Marathon Training Week #3

I would really like to say that I had another spectacular week of training this week.

But I can't.

I started out strong and on track, but my knee started continued giving me problems. By the end of the week, I decided I really need to give it some quality rest and maybe a little RICE.  You know, listen to my body.

Here is what my week was supposed to look like.

Here is how it actually played out.

Mon, 2/27 - I decided to walk to school in the morning in order to stretch my legs out after my 10-miler the day before. This was a good idea, except I left WAY later than I should have and got to school only 15 minutes before class started. Oops! I also walked home after school because I didn't want to wait 15 minutes for the next bus. I skipped the core workout out of sheer laziness. :-(

Tue, 2/28 - I had 2 miles on the schedule for today, but I also had a virtual run scheduled for Wed. Instead of running two days in a row, I swapped Tue and Wed. I did the same video as last week. I figured it was both cross training and core work in one. Bonus!

Wed, 2/29 - I participated in the Virtual Leap Day 2.9 mile Run hosted by {lifeasa} Running Mom. It was fun! I did the 2.9 miles in 28 minutes flat. I felt good while running and had some fun music to listen to on the treadmill. It had snowed some nice sloppy snow the night before, so treadmill it was. I was totally okay with that. I really don't mind the treadmill at all. Most days, anyway.

Thu, 3/1 - I think I pushed it too hard running the day before. My knee has been giving me some minor problems since the beginning of January. I've tried to strength my core and took it easy on the running for most of January, but it's really flaring up again. I was supposed to get in 6 miles today, but I just wanted to give my knee a break.

Fri, 3/2 - Again, my knee prevented me from running. I did walk home from school It was such a nice afternoon, and I did do my StrongStride video to help with strength and core work. I really need to focus on the core sections more, or at the very least start with them. Today, I started with some of the legwork, and I was so tired by the time I got to the core that it was really difficult to get through those exercises. The good news is that I really could feel it in my abs and lower back (in a good way!) the next day. Yay!

Sat, 3/3 - NOTHING! It was a very lazy day. I slept late. Took a long nap. Neglected my lesson planning. Watched too much TV. Hardly drank any water. Ate like crap. Needless to say, I was definitely not feeling up to par the entire day.

Sun, 3/4 - Even today, I can still feel a little ab burn from Friday whenever I laugh. Yay! I decided to skip my long run today even though I have a half marathon in two weeks and even though I had a willing running partner. I simply decided I needed to give my knee another day or two to rest.

Any suggestions on dealing with knee pain? Sometimes it feels like my kneecap is not where it should be, but mostly it's kind of a throbbing pain right inside my knee.

Doctor's Orders

Ok, so she's actually a physician's assistant. Good enough.

I went to the doctor this morning because I've developed some annoying rash. Well, it's moved beyond annoying. It's itchy.

And so I've scratched until it's spread over much of my arms and legs.

She actually gave me some Zyrtec, which is helping a LOT.

She thinks it might be a non-textbook case of  Pityriasis Rosea. Don't quote me on this. It's hard to remember big, fancy medical jargon.She's wasn't exactly sure, so she had them swab my throat (to rule out strep) and draw blood (to check white blood cells).

In the meantime, it's Zyrtec and Benadryl.
Hydrocortizone, if needed.

While I was there, I decided I should talk to her about the pain I've been experiencing in my right knee.

Her first question? How are your running shoes?
My answer? Pretty bad.

I know all you runners out there are going to cringe when I say I've been running in the same shoes since July 2010. That's a long time for running shoes!!

She couldn't stress enough the importance of getting a good pair of running shoes.

So, I guess I *need* to go shopping. Ugh. I don't mind shopping - except when I don't have any money.

This also likely means no haircut for me. Running shoes (especially with my upcoming marathon training) are WAY more important, right?

She also suggested really focusing on strengthening my core.

So, I'll be taking a week or so off from running to focus on my core, do some cross training, and BUY NEW SHOES!

After how many miles do you generally replace your shoes? What have you had to sacrifice to be able to afford new shoes? How bad does something usually have to get before you go visit a doctor (or physician's assistant)?

What a Mistake!

Yesterday, I was supposed to run 5miles at my goal half marathon pace.

My nose had other ideas, so I didn't get a run in at all.

If I don't go before work, I just don't seem to have time in the evenings - especially this week with my portfolio due date looming.

So, I decided I'd do my 5mile pace run this morning instead.

This was not a good idea.

*****
During my warm-up walk - Ooh. These sidewalks are a little slick in spots. I'll just walk/run along the grass next to the sidewalks, and I should be fine.

Did I mention it was 5:30am and DARK?

0.8 miles - I tripped on a rock (or was it a root?) and fell. Hard. I took a second to catch my breath and decided to just keep going.

I ran a little further on the side, but figured it was stupid, so moved back to the paved path. My pace was SLOW, but I kept saying, well, this would be my half marathon pace if the conditions were icy. I was practically walking at some points; I felt like I was running in slow motion.

2.2 miles - I fell again. It still wasn't exactly the slipperiness of the path. No, this time, the path jumped up at me.  Yeah there was a buckle that I didn't compensate for, and I went down.

I really wanted to keep pushing for 0.3 more miles to get in my 5 miles.

2.3 miles - I succumbed and turned around.

I tried to push myself on the way home to try to gain back some speed, but my body just didn't want to.  I could feel bruising on my left arm and thigh from where I'd fallen. And I just wanted to cry!

4.2 miles - I gave up and decided to just walk the rest of the way.
*****

I slipped a couple more times on my way home but nothing serious. I was cold and tired and cranky and sore by the time I walked in my door.

I was very concerned about my clothing. Thankfully, no tears. No damage! Yay!

Now nearly every step hurts.

This sucks.

Especially since there is no visible bruising on my thigh! I mean, c'mon, let me at least have some proof - bragging rights - that I attempted to conquer the icy running paths.

Now I have tomorrow to rest and, hopefully, recuperate. I'm running a 5K NYE in the evening, so hopefully I'll be feeling much better by then.

How do you deal with icy/slippery conditions? Any tips for sore muscles, bruises, scrapes that are a result of falling while running?