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tight hamstring

Friday Updates

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TGIF!  It has been a long and busy week.  I’m heading down the shore this weekend to see my parents (not that shore, there will be no fist pumping).  I haven’t posted since Tuesday so here are the latest and greatest updates:

Hamstring
Good news here!  I’ve been running this week with minimal tightness.  A huge improvement over my Thanksgiving run.  This morning I did my long run – just 10 miles – and felt good.  I’m aiming to hit 30 miles this week with all easy runs.  Next week I’ll add in some speed work as long as my hammie still feels OK.  I’m hoping to be back to my old self by the end of the month for Boston training.

I am weak
I started strength training this week.  And this time I am sticking to it.  Mark my words.  I know my hamstring issues exist because my core/glutes/hamstrings are all weak.  I really can’t “just run” anymore.  I would love to jump on the BodyPump bandwagon but can’t find a class around here without joining a gym.  So I’m going to my yoga studio’s Whole Body Strength class twice a week.  And I bought a Groupon for some CrossFit classes (ouch!).  CrossFit scares the crap out of me.

ART with a PT
Yesterday I had my first appointment with a PT (I was previously seeing a chiropractor) and WOW, what a difference!  I actually have a plan to nip these hammie issues in the bud.  I have exercises to do each day to build up my right hamstring (it is significantly weaker than my left).  And the ART was amazing, way different than the chiropractor.  I’m happy I made the switch.

Oiselle Burke Jacket
I consider a lightweight, waterproof, and windproof jacket a winter running essential.  There is nothing worse than the bitter cold wind penetrating through your clothes and hitting you smack in the chest.  I love this Oiselle jacket:  the fit is perfect (streamlined but you can add layers underneath), it’s reflective, it has 2 front pockets, and the sleeves are long.  The orange was sold out so I got the white instead.

That’s it folks!  Have a great weekend!

Ever go to a CrossFit class?  Do you strength train?  Do you enjoy it?  I’d rather just run but I’m going to have to learn to enjoy it!

I bought the Oiselle Burke Jacket myself and decided to do a review because I liked it!

Product Review: Aspaeris Pivot Shorts

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When I wrote Monday’s post (on Sunday night) I was anxiously awaiting my run on Monday morning to test my hamstring.  I was hoping all the diligent RICE I did over the weekend would loosen things up and allow me to get some decent runs in this week.  I headed out the door (in shorts!) and…..I felt so. much. better.  To say I was happy and clicking my heels through those 4 miles is an understatement!  My hammie isn’t 100% but it’s getting there.  Phew!

During the blogger meet-up before the Philly Half, Kari gave everyone Aspaeris compression shorts to try out (thanks Kari!).  I’ve never tried compression shorts before…never really had the need for them.  I now regret those words!

Fast forward to after the Philly Half, I was sore and my hamstring was screaming.  I put the shorts on and wore them the rest of the day under my sweatpants.  They felt amazing; I love the support they gave my aching muscles.

I used the compression shorts as part of my RICE therapy all last week.  I even wore them to work yesterday (under my work clothes, of course.  Have you ever looked at yourself wearing Spanx?  That’s what these look like…it’s best to hide them under clothing unless you are built like a supermodel).  They were so comfortable, I forgot I had them on.

These shorts came at the absolute, most perfect time.  They definitely played a role in healing my hamstring.

My only minor complaint would be they are a little roomy in the waist.  I don’t think anything could be done about that because a smaller size would be too small.  They are tight where they should be tight and that’s what counts.

Do you wear compression shorts?  Do you wear them during a run or post-run ?  

I was given Aspaeris compression shorts at no cost; however, the opinions are my own.

If I don't talk about it, it doesn't exist

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The “it” in that title is my right hamstring.  It’s still pretty tight.  So tight that I only ran a whopping 6 miles last week (on Thursday).  I was pretty sore after the Philly Half so I didn’t run Monday to Wednesday.  When I ran on Thursday my hamstring wasn’t painful, just really tight.  I felt it with each stride.  I was hoping that it would eventually loosen up but no such luck.

