Training Day 15

Okay, I am SUPER happy my knees seem to be getting better. They still feel a bit irritated but at least 80% better than they were a week or two ago. I jogged today at the San Mateo waterfront. The sun was out, although it was cold - but felt great. I jogged a 10 min warm-up, then stretched. I then started my run and did 3 min run/1.5 min walk intervals for 30 minutes. My knees felt fine during the run which I was very happy about. The difficult part was that I ran against the wind for 3/4 my run (including the warm-up). So I guess that made the workout that much better physically (although harder!). I listened to my iPod which we aren't able to do during our team workouts - so that was nice and made the run more enjoyable. I must admit, however, that going through my head toward the end of my run was "there is no WAY I am going to be able to run 13 miles on May 3rd!" I kept thinking of my Aunt Vicki who passed away a little more than 2 years ago of cancer and that is what helped me finish my run (against the wind). I did a lot of great strength training exercises on this pad of grass right in front of the water which was very relaxing (did I tell you the sun was shining? =)) I also did some good stretches and just felt good all around afterwards. Tomorrow is a rest day which I am looking forward to! Okay, off to bed....

Training Day 14

So I woke up at 4am today with horrible knee pain - they were throbbing, especially my left knee. Oscar got up to get me 2 ibuprofen and that was all I needed; the pain went away and when I woke up this morning I felt fine. I haven't taken anything since. I did an hour of yoga today and it felt really good to stretch my legs. Tomorrow is another run day but my coach suggests I run on a trail versus pavement - it's a lot easier on the knees. So that is the plan. I am supposed to run/jog for 30-40 mins at an aerobic pace. I am going to try to do repetitions of 3 mins running/1.5 mins walking and see how I feel. I'll update my blog after tomorrow's run. Goodnight!

Training Day 13

Yay! I made it through tonight's run. We met at the Burlingame High School track and warmed up with a 1 mile jog. I was able to jog the entire mile straight, although it was a bit uncomfortable on my knees in the beginning. After the mile warm-up, we stretched and then ran 1.5 miles. I used the run/walk technique, running 2 mins and then walking 1 min. About 1/2 way through my run, my knees started to feel a lot better - I think once they got warmed up. I completed the 1.5 mile run and then walked for 1/2 mile to cool down. We did a lot of stretching and core strength exercises which felt so good!! My coach suggested that I ice my knees tonight just to be safe so I did that after I showered. So far, so good! He said if I am feeling a lot of pain tomorrow, that's not a good sign so I'm keeping my fingers crossed. Tomorrow is a cross-training day so I'll be up and at 'em in the morning heading to the gym. Goodnight!

Training Update Part III

So I got a second opinion on my insoles today and learned they were not right for my feet. Good news is I was able to return them. My shoes seem to be a great fit so that's good. My coach suggests that instead of running the 4/2 intervals (4 min running/2 min walking) that instead I do either 3/1.5 or 2/1 - at least until I feel ready to run longer. He doesn't want my knees to get injured again (and neither do I!). So tomorrow I plan to meet the team at the track and will do 2/1 for now. I am excited to get back into it. Hopefully all will go well. I'll write another update tomorrow night when I get home from track.

Training Update Part II

Good news (I think)!! My knees feel virtually pain free today. I haven't taken Advil or iced for a few days now and I am feeling that I will be able to start running again this week. Of course I plan to take it slow and also get the second opinion on the insoles (tomorrow) but I think my body is ready to get back into it. I sure have taken my knees for granted in recent years - wow, having knee pain is really no joke. But again, the pain I've encountered during the past two weeks is nothing compared to the pain caused by cancer and treatments. I am looking forward to getting back into the routine (paying close attention to my knees). The big event is only 10 weeks out!

Training Update

So it's been two weeks since the long Saturday run and the start of my knee pain.  Good news is that over the last day or two, they seem to be feeling a lot better.  I am not sure I'm ready to run yet but am going to try on Tuesday at track.  I am also going to get the second opinion on the insoles this week since I think I can at least run for 30 secs on a treadmill (so they can see how my feet land when I run).  Hopefully the knee pain will soon be behind me!  It has not been fun. 

Thank you so much for supporting me - I couldn't do this without you! 

Training Day 12

Okay, so I haven't updated my blog in a few days...because I haven't been training. This all really sucks!! It's so frustrating but my knees have hardly gotten any better. They actually hurt like hell! On Saturday, I went to the team run at Stanford to meet with my coach. He suggests I take 2 Advil 3 times/day for at least 7-10 days in order for the inflammation to go down. He also suggests I stretch even if I don't run and ice 2-3 times/day. I haven't done any type of exercise - besides stretching - since Thursday's walk. I don't feel like they've improved much at all really, so I am going to make an appointment to see a doctor. It sucks because I've missed an entire week of running and don't know when I'll be ready to run again but hopefully soon - the half marathon is only 10 1/2 weeks out!

Training Day 11

So here is an update on my knees. They are not getting better. Today I tried to run. I went down to Sawyer Camp trail at the Crystal Springs reservoir and after running for just a few seconds, I was in a lot of pain. There was no way I could do it. So I ended up walking 2 miles which was still uncomfortable but I did it, although I barely made it back to my car.

