Quick Summary: Week 7 - Survived the first night of hill training, attending regular chiro/physio appointments and feeling a bit scared and queasy about this Sundays 23k run.
For those who don't know 23kms will be the longest distance I have ever run. I expect it will take at least 2.5hrs to complete. Hopefully we don't get too much snow tonight. Better eat a good breakfast, have a bathroom on the route and lots of pre/post stretching.
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Monday, February 22, 2010
Snap Crackle Pop - "OH CRAP!"
Summary of Week 6 - Tuesday 6K, Wednesday 10K, Thursday 8K, Friday off, Sat Spinal Adjustment and Sunday 19K
Started the week out VERY sore. Thinking that the amount of running I am doing is starting to take a toll on my body a bit. Thankfully I am not the only one in the group, because for a while I thought I was. Then I realized that everyone in the group has their own ache and pains and it is all just par for the course. Serves me right for thinking that I could go without my Princess Pain appointments last week. Boy did my body tell me otherwise. But, I did do my four runs grudgingly and ran a total distance of 43K.
Saturday was the earliest appointment I could make with my athletic therapist/chiropractor. I arrived early and a bit humble. I went apologizing, and admitting that yes I should have come last week. But, the good news is my shins don't hurt. The bad news is that I have new issues. My right hip and both quads are killing me! Well, I thought it was the hip until I had my assessment. Diagnosis is (drum roll) .... I have pulled my groin muscle. Wait a minute. Isn't it only hockey players who do that? Guess not. Sniff. Well, thank goodness it isn't my joint. Hips I think are a lot harder to fix. My quads are just sore/stiff. But all of this is a result of adjusting my gait to accommodate my shins. Now I need an adjustment. Hmm an adjustment? What's that? Sounds like an interesting term.
Educational segment: Spinal adjustment or spinal manipulation refers to the process in which the doctor of chiropractic skillfully applies controlled force into one or more "subluxated" vertebrae of the spine. I like the snap,crackle, pop. Holy CRAP! definition myself.
Here's the visual the Doctor asks me to lay on my side and move to the edge of the table. Remember my doctor is 6ft tall, thin, beautiful and could easily pass for a model on the street. But even though I am still in awe of what pain her thumb can inflict I had no idea what was coming next. She asks me to hold my elbows. Ok, nice warm hug. So far so good. Then she scoops my back, grabs my knees and then the wait for it... the loudest snap, and pop I have ever heard come out of my body before. She then follows by doing the same thing on the other side because you know I need to be symmetrical. OH CRAP! I stand up and I feel 4 inches taller. My hip doesn't hurt as much and I look I can rotate my neck. I never knew I could move my neck that far around before. HUH!
This weeks lessons... keep chiro appointments regular. Arrive on time to clinic night so that I am not running alone in the dark (or deal with the wrath!) and STRETCH! before after and always before latte or I wont get back up.
Have a great week everyone.
Hills and 23k this Sunday!
Interesting Fact: Did your mother ever warn you that "cracking" your knuckles would give you arthritis? If she did, we're sorry to say that she was wrong! Research has actually shown that individuals who habitually "crack" their knuckles over their lifetime actually lower the incidence of arthritis in their knuckles compared with those who do not. Researchers believe the knuckle "cracking" increases joint nutrition and maintains joint motion, both of which are essential for a healthy joint.
Started the week out VERY sore. Thinking that the amount of running I am doing is starting to take a toll on my body a bit. Thankfully I am not the only one in the group, because for a while I thought I was. Then I realized that everyone in the group has their own ache and pains and it is all just par for the course. Serves me right for thinking that I could go without my Princess Pain appointments last week. Boy did my body tell me otherwise. But, I did do my four runs grudgingly and ran a total distance of 43K.
Saturday was the earliest appointment I could make with my athletic therapist/chiropractor. I arrived early and a bit humble. I went apologizing, and admitting that yes I should have come last week. But, the good news is my shins don't hurt. The bad news is that I have new issues. My right hip and both quads are killing me! Well, I thought it was the hip until I had my assessment. Diagnosis is (drum roll) .... I have pulled my groin muscle. Wait a minute. Isn't it only hockey players who do that? Guess not. Sniff. Well, thank goodness it isn't my joint. Hips I think are a lot harder to fix. My quads are just sore/stiff. But all of this is a result of adjusting my gait to accommodate my shins. Now I need an adjustment. Hmm an adjustment? What's that? Sounds like an interesting term.
