Trotting for Turkey (November Running)

Just did a 3 mile run today on the treadmill.

A question for all you runners out there - I'm left-side dominant and notice when I run on the treadmill, my left leg does all the work and is always sore when I finish, my other leg is just fine. I posted this question on a running website, and was told it's very common to have a "power" side and a "skill" side and that physical therapy could help me with this issue. However, I think it will be all but impossible to get a referral to physical therapy for something related to sports activity, when my leg doesn't bother me any other time. Any ideas?

A chiropractor should be able to refer you. I don't think you can have that marked of a strength difference without the bones being pulled out of whack.

I've been doing a lot of running lately! Three miles on the treadmill on Wednesday night as my tempo run. 5 miles on Thursday in the pouring rain and driving wind before a lovely dinner. Friday I did 3 miles with my husband and we both were focusing on our Chi Running techniques. It was really nice out, so we had fun.

Today was my long run of the week. Actually, it was supposed to be tomorrow, but since it was dry and almost sunny today, I wanted to take advantage of it. 11 miles and they pretty much all sucked. I guess this will just make the next good run feel spectacular in comparison?! ;)

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Originally Posted by VeganBikeChick

Just did a 3 mile run today on the treadmill.

A question for all you runners out there - I'm left-side dominant and notice when I run on the treadmill, my left leg does all the work and is always sore when I finish, my other leg is just fine. I posted this question on a running website, and was told it's very common to have a "power" side and a "skill" side and that physical therapy could help me with this issue. However, I think it will be all but impossible to get a referral to physical therapy for something related to sports activity, when my leg doesn't bother me any other time. Any ideas?

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Does your insurance require a referral? Because as I understand, Washington State does not require a referral to see a physical therapist. (It's a "direct-access" state, like Colorado).

Thanks so much for your reply, Jess.

I looked up my insurance benefits information, and while it doesn't look like I need a referral, it also doesn't look like it would be covered. They state:


• Services are to restore and significantly improve function that was previously present but
lost due to acute injury or illness,
• Services are not for palliative, recreational, relaxation or maintenance therapy, and
• Loss of function was not the result of a work-related injury.


Boo.

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Originally Posted by OakLeaf

A chiropractor should be able to refer you. I don't think you can have that marked of a strength difference without the bones being pulled out of whack.

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Thanks, Oak. Unfortunately chiropractors scare me after a coworker of mine needed back surgery following a severe mishap with one.

I ran 21 miles yesterday and it went fairly well. I experimented with my nutrition so I wouldn't bonk like last week. I took in a total of 800 calories over 5 hours and even though I felt like I was eating the whole time, it paid off. I was still feeling pretty good at 20 miles--so good that my training partner and I were singing and dancing like Rocky with our hands in the air when we hit 20 miles. Two hours later I crashed and I'm still pretty sore but I'm really proud of my accomplishment. It was a confidence builder and as long as I don't injure myself, I shouldn't have any problem finishing the marathon. Next week is the St. Jude half marathon so I'm going to rest and take it easy this week and try to heal these legs!

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Originally Posted by VeganBikeChick

Thanks so much for your reply, Jess.

I looked up my insurance benefits information, and while it doesn't look like I need a referral, it also doesn't look like it would be covered. They state:


• Services are to restore and significantly improve function that was previously present but
lost due to acute injury or illness,
• Services are not for palliative, recreational, relaxation or maintenance therapy, and
• Loss of function was not the result of a work-related injury.


Boo.

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That is boo. :(

I guess I haven't looked very closely at mine, but I keep ending up with tendonitis and I guess that legitimately counts as an injury. I need to find someone who does gait analysis, though. My usual PT (since my back injury) is a figure-skater and she's a little lost when it comes to running problems.

Ran a fun 5k last night, did it at slow pace w/ friends. It was a craft beer festival so tasty beer afterwards. (Didn't get a pic to post in the toast thread, though!).
Got up and ran 4 miles today. No real plan, just ran. Then I sat down and figured out I have 11 weeks til the 1/2 Marathon that I want to PR in. Not much time to get speed up. I want to get under 2:10 and as close to 2 hours as possible. So I found this plan I saved from Women's Running to PR at a half. So I am ramping up mileage a bit AND speed tomorrow. Not sure I can tempo run at the pace they suggest to get my PR, but I'll try to get close to it and keep working on my speed. We shall see!

Veronica,
I notice when I run hills that I have a "power leg". It is my right leg. I'm left handed so don't know if that is why. It is probably also the leg I use to "step up" on things, too. So it is naturally that leg. I do feel my "gait" get off when I am over due for a massage. After he works out my back for a couple of hours I usually have less of a "hitch" in my gait and probably run a bit more equal in strength w/ my legs. Not sure, just my self-assessment.

