Happy February!
This is the month I have been waiting for, for over a year!
And no, that was not nearly enough gifs to express how I'm feeling! I flipped that calendar this morning and can see my race, right there in plain sight!
January was a strange month for me, I hit my longest run of 10 miles but my lowest mileage for a month since being injured last summer. With my new runner's knee issues, I had to cut back drastically. Although I don't love missing my 11 & 12 mile runs planned before the race, I think I've handled it better than my last injury. I trained all year for this I KNOW I'm finishing this race and there's no stopping me.
This week I only got in a 2 mile walk with a few running intervals thrown in and then yesterday I ran 5 on the treadmill. It was not pain free (and BOTH the knees are giving me trouble although the right knee is worse) but I was able to run. I taped and wore my braces, although halfway through the run I pulled them off and ran without. They were starting to chafe me and felt better off anyway. I took a 30-60 second walk break each mile and that really helped. I will most likely do that for the race as well.
I'm doing a lot of other things to help my knees and overall health. I have been doing a 10 minute arm workout every morning with some crunches thrown in. I have also made friends with this bad-boy...don't let the pretty color and "pool noodle appearance" fool you, this thing hurts to roll on!
AND, coincidentally, Rey's mom sent him a T.E.N.S unit for his back and he told me to try it until he gets home. I found some info on using EMS machines on your quads to help with knee pain and it definitely has helped. It's bizarre to watch your muscles contract when you aren't doing anything though, I almost have a sick preoccupation with staring at my leg while it contracts. LOL.
Since we're starting a new month, I'm going to do the Team #runDisney Photo-a-Day challenge again. I might not make it through the month (again) but it's fun until I get tired of it. This time I'm only posting them on instagram, so you can follow me there if you want to see them (twoboysnmygirl).
My first photo today, I thought was fitting, so I'll share it here.
There are 3 weeks until the race and this is my plan:
I'm going to continue to go light on the running. I may do a short run mid-week this week but I may not. I have a client that I walk a couple miles and that may end up being my only short distance for the week.
Next weekend I plan to do one more longish run. I'm unsure how far I will go, I wanted to get up to 8 but I don't know how the knees will feel. It looks like we are in for a lot more freezing temps. The treadmill actually seems to aggravate my knees MORE, so I'm not sure 8 on the TM would be wise. The following week I hope to do at least a 5-6, which I think is still plenty of taper before the race. I feel like since I didn't get up in mileage I need to at least keep my cardio ability up until the race. I am definitely playing it by ear though because I would rather be a little under-trained and not injured for the race!
How are you feeling about February?!? Any special goals?
YAY! I can't believe February is finally here! Have you been icing your knee? How about putting bio freeze on it. I found that the bio freeze helped when I had that same knee problem last summer. I would actually advise staying off the treadmill (unless you are on it for a very short amount of time) that actually increases the impact on your knees. The good thing is with your corral placement for PHM, you could still walk more than you had planned if need be and you would still make good time! Crossing my fingers for you cus I know how frustrating an injury can be this close to race day. Especially when you have bee training so greatly leading up to this! Will you be at the meet up at the Poly on Friday afternoon?
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely I will be there! It's integrated into my itinerary! ;) I may be a bit late b/c our plane gets in at 11am and we have to check in, have lunch, and then go to the expo but after that it's straight to the Poly! WOOT! I haven't tried biofreeze, does it feel like bengay? LOL. Right now money is tight, it's not in the budget if I have to ship it too, do they have it at places like Walmart? I am so torn with this darn weather! It feels better outside, but we are in for some really arctic stuff in the next week so I'm unsure what to do. There also seems to be a fine balance between resting too much and not enough? It hurts if I run too often, but if I go too long without running it's really stiff and sore?
DeleteAre you talking about shipping the Bio Freeze? It is similar to bengay and you can buy it at Walmart. If you are concerned with packing it on the plane because it is a gel, I can bring you some and give it to you at the meet up. I have lots of sample packets I can pack. You will probably get some in your swag bag (or can pick up samples at the expo). Also they will have big tubs of it along the race course as well. I will be at the meet up till about 5, then we need to head to Epcot for a dinner reservation! Hope to see you there but if not, I will be right behind you in the corral for PHM. You must come and say Hello!
DeleteLOL, sometimes I'm all over the place. I meant do they sell it at walmart, usually when I buy stuff I have to order online b/c I live in such a rural area, I can't find anything! BUT, I probably won't buy any before the race, I will just use it on the course if I need it! I am going to try to get to the meetup by 3:30 but I will definitely be there before 5!!! :)
DeleteFebruary! Yes!! It's finally here! I think your plan sounds good although I do think if the treadmill bothers your knee, you probably shouldn't overdo it. You have so many base miles beneath you, I think you'll be fine! Yay for another photo a day challenge! I love them too but they can be hard to keep up with.
