Tag Archives: running

That Ex of Yours

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This is how I view running now:

That ex-boyfriend (running) that you just broke up with.  You ended things on somewhat good terms, but you still feel bitter about the break up.

You see that ex-boyfriend in the park, having a great time without you.
You see that ex-boyfriend with other people (other runners), hanging out without a care in the world.
You see your ex-boyfriend’s best friends in a clothing store (running clothes), they’re nice to you but you know you can’t still be friends with them.
You see your ex-boyfriend with a new girlfriend and all you want to do is break her legs.

One day, you hope to get back with that ex-boyfriend.  You’d rather him not forget about you.  You had a lot of good times together, not everything was perfect, but you made each other happy.  The only thing standing in the way was your bum hip and he resented you for it…

Screen Shot 2013-03-18 at 2.21.10 PMAs you can see, I’m still dealing with my bitterness issues.

Things I Miss About Running

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This is just what it is.  A list of things I miss about running.  Those of you who hate running probably will not understand, much like I wouldn’t understand someone who actually misses swimming.

1. Being able to de-stress.
Seriously, it was like having my own personal psychiatrist.
dog

2. Being Fit.
I know that sounds vain, but when I ran all the time, I didn’t really have to worry about gaining weight.  Now the weight just creeps on and I have flabby legs.

3. Buying running clothes, shoes, accessories…
Remember my addiction to Academy?  Well, it’s kind of useless when you are just buying running gear to wear around the house.

4. Running to good music.
I can still listen to music, but it’s different when you are running to the beat of that new song you just downloaded.

5. The Community.
In OKC we actually have a fairly large running community and it’s getting bigger each year.  I miss the runs on Saturday mornings and the evening runs on Thursdays with the groups.

6. Not being resentful.
When I was running, I was happy for other runners.  Now that I’m not running, I find myself resenting people who can run.  Like I said before, I don’t want to be that way, especially since Nicholas is a runner and literally runs every day.  I’m just saying it’s hard to not be bitter sometimes, but bitterness never helped the situation so I’m trying to stop that cycle.

7. Feeling of accomplishment.
I felt great when I would PR in a race or hit a distance that I hadn’t previously done before.  It’s amazing when you can say, “Yeah, I’ve ran 13.1 miles and my time didn’t suck.”

I’m really hoping to get back to running after my hip surgery, that is the ultimate goal.  I don’t have to run a marathon, but getting at least 25 mile weeks in would be great in my eyes.

Here is something funny I found for the runners out there.  Even though I’m bitter that you can run, you deserve to laugh.  I think… ;)  murphy's law

Aspaeris Pivot Shorts

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Well I forgot to do a review of the Aspaeris Pivot Shorts like I said I would.  I read about them from various blogs, one being Striding Mom and she highly recommended them.  I guess I’m giving them free publicity and reviews, but I would like to share my thoughts on them.  You can visit the website here.

Let’s first talk about cost.  They are $60 for one pair, so naturally I only bought one to try before I bought anymore.  I was one day shy of being able to use their buy one get one free offer, so that was a huge bummer.

What makes them special? I have other compression shorts, but those aren’t  the same as these.  They use “Duel Sensory Compression”, meaning an under layer that helps align muscles and form muscle memory and a top layer that has an overall compression.

When I got them in the mail, the letter said they would look tiny… and yes they did.  I bought the large size, but I was thinking I should’ve bought XXXXXL.  I thought there was no way I would fit into these babies.  I tried to take a picture next to my foot for comparison.

I also took a picture of them next to my thigh.  Pretend I’m not in my underwear.  Let’s pretend that it’s a bathing suit bottom instead.  I tried to cut out as much as possible for your poor eyes, but not so much that you wouldn’t get the full effect.  The whole pair is the size of my one thigh.  

It actually wasn’t that hard to put them on, you kind of put them on like panty hose and it’s rather easy.

What did I use them for?
Recovery- After a longer run, I took my Epsom Salt bath and threw on the shorts for about 5-6 hours.  I could feel the difference in my hips and hamstrings afterward, they felt less sore and tight.  (As much as they could with my hip injury thing going on.)

During a Run –  I wore them under some Tempo shorts and I was worried about them hindering my range of motion.  That wasn’t the case though, they felt really good.  I could feel the tightness and compression working during my run, keeping things in places where they should be.   My muscles were not as tight afterward and stretching more doable.

The verdict: I definitely recommend these shorts to women, especially if you are having ITB, hamstring, knee, or hip issues.

