aqua running, ever heard of it?

I had not. But my dear friend Donna sent me an email a couple of days ago and it was fascination to me. You can find the link here. As you all know I have not been running since my doctor "grounded" me. It has been really hard to obey and listen, yet I know my foot is healing. Every morning it is less painful and really for the most part it feels good.

Today I went to the gym and gave deep water running a try, and it was AWESOME!!! I was really excited when Donna sent me the article on Wednesday and I was ready to give it a try. Then I cut my finger on the edge of a pasta sauce can and decided that it needed a few days to heal. It's feeling much better today and so I got in the pool.

First I collected all the necessary gear. The gym already has the gear, so that makes it really nice. Did I mention I LOVE my gym membership? Anyhow I got a flotation belt, ankle weights and hand weights. This workout truly proved intense. I have missed my daily [6 out 7 days anyway] runs. But today I felt "alive" again and I have to admit it, I cried. Running has meant so much to me to have it taken away has been difficult, to say the least.

I was amazed that the aqua running was so intense. I could truly feel myself mimicking the same use of muscles as running on the ground, without the impact factor that is. It was great! I will definitely be returning to the pool to run again soon!

what's the one word a runner never wants to hear?

Injury!

Yeah so that's what's happened to me, and since then I have had a hard time even wanting to blog.

I have Plantar Fasciitis which is common among runners, so I am learning. Even my doctor had it when he played college football. It is curable, without surgery too hopefully, but takes time.

My foot and heel and even ankle have been bothering me for quite some time. I've always been able to "handle" the pain or by allowing it to warm up I could then feel relief. The worst time of the day is first thing in the morning when I'd try to get out of bed. Other times of noted pain have been after I've sat for a long time or even been standing too long. I have even felt the pain during the first 8-9 minutes of my run, until my foot/ankle/heel would warm up. Stretching would and has helped too.

Well, about a week and a half ago (February 10th) the pain topped the charts, I felt crippled as I tried to get out of bed that morning. After running 4 miles the previous day, followed by a Zumba class and then Yoga that night I could barely walk that next morning. So, like a child who is in trouble I called my running buddy Donna asked her for the number of her Podiatrist. They got me in that morning, thank heaven. I walked into my the doctor's office with my head hung low, because I knew I was in trouble. I was informed that my left leg is shorter than my right and that is where my injury all started. I was informed that the band of tissue between my toes and my heel is supposed to support the arch in my foot, and because of my leg being shorter that foot was taking the brunt of the hits while running. So I've torn my ligament to the point of swelling and intense pain. The x-rays were positive, no bone injury. Phew, hopefully healing time quicker. When did performed an ultrasound he said the plantar fascia is usually 3.1mm and mine was more than double at 6.7mm. No wonder it hurts. He told me they'd help me get back to running so I could still do my half marathon (thank goodness.) They casted me for orthotics and taped my foot. which really did help. I know it's helped not running too, but I miss it really bad.

I have been moping around lately, not really liking being what I call "grounded." My doctor said I had to stop running and could only ride the bike or elliptical. The elliptical proved more painful, so I've been racking up the miles on the bike at the gym. I should be keeping track of my miles, I'm sure I'm on my way to 100! One thing about biking you sure add up miles faster than running, but I wouldn't trade running for the bike. Sorry Mike. I am totally excited for your 200 miler by the way. You have my vote of confidence and encouragement.

So, I will no longer sulk and start posting here again. I have plenty of ideas about posts I want to write, some about runs I've done and yet to write about. Others I've referred to in earlier posts.

Thanks for visiting and and thanks for listing.

Yet another lesson I've learned from my old running shoes...NEVER RUN IN WORN OUT SHOES!!! I've been running with really worn out running shoes, not a GOOD idea at all...did you see them in my pictures above? Yup those are it. I was waiting for the cash to buy new shoes, next time I'll save way in advance!

running with jenny

Last Saturday January 30th my sister in law joined me on my 8 mile run. We had a great time. We talked and shared while ran, of course. It was fantastic to run with her. I wish we lived closer and could run more often. Nonetheless I will always treasure our time together.

The day was nice and crisp. I wasn't as nervous about running 8 miles because I'd done it before. [I have been buliding up my mileage to prepare for the Salt Lake City Half over the past 6 weeks. I am currently in week 7 of my training.] I think that when I have a new mileage coming up I get a little worried, and nervous. I guess it's because I've never done it, but once it's done, I'm proud of myself and my confidence grows.

Jenny had to head out at mile 4 to do some visiting. [You can only fit so much into a vacation.] I conintued onward and completed my course in a pleasing time.

One lesson I've learned from my old running shoes is that no matter how many miles seperate me from the ones I love, I will always be able to run with them in my heart. And sometimes by my side.

Thanks Jenny so much for running with me, I loved it!