K

Ugh.
Been trying to up my mileage by 0.5 miles each weekend, in preparation for the 5-mile Celtic Solstice run coming up on the 18th. Today was 4.5ish.
Also, been running to the beat of a metronome to increase leg turnover speed. It's been exhausting.
Last night, had turkey fried rice for dinner (trying to find creative ways to eat up the holiday leftovers). Rice + morning = not a happy customer for me. Needless to say, I was ... um.. drained by the time I met a friend for this run.
And it wiped me out.
So discouraging. HR spiked (at one point, it said 202, but I don't believe it...but it makes me think of my other running friend and her heart issues). I actually stopped and sat down on a storm drain cover for a bit to ponder my sorry state. :mad:
I am waiting for the day when I become a runner. In the meantime, I will be a plodding, suffering, jogger who sorely needs a good a-ha moment to make running work for me.

Keep at it seven! It took me a long time to decide that I was a runner. For the ah ha came when I set reasonable goals and expectations. I hope you find the magic soon!

Veronica

I did my first organized 5K today! Turnout was low, so as I suspected, I was the only woman in my age group (46-54), so I won it by default. Even though I was slower than most of the veteran runners in this race, I still had my best ever time (compared to treadmill, trail runs, beach runs, and road runs in the past) for this distance -- 30:28, for a 9:50 pace. Yes, it's slow, but for me, it's awesome!

Even better, my DH came in FIRST overall! He's going to be 58 next Saturday, and there were certainly younger male runners, so I was sooooo proud of him! He did it in 23:16. It's his first organized running event in over 25 years, but he ran track in his young days and has always done well at running. Where I struggle with every stride, it comes easily to him. Lucky guy.

I am super motivated now and want to do more 5Ks to try to get my time under 30 minutes. Unfortunately, there are few organized running events here on the island, so it may be awhile until my next chance.

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Originally Posted by 7rider

I am waiting for the day when I become a runner. In the meantime, I will be a plodding, suffering, jogger who sorely needs a good a-ha moment to make running work for me.

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I can totally relate, 7rider! I would describe myself similarly. I have been a cyclist for years and a very irregular runner/jogger. It's never come easily to me as it seems to come to others. It's miserable much of the time, actually.

BUT, I think my "a-ha moment", as you say, came today when I completed my first organized 5K. It was hard, hot, and sweaty, and I was one of the slowest runners, but it really changed my attitude about running.... I suffered, but I was very proud to finish and actually set a PR.

You'll have your moment too. Hang in there! :)

Congrats, Emily! That's great!

I've been invited out for a social run on Thursday, just a 3 miler around the lake. I have a VERY slow pace, and really want to go, but I've never met these people before, don't want anyone to feel like they have to run with me, but also don't want to be the outcast because I can't keep up with the group. Decisions, decisions.

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Originally Posted by VeganBikeChick

Congrats, Emily! That's great!

I've been invited out for a social run on Thursday, just a 3 miler around the lake. I have a VERY slow pace, and really want to go, but I've never met these people before, don't want anyone to feel like they have to run with me, but also don't want to be the outcast because I can't keep up with the group. Decisions, decisions.

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I say go! Sometimes running with someone just a little faster, makes you a little faster. :D

Veronica

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Originally Posted by VeganBikeChick

Congrats, Emily! That's great!

I've been invited out for a social run on Thursday, just a 3 miler around the lake. I have a VERY slow pace, and really want to go, but I've never met these people before, don't want anyone to feel like they have to run with me, but also don't want to be the outcast because I can't keep up with the group. Decisions, decisions.

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Do it! You'll never know until you try, and even if you end up last and running alone, at least you got out there, which is more than 99% of people would do.

Believe me, I was nervous about even attempting this 5K today. Sure, I've run that distance many, many times in training, but I was afraid it would be much harder on race day, I'd freeze up or something. I knew I would be one of the last finishers. But you know what, it doesn't matter. I still had a blast and feel great about it!

Good luck and let us know how it goes. Do it do it do it! :D

By the way, if anyone wants to read the excruciating details, or (more likely) see the photos from a 5K in Belize, I wrote it up on our blog:

http://bebelize.weebly.com/1/post/20...mily-home.html

Emily

Awesome job, Emily!

7rider - I didn't feel like a runner (ie, I never started enjoying my runs) until I started upping my mileage and running more often. I think it was the week I got up to 20 miles per week by running every day that it hit me that I was having a lot of good runs and that I was starting to *crave* a run! I'd heard that would be the case, but I never believed it until it happened to me.


Now I have plenty of lousy runs, but they only serve to make the good ones seem even more special. ;) Oh, and I'm still slow, but improving...

