Back in the Saddle

Eight months since my last post!  To be honest, I didn’t make much progress in all that time.  A busy summer turned into a stressed out fall, and all the while my hip would remind me every so often how much it doesn’t like running.  I definitely lost momentum for fulfilling my promise and I seemed to have a dark cloud following me around.  I’m not sure exactly when it happened, but somehow I got out from under that cloud a few weeks ago.  I really had to think about how I was going to go about getting back into running.  My first conclusion was that I needed to lose more weight before attempting to run.  Losing the first 60 pounds was an amazing feat that I take little credit for.  My new goal is to lose another 15 pounds before thinking about running again.  My plan to do that involves strengthening my cardiovascular system with the use of elliptical trainer (oddly named a Mustang Crosstrainer) while burning a few hundred calories.  I’ve also committed to a stretching regimen that focuses on my hips and legs.  In February, I spent over 15 hours doing a variety of fitness activities – a nice start.  I booked an appointment with my doctor to discuss my hip issue.  After a month of physio, there doesn’t seem to be any improvement with the snapping in my hip.  I’m pretty sure that’s not weight related, so while I shave off some pounds, I can work on getting that sorted out.  So, I have a short term plan and hopefully I will be able to fulfill my promise at some point.

The Plan

Okay, I don't actually have a plan together yet, but I think I've made some progress.  I went to work out at the Y this morning, which wasn't exactly what I wanted to do after getting only a couple of hours of sleep last night.  As I was warming up, I noticed that my hip felt a little strange - not quite sore, but not quite right.  After stretching, I decided to ignore those feelings and run anyway.  The feeling subsided as the adrenaline increased and I managed 0.8 of a mile.  I feel like the cycling afterwards helps, so I did about 20 minutes before stretching again.  I felt pretty good afterward - the high usually lasts for an hour or so.  It's hard to describe the feeling I get in my hip, it feels like a combination of itching and tingling, but I know it's not a good thing.  I did a little poking around on several websites and came up with a logical answer - it would explain years of odd experiences with my hip.  Snapping hip syndrome - it sounds so benign!  I tried some recommended stretches and found that they hit the spot exactly.  Since my next appointment with my doctor isn't until September, I think I will try the stretches for a while and see if the pain returns.  So from disheartened to hopeful in a matter of hours, I think I can start to put together a short term plan. 

Time to Revise the Plan

My original goal was to be able to run 3 miles by June 1st - it's now June 28 and I'm nowhere near that.  I was well on my way to meeting that goal when my hip began protesting the abuse.  In my usual fashion, I ignored all good sense and kept running until I could barely walk.  I took it easy for a while, did some physio, and really tried to undo the damage I had done.  The pain started to subside and I tried to get out a few times, but I was still in some pain.  I began working very long days and the pain in my hip pretty much disappeared.  After a very frustrating morning, I decided to take out my stress at the Y.  For the first time in a long time, there was no pain during or after.  Unfortunately, my schedule became increasingly busy and my hopes of moving toward my goal became increasingly eroded.
I now have about a week of downtime before my days get busy again. I want to use this time to regroup and make a plan for getting back on track with my running.  I was only able to run 0.75 of a mile today and I was really disappointed in myself.  Then I started to think about how hard I was being on myself.  And finally, I realized that what I needed was a new plan.  Rome wasn't built in a day, and I'm pretty sure that there may have been a little planning involved.  I'm sure by the next post I will have a new direction.

Just Another Friday in Wasaga

Three times out in one week!  Today was a quickie at the Y - I got my 3/4 of a mile of running in and lifted a few hundred pounds.  I had a bit of a break through with my running in that short jaunt.  I have always landed on the ball of my foot when running, and I have been told that heel first is the way most people run.  Today I tried to land more on my heels; it was awkward at first but I found that it wasn't all that bad once I got into a rhythm.  I'll have to see if there is any difference in the pain in  my hip.  There seems to be some dissension about which is the better method, so I will try go with whatever works.  I also managed to get in a bit of a bike this afternoon too.  It was nice to tour around the parks but the wind made it a good workout too.  My new helmet is awesome - I barely noticed I was wearing it.  As much as I am attached to my trusty old bike, I think I'm going to have to start looking for a new one that doesn't tend to veer erratically.  I suppose i should have bought a lottery ticket tonight!

Back on the Treadmill :)

It’s been too long since my last post. I did get out on my good old bike and pulled off 30 kilometers in 75 minutes my first time out. It was amazing. After that, I just got too busy to fit in the gym or biking. It may sound like a cop out, but I’ve been doing a lot of 12 – 16 hour days mixed in with some slightly shorter days. It’s hard to find the time to sneak in a workout. After almost two months, I managed to make it to the Y on Saturday. I wasn’t sure how I would make out with my hip – I vowed to take it easy. Making sure to warm up and stretch, I pulled of a ¾ mile run and followed it up with 20 min of biking. At this point I was thinking that the break hadn’t had much of a negative effect on my progress, but when I hit the weights, I definitely noticed a difference. I don’t really like doing the weights and I only do them because I know that my arms don’t get much of a workout otherwise. The next day I could feel it in my hip a bit, but I was quite happy with the outcome. Monday was true to form, and by noon, I really needed to work out some stress. I repeated my Saturday performance with a little bit more effort this time. I felt pretty good the next day, and my hip was only protesting a little bit (it didn’t help that I wore 3 inch heels on Monday as well). I can still feel my hip today, but it’s barely noticeable. I think I will try to run again tomorrow to see if the pain increases. I have no issues with turning to cycling for a while, I just wish there was a little less wind. My goal of running 3 miles by June first is all but shot now, but once I get a feel for my hip, I will be setting a new date for my 3 mile mark.

Bring on the Sun

It's March break and I'm working more now than when school is in! I keep using this work thing as an excuse not to go to the gym... In some ways that has been a good thing. Over the last couple of weeks, I have been very careful not to aggravate my hip any more than necessary. The result is that I can walk without favouring it and the pain is barely noticeable. That being said, I want to take some time this weekend to get out my trusty bike (20 yrs old!). I hope all it needs is a little TLC. I am planning on laying off the running for another few weeks so that I don't go right back to where I started with the pain. I suppose I will have to get into the pool again too – thinking of the smell of the chlorine evokes a visceral antagonism that is not easily suppressed (used up all of my big words for the day ;). My partner in crime has been pretty busy as well, so the both of us need to get our derrieres in gear and get back on schedule. I think I might just pop in on the way home tonight…

Beyond My Limits

After my last post, I went to the Y and ran a mile.  Then I did it again the next day.  I haven't been able to run since.  I did exactly what I told myself I wouldn't do - push beyond my limits.  Over the last couple of weeks, I have been cycling and swimming to keep active.  I love cycling, and I find it pretty easy; however, using a stationary takes the joy right out of it.  I can't wait until I can get outside again.  I took on quite a few more hours in my business, so it has been hard to work in physiotherapy and the time at the Y.  My hip seems to get better every day, but I jar it quite often which seems to set me back.  I came down with a cold this morning, so I think I'm going to take a few days to recover from that and maybe give my hip a rest too.  I plan to stick with the biking and the swimming until I can run outside comfortably.  As much as it sounds like I haven't had a great few weeks, I have made some progress.  I've noticed an increase in muscle tone and definition.  I've dropped five pounds (for a total of 60) and it has become really noticeable in my face and other normally boney areas.  In the coming month, I want to work on getting my eating under control.  I eat too few fruits and veggies and too much junk food.  It's not so much about losing weight as it is promoting a healthy body so that I can achieve my goals.  I will take this sunny streak as a premonition of the month to come and look forward to moving onward.