philly rock n roll half marathon

Adjustments

October 25, 2011 by Kristy 8 Comments

10/25/11
7 miles
*Pseudo speed work. I went to the track this morning and it was occupied…at 6:30AM?!?!? Peeved, I drove home and attempted a speed workout on my usual paved bike path. I managed 3 x 1-mile repeats at HM pace. I can’t do speed work without a track. I need to be able to count down the laps!

Last night I went to the chiropractor for the first time.

Remember how I raced the Philly RnR Half the week after my marathon and got all sorts of tightness in my right hamstring? Well, it’s still there. It comes and goes. The 2 weeks of rest I took helped but my right hamstring, hip, and glute just feel off. Hard to explain. I’m not in pain; my right side just feels abnormal compared to my left. The tightness is directly proportional to how fast I run. The faster I run, the tighter my hammie gets (I’ve been conscious of my overstriding too). Since I’m not in pain, I’ve been running but I’m keeping my overall mileage low and not doing all-out speed work. And I’ve been icing, foam rolling, and yoga-ing.

I decided that I want to nip this in the bud before it became an injury, especially with 2 races coming up in November. I have heard such great things about ART but I wasn’t sure if I was a candidate since I’m not really experiencing pain. I chose a chiropractor that performs ART over a physical therapist since my insurance covers it and I didn’t need a prescription from my primary care doctor to make an appointment.

Fast forward to last night. First, I couldn’t believe that people were getting treated right in front of everyone (it’s a small office). People are laying down on these crazy beds right near the waiting room. And these people looked like they were in so much pain! Ice packs, traction, etc. Scary! I got the whole work-up (x-rays, foot analysis, my oh my) and then laid down on a crazy bed. The doctor immediately told me to put both of my arms out in front of me (if I was standing up, think of the mummy walk) and resist while he tries to push my arms down. My right arm was fine; I was able to resist. My left not so much. I tried with all my might but I could barely keep him from pushing my left arm all the way down. Strange. Then he did something with my feet and my left was hanging lower than my right. Hmmmm. He did an adjustment to my left arm and then he tried to push it down again and it didn’t budge. I was shocked! I was pretty skeptical going into the appointment but maybe this will work???

I’m going back next Thursday for another appointment to discuss my x-rays and possible ART. I just want to be in tip top shape for my upcoming 12K and the Philly Half.

Have you ever been to a chiropractor? I’m trying to keep an open mind about it…
Do you prefer the track for speed work? I’m OK with the treadmill too, at least it passes the time quickly.

A 2-Week Hiatus

October 4, 2011 by Kristy 14 Comments

Yesterday marked the end of my 2-week running hiatus. Odd, right? Since my September was supposed to be filled with fun runs.

After the Philly RnR Half, which I foolishly raced the week after my marathon, my right hamstring was tight. My legs were not ready for the final 3 miles at 10K pace but I got greedy. I wanted another PR. I was on a roll, right?

After the RnR Half, I could barely bend down to touch my right knee. Normally I can touch my feet, and, on a good day, I can even do forehead to knee. I knew I pissed off my hamstring big time.

My right hamstring gets tight after speed work, due to overstriding. Once my pace drops to around 7:30, I lead heavily with my right foot, extended it way out in front of me, and heel strike like crazy. A little foam rolling after speed work and I’m usually good to go. But not this time, hence the 2-week break and lots of foam rolling, ice, and rest.

A little TLC went a long way since I was OK at Saturday’s 5K 🙂 Monday’s run was OK too…just some residual tightness but nothing like 2 weeks ago. Yay!

The Philly Half is 6 weeks away and I need to get back to the track. Since the tight hamstring only rears its ugly head at sub-8:00 pace, I’m hesitant to hit the track for speed work too soon.

What do I do when I don’t know what to do? I make a plan…

continue to take it easy this week (no speed work)
go to yoga this week
get a massage (I really need someone to dig deep into my hamstring)
and, the BIG one…work on not overstriding. Keep my feet underneath me (my center of gravity) and take quick, short strides.

This YouTube video illustrates overstriding perfectly (I find this completely fascinating). I don’t think I’m as bad as runner #2…maybe more like runner #4.

Do you overstride? Yes, no, maybe so? I always have but it was never a problem for me until I started running faster. Instead of increasing my leg turnover, I increase my stride length in order to pick up the pace. Not good at all.

Thursday Thoughts

September 22, 2011 by Kristy 12 Comments

Since I’ve been rather verbose lately, I’ll keep this short and sweet.

RACE SHIRTS
Race fees are expensive, so is it too much to ask for a race T that fits?! My pile of ill-fitting race Ts is growing. I get the appeal of a unisex size – it’s much easier to order and cheaper. When I see that sizes are unisex I generally get a XS. What usually happens is this…

I end up with a Youth XL, which is wide and short (this one was just large in general and oddly tight on my neck). I will never wear this shirt!

But sometimes, they get it right (thank you Philly RnR Half). This is a proper unisex XS…

DSCN1792 — Someone wanted in on this picture

BOSTON
Is the word “Boston” everywhere or is it because I’m obsessed? Last week my neighbor asked how my marathon went. He was wearing a Boston T-shirt (kinda of ironic). I went food shopping on Monday and there was a song about Boston playing. I saw a truck the other day and all it said on the back was “Boston”. I’m going crazy and I need to know NOW!

STEP AWAY FROM THE FOOD
I’m still eating like I’m running 50 miles a week. I may need an intervention or that LVM shirt will fit me. Thankfully the “fun run” period is almost over and then it’s back to training.

