Tomorrow is another chiro appointment. I've been doing all my exercises this week. Lots of stretching and using a softball to kind of work out the muscles in my low back/ hip area. I'm feeling pretty good about it and REALLY looking forward to my appointment tomorrow.
Sunday I have a race up in NH. Originally I was going to do the 1/2 marathon, but with how poorly my training has been as well as my back starting to improve, I don't want to put that much stress on my body right now. I haven't registered yet, so I am pretty sure I am going to do the 5K instead. That's the plan as of now anyway. And I want to just go out, have fun and finish. Again, no pressure on time or pushing myself. Just running at a nice steady pace, having fun and finishing. That's what I did at the 5K a few weeks ago and I had a personal best. Looking forward to seeing how that goes with another 5K.
Then the following weekend I have a 10K I am registered for locally. That one I did sign up for and pick my race (the 5K or 10K). And I will have the same plan that day. Go out, have fun, run at a nice steady pace and finish. Nothing more, nothing less. That will be a good indicator of my back too.
I'm REALLY worried about the marathon. My training through out March has been so minimal and I am NO WHERE near where I should be for having the marathon in 18 days. HOLY CRAP... 18 days? I'm at the point that I can count in days? Really? WOW! That's even scarier!
As far as the fundraising goes, I've done better than I expected. People have been so incredibly generous with their support. I am waiting on a few more donations that people have said will be coming, plus my companies match. Right now, my online total is showing as $6050. Who would have thunk it? WOW!
And I know I have 2 more donations coming BEFORE my company match. With all of that, I should receive another $700-800 in donations! If those 2 donations don't end up coming in, I will still end up over $6700.
Even though I had set my fund raising goal at $7000, I honestly NEVER thought I would make it. I never did. I was a little uneasy about hitting the required $5000! And here I am, KNOWING I will be over $6700... less than $300 from my goal. That is absolutely nuts!
I'm really proud of that and I am just touched by the support I have received from everyone. I know that support, the kind words, the encouragement from everyone, that will all help carry me on as I make my way to Boston, IN 18 DAYS! WOW!
Hopefully tomorrow goes well. And hopefully Sunday's race goes well. And hopefully next week I can get in LOTS of running and more training. And hopefully the following weekend my 10K goes well.
I have a lot of hope for a lot of things. So here's to hoping!
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Catching up
My first apppointment with the chiropractor was on Monday. I have a list of exercises and stretches to do, plus a new ice pack. Today after spending LOTS of time stretching out my back, it was a little tough to walk later. I did ice for a bit then got back on the heating pad. For some reason that helps more.
I miss running as much as I was. I'm scared about the marathon. March has SUCKED for training. It was March 2nd when I really threw out my back and since then I have pain every time I run and it happens faster and worse each time. I really hope this helps.
As of now, I still haven't signed up for the race this weekend. They have a 1/2 marathon and a 5K. I was undecided on which I was going to do. Kind of depends on how I'm feeling I guess, which is why I keep putting off my registration.
I'm thinking of taking a yoga class tomorrow night too, which hopefully will help my back too. There is a studio around the corner that has some classes. We'll see how I feel. It is RIGHT after work, so I'd be cutting it close to make it.
I've had lots going on in my personal life too. Lots of stress which isn't helping and lots on my mind which combined is making sleep something I wish for. I used to get these great full nights of sleep. Been a while since I've had one of those. Kind of miss it.
Staying positive with everything... my back, my personal life, my stress level. Things work out for the best with me, so I'm not too worried. I will be where I am supposed to be.
With my companies matching gift of matching all employee donations, I will be pushed over $6500 raised for Mass Eye and Ear. I still have a couple of people who haven't donated yet, so I'm keeping my fingers crossed I can push that up a little higher in the next 3 weeks. That in itself is really exciting.
Right now, I want to cross the finish line of the marathon. I'm not sure how my back will be handling all of this. I want to cross it healthy, without being in too much pain. Tonight I had a hard time walking. So we will see. I have tossed out everything with time and I just want to finish.
Without all of the exercise, with my stress level and all that entails (stomach issues and no appetite) I'm down a couple of more pounds. I'm not sure how I weighed 0.2 less tonight, fully dressed, than I did first thing this morning just before getting into the shower. But I'm at a point I do not want to be at.
