'm no longer in pain walking up or down stairs and I'm not having to ice/take ibuprofen nightly. I think I'm ready to get back in the swing of things.

Lucky for me, as I'm feeling ready to run again the temperature in central Indiana has plummeted and this morning we had about an inch of snow on the ground. 

This weekend I'll be adding some more miles to my running log in the Girls on the Run 5K. Check out this great article on what I'll be doing Saturday morning with my family and why I'll be painting my pinky fingernails blue.

Week 3: Frustration

This week I ran a total of 2.5 miles.

471.1 to go...

As you can tell, I didn't run Saturday. During what was supposed to be a three mile run last Monday to help stay loose and ready for race day, I was in so much pain I had to walk the remaining half mile home. I've tried to rest and use the foam roller as I can (it hurts really bad and I'm not good with pain). This whole I-T Band issue is really a pain. No pun intended.

Nothing's worse than having a t-shirt from a race you didn't run.

So, I'm hoping to get a light jog in this week after using some heat before running, taking a couple of ibuprofens and icing afterwards. We'll see how it goes...