Can't run again...

Since the half marathon a couple weeks ago... my IT band is the problem area this time. But I know it's related to my chronic bad leg. This leg has had issues for years now. AND NO ONE can really tell me what the deal is!

Today I was told by the physio that currently treats me with Intramuscular Stimulation (pretty much acupuncture on the muscles) and of course the standard strengthening exercises (Holy cow, how many times have I been shown how to do core strengthening!! And while he's explaining and demonstrating, I'm politely nodding, "Yeah, yeah, lift the butt, pull in the tummy, extend the leg...let's get to the needles!!" ... maybe that's why I'm still injured...?)

Anyways, he told me that there is no clear research that shows which comes first, the weak glute muscles, or the injured leg... Well in my mind, since I've been doing clam-shells and leg lifts for about 3 years now, I can't possibly have a weak glute... they should be monstrously strong!

But I do love those needles. They, to quote Melloncamp, "hurt so good"! (FYI here's some background knowledge on IMS.)

So I've taken a break from running (actually I'm trying a little 30min tomorrow morning....) At first I was in denial that I was indeed injured, and I just continued to do runs, and feel the pain, and tell myself it wasn't that bad. But since I've come to accept the IT issue, I've been pretty down about it. I have been so gung-ho about racing again and loving training, and really looking forward to this summer's races. My goal is to do a fast half ironman, I feel like I can still be a lot faster at this distance.

Anyways, it's still early days, but I've already soothed my broken heart by telling myself that it'll be fine to race shorter distances again, I do love the Olympic distance. And in my opinion, (and I may get some flack for this) it's harder to go fast in short distance. Those races are always tougher. A different kind of tough, a more red line and unbearable tough, a constant mental battle to keep the pace up, it's lung busting and leg burning. But I may be bias. Though I have raced all distances. And if I liken it to running - I'd rather run a marathon, than a 5k, if I've done the work (ie the training). Side note - I love marathon training, I wish I could be free of this problem leg and set my sights on another marathon. There's nothing more satisfying than the post long-run feeling.

So I've been focusing on my bike. And this year I plan to be the strongest I've ever been on the bike, thanks to Colin. And thanks to my dedication to actually training the bike through the winter. AND SINCE IT'S SPRING now, I'm reaping the rewards.

I'm already able to feel strong on 100k rides, last year I went out on my bike. Colin and I had an bike ride date, early in our relationship, and I was all ready to show him what it feels like to be crushed by a girl... alas that didn't go my way at all.... turns out this guy, was actually not all TRI-talk. I should have been suspect when he showed up to my place in some old beat-up, non-descript riding gear. Any guy who doesn't need flashy name brands and team logos plastered all over him, must not be insecure about his riding abilities. And I suffered that ride. (To my credit, I hadn't ridden my bike in like a year.) But after about an hour and half, he said "Well, we either go straight and continue on, or we turn left and go back." I barely had enough breath and strength to scream out "LEFT!". I got home and crashed out on my bed for 2 hours!

Colin and I don't ride together that often anymore. I'm too competitive, and for some reason he insists on riding 10ft ahead of me, he's not going faster, he's just always a touch ahead. And it drives me nuts.

Did I mention we are going on a European bike tour for our honeymoon?? That should fun! Well enough of this blog, I'm not even sure where I began, where I was going with it...

Here's Colin out for our leisurely ride:

More cowbell??

We could all use a little more cowbell... I'll have to work on the technique a bit for next year Fort Langley... hopefully I'll look a little better in my belly-top!

Fort Langley Historic Half

Well it certainly is historic... for its epic climbing! 1400ft up and then 1400ft down... that's bound to chew up your legs!

Me, Colin and Rhys went together. Colin opted not to race, just wanting to "keep training" and also a bit worried about getting injured (I should have maybe thought about that too, as I have now a very irritated ITband!). So Rhys used his entry.

It was a beautiful day! Here we are getting ready... Rhys had some issues ...

Wait I'm not ready yet...

Almost got it...

This is pretty tough..!

Whoa! I blew another pin!

Tada! Ready to go!

And we set out. I wasn't expecting too much (this is what I said outloud atleast... secretly of course I was hoping for some racing miracles!), as my mileage is pretty moderate, and I am still very cautious with my leg with intensity. The last time I raced a half I was gearing up for a marathon and only training the one sport, so big difference.

The first couple of kilometers were a touch fast, which is always the case. I shouldn't be leading this group...

Then the first short but very steep hill at kilometer 5, slows things down and you get into a more sustainable groove. 20min for the first 5k, exactly! Yes! Good split and feeling good at that pace. Then from about 8k through 12k is more steady climbing and I ran through 10k at exactly 40:24, still very pleased with that time and feeling great. In fact I felt my strongest from 12-17k, my 15k split was 60min and small change, very happy, feeling strong and still keeping it together mentally for the last hill that I knew was coming soon... A very big climb, which seems to never end, 1k up, then you turn a corner and ohh, there's more hill to climb! The whole race I was trying so hard to work hard on the downhills, to make up for the lost time...

Well I was that very loud, panting, snotting, grunting runner, people around me thinking: "Ewww, if that's what it looks like to run faster... I'd rather not!" or "You'd think this girl was going to break a record, the way she is carrying on!"

Oh well, I may have shouted out a bit aggressively a few times for people to move over, but the sidewalk was narrow (with high car tarffic on the road!) and these ladies were trotting along 3 abreast! Next time I think I'll bring a cowbell.... you can never have enough COWBELL!!

Anyways, the wheels fell off after that last brutal downhill. 19-21k were very slow, atleast 1min slower. I had mentally prepared for 3 big hills, I wasn't thinking about the last couple k's, which were a gradual uphill. When I looked at my watch and it was past 1:26, I was super down, and I still had to run UP the street to the finish line.

Here I am feeling initially vrey upset about my 1:27...


But now I am fine about it, it was a super tough course, and my running is in a good spot right now. Minus my terrible IT band ... this week I'm going for in for some needling.

Thanks to Colin for cheering and taking pictures, though I think now he is itching to race himself!

PS. Apparently Rhys, had a few bad moments where he had to walk... but he blamed it on his race bib: "Darn, I blew another pin!" or was it a blown hamstring on the Historic Hills of Fort Langley??