Tuesday, March 15, 2011

Guidance - Acceptance - Expectation

"Happiness is directly proportional to acceptance and inversely proportional to expectation."
Michael J. Fox

Overall, I'm feeling great, although my groin still pulls a little when I push it ;), which means, don't push it too much I guess. Anyways, the plan is to alternate between running one day and then bike/physio the other. Physio entails lots of jumps, from a squat on both feet or from the step and over the block on one foot. I actually enjoy doing these exercises.

In my last post, I was writing about hoping to get my miles in before my marathon in...10 weeks now (yikes). I want to thank you all for your encouragement and I want to give particular thanks to Paul for reminding me that I can do it, but that I must be "willing to slow down to reduce the stress so [ I ] can up the miles."
This hit home, because I was pretty excited that I seem to be able to run faster than last year...and I was starting to up my expectations during my training runs. Reading Paul's comment reminded me that the important thing for me right now is acceptance of what is, so I should focus on building the mileage back up and forget about pace. So, on long runs, s-l-o-w is the way to go (for now)! Thanks again for your guidance Paul!  

Last weekend, when I ran my 10K, I took it slow and just wanted to get the distance in. It went very well and by the next day I had no lingering pain...yay! However, I did realize that if I take it too slow, then I'll be on my feet much longer, which may not necessarily be better as the miles increase. So I need to find a balance between the two. Slow enough not to stress the body too much, but fast enough to not increase the time on my feet too much. Running is so much more complicated now than it was when I started :)

Yesterday, I ran 5K and, for the first-time, after a 3m30s warm up walk, I ran the whole distance. I was very excited! I tried not to push the speed too much, without going as slow as on the long runs (pace was 10m45s per mile - this includes the warm-up walk). Yay for 30 minutes non-stop!

Happy running everyone!
This weekend I add another 3K!
Cheers!

20 comments:

Teamarcia said...

Yay you're building back so beautifully and wisely too! WTG!

Emz said...

yay for getting back in the routine. And I'm with Marcia on the "wise" part for sure!

I have read that MJF quote before -- LOVE it!

Steel Springs said...

Awesome 30 minute run! It sounds like you're approaching your recovery in a smart way. I like the Michael J. Fox quote. It seems to apply to so many things, including running.

Jennifer said...

Keep it up! I think you are doing a great job;
taking your time and being smart!

Paul said...

Hi Anne,

Hi Lynne,

You are welcome for the advice!

Yes you don't have to go too slow..it's really quite surprising how a little (a 1 min/mile slowdown..or ~10% for me) reduces the stress.

I love the quote from M. J. Fox. He's an amazing person.

Do you have a marathon schedule you are following?

Paul said...

Woops. Sorry for the double naming...fun with blogger and firefox 8/

Claire said...

C'est fou ce que la course à pied (et tout ce qui en découle...) peut nous apporter comme réflexion! Et c'est tellement vrai que plus on avance, plus c'est compliqué, mais je dois avouer que j'aime ça!!!
Ton retour se déroule très bien. Bravo!!!!!

kat said...

Sounds like a great plan to me, happy you are back on track.

jackie said...

yay! for your 30 minute run...you rock!

Laura said...

...I still think back to when I first started running - just put your shoes on and go...Oh not.so.much....
:0
Great job!

Kate said...

So glad you're still feeling good! That's what you get for playing it smart and getting treatment as soon as you needed it, I guess. :)

I definitely learned a lesson about going out to fast ("fast" being a very relative term) on my last long run (at least, I think that was part of the lesson). A very good reminder that, for me, finishing the marathon needs to be the goal rather than a time.

Marlene said...

You're doing great! Sounds like you are well on your way to staying happy and healthy through to the marathon!

Abby @ Have Dental Floss, Will Travel said...

Smart lady! Sounds like you're taking the right approach to rebuilding the base.

Giorgio said...

Great running plan, Anne! Running isn't more complicated now because it's great to run for no reason and just because you love it :)

ajh said...

That does sound like a bit of a problem to up the distance, not go too fast or too slow. Have you or do you run along with walking some of it? Would that help keep you injury free? Believe me I knock on wood every day to keep in the same place with mine.

Good luck.

MomRunningFromCancer said...

Glad to hear you are feeling good and that the groin pain is mostly gone. Take it nice and easy - you want to be running for a long time - meaning years and years. ;-)

Char said...

I'm all for running slow this year. Our bodies can only take so much stress before bad things start to happen.
Sounds like your recovery is continuing to progress really well.

Black Knight said...

A wise plan to build strength and speed. Only you know your limits, so be careful and don't be in hurry. However to alternate running and bike is a good choice.

Irene said...

I had to laugh about the pendant lighting. I had that same issue! Ha ha! All of the cross training you're incorporating can only make you stronger. You're doing everything right.

Beth said...

So glad for you that everything is going so well! Sounds like you have a great plan. Yeah!