I try to in a certain weight range. I have a favorite number and I go two above or 2 below for my range. I'm 2 below my low point. Not good. I've lost 2 pounds in a week. I need to really watch it and get myself back to where I was with my health, my back, my weight and everything else. I know I can do it, but it will be work. Like everything in life, the good things aren't easy. Just like the marathon.
Less than 3 weeks. I'm scared. I'm nervous. I heard a great quote the other day. What is, is. That's how I am feeling about this. I want to finish. I want to cross that line. I want this accomplishment. I am already injured. What is, is. What will happen, will.
April 18th is coming quick, but I will be at that starting line and I am really looking forward to that day. I'm not sure of the ups and downs of the day and what it will all bring, but I'm excited for the challenge.
I never thought I could raise $5000, let along over $6500! And here I am, 3 weeks away from the Boston Marathon. Anything in life is possible. Just believe.
I miss running as much as I was. I'm scared about the marathon. March has SUCKED for training. It was March 2nd when I really threw out my back and since then I have pain every time I run and it happens faster and worse each time. I really hope this helps.
As of now, I still haven't signed up for the race this weekend. They have a 1/2 marathon and a 5K. I was undecided on which I was going to do. Kind of depends on how I'm feeling I guess, which is why I keep putting off my registration.
I'm thinking of taking a yoga class tomorrow night too, which hopefully will help my back too. There is a studio around the corner that has some classes. We'll see how I feel. It is RIGHT after work, so I'd be cutting it close to make it.
I've had lots going on in my personal life too. Lots of stress which isn't helping and lots on my mind which combined is making sleep something I wish for. I used to get these great full nights of sleep. Been a while since I've had one of those. Kind of miss it.
Staying positive with everything... my back, my personal life, my stress level. Things work out for the best with me, so I'm not too worried. I will be where I am supposed to be.
With my companies matching gift of matching all employee donations, I will be pushed over $6500 raised for Mass Eye and Ear. I still have a couple of people who haven't donated yet, so I'm keeping my fingers crossed I can push that up a little higher in the next 3 weeks. That in itself is really exciting.
Right now, I want to cross the finish line of the marathon. I'm not sure how my back will be handling all of this. I want to cross it healthy, without being in too much pain. Tonight I had a hard time walking. So we will see. I have tossed out everything with time and I just want to finish.
Without all of the exercise, with my stress level and all that entails (stomach issues and no appetite) I'm down a couple of more pounds. I'm not sure how I weighed 0.2 less tonight, fully dressed, than I did first thing this morning just before getting into the shower. But I'm at a point I do not want to be at.
I try to in a certain weight range. I have a favorite number and I go two above or 2 below for my range. I'm 2 below my low point. Not good. I've lost 2 pounds in a week. I need to really watch it and get myself back to where I was with my health, my back, my weight and everything else. I know I can do it, but it will be work. Like everything in life, the good things aren't easy. Just like the marathon.
Less than 3 weeks. I'm scared. I'm nervous. I heard a great quote the other day. What is, is. That's how I am feeling about this. I want to finish. I want to cross that line. I want this accomplishment. I am already injured. What is, is. What will happen, will.
April 18th is coming quick, but I will be at that starting line and I am really looking forward to that day. I'm not sure of the ups and downs of the day and what it will all bring, but I'm excited for the challenge.
I never thought I could raise $5000, let along over $6500! And here I am, 3 weeks away from the Boston Marathon. Anything in life is possible. Just believe.
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Tonight I hit the pool. I didn't actually swim all that much, maybe only 8 or 10 laps. Then I did the kickboard. Jen and I did used the kickboard and talked for almost an hour! So much fun to hang out and talk, and glad some exercise was in there.
I can REALLY feel my back now though. I've been on the heating pad for about an hour. I'm kind of afraid to move because I know it will hurt when I get up. Hopefully a good night sleep and I will be ok tomorrow.
Right now I'm just looking forward to Monday with the appointment with the chiropractor. I really need to get this fixed and move forward.
Overall March has been nuts. Ups and downs, injuries, highs and lows in my personal life. All over the place. Trying to get it all back to an even pace.
But I do have to say, I am VERY happy and feel so lucky for having absolutely the best friends in the world. Old friends and new ones. I am just so lucky for them and their support. With all the ups and downs I have had lately, they have been there for the good and bad. Sometimes I'm just so surprised that I really do have so many incredible people in my life.
