Back to the grind with some thoughtful reflections.

This is serious happiness right here! 

Hey Guys! TGIT! That's what I'm saying today!

YES!! I had one of those runs where everything came together. It all made sense. My patience paid off. My body rewarded my mind. I was cheering myself out loud on the trail. Delerium, I suppose.  It was just a great run!!

Not because it was super fast or long but because I felt everything working. My mind was on fire. My body has healed. Today I was ready. 

You guys know I've been running easy for 2 weeks now. If you're just tuning in I fully fractured my fibula about 7 weeks ago. Complete devastation.  However, now that I'm moving on (YAY) I'm in reflection mode. I sometimes wonder how I maintain my enthusiasm, spirit and fire for a sport that has stolen my legs several times. Yes, I love running..but it's not just me logging the miles. I feel like I have dream team that won't let me fall. 

I can't tell you how much I appreciate all your support and encouragement. You guys always cheer me on. Sub 3 at Boston or a broken leg. There is always someone that says something that makes me smile.  And I never forget a comment! Trust me, I need them when I'm dying on my last .25 of a 23 miler. Thank you! You guys rock!

Yesterday, my Coach said something that got me thinking. Then, I had a massage that left me feeling brand new. I told a few people, "It's happening tomorrow." I was mentally and physically ready to roll! Everything clicked. 

During the past 2 months I have spent endless hours working on itty bitty running specific muscles that were weak. Muscles I didn't know existed. Muscles that will stay strong and keep me away from the MRI tube!  

I would be remiss in not acknowledging my Massage Therapist, John Stiner for his guidance in my recovery. A lot of you guys have been on his table recently. That makes me so happy. As I always tell him: fix my friends!  He's like the spiked Kool-Aid at homecoming. I want everyone to have some! 

John has spent incessant hours keeping my tissues fluid and healthy. He also has provided invaluable knowledge about every fiber of my running being. I get it now. At John's suggestion I have spend many painstaking hours, days and weeks doing strengthening exercises (I will do a post on these). I feel like a different runner. I feel stronger and much more informed. John is more than a LMBT. He will fix you, give you all the info you need to succeed and then set you on fire. Thank you!

The trifecta is complete with the help of my Coach, David Roche. I can't explain how great it is to have David on my side. I don't think, "Coach" is a good enough word. David is beyond that. He has listened to me cry and whine for a weeks now. Despite serving as my grief counselor of late, he has been a source of daily motivation and inspiration. I'm pretty sure if I look back at my training log I will see him giving me the most insane motivation, the type you want to screenshot (and I do!)….minutes before his nuptials. Or from the starting line of his own world class event.  He never misses a beat! If running is 80% mental, then I'm 200% set! 

David has trained me thorough every PR I have from the 5k to 15k in races and some sick stuff on training runs. It's time to roll again! PS. I think David has a few spots left if you're interested in coaching. Now that my drama has resolved he may have more time : ) 

Tomorrow is a scheduled off day. I'm already chomping at the bit! Have a great day guys!! 

Thanks for reading!

Laura

and if you're curious. I know you are…lol:

Week 2 of Comeback Running: The Trials and Tribulations and need for fashion.

Happy Sunday Guys!

I keep attempting to post an update, but I can't capture a consistent emotion to describe the last week of running.  I expected that when I returned to running 5 weeks post fibula fracture I would feel like this:

Days 1-3 sore and slow
Days 4-6 speed back
Days 7-12 marathon pace back.

Instead it's been:

Days 1-3 I can RUN but this hurts like someone beat me.
Days 4-6 Why am I breathing like a water buffalo??
Days 7-12 Love, hate, love, hate…but it's coming around.

I make this face often when I look at my Garmin

So, overall BETTER is the best operative word I can use to describe the past 12 days. Here and there I get glimpses of my old self. It's very hard because part of me wants to behave and run 8 pace. And the other part of me says: Uh, you've never run 8 pace, why start now? So I have settled on mostly 7:30's.

There are 2 camps of people that love to voice their opinion.

CAMP 1: Why are you running so fast so soon? And why are you complaining so much about running my 5k pace? It's insulting.

Dear Camp 1: This is all I know. I have never run a 9 paced training mile in my life.  I'm not insulting any pace. But we all have our go to pace and mine is 6:50-7:10. This does not mean your pace sucks. It means I want my normal, just like you do. I am just as happy for you if you run 5 pace or 13 pace. Whatever makes you happy, makes me happy! Easy peasy. Don't read into it!

CAMP 2: LaBella, what the hell are you doing? Are you going to train already or what?

Dear Camp 2: I know most of you are my sub 2:45 friends. I know you want me back out there as much as I do. I am behaving and following my coaches advice and training schedule. Calm down. Give me a week or 2 more. I'll be right there, promise! We'll do a half soon.

Both camps have passion for our sport. That we can all agree on. There are never any hard feelings. I love you all! Well, most of you. lol.

Today I had my longest run post injury. 1 hour. I ran 8 miles at 7:35 pace. I finished the run in great spirits. Almost giddy. Why? Because I realized I will get to run 3x that distance, plus some AND do so a whole minute faster during my next marathon. That is exciting! I say, "GET" to because I haven't lost it. I still have the drive, passion, focus and slight psychopathic tendencies needed to succeed.

