Time for a New Start!

It has been about one and a half weeks since my last PT session. That session went well. And it really seemed appropriate that it was my last. I felt like it was not where I needed to be anymore! I stretched, did my exercises, warmed up on the elliptical. Then I ran for about 25 minutes and got a awesome massage. Yes, it was time to say goodbye and get on with running on my own.  Friday, February 18th was a beautiful day. About 60 degrees and perfect for less layers and my first real run in the neighborhood. Although I felt great and my hip was also, I noticed the decrease of running time over the past few months made a difference in my endurance. My breathing was noticeably, although not uncomfortable, more labored and harder to get under control.  But I did run! I took care afterward to do a little bit of stretching and used an ice pack for about 10 minutes. The next day revealed no particular ache!  I ran two days later another 2 miles. Yesterday, I ran longer, 2.8 miles in about 30 minutes. I felt that was just the right amount of time. I know as I accumulate the miles I will feel better and my breathing will improve. This has been a long long winter. My running got cut short in November. 3 months of PT and limited running. Health-wise my cholesterol levels (always an issue) are great as well.  I am hopeful that I will be able to ramp up the mileage so I can run the 10k Long Island Festival of  Races. I have a goal in front of me and I'm ready to begin once again.  It is time for a new beginning.

February! On the road again!!

I has been a long wait to get on the road again; running. The last time I ran was back in November. Then became the arduous PT and the road to repairing a hip injury.  But, after 2 months of PT and consistent and persistence, I finally went running outside on Friday and again on Sunday! I thought I was a patient person but this was long. I imagine it is probably a short recovery to some runners.  I am glad that I absolutely listened to what the PT said I should and should not do. I diligently waited for recovery. It has been a long time, for me, to be with out my stress reliever, exercise, and healthy outlet: running. Funny, but if I had read this a mere 2 years ago I would have thought I was crazy! What me run? For more than a minute? Around the block was equivalent to a marathon!

So, on Friday because of no access to the preferred treadmill (the PT wanted me to use but was not opposed to the road altogether) I decided it was time to get outside. The weather cooperated for once in New York. It was actually sunny (sunglasses required) and a very warm 40 degrees!! Good thing I did not overdress. (yes, coach, I really did dress properly) I did patiently did all 3 stretches...which is about 10+ minutes....then a 5 minute warm up walk.....and then a 20 minute run. But this first run was fraught with some issues. The PT said to take it slow....so I kept trying to adjust my stride and pace to what I thought was slow. Not a good idea. My hip started to get funky and I was really not totally comfortable.  But no really big issues and I completed the workout. The next day I was sore. Sore in the hip, sore in the quads and sore in my calves. Ugh! 

Saturday, I took the day off to recover. By Sunday, another really nice day in New York, I was ready to get outside and run again. This time I decided to just go easy but run my comfortable stride and pace. Everything felt a whole lot better! I really felt like I could have run longer but resisted the temptation in lieu of keeping my recovery on the right track.  Good news.....today I feel fine even after a really tough yoga session tonight. Tuesday, I will do a power walk with my running partner as we both work back to our past running workouts. Wednesday will bring me up to my next to last PT session. I am looking forward to it but finally see how I have truly recovered and will be released out on the road, running. 

Just like all runners, I assume, we are cranky about getting out there...but once we've finished a run, we remember how much we love the achieved endorphins, the freedom of just running and the stress that just seems to disappear as we put one foot in front of another.