Hitting the Training Reset Button

February 19, 2017 by 52 Comments

It’s time to hit the reset button…

My little slip during a run last month did more than just tweak things. And, while I’ve been able to eek out some runs, it’s been inconsistent at best…and with some significant pain at worst. No bueno.  I’ve probably known for a couple of weeks now that I need to re-think my plans, but I didn’t want to admit it. I’d been hoping to hold it together and some how stick to my race schedule, but it’s just not happening.

So after a trip to the new chiropractor (who was awesome!) and conferring with the RC coaches, it’s time to hit the reset button on my training. I took a pass on the 10 mile race I was planning to do this morning and I’m deferring my entry in the NYC Half until next year. And while I’m especially bummed about putting off NYC, I’m refusing to have a pity party.

So I’m focusing on the positives:

  • Better to have this happen now while the year is still young and there’s still lots of time for running and races
  • I still have 14 weeks until my Spring goal race, Boston’s Run to Remember
  • I’m loving the new chiro I was referred to – he’s mapped out a course of treatment and believes he can get me back on track shortly
  • My RC coaches are all very positive that we can work around this and put together a decent training plan
  • Since the whole family was looking forward to heading to NYC, we’ve decided to still hit the city during the school spring break

I’m headed back to the chiro tomorrow, and this week will probably be heavy on the cross-training and strength work. 14 weeks to go!

Linking up with Tricia and Holly for the #WeeklyWrap. 

Quick housekeeping note:

Congrats to Jessica & Stephanie for winning entries into the Utah Valley Marathon/Half Marathon/10K! (Check your email boxes for details. ) If you didn’t win but are still interested in running, you can use code rwa15 to get 15% off any distance! (This is an affiliate code.)

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Filed Under: chiropractor, DNS, half marathon training, injuries, NYC Half Marathon, Weekly Wrap

Alternative treatments help keep me running

July 21, 2015 by 19 Comments

I’m linking up once again with Erika, April & Patty for Tuesdays on the Run. This week’s topic is one that I have always found really interesting – alternative treatments for running injury/injury prevention.

AcupunctureOver the past couple of years, I have turned to both acupuncture and chiropractic treatment at various times to deal with different nagging issues. Long before I started running, I’d been a big fan of acupuncture ever since it helped me deal with what were once debilitating migraines. So when I first encountered some knee/ITB issues I quickly turned to acupuncture and had great success with it. Which, of course, begs the question, why stop? Sadly, my talented acupuncturist moved his practice out of state and I just haven’t found a replacement.

I’m also a huge fan of massage, especially when I’m actively training for a race and my mileage is high (for me). I find sport massage helps to both keep my legs feeling good and aids my recovery. I would love to go on a regular basis….hmmm maybe I need to buy some lottery tickets 😉

Obviously, I’m not a doctor nor do I have a medical background – I can only say what works for me.

Have you tried any alternative treatments? What works for you?

Tuesdays-on-the-run

 

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Filed Under: acupuncture, chiropractor, massage

At the moment….

June 30, 2014 by 18 Comments

make-the-moment-perfect-picture-quote

At the moment….

…. I haven’t been running much….in fact just 6 very slow miles last week. The good news – they were pain-free!

…. I’m going for session #2 with the chiro this morning. He believes he’ll have me fully-operational shortly as long as I do my exercises and roll daily. He’s also urging me to get off the pavement for a bit – on trails, grass or at the very least the track – a more forgiving surface would help my cause.

…. while I wish I were running more, I’m embracing what I can do now –  enjoying other workouts like TRX, basketball in the driveway with my kids, walks with my injured BRF and weekly barre classes. I had stopped T25 last week, but I’m going to add it back into the mix with my chiro’s OK.

 

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Filed Under: chiropractor, injuries, Updates

Back to the Chiro I go

June 23, 2014 by 16 Comments

alignmentSo my right hip has not been cooperating…in fact it’s been downright cranky. During the course of all of our vacation adventures I threw something out of whack – I’m pretty sure it was while scaling the Dunns River Falls. I knew something felt a little off towards the end of the trip…and by the time I got off the airplane I was flat out uncomfortable.

I stretched and rolled like it was my job last week…but continued to workout (you see where this is going, right?) Pilates and T25 was fine, but when it came to my runs not so much. The hip was ok (but not great) as long as I stuck to an LSD pace…and even then, 4 miles taxing (and I could start to feel my ITB talking). This was not boding well for Sunday’s 10K. After a quick chat with Coach Bennett, I knew I would not be racing this weekend – it just wasn’t worth it to risk doing damage for a race I’d signed up for on a whim…not with fall training starting in a couple of weeks.

I’m determined to go charging into my fall training…not limping in. So, I didn’t  give the race a second thought, had a great weekend, and am now wholly focused on doing everything I need to to get on top of this.  I’ll be heading back to the chiro this weekend…he’s been my miracle worker in the past so hopefully he can help me get back in balance fast!

Have you ever worked with a chiropractor?

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Filed Under: chiropractor, listening to your body

Monday Motivation

August 12, 2013 by 8 Comments

StFrancis Quote

With 6 weeks to go until the Wicked Half, here’s what I’ve got on my training plan for this week:

Monday —  7 mile hilly run with negative split on back half (followed by another visit to the chiro!)

Tuesday —  Cross-training (Jillian Michaels Shred 30 DVD)

Wednesday —  4 miles Fartlek

Thursday —  8 miles with 5 @ tempo

Friday —  Rest day

Saturday —  11 mile LSD

Sunday —  Cross-training (more Jillian!)

Plus I’ll continue to do the #AugustCoreFocus challenge everyday – I’m loving this challenge!

What have you got planned for this week?

