Wednesday, May 9, 2012

Not Quite

So my running attempt last Saturday was a big, fat flop.

5 miles.... At the end, a little voice said, "Let's not do that again anytime soon," and I gingerly walked back home and proceeded to ice my back.

Damn.

It served as a reminder that the injury process is a lot like potty training. 1 step forward... 2 steps back.

This week has been another step forward. I'm back on the Alter G and able to do 70% of my body weight with pain level = nuisance

The tricky thing with the Alter G, however, is that running 8:50 min/miles sans nearly 40 pounds of body weight (70% of about 130 pounds) actually feels like I'm running 10:00 min/miles. So to try and continue to keep up my cardiovascular fitness, I'm incorporating the ARC Trainer in there as well. That thing kicks my ass. The plan for now is to do 2 days of AG, 1 day ARC Trainer, repeat. I may do some pool running on Sunday. We'll see.

I've also been hitting the weights hard. And core. Here is my new favorite exercise. I like to do it after doing a few minutes of regular planks and/or crunches.


Ouch. 

And no. I can't get to Z yet.
(I do it with both of my knees off the ground.)

15 comments:

  1. Love that you have easy access to the Alter G (now that I know what it is!). I should probably try some pool running occasionally too. Do you use a jogging belt, or do you just jump in the shallow end and haul?

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    1. Yo, I have a Speedo Aqua Jogger belt that I wear in the deep end of the pool. I do a bunch of intervals to kind of keep things interesting. I also wrap my iPod Shuffle around my visor so I have some tunes. It can get boring, but it's a really great workout!

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  2. I will watch that video when I get home. I don't know if I'll be allowed to do it yet, but my core is definitely stronger.

    Hmmm, on the heart rate/Alter-G issue....Maybe I should wear my HR monitor so I run fast enough to get it up? I'm going to continue w/ the recumbent bike, too, of course....What do you think?

    Stupid backs!

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    1. Therein lies the problem... If you're running 7 minute/miles to adjust for the low body weight issue, you're still turning over fast and doing more pounding. Altough at 50% weight, maybe you won't feel it as much? My coach wants me to just stick with 8:40-9:00ish paces so that I'm still taking it easy... but then my HR is like 70. Ha! You will have to ask your PT what he/she thinks and see what the answer is. I'm still trying to figure it out!

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  3. YOU! Ive been thinking of you--just today actually. Yeah for the 2 steps forward-boo to those stupid ones back.Injuries are so effing frustrating. There is just no good way to look at them. Please get better soon. I mean it. Now.

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    1. Thank you, Karen. I'm trying my damndest. How is O2O training going?!?!

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  4. Oh man!! I'm sorry that you are not able to run yet. Injuries can be so annoying! Hang in there! I hope your next attempt is successful. Give it just a little more time. You'll be back strong and healthy soon!

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  5. I need a great big BALL, it seems!

    Hope your back starts to cooperate soon. Lord knows you are doing everything you can to get better but stay fit. Good for you about the weights. I had slacked off after my knee injury, but i am putting them back in now. So the alter G is harder than road running then?

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    1. Because you're lighter, the Alter G is deceptively simple. At 70% body weight, I weigh around 90 pounds. So running a little under 9 minute miles feels more like an 11 minute mile. Make sense? You're suspended in the air more and it's way easier. The problem is that with a faster belt speed, obviously your turnover is quicker, so there's more pounding. If I crank up the speed too much, I start to feel more pain. So it's a balance, ya know? You definitely feel heavier once you get back to the road!

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  6. Blargh! I'm sorry to read that your back is still giving you troubles. Injuries suck, and I wish I could do something to make it better. It is lucky that you have access to an Alter G so you can continue to do some running. Hang in there!

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  7. Oh, no! I'm so sorry the 5 miles was a flop. How discouraging... you'll get there. But it's so hard to be patient! That ab workout looks killer- I've been slacking on my core lately. I'll have to try it!

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  8. I'm so sorry I missed that you got injured! I hope your return to running is speedy. Best wishes....thinking of you!

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  9. shoot. I hate that feeling. Last Friday I had an "I'm pissed about this injury run" and I blocked all pain sensors to my brain and ran as hard as my legs would take me. It hurt. I was ticked. I learned my lesson. and I'm moving on. The stair master (the one with the rotating stairs) and cycle class has been my two cardio options. Really wishing for an arc trainer though, right now. Hang in there. Thanks for the motivation on the weights and core. Been trying to put together some interval weight training workouts but I have a hard time staying on track when I do them solo. Just like a running buddy...I think I might need a strength training buddy! :) keep it up, allison. You will (we both will) be back out there shortly!!

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  10. Sorry, I'm WAAAY behind on reading blogs. I really appreciate watching you and Terzah going through therapy. The main point is how SMART you are being about respecting pain and injury despite how frustrating it can be. Keep pushing superwoman!!

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