I'm basically recovered from the tumble yesterday, except for my right index finger. I decided to go to boot camp this morning (just because I'm bruised, I still need to get some activity in, and the plan tonight is just a few easy social run miles). Mild problems on only a few things -- holding a kettlebell, and then doing burpees and push-ups (the only things we had to do using our wrists, palms on the ground). My palm is kind of oozing (disgusting, I know) and it seeped through the bandage a little, but didn't really hurt too much. But my right index finger is really swollen and fairly painful. We were doing a bunch of short runs between sets of exercises. I skipped one short run and talked to the trainer.
Not that he's a medical doctor or anything, but he's a former Olympian and that makes me just assume he knows a bit about injuries. He looked at it, the swelling, tapped it in a few places, etc. His non-technical explanation: he thinks I "jammed" my finger.
So same recommendation as what I'd guessed for a sprain -- ice it.
I considered trying to tape or immobilize it, but it's kind of important that I can type for my job. I suppose I could dictate stuff but wow, my secretary would hate me.
So I think I've survived the fall. Bruises, scrapes, and a jammed finger. If I'm ready for work early today, I'm going to drive by the scene and take a picture to share.
11 days to marathon now! At camp this morning there were several "toys." Most days we do body weight exercises and occasionally use dumbells. Today, we worked through stations:
kettlebells
jump rope
ankle straps that we used to shuffle, then burpees
run with 50 pound sandbag
run pulling tire, then backward run pulling tire
20 pound weighted vest hill runs and jump squats
little 12 inch hurdle jumps followed by star jumps
duck walk with a bar followed by shoulder presses
resistance band curls and shoulder presses
I think I'm missing the second thing we did, but I'm drawing a blank.
Anyway, the three exercises with weight (carrying the sandbag, pulling the tire, and wearing the weight vest), felt great for me. The weight vest was almost a joke -- so much lighter than what I'm used to! That was actually a bit of a mental boost, which is nice -- and needed.
When I recently went through the class to become a certified running coach, one of the things we learned was about how an athlete's mental training should occur throughout a training cycle, not just during the taper phase, which is what most marathoners tend to do. It's kind of too late for me to do that with this marathon. And even if it weren't too late, I feel like it would be tough for this one. Sure, I'm proud of myself for doing all this running while carrying weight, but in reality, I can't train for the mountain or the sand, and I haven't done many long runs with the weight, and even less time with the pack. So I'm going into the race not as prepared as others will be, but I do think it should be enough for me to get the job done. The job here, of course, being my goal of just finishing. But it was nice to feel good today at boot camp, like the weight was easy and no big shock to my body. I might be more prepared than I think I am. Or not. Guess we'll know in 11 days!!
Wednesday, March 14, 2012
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
Taking a Tumble
After months of worrying it would happen, this morning at mile 4.8 of a 5 mile run, it finally happened.
I wiped out. While running in my weight vest.
My shoe caught on some construction wire left out on the street and I went down hard.
Wearing a weight vest makes me even heavier, and I fall even harder.
I think my right wrist took the brunt of it. It hurts to drive and to type. I'm mildly worried it's broken -- if it swells and isn't better by tomorrow morning, I guess I'll go for an x-ray. I can't tell if it's the wrist or the fingers. I can't actually close my fist. I think my fingers bent backward a bit.
My right hand is cut up. My right bicep is bruising and still dirty (didn't wash it, no broken skin). My face is scraped but only bleeding a little. My knees are just dirty, no broken skin. My right hip and right breast are probably bruising, those are places right where the weights crushed into me.
Ugh. I'm so mad at myself. Why wasn't I watching my step during that disaster area?
The ironic thing is now all 3 of my major running falls have occured within a one-block radius. This time I was just past the intersection where I fell and sprained each ankle once, first in 2007 (left), then in 2009 (right). Now I was on the same block, just a bit away from the intersection and I probably sprained my wrist and/or fingers. Guess that means I need to really start guarding my left wrist in that area of town -- it's bound to be next!
Anyway, I'm glad it wasn't worse. I'm so glad my legs and feet survived. I'm glad none of my teeth got knocked out. I'm glad I was almost done running anyway. I'm glad nothing is immediately evident to be broken.
Ugh. Just kicking myself. Going to be trying to remember the "could have been worse" all day. Dreading do the real cleaning and bandaging of my hand. Hoping the pain in the wrist/finger area goes away...
