Crossfit for better fitness

Since my injury, I have been trying to focus more on cross training.  First, I started with swimming because I wanted something that was high in cardio but not such intense impact on my body.  I've definitely been enjoying it!  This week, I took my first CrossFit class, which was definitely an interesting experience.

The hour long class included sets of push ups, burpees, sit ups, squats, and weight lifting.  It was pretty intense.  I enjoyed it but came to the realization that I have the upper body strength of a newborn baby squirrel.  I truly am a pathetic human being.  But I totally see the potential in myself to become a physically strong and fit human being!

With that said, I took the class on Tuesday.  It is now Saturday and my arms still hurt.  Now, part of that is back to my child like upper body strength, but it's also because the trainers spent no time on any kind of warm up or pre/post stretches.  In my head, I knew I should have taken the initiative to stretch myself.  But, like what often happens with runners, I thought I could skip it and be just fine.  I accepted the fact that I would be a little sore and just kept it moving.  I started regretting that decision within the hour.

When you do absolutely no strength training, especially from the waist up, you have to be extra kind to yourself.  I kicked myself for not learning from my running injuries and letting myself get so lazy.  I am letting my muscles completely heal before I go back to another class.  But I am still glad I went.  I can definitely see how it will improve my running.  Between the squats and core work, this type of workout will help me become a stronger runner.

I am excited to say that I did AWESOME on the squats.  I used to be terrified to do squats because it would always hurt my knee.  I've been that way since high school.  I was glad to take the chance to do a couple of squats in the beginning, because I ended up rocking them out for the rest of the hour.  That was actually the easiest part for me!  I could have probably done 100 squats without breaking a sweat.  Ok, that might be overshooting it, but that's how good I felt!  I know that has a lot to do with my training over the last  7 months.

I have to take the time to realize that it took me 7 months to become the runner I am today, and I am still no where near the runner I want to be.  But I have made significant progress.  I have to remember slow and steady wins the race, because if I try to rush these CrossFit classes, just to prove a point that "I can do it," I'm gonna end up hurting myself and not being able to work out the way I want to.  I'm excited though to see what the next few months will look like as far as my fitness goes.  Hopefully it includes steady improvements and no more injuries!

Transformer Lexy to the Rescue

A little over a month ago I injured my ankle.  No, I didn't fall.  No, I didn't stumble.  No, an angry midget didn't kick me.   The best answer my doc could give me is that I probably ran too long of a distance with too poor of form.  I almost would have rather had the angry midget, at least there would have been a more specific and clearer answer.  After severe bouts of crying at the realization that this injury would take me out of the running for qualifying for the 2014 NYC Marathon, the doc prescribed a week of no running and this sexy contraption...

Needless to say, I was not a happy camper.  Although, seeing how it took me 20 minutes to walk to the docs office (which was only 4 blocks from the train) because of the severe pain, it was kind of a blessing to have the boot; it did help my mobility a bit.  I also got a lot of cool nicknames out of it, like: Ironman, Robocop, Shira, Terminator, Bionic Woman, Frankenstein, Tiny Tim.  Ok, maybe that last one is not so cool.  Apparently, everyone becomes a comedian when I hurt myself.  

After one week with the boot, I went back to the doc, still very much in pain.  He prescribed me to 2 more weeks in the boot and an MRI.  The MRI was to see how bad my ankle was and if it was bad they would give me a cortisone shot.  Again, not a happy camper.  I didn't want any kind of shot in my body, especially one that was essentially just going to mask the pain, not heal it.  

Unfortunately, life has gotten in the way and the MRI joint and myself have not been able to schedule an MRI at a decent time.  They only seem to have 7:30am appointments on the days I have my daughter.  That's definitely a no go.  But then, a miracle happened!  I posted a pic of my bionic foot on Facebook and my old friend Kelly (who happens to be an acupuncturist) suggested I go under her needles.  I went to her once before while I was pregnant and had been dealing with 6 months worth of nausea.  I went under her needles and was way better within a week.  It was amazing.  So I figured I would at least try it for my ankle.

