To The Pain

Getting back in shape always reminds me of that memorable quote from The Princess Bride.  I'm definitely not going to work out to the point of death, but getting back in shape to run, bike, swim will definitely require effort to the pain.  Not just a normal amount of pain.  Not the "man I went to two spin classes this week and feel a bit sore" kind of pain.  This is the "every muscle in my body is screaming but I'm going to go run three miles" kind of pain.  The only way I can get ready to do a triathlon in the next 18 weeks is to push it everyday that I have time.  This was easier when I was younger, thinner and had fewer children.

It is hard to work out for two hours and then come home and make dinner, do dishes and get kids ready for bed.  Its also hard to try to schedule everything so that I can find time to do these work outs.  It means saying no to play dates and ignoring emails.  It means having my house just that much more disorganized.  It also means watching everyone else have dessert and ordering the salad when we go out to dinner.  These things are challenges, but when I think about the challenges that other people face in their daily life then it seems like a much lighter burden.

When I run out of steam on the treadmill and I want to turn down the speed I constantly think in my head, "this does not hurt as much diabetes."  Realistically this is what I am running away from.  I am running from the genetics in my family that make me predisposed to be overweight and become type II diabetic.  Pricking my finger and injecting insulin is not how I want to spend my golden years.  So when I feel tired and don't want to keep going I just think push myself to run.  Run away from the increased risk of heart disease and stroke.  Run away from high blood pressure and diabetes.  It may sound a bit morbid, but it is what works for me.

The past two weeks I have started back to spinning and swimming and running.  I am slow, but can already see an improvement.  Over the next few weeks I will push myself and see if I can do it again.  Hopefully I can overcome all of my limitations and get myself ready for an hour and a half of competition.  Yesterday 3.2 miles on the treadmill and 30 minutes in the pool.  Today 3.7 miles on the treadmill and 30 minutes in the pool.   Looking forward to days when the temp is over 10 degrees and I can run  outside.

Don't Call It A Comeback! Yet...

It has been a long time since I have updated this blog.  I have had a long journey back to the place where I want to update this blog.  The broken foot took a long time to heal and the holidays always suck away all of my spare time. 

New Year, New Goals!  Liam is back in school and Charlotte and I have settled back into our regular morning workout routine.  I am looking forward to the weather improving so I can mix it up with some outdoor runs and rides.  For the time being it is spinning class, treadmill and indoor pool for me.  I can't complain though as I am happy to be back on a treadmill.  Who thought I would ever say that?  I had to start with painfully boring (and painful!) intervals of one minute job - one minute walk and work my way up.  I wanted to run so badly!  

I am happy to say that I am increasing my speed and mileage everyday.  I have been back to full spinning classes for a while and my swims are better than ever.  Thanks to my broken foot I spent a lot of extra time in the pool.  Today I managed to run/jog for 35 minutes before hitting the pool for 30 minutes.  I am hoping to get my speed up on the treadmill in the next few weeks.  I am registered to run the Bockfest 5k on March 2nd and that is not a lot of time!  I have really been pushing it the last two weeks to get ready and my body is letting me know.  Luckily my foot hasn't given me too much trouble other than some aches and arch pain.  

My physical therapist made me custom orthopedic inserts for my running shoes and it has helped tremendously.  My heel spur still hurt when I push on it but the inserts really help.  I hope that my 5k goes well in four weeks and I will probably sign up to do the Rat Race in April.  If all goes well then I will be encouraged to sign up for a triathlon this season.  Its hard to keep myself from hoping I can improve my time even though I know this will be difficult with the obstacles facing me this year.

Does physical therapy count as training?

Fractured fifth metatarsal. 8 weeks in a boot if I am lucky and it heals right. I can swim. I can do arms and abs. I hate crutches.

I get to point my toes and pick marbles up with my toes and put them in a cup. Not my normal fitness routine. Below is a picture of my foot getting zapped with electro stimulation and wrapped in ice. Fun.

Another Big Bump in the Road

Okay so it has been awhile. The summer was really busy full of things that did not include training or exercise. I developed plantar fasciitis in my right foot and did not run much. My treadmill is also down for the count as I try to get the belt to stay put and to stop slipping.

Last week I was fitted at Fleet Feet in Blue Ash with a nice new pair of running shoes. Many hours of stretching and rolling my foot on a tennis ball had improved my arch. I went out running on three occasions to much success! I was ready to sign up for a 5k! Too good to be true? Yes!

Saturday night I was chasing after my daughter in my Adidas sandals and my foot turned sideways as I stepped down. I heard a loud pop and I couldn't stand up. A day later it was super swollen. Unable to bear weight in it I am now limping about in an air cast. I am going to find an orthopedist this week to go see. I have no idea when I will be able to run or bike. On the bright side I am sure I can still swim.

It hurts so good!

I got back to business this week! Monday through Thursday I went in for 4 good workouts. I am so out of shape already. It makes me sad how many weeks it takes to build endurance and yet how quickly it leaves me. I need to find a race to run in the hopes of pushing up my mileage. My reward for running so much this week has been a plantar fasciitis flare up. I bought new inserts, a new wrap and a night time splint. It's getting better but is definitely limiting my fashion choices this week. No heels!

A shiny medal!

Look what came in the mail today! This is a sign that I need to get back to my training. Luckily Liam's swim team season is almost finished so I can get back to spin class! I also need to adjust the tension on my treadmill. I have used it so much that the belt has started slipping!

Run!

Any time I have had to work out lately had been directed to running. It's the weakest link in my race and I know it should be the easiest to improve. Summer has been tricky. I am helping with Liam's swim team and its during my favorite spin class time. So many days the only possible workout time has occurred during Charlotte's nap on the treadmill at home. I need to find a way to reposition it so I am not staring at a wall for an hour. Thank goodness for my shuffle. Working out I'm the afternoon during nap time means I am behind on laundry and the house is a mess. It's impossible to do everything perfect all the time and sometimes I just have to do the best I can with the time I have.