Longest run and a new recovery tool

This morning I went out for my longest run in months.  I ran over 12 miles at a comfortable pace and finished feeling like I could have easily kept going.  The weather was perfect for running.  The last time I ran that far was the Chicago Spring Half Marathon back in May.  Before that, it was when I was training for Boston in April (and of course, Boston itself).  My hip didn't bother me at all and my legs felt great.  It was a confidence booster that I will be good to cover the marathon distance in just 14 days! 

This morning's run was also reminder that we are in the homestretch to the marathon.  The focus now shifts to staying healthy and avoiding any illness or injury.  It was also a reminder that I need to dial in my nutrition and start to plan out my food for the days leading up to the marathon.  I truly believe that your stomach contributes at least 50% to how you perform during a marathon.

Feeling good after this morning's run

Yesterday afternoon, Mike and I went to the Nike marathon pop up shop next to Fleet Feet.  They were selling all the official Nike Chicago Marathon gear that will be at the expo.  I stood in line a long time last year at the expo to buy the things I wanted.  It was so nice to be able to try things on and pick out what we wanted without all the crowds.  It will definitely make the expo less stressful.

One of the things they had available to try at the shop was the Hyperice Hypervolt.  It is a state of the art vibration massage device that helps muscles recover faster.  I tried it out while we were shopping and was so impressed with how it made my legs feel that we bought one on the spot!  It is a great complement to our Normatec compression boots.  We already use the boots daily, and now whoever isn't in the boots will be massaging with the Hypervolt.  For two endurance athletes who train hard, we focus just as hard on our recovery (after all, we aren't getting any younger). 

I love our new recovery tool

Three months and a new mantra

Today marks three months since my surgery.  It was on the first day of summer and tomorrow is the first day of autumn.  A lot has changed in a season.  I honestly wasn't sure where I would be at this point in time.  Certainly, the marathon wasn't a definite.  Looking back, even I am a little amazed at how this recovery process has gone and what I can now do.  I have moments where I stop and think how wonderful it is just to be able to walk.  Until you lose that ability, you don't realize how big a thing it really is.

I have been running outside most days and feel better and better each day.  I can notice a change even from the beginning of this week.  My pace hasn't really changed much, but the effort feels easier.  Initially I had muscular soreness in both hips, but that has significantly improved.  I can tell that my aerobic endurance is building and my legs are remembering what they need to do.  The marathon is 16 days away, and if I continue at this rate, I have no doubt that I will complete it without hurting myself.

The new trailer for next year's Captain Marvel came out earlier this week.  The tagline on the poster is "Higher Further Faster".  Something about that struck a chord with me, so I am adopting and adapting that as my mantra for the marathon and my running in general right now...

Stronger.  Further.  Faster.

Texas heat and running together

This morning was the first time I was able to run with Mike since the day the fracture occurred.  Since he has to be in Austin first thing Monday morning for work, we went from San Francisco to Texas for the weekend.  The plan was to go out for a run at some point this weekend and see how things went.  He isn't used to running with others, and I was interested in seeing if I would hold him back or if we actually did have a chance of running the marathon together (in just 3 weeks!). 

Since I haven't run outside all summer, the heat definitely affected me.  I know I slowed him down, but I think in cooler conditions it wouldn't feel as hard.  My hip feels a little off for the first couple steps when I start running, but then I don't really notice it.  We ran on a trail near our hotel which was ideal.  We completed over 9 miles -- my longest run since starting back.  He is planning to do his 20 miler next weekend, and I said I would accompany him for at least part of it.  The weather in Chicago will hopefully be more ideal for a long run like that.  After that, the focus (for both of us) is on staying healthy and recovering as much as possible until the marathon!

I didn't take any pictures today.  The trail really wasn't that picturesque.  We were both soaked with sweat and it was all I could do to pause my watch whenever we stopped for water. 

Foggy morning and my Boston acceptance

We left San Francisco mid-day which meant I was up early for my run and workout.  It was a cool, foggy morning, but there was still plenty of runners out along the water.  My legs felt ok this morning.  I don't have the Normatec boots with me this trip and I miss being able to use them daily.  As I run, I enjoy stopping at some of the piers and taking pictures.  The cloudy start to the morning provided some decent lighting.

There are three variables that I need to be aware of as I build up my running - frequency, intensity and duration.  I am only supposed to increase one variable at a time.  Intensity will come last.  As I run more and get used to it again, my speed will return.  I am not overly concerning myself with times right now.  I was increasing the duration of my runs, but my last several runs have been about an hour and that is what I usually do.  That leaves frequency -- I have been running every other day.  Today was the first day I did back to back runs.  Normally I run 6-7 days a week, so my body will hopefully adjust to the additional work.  If I have any pains, I will back off to where I was comfortable.  But the plan for now is to continue to focus on frequency and duration. 

