Monday, July 15, 2013

Oh, What a Difference...

Workout: 3 easy miles, Pace Gloves

I've found a new injury-healing tool: whining to the interblogs. I'm 2 for 2 now. You should probably add this to your bag of injury tricks.

What I'm trying to say is, I ran today! And not only did I run, but I ran completely pain-free!

When I wrote my last post, I honestly thought I'd be out of the game for another week or two. It seems the internet healed me. It's science*.

The ankle felt great while hiking on Saturday and Sunday, and on Sunday I tried some trail jogging to test it out. No pain. I spent the rest of the day trying to make it hurt (I'm crazy like that), and finally I was forced to conclude that it was actually better. I would have liked to have given it a couple more days just to be extra sure, but my desire to run was too strong. I really hope I'm not unconsciously foreshadowing something terrible with that statement.

Before we get to my run, some pictures!

It was super foggy the first three-fourths of the way up Wolverine, but just as I was about to turn around it cleared up just long enough for me to summit! Looking down at Anchorage.

Bailey, scoping out another rock to chase. 

I like this picture because it looks like the fog is a wave crashing against that little hump.

The fog came back just as I was starting to descend.

Bailey, doing her stick-eating thing in the creek.

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Now that I've built it up, I feel like I have to have an action-packed first-run-back story for you. I don't. I'll tell it anyway and we can pretend like it's the most interesting thing you've read this week.

After work, I suited up  sans Garmin (it seems I've forgotten how to pack for a run) and headed to the trail I was totally sick of before my marathon. I was as happy as a clam. Every tree, every bend in the path, even every mean biker was exciting.

That's the end of my story. Interesting, huh?

Fortunately, I didn't forget how to run over the past three weeks (which I totally did after my six-week hiatus from running last year), and I think I was moving along at a pretty good clip. I ran in one direction for fifteen minutes before turning around for another fifteen. I could well have been running 15-minute miles, but I think it was closer to 9:30s. I'm excited to inject a little speed into my runs! With ample easy, slow running, of course. Easy running is key.

I'm going to have very little time to speed up before the half marathon I'm doing in August, but who knows? A sub-2:00 may still be possible. If I get anything other than a 2:04 or 2:11, I'll be a happy camper.

Happy running!

*this is not science

Questions:

  • Any exciting run stories out there? Obviously not more exciting than mine, because that's not even possible, but give me your best.
  • What's your best injury prevention/healing trick?

11 comments:

  1. Yay! I had a feeling it was just a minor pain, but who am I judge about an injury? The interwebs is helping you and you can tell this to all your non-blogger-friendly friends if they ever discover your dirty secret. I absolutely LOVE it when dogs plop themselves down in water after or during a hike. So Cute!

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    1. "If they ever discover your dirty secret." Aha, let's hope that never happens.

      It IS adorable when she takes a dip in a creek, but it's so NOT adorable when she follows it up by jumping in a mud puddle just before getting back in the car.

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  2. Oh glad it's feeling better!!! And look...I'm so caught up on your posts that I'm now SECOND to comment instead of LAST. Pat on my back.

    You can totally do a sub-2. Is the race flat-ish? Or hilly? Because that might make a difference, I suppose.

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    1. Ahahah, welcome back! I was kinda-sorta worried I had said something terribly offensive and scared you off (wouldn't be the first time!), until I realized that duh, you were off having an awesome time in Colorado!

      Yeah, I BELIEVE the race is totally flat. I should probably double-check that, but I think it's on the flattest trail in town. Nice, I guess, for a faster race, but also boring! I like some hills.

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  3. Glad you are healed.
    Seriously stop what you are doing and sell photos of Alaska full time! As always, your pics are stunning.

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    1. You're too kind. I'd say it's 80% Alaska, 15% Instagram, and 5% being in the right place at the right time. Thanks, though!

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  4. I have to read your blog twice as a rule now, once for the photos , then for the text!

    Glad you got a pain free run in! I believe in your sub 2 half for sure!

    I don't have any exciting stories of late.
    But to prevent injuries, look up core and hip exercises for runners!

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    1. Ugh, core exercises. I was hoping your answer would be more like "to prevent injuries, eat lots of pizza!"

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  5. That’s awesome that you’ve healed and can run again! I can imagine how happy you are. I couldn’t imagine being injured to the point that I’d have to restrict my running for weeks at the time. That scares me!! Ahhh! But anyways, you have some gorgeous views. Glad to see you are enjoying them. I don’t have any “exciting” running stories other than the fact that I am running every other day and I am loving it. I don’t go crazy. Just a few easy-moderate miles here and there and it feels pretty damn good…lol! Have a great day :)

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    1. Thanks! It's really, really nice to be back. Getting a few miles in can turn a totally crappy day into an awesome day!

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  6. Ughhhhhhh now you are FORCING me to pick my BEST/FAVORITE injury prevention method? You're such a bully.

    Mmm...generally, I tell my clients that "listen to your coach" is their #1 rule. ;-) For other people...know your body? If you're in tune with your body, you'll realize when something feels 'off', or when something needs to be stretched, or when there's some asymmetry in your movement. Tune in to what your body is telling you. Sounds very new-agey when put that way, but whatever. It's the best I can do.

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