I had an amazing run this morning in the Surf City Half Marathon. One of the best races I’ve ever had. Full recap coming after the Superbowl. I didn’t burn 1400 calories this morning for nothing! Bring on the Buffalo Chicken Dip!
The Shin Splint Dilemna! January 28, 2011
Ever since the Phoenix Half Marathon, my hamstrings have been SUPER tight. I’ve been doing the ice, foam roller and stretching, but nothing seems to be working. I thought the yoga the other night would have helped (all those down dogs!) but they actually feel even tighter since the class. What gives?
This morning, I got up to go for a run (I told you I would!) but first, I stretched inside and then did lots of these outside too. I love this stretch. It goes straight down the back of your legs.
You let your foot hang off and press down as you lean forward.
The run started out pretty good, it felt really good to loosen up a little bit. My hamstrings were already feeling better. But then I started to get twinges in my shins… and then pain…. and then:
Oh. My. Gosh. DO I HAVE FREAKIN’ SHIN SPLINTS AGAIN? I am paranoid about those because EVERY single time I start training again, I get them. And they don’t go away easily. I’ve had to deal with them since my High School field hockey days. I last had them while training for Boston, and the only thing that cured them was resting for a solid month. Every block or so, I stopped to stretch out some more. (Sometimes shin splints can be caused by tight calf muscles).
Here’s what I think happened:
- I ran the Phoenix Half without much training, which left me more sore than usual
- After the race, my muscles tightened up (especially my hamstrings)
- When I started running consistently after the race, my calves tightened up to alleviate my hamstrings a little bit.
- I did a lot of sprints last week, and that always messes up my shins. How am I supposed to get faster and fitter if I can’t sprint?!
So then I got to thinking, no one really likes a whiny running blogger, so I have to nip this thing in the butt and figure out what’s really going on mechanically with my legs and find a long term solution.
It’s not brain science, I know what I need to do:
- Ice every night
- Stretch every morning and every night (even when I don’t feel tight)
- Foam Roll the tight areas every night
- Get a massage to flush out the knots (this worked really well before Boston)
- Do more weight training/squats/lunges to strengthen my legs
Also, I know that Advil isn’t that healthy for runners, but I really feel like I need it. Thoughts?
PS. How funny is this? I saw this in someone’s yard today. So cute!
After a frustrating run, and finding motivation to garner a solution, I enjoyed some breakfast cookie oatmeal: Oats, Banana, Chocolate Protein Powder, Peanut Butter and Coconut.
Nothing like a blood sugar stabilizing breakfast. I buy the Trader Joes Chocolate Whey protein, and it seriously keeps me full for almost five hours!
There’s talk of a trip to Menchie’s today after lunch! Happy Friday!
Tomorrow is the big Celebrity Fitness Workout session with Kathy Kaehler! I’ll be sure to take lots of pictures!
5 Mile Sunrise Run January 23, 2011
This morning, I met my group, the Los Angeles Racers at Balboa Park for a run.
The guys are an amazing group of runners. Couldn’t ask for a better group.
I ran the five mile loop with my friend, Valerie (we met in an Italian class a few years ago!)
My legs are totally fried. After not really training, running a half-marathon and taking a tread and tone class, my lower body is totally beat up. I’ve been stretching, but it felt nice to give them a good jog to loosen them up a bit. I was still sore after, but not nearly as stiff. It took us about three miles to find our stride, but it was a great run. ((Zensah Running sleeves = still a success!))
For lunch today, Irving and I decided to do a ‘dinner for lunch’ theme. We never have big weekend lunches, and it was nice to cook during the day for a change.
We cut up chicken and added a spice rub to it and grilled it to perfection.
On the side, we roasted some vegetables in the oven (potatoes, carrots, onion, garlic and rosemary).
What a great, filling and healthy lunch! (I’m taking half of this to work for lunch tomorrow!)
I am almost done reading Meb Keflezighi’s book, and he keeps talking about the importance of icing after a long run. I knew my sore legs could really use an ice bath, so I gave in.
I filled the tub halfway with cold water, and dumped my entire freezer drawer of ice into it. The key is to keep your upper body warm (hooded sweatshirt is a MUST!) I could only sit in it for three minutes or so, but it was like magic. My muscles feel 10 times better tonight. Definitely worth braving the cold.
Winner of the Celebrity Fitness Giveaway will be announced tonight!
Tread and Tone January 21, 2011
Tonight, I joined a friend at Pulse Fitness for one of their Tread and Tone classes.
It’s a pretty awesome studio, they have cool decorations all around that totally pump you up.
Fitness needs a little glam sometimes, right?
The décor is pretty swanky and chic, even in the bathroom!
Inside, you feel like you’re working out inside of a lava lamp. It’s a little dark, and the lights feel more like a nightclub than a gym.
Before the class, I had a Coconut Larabar (my favorite!)
The class was an hour long, but it flew by. We did 10 minutes on the treadmill, 10 minutes of weights and so on for an hour. I ended up running almost three miles when all was said and done. It was hard! There were lots of sprints and inclines. I did my best, but I couldn’t really keep up.
I almost felt like the class was so hard, it was anti-productive. Obviously I got a great workout, but it was so hard, I quit a few times and just stood there. But I’m pretty sure I’ll still be sore tomorrow anyways. It’s good to switch it up once in a while.
Don’t forget to enter my giveaway to win a workout session with Celebrity Trainer Kathy Kaehler! You have til Monday morning!
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Safety First! January 20, 2011
Tonight, I went out to a bar with some friends after work. Instead of alcohol, I got a seltzer/cranberry (two please!) And I passed on all the yummy (but incredibly greasy) appetizers. Part of me was sad because those deep fried cheese balls looked gooooood! But I also felt empowered. I am the girl with absolutely no will power. And tonight was victorious. I told my friends that I couldn’t indulge because I was going for a run after! And once I had in my head that I was going, there were no excuses and no battles in my head.
I was going running tonight. And that was that. 
The other night, Irving and I almost got run over by a seemingly drunk driver. So tonight, we exercised caution and prepared for a nighttime jog. Don’t be jealous of my super reflective crossing guard running vest! 
Florecent Yellow and pink is MY color, yes?
I also sported the blinking light arm band. Oh yes! 
Irving and I did a slow 3-mile jog, it was fun to catch up, and keep my promise to myself to run. SUCCESS!
Kelocity.com 