Congratulations, Emily. I feel just like you; I'll never feel "good" while running. But, although I am on an extended forced rest from running due to a probable stress fracture, it's nice to hear about others' adventures. I've certainly had the urge to run, which must count for something. But, I am going to wait, probably until the spring or late winter to start up again, so I can enjoy my winter sports.

Thanks for all the encouragement! Just put in my yes.

Running doesn't feel "fun" to me until 5 miles becomes easy. Fortunately I know now that once I reach that point, it becomes a lot less sucky, but the first couple times i started from scratch I found running to be miserable for a long time.

I still prefer company to do more than 8. For me, people are a better distraction than an ipod or anything else.

(Got back out on the bike today for the first time since I raced a couple months ago. Ugh. Unfortunately my biking probably feels like running to you. Baby steps...)

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Originally Posted by VeganBikeChick

Thanks for all the encouragement! Just put in my yes.

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Yay, VBC! Proud of you... :)

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Originally Posted by jessmarimba

Running doesn't feel "fun" to me until 5 miles becomes easy. Fortunately I know now that once I reach that point, it becomes a lot less sucky, but the first couple times i started from scratch I found running to be miserable for a long time.

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Good point, Jess. I think I am at the point now where I need to increase my distance, even though 3.5-ish (my usual training run MWF) is still somewhat difficult. It wouldn't be *that* much harder to do 4, and maybe eventually 5. I don't know that it will ever be *easy*, but the easiest it's going to get is during the cool season here (Jan-Mar), so if I can't do it then, I probably never will.

I know what my NY's resolution will be this year! :rolleyes:

Thanks, all. It's good to know that I'm not alone and that my feelings aren't that unusual. I keep hoping that a 3-mile run will get "easy" (will if ever???). I figure if I hit that milestone, things may start clicking. Or something. I'm just not commited enough to run EVERY day. Training for this event has me solidly in a 3-days/week schedule, but with bike commuting, weekend rides, yoga, my strength work, oh, and a full time job, there are only so many hours - and so much energy - to dedicate to sport. And I don't even have any kids. I don't know how ironman athletes train and keep a home standing. I get tired just thinking about it.

It's great to read about all of your challenges - and accomplishments! You folks are inspiring. Keep up the excellent work.

Thanks!

Great job, Emily, and congrats to your hubby. We run about the same pace so I know how good it feels to get a PR. I looked at your pictures and it's absolutely beautiful down there.

Drizmal - I have a hard time getting out the door to exercise once we enter drizmal season. That's what I call it when it's sunny just over the hills, but we're socked in with river fog - for DAYS on end.

Anyway... managed to get out the door this morning for 3 miles with Thom. He did intervals, I just ran. My head and neck still hurt from my stupid fall on Saturday.

Veronica

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Originally Posted by Bike Chick

Great job, Emily, and congrats to your hubby. We run about the same pace so I know how good it feels to get a PR. I looked at your pictures and it's absolutely beautiful down there.

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Thanks Bike Chick! It really is. :)

7rider, my DH only runs 3x a week and still won the race and finds running "easy", so it's not necessary to run daily to do well at it. In fact, I think it's probably safer not to -- less risk of injuries if you do different workouts throughout the week. I cycle, do yoga/lates and light weight-training as well, so a 3x a week running schedule works well for me -- and not on consecutive days.

About runs feeling easy...just when they do you try to amp up the speed. So, yes, eventually they feel easier, but like I said then you try to get a new PR!

Speaking of upping my speed, did my first run of my new plan to get faster. So it was a tempo run and I my goal was 9:30 - 9:50 pace for 1 mile, 1/2 mile recovery and then another mile at tempo pace. And I CAN run 9:30. Not real steady w/ my pace, thank goodness for my garmin, but I can do it. What I really need to run is 9 or sub 9, but I'll get there. At least I think I can. Overall 4 miles w/ warm up and cool down.

Next week I need to do the full 2 miles at tempo pace... hope I can hang in there!

K

It's been raining yet again, so I didn't run the past two days. I was planning on heading over to the Y and using the treadmill this morning, but we had a break in the rain! It was just a slushy drizzle, and it felt good to be out running in it. Wore my merril minimalist shoes for the first time, and my feet were warmer and dryer than in the VFFs. But I did cut it off at 3 miles, because I couldn't see through my rain-streaked glasses in the dark, and couldn't see well enough to run without them.

Well we had our first snow of the season yesterday :( It wasn't cold enough to last but it was frozen precipitation so I did my 2 mile run on the treadmill. My legs are so sore from my long run Saturday I could hardly make it a mile. I got off and jumped on the eliptical to finish up. I sure hope they heal up. St. Jude half marathon is this Saturday.