And it seems the longer it's off ice, the easier it gets to move. Not pain-free, but not terrible.
I wiped out. While running in my weight vest.
My shoe caught on some construction wire left out on the street and I went down hard.
Wearing a weight vest makes me even heavier, and I fall even harder.
I think my right wrist took the brunt of it. It hurts to drive and to type. I'm mildly worried it's broken -- if it swells and isn't better by tomorrow morning, I guess I'll go for an x-ray. I can't tell if it's the wrist or the fingers. I can't actually close my fist. I think my fingers bent backward a bit.
My right hand is cut up. My right bicep is bruising and still dirty (didn't wash it, no broken skin). My face is scraped but only bleeding a little. My knees are just dirty, no broken skin. My right hip and right breast are probably bruising, those are places right where the weights crushed into me.
Ugh. I'm so mad at myself. Why wasn't I watching my step during that disaster area?
The ironic thing is now all 3 of my major running falls have occured within a one-block radius. This time I was just past the intersection where I fell and sprained each ankle once, first in 2007 (left), then in 2009 (right). Now I was on the same block, just a bit away from the intersection and I probably sprained my wrist and/or fingers. Guess that means I need to really start guarding my left wrist in that area of town -- it's bound to be next!
Anyway, I'm glad it wasn't worse. I'm so glad my legs and feet survived. I'm glad none of my teeth got knocked out. I'm glad I was almost done running anyway. I'm glad nothing is immediately evident to be broken.
Ugh. Just kicking myself. Going to be trying to remember the "could have been worse" all day. Dreading do the real cleaning and bandaging of my hand. Hoping the pain in the wrist/finger area goes away...
And it seems the longer it's off ice, the easier it gets to move. Not pain-free, but not terrible.
Monday, March 12, 2012
FMM: Bookworms
It's early, but it already feels like the best Monday. I'm hurting, almost everywhere, but I am officially in marathon taper mode now! I got in a solid 7 miles on the trails (wearing the pack) on Saturday (and it rained right before I got out of my car to start the run, then held off until less than 3 minutes after I got back in my car, when it started pouring; I felt insanely lucky to have avoided it!). And then on Sunday I got in just over 18 miles (wearing the vest). It was tough, my traps are actually still in major pain, and I can't believe I'm going to taper for a marathon based on a long run of only 18 miles, but it is what it is. This marathon will be unlike any other. If I could be 3 hours slower than my PR, I think I'd be in the top 5 women. And there's just no way for me in Dallas to prepare for a mountain or a mile of running in the sand. But all that doesn't matter, now it's just a couple weeks of dialing it down a bit and starting to do some major packing planning (since I found out I will fly straight from the marathon to the east coast for work).
But anyway, there's a fun topic for Friend Making Monday this week -- books! Reading more (and documenting what I'm reading) was one of my 2012 resolutions, and I think I've been doing pretty well so far.
If you’ve taken part in FMM then you know the rules. If you’re new, please take a moment to answer this week’s question on your own blog then add your link in the comments section at: http://www.alltheweigh.com/ so we can all see your FMM questions and answers. Please invite your blog readers to add their links there too so everyone has to opportunity to be seen. The idea is to connect with other awesome bloggers so take a moment to post your own FMM post and comment on a couple of other posts. Now it’s time for this week’s topic!
FMM: Bookworms (Revisited)
How often do you read for pleasure? Most evenings before I go to bed, and occasionally on a weekend if I'm not otherwise occupied.
Are you currently reading a book? If so, which one? I'm reading two on a near-daily basis right now. Retribution: The Battle for Japan, 1944-45 by Max Hastings(nonfiction, Pacific Theater toward the end of the war) (if you've read Armageddon, Hastings's book about the last year of the war in Germany, you'll know the style and you'll have high expectations for Retribution, and thus far, Retribution measures up!). And I'm also reading Ursula Under by Ingrid Hill (fiction, slow-going, picked for my book club, but enjoyable, an interesting way of showing how all these random paths many generations ago lead to this little girl being born).
Do you subscribe to any magazines and/or newspapers? If so, which ones? I subscribe to Vegetarian Times (a Christmas gift from Adam and his new bride, lots of good recipes), and Texas Running (blah). Former reader of Time and Runners' World, but I couldn't keep up.
Do you prefer reading traditional books or using an e-reader? I'm a traditional book person. I feel like I make the most progress on a book when I'm traveling, frequently during the time that all electronic devices must be switched off!
