#run13

Wow - it's been quite a while - hasn't it? In just the past couple of days, I have had a few friends ask about my blog. I admit I've taken a hiatus from posting - but I have not taken a hiatus from thinking about my health/workouts.

Let me update you on what's been going on in my life for the past month. In my last post - I mentioned that I had been having some ankle issues. Despite rest, stretching, icing, and elevation - my ankles (especially my left ankle) remained swollen. I ended up making an appointment with an orthopedist and was able to get in to see him fairly quickly (about two weeks ago, at this point). He took XRays and told me that other than some dilated veins (due to the compression socks I had been wearing for basically a week straight), there was no fracture or area of concern for him.  He said that it was likely that I had tendinitis and that my best course of action would be to rest, and to not run at an incline so frequently/to not run on the treadmill so frequently. He recommended walking and running outside, because that is what is most natural. Always running on a treadmill at a constant pace doesn't accurately replicate what running/walking outside is like and the repeated motions can cause injuries.

Let me take a moment in the middle of all of this and explain that during the past month - for the first time in my life - I missed running. I missed being able to do it when I wanted, just because I felt like it. It made me feel panicky, and admittedly, sad to be so limited in my choices for working out. In my current work position, I am frequently sitting, so I like to be able to get up and go do something NOT sitting after work. This made the stationary bike much less appealing than running - but I did get some good bike exercises in and I kept the pressure off of my ankles.

One of these things that has been great to keep me motivated is my FitBit. I have a goal set to walk 10,000 steps each day and it is really eye-opening to look down and see the number of steps I have (more commonly, have NOT) walked in a day. I am much more cognizant of my movement throughout the day and I will choose to walk vs. use moving walkways at the airport, I''ll choose the stairs vs. the elevator, and I'll park a little further away. It makes a difference and it makes me feel good. I love the way that my FitBit buzzes when I hit 10,000. Towards the end of this month of recovery, I have gotten on the treadmill a few different nights and just walked until I hit 10,000, even if there was no running involved.

So - all of that being said - I am so so happy to say that I am back into my groove. In reality, I think I've done more 5Ks than I'm counting up to right now, but I want to do this honestly, and I want document it all. So, here we go again - starting at 13. 

Walk #13 - February 17, 2014

I wanted to take it easy and see how my ankles felt, I walked on the treadmill for 57 minutes.

Run/Walk #14 - February 22, 2014

Last weekend, Feb 22, I ran 5, walked 5 for 50 minutes and completed 3.5 miles.

Run #15 - February 28, 2014

My first <40 minute 5k/my fastest ever. I hopped on the treadmill at an include of 0.0 (too cold to be outside) and set my speed to 3.9 for 5 minutes and then started jogging at 4.5, then pushed it up to 4.6,4.7 and then up to 5.0,  and 5.4 for the last 2 minutes. This run felt really REALLY good.

Walk/Jog #16 - March 2, 2014

My friend, Caitlin, and I went for a hike/walk/jog in Umstead Park. Our final distance was 4.5 miles (I forgot to stop my Nike Run app, so it recorded 5 miles). I jogged for a total of about a mile, and got to enjoy my first real trek through Umstead. That park is beautiful and I can't wait to go back. There is a 100% chance that I will trip over roots and fall while I'm jogging through there sometime this summer.

So there we go, y'all. I've caught you all up now. I'm excited to be up an running again. It's gonna be a good March.

Thank you for keeping up with me, and for being my advocates, and for rooting for me. I think it's time for me start signing up for some "oifficial" 5Ks soon.

I'm looking forward to my next run. As for this afternoon - I'm heading back to Umstead to do some biking.