What are your feelings on race Ts? For the amount of money we pay, I think they should have women’s sizes.

Updates And An Unexpected PR

September 19, 2011 by Kristy 16 Comments

Updates first, good stuff second!

Update #1 – Boston Registration
The very, very good news: registration is still open and I was able to register at 10AM today (yay!). The bad news: per the B.A.A., those who are the fastest among the pool of applicants in their age and gender will be accepted. Accepted athletes will be notified by September 28. Not only do I have more waiting ahead of me, I’m BQ-1:14 (1:14 under my BQ time). So all the runners who are BQ-4, BQ-3, and BQ-2 will get accepted before me, until slots run out. Clear as mud, right? I cannot take this waiting anymore. But I have to remain positive – I got to register today, which I didn’t think was possible one week ago.

Update #2 – CBS Philly Most Valuable Blogger Awards
I was robbed! I checked the website last Thursday and found out I didn’t win (thanks for the heads up, CBS Philly). A gluten-free blog won, which I find hysterical. We live in a city that lives off soft pretzels, cheesesteaks, and Tastykakes and a gluten-free blog wins! That’s random. But thank you to everyone who voted each and every day. I’d like to think I came in second place 😉

Update #3 – Giveaway
I will pick 3 winners tonight, so there’s still time to enter!

I had a race-tastic weekend! On Saturday we did a Family Fun Walk and managed maybe 1 mile in 19 minutes. Thanks to Hawk’s pooing, sniffing, and general lack of walking in a straight line.

Sunday was the Philly RnR Half Marathon (aka, Team RTLR Half).

The weather was absolutely perfect. I had originally planned to run this race for run but at the starting line I decided to see what pace my legs could do. What did I have to lose? If my legs got tired halfway through – oh well – I’ll just slow down during the second half. I wasn’t surprised when my legs settled into marathon pace (8:30). At mile 6, I got this incredible surge of energy and my pace dropped to 8:15s then 8:09s. At mile 9, I thought I may have a shot at PRing so I dropped my pace even more (again, if I crashed and burned it didn’t matter…so why not?). Splits for miles 10 through 13:

M10 – 7:57
M11 – 7:42
M12 – 7:36
M13 – 7:37

I crossed the finish line with a 1:48:33 – good enough for a 1-minute PR!! My legs were more sore post-half marathon than they were post-BQ. Ouch. I won’t be racing again anytime soon (meaning the next few weeks).

Ann, Sara, and Jen: you ladies did an amazing job! I’m very proud. Each of you looked so strong at the finish!

DSCN1779 — Sara was all smiles at mile 13!

Have a great Monday! I have the day off and I’m going shopping!

Fantastic Friday

September 16, 2011 by Kristy 6 Comments

TGIF, indeed! I have a 3-day weekend ahead of me and I could not be happier. I must confess that I did take off to register for the Boston Marathon on Monday. Let’s hope I’m registering at 10am on Monday and not sulking!

DSCN1731 — I caught a glimpse of a rainbow outside my house last night. Good omen for Boston registration?!?!

This week has been hell at work. All day meetings from Tuesday to Friday. I am so looking forward to this weekend.

Tonight, Matt and I are going out to dinner to celebrate my BQ. I told you I would milk this for as long as possible!

I found out there is a 5K on Saturday morning right in my neighborhood. My initial thought was to race it (seriously). I mean, my legs feel fine. And by fine I mean they don’t hurt when I walk down the steps and get up from a seat. I finally came to my senses and realized “racing” a 5K was not happening. Kara suggested running with Hawk. The race website said they welcome strollers and pets so me, Matt, and Hawk are going to walk the 5K.

DSCN1516 — As long as it doesn't interfere with my nap schedule

And then Sunday is the Team RTLR Half Marathon! I have lots to look forward to this weekend.

You still have plenty of time to enter my giveaway! I will pick 3 winners on Monday, September 19. If you don’t use Twitter or Facebook (or already follow me on Twitter and Facebook), leave a comment anyway and consider yourself entered!

What's Next?

September 14, 2011 by Kristy 14 Comments

Since I sorta scratched the Boston itch (sorta since registration is still “up in the air”)…what’s next? Believe it or not, I’m running a half marathon this Sunday – the Philly Rock n’ Roll Half Marathon (which I will always refer to as the PDR or Philly Distance Run). I run this race every year. It was my first real distance race back in 2002 when I trained with TnT.

Scan_Pic0001 — Just crossed the finish line. I remember thinking I was going to die.

It’s tradition to run it each year, even when it falls 1 week post-marathon. Obviously I’m not looking for a PR so I’m just running it for fun. Actually it’s a Team RTLR event! I trained my friend Sara and her co-workers for the half marathon and we’ll be sporting our Team RTLR shirts. I cannot wait to race with no pressure and to enjoy myself.

Once October rolls around, I’ll begin training for the Philly Half Marathon in November. I really want to blow my old PR (1:49) outta the water. I haven’t trained for a half marathon since 2003 so this should be fun. I usually do them as tune up races during marathon training.

Also in November, I have a 12K (7.46 miles to be exact). This should also be interesting….a little longer than a 10K but not quite as long as a 10-miler.

I also want to throw in a 5K. I hate my 5K PR (23:22 – from this past summer) and I want another chance at it once the weather gets cooler.

Basically, I want to end the year with a few more PRs, specifically the half marathon and 5K. I also want to give my body a break. I have been training and running marathons for 2 years non-stop. A mental and physical break is much needed. Of course, if I get into Boston, all hopes of recovery and rest are off!