A work-out with Serena Williams and a blogger meet-up!

Friday I chilled with Barbara Walters while she took my vitals, and yesterday I worked-out with my old friend Serena Williams.  Okay, so it is an iTunes card where the voice of Serena Williams instructs you through interval training.  It counts.  My legs were pretty sore from the run the day before, so my intervals were not very intense at all (3 miles in 31:22).  But I did them. 

hen I came home, showered, and went for my massage.  When I explained my situation, the gentleman who was my masseuse suggested that I get an all over massage to help me relax, then he would focus on areas around my legs/butt.  I was actually very relieved that it did not turn into a deep tissue massage.  I'm not going to lie... having someone massage my butt was awkward, but at the same time it really did help with the pain.  He also focused on my shoulders, since that is where I carry all of my tension.  This is my third massage where the masseuse was unable to remove all of the knots in my shoulders.  He suggested for both my pulled butt muscle injury and my shoulders that I heat them.  He said to heat for a maximum of 10 to 15 minutes every hour.  He told me that heating beyond that amount of time would result in inflammation, which would not help.  I have been doing what he said, and it really seems to be helping!  My gluteus minimus is still sore, but it definitely feels better than a few days ago.  I am going to be good and not do a long run for at least week, even though I want to.  (I had really been looking forward to my solo 15 mile run, just to prove to myself that I could do it.) 

As far as my weekly challenge, I made my goal!  I ran 3 days (it was 3 miles each day).  Given that I injured myself by incorporating a new work-out into my routine, I have decided to keep my upper body and ab work-outs light and build up until after the marathon.  Call me paranoid, but I do not want another injury.  One day I did 10 push-ups (on my knees... but they were still challenging.  I have lost all of my strength I gained during my 100 push-up challenge).  Another day, I did a single set of various arm exercises with 5 lb dumbbells.  My arms were not very sore, so I will probably add another set next time.  In terms of abs, I did one day where I did a plank for a full minute and then a half a minute.  A little is better than nothing! 

Yesterday, the lovely and talented Katy from The Singing Runner was in town for the Walt Disney World Half Marathon.  You can read her awesome race recap here, and also see her awesome pictures from our meet-up (at yummy PF Changs).  I had so much fun meeting with her!  She is such a sweet heart!

 

We did not order these, but they brought them to us.  I tried a lettuce wrap, and it was pretty good.

I loved these green tea noodles.  They were different.

 

 

Photo op!

Not a great fortune but true.

Have you ever participated or would you participate in a blogger meet up?  Were you nervous?  Personally, I get nervous and shy (which tends to equal chatty), but I really enjoy them!  I love meeting new people!

Have a wonderful week all!  Today Chris and I bought a ninja!  But more about that in a later post...

Forget Google, See a Doctor

My butt hurt pretty bad this morning, so I started Google-ing running-related injuries and butt pain.  Before I knew it, I was convinced that I would not be able to run my marathon and probably had a chronic injury (I tend to have a flare for the dramatics.)  After my freak-out moment earlier this afternoon, I decided to make a doctor's appointment.  While I sat in the waiting area, I thought of writing my next blog.  I would try to be positive while writing about breaking my weekly running streak the first week of the new year, and writing to remind myself that the point of my goal was to keep me running consistently, and the smart thing to do is to rest when injured. 

In the middle of mentally writing my blog, the nurse called me back to check my vitals.  Her name was Barbara Walters.  No lie.  Fortunately, my blood pressure was great and so was my temperature (my poor Chris has been home sick with a fever for two days).  Then I met with the doctor who I believe was a sports medicine specialist.  I gathered this from him telling me about tips he tells his elite athletes.  The doctor poked, twisted, prodded, pulled, and pushed my legs/butt/hip and determined that I have a pulled gluteus minimus.  The injury most probably occurred during my hot yoga class last week.  The doctor told me that he advises his elite athletes to not do anything new four weeks before a race.  For example, not trying GUs for the first time, but apparently it also means do not go to hot yoga six weeks before a race when it is not something you do regularly.  The very good news is that he said my butt pain is curable.  He said that I can still run my marathon, although it may hurt.  In fact, he told me to run today.  He said for a week or so to focus on speed work and intervals.  Then when I feel up to it to try an endurance run.  This means I will not be running 15 miles tomorrow; instead, I will be doing a shorter speed work-out.  I can live with that. 

Tonight I ran 3 miles doing intervals.  Chris needed a gallon of water and wanted to get some air, so he walked to the grocery store while I sprinted ahead then back to Chris.  I would walk and sprint (but not too fast... I didn't want to push it the first day).  I hit 3 miles at 30:36.  Then there was a very short walk after that.

The doctor also mentioned that my hip flexors were well stretched, but my IT band is tight.  In addition to the stretches I mentioned the other day, he said to also do the stretch where I was sitting up but at the edge of the bed and then to lay back on the bed.  He told me a good stretch, which I have tried to show in pictures.  Unfortunately, as I mentioned, Chris is sick, so I tried to take the pictures myself. 

Welcome to my bedroom.  Lay on the edge of the bed, bend the top leg behind you and hold your ankle with your hand.

While holding your ankle, bring your other leg so that its ankle sits on top of the knee of the other leg.  You will feel the stretch on your top hip.

View from the top.

Another stretch.

And another.

 

The doctor also told me that heat and ice probably wouldn't penetrate deep enough.  I asked about a massage, and he told me that he wasn't sure if they would be able to massage deep enough, but studies have shown that massages reduce pain.  I booked my first sports massage for tomorrow afternoon, and I am honestly nervous about how much it is going to hurt but hoping that it helps.  I will let you know how it goes.

