1 Step Forward, 1 Step Back: The injury dance

Wednesday, November 5, 2014

I have been seeing major progress with my foot in the last few weeks.  I have even started running again.  Slowly slowly slowly and not very far, but running!

Sadly, this week, I had to take a step back.

My foot is wrapped again today.
 

That's a Wrap: Push-up Challenge Over

Tuesday, October 21, 2014



I'm calling this push-up challenge over.  The 30 day mark was on the 18th but I actually only completed 22 days of pushing up.  Life and family visiting and a wedding and studying for a midterm messed up the flow of my last week.  I've done a few more sets this week but sometimes you just have to officially wrap things up.

As you can see from the list to the right, I wasn't the most consistent.  The original challenge called for 100 push-ups a day for 30 days.  However, I was perfectly fine with doing "some" push-ups a day for 30 days.


Here is what I learned:
  •  The first cut is the deepest (baby I know!)  Meaning...the first few days were the hardest.  I was so sore but miraculously, it didn't get tougher.  It only got better after the first week.
  • I am stronger than I think!  I can now do 5 sets of 10 regular push-ups.  That is crazy! Before, I could only do 1 set of 4 or 5 push-ups.

The push-ups were mostly done on my knees (K) because I'm still nursing my foot injury and didn't want lean too heaviliy on my toes.  The couple of days that I attempted regular push-ups I marked with a T for toes. :)

Overall, I had a lot of fun with the challenge and was able to inspire some of my friends to try too.  I am feeling buffer and determined to keep push-ups as a part of the routine; a part of the general goal of getting fitter.



What about you?
What are your fitness goals these days?
Do you build strength training into your regular routine?

30-Day Push-up Challenge Accepted

Thursday, September 18, 2014

I am sore. 

I've just completed 100 push-ups today.  Knee push-ups...but still.  100!

A couple days ago, I came across and Active.com tweet about the 30-Day Ultimate Push-Up Challenge.  The challenge is to do 100 push-ups a day for 30 days.

100 PUSH-UPS A DAY FOR 30 DAYYYYYSSSSS!

 Craziness.

Celebrate!

Saturday, June 21, 2014

I like to celebrate. 

Small victories.  Big ones.  Birthdays.  Promotions.  First day of summer. :)  You name, I like to bring out the cake and hit the dance floor with it.

I especially like to celebrate every farther distance I run.  Especially as my foot is getting stronger and I'm gaining my fitness back.  This week it was celebrating 1.5 miles.  Holla! 

Runner's World Heartbreak Hill Festival - My first race volunteer experience

Monday, June 9, 2014



An epic weekend offering a 5k, 10k, and half marathon and a beastly challenge of finishing all three in the weekend i.e. the “Hat Trick”.

Finally Physical Therapy

Saturday, May 31, 2014

My physical therapy is winding down and I'm just getting around to putting my thoughts on [electronic] paper.

After getting hurt again with a stress reaction in my 4th metatarsal this past winter, I knew it was time to try something different.  My sports medicine doctor referred me to a physical therapist who I started seeing regularly end of February.

My first thoughts:  Worth it.

Boston Marthon 2014 in Pictures

Monday, April 21, 2014

The day we've all been waiting for turned out to be perfect.  Blessings to all the runners and families of runners.  Boston took back the finish line today.



Boston Marathon 2014 Race Expo

I was so glad to be able to make it to the race expo.  Such energy.  Everyone excited for this year's race. 


Here are a few more pictures.

No-Run January

Friday, January 24, 2014

I woke up really missing running today.

Running home from work.  <3 <3


Recently my workouts have been increasingly productive but still nothing compares to running.  

What I've been up to
- A whole lot of bike riding...I think I might be wearing out my playlists...
- Strength training:  focusing on arms, legs, glutes, back and core.  Essentially my whole body!  My core is so so weak.
- Foot strength and flexibility.  I'm still feeling weirdness in my R foot so I'm trying to be careful with this.  I'd hate to delay recovery even further :(
- Zoning out.  Staying focused at the gym without running is hard!

It being January has been somewhat of a consolation in all of this.  My mind has been more in the "rest" game.  Last year I swore off running in January forever.  In both 2012 and 2013 I was set back by foot issues; first in my left then in my right.  I think I was mentally prepared to take this month off but with only 8 days left, I'm getting nervous about how much additional time I might need.  February was supposed to be my comeback month!


This graph shows it all.  The pink is 2012 and the yellow is 2013.  I know every year comes with its own challenges but 2013 was jacked up.  I'm hoping with February just around the way I can start logging miles again... 

I have to keep reminding myself to have patience.  There's plenty of year left and plenty of running to look forward to!







How about you?
Is your year off to the start you expected?
Do you workout to music?  Is your playlist enough to keep you energized?