Friday, October 29, 2010

Oh Boy


Okay, I confess. This week could've been better.
Last Monday I did some kickboxing for 30 minutes.
I know it has been a while since I've done that kind of workout,
but my legs and buns were killing me the very next day.
I think it was the million squats and kicks I did.
Anyway, I was super sore, and took a couple of days off.
How bad was that?
This leg injury has gotten me lazy.
You may be asking, "How is she able to do kickboxing with this leg injury?"
Well... I've actually be with little to no pain in my leg if I don't jump on it. Hence the no running/hard impact on it.
It stinks.
Did I mention that Twin Boy has had a tummy virus for a week now? I called the pediatrician, and his nurse said I just have to let it run its course. Fun. NOT!
I feel awful for the little guy.
I also feel like all I ever do is change diapers.
Anyway, I woke up this morning with a little more energy than usual.
I've been up at 3 a.m. for 3 days straight from Twin Boy walking up cranky.
I told my hubby last night that it's his turn. Hehe.
I woke up this morning, and pumped the tires up on my bike!
I couldn't believe it. My tires were in good shape.
I dusted the seat off, put on the gel padded seat, and got on.
It felt great to feel the wind brush against my hair and face.
Suddenly I didn't feel like a total lazy bum.
Let's talk about my bum. Oh my goodness. I quickly remembered why riding this bike wasn't a fave.
My bum started hurting right away. Maybe I'll get used to it? What do you think?
Anyway... I had fun, and I only went for 30 minutes- up hill most of the way. Ouch.
I know I'll be feeling it tomorrow.
I'm planning on going out for an hour tomorrow. I think it'll do me some good.

Have a super scary and fun Halloween!

Monday, October 25, 2010

More Waiting

Food Temptation of the Week:  Candy, what else? Oh yeah... maybe all the chili and cornbread you can eat at a cook-off we're going to on Saturday.

My "jog" went really well. I had very little to no pain at all on my left leg.
This made me very excited because it has been a while since I've felt good.
I was supposed to see my chiro on Wednesday, but the building they just moved into isn't ready.
I have to wait until next Monday. I'm hoping that he'll tell me that I can start running. Even running slowly and shorter distances in the beginning would be great. We've had some rain for almost a week now, but the air is cool. I'm loving the weather. This morning I took the twins out for a walk, but I don't know how much I'll be able to do that anymore. Twin Girl REFUSES to sit in the double jogging stroller. She finds a way to climb out of her 5-point seatbelt and stands. I then take her out in fear of her falling off while I'm pushing the stroller. Then she wants me to carry her. That doesn't work. It has been quite frustrating, and I feel very guilty for trying to get in some activity while they're in the stroller a few days a week. This is what I've decided to do to help me keep my fitness up and maybe lose these 10 pounds I've packed on since being re-injured in August.

Monday:  1 hour walk, 1 hour kickboxing
Tuesday:  1 hour kickboxing, 30 minutes upper body
Wednesday:  rest day
Thursday:  1 bike ride (if tires aren't flat) or 1 hour kickboxing, 30 minutes upper body
Friday:  1 hour bike ride or 1 hour kickboxing
Saturday: 1 hour bike ride or 1 hour kickboxing, 30 minutes upper body
Sunday:  rest day

Friday, October 15, 2010

From One to Another

People ask me, "Why do I run?."
I answer,
"Because it's addicting. It's addicting because the fat melts off your body VERY quickly.
It's addicting because
it clears my head,
the weather is getting cooler, and
it's my 'me time.'"
I just finished reading Tricia's latest post,
and I totally agree with her.
As runners, we put our bodies through a lot.
As I've told my new doc, I can block out 90% of the pain when I'm running.
He said, "That's great for a runner, but it isn't exactly safe."
We both laughed. He knew what I meant. He has been running for 30 years.
I've done all kinds of workouts, and running is definitely different.
I never thought I could do it.
I never even wanted to in the first place.
I just know that after all this therapy, I AM going to run again.
This time around, I have learned to take it slow.
Running is a race, but it's a race that I'm in charge of.
The time, personal records, speed, intensity, miles... they're up to me.

I hope you find your "love."

I "jog" two miles tomorrow and have to report the outcome with my doctor. I'll post about it next week.

Have a great weekend!

Thursday, October 14, 2010

You'd Better Work!

