mud run | All Things Gwen

Posts Tagged ‘mud run’

Don’t Let Injuries Throw You Off the Wagon

March 30, 2011

Showing off my plyometric skillz.

This week, I made a tough decision. I’m not doing Broad Street Run (10 miles) this year. It would have been the first time I’ve done a race longer than 10k. I was so set on doing it.

The decision wasn’t easy, but the pain in my knee was/is still screaming SLOW DOWN. It started about six weeks ago when I originally began the 10-week training program for the race. I started Four Hour Body about the same time. I was only running three times a week and was actually excited to follow a schedule. In fact, I had printed out the Hal-Higdon’s beginner training program and then cut out each week’s schedule and glued it to the corresponding week in my planner. Hardcore.

I started to feel the pain in my knee in week two of training, then got completely side-lined when I hurt my ankle. I was teaching a two-hour boot camp class and ending up rolling my right ankle pretty bad. In my 10 years of teaching, I’ve never done that. I actually didn’t know what to do. Sit down? Get ice? I felt like I didn’t have really any choice, so I kept teaching and going all out. I couldn’t feel the pain because my adrenaline was pumping … until later that day.

Since the ankle incident, I rested a lot. Stopped running, rested more and iced my injuries. Then, without training and from three weeks of being immobile, I did a 5k with my cousins. My ankle and my left knee hurt. Another week of complete rest. Then, the Phillies 5k with hubby. OUCH.

Off to the doctor
Today I went to see a doctor and was totally caught off guard when I had x-rays done there and apparently now need an MRI to see if I have a tear in my meniscus. Doc and I actually think I got the injury two years ago doing a mud run. It’s been coming and going since then.

But, can I tell you — I can’t stand resting! I miss running and doing plyometrics and really want to be doing hill sprints and stuff?
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He’s Hooked! Hubby’s First 5K

March 28, 2011

Hubs and I did a race over the weekend — the Phillies 5k at Citizen’s Bank Park. It was his first race and (obviously) our first race together. In fact, I’m pretty sure that he’s never run longer than a mile before. I’ve done quite a few and was so excited when he let me talk him into doing it. Even though it was freezing out, it was a good first race since a few of our friends did it with us and the crowd was fun and friendly.

Our strategy
Billy didn’t “train” for the run and neither did I. He did about one mile twice the week of the race; my ankle and knee have been bothering me for weeks. So, our plan was just to go slow and steady. To be honest, I got a little worried when we were just out of the lot and he asked me how long I thought we had gone. Um, maybe a quarter of a mile?

Our plan was good though. He didn’t lose gas, and neither did I. I’ve learned that lesson before — it’s so easy to just take off with the pack and sprint — but with that, if you’re not conditioned, you can exert too much energy, get exhausted and have nothing left. The group carried us and I felt like we were going at a decent pace.

Toward the end, I’d say the last ¾ of a mile, I suggested we pick up the pace. My body felt good and I had all the energy in the world. He tells me that he’s going to lose his shoe, and I’m thinking GREAT. With the end in sight, he makes me pull over to the side while he ties it up (with frozen fingers). Rookie mistake! Out of love, I do.

Then, like the scene from Stand By Me when the boys start sprinting through the junk yard, I yell – “SPRINT!!!!” If it was a straight run and I didn’t have to dodge people, I would have beat Billy.

Our times came in and he beat me by two seconds, and we were both under 35 minutes.
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Open Yourself Up to Adventure

March 15, 2010

I love living serendipitously — accepting invitations, taking chances, starting conversations and learning whatever I possibly can. With this outlook, the sun is always shining. The opportunities unfold. I laugh a little harder … and I’m less stressed because life’s an adventure.

I’m amazed at the people I’ve met. Published authors, athletes, crafters, designers, business owners … it’s pretty awesome. And, I’m happy with my adventures and the stories that go with them — mud runs, flea markets, photo shoots, traveling, trapeze classes, rock climbing, fundraisers … and more.

There is so much out there, and it’s a shame that sometimes we get so “stuck” in routine. Well, you know what? I encourage you to do something different and have an open mind about it. Try a new class. Have lunch with a co-worker. Cook a new recipe. Host a theme party. Volunteer. Set a new goal. Start a new hobby.

When you open yourself up to adventure, you never know what could come of it. Life is meant to be enjoyed. GO FOT IT!

Photo by happyshooter.

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