My First Run

Saturday I did my first run since May.  I really wasn't sure what to expect.  A bunch of the girls were running in the canyon so I offered to drop them off at the top and then drove my car down to the Bridal Veil parking lot and started up the canyon.  I planned to walk a full mile before I started to run to make sure my back and legs were nice and warmed up.  I walked up the path then at a mile started running until I hit mile 2 where I turned around and ran back down the trail.  At mile 2 when I turned around I saw 3 of the girls so I ran about 10 steps with them then told them not to go slow with me.  It was so beautiful outside and some of the leaves are even starting to change colors.  I ran 3 miles straight then walked another 3/4 mile after with 2 of the other girls who were finishing their run.  My 3 mile run was just over a 10 min/mile.  

After the run I stretched and drank a recovery shake.  I told Todd it felt so good to need a recovery drink again.  It's been so long since I've worked out.  I was so sore after the run - it felt like I had run 16 miles not 3!  Then yesterday I did another run/walk of 5 miles.  I didn't run 3 miles straight but alternated between 1/2 mile running and walking.  My poor legs were still sore and tired from Saturday's run and I don't want to push my body too hard this soon.  After that run I did my Foundations Training for my back and stretched.  I feel better today than I did after my first run so I'm hoping to just keep feeling better and stronger.  

Today I start my personal training sessions with my crossfit coach and I couldn't be more excited to get back to crossfit!  I have missed working out so much!!

Post Injury Running

What a summer.  8 weeks ago I got back surgery and I haven't been able to do anything except walk for 2 months.  Tomorrow is the big day for me to try to run again.  I am so nervous that I won't be able to run.  I have missed running and crossfit so much.  Working out is a huge part of my life and it's amazing what a huge void I feel not being able to do the things I love.  But I am determined to completely heal so I have been VERY good and haven't pushed it at all. 

My plan for starting to workout again is to do 3 easy runs a week (probably around 3 miles to start) with a run/walk combo until I feel good.   I am doing personal training sessions 3 days a week to start building my muscles back as well.  I really should add a day of swimming to the mix too if I can fit it in.  Then by the end of September I hope to be back to my normal workout schedule with doing less mileage and scaling my crossfit workouts while I work back up.  I have also been doing the Foundations Training workouts to build back my core - they are 10-15 minutes everyday - my massage therapist recommended them for me as physical therapy and they seem to help a lot.

Today I took my measurements so I have a reference point for how much muscle I've lost and my left leg is a full inch smaller than my right.  Obviously I was compensating too much before my surgery.

Wish me luck...tomorrow is a big day for me.

Why I can't run

I haven't posted in ages.  It's been quite a year for me.  This is my year for injuries I guess.  I was finally get back in running shape since my tendonitis and then I managed to hurt my back.  It all started with a fall on a 12 mile run back in early May.  I tripped on the sidewalk and went down on my hands, knee and right hip hard.  I finished my run and then my next workout hurt my back.  Just the usual right side lower back disc issues I've fought all my life.  

I took 2 weeks off running and called it good.  Ran a few more times but was still having issues with my back hurting.  I didn't listen and kept pushing hard.  Then one day in crossfit I did a stupid move and felt my back completely give out.  It hurt so bad I could barely walk.  I ended up flat on my back for 3 days.  Todd had to help me to get out of bed and to the bathroom and I couldn't put pressure on either foot without severe pain.  I went and got an MRI and found lots of damage on the left side of my low back.  NO!!  I have quite a bit of nerve issues going on right now.  My left leg is numb from the knee down the outside of my leg to my 2 little toes and I can't straighten my leg completely or lift it more than about 6 inches.  The muscles are feeling better and I can walk pretty good now.  But I can't run or jump or twist at all.  I have an appointment with a spinal surgeon in a week and hopefully I will know more about options and recovery. 

For now I am taking it easy at crossfit and when I do lift I wear this sweet weight belt.   It's a bit much and way too fancy for my needs but the support it provides is awesome and it helps me support my back.  From now on anytime I lift heavy I will wear a belt so I don't get hurt again.  Being injured doesn't work well with my personality.  I am so uptight and emotional these days because I can't just get it out of my system with some serious cardio.  I can't believe how much I miss running!