Now, if you never have gotten acupuncture before, you need to go.  Like, right now.  Stop reading this and just go.  I don't care if the only pain you have is a slight discomfort in your right fingernail; GO!  It's amazing.  Usually my ankle pain hurt worse in the morning; the morning after my acupuncture, my ankle felt a million times better.  I couldn't believe it!  After spending 3 weeks in the boot and in pain/discomfort, it was such a relief to feel like I could walk like a normal person again.  I actually started tearing up a bit because I was so frikkin happy; but luckily I was able to pull myself together.  :-)

I have gone back for another session and plan on doing a third.  I have since gotten rid of the boot, but I still wear an ankle brace.  I'm taking extra good care of myself.  I'm foam rolling and putting a heating pad on it.  I'm not wearing heels (my autumn boots are super sad about this) and am still not running.  However, I did go for my first post-injury run yesterday and it was beyond amazing.  I only did 3.1 miles but I did it in less than 29 minutes; averaging at about a 9:15 pace.  Super psyched!  I still need to go visit my doc to get final word that I'm on a healthy path, because that just seems like the adult thing to do I guess.

For now, I'm really not going to run that much.  This injury has been a blessing actually!  I have known for a long while now that in order to become a better runner, I have to do other things besides running.  A.K.A.  cross-training.  But I was so scared to break out of my running routine.  Luckily, this injury has forced me to look at other training opportunities.  So I have taken up swimming, which is not only great cardio, but has also been great for my ankle!  I also will be taking my first cross-fit class tomorrow.  I'm not gonna go too hardcore with that because I'm trying to take it easy.  I start training for a half marathon on December 1st, so I need my body to be super awesome and healthy for that.  So until then, minimal running, and plenty of needles and swimming!  Wish me luck!

If you're interested in scheduling an acupuncture appointment, check out Kelly's Facebook page to learn more here:  Kelly Smith, M.S., L.Ac. Acupuncture

#INGNYCM 2013

I FINALLY got to experience my first ever marathon, and boy was it amazing.  The day was full of anxiety, and I'm not even talking about the runners, ha!  I was determined to see my friends run at multiple points of the marathon.  It was important for me to let them know that they were not alone.  Yes, I know, there are 50,000 runners, how could they possibly be alone?  But there's something about watching someone go through glory and pain in training and watching everything come to fruition.  I also wanted to see the physical journey of what it looks like to be running at mile 8 compared to the end.  It definitely was a huge difference.  It was one of the most beautiful sights I have seen in a while.  Plus, the swarms of people running was incredibly inspirational.

I headed out the door with a bag in hand that included water, gatorade, a home made trail mix bag, my phone/camera, and my two signs.  I also had these pace tats a friend gave me, they were hardly seen but made me ponder about getting a forearm tattoo! lol

I started off at mile 8 near the Atlantic terminal mall.  

It was incredibly crowded!  Luckily, spectators were coming quickly in and out so I was able to get a good spot.  Not so luckily, I got to see my friends but they didn't see me!  Which was incredibly frustrating.  The runners looked great though.  Everyone was still fresh and definitely filled with happy energy.  I even saw people dressed in funny costumes, it was hilarious.  But, I dashed off to my second destination which was in Manhattan near 60th st.  I hustled over there and literally only stood there for MAYBE 3 minutes.  There were SO many people, and the interchanging of spectators was not happening like it was in Brooklyn.  Like, at all.  I realized with my short and injured stature that there was no way I was going to be able to see anyone I knew.  So I decided to book it to destination #3.

The Boogie Down Bronx Baby!

It was fascinating how abandoned my poor little borough was.  Seriously people, the Bronx ain't that bad!  What was great though was that there was plenty of room for me to show off one of my signs!

I was also able to scream to my loudest desires and actually be heard by some of the runners.  I made some runners laugh.  A lady and I started breaking out into very loud (and off-key) rendition of Journey's "Don't Stop Believing."  We were calling out people's names if they had them on their shirts, or their country if they were wearing flags.  And I saw one person carrying a Uruguayan flag!  Representing my people! YAYAH!  I only got to see one of my friends, but it was still an amazing experience.  I had one last effort to make sure I made some kind of eye contact before the finish line, so I headed to my FINAL DESTINATION:

Mile 24 in Central Park

It was here that you could definitely tell the difference between the experienced, amateurs, and total newbies.  Some people were smooth sailing while others were looking a little rough.  Nevertheless, they were all chugging along with the upmost determination.  It was so frikkin' inspiring.  It was weird to be so inspired by so many people who I knew nothing about.  They definitely gave me a hope and strength that I need right now.  And it was at this point that all my hard work of traveling around the city, hobbling my butt to see folks, paid off.  My journey was complete!  