Educational segment: Spinal adjustment or spinal manipulation refers to the process in which the doctor of chiropractic skillfully applies controlled force into one or more "subluxated" vertebrae of the spine. I like the snap,crackle, pop. Holy CRAP! definition myself.
Here's the visual the Doctor asks me to lay on my side and move to the edge of the table. Remember my doctor is 6ft tall, thin, beautiful and could easily pass for a model on the street. But even though I am still in awe of what pain her thumb can inflict I had no idea what was coming next. She asks me to hold my elbows. Ok, nice warm hug. So far so good. Then she scoops my back, grabs my knees and then the wait for it... the loudest snap, and pop I have ever heard come out of my body before. She then follows by doing the same thing on the other side because you know I need to be symmetrical. OH CRAP! I stand up and I feel 4 inches taller. My hip doesn't hurt as much and I look I can rotate my neck. I never knew I could move my neck that far around before. HUH!
This weeks lessons... keep chiro appointments regular. Arrive on time to clinic night so that I am not running alone in the dark (or deal with the wrath!) and STRETCH! before after and always before latte or I wont get back up.
Have a great week everyone.
Hills and 23k this Sunday!
Interesting Fact: Did your mother ever warn you that "cracking" your knuckles would give you arthritis? If she did, we're sorry to say that she was wrong! Research has actually shown that individuals who habitually "crack" their knuckles over their lifetime actually lower the incidence of arthritis in their knuckles compared with those who do not. Researchers believe the knuckle "cracking" increases joint nutrition and maintains joint motion, both of which are essential for a healthy joint.
Friday, February 19, 2010
OUCH!
Last nights 8K was rough. I was the last to come in/hobble in and after my run I went and did a bit of retail therapy. Sniff Sniff.
It's official, my hip flexor and quad have decided that enough is enough. I will be making yet another excruciating ART appointment with the "Princess of Pain". Need to get this cleared up less than 3 months to go.
It's official, my hip flexor and quad have decided that enough is enough. I will be making yet another excruciating ART appointment with the "Princess of Pain". Need to get this cleared up less than 3 months to go.
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Battle of wills
Last night was a struggle. Wednesday nights I am scheduled to run 10k with the Running Room group except I arrived late and the group had already left without me. Now, I had a decision to make, I could either go home or run the route by myself. I know what a lot of you are thinking, "GO HOME you silly girl". Well, to be honest, I was thinking the same thing. It was dark, cold, snowing and I my legs hurt! But - I have this goal and now thanks to my big mouth everyone else knows about this goal. So, I can't slack off now so off I went.
The first 2km were really tough. I was having quite a mental talk with myself.
"You know you could turn around now and run back to the store and no one would know. You could just go home... watch Cougar Town and that LOST episode you PVR'd. What if you just waited at the nice warm Starbucks for the after run chat with Ara? You know it's an accomplishment just to be doing this. You could walk have the route?"
Trust me, I spent a lot of time talking to that chubby girl sitting on my shoulder. Who by the way was in her pajamas, on the sofa and eating chocolate while she gave me these great ideas.
Well, I am proud to say that I pushed through it. I ran the full route, in the snow, in the dark and even with some hip discomfort. I ran the 10k straight, which means no 10and 1's. (Run for 10 mins, walk for 1.) Although, I did stop for two street lights. I also realized that you run a lot faster when you are scared. (Single women running in all black through the burbs in the dark) And guess what, I ran one of my best times and I also worked off some of the weeks stress and frustration. (Motion Therapy remember) So take that couch girl!
This Sunday is 19K and then next week Hill Training starts.
That's all for now. Gotta run!
Meg
Sunday, February 14, 2010
It's all good - wrapped with a whole lotta crazy
Status update: 89 days left, week 6 and today we finished our last 16K. Now we are moving on up to 19kms for the next two Sunday long runs. Yikes.
(No more wine Saturday night for sure)
Today's run started off nice and mild, we ran on some pretty trails and saw a bit of everything; wind, snow, ice, and then a whole lot more wind. My dear friend Ara says "Remember, wind gives you energy"... needless to say today, I had a lot of ENERGY! The pain in my shins have eased up but now the discomfort has moved into my right hip. The funny thing is, I wasn't that concerned about the hip pain but just thrilled that my shins weren't hurting. It is a sickness isn't it?