ReplyDeleteI think I mostly stopped last month b/c it was annoying to have to put them on my FB page, twitter, AND intagram...so this month I'm just going to do instagram and I think I'll like that more.
DeleteI know I shouldn't overdo it and I don't think I am...BUT...I can't go three weeks with no runs at all can I? Yesterday when I did the 5, my lungs were feeling it a bit more than normal. It was tolerable, but I could tell that my cardio endurance has suffered a bit and I just don't want to lose all that I've worked for by under-doing it either? Seems like such a hard balance!
You're definitely more than ready and I know you'll be finishing! (And most likely finishing ahead of me, lol!) I'm excited, too. I haven't done Princess Half since 2011, so I'm ready to do it again! Now I need to go find you on Instagram so I can stalk you. ;)
ReplyDeleteYes! Yes! Come stalk me! It makes me feel better about all the stalking I do! LOL.
DeleteWhen I was having problems with my knees, the PT asked if I ran the same route or on the TM a lot...apparently NOT changing up the terrain can hurt your knees as well? I don't know, so much information out there! I REALLY REALLY REALLY hope you feel better soon!!! I'm running my first half marathon of the month tomorrow... it's supposed to be HOT and since I had bronchitis the last two weeks, I'm a little nervous. But I'm excited :)
ReplyDeleteIt makes sense though that maybe the muscles aren't getting any variety? I think I'll be fine, I just have to keep myself from going overboard before the race. I feel like I have it in me to go the 13 but once I do it, I'm going to be hurting for a while. Same reason I won't take the miles up too much right now because I think I wouldn't recover before the race if I did that. You will do great tomorrow!
DeleteOh Squeee! A David Tennant gif and an awesome race ahead of you I think! Can't wait to follow you with the race! Going to add you on IG too!
ReplyDeleteHaha, my BFF is a Dr. Who geek and it was her favorite part of the post as well! ;) Yay! More followers! I will follow you as well (it tells me who follows me, right?)
DeleteFor some reason, I thought you'd done a half marathon already! This we'll be my first as well! So excited for PHM. I really hope your knee does start to get better, though. I would agree on trying to stay away from the TM. I never use it for long runs, only short, because the /only/ time my knee tweaks is on the treadmill.
ReplyDeleteNope, I'm a noob! I've done a couple 10K's but that's the longest race! I'm going to try and get outside for my longer run but the weather forecast for the next 10 days is not looking good. I may have to just suck it up and freeze, it's just one more long run!
DeleteYay for February and an awesome race to come!!! I laughed so hard at that first picture, lol...totally fitting. I used a T.E.N.S unit after knee surgery and I didn't like it at all! It just felt so unnatural to me. I think you have a great pre-race plan for the next few weeks. Keep yourself healthy without over doing it. You're going to rock that half marathon, Karen!
ReplyDeleteThanks Jewell!
DeleteIt sounds like you have a great plan! Just don't overdo it, stick with your ice, foam rolling and that TENS unit looks awesome. You may be a little slower than you wanted to but your costume is going to look awesome and since it's your first half, you'll get a PR!
ReplyDeleteThanks April, I just keep reminding myself that time doesn't matter, I have plenty of other races in the future I can work on time. This is the reward for all my hard work, it should be fun!
DeleteYAY for February being here!! I remember last year when February came around and I was in your exact same shoes. I was SO excited too! The most surreal moment for me, though, was when I gave my husband a kiss good bye at the pre-race area and started the 20-min walk to the corrals; everything just really set in that moment! I seriously cannot wait to read all about your time there, and your first half - it is SUCH an exciting time! Take lots and lots of pics :0)
ReplyDeleteThanks Lauren, I'm trying to just enjoyed every second of it b/c I know I'll never have another FIRST half. I plan to take a lot of pics, I'm actually concerned I'll be too slow b/c of that....I have a tendency to go a little overboard on the photos, if you haven't noticed! LOL!
DeleteI think your plan is a great one and your training for the last year will absolutely carry you through. Three weeks to go! I'm excited for all of us. Be careful out there! - Jess
ReplyDeleteThanks Jess! Officially less than 3 weeks now! We got this!
Delete3 weeks are going to fly by! I'm sorry the knee's are still bothering you, but it sounds like your doing everything you can to get yourself ready for Disney:) If you don't already, try icing your knee's before and after your runs.
ReplyDeleteThanks Kristy! The knee(s) are getting better! I've been icing and rolling!
DeleteI'm excited for everyone running it... & I'm not even going to be anywhere near there!!! :)
ReplyDeleteLOL! It's contagious!
DeleteYours was the second Disney running blog I've read today that included the lovely David Tennant. That's always a good thing! Can't wait to run the Princess with my daughter. It will be her first half!
ReplyDelete