I didn't bother going to the finish line because it felt like it would just be too crazy.  But I hung out in the park for about another hour.  I sat on a bench, letting my leg/ankle rest, and enjoyed the music of screams, cheers, tears, and more.  It was beautiful.  

This was definitely a once in a  lifetime experience for me.  I met so many people and made new friends.  Even people who didn't even know that there was a marathon going on started talking to me on the train.  There was just something in the air that made me feel extra connected to people that day.  One of the many reasons why I love running; the positive energy that allows you to share something greater than yourself with other people. And getting to see everyone running made me that much more excited for my chance at running the race.  At the moment it looks like I won't be running until 2015 due to my injury.  Although I have entered a sweepstakes AND I plan on entering the lottery when it opens up, so maybe I'll get lucky.  Until then, I will continue supporting and cheering on my fellow runners in the hopes that they will get to return the favor some day.  And on that note, I leave you with the following partial status update that a friend of mine put on Facebook on marathon day.  It's nice to know that my cheer section is already building.  :-)

Crawl before you walk

May of 2013 I started to run.  I dreaded it so much in the beginning; I had no idea that I would come to love it and certainly never expected to become as passionate or dedicated to it as much as I have.  I decided to start this blog because I noticed that every conversation I have with every person I interact with, I end up bringing up running.  I sound like an addict.  So to alleviate the ears of people who don't give two craps about running (which I totally accept and am OK with!) I am starting this blog to have an outlet to talk about running as much as my lil addict heart desires.  I also wanted to start it because I decided last month that after completing my first half marathon, it was time to challenge myself further and prepare for a marathon next year.  I thought it might be fun to document my steps along the way for my own memories; but if anyone is interested in tagging along, read on!

My journey to my first marathon begins this weekend with my first ever experience with annual NYC marathon.  I have never seen a marathon, especially this one.  I can not believe I have never been involved; this race is humongous and incredibly prestigious.  It's amazing how much can go unnoticed in NYC when you just don't care.  But now that I care about running, I can't believe I ever missed it!  

My first day of marathon weekend was spent with an hour or so at the marathon health expo on Friday.  I totally went there by accident.  I went to pick up my packet for the Dash to the Finish Line 5k; not realizing it was located in the same area where marathoners were picking up their packets.  The expo was crazy!  Companies of every kind, samples and free gifts galore, and people from all around the world to run in my little city.  The energy was crazy.  I felt a tinge of sadness for 2.2 seconds because I recently injured myself which squashed my chances of running the NYC marathon next year (but 2015, here I come!) so I guess I was feeling a bit of jealousy.  But after seeing the hard work and dedication of the runners at this expo, and their incredibly athletic bodies, I realized that I have a lot to work towards and perhaps my injury was a blessing in disguise.  I will get my marathon next year, but when I finally do the NYC marathon, I'm gonna be a motherfrikkin running goddess!

                                                                  Photo from the expo

November 1, 2013

My second day was today.  I took part in the Dash to the Finish Line 5k.  It takes you through the heart of the city, into Central Park and ends at the actual marathon finish line.  it was AMAZING.  There was over 7,000 runners from all over the world.  People carrying flags from their countries, loud music playing, and just a vibe that was incredibly excited and positive.  I couldn't run that much due to my messed up my ankle; I walked more than I would have liked.  But it was still such a wonderful experience.  I was surrounded by so much inspiration that will help keep my motivated over the next year to when I run my first marathon.

Photo from the Dash to Finish Line 5k

November 2, 2013

Tomorrow is the big day!  I can't wait to see the marathon in action.  I have a few different points I plan on watching from.  I truly am excited to see everyone complete this amazing race and can't wait to experience what it means to be a spectator and supporting people who have busted their asses over the last few months (and maybe longer) training for this race.  I already know I will never forget it.

If you can, make it out and cheer.  The race is in all 5 boroughs, so there's no reason my fellow New Yorkers can't make it!  Here's the link of the course map:  http://www.ingnycmarathon.org/images/pdf/INGNYCM13_Course_Map_ForWeb.pdf

Get out there and give a stranger a high five!  

Until tomorrow...