Even though it killed me, I took Friday to Sunday off from running.  RICE (rest, ice, compression, elevation) was the name of the game those days, along with lots of foam rolling (FRICE?).

I would be a liar if I said I wasn’t worried.  I’m not in freak out mode yet because I’m not in pain.  But, something is making my right hammie feel like a rubber band pulled too tight (overstriding is my guess, despite my attempts to correct it).  This has been happening off and on since the Philly RnR Half in September.  Thankfully, I’m seeing someone different this week for ART (finally bit the bullet and scheduled an appointment with a PT; I didn’t feel like the chiropractor was helping me).  I’m hoping we can devise a plan to nip this in the bud.  Boston training starts 5 weeks from today and I need to get my base back to where it was 3 weeks ago.

Funny thing is I took a yoga class yesterday and was fine.  From my description you would think I could barely touch my toes.  Just the opposite was true.

Not exactly like that, but close

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Enough with the Debbie Downer stuff…I didn’t sulk the entire weekend!  I was quite productive:  a little (online) shopping, decorated the house for Christmas, figured out my training plan for Boston, etc.  I have a lot more time on my hands when I’m not running.

It's fake and pre-lit...how's that for lazy?

Ever have hamstring troubles?

Do you get a real or fake tree?  I find that people have strong feelings on this, which I think is funny.  I grew up in a fake tree house, so I guess that’s what I’m used too.  A real tree would drive me crazy with all the needles falling everywhere!

Thankful

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10/28/11
8 miles / 1:10 / 8:45 avg pace
*Pure exhaustion.  That sums up today’s run!  

I’m thankful that Matt is coming home today.  I didn’t mention this (in case there are any creepers that troll the blog) but he has been away for work for 2 weeks.   Two weeks is a long time.  I cannot wait to see him tonight.

I’m thankful for lululemon priiti crops.  I bought them last weekend and wore them 3 times already this week – for yoga and running. They are amazing.

I’m thankful that Saturday is a rest day.  Enough said!

I’m thankful to see the Mains tomorrow.

I’m thankful my hamstring, hip, and glute are starting to feel better on their own.  I won’t begin ART until next week but this is a good sign.

I’m thankful that my family is healthy.  A year ago my Dad had a double bypass.  He is 100% recovered and good as new.

What are you thankful for?  Big or small…

GOOD LUCK to all the MCMers this Sunday!  I’m very jealous; it’s my favorite marathon.  I cannot wait to read all your race recaps next week!

Friday Favorites

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10/14/11

I’m bringing back Friday Favorites…at least this week anyway.  Months ago I ran out of things that could be “favorite” worthy so I stopped posting about it.  Matt suggested Friday Rants, where I could probably go on and on, but I thought that would be too negative.  Here goes…

Chocolate lava cake with vanilla ice cream
Delicious!  One of my favorite desserts, aside from my beloved DQ Blizzard.   And it MUST be served with vanilla ice cream…whipped cream would be nice too.

A larger scoop of ice cream is necessary

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Deep tissue massage
I got my first deep tissue massage last night and it was heavenly.  In the past I stuck to the traditional Swedish massage but for my hamstring’s sake I went with deep tissue.  It was fabulous but the massage therapist could have dug a little deeper, especially on my right hammie, hip, and glute.  I wanted it to hurts-so-good.  Unfortunately, it’s an expensive favorite too 🙁

Pinterest
I’m not crafty or creative in the least so it’s a shock that I enjoy perusing Pinterest.  I don’t even use it to its full potential but I love just looking at all the home ideas.  We are re-doing both of our bathrooms and it’s great to visualize different colors and ideas.  Using door knobs as towels hooks?  Genius (pic here if you think it sounds weird)!  Search on “running” and you may lose your mind.  So many great quotes.  A few of my favorites…


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Your turn!  Share a Friday Favorite or two!