Actually, I saw this great article today and thought it tied in nicely with my running buddy Anne's comment today. Anne is great. She is an American women/mom, with two kids. Her whole family runs triathlons including her 5 and 7 year old girls. She has a fabulous attitude and really helps modivate me on my runs. She runs a great pace, (even if it is always in miles even if it messes me up every time)Ann also calls me out whenever I start slipping/slowing down. She has this horrible feature on her Garmin that beeps when she is running below her set pace time. This nasty angry beep that secretly says "Pick it up, you slacker!" So, today during the last 5K Anne kept repeating "It's all good... It's all good" At which time I responded "Yeah its all good but wrapped with a whole lot of crazy" She laughs. Aren't we all. Thank goodness we are running. (See article below about motion therapy)
Dr. Gontang Ph.D., a psychotherapist, marathoner wrote in the Runners World last month. Some people work through issues lying down, feet propped up on a leather couch. Austin "Ozzie" Gontang, Ph.D., however, finds problem-solving most effective when he and his clients are in running shoes. You don't need to be clinically depressed or severely troubled to benefit from "motion therapy." In fact, Gontang says many people run out their problems, perhaps unknowingly, on a regular basis. "Your therapy might come from your running group, your running buddy, the Sunday morning bunch," he says. "When you run sometimes hundreds or thousands of miles together, you trust each other, bare your souls to each other, and help each other heal." Numerous studies have shown that exercise stimulates the neurotransmitters serotonin, dopamine, epinephrine, and beta-endorphin, all of which elevate mood and reduce depression and anxiety. Running is like CRACK! We need those endorphins!
Now I can say I am a runner and I am in therapy. Ha Ha Ha.
Well, that's all for today. I am off to spend sometime at the Arena to watch my future Olympian play hockey. Enjoy the long weekend and the Olympic footage.
Go Canada!
Meg
(No more wine Saturday night for sure)
Today's run started off nice and mild, we ran on some pretty trails and saw a bit of everything; wind, snow, ice, and then a whole lot more wind. My dear friend Ara says "Remember, wind gives you energy"... needless to say today, I had a lot of ENERGY! The pain in my shins have eased up but now the discomfort has moved into my right hip. The funny thing is, I wasn't that concerned about the hip pain but just thrilled that my shins weren't hurting. It is a sickness isn't it?
Actually, I saw this great article today and thought it tied in nicely with my running buddy Anne's comment today. Anne is great. She is an American women/mom, with two kids. Her whole family runs triathlons including her 5 and 7 year old girls. She has a fabulous attitude and really helps modivate me on my runs. She runs a great pace, (even if it is always in miles even if it messes me up every time)Ann also calls me out whenever I start slipping/slowing down. She has this horrible feature on her Garmin that beeps when she is running below her set pace time. This nasty angry beep that secretly says "Pick it up, you slacker!" So, today during the last 5K Anne kept repeating "It's all good... It's all good" At which time I responded "Yeah its all good but wrapped with a whole lot of crazy" She laughs. Aren't we all. Thank goodness we are running. (See article below about motion therapy)
Dr. Gontang Ph.D., a psychotherapist, marathoner wrote in the Runners World last month. Some people work through issues lying down, feet propped up on a leather couch. Austin "Ozzie" Gontang, Ph.D., however, finds problem-solving most effective when he and his clients are in running shoes. You don't need to be clinically depressed or severely troubled to benefit from "motion therapy." In fact, Gontang says many people run out their problems, perhaps unknowingly, on a regular basis. "Your therapy might come from your running group, your running buddy, the Sunday morning bunch," he says. "When you run sometimes hundreds or thousands of miles together, you trust each other, bare your souls to each other, and help each other heal." Numerous studies have shown that exercise stimulates the neurotransmitters serotonin, dopamine, epinephrine, and beta-endorphin, all of which elevate mood and reduce depression and anxiety. Running is like CRACK! We need those endorphins!
Now I can say I am a runner and I am in therapy. Ha Ha Ha.
Well, that's all for today. I am off to spend sometime at the Arena to watch my future Olympian play hockey. Enjoy the long weekend and the Olympic footage.
Go Canada!
Meg
Friday, February 12, 2010
New route link
For some reason the link doesn't work.
You can copy and paste the link to see the PDF http://miranet.ca/docs/Mississauga_Marathon_2010_full_half_fullsheet.pdf
You can copy and paste the link to see the PDF http://miranet.ca/docs/Mississauga_Marathon_2010_full_half_fullsheet.pdf
The route has changed ... but still 42.2 kms
A big thanks to Mike for sharing the new Mississauga route. The distance hasn't changed it's still 42.2 Kms but the finish line has moved and the route doesn't go out to Oakville anymore. I know you are dying to check it out so I have attached the PDF below.