Early morning view of Alcatraz

I love running by Ghirardelli!

When we arrived at the airport, I got the email that I have been expecting the last few days.  I submitted my registration for the 2019 Boston Marathon on Wednesday, and this morning I got my acceptance notification.  I was well under the qualifying time for my age group, but I was still happy to have everything official.  Now I'm just hoping next year's weather is nicer than it was this year!

Officially accepted!

San Francisco

Since Mike had to be in the San Francisco office this week, I flew out yesterday to celebrate his birthday with him today.  It's hard to believe that it has been 6 months since we were last in San Francisco.  The weather is just as gorgeous, and running here is one of our favorite things to do.  This time, we are staying at a hotel near Fisherman's Wharf, so it is only a few short blocks down to the running trail along the Embarcadero out to the Golden Gate Bridge.  When you have that view for your run, what is not to love?

My hip continues to be a little sore, but I feel it less when I am running.  I remember feeling this way last year and wondering if I would ever feel normal again.  Now I know that I will with time.  Today's run out to the base of the bridge and back was about 8.5 miles.  I was running into the wind the whole way out, but as always I was just happy to be out there.  My speed was comparable to what it has been the last few outdoor runs, although my legs didn't feel heavy today.  I haven't started running back to back days yet but am considering doing so tomorrow since we will be leaving here in the afternoon.  The weather and views are just too perfect not to take advantage of!

Running to the Golden Gate Bridge

All clear to return to running!

I had my 12 week follow up with the orthopedic surgeon this morning.  He took some X-rays of my hip and declared that the bone was completely healed.  He gave me the official ok to resume all of my activities without restriction, including running.  I told him I had recently started running again and he was fine with that.  I also told him I intended to complete the marathon in less than a month.  He wished me luck and urged me to just listen to my body.  He said he was around if I ever needed anything.  I guess I couldn't have asked for a better outcome than that.

I had my PT session for the week this afternoon.  We decided to cut the sessions down to once a week and will probably be stopping completely very soon.  My therapist has to really look for activities to challenge me.  The blood flow restriction therapy is not fun, but I guess all these weeks of it have helped.

I went for a run outside after PT.  My legs felt heavy after therapy and I felt like I was slower than when I ran on Sunday.  I was shocked when I saw that I was slightly faster, although I continue to slow down a little with each mile.  My hip has been a little sore from resuming running, but I know that this is normal and will pass with time. 

I now have 26 days to do what preparation I can in order to complete the marathon as painlessly as possible.  I already know this will not be a command performance or anything close to a PR, and if this were my first marathon I would probably rethink my plan.  But I really want to just finish having enjoyed the experience.  Considering where I was just a few months ago, I didn't think it would be a reality -- although I never stopped hoping.  I'm certainly hoping my hip continues to improve and running becomes more natural and effortless again.  With almost a month to go, I think I will see a big change by race day.

Hip is all healed -- the mouse is resting near the area where the fracture was

Another 8 miles in the books!

First outside run!

I'm back -- sort of.  And not officially.  And not completely...

Last Saturday when we were getting ready to leave Las Vegas I decided it was a good day to start running again.  Technically the doctor wanted me to wait until I see him again on Tuesday the 11th.  But I feel good and I know I am farther along now than I was at this point in my recovery last year.  So I did some run/walk on the treadmill that morning.  And then I did run/walk again on the treadmill last Monday.  Then I ran for 30 minutes straight on the treadmill last Wednesday.  On Friday, I ran for 45 minutes continuously on the treadmill.  I took a day off from running in between each session to make sure everything was ok.  So far it has been. 

Today I decided to try running outside.  It's just so much more enjoyable than the treadmill and it was a perfect day in Chicago to run.  It was sunny with temperatures in the low 60's and a nice breeze.  I enjoyed every minute.  This was the first real outside run since I was running around the Beach Club at Disney World back in June.  The day after I got back from there was when the fracture happened.

I am aware of my hip when running, but not in a painful way.  It's just different, and I know from experience that it will take some time to feel completely normal again.  I am also obviously slower than I was before all this happened, but I believe in muscle memory and I know my speed will also come back in time.  All in all, I ran for an hour today and got in over 8 miles -- not too shabby for someone who had hip surgery 11 weeks ago.

I am optimistic about what the surgeon will say on Tuesday.  My plan is still to complete the Chicago Marathon -- which is just 4 weeks from today.  I have no intention of pushing for a PR; I know it's not in the cards this year.  But I am confident that in the next 4 weeks I can continue to carefully build up enough to complete it in a respectful time without wrecking my body.  I have some ideas how I will accomplish that over the coming weeks, but we will see what happens on Tuesday.

Happy after a successful run! 

Not my fastest but not too shabby