Last week was tough. After the freakshow that was the Wisconsin Half Marathon, thanks to my salsa funk shoulder, I knew running and I would need a hiatus. So I swapped my running shoes for my neglected bike.
I focused on what I could do, rather than whine about what I couldn’t.
For the week, running was out. Upper body strength work was hit and miss. While I can still do push-ups and planks, curls and any kind of overhead lifting are a no-go. Lower body strength however is in. Squat on!
Sometimes the universe has a way of protecting us from ourselves. To make sure I did not entertain the possibility of a run, the kids were sick. I wasn’t feeling so great myself. My immune system took a hit from racing and my body was fighting the bug. Plus it seemed like the school events I volunteered for came to roost. All. At. Once. To top it off, the week ended with the mother of all skating competitions.
- Sunday: Bike 20 miles easy
- Monday: rest
- Tuesday: 20 miles on the bike, lower body strength work
- Wednesday: Spin class with Dara Torres
- Thursday: 30 minute total body workout w/SworkIt app
- Friday: Consumed with volunteer work at school
- Saturday: Last and biggest ice skating competition of the season. Oh the tension headache. Plus I can feel the sludge building on my chest.
Some of you have asked about my rotator cuff tear. This is actually a re-injury. I originally tore it with an epic fall while ice skating. Although it never affected my running until now, it took literally years to heal to the point of being completely pain-free. Once a rotator cuff is injured, it is very tempermental. One wrong move can wreak havoc. The salsa funk class was that one wrong move.
How am I healing it?
- Rest. If it makes my shoulder hurt, I don’t do it. For now running falls in that category. Sigh.
- K tape. I feel so Kerri Walsh…minus the volleyball…bikini…and 6-pack.
- Alternating heat and ice.
- Light massage.
- Electrical stim. The Caveman, bless his heart, gave me an electrical stim unit of my very own. I’ve been stimming like a freaking mad woman.
All of this does not bode well for the Soldier Field 10-miler in less than 2 weeks. It will most likely be a fun run/walk at best rather than the redemption race I’d originally planned. But it is what it is. This too shall pass.
How was your weekend? Fun Mother’s Day moments?
Did you miss my Jawbone UP giveaway?
Did you sign up for the Run for Boston Virtual 5k? A little birdie told me a big, multi-prize winner will be drawn this week so early bird gets the worm!
by: Marcia | Monday, May 13th, 2013 | 
This race has been on again/off again right up to the night before. Miraculously I actually ran it! Well mostly. Eye roll.
First there was the issue of a conflicting skating competition, then a bris for a new baby in the family. Then my ornery salsa funk shoulder made training such a bitch I questioned the wisdom of running at all.
The day before, Thing 1 learned she’d qualified for the conference championships in hurdling, so again I ruled the race out. But that evening she found out it didn’t start til noon, so I could run the race, book it out of Dodge and make it to the track meet.
Me, Bobbi, Kim, Kim, Kayla, Sierra, Lauren
I was treated to a pink sunrise as I headed to Kenosha. Conditions were perfecto: 50′s, overcast, light breeze. I found a group of bloggers at the start then Kayla, Sierra and I headed to the corrals. This was Sierra’s first full. Squee!
I had no grand plans for this race: Fun run. Last year, this was half #3 for me. This year it’s my first. I did one 13 mile training run this year so my endurance isn’t what it could be. I’m ok with that. It’s the year of the 5k after all.
The first miles were effortless, except at mile 1.5 the salsa funk shoulder started hurting. I pressed on, hoping once some inflammation cropped up it wouldn’t be so bad. No such luck. By mile 5 I considered stopping. If I hadn’t gear checked my car keys I might have quit since the race went right past my car. Once we got out along the lakefront, there was no turning back. An agonizing jolt of shoulder pain with every step. I tried walk breaks to reposition it and take a breather from the pain. Boo. But too damn stubborn to stop. I gazed out to the water for distraction. Then along came a cow (ok a guy dressed as one) so I drafted behind him and enjoyed the ‘udder’ barnyard humor.
By mile 10 I thought my shoulder was a tad better, or maybe the rest of me was hurting to match it. There’s a turn at mile 11 where you go right. But if you go left you head right in for the finish. Oh how I longed to make a left! But I trudged on.
At last, just a minute from the finish line I saw Rachel and Kim, already finished and cheering. I finished, passed on the beer/brat tent and other festivities this year and high-tailed it home.
Pros: There’s so much to be said for a great race that is reasonably priced, has a great shirt, fun bling and plentiful free parking! The course is rolling and goes through town, cute residential neighborhoods and lakefront path so not boring. I would do this one again in a heartbeat.
Cons: The only con is the lakefront path is very chewed up in many places. One must be very careful to avoid tripping. Definitely in need of repair!
I beelined home for a quick shower and made it to the conference championships where Thing 1 rocked the hurdles and is moving on to sectionals. So very proud of her! I also ran into Dr. Miracle, my trusty Sports Chiro who, after some diagnostic tests, told me I had a torn rotator cuff. Sigh. I’m going to layoff running this week and reacquaint myself with my road bike after a long winter. I swear it’s always something.
Did you race this weekend? Vega/Balega winners are here if you missed them!
by: Marcia | Monday, May 6th, 2013 |
me with: