Running Commentary

At the beginning of March I wrote THIS post about my false start with running. Well, I was a good girl and I did my PT and started feeling stronger, but some of the exercises caused me extra knee pain, and it all began to feel like a chore. So, I switched to a regimen of yoga+hiking+cycling and felt happy and athletic again. My knee was not so grumpy. I felt like I wanted to set a big fitness goal and get involved with some sort of group training or coaching. Originally I thought about a triathlon since I am having so much fun riding my bike, but then I decided to keep it simple. I would start with just running, make sure my knee was on board, and get reacquainted with racing. Maybe a little 5K or two. That was the vague idea in March, and now that my injuries were on the mend, I could stick to the plan...

Then I read about The No BS Run Club.

I always sort of blew off the idea of a half marathon because it seems soooo long. I wasn't sure I could do it, or that I wanted to do it, or that I should do it. I didn't even consider it until a few of my people started running them. And then it became something that I shouldn't do because everyone else was doing it. But something about that No BS Run Club hit me in the heart at just the right time. 

So I signed up, and it's going so well. I'm running a 5K next weekend. I'm running my first half marathon in July. I want all the running clothes and all the running everything. I want to be a runner. I AM a runner. 

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Kicking Myself

I got new "kicks"! Get it? Kicking myself? Groan. Long story short, I have some minimalist trail runners that I love wearing..they are light and I feel quick in them. But I convinced myself they were making a knee problem worse. The more likely truth is that I have been rather complacent about some physical therapy exercises I was given back in November to combat my knee problem...patellofemoral syndrome, a vague but promising diagnosis. But a diagnosis doesn't fix it, especially when you don't follow instructions. For that, I really am kicking myself.

Long, long ago, when I was a consistent runner (which I'm aiming to be again...I think), I preferred trail runners because they were a little more rugged and seemed to protect me from rolling my ankle so often. I picked up these Montrail FluidFlex II because they were on sale, cool looking, and had good reviews. I thought they'd solve all my problems and my months of not doing the proper knee work would be irrelevant. So, of course, on my first time out with these, I did a major ankle roll while trying to fight through the worst, sharp knee pain. It wasn't an EPIC fail, but it was disappointing and frustrating. Problems decidedly not solved, with no one to blame but myself. So, it's ice packs, stretches, and strengthening for me...EVERY NIGHT. I think I'll reward myself with a run next week. In the meantime, walking, hiking, and biking, stiff ankle and achey knee be damned.

Anything you're kicking yourself for this week?

Cycling cyclist?

In September I got a fancy new bike. Well, it's fancy to me, anyway. It's a silvery grey Jamis 2014 Coda Comp bicycle. I test rode several bikes and this is the one that felt best, so I went for it. It feels fast and agile and completely comfortable. I use it to ride a couple miles to work one day a week and I try to go on a longer "fitness" ride one other day. Note the gentle quotation marks. At the moment I want to gain more riding experience and confidence. I do have my secret mind's eye on doing a triathlon one day/someday. 

Do you ride? Any advice? I feel like I have so much to learn...new lingo, new muscle uses, new routes around town... 

A few thoughts on cycling so far:

• My neck gets crunchy, so I need to remember to use my eyes more than my neck to look forward
  
• Still learning bike posture and needing to strengthen my core
• At what point do you purchase padded pants? 
• When do I switch from being a bike rider to being a cyclist? 
• Still perfecting my hand signal technique
• I've seen cops pull over cyclists for running stop signs. 
• Now that my bike is kind of broken-in I need to take it to the shop for some adjustments. 
• I need a bell and some lights...Daylight Savings is over!
• I want one of those shirts with the pocket in the back. 
• If you're riding in the street, how the hell are you supposed to get over to turn left?
• Bike riding (cycling?) is fun!  

Yoga Studio

I'm still trying to find my way back into an athletic routine after having a baby and being a new parent, plus dealing with some mild injuries. An app I love right now is the Yoga Studio app by Modern Lotus. It's easy to use, it's pretty, and I've already learned new, useful poses...especially some hip opening ones. It's got a great pose library for reference and classes with different ability levels and styles. You can build your own class or use pre-made routines, which come in as little as 15 minute chunks...perfect for balancing yoga with a busy toddler. It's also a great app for folks who have gone to some yoga classes, but struggle with doing it on their own at home... and the Yoga Studio can go anywhere with you...because you know you take your iPhone everywhere. I think it could get your blood moving on a chilly morning while camping. FYI, the makers of this app have no idea who I am....I just though you should know about it.  What are your favorite health and fitness apps?