running coach Archives

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

One of my goals over the past year was to work with a running coach. Anyone can go ahead and search the web for running plans but I wanted a running plan that of course, was catered to ME and help me reach my running goals. My short-term goal is to finish a half marathon sub-2:30. Long-term goals? We can talk about that later…much later! 🙂

I searched the web and followed several coaches on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook and finally settled on a coach – Coach Kristy from Run the Long Road.

I know I mentioned wanting to work with a coach for what seems like forever. Part of the reason I held back was not only the expenses involved but the thought that I couldn’t do it. I didn’t believe in myself, and that’s sad. Tonight I got home from working almost 13 hours on my feet and thought about how tired I was feeling and almost decided not to make the run. But I have to do this for me, and now I have someone holding me accountable. I like that.

Upon speaking with Coach Kristy, we went over our questionnaire (which I filled out on her website) as well as my short term running goals. I love how realistic she was in telling me this is what I have to do, that some things aren’t going to happen now but together we will get me to that goal. I’m a dreamer but I’m more of a realist, so I enjoyed talking with her.

Tonight was my first training run: an easy 3-mile run. Nothing about it felt easy, although the pace was slower than I’m accustomed to. Mind you, I have not run consistently since November, so these three miles were darn painful.

I’ll have to keep reminding this to myself.

Heck, even power walking three miles would be painful at this point! Anyway, I had to keep the Pandora station on the hip-hop/rap station to at least get me going. I felt tired physically, but the determination in my mind is what kept me going. I’m not a quitter but I sure felt like I was going to die tonight. Ok, I’m being dramatic, but my legs ached and my mouth was dry like a desert. Still, I made it. It can only get better from here, right?

QOTD: Have you worked with a running coach? Which races are you currently training for?

Lindy x

IT Band Syndrome and training plans

Running Coach