New Opportunity - Long Island Marathon

There is much more to come in the next few days, weeks and months. But here's a primer, I'm back. That's right. I'm on my way back to finding what makes me tick, what helps me manage my stress - what had become part of my identity.

With encouragement from my running partner, Ted, we're all set to go with the May running of the Long Island Marathon. A plan is being written and I'm laying down some base work this month. I know I have to be careful to not do too much too soon. I am excited, though, to have a plan from which to work.

As for the new opportunity - you are going to see occasional posts from Ted. I've added him in as a guest blogger and am looking forward to seeing and reading things from his perspective.

To everyone that missed me while I was gone and sent me well wishes, thank you. To those that didn't realize that I'd fallen off, I hope that this new year will find you enjoying what you read here.

Here's to a great 2013!

The Fall…From Fitness

Almost four months. That is how long it has been since I last posted. Did you miss me?

Part of my absence has to do with some post-NYC Marathon blues. The other part has EVERYTHING to do with the fact that I have fallen from fitness. It’s not my fault and it is not like I’m enjoying this time off.

It all started on December 14th. I remember it like it was yesterday. It was a Wednesday. I drove to work and parked my car where I always do, gathered my things and started my walk across the parking lot to the office when BAM!, my back seized up on me and started spasming out of control. I froze. Unsure of what I was supposed to do. It was like I had been shot in the small of my back. Realizing that I couldn’t stand out there forever, I slowly started walking again, hopeful that it was nothing.

I made it to my office, shut my door and was immediately on the floor on my back. I called the chiropractor and made an appointment for later that day. After a few appointments, I still wasn’t better. Given that we were in the process of moving, too, I stopped going. By December 28, I was still toast and getting worse. My left foot dropped and the “tingling” feeling down my left leg was extremely painful.

On December 31, I made my first appointment with the Carolina Back Institute and was immediately referred to get an MRI. As suspected by the new docs, I have a ruptured L5 disk and part of the fragments are sitting right on a nerve root.

I’ve now had two steroid injections and am feeling a little relief from the pain. Enough relief, according to the docs, that I have been cleared to start Physical Therapy. My first appointment is on Thursday. We’ll see what happens.

What have you done when sidelined by a significant injury?

Monument(al) Run

It has been a few since my last post - work and life interrupted me being able to post. It didn't stop me from running, though. In fact, over the last 13 days, I have run just over 64 miles at an average pace of 8:34 min/mile and an average HR of 134 BPM. Since I am in the taper phase for the ING NYC Marathon, the mileage isn't as high as it has been over the last few months, but I am pleased with where I'm at right now.

While none of the runs were that incredibly spectacular, I did have a few good ones. My latest run was scheduled to be an easy 5 miler. I was in DC on business, so I had the pleasure of being able to wake up and pretty much roll out to the National Mall.

Photo Credit: Running Weatherman

The run couldn't have been better - perfect weather, amazing scenery and good company helped the miles pass by easily. I didn't look at the watch at all (except to start and stop). After plugging the data into Training Peaks (love, BTW), I was shocked to see what I found. We ended up doing 5.7 miles at an 8:00 min/mile pace! I really didn't know and the proof of that is in my HR data - I averaged only 122 bpm. Shocked! I typically haven't enjoyed the taper, but apparently, my body is truly benefiting from it!

I have 8 days until the big race. I know that I have put in the training and I am confident that we'll do well. I have a few more easy runs to log and I am really looking forward to them. In fact, thanks to Scott over at @irunnerblog and iRunnerBlog, I have decided to run the 6th Annual Anna's Angels 10 Miler on Sunday. I'll take it easy and just enjoy the experience - plus, the race helps provide funding to promote research for Down Syndrome.

Do you enjoy the taper? Have you ever entered a race knowing that you were not going to race - to just enjoy running with others?

Beating the St. Louis Blues

At the beginning of the week, I was off to St. Louis for some much needed management training. You know the place, the Gateway to the West...

It was a great trip. Joining more than 50 of my colleagues from around the country, Mexico and Canada, we spent a lot of in "class" discussing case studies and hearing from senior leadership. To keep from suffering from that "cooped" up feeling, I had to run!

My favorite part of the trip - the opportunity to run with one of my colleagues from Vancouver. We had a great run and were able to spend some quality time talking about our shared passion for running. One of the cool things she shared was that she is participating in a running study that is looking at minimalist running. Definitely sounds cool.

While there, I got two good runs in around the Washington University campus. Thankfully the weather cooperated and the runs were early enough to be super enjoyable.

The runs pretty much allowed me to keep on track with my ING NYC Marathon training plan. I have my last long run this weekend. Looking forward to getting it done and then beginning the taper!

Thanks for the pics, Jen!