Where has the time gone? Today is Labor Day --- the end of the summer. College football has started. NFL is about to start. School is back in session. The sun is starting to set earlier and the weather is getting cooler. I've fallen behind in blogging. Truth be told, I didn't know what to blog about. I'm not really a "runner" anymore. That is my own fault. You see I pushed myself too hard. I didn't listen to my body. I cared too much about "competing" with those around me and trying to prove myself as an athlete. As a result I haven't run since May and the Soldier Field 10 Miler.
This summer has been extremely painful in terms of my achilles tendon. I'm on medicine daily that screws with my system, although it does alleviate the pain. I've gained weight. Some on my own but most (truly) as a result of the medicine. Its not fun to look in the mirror and know that I can go to the gym and kick ass with weights and abs but still have this weight gain. Prednisone is evil in some regards but a godsend in others.
I started in July with a new trainer. He is amazing. We started with a long chat and I needed to make sure that he knew my limitations in terms of my achilles and I had to be honest with him, and make him promise that he wouldn't push me past those limitations because if I was feeling good that I would try to. (And thats how I ended up in this position in the first place.) He changes things up constantly. He knows that as much as I love plyometric activity that my achilles simply can't handle it. In almost 2 months I don't know that we have done the same work out twice, and easy session is an hour. I feel strong and I'm seeing more and more definition in my arms and shoulders. He is pushing me in those areas. I look forward to our sessions and am truly upset if I have to miss one.
About two weeks ago I also came to the realization, after admittedly being very motivated by a Nike add campaign, that I wasn't going to let my limitations stop me. I may be waiting for surgery (in a few months) and I may be taking meds that are screwing with my weight, but that doesn't mean I can't push myself in the gym and try to get in the best possible shape for the upcoming surgery. It will just make post surgery rehab so much easier. Moreover, it clears my mind and makes me happy. I've bought a Nike Fuelband; it tracks fuel points based on workouts and cardio activity. It is a way that I can track my work outs and also compete with myself (and others is I chose). It also helps me make sure that I am getting enough activity in even with my limitations.
Most important, though, this weekend I realized that when I was blogging about this fitness journey that I was being most accountable to me, to my trainer, and to my goals. Its important, therefore, that I make writing about my fitness journey a priority. So, I'm back. Things are different but that's life. Last week I was in Los Angeles and snuck in a work out at Runyon Canyon (my most favorite place to exercise); I hiked it instead of running --- even the downhill parts --- but it felt good to be outside and getting some exercise. Like I said, different, but still not bad.
Today I did 7 miles on the elliptical. I learned that in order to accurately track fuel points on the elliptical I need to NOT hold the arm handles (even though I am moving the arm handles), and instead need to mimmic the arm movements of running. I did the 7 miles at a 5.2 mph pace, so not terrible. I then took 3 lbs arm weights and for 20 minutes straight went from one movement to another. I know they were only 3 lbs, but after 20 minutes my shoulders felt it.
Some days my achilles is really bad after the gym. Other days t isn't so bad. I proactively ice every day and spend a lot of time stretching. No races in my future and I'm still struggling with how to "define" myself in terms of athletics (i.e. runner, jogger, soccer player [former life], etc.) but that will come with time.
