Cross-training

The last month I have done no running at all. I have been doing elliptical (in place of running), biking and swimming. I've also been doing core and leg strength exercises (as part of my PT) 6 days a week and two days of physical therapy with my PT a week. I do feel stronger and more stable in the joint, but I also do not feel 'whole' yet. I had really hoped that a month off running would make me feel...healed I guess. I'm both anxious and nervous to get back to running. Anxious because I had started to like it and really want to get out and start putting some miles on and nervous because I'm afraid of further injury. I just don't know how soon is too soon. Doc said I could try back this weekend, but need to do so on a treadmill or track rather than concrete as long as there is no pain. I've had no issues in my cross-training so I'm hoping at least that is a good sign. I don't think there is anything like running though so I know even though I'm working out I will be feeling like running is hard!

Hope your training is going well! Update us!

No running

Wow we need to get some posting going on here peeps!

Here's my update for the week. Monday night I went back to trying to run. I had no knee pain and did no running for the entire week before. The first .5 miles were fine and then BAM - sudden knee pain - the same pain from the week before in the same place. I only made it a few more minutes (I was trying to see if it would go away) and then decided to stop. I moved over to elliptical for 30 more minutes and felt defeated. So I've decided to see my ortho again and probably ask for an MRI to see if there is a structural injury (tendons or meniscus again, etc.). I want the expert opinion on how much running and when I should consider. I'll probably also get into a rehab clinic. So no more running until things are figured out. The soonest I could get in was next Wednesday morning.

Tuesday I went biking. Love it. Although it was HOT. Did 12.2 miles in 51 minutes. My saddle is killing me. My friend got a new saddle that she loves so we went to the store and picked one up on sale; I can't wait to try that out on Thursday. I also have a new cadence monitor which rules. It's the cateye cadence and it helps so much. I'm a techie and I wish I could afford all the very cool gadgets and disc wheels out there. Luckily, this was very reasonable. The nice RBM lady picked it out for me and didn't make me feel like a total non-cycling idiot like some of the hard-core reps at the Richardson location. Plan to swim tonite and it's a ride on Thursday.

Have a great week everyone-

Jennifer's Training Plan

Here is my training plan. It calls for 16 weeks leading up to 13 miles. From there I will design another plan to work on getting faster until the October half.

2 down, 224 to go

I actually made it to the gym last night to do my running. Yay! My left knee was sore the first 4 minutes or so and my right knee was sore the whole time. Not painful, just sore from the lack of cushioning inside the joint. Did 2 miles at 13min jog.

I'm following a running plan I got off of runnersworld.com based on my current times and my distance goal. My plan called for 2 miles yesterday. My total plan to work up to 13 miles calls for 226 miles. Now I'm down to 224. Yay! Check the link on the right side for my training plan. Last night was pretty slow and I'm glad. It's my first time back running in a while. I've done some elliptical but not much running.

Boy, this is going to be hard to keep up. I think I will move running to the morning as much as possible because I seem to have no free time. Here's my schedule yesterday:

6am up, get ready for work
6:45am leave
7:30am work
4:30pm leave
5:00pm home, get ready for gym
5:30pm finally get kids and everyone in car
5:35pm-6:15pm gym workout
6:35pm- home, make dinner, convince DH to fold laundry
7:00pm-eat, clean up dinner, dishes
7:15pm-give kids bath, brush teeth, pajamas
7:45pm- read to kids
8:15pm- finish putting kids down, finally get a shower, kids keep getting up
8:45pm-"mom, I need a shake...." "Get back in bed!", DH leaves for bball
9:00pm- put wet clothes in dryer, get kids clothes and bags ready for next day
Put away folded laundry
9:30pm- try to read a book, but exhausted. Give in and let Syd sleep in bed
11pm- get woken up by loud DH coming home from bball
2am - get woken up by Tristen who wants me to cover him back up, twice
Lather, Rinse, Repeat...

Already a wuss

Ok, so I know I should go run tonite, but I am so tired! Isn't that sad? I'm only supposed to run like 20 minutes and I am already getting cold feet. It feels like a long week.

I'm going to do it. Guess we will see tomorrow if I followed through on this!

IF NOT NOW THEN WHEN?