Also, to those reading this that know the area and/or have done this race before, I would love some assistance on where family should be planted throughout the route. The plan is to someone at least every 10K. And any chance someone wants to run a leg of it with me?
Also, to those reading this that know the area and/or have done this race before, I would love some assistance on where family should be planted throughout the route. The plan is to someone at least every 10K. And any chance someone wants to run a leg of it with me?
Sunday, February 7, 2010
Brr.... Feels like -18°C outside
I'ts Sunday morning. -10°C outside, N 20km/h winds and it feels like -18°C.
I am going out for my first 16K long run. Wish me luck! Think I shoudl put on another layer. Thank godness I bought a new hat and still very grateful for my new Nike gloves Mara & Dave.
Meg
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Need to be more diligent
I will begin with my apologies. I really do need to be more diligent with this whole blogging thing. But, keep in mind this process is still quite new to me.
99 days till race day. I am on week 5 of 18 and although my mind is still fully committed to this goal, my legs however are planning a revolt. A few runs ago my shins, which have been sore in the past decided to act up again. Which leads me to believe it is time to assemble "THE DREAM TEAM". Isn't that what Oprah and Lance had? A Registered Massage Therapist, Athletic Therapist? Hey, I am committed to doing whatever it takes to get me to the finish line.
So, I had my first massage and acupuncture appointment this week and it has been a very long time. Not to my surprise my RMT replied ... "Wow. Things are very tight." No kiddin! "And, you know that the acupuncture will redirect the pain, but you are not solving the structural problem." Hmm... Don't think I can do it without my shins so time to make an appointment with a further specialist. Dr. Stephanie an (AT)who is also known lovingly by her patients as "Princess Pain". Trust me after today. She deserves that title. Dr. Stephanie is a wonderful doctor but she performed two very interesting techniques on me today. 1. Called ART. Active Release Therapy and 2. Interferential Current Therapy.
Definition: The ART provider uses his or her hands to evaluate the texture, tightness and movement of muscles, fascia, tendons, ligaments and nerves. Abnormal tissues are treated by combining precisely directed tension with very specific patient movements.Short form: = DEADLY THUMBS and PAIN!!
Interferential Current Therapy: Tiny electrical impulses are induced into the tissues in the area of the pain. Where these waves intersect below the surface of the skin, the low-frequency stimulation induces the body to secrete endorphins, which are the body's natural pain-killers. Short form = Jumper cables on my lower legs, hooked up to a battery and involuntary foot/toe movement. Serious pins and needless + Freaky!
So the Dream Team has been assembled. I am still hanging in there.
Till next time, gotta run.
Meg
99 days till race day. I am on week 5 of 18 and although my mind is still fully committed to this goal, my legs however are planning a revolt. A few runs ago my shins, which have been sore in the past decided to act up again. Which leads me to believe it is time to assemble "THE DREAM TEAM". Isn't that what Oprah and Lance had? A Registered Massage Therapist, Athletic Therapist? Hey, I am committed to doing whatever it takes to get me to the finish line.
So, I had my first massage and acupuncture appointment this week and it has been a very long time. Not to my surprise my RMT replied ... "Wow. Things are very tight." No kiddin! "And, you know that the acupuncture will redirect the pain, but you are not solving the structural problem." Hmm... Don't think I can do it without my shins so time to make an appointment with a further specialist. Dr. Stephanie an (AT)who is also known lovingly by her patients as "Princess Pain". Trust me after today. She deserves that title. Dr. Stephanie is a wonderful doctor but she performed two very interesting techniques on me today. 1. Called ART. Active Release Therapy and 2. Interferential Current Therapy.
Definition: The ART provider uses his or her hands to evaluate the texture, tightness and movement of muscles, fascia, tendons, ligaments and nerves. Abnormal tissues are treated by combining precisely directed tension with very specific patient movements.Short form: = DEADLY THUMBS and PAIN!!
Interferential Current Therapy: Tiny electrical impulses are induced into the tissues in the area of the pain. Where these waves intersect below the surface of the skin, the low-frequency stimulation induces the body to secrete endorphins, which are the body's natural pain-killers. Short form = Jumper cables on my lower legs, hooked up to a battery and involuntary foot/toe movement. Serious pins and needless + Freaky!
So the Dream Team has been assembled. I am still hanging in there.
Till next time, gotta run.
Meg
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