A Quick Update

It's been awhile since I have written a post.  Probably because I didn't want to sound like a broken record...

My foot is still hurting and I have been doing lots of cross training.

Actually my 2nd metatarsal stress fracture feels great.  However I am having pain in a few different spots in the same foot.  I have been taking the running really easy.  Running only 2-3x/week and very low mileage.

I have been spinning, swimming and ellipticalling.  Not as much fun but I hope it keeps me in descent shape until I can really start running again.

Even though my running has been minimal I have two fun races coming up.  I am doing a 10K Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving and Half Marathon in Vegas in about 2 weeks.  I have to keep telling myself that I am not in racing condition.  I am very competitive with myself and I know my times will not be something that I will be proud of.  But I do not want to push myself and get more hurt either.

I can't wait to start posting some positive reports about running.  Until then I will keep pushing myself in the gym.

Happy Running (and cross training)!

Elliptical

Today I was able to do the Elliptical machine.  It wasn't running.  But at least I was upright, my legs were moving in a similar matter to running, and my arms were moving too.

I did 6 miles at an average pace of 7:58min/mile.  I am not really sure how this compares to running.  The good news is my foot felt fine on the elliptical.  Although I am not really sure my foot is getting better.

I went to the gym pool with the kids after.  When I saw the lap pool, I really wanted to get in and do a few laps.  I think that is so funny because a few weeks ago I would have no desire to swim laps.  Now it is my favorite cross training exercise.

Tomorrow is Kaitlyn and Jackson's first day of school.  Jackson will be in Kindergarden (sniff, sniff) and Kaitlyn will be in second grade.

Weekly Recap: Lots of Cross Training

This is not the weekly recap I wanted to be posting this week.  My plan called for 50 miles of running.  I started out the week right on track to get there.  But then the bad news came...a possible stress fracture in my right foot.

So my running came to a stop and the cross training began.

Yesterday I was supposed to run 20 miles.  This is such an important run and it is very disappointing that I wasn't able to attempt it.

Instead, I spent the day cross training.  I met Christy at her gym and we started off riding the bike. The first hour I felt pretty good.  Then I bumped up the resistance and the next 25 minutes were HARD!  In fact that is the hardest 25 minute work out I have done in a long time.  My legs were on fire.  I wanted to do an hour like that but my legs said NO.  So I turned the resistance way down and did another easy 25 minutes.  Total time on the bike: 1:50.  I think I did around 32-33 miles?  I forgot to keep track.  Christy was a rock star on the bike.  I would have stopped a lot sooner if she wasn't there.  I can't wait to have a running workout with her.

My main source of cardio for the week:(

Christy cruising away on the bike.

Riding the bike just doesn't compare to running.  Hmm. That's all I have to say about that.

Then we went to the pool and swam 500m or 500 yards.  Not sure if the pool was yards or meters.  That was actually fun.  I definitely enjoyed the swimming better than the bike.

It was interesting to me how sore my legs felt after the workout.  But I didn't feel as drained as running makes me.  I thought I would be sore today for sure.  Actually my legs feel pretty good.

Weekly Recap:

Monday:  5 easy miles
Tuesday:  10 wonderful miles (but bad foot pain begins)
Wednesday:  Rest
Thursday:  1 hour bike
Friday:  Rest
Saturday:  1 hour 50 minutes bike, 500 meter swim
Sunday:  20 minutes bike, 700 meter swim (Really enjoyed the swimming again.  Am I turning into a triathlete?  No, probably not.  I still miss running dearly.)

I hope to report some running next week.  Fingers crossed!
Happy Weekend,
Jaime

Just When Things Were Coming Together...

Last week was one of my best running weeks.  I finally felt like things were coming together.  I felt so good on my last several runs.

Well until the last 2 miles of my last 10 mile run.  I had been having minor foot issues with my left foot but those finally healed.    Suddenly my right foot started hurt while running.

The pain did not go away. I took a day off running.  It still hurt.  I tried to run a few steps today and still with a lot of pain.  I knew this pain was different than my other issues.  And I was afraid of the worst...a stress fracture.

So today I went to see on orthopedic doctor who specializes in the foot and ankle.

The verdict:  Possible metatarsal stress fracture?  (metatarsal is one of the long bones in the foot)

Good news:  My xrays are normal.  But stress fractures don't show up on xrays for awhile.  MRI is the best test for this.  I was a little surprised he didn't want to do this.

The doctor never gave me a definitive diagnosis.  Sometimes it is nice to know... do I have a stress fracture or not.  But a lot of things in medicine are wait and see.

He said things like stress reaction.  And maybe it is a really early stress fracture.  The pain is in the exact location you would think a stress fracture would be.  But I don't think he thought it was that bad because he was pushing pretty hard.  It did hurt-bad.  But he made it seem like he shouldn't have been able to push that hard if it was a full blown stress fx.  Also there was no bruising or swelling.  More good signs.

So I interpet the diagnosis as:  Early signs of a stress fracture developing.

The plan:  (per ortho doctor)
Bike for a few days.
Then elliptical for a few days.
Then try running again.  If it hurts, back to step 2.

Also stretching.  He was surprised how tight my achilles was.  I know, I know.  I am one of the most inflexible people.
And a hard insert to go in my shoe.  I have not tried it yet, but does not seem comfortable.

Side note:  xrays of my left foot were normal.  I asked him about what that pain was all about.  He thought maybe just a soft tissue bruise.

So....
This sucks!  99% sure the LP Half Marathon is out.  Also my entire Chicago marathon training plan is out the window.  I hope to be back in a week, but I don't know for sure.

Obviously if you read my blog, you know how much I love to run!  And how running is really part of me.

But...
I have a great support system.  I have so many things to be thankful for.  I have to keep this in perspective.  Things could be a lot worse!  I know that-but I am still sad about it.

My amazing support system!

The kids were so worried about my foot.  They know how much running means to me.  Jackson was very happy I didn't have to wear a cast.  Kaitlyn said she would give me a back massage so I would feel better.  Nathan was trying to show me his booboo on his foot.  And Ryan did tell me that he would teach me how to ride a real rode bike until I recover.

After I got this news, I didn't even have time to digest it.  I picked up the kids from Katie's.  (Thanks Katie for watching them again!!!)  And then we went to the kids back to school social tonight.  It was a nice distraction.  Kaitlyn and Jackson were so cute!  I just love their school, Maple Glen.

So, cross training here I come! My friend Christy and I have a date on the bike this weekend.  (Unfortunately, Christy is hurt too.  So she has to the ride the bike also)  We both don't enjoy the bike.  Oh and we won't be riding outside either.  I don't have a road bike.  We will see how long we make it before our butts make us stop.

I hope you are out there running if you can.  I miss it already.  But I will be back!  I just hope sooner rather than later.