400m run & 50 air squats x 4

Time: 25:11 (ran back and forth on Sycamore).

We had a busy day and I was going to be struggling to fit in CF today, but the WOD was posted on FB and, lucky for me, it was one I could do at home. By the end my husband was looking at me weird, but I got that 200th squat done and collapsed against the kitchen counter for a second. It felt good! Weather was hot, which made a tough workout worse, but I was happy to get it in.

Mama's Back

Wow! It's been a LONG time since I posted here. After alot of struggles with my IT band, I scaled down the running focused on triathlons instead. I became a certified group cycling instructor, joined masters swim, and completed two triathlons.

In April 2008, I found out I was pregnant with my first child. I had a tough but healthy pregnancy, just alot of nasuea, swelling, general malaise. I gained 60 pounds, despite working out until a few days before my daughter was born in January 2009. Turned out that working out pregnant was alot easier than working out with a new baby in the house! After recovering from a hard labor and c-section, I was shocked at how hard working out was! I gave myself 4 months to focus on my daughter, breastfeeding, and getting back to work.

Alot has changed for me in terms of my routine even when you leave the little one out of it. I am now working from home most days, so my staple lunchtime trips to the office gym are over. After trying two different local gyms, a month ago I finally joined a local Crossfit affiliate. I love it! I have always been interested in pushing my physical limits, and that's the name of the game at Crossfit.

So I thought I'd jump back on this blog and start tracking my progress back to my old fit self... It's going to be a long road!

6 Miles Treadmill

Started off a little slow but got stronger as the run progressed. Ended up finishing in just under 54 minutes. I am pretty happy on the treadmill, sometimes facing the boredom there is easier than the hassle of a cold windy day and bundling up. Quick and painless...well not exactly painless, but that is running. My right hamstring is still a lil sore from the weekend but it felt fine once I warmed up.

Upper Body Strength Training

Did the usual routine, pyramiding weights with dumbells. I made it through fine because it is really time to increase the weights, but I had no energy for exercising after the weekend's tough runs. Rested the legs completely today, sore right hamstring but other than that feeling okay.

9 Miles-Hilly Road

Feeling pretty good the first few miles, despite a tough run yesterday and a slightly sore left calf. By the end I was struggling and slowing a bit, and I took a lil bit of a fall. Luckily I was bundled up so no scratches, but I came out of it with a sore right knee and ankle. Exhausted the rest of the day, and couldn't get my stomach back to normal.

2:00 Trail Run

My first trail run since my cross country days in high school. I've been making good progress since coming back from the IT band injury, though I haven't been posting much because I'm trying to focus more on the sport and joy of running and less on how many miles I can record, etc. So, in that effort, I've decided to run the Rattlesnake 50K in July. I bought a pair of trail running shoes and headed out on the Potomac Heritage Trail. I think the first 3.5 miles were good training ground, with some stream crossing and rocks, etc. I got to work on some technical skills not required in road racing. I was surprised by two things: how much slower it is running on trails (though I was much faster on the way back, I think it will come with practice) and by how much focus it required. So I guess I'm giving this a try.

3 miles

Ran early, super slow. Legs were heavy and I was tired, even after a day off running. I didn't get much sleep last night, which probably explains it.

4 miles

Nice night run with some hills. Moved at a good clip because I was running with someone.

3 miles

A lil over three and with my first set of hills. Every run I'm nervous about me knee, noticing every change in how it feels. I've been icing and using the roller and so far I feel solid.

3 miles

Just got off an all day plane ride and went out for a run right away. Legs were def heavy (too much sitting still and airport food), but my knee did fine. Felt good to be out. I like the night runs.

3 miles

Visiting the family so I ran an old running route through a park. A lil thrown off because I couldn't exactly gage the distance the way I used to. Legs heavy from travelling but no pain. Had to ice with a bag of peas.

3 miles

Ran late this evening so that I was seperated from yesterday's early morning run by almost two days. Completely pain free, I was so happy...I am even going to send in my Cherry Blossom registration.

3 miles

My PT said to try to runs closer together, so I'm running today and Thursday. Today was fine though my afternoon elliptical workout caused a tiny bit of pain, which it was doing at the start of the injury. I'm laying off the Ironman class so that my only real impact workout is the running for the next week or two.

3 miles

Before PT I could run one 2 mile and then rest, and the 2nd 2 miler would be all pain and weakness, so this was a big one. It felt great! Again, ran at night. I felt like my legs were powerful...felt them moving me forward. Like last time, I'm still slow but I think it's just the good feeling of running again.

3 miles

Er...nervous. First run after the PT. Ran at night, which is something I never do. Went slllow, but felt good at the end. Finished with the foam roller and some ice.

I'm back!

Okay, I've been out with IT band problems since the MCM at the end of October. If anyone reads this, advice...if the problem lasts more than 2 weeks go to your doctor then. A few weeks in PT fixed me up, but I didn't start until the end of December.

That said, I've certainly seen the benefits of cross training. My quads look amazing! I've been on the bike, the elliptical, and the arch trainer. I got the woman who runs the gym at work to start an "Ironman" class which is specifically targeted at athletes and people who are already in great shape, and I'm definitely keeping up with it even though I can run. I've focused more time on strength training my legs, not just my core and upper body, and I hope that helps prevent future injuries.

So I've gotten the all clear and I'm tentatively, slowly, and joyfully running again.

Marine Core Marathon-4:23

Woo hoo! It was an injury plagued taper, after my last 20 two weeks ago in worn out shoes. Slowed me down some to have lost two weeks of running. I changed my goal to a steady pace and not burning out at the end, I wanted to run like someone who will run other marathons. I ran 9:20s for about 18 miles and then slowed, but ended with a 10:01 pace. I'm happy. It's a PR by a little less than an hour and I feel great about my performance. Time to admit I'm injured though...

20 Miles

EEK. Felt great but from mile 3 on I knew my shoes were dead. And now I'm suffering the consequences...sore sore knees, which is unusual for me.

5 miles

After a week and a half of losing my mojo so to speak, this was a great run. One of the last warm days we'll see in awhile I suspect, so I ran around the mall and the tidal basin during lunch.

8 miles

Felt better today but my right ankle, which I twisted yesterday, was def sore up into my calf. Just pooped still I think and my body is recovering slower than usual.

5 miles

Horrible run, still exhausted, sore ankle, and stomach churning. Ended up twisting the other ankle too! I'm taking tomorrow off!

Army 10-Miler-1:27:53

Horrible week before, tired and eating poorly, so running this at an 8:47 pace was still good. At least it was my goal MP. Stomach was a nightmre afterwards.