How often do you go to the bookstore? Not very, but I think that will change toward the end of the year -- my office is moving and I'll be within steps of a Barnes & Noble.
Do you read at the gym? No, I'm an outdoor exerciser so the gym is rare for me to begin with, but when I'm there, I focus on the workout. Most of what I do (treadmill, weight machines) wouldn't be conducive to reading.
Have you ever been a member of a book club? Yes, filled with lawyers and spouses of lawyers; our 10 year anniversary will be in June 2013, which is crazy -- so many changes since then, marriages, divorces, job changes, babies, moves, but we're still going strong.
Do you wear glasses when you read? No. I wear contacts almost every day, but when I read before bed, I've usually taken them out.
Has anyone read the Hunger Games? If so, would you recommend it? Yes, and I guess. It was a book club choice, so I didn't choose to read it. I generally prefer non-fiction, I love feeling like I'm learning, and sometimes I just don't see the point of reading fiction, particularly something kind of average, like Hunger Games, but at the same time, it was a page-turner, not a major time suck, and geared toward a very low intellectual level, so that made it easy. So if you're looking for something mindless and fun, go for it. But if you want something that will leave a real impression and leave you better for it, I'd say pick something good and non-fiction. Retribution would be fun!
What is your favorite thing about reading? Learning about history from different perspectives! It can be fun to get lost in a story, whether fiction or non-fiction.
Now it’s your turn! Don’t forget to go to alltheweigh.com and link up in the comments! Happy Monday!
But anyway, there's a fun topic for Friend Making Monday this week -- books! Reading more (and documenting what I'm reading) was one of my 2012 resolutions, and I think I've been doing pretty well so far.
If you’ve taken part in FMM then you know the rules. If you’re new, please take a moment to answer this week’s question on your own blog then add your link in the comments section at: http://www.alltheweigh.com/ so we can all see your FMM questions and answers. Please invite your blog readers to add their links there too so everyone has to opportunity to be seen. The idea is to connect with other awesome bloggers so take a moment to post your own FMM post and comment on a couple of other posts. Now it’s time for this week’s topic!
FMM: Bookworms (Revisited)
How often do you read for pleasure? Most evenings before I go to bed, and occasionally on a weekend if I'm not otherwise occupied.
Are you currently reading a book? If so, which one? I'm reading two on a near-daily basis right now. Retribution: The Battle for Japan, 1944-45 by Max Hastings(nonfiction, Pacific Theater toward the end of the war) (if you've read Armageddon, Hastings's book about the last year of the war in Germany, you'll know the style and you'll have high expectations for Retribution, and thus far, Retribution measures up!). And I'm also reading Ursula Under by Ingrid Hill (fiction, slow-going, picked for my book club, but enjoyable, an interesting way of showing how all these random paths many generations ago lead to this little girl being born).
Do you subscribe to any magazines and/or newspapers? If so, which ones? I subscribe to Vegetarian Times (a Christmas gift from Adam and his new bride, lots of good recipes), and Texas Running (blah). Former reader of Time and Runners' World, but I couldn't keep up.
Do you prefer reading traditional books or using an e-reader? I'm a traditional book person. I feel like I make the most progress on a book when I'm traveling, frequently during the time that all electronic devices must be switched off!
How often do you go to the bookstore? Not very, but I think that will change toward the end of the year -- my office is moving and I'll be within steps of a Barnes & Noble.
Do you read at the gym? No, I'm an outdoor exerciser so the gym is rare for me to begin with, but when I'm there, I focus on the workout. Most of what I do (treadmill, weight machines) wouldn't be conducive to reading.
Have you ever been a member of a book club? Yes, filled with lawyers and spouses of lawyers; our 10 year anniversary will be in June 2013, which is crazy -- so many changes since then, marriages, divorces, job changes, babies, moves, but we're still going strong.
Do you wear glasses when you read? No. I wear contacts almost every day, but when I read before bed, I've usually taken them out.
Has anyone read the Hunger Games? If so, would you recommend it? Yes, and I guess. It was a book club choice, so I didn't choose to read it. I generally prefer non-fiction, I love feeling like I'm learning, and sometimes I just don't see the point of reading fiction, particularly something kind of average, like Hunger Games, but at the same time, it was a page-turner, not a major time suck, and geared toward a very low intellectual level, so that made it easy. So if you're looking for something mindless and fun, go for it. But if you want something that will leave a real impression and leave you better for it, I'd say pick something good and non-fiction. Retribution would be fun!
