I know it has been forever since my last post. Sorry about that, I have been so super busy. Life just gets busier every year. I want to give you guys an update on how I am doing these days.
I am happy to say I am running! I am still feeling some discomfort in my calf (and now my knee) but it is not as bad as it once was. And I am up to about 16 miles a week. I am literally taking it one day at a time. Or one run at a time. I am still seeing Dr. LeBouef in the Woodlands but just once a month now. I started seeing a massage therapist a couple of weeks ago and have had two massages from him so far. Apparently he is a "miracle-worker" and I am VERY much hoping he is.
When I first went to get a massage the therapist was amazed at how much lactic acid I had in my muscles. He had a lot of work to do to break it all up. He was pleased that it wasn't as bad on the second visit. He feels the tightness in the muscles is what is causing the pain. We will see. I have another appt this coming Tuesday. I really look forward to those massages, Alton has a great way of breaking up all of that lactic acid but with little to no pain.
I have also changed my run form and am focusing on landing on my mid-foot instead of my heel. I also slowed down a little. As I think back to when this first happened and the progression of the injury I have realized it is most likely related to how fast I was running. Although my body could handle the mileage and I was following the plan to a tee I was running faster than my body agreed to. Even though it felt just fine. I was just so excited when I realized I was half-way "fast". I thought I would be in the back of the pack but often found myself in the front or close to it. I now focus on being in the back of the pack. I have to really concentrate on running slow and taking it easy. I still don't have a Garmin to check my pace on so I go by my heartrate. If I can hold a conversation then I am at the right pace.
I am also taking more walk breaks. This is an interesting concept to me. At first I didn't want to take walk breaks ( not even through water stations) because I didn't feel like I would be able to get started again, or to feel "settled into" my run if I kept interrupting it. But now I realize it is important to give my body a break ever so often and I make myself do it every couple of miles.
I am going this Thursday to have a gate analysis performed by my doctor. I am excited to finally get it looked at and hopefully get some tips on what I need to do to correct my form, so I don't continue to injure myself. Have I mentioned I want to run forever? :)
My plan is to run the San Antonio Rock and Roll HALF Marathon in November and the FULL Marathon in Houston in January. I am running with the Run Club at the Gym and they have a big group going to San Antonio together, I am excited about that, it will be a lot of fun.
I am feeling very blessed to be able to run right now. I am making the most of every run and truly soaking it in, just in case my leg decides to get really bad and causes me to stop running. It makes those early morning runs a little easier to do.
Thanks for all of your continued support. I really do appreciate it.
