Training Truths: Injured & Sick, But I Ran a Half Marathon!

As I have been telling you, week after week, I have been suffering from a nasty hamstring strain of some kind since early August. I had to skip two races (NH 10 Miler and ZOOMA Cape Cod Half Marathon) and have only logged approximately 8 running miles over the last 2 months.

On top of the injury, last week I caught my first New England head cold, and it was a doozy! Although my weekly training has been scattered and limited, I ended my workout week with a half marathon finish.

Monday - I started the day with my 50 squats as usual (trying to see how long I can do my #squatstreak). In the evening I developed a sore throat, but still managed my #SweatFor5 workout and some curtsy twist squats.

Tuesday - #squatstreak and feeling crummy. My after school easy run became an easy walk with some mountain climbers thrown in before attending my step-daughter's soccer game.

Wednesday - #squatstreak and that's it. Thought I could push through an easy day at work, but ended up coming home early. Jumped right into my comfy clothes and went to bed.

Thursday - Took a sick day from work, slept in, and felt good enough to do my #squatstreak. Then I spent the rest of the day resting.

Friday - #squatstreak and back to work. After work I had some ART done at PT and then caught up on the last couple of days worth of challenge exercises.

Saturday - #squatstreak and some more challenge exercises before heading to Boston. After checking in to the hotel, we walked around town doing some shopping and having dinner.

Sunday - Up early to catch the T to run/walk the BAA Half Marathon (recap coming soon!). My husband offered to run with me (he hasn't been running much lately either) to help me get across the finish line and earn my distance medley medal. #squatstreak while mr.C previews my post for me :)

A half marathon finish after the lousy training I've had the last couple of months is a pretty good way to end the week!

Fitness Friday: ZOOMA Cape Cod Recap

It wasn't easy arriving at the ZOOMA Cape Cod event knowing that I wasn't going to be running this year, but I still had a great time hanging out with mr. C, the other ZOOMA Ambassadors, and volunteering on race day.

Here is a look back in pictures:

Race headquarters!

ZOOMA Fitness Expo 

Q&A with Ambassadors - Nancy, Dani, me, Jessica

Honest Tea "Mocktail Hour" - me, Jessica, Nancy & Dani

Race morning

At the starting line with Ambassadors - Nicole, me, Dani, Kelly,  Nancy

Handing out Personal Best medals was so much fun!

Post-race expo party music

Post-race yoga and massages on the Old Silver Beach!

See you next year ZOOMA!

WIAW: Indian Summer Treats for Runners

We love summer squash, not only because it tastes so good, but also for all its benefits: antioxidants help reduce inflammation, low in calories, and packed with vitamins.

I don't know about where you live, but here in New England we've been having some unseasonably warm weather. It's good for running and it means that the farmer's market is going full swing, so we can still find some locally grown summer squash.

mr.C loves to grill up the yellow squash and zucchini with some EVOO, rosemary, and garlic (to keep the mosquitos away!), but this weekend we decided to try a new recipe that gives these veggies some room on our fall menu.

This recipe is so simple, but you might need to plan ahead for the baking time. "Tian" is a French word used to describe a casserole dish in which veggies have been layered with spices and cheese, and are then baked.

It was good. Really good. And the leftovers are really good too!

One of my favorite Halloween treats has always been candy corn. This year I'm trying to stay away from the extra holiday calories, so I'm going to make some healthier treats. One of my newest recipe finds is great any time, but especially after a good workout since it's made with protein powder.

Find more healthy Halloween snack ideas at Jen's WIAW link up.

Training Truths: Patience is my new BF

I do not consider myself a patient person. AT ALL. Dealing with this adductor injury is giving me no choice, so I have had to make patience my new best friend. Not really. Sandy, you are still my BFF!

It has been strange to hear my running friends make comments about how impressed they are with my resolve to wait out this injury. Playing the waiting game has been hard. No matter how much I want to, I know I must take this one day at a time. One run too soon or too long and I could be forced to the sidelines again.

So, getting back into my running shoes has been slow. Fewer running days, shorter distances, and slower paces. I'm ok with that as long as I keep healing.

Monday: 50 morning squats. 5K walk to the beach with mr.C and the dog after school.

Tuesday: Squats. Ran 2 miles on the trail. The run was ok. Some tenderness still lingered around the adductor, but it was progress. Strength work at home later.

Wednesday: Squats. More tenderness just walking around. Strength exercises. Finally tried an Epsom salt soak.

Thursday: Squats. Feeling much better. Strength exercises and another Epsom salt soak after school before I headed back to the HS for Open House night.

Friday: Squats before work. Busy day - school, mammy #2, and then a soccer game under the lights. Rest day was in order.

Saturday: I was finally was able to sleep in and it felt awesome!! Strength exercises and squats followed by a two mile easy run. Felt much better on this one. Might be the downhills that are aggravating the adductor. Epsom salt soak and ice for 20 afterwards.

Sunday: 50 squats and then in preparation for the Bengals game, I did a little stretching and some squat jumps so I'd be ready to celebrate some touchdowns!

What do your running friends say about you?

Fitness Friday: #GoalGetter2013 September Review

How do I feel about September? Meh. Here's why:

1. I didn't run

2. I had to DNS another race

3. I volunteered at a race I was supposed to run

4. I almost did 50 squats a day for 30 days

5. I did a TON of strength training

I'm ready to move on. Ready to get back in my running shoes. Ready to log some miles. Ready to be injury-free.

What are you ready for?