I got strong again. @reclaimingmyself-finally - Tumblr Blog

I have been cleared to start running short distances again.

Apparently we’re now gathering info on how that goes now that the pain is localized and no longer radiating.

😬

All right.

I did not do the half marathon in September because I've been on the injury struggle bus. And then the Covid struggle bus.

Every activity (running, lifting, walking) was causing shooting pains from my hip to my knee to my foot, often waking me up for hours at night.

PT is helping and I've been cleared to do exercise that doesn't have impact.

Friends, I think I'm just ... aging. This might have been an easier hobby to pick up at 19!

I have a referral for PT and stretch and foam roll daily, but am I missing any magic tricks for an angry psoas / iliacus? I will not be doing the half marathon next month because that bad boy is ... not good. Pain shooting down the right side of my body waking me up at night / ibuprofen barely helping. Intuitively I've stopped running for right now until I can get some help.

Kiddo had a play date today and her friend asked if the treadmill was “the dad’s.” When I told her it was the mom’s her eyes got wide and she said “the MOM’S?”

The mom’s.

The mom doesn’t have a ton of natural aptitude but she does have drive,

I'm not going to do the half marathon in the dry desert.

I am going to do a half marathon a few weeks before that one was scheduled for, but up in N Idaho, where we spend a lot of our summer. I somehow convinced spouse to take one more trip up. (Not a hard sell at all. Took one text.)

I don't love running.

I do like conquering. And I like strategy. And I would very much like to beat my time from last time.

And I will love running for so long by the lake.

Lessons learned from this Duathlon:

My run pace is just not where I would like it to be. I was just looking at the stats and my first run took 37 minutes; my second took 46. I didn't hit my stride with the first run until mile 2, which is evidence that I just need to warm up differently / better. The 2nd run was just going to be that way, I think, unless I start training hills in 85 degree heat and full sun.

My bike pace was not bad for the first time doing this. I noticed that the climbs were easier for me than the descents, which is a cue for me to figure out comfort with speed and figure out more efficient gears (there was a lot of coasting due to discomfort with speed.)

It also helped cement the fact that the actual goal here is to complete a triathlon. I don't *Iove* running. I run because I don't hate it and it's accessible and I *do* like feeling like I've had a hard workout. If I could avoid running twice, that would not be terrible for me.

I placed first in my age division! Because I was the only one in my age division! ;) In actuality, I was 5th from the bottom overall. And I really am ok with that. This truly is about improving me and running my race. (I was thrilled to see folks in their 40s and 50s and 60s truly kicking ass and being top finishers.)

But for now, a break and a re assessment of what I want to do. The half that I had planned to do in October is in dry desert and after this race the thought of more dry heat running is a little much. And now I can start hitting the pool with a little renewed focus.

I did the thing and my official time was 2:19. Full sun and hilly in the final 5k lead to much walking in the final 30 min. The cycling went so much better than I had anticipated. The run not so much.

I finally did a multi sport, guys.

I think I have pre race short timers syndrome with work. Is that a thing? Having a difficult time concentrating on what needs to get done today and tomorrow and would much rather focus on packing, stretching, hydrating.... anything ....

I'm nervous and excited and terrified. And because it's my first multi sport event, I'm also looking forward to PRing. (Because I have no other races to compare to....)

You know what happens when you do a brick workout?

Nothing good.

🤣

Sweet baby Jesus in the manger help me. May I be a walking reminder that we all have first steps. My first duathlon is Saturday and my goal is to finish. (My legs don’t work after the bike. Big signs to train more and do more strength.)

The Swim Lady and I met this afternoon. And I have to say… there is something about her that is so calming.

Guys she is strong.

And so smooth in the water.

Because she should be - she’s a D1 athlete.

Anyway. She said that I am nowhere near as bad as she was expecting (🤣) and gave me initial pointers on breath, high elbows, and kicking and then told me my biggest thing was going to be just consistency.

And oddly enough for the first time I think I might be able to do this.

Not now. Now I still suck. But one day.

I have my first meeting with my division 1 student athlete swim coach in an hour and I feel like I’m going to throw up.

✨anxiety✨

I did tell her I am completely lacking in skill.

I just hope the reality of that doesn’t shock her.

Also I’m old enough to be her mom.

Run this morning. And probably bike this afternoon as I ended yesterday’s ride early because it sounded like my rear derailleur was going to fly off. (It just needed adjusting.)

In training for next month’s duathlon I have had the following thoughts about training:

No.

I don’t want to.

It’s raining and the road is too slick.

Blah.

Let’s do it.

10 more minutes of sleep.

My headphones are probably dead.

Ok.

What a dumb idea this all is.

Anyway I have 2 runs, 2 strength workouts, and after I cycle today 2 bike rides.

I think “I don’t want to” thoughts are probably normal. And I never regret it afterwards.

Split squats. Split squats and reverse lunges. Those are my absolute least favorite. I would rather do burpees.

Parking lot time.

This road bike is much taller and much faster than my hybrid bike. And I am much wobbly on it if not moving directly forward. But feeling better after a half hour and 3 miles practicing starting, stopping, turning, and reaching for a water bottle.

It’s also good practice in letting myself be new at something. Not good. But also not self critical.

reclaimingmyself-finally

The lady next to me at the salon just told her stylist she’s on the uni swim team (I’m processing.). How weird would it be to ask her re: swim coaches?

reclaimingmyself-finally

Her name is jewel and she’s down to coach me. (She got excited and said she helped one of her friends moms get ready for a tri before. Then I realized I could very much be her mom. 🤣🤷‍♀️). Cheers to possibly having found a coach!

The lady next to me at the salon just told her stylist she’s on the uni swim team (I’m processing.). How weird would it be to ask her re: swim coaches?

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I got strong again.