It seems that the walk today made my knees worse. Throughout the day the pain seemed to get worse. I started taking Advil today and icing them (I know I should've started icing them days ago!). I know they are definitely inflamed. I haven't gone to get a second opinion on the insoles because I won't be able to run on the treadmill (this is what they have you do so they can see how your feet land when you run).

Unless there is a dramatic improvement between now and Saturday, there is no way I'll be able to do the timed 5K run which I am super bummed about. My sister Adria, who is an avid runner and will also be running Ave of the Giants with me, suggests that I continue my cardio as long as the elliptical machine isn't causing me pain or discomfort. She said that once my knees heal (hopefully sooner than later!), I can get back into the running. I am just bummed because I know this is setting me back - I missed Tuesday's run at the track, wasn't able to run today, and will more than likely not be able to run on Saturday. So frustrating!!!

I just emailed my coach to see what he suggests. I am thinking that I'll see a doctor next week if my knees don't feel a lot better by then. Tomorrow is a scheduled "rest" day which is exactly what I plan to do. I will continue icing my knees and taking anti-inflammatory meds which will hopefully help. Sigh......

Training Day 10

My knees are still sore today but seem to be getting better slowly. I have removed the insoles from my shoes. My coach suggests I get a second opinion on them which I am going to do tomorrow. He also said there are several factors that can lead to knee pain so he wants me to go to Saturday's team run even if I don't run (although I hope to run it!) so that he can talk to me more about what I am feeling. I hope my knees will feel much better by Saturday.

So I went to the gym during my lunch today and did 40 mins on the elliptical machine. I didn't feel any pain since there was no pressure on my knees. It was a pretty intense workout, although not long. I followed the cardio up with crunches and a lot of stretching. It felt SO good to stretch! I've been drinking a lot of water today to make sure I stay hydrated - although I tend to drink a lot of water regardless.

Tomorrow is a scheduled "easy run" day. I am going to start out slow to see if I feel any pain. If not, I'll pick up the pace. I am supposed to run for 20-30 minutes tomorrow. So wish me luck! =)

Training Day 9

So...today was supposed to be a run day. Since Saturday, I've been feeling pain in both my knees - I started feeling the pain half way through my Saturday run. If I were to guess, I would say it's from either the insoles I was recommended for my feet or the fact that I've never run that long of a distance before or maybe both! It probably didn't help that I went out dancing in heels Saturday night either. =) Anyhow, I ran a few steps at home prior to heading to Burlingame High School this evening and realized there was absolutely no way I'd be able to run tonight. It was too painful. So instead, I took a bath (which my mentor said might have been the wrong thing to do for my knees ... oh great!). She suggested I email my coach since he's the best one to give me advice. I emailed him a few minutes ago and hope to hear back from him soon. This Saturday is a timed 5K (3.1 mile) run to determine how to break out the teams for the rest of the season. I want to make that run!! I plan to still do cross-training tomorrow as scheduled (I didn't feel any pain using the elliptical machine last night because it hardly puts any pressure on my knees). So I'll see what my coach replies with and hope my knees continue to get better sooner than later!!

Training Day 8

So today was a "cross-training" day meaning I should do any type of cardio or strength training besides running. I'd normally go to the gym in the morning but needed to catch up on my sleep - went out Saturday night! =) I left the office at 7pm, came home to catch up with the baby, fed her and put her to bed, then headed to 24Hour. I did 45 mins on the elliptical machine while watching Obama's first prime-time news conference. It was a good workout and went by fast. I then did crunches and a lot of stretching. It felt really good to stretch my legs, especially my hamstrings. They were still tight from Saturday's run. Tomorrow is a team run day - we'll be meeting at the Burlingame High School track at 6:15pm. Until then ........

Training Day 7

Today (Sunday) is a rest day - yay! I made sure to stretch and rest my muscles today and drank lots of water. I am not as sore today as I was yesterday. Good thing because I work out 4 straight days starting tomorrow. Bring it! =)

Training Day 6

So today was the first coach-led Saturday run. These are typically the longest runs of the week. We met at Stanford at 8am sharp and started off by warming up with a 3/4 mile jog. After the warm-up, my coach led us in stretches. After stretching, one of the coaches taught us about the run/walk strategy which they highly encourage, not only for the long Saturday runs but also for the actual event (marathon or half marathon). It allows us to maintain our momentum and endurance so we can cross the finish line - 13.1 miles is a long way (not to mention 26.2!!). We could choose from three groups this morning: 8 min run/2 min walk, 6/2, and 4/2 respectively. Being a beginner, I chose to join the 4/2 group. This means we would run 4 minutes and then walk for 2. We'd repeat this pattern until we completed the 3 miles.

