Wednesday, October 30, 2013

Wednesday Workout Update

I actually have a workout to report!  I ran/walked a total of 5 miles on Saturday!!!  I set out with the intention of testing the waters, so to speak...my PT said that I could try to run a bit as long as I didn't push it and that I should stop if it hurt more than it's been hurting.  To me, that meant all systems GO!

I started out with a 1:2 interval - yes, that would be running for one minute and walking for two minutes.  Amy was nice enough to stick with me for this, which was great - I worry about compromising her training, but she was willing to run with me, and it's always so nice to have company on these longer runs.  I kept reevaluating how my hamstring was feeling the entire time, and it surprised me by not grabbing or acting up.  Don't get me wrong - it's not completely healed and I know that, but I'd really, REALLY like to participate in the upcoming races, even if it's at a lesser capacity than I'm capable of had I not gotten injured.  So we walked, and ran, and of course chatted...and things felt so good that when we neared the two mile mark, we continued running beyond the minute (it was a downhill, what can I say?), and then we switched over to 1:1 intervals. 

It was really dark during the run; there was only a half moon out, and even with streetlights, it felt a bit scary - I was very glad to have Amy by my side for most of my run.  Yes, there were other members of our club out on the route, but most were pretty far ahead of us - in fact, when we were running down the nice wide sidewalk, we could see the flashing light of a runner coming toward us, but couldn't tell who it was - turns out it was Jeff, but he kind of scared us a bit!  Maybe it was too close to Halloween and our minds were ripe for a fright, I don't know...I'll be glad when the time changes and we get daylight earlier.

I left Amy around the 3.5 mile mark; I figured that I should not overdo it - but I wanted to see how I felt after getting in 5 miles.  My Gymboss was still set for 2:1 intervals (I couldn't figure out how to change it in the dark, but luckily Amy managed to switch hers), so I just decided to run a bit and then walk a bit...still trying to take it easy.  I did have two longer periods of running - one for about a third of a mile and another for nearly half a mile, and my last mile ended up being my fastest of the day, which was not fast at all, but that was not the point - I was just so happy to run and not hurt (worse) and feel like I have a chance at doing my races that nothing else mattered.
I took this picture and posted it on Facebook with this caption:  There are times when it doesn't matter how long it takes; it's just good to be able to run a bit after being sidelined with a hamstring injury for the last 5 weeks.

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I had my last PT appointment (of the current prescription) yesterday.  I do think the PT has helped, and I'll take the rest of this week to reevaluate how I'm feeling - I go back to my orthopedist next week and can get another prescription for more PT, I'm sure...but the copays have added up, so I'll need to see if there's much more that can be done there, versus just doing the at-home exercises and stretching.

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The next race in the distance race series is this Saturday, called the 5 and Dime - originally I was going to run the Dime (10 miles), but now I'm feeling lucky that I can do the 5 miler.  I'm so excited about this - it's in the same area where we normally run on Saturdays, so the route is familiar and most of it is downhill or flat - there's about  a 1.5 mile climb at the end, but hopefully I'll be warmed up enough by the time I reach it that I'll still be able to run it.  If my hamstring hurts, though, I have no problem just walking that part.  I'm really glad I'll get to participate in the race - it's no fun sitting on the sidelines while all your friends get to go run, that's for darn sure.  I've done enough of that and am ready to get back in the game!

21 comments:

  1. Yay! Sounds like you are on the road to recovery. Take it slow.

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  2. Woohooooooooooooooo! So good to hear you were able to run last Saturday. I can't tell you how happy I am for you. Hopefully everything goes forward from this point and you will be able to run as you used too soon!

    Have fun Saturday!

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  3. SUCH GREAT NEWS and so interesting to me, too, you need (one needs) a prescription for PT.
    Im grateful DAILY and Im not really needing it right now that I have health insurance.

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    1. In Texas, a prescription is required. Not in every state, but here the physician diagnoses the problem and in many instances also prescribes the modalities for PT (like after certain ortho surgeries). The PT can, if they discover another issue, contact the physician and get the Rx amended so they can work on that issue as well. (Can you tell I worked for a PT group years ago?)

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  4. I was so happy to see that watch on Facebook! So happy for you and that you are back in the game - at least now you know you can go the distance - woop!!

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    1. Yep, that's why I wanted to do 5 miles...to make sure I could! :)

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  5. Boy oh boy do I get it about the co-pay cost for PT. You'd think since they not only help heal but also help prevent future injury it wouldn't be so high but I haven't met anyone yet who doesn't have a high one. I know I've had PTs get frustrated with me because I needed to stop simply for financial reasons. I actually told the last one I'd keep coming if they didn't bill me or my insurance. Funny, she didn't want to do that.

    I'm so happy that you're going to be able to do your race!

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  6. This is definitely great news. Love the name 5 and Dime. Good luck!

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  7. It definitely sounds like you are on the mend. Love that there is a 5 mile option for your first race, and that you got to practice last week, so you know you can do that. That will give you extra confidence in the race, won't it?

    The PT co-pay. Now you're getting me all irritated (at myself.) At the end, I was just going in and doing the circuit of exercises. I knew more than the helpers, and the PT would literally come over and say "how's the knee?" and that was it! Oh well, I'll know better next time. (and we all know there WILL be a next time LOL.)

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    1. Oh believe me, I was getting my co-pay's worth out of every session, from the e-stim and Astym, to massage and stretching by the PT, and getting KT taped as well. Plus I looked at the exercises I did there, with either the PT or PTA standing right by me, as personal training. Helped to justify the cost in my mind!

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  8. So happy you are back in the game!!!

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  9. Glad you're back! Slowly but surely you'll be getting stronger and stronger.

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  10. I am sure you can do a lot of these PT exercises at home. PT for me isn't covered at all by insurance, so I have to pay for entire visits... not happening.

    So glad that you listened to your body and went at a pace it was ready for to complete the 5 miles! Woo Hoo!

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  11. 5 and Dime... I love it!!
    So glad you were able to run again.

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  12. I just found this blog and read this post and found it very interesting. Sometimes when there is an injury then it takes the momentum away and getting back on track is very hard. So good for you to get back on track!

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