I can REALLY feel my back now though. I've been on the heating pad for about an hour. I'm kind of afraid to move because I know it will hurt when I get up. Hopefully a good night sleep and I will be ok tomorrow.
Right now I'm just looking forward to Monday with the appointment with the chiropractor. I really need to get this fixed and move forward.
Overall March has been nuts. Ups and downs, injuries, highs and lows in my personal life. All over the place. Trying to get it all back to an even pace.
But I do have to say, I am VERY happy and feel so lucky for having absolutely the best friends in the world. Old friends and new ones. I am just so lucky for them and their support. With all the ups and downs I have had lately, they have been there for the good and bad. Sometimes I'm just so surprised that I really do have so many incredible people in my life.
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
I tried to run last night at the track. My back really had been getting better. A few steps in, I felt it. I made one lap and that was it! Then I started walking and got in about a mile. I was limping to my car after that. Pretty bad.
Today I gave in. I have an appointment with a chiropractor on Monday. I really need something to help me and to hopefully fix my back! I'm sick of this and it is really getting old!
As far as fundraising, I'm super excited. I have a match coming which I found out about last week, then this morning I got an email that my company was going to match all employee donations! YAY! As of right now, that is at $585! I'm super excited. I didn't ask, I didn't search this out. They had already donated a pair of Red Sox tickets! And now they are donating more too! I'm just so excited about that.
Between the money that has been donated already, the money people have said they are sending, and what I am getting for matches, I am already over $5100. SO I'm pretty excited. And that's before I have another 8 people who have said they are going to donate and haven't yet. Plus I'm still putting it out there for more donations too.
Now I just need to get my back better so I can run more! I'm nervous about everything where I can't even get in lots of walking without hurting! I hope I can get myself across the finish line. I reall don't want to hurt myself doing this, and right now that's what I feel like I'm doing.
Just trying to stay focused. Sometimes that's hard with so many other things going on in my life. I'm trying to work out and get in all the running, cross training and weights, but it really is a challenge right now. Almost a month of this. I got on the scale this morning and I'm down again. I'm stuggling to keep the weight on right now. My pelvis is sicking out with my stomach as small as it is. And you can see my ribs and my collar bone sticking out too. Too bad my hips, butt and thighs wouldn't get the same treatment! :) But hey, got super defined abs right now!
Hoping to get to bed early tonight. Haven't slept well the past 2 nights. Both nights I was awake for about an hour during the night, then never really got good sleep after that.
But today was hump day.. only 2 more days until the weekend. Been a tough week for me. I'm hoping to get to the weekend and be ok.
Today I gave in. I have an appointment with a chiropractor on Monday. I really need something to help me and to hopefully fix my back! I'm sick of this and it is really getting old!
As far as fundraising, I'm super excited. I have a match coming which I found out about last week, then this morning I got an email that my company was going to match all employee donations! YAY! As of right now, that is at $585! I'm super excited. I didn't ask, I didn't search this out. They had already donated a pair of Red Sox tickets! And now they are donating more too! I'm just so excited about that.
Between the money that has been donated already, the money people have said they are sending, and what I am getting for matches, I am already over $5100. SO I'm pretty excited. And that's before I have another 8 people who have said they are going to donate and haven't yet. Plus I'm still putting it out there for more donations too.
Now I just need to get my back better so I can run more! I'm nervous about everything where I can't even get in lots of walking without hurting! I hope I can get myself across the finish line. I reall don't want to hurt myself doing this, and right now that's what I feel like I'm doing.
Just trying to stay focused. Sometimes that's hard with so many other things going on in my life. I'm trying to work out and get in all the running, cross training and weights, but it really is a challenge right now. Almost a month of this. I got on the scale this morning and I'm down again. I'm stuggling to keep the weight on right now. My pelvis is sicking out with my stomach as small as it is. And you can see my ribs and my collar bone sticking out too. Too bad my hips, butt and thighs wouldn't get the same treatment! :) But hey, got super defined abs right now!
Hoping to get to bed early tonight. Haven't slept well the past 2 nights. Both nights I was awake for about an hour during the night, then never really got good sleep after that.