This experience has taught me a few lessons:  

1. Ignore Google and just go see the doctor
2. Do not try something new right before a big race
3. Do not push the limits too far in hot yoga

Have a wonderful evening!

P.S.  And the ladies are probably the only people who want to read this paragraph....  also asked the doctor another question.  This is totally one of those TMI moments, but it really freaked me out, so I figured someone else may benefit from this knowledge as well.  After our 18 mile run, when I was undressing to take a shower, I noticed a small amount of spotting (very small amount).  I asked the doctor about it, and he said that it is perfectly normal.  In fact, even more spotting is common.  Like I said, TMI, but if any other women out there have had a minor freak-out session, know that it is normal.  Of course, I would still consult with your doctor. 

Swim lessons, Toe touches, Vibrams, and the Beach!

I have missed blogging!!!!  My schedule has been packed full of fun and exciting events!

First of all, I started beginner swim lessons.  That's right, swim lessons!  I am determined to get this whole breathing-while-swimming thing down, because I really want to do a triathlon one day.  The classes are Monday and Wednesday for an hour.  It turns out that one of the teachers (young life guard guys) told myself and three other people in the class interested in triathlons that the intermediate level would be more ideal.  I figure this class certainly cannot hurt me, and it will help to slowly increase my stamina in the water as well as reduce the amount of "freak-out" from being afraid of drowning.  Then I will take the intermediate class in the fall.  So far we are doing a lot of kick board swimming and beginning strokes with breathing.  I have a way to go, but I am determined to do this.  I forgot just how great of a work-out swimming can be.  Especially when you make it part of a brick work-out.  After the first class, last Wednesday, I met with Caitlin and we ran 4 miles (46:05min).  My legs were tired, and I was starving after we finished!  (We also ran 4 miles on Thursday in 45:11.)  The second lesson (Monday) I did the 4 mile run before swim lessons (39:51min), but that was probably a mistake because it was really hot outside, and I felt light-headed after I finished.  Luckily the pool felt great after that!  My third class was this evening, and I think I actually did free style swim for a short distance! HOORAY!  I am on my way!!!

After my swim, I met with Caitlin and Ryan for another 4 mile run (that is the magic number right now I guess).  We ran it in 46:09 min.  A little under a mile away from the end, Caitlin saw a frog.  Now Caitlin is absolutely terrified of frogs.  I mean really afraid of them.  In the past she has jumped into the road in order to avoid a frog.  Tonight she jumped into me, which pushed me into a fence.  I have some pictures of my injuries, since I joked that I was going to blog about it.  In all honesty, it only stung when it first happened.  The pictures look worse than it really feels (and the pictures aren't bad either).  It was funny though.  Better than jumping in front of a car!

A picture I took in London last year, just for Caitlin.

The brown discoloration is either dirt or paint, so it isn't as bad as it looks.

Other elbow

I am really loving the brick work-outs, because I feel like they are really helping to improve my endurance.  I have plans to do an hour and half of hot yoga tomorrow followed by hopefully a four mile run.  I cannot wait!  I am really craving yoga!  I cannot believe how much I enjoy it.  I have been doing a bit of yoga every day.  Before my first yoga class a few weeks ago, I could barely touch my toes, but now I can easily grab my feet over my toes!  I am so excited!  I am finally able to do downward dog with my heals touching the ground!  I am also able to lower myself from a plank without "flopping".  I am definitely looking forward to getting "yoga arms".  I even have plans to run and go to hot yoga tomorrow.  Yay!

Another really great benefit to extra work-outs is that I am sleeping so well!  I have also been enjoying Tazo Rest tea before bed.  I think it really does help me relax and sleep well.

Now this past weekend, Chris and I went to Sarasota to visit his family.  While we were there, we went to the Fit2Run store.  After my runs last week, I had to take a few days off, because the ball of my foot was hurting again.  We went to Fit2Run to buy insoles for my shoes.  I stood on some nifty device that showed me where how I apply pressure to my feet.  If you notice in the picture, I apply a lot of pressure at the balls and heels of my feet, especially on the left foot (the sore foot).  The insoles that I purchased Aetrex Lynco insoles with metatarsol arch support for the ball of the foot.  My foot is still adjusting to the insole, because it honestly feels like there is a rock in my shoe; however, it has really alleviated the pain in my foot.  YAY!

We also went to the Fit2Run store for another purpose... to buy Vibram Fivefinger shoes!  I tried on three different styles: Bikila, Sprint, and KSO.  I found the KSOs to be the most comfortable on my foot.  The only color they had in stock were black.  Chris's mom was super awesome and bought a pair for myself and Chris (he got sprints in red).

Getting fitted

My new Vibrams!

KSO stands for Keep Stuff Out, hence the mesh covering.

Chris's sprint style

I love them!  They are definitely going to take some getting used to though.  The website says to start slow!  I also went to Sports Authority and purchased a kick board to help me practice swimming and a yoga mat towel.  I love it!

We also went out to Siesta Key beach for a bit, which was wonderful!  That is my favorite beach! (I did not take any pictures, because I didn't want to get sand in my camera or have to worry about it when I went in the water.)  Chris's mom even bought me some new flip flops.  One of them is made out of real yoga mats!  They are very comfortable!  The weekend was absolutely wonderful, and it was exactly the break I needed. 

I hate to just end this, but I am exhausted!  I know my blogging has decreased, but be sure to stay tuned....Next week starts marathon training!  EEK!  I'm so excited!!!  Have a wonderful rest of the week all!