Thankful Thursday: What a difference a year makes

In the past year, I've gone from this:

That's a crack in my left tibia

And this:

Rocking Das Boot

To this:

My slowest 5k ever (May 28, 2012)

To this:

Finishing my first sprint triathlon (August 11, 2012)

To this:

My fastest 12 mile run EVER

And this:

And even this:

Who is this person???

I really believe it was all the hills in the Knoxville Half Marathon on April 1st last year that did me in so I consider that date my injury date - I waited a couple weeks to actually see a doctor - don't do this. Trust me.  I've been very reluctant to post anything related to the 1 year anniversary of being diagnosed with a stress fracture (or stress reaction, depending on which doctor I talked to).  I didn't want to jinx myself. This week I finally registered for the 25k that I had to DNS and spectate in my boot last year. I've been very cautious about verbalizing or posting any goals for my half on 4/13 or my "A" race half in May. I've been posting my training but goals have only been shared with a select few and even with them I'm scared to say a time goal out loud. I'm being cautiously optimistic. I'm also nervous as hell that something is going to go horribly wrong and I'll be right back where I was last year at this time, scooting up and down the stairs on my ass because I couldn't bear weight on my shin.

But here I am...taking a leap if faith...hitting POST...and celebrating how far I've come this year.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Training Tuesday: taking a break

At the moment, I am on a little hiatus from training which makes writing a "Training Tuesday" recap a tad difficult.  It's taken some time to get my mojo back after tanking at Disney and frankly, I'm not excited about "training" again.  At least not yet.  I need to rediscover what I love about running and working out in general.

No races are scheduled and after knocking my spur-of-the-moment 5k out of the park on Thanksgiving morning, I'm inclined NOT to race again this year (although some think I should try and get in a 10k for a killer PR attempt before the end of the year, but there just aren't any "official" ones close by now that the snow is starting to fly and what if I f*ck it up? I'd rather end the racing year on a high note, thankyouverymuch.).  For the time being, I'm content to run when I want, hop on my trainer (that I finally got set up in my basement - LOVE IT!) and just ride, and throw in a little strength work if I feel like it.  I haven't been a complete slouch.  In the past week, I completed 1 strength workout (ok, major slouch there), cycled 3 times on the trainer for over 2 hours total, and ran twice for almost 10 miles - and both of those runs were the best runs I've had physically and mentally in a very long time.

I'll take it.

Tomorrow I start PT for my calf and shin, something I probably should have pushed for back in April, but hindsight and all. Blah blah blah.  I'm sure the PT will give me some specific exercises, stretches and whatnot to add into my (currently nonexistent) routine. I'm sure it will hurt like a sonofabitch. I kind of deserve it after what I've put my body through this year.

In a couple weeks, I plan on getting back on the scheduled training bandwagon - when I figure out what I want my focus to be in the next year. But for right now, recovery (physical and mental) IS my training.

ps - the original winner of my Chica Bands giveaway from Suddora never got back with me, so I drew again.  Congrats go out to....

Ally!!! (@ali_konu)

Email me your address and I'll get your Chica Band sent out to you :)

Thankful Thursday: Progress

I've been such a Debbie Downer with regards to recovery from this stupid injury that I forget to acknowledge how much progress I HAVE made.  The numbers don't lie and I'm thankful to see this kind of improvement.

May:

• Running: 4 miles 
• Biking: 48 miles
• Swimming: 3.15 miles
• Walking/Elliptical: 11.44 miles

June:

• Running: 20 miles 
• Biking: 113 miles
• Swimming: 3.38 miles
• Walking/Elliptical: 5.4 miles

July:

• Running: 31 miles
• Biking: 93 miles
• Swimming: 3 miles
• Walking/Elliptical: 1 mile

I'm even more thankful to have so many awesome people in my life cheering me on, helping me with training plans, talking me off the ledge and basically being my sunshine through all this. I might have just given up if it weren't for all of you.  So ((hugs)) and *kisses* - I love you guys! MWAH!

I know I've posted this before, but it's so true.  I hope if you are struggling with something that you have wonderful people in your life who love you and are helping you through it - whatever it might be.