But today was hump day.. only 2 more days until the weekend. Been a tough week for me. I'm hoping to get to the weekend and be ok.
Sunday, March 20, 2011
Oh my aching back
After the 5K race last weekend, my back got petty bad. Last Sunday night, I couldn't even get around my own house without leaning on furniture to walk around. Walking was so painful. With switching off heat and ice and taking Advil it did get better, but I was limping around most of the week.
Last Monday night I did meet some friends at the track. I managed to walk and keep up with them for over an hour, but there was no hope of running that night. Walking was pretty painful still.
I haven't run at all this past week. I was just trying to rest up the back without making it worse. Yesterday I spent the day doing Spring cleaning at my house and by 7pm, I could feel my back starting to hurt again. It was a little better this morning, but I'm on the heating pad again, hoping to work out the tension and inflamation that keeps building.
Last night I had a dream about the marathon. It was race day and I was getting ready to go. Funny, because in the dream I didn't know what I was wearing, how I was getting to Hopkington, what I had for snacks, or who would be along the route. SO basically... I knew what I know now! :)
The marathon is 4 weeks from tomorrow. I'm nervous. With all of my health issues, the stomach bug, sinus infections, ear infection and lower back issues... my training has NOT been fun or productive for February or March. At this point, I'm tossing out all expectations, other than I want to finish. I just want to cross the finish line. I don't care how long it is going to take me. I don't care how much I have to walk it. I just want to cross the finish line.
So right now I am working on taking care of my injuries and making sure my body is in better shape and ready. I know it will be a mental challenge. But I know I can walk forever. I'm not worried about the total distance at all. I just wish I could run more.
But I do feel really really good about the 5K last weekend. Knowing I have improved that much makes me feel so much better. I love that I had a PB without pushing myself. I felt so good the whole race, other than feeling my lower back. At one point I was a little in my head. But I pulled out the mantra I came up with. "Run Strong. Finish Proud." That was all I needed. I knew I was going to run through and finish. And I did.
I'm bummed that I had to walk to the finish line because of the crowd. I can't imagine what my time would have been if the finish line & if the spots on the bike path weren't so congested. I could have done even better! That's a really cool thought for me!
I have a few more 5K's coming up, plus a 10K. I can't wait to see what my times are for those. It's exciting.
There is a race the first Sunday in April I haven't registered for yet. It is either a 5K or a 1/2 marathon. My friend Trevor is running the 1/2. He had done the last 1/2 with me. Because of my back and lack of training, I'm thinking of doing the 1/2, but I don't know if I want to push my back that much. Which is why I still haven't registered for that race yet. I know I'm going. I know I'm doing it. I just don't know which one yet.
The weekend after that, I have a 10K in Braintree. A bunch of my friends are running it too, but doing the 5K. It should be fun. My last 10K time was 1:09:35. I'd love to break that. I'd love to do a 5K under 30 minutes and a 10K under an hour. I'm a slow runner. I have always been a slow runner. But I've gotten stronger and I'm happy with that.
I can't wait until our Couch to 5K training starts up again. I have over 20 people signed up for my running group. It is just so much fun and so exciting to see people run. I love seeing them progress and I love seeing the pride on their faces when the realize what they are accomplishing. I can't wait for that.
That is how I got into running, doing the Couch to 5K with this fitness group. I have made amazing friends that I know will be in my life for a long time to come. This running group has truly changed my life. Funny to know and pin point one thing that made a huge difference and turned my life in a different direction. I can't imagine where I would be if I hadn't done the Couch to 5K program with this group.
SO now, I am focused on finishing the marathon, however I get there and whenever I get there. I'm still fundraising and have received donations from places and people I never expected.
The BAA requires $5000. Mass Eye and Ear asks for $6000 and I set my goal at $7000. As of now, with a matching amount I have $3760 raised. That is before mom and dad put in, 2 of my aunts and 3 more people at work who have said they would contribute. All of those (5 plus my parents), plus more from me will all be matched too. SO... $1240 left to hit the minimum required. Divided by 2 is $620. SO that's my magic number right now. I need $620 by next weekend, to be part of the match, then I hit the BAA's minimum. And I'll still have another month left to get what Mass Eye and Ear wants and/or what I wanted.
