Runderella

Journey through my love for running and everything in between

Don’t Call it a Comeback…

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…I’ve been here for years. I’m corny, I know. 🙂

Today marks the beginning of my return to running after obtaining clearance from my physical therapist. Since I have not run since November 2016, I will be following Jeff Galloway’s beginner 5K program. Using a run/walk program is a great way to build a training base while reducing the risk of injury.

Jeff Galloway’s 5K program runs 15 weeks and in order to keep me motivated, I’ve registered for the Rescue Run 5K, which occurs at the end of the 15 weeks. Talk about perfect timing, eh? This run benefits The Monster Milers, a shelter dog running and rescue organization in Philadelphia. I’m also excited because it is my first run as a Oiselle Volée runner, a wonderful and supportive community of women.

Plans for this week: (Per Jeff Galloway’s Program)

Monday – Walk or XT

Tuesday – Run 10-15 minutes

Wednesday – Walk or XT

Thursday – Run 10-15 minutes

Friday – Walk or XT

Saturday – Rest Day

Sunday – 1 mile

My XT usually involves taking a class on my Peloton Bike or swim at the gym pool. Stretching/yoga is part of my daily routine, which will aid in my return to running, as well as the recovery process.

Week 1, here I come. Follow my daily journey on Instagram.

Have a great week, and if you’re in the middle of a heat wave (as we are in PA), stay cool.

Adios, 2016

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It’s been a crazy year folks; I am glad it’s about to end.

This year brought a lot of ups and downs – from that left hip injury that caused me to stop running, to the car accident which left my mother injured badly, to attaining self-realization and embarking on new and exciting journeys.

Although I didn’t get to run the races I wanted to this year, I made an effort to stay fit by cycling at Flywheel, run/walking in Disney and starting Core de Force, a new MMA-style workout by Beachbody. I do miss running terribly though. All the tests on my left hip have come back normal, so I don’t know what else to do. Some days I wake up in the middle of the night in excruciating pain, other times, I’m fine and able to run 2-3 miles painlessly.

After my parents accident, I took 3 weeks from work to care for them. It was then that I realized the value of friendship. Most the people whom I considered my “friends” didn’t even ask if we were okay or needed anything, and it was challenging for me to care for everyone.

I stumbled upon a quote that read, “The problem with being the strong one is that nobody asks if you’re okay.” This couldn’t be further from the truth. It made me realize that this happened because I can handle it, and when I broke down with overwhelmingness, I talked about it, and I faced my fears head on. I let go of those individuals who were of no value in my life, and let go of those toxic friendships that brought me anger and grief. Forgiving and letting go is paramount to happiness, and it feels great. 🙂

While I don’t have any goals or resolutions for the upcoming new year, if I learned something from this year, and I know it sounds cliche, but it’s not to sweat the small stuff, treasure moments spent with those you love and doing things that make me happy.

Do you have any goals or resolutions for the new year?

Wishing everyone happiness and good health in the new year!

 

Just a Little Update

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Seems like it’s the same song and dance – “sorry I haven’t been around…”

I really enjoy sharing my adventures with you, and just as I was starting to get back running, life decided to take a turn in the wrong direction.

These past few weeks have been incredibly difficult; my parents, driving to enjoy vacationing in New England, suffered a major car accident, in which not only my parents were badly injured, their car was totaled. My life has been at a standstill. That whole week my mom was hospitalized, I hardly ate, I slept in uncomfortable chairs beside her, and I haven’t worked. My sister also had surgery the same week. Right now, I’m just really thankful everyone is alive and safe, and for that, I feel blessed.

And while I have spent my time caring for my family, the last thing I have done is take a moment to breathe, to do something nice for myself.

As someone who is in love with traveling and is fascinated with planes, I was excited today to get an email that there will be a 5K at Philadelphia International Airport. Immediately I signed up, since it is limited to 250 participants. My hip pain has worsened, probably from sleeping in chairs/sofa for over a week, and doing PT exercises have left me in even more pain. I have added glucosamine with chondroitin and MSM to my supplement regime, and will take it easy during that Runway 5K. Before my parents accident, I was easing back into running and could run 4-5 miles comfortably. I’m going to run 2-3 miles tomorrow just to clear my head and see how that goes. I’m hoping for some normalcy.

Anyway, Happy October!

Love,

Lindy x

Goodbye, Summer. I’ll miss you.

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Summer has come and gone and while I’m bummed that it’s over, I’m looking forward to autumn. I love fall for its cooler weather, pumpkin-everything, sweaters and boots, as well as the races that I will hopefully be running. I mention ‘hopefully’ because I’ve had my share of injuries, especially with my left hip. Physical therapy exercises, yoga, and Flywheel have helped tremendously in getting me back on the pavement, but the recurring fear of injury always lingers in the back of my mind.

Aside from working, this summer I made a week-long trip to Disney World, spent numerous weekends relaxing and soaking up the sun at the Jersey Shore and went on a few trips to NYC to see a few concerts. Didn’t take out my beloved Schwinn out all summer, so back to the attic it goes until next year.

This season, my focus will be on keeping my mind and body healthy. I’m working full-time, part-time and per-diem. Fortunately for me, the per-diem position doesn’t start until November, but it means I have to cut my Disney’s Wine and Dine trip a few days short. I am also taking six credits at the university doing nursing research. It takes me back to my days studying to become a nurse. I was working full-time and at the college full-time. Looking back, I still don’t know how I managed to pull it together, yet it is a reminder that you can do anything you put your mind, heart, and soul into. I wanted to be an RN so bad.

