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ouch.

Put on the new orange laces that ING sent me. Love how neon they are. They remind me of Essie “Bright Tights.”

Saturday morning my schedule was to run 20 or 22 miles, depending upon how I was feeling. Niketown’s running group was doing a 16 mile run so I figured I could run there, run with them and then run back. On the run there old blisters got opened up and my feet were being sliced. The bandaids I had on kept coming off and I was worried I’d be in too much pain to run, but fortunately once we got going I was ok. They planned for us to do Queensboro Bridge repeats, we would run there from Niketown and do three laps (to Queens and back) and then run up the east side running path. The wind coming back to Manhattan was INSANE! There were points where it felt like we weren’t moving at all. Good practice for the big day though, especially since mile 15 of the race is going over the bridge to Manhattan. I felt great the whole time but noticed a dull pain on the outside of my left knee while we were on the downhill slopes of the bridge. We all stopped at a little playground under the bridge before heading to the east river running path and got some water. When we started up again the pain in my knee was crippling. After a few yards it felt better, but any time I had to pause at a light, it felt like someone was taking an axe to my knee. Not good. Definitely not good as we made our way back to Niketown and had to stop at lights at almost every avenue. I stretched with the group and then headed home. I tried to start running again and almost buckled over in pain. Really not good. I ended up cabbing it home and only got in 17 miles. 

I talked with my cousin M today, the physical therapist, and she gave me lots of great advice. She’s sending me some stretches tomorrow and suggested I see an orthopedist. Hopefully I can get an appointment this week or next and they’ll be able to help me out. She told me to keep up with the ice and Advil and that I have to take a break from running if it hurts too much. I’m really hoping this run will be the exception and everything else from here will get better. Will continue to update. 

Check out this article for Runner’s World tips for your long runs

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hamster on a treadmill and hamstring stretches

While today wasn’t as gross as yesterday, it was still pretty dark and drizzly when I woke up. I decided to do my 6 miles as intervals at the gym. The run was decent, I felt like I hadn’t been at my gym in a while because I’ve been running outside or doing yoga mostly. Got to catch up on ESPNnews and the jogged home. Last night I came across a page I pulled out of the August 2010 issue of Runners World. It had a 10 minute routine on how to stretch your hamstrings. Mine have been incredibly tight lately, so it was a great find! I did the workout to cool down and my hamstrings already feel better. I’ll probably do it again this evening.

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rather eat asphalt than walk

I have my fingers crossed that my foot is fully healed. I have been very good about icing and compressing and elevating, but only ok at resting. However, if you compare it to my normal level of exercise, I suppose I’ve been very good at resting. But part of what I love about NYC is walking all over and exploring the city. It was hard to resist all weekend but I definitely cut back. According to the Runner’s World Complete Book of Running, I may think I’m all better but my foot may not be completely healed. Tomorrow’s schedule calls for 7 miles and I may be walking/running it. Great quote from the book - “Although you would rather eat asphalt than be caught walking, do it anyway.” We’ll have to see how tomorrow goes.

I’m sure everyone’s sick of seeing photos of my injured foot. Hopefully today is the last one. And if not, I promise at least to get a more fall appropriate pedicure. 

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lovely little run by the beach

Today was supposed to be filled with rain and thunderstorms. Fortunately, it wasn’t! I woke up very early and leisurely enjoyed scones, Barry’s Tea (an essential in my life) and the Boston Globe on the back porch til we realized the beautiful weather was here to stay and headed off to Nantasket beach. I didn’t even have a bathing suit, but borrowed an old top of my sister’s and figured I’d be fine. Because it was still early, we got a great spot and just relaxed by the water. I love pulling my chair into the waves and just relaxing by the surf. After catching up on a few Runner’s World magazines, I was bored. I stealthily put on running shorts and a sports bra over my bathing suit and set out for a quick run along the beach. I am not one to run in just a bra, but it was so darn hot. 

It was so packed I couldn’t run on the beach without running into a child, so I stuck to the sidewalk above the beach. It was HOT but the sea breeze was invigorating. I didn’t have my iPod on so I don’t have stats, but according to mapmyrun.com it was a quick little 2 mile run. I gladly came back, plopped back into a chair on the beach and enjoyed some hummus and bagel chips. Trying to catch an early bus back to NYC so I can get some strength training in before Mad Men.