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Filed Under: #AugustCoreFocus, chiropractor, half marathon training, Jillian Michaels, Monday Motivation, week ahead, Wicked Half Marathon

Back to the Chiropractor

August 8, 2013 by 9 Comments

Tightness in my lower back and left hip means a trip back to my chiro! The discomfort kicked in last Wednesday’s run and reared it’s ugly head again during my long run Saturday. Well that was enough for me – no point in risking derailing my training, time to revisit the chiro.

Have you ever been to a chiropractor? Spine

I was originally very hesitant…and maybe a little skeptical of seeing a chiropractor – the thought of all that popping and cracking kinda freaked me out. Then last November I went to a gait analysis clinic where the guest was Dr. G – a chiropractor and marathoner! I started seeing him and quickly started seeing improvement in both my lower back and left ITB. By the end of December, I was in good shape and on my way.

This is the first flare up I’ve had since and while I have no idea what I did to stir things up, I’m pretty certain heading back to Dr. G is the right move. One of the things I really like about working with Dr. G is that he takes a whole body approach – not simply focusing on the injury. And his treatment wasn’t just about adjustments, he also incorporated both cold laser treatments and the graston technique, as well as recommending stretches and exercises to help with imbalances. And, of course, I also love that he’s a runner 🙂

Obviously, seeing a chiropractor may not be for everyone. It should be a very individual choice based on your own research so you can gauge their approach in identifying a patient’s issue and the methods of treatment offered. And, in the end, never underestimate the trust factor!

Have you tried working with a chiropractor or using other alternative treatments?

 

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Filed Under: chiropractor

Thursday Thoughts (aka 3 Things)

December 20, 2012 by 9 Comments

1.
You know that feeling at the beginning of week when you have a mile-long to do list,you’re staring at the calendar trying to figure out how to wedge in one more commitment, and then you get thrown a curve ball and all plans go haywire? Well, my curve ball came in the form of having kids home sick on two different days. On the good side, both boys are feeling better and I got some quality snuggle time with my kiddos 🙂

2.
I did make it to the chiro this week for another appointment. After seeing him twice a week for the past few weeks I’m happy to report that the majority of my ITB pain is gone! We’ve agreed to take a couple of weeks off and then see how I feel as I start to build my mileage back up – fingers crossed, nothing will flare up.

3.
The lottery gods were unkind to me for the Cherry
Blossom 10 miler lottery, so it stays on my race bucket list for another year.

I did lock in the early bird rate on Boston’s Run to Remember for the end of May, but am still on the hunt for another half marathon or 10-miler for the spring – Any suggestions?

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Filed Under: 3 things, Boston's Run to Remember, chiropractor, ITB, kids, race calendar, to do list

November Rewind

November 30, 2012 by 7 Comments
Good things for the month:
  • PR’d the Chilly Half Marathon – I went 3 for 3 in PRs for my races this fall and I couldn’t be happier! 
  • I’m working with a chiropractor and after just a handful of sessions my ITB is noticeably improved.
  • Started the Holiday Bootie Buster Challenge which has definitely helped keep my motivation level up post-race. 
  • Enjoying just running how far I want, when I want — everyone needs time off from a training plan
Things I could do without:
  • Raynaud’s Disease– with the drop in temperatures in the last couple of weeks, the annual battle with Raynaud’s begins. Hand warmers and mittens become constant running companions now until Spring.

What’s up for December:

  • I’m running with my brother in his first 5K – cannot wait!
  • The Holiday Challenge has highlighted for me that I really need to do a better job getting enough fruits & veggies on a daily basis, so I’m going to focus on better meal planning.
  • Meditation – I was trying to follow the Chopra Center’s latest 21-day challenge last month, but I didn’t make it a priority and I missed a bunch of days. So I downloaded the Challenge and will start again on December 1, seems like a good way to go into the holiday season, don’t ya think?
  • Finish the year healthy and strong — continue the yoga classes, chiro visits and strength training. I would have loved to hit 1,000 miles for this year but with 137 miles left to go I’m not sure I’ll make it. Right now I think it is doing my body a lot of good to have back off the mileage so I don’t want to jeopardize that for a random goal.
 How’s your year wrapping up? Any goals you’re still working towards?

 

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Filed Under: Chilly Half, chiropractor, Chopra Center, Holiday Bootie Buster, meditation, month in review, Raynauds

Random runs, chiro visits and other randomness

November 21, 2012 by 11 Comments

For whatever reason it was a flury of chaos around my house this morning…so it’s a bullet points kind of day.

  • I must admit it feels kind of funny to wake up every morning and not have my runs and workouts pre-determined by a training plan. I’ve been heading out the door with no real destination in mind, just running to run and when I’ve had enough or am crunched for time, I head back.
  • Signed up for my first race of 2013 – going to run the Wampanog Old-Fashioned 10 miler again. J and I ran it back in February (you can read the race report here). It’s a really well organized local race and I like the course. I also like racing this distance and hope to find a few others to do next year.
  • I’m headed to my second appointment with a chiropractor this morning. I attended a gait analysis clinic this past weekend where this chiro was the guest speaker. While I’ve had a gait analysis done before in running stores, it was very different to have it done by someone trained in the neuromusculosekeletal system the way he was…plus it helped that he’s a marathoner. I’m going to work with him for a few weeks and see how my ITB responds.
  • We’re staying local for Thanksgiving this year – my brother’s hosting and I’m really looking forward to a lowkey day with the family. The plan’s to either hit an early yoga class or get a run in, then finish cooking and head to my brother’s place for a day of food and football!
Are you running a Turkey Trot? 
Traveling for the holiday or staying local?
Wishing everyone a wonderful Thanksgiving!!
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Filed Under: chiropractor, no training plan, randomness, Thanksgiving, Wampanoag 10