Training for Lumiere’s Challenge has not been an easy task, that’s for sure. The plan is to take it real easy on the 10K, possibly walking it, and conserving any and all remaining energy to run the half on Sunday. I signed up for Aaptiv (formerly Skyfit), an app for iOS and Android that has multiple workouts, including training plans for races. Last week, I started using it for the half marathon training and I loved it. I ran faster than I had in years! The coach walks you through pace, breathing techniques and alerts you when it’s time to slow down or speed up. The music is fun and upbeat and while the workout was tough, it pushed me to give everything that I had in me. I plan on continuing the Aaptiv half marathon training, including on race day. This is not a sponsored post, btw. I am just really enjoying Aaptiv at the moment.

Goals after Wine and Dine weekend are to pick a late spring/early summer race that I can properly train for. Working again with Coach Kristy is also one of my running goals.

Well, this is a brief update for now. I’m off to do some major homework since I’ll be away in Puerto Rico for two weeks 🙂 I’ll be back soon!

Until next time,

Lindy xo

IT Band Syndrome and training plans

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I’ve not run a single mile in two weeks. I pushed myself through a 12-mile run in which I hit the wall at mile 7 and irritated my iliotibial band (IT Band), putting a damper on my training plans. Initially, I thought the pain was just normal running aches, but when the pain keeps you up at night, and walking simply hurts, well, that’s when you know it isn’t normal.

The iliotibial band is a tendon that runs outside of the leg, connecting pelvic bone to just below the knee. Two years ago, I had issues with my left IT Band, which resolved after continuous stretching and foam rolling. This time, it’s my right IT band, and it’s a lot angrier this time around. It’s kept me up three nights in the past two weeks and I’ve called out of work once due to the pain and discomfort.

I’m hoping to start running on Monday, if both ITB and Coach Kristy allow. I’ve watched the entire Gilmore Girls series on Netflix and read two books since I can’t sleep: classic Oliver Twist, and All the Light We Can Not See by Anthony Doerr. I also joined Weight Watchers to get rid of these last 10 pounds; those darn 10 pounds I gained two years ago while training for the Philadelphia Marathon, which have yet to come off. This Netflix/Kindle relationship sure isn’t helping! So now that I can’t run or bike, (or sleep!)  I’m cranky.

 

Question: How do you keep motivated when an injury places you on the sideline?

Lindy x

 

 

 

Brooklyn Half Training – Two Weeks to go!

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I’m getting really excited about running Brooklyn, but first, Broad Street Run.

Everyone knows how much I love running Broad Street. 🙂

Since the Brooklyn Half is coming up two weeks from Sunday, Broad Street will be a training run for me, and will be the last long run before Brooklyn. While it will be tough maintaining a slower pace since the energy from the crowds draw you in and make you forget how fast you’re running, I have to do my best and not focus on what I’m likely to hear afterwards, “But so-and-so finished before you, Lin.” *sigh*

Last week’s run were:

Tuesday: 4 miles

Saturday: 3 miles

Sunday: 8 miles

Sunday was a gorgeous day here in the city of Brotherly Love; a balmy 65 degrees. Ran the 8-mile loop around the Schuylkill River – from Kelly Drive, around the Philadelphia Museum of Art, to Martin Luther King Drive, back to Kelly Drive. I’ve never run this loop before while training, it’s always been while racing, therefore a nice treat where I run to soak it all in and not worry so much about time. As long as my long runs are slower, all is fine with Coach Kristy!

It was a lovely treat to watch college students practicing for the upcoming Aberdeen Dad Vail Regatta. I suppose the ones yelling to them from a boat not far upfront were the coaches. Row, Row, Row!

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Mile 3 of this 8-mile run was the Philadelphia Museum of Art, which was crowded with tour buses and there was a huge line to take a photograph with the statue of Rocky Balboa.

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Rear of Philadelphia Museum of Art and Philadelphia Water Works Restaurant and Lounge – view from MLK Drive

Passed the Art Museum and headed over to run down MLK Drive, which was lonely and isolated. Good thing is that once you cross SweetBriar Road, the road is closed all the way to the Falls Bridge on Sunday, I think until 5 PM, but I may be wrong. Anyway, it felt great to get off the concrete sidewalk and give my legs/feet a break by running on the road.

Boathouse Row Philadelphia

Boathouse Row Philadelphia

Stayed strong until mile 7.12 when I “hit the wall.” I got jittery and hungry and walked a bit until 0.5 mile left of my run. Stopped to stretch for a minute and continued on until I reached my car. There, my sister and her recently rescued poodle were waiting for me. He’s so sweet! He was abused and is scared all the time and after a few days, learned to walk on a leash! As a rescue mommy myself, I’m delighted to know she chose a rescue dog.

With Harley at the end of my 8-mile run.

With Harley at the end of my 8-mile run.

Post-run, we headed down to Blackbird Pizzeria for vegan seitan cheezesteaks, the hottest buffalo wings I’ve ever eaten in my life (my mouth is still on fire!), and vegan pizza. I love going there; the people are so nice!

I’m looking forward to meeting up with some of you at the start of this Sunday’s Broad Street Run. I moved back, so I’ll be hanging out in yellow corral. Hydrate, and hydrate well these upcoming days before the race, as it will be a balmy 75 degrees on race day. I personally enjoy water with lemon and cucumbers – it’s so refreshing!

For my friends running Broad Street Run, Pittsburgh Marathon, and Flying Pig, may the wind be at your back!!! Can’t wait to read all of your race recaps!

Lindy x