*Disclaimer*  I am not a doctor, so don’t get the shorts, get injured and then blame me.  Wear them at your own risk and so on and so forth. Blah Blah.

Any other Aspaeris Shorts lovers up in here?

When Sucky Runs Attack…

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Yesterday I was supposed to run my “long run” for the training week, which was 5 miles.  I started late (about 9am) and ran at the Lake that I frequently visit.

I ran in my new Apaeris Compression Shorts and my new CEP compression calf sleeves (which I will review both at a later date.)  I also brought my Garmin 305, my Hydrafoam amiphod water bottle, and my ipod armband holder.  I was a total running tech nerd girl, I should’ve taken a picture.

The temperature was 84* but the heat index was 96* and the humidity was 57% with no breeze, even by the lake.
Lately, I’ve had more runs that are bad than good and I blame it mainly on my stupid hip and working night shift.

Anyway, I managed 4.6 miles even though 5 miles were planned and this is why my run sucked so so much:
- It was hot and humid.
- I couldn’t catch my breath.
- My hip felt tight (but my adductors felt great!)
- The compression sleeves were wonderful for my calves, however it was hotter than hell so midway through my run I had to stop and take them off.
- I kept sweating into my eyes.
- I got dizzy toward the last mile and walked the rest of the way.
- I was tired.
- I had some serious GI issues going on.

It’s so defeating to me to have runs like this.  I know a lot of people have sucky runs, but when it’s one after the other, especially when it’s a struggle with a bum hip, it makes me question.  I forget why I enjoy running in the first place.  I always get over my depressed mood about it eventually, but I just wish things could go back to normal.  I’m still convinced I have a hip labral tear, something just isn’t right and I can sense it.

Even though I complain a lot (I know I do, it’s something I’m trying to stop doing so much), I like to look at the positives in everything.
Positive points to this run:
- My adductors felt good.
- I had some good music lined up.
- There were a lot of friendly active people out and about.
- I saw a man feed some starving kittens a big bowl of cat food.
- The lake was beautiful.
- I am otherwise healthy and able to get out and do something, it’s better than just sitting on the couch.

How do you get through your tough/crappy runs?  What motivates you to keep going?

 

Add A Little Epsom Salt and VOILA!

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I ran yesterday for the first time in a week since my doctor recommended I take a week off due to my quad/hip/adductor issues.  I am supposed to take it easy for awhile so my goal pace was between 11:30 and 12:00.  Well wouldn’t you know that I was feeling really good and I had loads of energy.  It’s a shame to waste running days like that doing things easier, but I have to be smart this time around.

I ran at 7:00pm and it was only 90* with a little breeze. It was actually quite pleasant.  I had to keep checking my garmin to make sure I was staying at my target pace because I wanted to go faster, but knew I needed to take it easy.  The last mile I noticed some tightness creeping up on my right adductor.  I glanced at my watch and I was running at 9:30 pace!  First of all, where did that come from?  Second of all, I’m an idiot.  So much for taking it easy.  I slowed down, but I was sad that I could run that cardiovascular-wise, but not physically due to my damn leg.

I know I whine all of the time, but I really wish my right leg/hip would feel normal like my left leg/hip.  Just be normal for poop’s sake!  //whining over//

My splits ended up being 11:56, 11:52, and 10:53.  (I could not go any slower on that last mile.)    I did end my run watching a BEAUTIFUL sunset on the lake.  I tried to capture it the best that I could.

When I got home I stretched, foam rolled and took an Epsom Salt bath.
I used to take these a lot when I first had my hip injury in December and they worked wonders.  You get a pretty warm/hot bath and put 2-3 cups of Epsom Salt (you can get this at pretty much any store.)  You soak in the bath tub for 20 minutes at the maximum.  Be careful if this is your first time because the Epsom Salt baths are pretty potent, so you may want to start out soaking for only 10 minutes.

The benefits for Epsom Salt baths if you are curious:
- Epsom salt is high in magnesium and sulfate and it is easily absorbed through the skin.  Magnesium is very important to our body it helps with muscle control, brain function, and eliminating toxins.  Sulfate aids in production of joint proteins and the formation of brain tissue.
- Improves your heart health.
- Reduces inflammation and joint & muscle pain.
- Stress reliever.
- Helps relieve headaches and migraines.

Have you ever tried an Epsom Salt Bath?  What other homeopathic things do you use for recovery?

 

The Woes of Injuries

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I have been doing really well with consistently running at least 4 days a week.

Last Thursday I ran 3 miles at the Red Coyote Pack Pint Run with my friend April and a new running buddy Danielle.  It was a sweaty good time.