I had sent out letters to family too. I have a few aunts and uncles I haven't heard back from yet, which I'm a little surprised at. And a couple of friends too, which is more disappointing than anything else. People I don't know or don't know well are contributing through the fitness group. And people who have already donated have been SO generous and so much more generous than I have ever thought possible. I'm just surprised and a little disappointed at those who haven't. Those are the people I thought would support me, just because I'm doing the marathon. Nothing to do with Mass Eye and Ear, but just because it is me. And I'm surprised that they haven't. And disappointed and little hurt. But I don't know everyone's situation and I can't go there. I'm not begging people to donate. They all know what I'm doing and what I'm asking for. If they can and if they want to, they will contribute. I just with it was this week, so it could be added to what I can get matched!!! This week is my push!
Anyway... been sitting on my sofa for WAY too long. Almost 10am now. Cereal is gone and coffee cup is empty. I'm thinking I might hit the pool to get in laps before I go up to mom's house today. I pulled a muscle, sort of a charlie horse, yesterday morning in my right calf. I've done it before, one night swimming. OH MY did it hurt!! I stretched while still in bed and it felt like my muscle just snapped and split! WOW! But I think it would be ok swimming.
Time to think about moving and what I'm going to do today. Tomorrow might snow and I'm going to take a break until Tuesday night when I am FINALLY going to try to run again. I'm meeting a few friends at the track again to get some miles in and have the company. It'll be fun to see them all and get outside. But snow Monday and Wednesday. And today is the first day of Spring?
Happy Spring.. and here's to health and wealth and continued running!!!
Last Monday night I did meet some friends at the track. I managed to walk and keep up with them for over an hour, but there was no hope of running that night. Walking was pretty painful still.
I haven't run at all this past week. I was just trying to rest up the back without making it worse. Yesterday I spent the day doing Spring cleaning at my house and by 7pm, I could feel my back starting to hurt again. It was a little better this morning, but I'm on the heating pad again, hoping to work out the tension and inflamation that keeps building.
Last night I had a dream about the marathon. It was race day and I was getting ready to go. Funny, because in the dream I didn't know what I was wearing, how I was getting to Hopkington, what I had for snacks, or who would be along the route. SO basically... I knew what I know now! :)
The marathon is 4 weeks from tomorrow. I'm nervous. With all of my health issues, the stomach bug, sinus infections, ear infection and lower back issues... my training has NOT been fun or productive for February or March. At this point, I'm tossing out all expectations, other than I want to finish. I just want to cross the finish line. I don't care how long it is going to take me. I don't care how much I have to walk it. I just want to cross the finish line.
So right now I am working on taking care of my injuries and making sure my body is in better shape and ready. I know it will be a mental challenge. But I know I can walk forever. I'm not worried about the total distance at all. I just wish I could run more.
But I do feel really really good about the 5K last weekend. Knowing I have improved that much makes me feel so much better. I love that I had a PB without pushing myself. I felt so good the whole race, other than feeling my lower back. At one point I was a little in my head. But I pulled out the mantra I came up with. "Run Strong. Finish Proud." That was all I needed. I knew I was going to run through and finish. And I did.
I'm bummed that I had to walk to the finish line because of the crowd. I can't imagine what my time would have been if the finish line & if the spots on the bike path weren't so congested. I could have done even better! That's a really cool thought for me!
I have a few more 5K's coming up, plus a 10K. I can't wait to see what my times are for those. It's exciting.
There is a race the first Sunday in April I haven't registered for yet. It is either a 5K or a 1/2 marathon. My friend Trevor is running the 1/2. He had done the last 1/2 with me. Because of my back and lack of training, I'm thinking of doing the 1/2, but I don't know if I want to push my back that much. Which is why I still haven't registered for that race yet. I know I'm going. I know I'm doing it. I just don't know which one yet.
The weekend after that, I have a 10K in Braintree. A bunch of my friends are running it too, but doing the 5K. It should be fun. My last 10K time was 1:09:35. I'd love to break that. I'd love to do a 5K under 30 minutes and a 10K under an hour. I'm a slow runner. I have always been a slow runner. But I've gotten stronger and I'm happy with that.
I can't wait until our Couch to 5K training starts up again. I have over 20 people signed up for my running group. It is just so much fun and so exciting to see people run. I love seeing them progress and I love seeing the pride on their faces when the realize what they are accomplishing. I can't wait for that.