Good job on the speed work, katluvr! Isn't it a cool feeling to break that 10mm pace?

Yeah, isn't that a saying they put on T-shirts? "It never gets easier. You get faster."

Not just because you're continuing to work (although obviously that's most of it) - but because when you do run what you think "ought" to be an easy pace and distance, you do it because you're struggling with something else, whether it's a change in the weather, stress or other emotional stuff, health or injury trouble, whatever - so it still feels hard. I do love to run in a lot of ways, but in all my miles I've experienced the vaunted "runner's high" exactly twice (and the last time was before I started training for anything).

It's been cold and rainy here too, and I just haven't had the motivation. Plus it's deer gun season, which even though I always wear a hi-viz jersey and a hunter's orange visor just on account of cars, can still be nerve-wracking. We got a break in the weather late yesterday and I kicked myself out the door for a quick six while there was still daylight, and glad of it too.

I need a goal... should just go ahead and sign up for that Illinois marathon.

ETA - done. Also signed up for a Level II Chi Running workshop. :)

I bit the bullet yesterday and joined our town's rec center. It's not exactly what I'm looking for in a gym in that its group class schedule is pretty limited and you have to pay extra for them anyway. But it's a place to run when the weather is nasty that's two blocks from my house. I did 30 minutes on the treadmill yesterday. It was boring, but it was raining and sleeting outside so it was a decent alternative.

I finished up my monthly mileage goal yesterday. That's 14 months straight of making my goal. It's a very modest goal, but it's achievable while allowing me to skip runs if work or life get in the way. And I've seen so much progress. I don't think I've had a runner's high, but I do enjoy running now.


Veronica

Short 3 mile run today before the cold and snow come into town. Today it was in the low 60s and sunny...by tomorrow it is supposed to be a high of 20 with up to 8 inches of snow:D

3.6 mile beach run this morning. Every muscle in my body was sore, or so it felt, after my first, very intense, 90-minute yoga class yesterday. Hamstrings were especially sore, along with mid-back muscles. But the run felt okay. Temperature was a bit cooler than it has been (70), but with full sun, I still sweated quite a bit.

I've taken the better part of two months off and am trying to kick-start my running season by doing yasso 800's today. My goal was to do a set of 5. Well, after the second one I was ready to call it quits!!!!

And then I imagined Veronica next to me. And remembered her post about the push ups and pull ups. Then I thought, what would V do?

For the remaining 3 800's I pictured V running next to me and taunting--in the style of Bob or Jillian from Biggest Loser. And then once I finished my 800's I thought V would surely push herself not to her limits, but beyond. And so I did an extra 400.

Thanks Veronica for being so inspiring!

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Originally Posted by limewave

And then I imagined Veronica next to me. And remembered her post about the push ups and pull ups. Then I thought, what would V do?

Thanks Veronica for being so inspiring!

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Wow! You made my day! It sounds silly, but I want to be inspiring, to my students, to the people at my gym, to you guys... to myself. :D

Glad I helped you make it through a tough workout.

Veronica

Veronica-

I'm another who has been inspired by you. You have a great mix of being tough and being encouraging. It's gotten me out on a ride more than once (and will get my butt on the trainer this afternoon).

Please keep posting:)

Me, too! I've mentioned in the past that one of your posts from last fall/winter inspired me to start running again last January. I tried to find teh exact post, but couldn't. But I distinctly remember sitting on my couch on Martin Luther King Day while reading your post and thinking "you can do that too; get off your butt!" And I did. Sadly, I had to quite running over the summer when my thyroid was hyperactive, but the minute it was under control, I hit the road again. I also just signed on with a personal trainer recently. It's only one day a week, but I'm really excited about it. We're two sessions in and I can already see a bit more definition in my arms.

Many of the ladies here on TE are truly inspiring, but I do find your candor (pics included) about going from out of shape back into shape to be particularly inspiring.

I third/fourth/fifth/tenth V's awesomeness!

As for my running...

I ran the Seattle Marathon's half marathon this Thanksgiving weekend. I cut 13 minutes off my time from a few years back when I ran it after recovering from my hip problems and finished in 2:19 (usually I run the full, and I'd got my time down to 4:20ish, but the second half is pretty flat). Not awesome, but still good for a hilly half 3 weeks after an Ironman! I was more sore than I expected for a few days afterward, finally back to walking and feeling normal today. ;) I am so glad I didn't run the full. It was also pretty wet and starting to get windy, though the temperature was nice.

Next stop... I don't know. Enjoying the holidays and winter running when I'm in the place where winter actually happens, then base building, I guess. Thinking about running the Austin Marathon or likely the Half, February 19, since part of my time is in Austin. Running in the winter there should make it bearable.