Adding Pink

I am slowly adding more pink to my Marathon Training schedule which feels awesome - well awesome-ish. As soon as I get through the heartache of not running the marathon next weekend I will replace the calendar with a new running schedule. I don't have a big race on the calendar yet because I am really waiting to see how my knee/hip do over the next few weeks and on some longer runs. I am excited for a new white plan that will slowly become a solid block of pink minus all of the scribbles and sad faces. 

Hello October

Hello October! I am beyond disappointed that I won't be able to run the Army 10-Miler this month as my October #raceamonth. I was really looking forward to running this race with Eileen and her husband. The chiropractor recommended that I give my knee more time to rest and said that doing 10 miles right now is not in my best interest if I plan to continue training for the marathon in the upcoming weeks. This is hurting my heart and soul more than I can explain. I will be in search of a shorter October race so I don't miss out on my October/10th race of the year. 

2 Awesome and Terrible Miles

Despite a sore knee I decided to try and run for the first time since the half! I was so excited wear my new running gear from the half marathon expo and my #rockstar #fellowflower! It felt amazing to get out and run since it has been OVER two weeks. I wish my knee would agree with the rest of my body, heart and soul. I didn't even make it half a mile before I had shooting pains in my knee. I pushed through and did some walk/run until about 2 miles. 

Chiropractor, PT and Tape

I started seeing a chiropractor this week to try and work out my knee/hip issues so I can get back to training because let's be honest, a marathon isn't going to just run itself. The chiropractors at Momentum Chiropractic and Rehab are AWESOME. They have done electrode and vibra therapy as well as adjusting and doing some other chiropractic techniques including K tape! I have heard amazing things about sports tape and have seen tons of athletes use it but part of me always wondered how much this silly colored tape could really do. I no longer believe that it is silly and has made a big difference when I am wearing it. I just ordered my first roll but in PINK of course! 

My Heart Hurts

Today I was supposed to run 22 with Kimberly and Eileen but I am still struggling to walk. I am so proud of these two ladies for finishing their long run today but my heart hurt when I got the MMR notification because I wasn't able to join them. #injuriesSUCK #runnerproblems 

Nerd Belt

I never wanted to be THAT runner with a ridiculous hydration belt but the camelback has caused some serious chaffing which I would love to avoid! 

Camel back or Hydration Pack?!

Roger has been letting me borrow his camel back which I absolutely LOVE! I have gotten used to carrying it and it is easy to drink on the go BUT it is causing some MAJOR chaffing during my longer runs. I will be looking to purchase a nerdy running fuel belt now and adjusting to that for my longer runs because this looks nasty!!!

Check out my awesome runner's tan which I did not realize I had going until R took these pics to prove to me how gross my shoulders/back looks.

A New Kind of Sore

I am constantly battling knee/hip pain BUT after 19.77 miles today I am a new kind of sore. My knee, hip and legs are currently NOT happy with me. I actually, don't think they even like me. E and K my running gurus suggested an Epsom Salt bath and an ice bath. A nap is usually my first recovery option but Roger had other plans for us today including filming his ALS #icebucketchallenge, going to a local vendor fair and then grocery shopping. While limping through Walmart it occurred to me that I should purchase some Epsom salt, Biofreeze and Tums (another Eileen running tip). I didn't make it into the bath tonight because I am falling asleep sitting up and well let's face it, I might just drown but I am well prepared for tomorrow or my next long run. 

Sweaty, Soggy, Stinky

I am writing this while cracking up! Today K, E and I went for our long weekend run and patronized the Exon on our route for their bathroom and water. I had been carrying my money in my running belt and by mile 12 it was a bit … sweaty, soggy and maybe stinky. The cashier was not at all impressed but I cannot help but laugh!  I wish I had taken a picture to share with you of the money and of his face because I am still laughing about it!

The Common Sore Throat and Knee Pain

Doctor: Hey Nikki. What's going on? I see we have the classic sore throat and knee pain going on today.

Me: Yeah, about that. I am pretty stubborn, one of my best and worst character traits so we are killing two birds with one stone. My husband might have made the appointment and forced me to come so since I am here we might as well talk both problems.

Doctor: Ok, tell me what's going on.

Me: Well, I think I have post nasal drip from a sinus infection which is causing my throat to hurt and the reason I am loosing my voice but it's cleaning up and I think I'm having issues with my IT Band from running.

Doctor: Sounds like you don't even need me and you've done some self diagnosis.

Me: Yeah, I'm pretty good with Google but haven't figured out how to write a script yet OR fix the two issues at hand.

Sinus infection- check! I was right, no thanks to Google on that one but too much life experience. Actually I did Google Doctor to figure out what the huge lump on my neck/skull was and as anticipated it was a swollen lymph node. Now on to the knee… 

Me: I started doing races last year and soft of became obsessed. I've been in pain after every race but attributed it to something different. First it was shoes. Then it was shoes and no training. Then it was shoes and no training and crappy running conditions and maybe I twisted something. NOW I have nothing to blame (got new shoes, started training more regularly, listened to my body, only ran 1-2 miles) and I can't even walk and have spent the past week limping around. 

Doctor: So, let's take a look at what you did here. 

Me: Well, I've been "resting it" the past two days so it isn't as swollen and the cracking/creeking isn't as bad as it has been the past week. I also got an IT Band Compression Wrap and a knee wrap.

Doctor: How often do you run?

Me: Well, I might have decided to challenge myself with a run a month and some longer races in 2014.

Doctor: Hmmm, well… you're NOT 18 anymore. 

Me: Yes, thank you for pointing that out. Today is my first of many 29th birthdays but I am also NOT 80. Old people run all the time.

Doctor: Old people who don't have patellar tendinitis and IT Band syndrome. 

Me: So how do we FIX those two little problems.

Doctor: They actually are kind of big problems especially if you are stubborn and plan to push through and continue to run and train. You're pretty good with Google I bet you've found every IT Band stretch.

Me: Well, stubborn is not going away and I have committed so what do I do? I've watched EVERY Youtube video and researched IT Band stretches for HOURS.

Doctor: We will start with therapy and maybe you should think about a 1K for awhile. 

Me: I might have a 5k on Sunday.

Doctor: You might NOT want to run that BUT if you do you should definitely not run the rest of the week. You may want to buy a big bottle of Aleve. 

Me: Yea, about that too. I may have gotten an esophageal ulcer from it.

Doctor: Hmmm… 

Me:  Sounds like I am kind of screwed.

Doctor: Well, it depends on how dedicated to running you are. You are young, non-smoker, non-drinker, healthy eater, non-obseese, healthy individual so you have a lot in your favor.

Me: I actually don't even LIKE to run but I am trying to learn. ANNNNNND I may have also signed up for almost all of the races already. You also just called me old, now I'm young?

Doctor: Let's start with some therapy and go from there.

Me: So it won't KILL me to run?

Doctor: No, it won't kill you but this isn't a no pain no gain situation. It truly is a problem that you will need to learn how to manage and it won't be an easy feat.

Me: I will call the therapist tomorrow and start Googling patellar tendinitis.

Doctor: Good luck with all of that! 

{Sigh!} #runnerproblems #12in2014 #Googledoctor #kneewoes