So we were off.... and the first 4 minutes actually went by pretty fast and I was thinking, "Wow, this isn't so bad!". It was nice to have the 2 min walk before running again. The team captains would help keep our momentum by shouting, "You're doing great team - keep it up! We're almost done!" By the time we were on our fourth or fifth round of 4/2, I was getting tired for sure and was wondering how long we had run so far. Next thing I hear is one of the team captains shouting, "Team - see that stop sign up ahead? That's the end!". I must admit, the 3 miles went by faster than I had expected and it definitely helped talking with other teammates during the run - time passes much faster when I am not running alone. However, I was definitely ready to reach that stop sign! When we did, the coaches were there cheering all of us on. It was a nice way to end the run.

They had food and drinks for everyone at the finish - yogurt, granola, juice, coffee, water, bagels, fruit... I enjoyed the organic vanilla yogurt and granola with a few of my teammates. My legs were sore but stretching after the run helped. Kathleen, one of the honorees (the woman I ran with for a bit on Thursday) got up and read a letter from another one of the honorees, Doug. He's part of the San Jose chapter (not my chapter). He went through a long bout of chemotherapy in 2001 and is thankfully now in remission. He wanted us to know that whenever we want to give up, feel too tired or sore and think we can't do this anymore, to think about those (like him) that go through painful and exhausting rounds of chemotherapy. He said there is NO training for that. He said that none of the pain or exhaustion we'll endure during our training is close to the pain and exhaustion caused from fighting cancer and going through chemotherapy.

Fortunately, for Doug and his family, he's alive today to tell his story but not everyone is so lucky. He also wanted to thank each and every one of us for doing what we are doing - he said that it's participants from Team in Training (raising money for cancer research and patient services) that helped him battle his fight and stabilize into remission where he lives today. Hearing this was pretty powerful and makes me realize again 1) how truly blessed I am to have my good health 2) have the opportunity to run in a half marathon and raise money to find a cure and 3) that tomorrows are not promised to any of us - and we really should live each day as if it is our last...

Training Day 5

Today is a rest day - yay! I am sore from last night but not as sore as I thought I might be. It actually feels really good. So I am going to take it easy today, nourish my body with nutritious calories and lots of water, and enjoy the day with my baby girl (I don't work Fridays). Tomorrow is another coach-led day at the Stanford track. Stay tuned!

Training Day 4

Wow - last night was great. The Mid-Peninsula and North-Peninsula teams met at the Stanford track at 6:15pm. Fortunately, it wasn't raining (I forgot my rain jacket at home!). There were probably 60-70 people there. We started out by running a 3/4 mile warm-up - and that was just the warm-up - sheesh! After the warm-up, stretches were led by one of the team captains. After stretching, we ran 1 mile. I am proud to say that I was able to run (or jog) the entire mile. Everyone was super friendly, conversing throughout the run which was nice. I met a lot of great people (mainly other women). One woman in particular looked like she was probably in her 50's. She is considered an "honoree" which means she either has or has had cancer. This is her 6th season with Team in Training. I ran with her for a while - very nice lady.

It was also nice that the fitness levels ranged across the board. The coaches kept reiterating "This isn't a race or competition" and "Just take it slow these first two weeks". So that was helpful to hear. After the 1 mile run, we did some core strengthening exercises. Those were great and I can sure feel it today! Then we did a 1/2 mile cool-down jog. So all in all, I ran/jogged 2.25 miles last night. It felt SO good. It also felt so good to come home, take a nice hot shower, and hit the pillow. =)

Thanks to Adria and Clay for watching Amara last night so I could make the track meet. I really appreciate it!!

Training Day 3

Today was another cross training day. I woke up at 6am, got dressed, and headed to the gym. I rode the stationary bike for 25 mins and did the stairmaster for 10. I did some good stretches and felt so good! Tomorrow is the first track run at Stanford so I am looking forward to that (although it'll be in the rain). =)

Training Day 2

We actually didn't have a run yesterday (normally we would on Tuesdays) and instead attended a Shoe Clinic at Road Runner Sports in San Carlos. I learned so much! I had no idea there was so much to running really. I got professionally fitted for running shoes - they scanned my feet to determine what type of arch I have and also had me run on a treadmill with bare feet for 30 secs or so. My feet were being recorded on a video so they could determine how I landed, etc. They then showed the video to me in slow motion and pointed out how my heel landed, how my feet turned out a bit when my feet weren't on the ground, etc. It was pretty interesting. They then measured the width and length of both my feet and with all those things combined, were able to recommend a couple of shoe options. And wow - do they feel good!! I also learned a lot more than I ever thought possible about gear such as sports bras, body glide (to prevent chaffing), socks (cotton is rotton!), keeping my core warm and dry, and more. It was very educational - I feel like I learn more every day....

Training Day 1

Well, I have completed the first day of training! It was actually an easy day - I woke up at 6am and headed to the gym. It was dark and cold but I was determined to work out early because I knew I wouldn't want to work out after a long day in the office. Today was a cross training day (run days are Tues, Thurs, Sat) so I worked out on the elliptical machine for 30 minutes and stretched well. During my workout, I couldn't help but look forward to what is yet to come. Not only am I doing something great for ME =) but I am also doing this to help find a cure for cancer. It's such a great feeling. I can't imagine what it'll feel like once I cross that finish line! Thanks to all of you for your support - I couldn't do this without you!