So I've been out of commission. I've been dealing with a painful leg problem since May, and I just started accepting that it's bothering me more than I was willing to admit. How much have I run since my race in August? Probably about 10 times. What was my longest run since then? Probably 4 miles. How often did I hurt after running? Probably every single time.

I went to my family physician.
He had X-rays taken.
No stress fractures.
He had an ultrasound done on my entire left leg.
No bloodclots. Thank goodness!
He sent me to a physical therapist.
At the first appointment, she said it was tendonitis.
At the second appointment, she said it was the small flexor muscles.
She couldn't show it to me on a diagram to help explain what was going on.
I lost faith in her. I stopped going.
I went back to my family physician to explain how frustrated I was.
He referred me to a chiropractor who specializes with athletes and runners.
This is what he told me.
It makes sense.
He also explained that my pelvis is totally messed up from having twins, and I need to strengthen it. My left arch is also much lower than my right, and it causes me to run basically on one leg. Crazy, but I actually understand all this.
The treatment he gave me was a specific and very painful massage (have 2 places where I have scar tissue), laser therapy, and taped up my foot.
He told me to continue my cardiovascular activity- bike, elliptical.
He told me to jog for two miles, take the tape off, and see how I feel.
For the first time since having this leg problem, I actually feel like I got answers.
I'm sorry for this long post, but getting down in writing has made me realize just how important it is for me to not lose this connection with you all. I haven't strayed from my "Get Healthy" journey. I've just been a little preoccupied.
Now time for some honesty.
I allowed this problem to get the best of me.
I have gained almost ten pounds.
I did try to get back to running after my first 10K even when it hurt.
However, I allowed the pain and not being able to continue with my regular running get to me emotionally.
I've been eating.
I've been told by my family physician and also my chiropractor to not lose the drive and enthusiam, and also fitness level by decreasing my food intake and continuing some type of cardio.
Today I am going out for a walk with my twins.

Thank you for your support and patience with me. I will be running again. I just have to be PATIENT.

Compartment syndrome (CS) is a serious condition that develops when pressure within blood vessels (perfusion pressure) drops lower than tissue pressure within a closed space (compartment) in the body. CS can be either acute or chronic and can be limb- or life- threatening condition.

A compartment is formed by muscle groups that contain nerves and blood vessels. The compartment is covered by a tough, inelastic membrane (fascia) that is not able to expand sufficiently when pressure increases within the space. The resulting syndrome is a painful condition that most often occurs following trauma, vascular injury, excessive activity, or vigorous exercise. CS most commonly occurs in the extremities such as in the arms, hands, feet, or legs, but may also occur in the buttocks or abdomen. Untreated, severe compartment syndrome can cause a series of physiologic events that may eventually lead to kidney (renal) failure and death.

Chronic compartment syndrome is most often caused by injury from vigorous exercise or overuse of a muscle group and develops most often in the legs. Although the syndrome stops when the offending activity stops, compartment pressure can stay elevated for hours afterward causing pain and numbness. This can present significant problems for endurance athletes such as runners or cyclists.  The athlete with chronic compartment syndrome may complain of leg pain that occurs while exercising and that is relieved when at rest; this pain may have been experienced for weeks or months.

Friday, October 8, 2010

Still Here

Hello out there! I know it seems like forever since I've posted, and I really am sorry.
I've been down (emotionally, physically) because of my leg pain.
It comes and goes. One day I think I'm totally cured and I run.
The following day bites me hard on my butt.
I'm so tired of being in pain.
I'm so close to just wrapping my leg and continue running with the pain (like I've been doing since May).
Okay, I'll listen to you and everyone here and not do that.
I'm so frustrated.
I just want to run regularly and maintain my weight loss.
It has been almost a month and a half since I've run regularly.
I've been running once or twice a week and then the pain kills me on  the following days.
I've cancelled my 10K race in November. I might do the 5K, but I'm not sure.
I have been referred to see a sports therapy/kinesiologist/chiropractor next week.
I've heard from my hubby's ultra marathoner friend that the doctor is amazing.
I can't wait to get started with my recovery.
To those of you who are total champs and keeping up with your "Get healthy" journeys, I'm proud of you.
To those of you who keep checking up on me, THANK YOU. I'm not giving up. I'm still here.
I'm not running right now, so I have cut down on my food intake.
I'm working with free weights for upper body and abs.

I'll see you all here again after my doctor visit. Thanks!