I was able to run 3 miles on Friday and then Saturday I went down to my hometown and ran with my friend Sherrie, who is training for a marathon.  I ran 5 miles while she ran 13.1 miles.  We did a somewhat hilly route, and I felt pretty good with my right hip, only stopping to stretch it twice.  I had felt something pop in my quad, but it wasn’t anything painful or significant, just a random pop.

I go home, and as the day goes on my hip hurts worse and worse.  Not only does my hip hurt, there’s a pain in my quad and my right shin is hurting every now and then.  I rolled, massaged, stretched, and iced but nothing really helped.  I was fed up.  I decided to officially go see a Sports doctor.

Monday, my hip was feeling a little bit better, but I made this appointment and I was going to stick with it and get some answers.  Before any X-Rays were taken (which I appreciated since I don’t have insurance), he did all sorts of muscular tests and asks me a ton of questions.  This doctor is a runner and he deals with runners and their injuries all of the time.   I spent about 45 minutes with him, trying to figure out what my issue is.

It turns out that I have a minor adductor strain, a minor quad strain, and a quad contracture that is causing the pulling on my hip.  My psoas is fine.  My hamstrings are pretty flexible (I’ve been working on those babies.)  My quads are too strong and he said I need to stop doing the exercise that strengthens them.  He told me that I need to take it easy, but that I can keep training next week as long as I do take it easy.  Don’t push it.  Ice. Stretch. Walk when I need to.  As far as hills go, don’t avoid them, just take them easy. He also said it would be a good idea to go see my A.R.T. (Active Release Technique) doctor and have him work me over every now and then.

So there’s that.  I was almost positive that I was going to have to sit this training session out and not do the half.  There is hope for the future.  I just wish my right side felt as normal as my left side.  Maybe that will never happen as long as I’m running?

As Enoch says..

Half Marathon Training Plan

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I’ve received a couple of emails from people asking about my half training plan, especially since I’ve been injured.  I won’t take credit for it, but I based most of it from Hal Higdon’s Training Plan.

I tweaked this schedule to fit my needs based on strength training, yoga, and my awful night shift schedule. My nursing schedule is not usually the same every week, and I cannot run on my third night in a row because I am impossibly tired.  That is marked as a REST day only.  I know it is a weird schedule, but like I said, I had to do it this way because of my 12 hour night shifts.  I know most people schedule their long runs on Sundays, but mine are on Saturdays because the Land Runners Training runs are almost always on Saturday with exception of a few days when it is on Sunday.  (This throws off my mileage in weeks sometimes, it’s okay it’ll work out.)

This is my schedule based off of Hal Higdon’s Half Marathon Training Plan.  I’m sure I’ll incorporate some speed work here and there, but this is the basic mileage plan. This is not set in stone, although I’m going to try to follow it to the best of my ability.

Cross Training for me, which will be more strength training than anything, will include 30 minutes to an hour of:
-Strength Training
-Yoga
-Spinning
-Kickboxing
-Swimming
-Elliptical

Help yourself to it, rearrange miles how you need to, or find one that suits you.  Do your research, know your body, and do what’s best for you!

I went to my local running store, Red Coyote, and since I spend so much money there I got a $25 credit to use in the store.  Guess what I got?

My favorite running socks! Balega Hidden Comfort!  Seriously, these are soooo good!

Happy Training!

 

Early Morning Light

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Friday – After my run at the lake, I went and did Zumba for 45 minutes with my friend Scott.  I didn’t really sweat a lot, or feel it much, but it did feel good to shake my hips.  I was starving, so I met up with Kaylee and we ate some sushi.  Don’t judge the amount of sushi we ate, we were hungry girls.

 

Saturday, the BF and I went to the Land Runner’s 3rd week training run at 6 am.  It was at the river and the weather was BEAUTIFUL again, I think it was around 70*.  I was debating whether to run 4 or 5 miles, it really just depended on how my body felt.  I was unsure since my runs had been going PRETTY sucky lately.  I did not run with the BF because he runs anywhere from a 6:30 pace to 8:00 pace.  (I know he will probably correct me because I don’t have the right times exactly and he reads this blog.) ;-)
My body felt really good and I ended up doing 5 miles with an 11:01 pace.    Still not the best or where I want to be, but progress…
The BF ran 10 miles at a 7:30 pace.  Show off.  :)

I cooked another hearty breakfast with eggs, vegetarian sausage patties, and toast.  I filled myself to the brim and couldn’t move for awhile.  That’s healthy, right?  (I also fail at life and blogging because I keep forgetting to take pictures of any of this stuff.  It will be Nicholas’s job to remind me of this from now on.)

