Down but not out

Well I ended up a bit sick last week, but it didn't stop me from going out and getting some exercise. I did the usual short runs and swimming, and on Thursday I did an 18km. Well, I'm not sure you could actually say I did it. Unfortunately I've been sidelined again by this nagging knee stuff. I ran about 12km then my knee started acting up again. I walked and ran back, although I couldn't run for very long before wishing I hadn't. It didn't feel as bad as before, but I might just be trying to convince myself of that so I can keep running.
So, again, I've been trying to take it easy. I went swimming on Monday and did a short run at the track after and it wasn't horrible. I went for a 15km bike ride today and my knee is sore. I have been trying to ice it lots today. Not really sure how this is going to play out. I think this is all because of a small incident on the weekend at the cottage. My whole leg seized up and it was like someone had stabbed my knee. I had run a 16km the week before with no problem. So, I'm working on getting some more strengthening exercises in my workouts to help workout the areas around my knees and my core. Once again, we'll see.

Longer.

Wow, sorry about not updating for so long. Life is busy sometimes! I thought I'd include a photo from a race that a couple friends of ours did with us last year. The Santa Run in Burlington. One of the funniest runs to do. All these people dressed like Santa running down the road. It was a blast and I'd recommend it to anyone in the area. I'm the little one.

This last week has been really good. I was able to increase my biking and running a lot! On Monday I did a swim (not much to say about that) and Tuesday I tried for the long bike/run. I biked 20km and ran 5km right after, to see if I'd be able to do the duathlon next week. I survived! I don't really bike very fast, so it takes me awhile but it's really a nice way to see the city and discover new trails around. When I got back, I fully intended to sign up for the duathlon but unfortunately it's all sold out. I don't really feel up to doing the 42km olympic one either, lol. I was really surprised at how ok I felt after doing this long workout. I think sometimes I get intimidated by big numbers and don't want to push myself to do it. I think that I am actually capable of more than I do. I think most people are, actually.

Wednesday I went swimming again (and again, not much to say, you swim back and forth, then back and forth, lol). Thursday was the day for my long run. I managed to do 16km, which is on schedule for me. Pretty good run. Again I was surprised that I felt so good doing it. However, the hurting usually comes a couple hours after, lol. It totally drains me and I become useless by the end of the night, running on empty. Word of advice for anyone who is into doing long distance or intense running. Protein and re-fueling is one of the most important parts of a successful run. The meal immediately after, I feel to be the most important one you have all day. Unfortunately, I was going out and didn't have time for a good meal and I could definitely tell. When you do this much exercise, you become very in tune with your body. It's strange.

Then on Friday I went for a reaaaallllly early swim. Too early for me, lol. We were heading out to the cottage at 9 so I had to go early or I'd go too many days without exercising (I don't want to run on the crazy hilly, gravel, winding cottage road full of black flies and mosquitoes-and sometimes bears!). I'm pretty strict with myself with how many days I'll take off. It's the only way I can keep going, is to be strict. Sacrifices of my social life happen all the time. Anyway, the plus side to going that early is that hardly anyone was there and I had the lane to myself. No offense to any parents of young children, but I was happy there weren't any kids there since sometimes if I go at the wrong time, I can't even have a shower. Unfortunately, no matter what time I go at, there are always naked women hanging out there like it's normal to walk around a group of strangers when you are naked. For some people that's a re-occurring nightmare. For others (mostly old women), it's part of their daily routine. I just try to look at the ground.

On to this week. Today I decided to try a longer bike ride, since 20km isn't actually that hard, unless it's all hills. I went for 26km and I feel good. Well, I think I'm getting a cold, so I don't feel good, but in terms of the bike riding, I did ok with it. I'm still learning how far I have to go to get a good workout, and 26km isn't far enough yet.

So, I'm still not sure where this will take me, but for now I think I'm entitled to go downstairs and eat a bowl of ice cream.

On the road again...and again..

And the goodness continues! Despite all this rain, somehow I have not run or biked in it at all but I've been out every day.

On Wednesday I went for a short 9 length (back and forth) swim. I was in the deep end and have been working on overcoming fear with that but for some reason I was panicking a bit and didn't do as much as I would have liked. It was followed with my usual workout.

Thursday was a really good day to try out some multi-sporting. I went for a 6km bike ride and then a 4km run. I felt really good too. In between I came inside to change though. So, it wasn't exactly like it would be in a race. A good start though.

Friday I went for another swim, this time panicking less and swam 10 lengths back and forth. I think that's about 400m or so. It's 20-25m across one way. I preferred swimming in the shallow end because then I didn't get stuck in lanes with people who were swimming in a way that makes it difficult for me to swim (like splashing like crazy, swimming really slow, not swimming in a circle, etc.). For the most part I actually swim in the leisure lane so I can't complain about the slow swimming, I just have issues branching out farther away from the edge, lol. I've tried going out 1 lane or two, but it will take some time for me to relax about it. So for now I suffer and have to take lots of breaks while I swim.

Today Ryan joined me for my 14km run. He wasn't sure if he'd make it since it's been awhile since he ran that long, but we both survived. I of course did not get enough sleep again, but was ok. It wasn't actually very hot either which was nice. The sun came in and out and there was a good wind. I'm a bit achy now but I really think I've finally kicked the injury.

Things are looking good!

A Good Week

It's been a great week! To finish off last week, I went for a 12km run on Saturday. I made a couple mistakes though. I didn't get enough sleep for a few days before and I went out at 9:30. These days it's been 20 already that early. And it was somewhere around that when I went out. All I have is this little clipped on water bottle that holds maybe 1 cup of water so I was definitely a bit thirsty when I got back. My legs were a bit sore, but overall, I'd say my injury is definitely becoming part of the past. I was at The Running Room yesterday looking at water bottles but I'm just not sold on using a whole belt of water bottles. I'll probably go back and ask the people there what they think. They told me to get the one I have when I asked them a couple years ago but it's just not enough when I'm running farther. Word of advice to anyone considering running between 9am-6pm: Bring lots of water! I don't generally drink a lot of water, at least not at one time or I'd throw up, but it's also very helpful to dump it on your head. On my run, I was so irritated and not enjoying my music and couldn't figure out why. Then I realized I was probably just too hot and uncomfortable. So, I started dumping the water on my head and I felt a lot better.
Sunday I took the day off. On Monday I wanted to try a longer bike ride to see if there is a chance of me doing the duathlon in June at Guelph Lake. So I went out intending to try 20km. Well, for some reason I went out late morning again. So, it was hot, but not as hot as when I ran because biking usually gives a nice breeze. I tried a route with some decent hills, since I know from experience that this race will have a lot of them (when I did the tri, it was a 10km bike ride and very hilly). I wasn't going all that fast, but I'd say I did pretty good for biking that distance for the first time in my life. I went out shopping later for some actual biking shorts and was surprised at what the shorts actually look like. It's like a built in bike seat cushion on the shorts, lol. How can anyone run in those things? I'm sure I'd run like I'd been on a horse for too long. I think I'm gonna keep looking around.
Today I went for a 4km run. My IT Band was a bit sore on my left leg, but probably just from the long bike ride yesterday. I bought new running shorts yesterday. The kind a lot of people wear-the short ones that are loose. I figured if so many people have them, they must be a good kind. Yes, they are. So comfortable, just really short. They have a built in part, like a cheerleader skirt would, like underwear, which I assume is because if they didn't, it would be a show for everyone while you run.
Hopefully the rest of the week goes as well as it has been so far!