That is how I got into running, doing the Couch to 5K with this fitness group. I have made amazing friends that I know will be in my life for a long time to come. This running group has truly changed my life. Funny to know and pin point one thing that made a huge difference and turned my life in a different direction. I can't imagine where I would be if I hadn't done the Couch to 5K program with this group.
SO now, I am focused on finishing the marathon, however I get there and whenever I get there. I'm still fundraising and have received donations from places and people I never expected.
The BAA requires $5000. Mass Eye and Ear asks for $6000 and I set my goal at $7000. As of now, with a matching amount I have $3760 raised. That is before mom and dad put in, 2 of my aunts and 3 more people at work who have said they would contribute. All of those (5 plus my parents), plus more from me will all be matched too. SO... $1240 left to hit the minimum required. Divided by 2 is $620. SO that's my magic number right now. I need $620 by next weekend, to be part of the match, then I hit the BAA's minimum. And I'll still have another month left to get what Mass Eye and Ear wants and/or what I wanted.
I had sent out letters to family too. I have a few aunts and uncles I haven't heard back from yet, which I'm a little surprised at. And a couple of friends too, which is more disappointing than anything else. People I don't know or don't know well are contributing through the fitness group. And people who have already donated have been SO generous and so much more generous than I have ever thought possible. I'm just surprised and a little disappointed at those who haven't. Those are the people I thought would support me, just because I'm doing the marathon. Nothing to do with Mass Eye and Ear, but just because it is me. And I'm surprised that they haven't. And disappointed and little hurt. But I don't know everyone's situation and I can't go there. I'm not begging people to donate. They all know what I'm doing and what I'm asking for. If they can and if they want to, they will contribute. I just with it was this week, so it could be added to what I can get matched!!! This week is my push!
Anyway... been sitting on my sofa for WAY too long. Almost 10am now. Cereal is gone and coffee cup is empty. I'm thinking I might hit the pool to get in laps before I go up to mom's house today. I pulled a muscle, sort of a charlie horse, yesterday morning in my right calf. I've done it before, one night swimming. OH MY did it hurt!! I stretched while still in bed and it felt like my muscle just snapped and split! WOW! But I think it would be ok swimming.
Time to think about moving and what I'm going to do today. Tomorrow might snow and I'm going to take a break until Tuesday night when I am FINALLY going to try to run again. I'm meeting a few friends at the track again to get some miles in and have the company. It'll be fun to see them all and get outside. But snow Monday and Wednesday. And today is the first day of Spring?
Happy Spring.. and here's to health and wealth and continued running!!!
Sunday, March 13, 2011
Another 5K
Today was an Irish 5K in Somerville with close to 6000 runners. SO much fun and such amazing energy! The atmosphere was great. It took me just over 4 minutes to cross the start line from the gun, not that I heard it! But we had a blast.
After about a 1/2 mile I started to feel my lower back flare up but I wanted to run through it. After 2 miles I could REALLY feel it. Otherwise I felt great. I was doing a slow and steady pace, not really pushing myself, but just going along and having fun.
Unfortunately, since the race ended along a narrow-ish bike path, I had to walk a good 30 seconds to get to the finish line. I saw the big "FINISH" sign and pushed it. Then I hit a giant wall of people and there was no where to go but walk SLOWLY towards the finish line.
I'm pretty bummed about that. I had a personal best in my chip time by about 2 minutes and that even with walking across the finish. I would have loved to have seen how I could have done without that ending. Next time, next race, I'll see! I think it is only in a few weeks anyway.
But as soon as I finished the race, my back really started to hurt. I had some Advil with me and took it right away. I'm pretty sure that I need more or even something stronger. I'm thinking of calling my doctor tomorrow. Tuesday will be 2 full weeks of this. And it first started during the 1/2 marathon. I just want to make sure it isn't anything worse.
I was having trouble walking today after the race. We went to a bar up the street where I stood the whole time. I tried to move around and to keep stretching my back but by the time we left and went to cross the street for the T, I was limping again.
As soon as I got home I put some ice on my back. It helped a little but then it really got so much worse. Now I am getting the shooting pains again if I move the wrong way... which right now seems to be any time I move. I'm afraid to get up right now!
The rest of me feels good. My IT bands are good. My calf muscles are great. Everything is ok. All I can feel is the pulsing in my lower back.