I went to my hometown and visited my cousin who moved from Alaska and her family.  I also got to see my niece and nephew, two of my favorites in the world.

Cora with her crazy static hair.

and Enoch with his super cute outfit.  I love those plaid shorts.

Cora loves looking at herself in the iPhone, so we turned the camera around.  She started giving herself kisses.  This is a moment before that happened.

For the past 3 days I have managed to get up at 4:45am to 5:00am and still function in life.  I didn’t even HAVE to get up.  It’s actually not too bad.

Dear Normal work schedule,
I pray you show yourself before the year ends.  I would appreciate the normal functioning of my bowels, energy, joints and state of mind.
I look forward to hearing from you!

Sincerely,
Brandi’s Body 

I NEED the recipe.

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Sorry no blog post yesterday, my internet was down for some reason.  I’m thinking it was because of the crazy storm we had Tuesday night that knocked out a bunch of power lines.

I got a Sports Massage yesterday.  I was convinced my Psoas was the main cause of my hip problems, so I asked her to test it out.  The psoas is really hard to get to and it takes skill to really get to it.  She said my psoas wasn’t as tight as she thought it would be, but my quadratus lumborum (QL) was SUPER tight.  She stretched it out and massaged it.  I felt taller and so much better.  Now I have another thing to massage and stretch, but hopefully it’ll be worth it.

She also said that I was pretty flexible in my hamstrings, she gave me a rope and went through some active isolated stretching with it.

Afterward, I met up with my friend April and we went and ran at Red Coyote’s Pack Pint Run at 6pm.  It was 100 degrees and I didn’t have a time, just mileage.  3.2 miles.  It was slow though, walk breaks were incorporated in the mix.

—  —  —

I was actually able to get up this morning and run at 6:30am at the lake.  It was a BEAUTIFUL 66 degrees with a light breeze out of the north.  It couldn’t have been more perfect running conditions.  My body felt great, no complaints.  Lots of stretching, massaging, and rolling before and after.  I ended up doing 3.3 miles at a 11:16 pace.  It’s still not my normal pace, but my cardio fitness needs to catch up.  I’m not pushing things, I know better than to do that.

My view, sadly the drought in Oklahoma has caused the water to recede quite a bit.

Afterward, I took Dexter for a 30 minute walk around the neighborhood.  We haven’t been able to really get out and about because it’s been too stinking hot and his little body just can’t handle it.

 He defies me and runs in people’s lawns.  

He sniffs every little thing in sight.

He was a happy and tired boy.

— — —

After my run, I finally tried my Pineapple Upside Down Cake Larabar.

Oh. My. Gosh.  Delicious!  I’m not a bar eater, but this was SOOO good.  I need to find a blogger who can make this and give me the recipe.  If you find this blog who makes this EXACT bar, let me know and I will forever be your friend.

I hope you have a great day and a great weekend!

A Saturday Morning Run

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Since I am not really officially training for my half just yet, I still obviously need  to run.  Despite only managing to get 2 hours of sleep the night before, I woke my butt up at 5 am to meet the OKC Landrunners for their second training run.

I was not in the least bit pumped for this because it was still ridiculously hot at 6am and I was tired.  TIRED.  Anywaaaay, I ran 4 miles at an 11:57 pace.  I don’t normally run this pace, but I could not keep it together.  It made me feel a little better that some people who normally kill at these training runs took some walk breaks too.

Crappy dark iPhone picture of people running.  Why did I even bother including this?

Nothing went well with this run, besides my lovely Lululemon shorts staying in place and being awesome.  I didn’t bring any water along the way and I didn’t run far enough to go to a water stop.  I coveted other runner’s handheld water and hydration belts.  I even considered swimming and drinking ditch water. (I wouldn’t REALLY do that.)

I managed to finish my four and head home.
I’m so glamorous and I never sweat and I always look SO cute after a run. 
^Don’t worry.  I wasn’t driving during this picture.

I came home and made a Blackberry Smoothie.
-8 oz. Almond Milk
-1/2 cup of Blackberries
- 1 cup of yogurt
- 5 ice cubes
-2 scoops Protein Powder

^^ It doesn’t look that great because of the yellow cup it’s in, but I assure you that it was delicious.

I then spent 45 minutes with these four:

Injury prevention is key.

ALSO:  Check out my new header!  Fancy huh?  I should’ve made a career in photoshopping or something to that effect.