What is your favorite thing about reading? Learning about history from different perspectives! It can be fun to get lost in a story, whether fiction or non-fiction.
Now it’s your turn! Don’t forget to go to alltheweigh.com and link up in the comments! Happy Monday!
Thursday, March 8, 2012
Pack Running
Back in Dallas now, and woke up this morning to light rain. I've been very reluctant to get my weighted vest wet. I don't know how it will handle the water. I worry I might end up with some moisture in the individual weight packs, and I wouldn't want anything to get moldy or smelly (make that "smellier").
On Saturday for the long walk, I'd practiced wearing my pack the entire 27 miles. It made my shoulders and lower back very sore, but at least I proved to myself that I'll be able to handle it.
Tuesday morning I had an early flight for work, and hubby runs solo very early Tuesday mornings, so I decided to run with him instead of with my group (since a group run wouldn't let me catch my flight on time). I woke up at 3:xx (does it even matter if the first number is a 3?) and we were running by just after 4. I had decided to go with the pack instead of the vest. I figured it was a good idea as I'm getting closer and closer to the race. And the good thing was, I figured if I really had trouble running with it, he'd be there and I know he's strong enough to carry it for me.
I actually ran an entire half marathon with it back in January, but I feel like I'm out of practice.
Well, with the rain this morning, I decided it was a good morning to do another run with the pack. Today I was going with my group, and it was the first time I'd done that. I was slower than with my vest, but one of my running buddies is having some foot issues, so it didn't seem to bother them that we went a bit slower.
Maybe I'll toughen up my shoulders some. And my lower back can turn into one big single callous and then maybe it won't chafe? I need to figure out a solution. Even wearing pants with no zipper or tag in the back waistband, and wearing tons of body glide, I still end up with major chafing pain where the bottom of the pack hits my lower back.
Just a few more weeks I have to keep telling myself...
I'm actually contemplating signing up for a speed running class as soon as the marathon is over in hopes of regaining some of the speed I've lost this year. Just an idea right now. It would be lots of track running, which I actually enjoy, I just know it will be frustrating to acknowledge how slow my current starting point is. It might be a fun way to try to build up some quick speed when I'm finally done with the weight.
Just an idea. I'm not signing up for anything until the race is over and I see if my feet and legs actually survive.
Oh, and did I say that I found out I will be flying straight from the marathon to the east coast for work? That will be fun... maybe I should pack my crutches. Haha. That really is going to be an ugly day of travel.
On Saturday for the long walk, I'd practiced wearing my pack the entire 27 miles. It made my shoulders and lower back very sore, but at least I proved to myself that I'll be able to handle it.
Tuesday morning I had an early flight for work, and hubby runs solo very early Tuesday mornings, so I decided to run with him instead of with my group (since a group run wouldn't let me catch my flight on time). I woke up at 3:xx (does it even matter if the first number is a 3?) and we were running by just after 4. I had decided to go with the pack instead of the vest. I figured it was a good idea as I'm getting closer and closer to the race. And the good thing was, I figured if I really had trouble running with it, he'd be there and I know he's strong enough to carry it for me.
I actually ran an entire half marathon with it back in January, but I feel like I'm out of practice.
Well, with the rain this morning, I decided it was a good morning to do another run with the pack. Today I was going with my group, and it was the first time I'd done that. I was slower than with my vest, but one of my running buddies is having some foot issues, so it didn't seem to bother them that we went a bit slower.
Maybe I'll toughen up my shoulders some. And my lower back can turn into one big single callous and then maybe it won't chafe? I need to figure out a solution. Even wearing pants with no zipper or tag in the back waistband, and wearing tons of body glide, I still end up with major chafing pain where the bottom of the pack hits my lower back.
Just a few more weeks I have to keep telling myself...
I'm actually contemplating signing up for a speed running class as soon as the marathon is over in hopes of regaining some of the speed I've lost this year. Just an idea right now. It would be lots of track running, which I actually enjoy, I just know it will be frustrating to acknowledge how slow my current starting point is. It might be a fun way to try to build up some quick speed when I'm finally done with the weight.
Just an idea. I'm not signing up for anything until the race is over and I see if my feet and legs actually survive.
Oh, and did I say that I found out I will be flying straight from the marathon to the east coast for work? That will be fun... maybe I should pack my crutches. Haha. That really is going to be an ugly day of travel.
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