I am a little nervous about it. The pain is basically just under my tail bone on my right side. It shoots out towards my right hip and just pulsing around that entire area. At one point during the race I could feel it in my hamstring and that really got me nervous. I don't want this to be a nerve thing or a disc thing.
Plus, something else on my mind with this is that if I am this bad right now after 3.1 miles, how the hell am I going to handle 26.2? I can't walk standing straight up right now. I haven't been able to put on pants without holding on to something for the past 2 weeks. Going up and down stairs is painful. Sneezing in bed shoots through my lower back. I'm not sleeping through the night because if I move it hurts so much that I wake up.
This isn't good. The marathon is coming quick and my training has been suffering HUGE the past few weeks. If I can't walk without feeling pain in my back, running isn't fun at all! I can't get in the mileage I need for this and I'm really scared.
I'm meeting friends tomorrow night at the track now that the time changed and the snow is finally gone. We are supposed to get in a run there. I'm not sure what I'll be doing after today. I know I need to grab the ice again and rest all night. Tomorrow at work will be hard too. I just hope this starts getting better. I can't decide if this is something I should call the doctor for or not.
After about a 1/2 mile I started to feel my lower back flare up but I wanted to run through it. After 2 miles I could REALLY feel it. Otherwise I felt great. I was doing a slow and steady pace, not really pushing myself, but just going along and having fun.
Unfortunately, since the race ended along a narrow-ish bike path, I had to walk a good 30 seconds to get to the finish line. I saw the big "FINISH" sign and pushed it. Then I hit a giant wall of people and there was no where to go but walk SLOWLY towards the finish line.
I'm pretty bummed about that. I had a personal best in my chip time by about 2 minutes and that even with walking across the finish. I would have loved to have seen how I could have done without that ending. Next time, next race, I'll see! I think it is only in a few weeks anyway.
But as soon as I finished the race, my back really started to hurt. I had some Advil with me and took it right away. I'm pretty sure that I need more or even something stronger. I'm thinking of calling my doctor tomorrow. Tuesday will be 2 full weeks of this. And it first started during the 1/2 marathon. I just want to make sure it isn't anything worse.
I was having trouble walking today after the race. We went to a bar up the street where I stood the whole time. I tried to move around and to keep stretching my back but by the time we left and went to cross the street for the T, I was limping again.
As soon as I got home I put some ice on my back. It helped a little but then it really got so much worse. Now I am getting the shooting pains again if I move the wrong way... which right now seems to be any time I move. I'm afraid to get up right now!
The rest of me feels good. My IT bands are good. My calf muscles are great. Everything is ok. All I can feel is the pulsing in my lower back.
I am a little nervous about it. The pain is basically just under my tail bone on my right side. It shoots out towards my right hip and just pulsing around that entire area. At one point during the race I could feel it in my hamstring and that really got me nervous. I don't want this to be a nerve thing or a disc thing.
Plus, something else on my mind with this is that if I am this bad right now after 3.1 miles, how the hell am I going to handle 26.2? I can't walk standing straight up right now. I haven't been able to put on pants without holding on to something for the past 2 weeks. Going up and down stairs is painful. Sneezing in bed shoots through my lower back. I'm not sleeping through the night because if I move it hurts so much that I wake up.
This isn't good. The marathon is coming quick and my training has been suffering HUGE the past few weeks. If I can't walk without feeling pain in my back, running isn't fun at all! I can't get in the mileage I need for this and I'm really scared.
I'm meeting friends tomorrow night at the track now that the time changed and the snow is finally gone. We are supposed to get in a run there. I'm not sure what I'll be doing after today. I know I need to grab the ice again and rest all night. Tomorrow at work will be hard too. I just hope this starts getting better. I can't decide if this is something I should call the doctor for or not.
Thursday, March 3, 2011
Adjusting the Progress
My lower back issue from Tuesday is sticking around. It was REALLY bad yesterday. One of those things where if you move the wrong way, you just feel it shoot right through everything. It was tough to walk.
But I went to the gym anyway. I was determined to get in 1 full hour. I was flinching during the 5 minute walking warm up. Then I started to jog. I was almost in tears. My back hurt so much. I might have made it 90 seconds jogging. For a while I had to hold the treadmill handles to just walk. It was so painful! I did do 1 hour... for a whopping 3 miles. I can't believe I went that slow.
After the gym I did get a lower back massage which helped a lot. Tonight I was in the pool and took it easy with a 1/2 mile and lots of catching up with some friends. Right now I have a heating pad on my lower back. I'm hoping tomorrow it feels much better. The long run this weekend might be challenging. But I'll do what I can do.
Now... off to bed!
But I went to the gym anyway. I was determined to get in 1 full hour. I was flinching during the 5 minute walking warm up. Then I started to jog. I was almost in tears. My back hurt so much. I might have made it 90 seconds jogging. For a while I had to hold the treadmill handles to just walk. It was so painful! I did do 1 hour... for a whopping 3 miles. I can't believe I went that slow.
After the gym I did get a lower back massage which helped a lot. Tonight I was in the pool and took it easy with a 1/2 mile and lots of catching up with some friends. Right now I have a heating pad on my lower back. I'm hoping tomorrow it feels much better. The long run this weekend might be challenging. But I'll do what I can do.
Now... off to bed!
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Back in the Game
February was a really tough month for me. I was sick more the half the month! It was so challenging with the training when I felt miserable. But today is a new month and a new beginning. I'm very happy to say good-bye to February!
So day one in March, hit the gym for a quick 3 miles on the treadmill. I struggled a bit for the last 1/2 mile. Something is up with my lower back. I tried my best to stretch it out. Just under my tailbone on my right side.
After leaving the gym, I went straight to the pool to meet some friends. It was a slow go with lots of chatting but it still felt really good. I got in just over a 1/2 a mile.
I feel really good with today's workout. I accomplished what I wanted to do and I'm happy with that. My back is VERY sore now... when I got out of my car after coming home I couldn't even stand up straight! NOT good. But I'm sure I'll be ok after I sleep.
Tomorrow straight from work I will be heading back to the gym. Instead of worrying about distance tomorrow, the plan is to run for 1 hour and just see how many miles I get in.
Thursday night I'll be back at the pool and I'll get in a full mile. I love swimming and plus I am always at the pool with friends too, so it is now a social thing. I just have fun while I'm there. That's one of the problems I have been having with the training overall. I lost the fun in it. Now I am trying to get that back. I'm hoping just putting a time limit on my run tomorrow will help with that.
I'm a little worried about my long run this weekend. Originally I was going to run with a friend of mine, but he hurt his knee so I think that's out. I'm going to try to ask and see if friends can meet me to help me get in some extra miles. Even if I do my 3 mile loop 3 times on my own, then have someone meet me so I can get through 9-12 with help. Who knows, I might need help 6-9 too!
But under 7 weeks left. I hope I can continue to push myself and I really am feeling better about March than what February was. Hopefully that will stick with me all month!
So day one in March, hit the gym for a quick 3 miles on the treadmill. I struggled a bit for the last 1/2 mile. Something is up with my lower back. I tried my best to stretch it out. Just under my tailbone on my right side.
After leaving the gym, I went straight to the pool to meet some friends. It was a slow go with lots of chatting but it still felt really good. I got in just over a 1/2 a mile.
I feel really good with today's workout. I accomplished what I wanted to do and I'm happy with that. My back is VERY sore now... when I got out of my car after coming home I couldn't even stand up straight! NOT good. But I'm sure I'll be ok after I sleep.
Tomorrow straight from work I will be heading back to the gym. Instead of worrying about distance tomorrow, the plan is to run for 1 hour and just see how many miles I get in.
Thursday night I'll be back at the pool and I'll get in a full mile. I love swimming and plus I am always at the pool with friends too, so it is now a social thing. I just have fun while I'm there. That's one of the problems I have been having with the training overall. I lost the fun in it. Now I am trying to get that back. I'm hoping just putting a time limit on my run tomorrow will help with that.
I'm a little worried about my long run this weekend. Originally I was going to run with a friend of mine, but he hurt his knee so I think that's out. I'm going to try to ask and see if friends can meet me to help me get in some extra miles. Even if I do my 3 mile loop 3 times on my own, then have someone meet me so I can get through 9-12 with help. Who knows, I might need help 6-9 too!
But under 7 weeks left. I hope I can continue to push myself and I really am feeling better about March than what February was. Hopefully that will stick with me all month!
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