Despite having way too many 0 mile weeks, beat up cardio, and a tight body from my gym addiction I never once thought:

*I'm done
*I don't want this anymore
*I can't do this
*what if I'm not the same?
*what if it happens again?

NEVER!

Instead, I thought:

*how much longer?
*what muscles can I work on to enhance my next training cycle?
*How far do I need to ride my bike to equal a 15 mile run?
*Sodium and sugar are banned substances. I don't need to fight anything else within myself.
*Doubles, I'll do gym doubles.
*How many runs in a G trainer will justify the cost of the shorts?
*I'll nail all stability and balance exercises
*I need a comeback outfit. YES! This is very important. And another blog!

I am sitting here rotating my ankles 10x each way. Flexing my toes up and down. Just waiting. Waiting to experience the euphoria and have that sense of accomplishment I will get from my next long run. (Lord knows, I won't get that from a track workout haha).

Later taters!!

Laura

How to rest for the person who hates to rest.

I don't know! I wish I did. I am a hard worker. I am a worker bee. I love effort. I love the process of hard work. I love blood, sweat and tears. I love success, triumph and glory when it's a result of effort. I love hating the alarm clock and then loving my feet on the ground. I love hating the first mile because I'm tired. I love doing work. Rest is the absolute antithesis.

Rest requires nothing. Rest is sloth like. Rest is the equivalent of a padded room with no windows. Rest is what you do when you sit down to take a shit.  As Kilian Jornet would say, rest is death.

However, I am very aware of how rest positively influences all the things I love above. I get that. I know my muscles *like* rest. I get that rest makes me stronger. All that fluff. I get it.

But I can't do it! I hate it! It would be easier for me if rest were available in different ways. Instead of just sitting down or plopping on the couch, perhaps if rest were a product I could work towards. Like:

Say you win a half marathon. The prize is a gift card for rest. I think I would like that. As long as the terms were finite. I think it would be nice.

Or, say rest was scarce. Like, perhaps a Roll Recovery or Elliptigo. Only a few people have them. As runners, we tend to share products such as these. So if rest were in a box and we shared the box of rest it may seem easier. Like, finally mine turn!

Or, maybe a little off the deep end. Say rest was painful and hurt. Kinda like a TENS unit. It hurts but for a greater good. I may be more apt to rest if some level of discomfort was involved.

I'm so not joking! I'd say maybe 60% of those who read my blog will understand this. And about 2% of the general population. It's a personality trait. It's genetic. It's engrained in me and some of you. We thrive on putting forth effort.

I remember when I was a kid, maybe 10 years old. The school bus would drop me off at the bottom of a hill. Somehow I had a ritual of chasing the school bus up the hill as fast as I could. The kids gathered at the back of the bus cheering. GO, go, go! There were railroad tracks about 800 meters off the top of the hill. So the bus would stop there. My goal was to make it to the tracks, clinging to the exhaust and then wave goodbye to my friends. That was work. That was fun! And so began my budding interest in running.

I'm not into self destruction. So on days like today when I'm post:

55 miler on the bike

I find other ways to work hard:

Every runners dream. The pull buoy. haha

Can't run, don't wanna bike, let's swim!

Onto week 3 of my adventures into marathon training. I will get there! With minimal rest : )

Have a great week!

Laura

Wow, this really hit home. Right on…

Hey Everyone!

I hit the wall again. You guys are right! I didn't realize what I was doing. I thought I was just standing there.  I didn't realize that I was doing it over and over and over again. Like an addiction.  I was in the dark, oblivious. But thanks to my trusty blog, you guys have once again forced me into the light. I am no longer in denial. I am forced to face the wicked truth.

I hear you. I get your messages. I see your texts. 1, 2..okay…but I can't ignore it anymore. I am humbly acknowledging my problem.

This hit home. So I quickly reviewed some of my photos…

I was just bringing Julian's lunch to school. I thought it was my bike cleats, but I was flexing.

My daughter was embarrassed to pose with me. So I threw in some quad.

I have to 1-up a piece of grass

And get both sides

I get it now. I flex the shit out of my legs for anything over 5 megapixels. Lighting is paramount.  I don't really say, ok flex now. I swear I don't grit my teeth. Or at least these are topics I may need to spend some time with. I may need to go into that dark place and talk about it.

I'm going to try to be more mindful from here on out. I promise I won't squat when showing you my latest Saucony. I won't ask you to look at the mud on my calves while standing on my tip toes and cropping that part out. 

I'm just keeping it real. That's all I can do. : )

Tomorrow is either a short jog or 55 miles on the bike. I'm dying to see how that shakes down. 

Laters!

Laura

Pink Floyd to the rescue, sorta…

Please bear with me guys.  I have way too much time on my hands time weekend. I was listening to Pink Floyd last night and it's like they were talking to me. I hope this makes you laugh too.

Comfortably Numb

by Pink Floyd

Hello? Hello? Hello?

Is there anybody in there?

Uh, ya, Me! Waiting to run again. Sick of the bike.

Just nod if you can hear me.

Is there anyone at home?

Yes, I'm right here, yes.  RICE'ing all day every day. Compression at night. 

Come on now

I hear your're feeling down.

Well I can ease your pain.

Get you on your feet again.

OMG, yes please! I have a marathon planned. Are you for real Pink Floyd? Let's do it!

I'll need some information first.

Just the basic facts.

Can you show me where it hurts?

Yes, yes! Laura Frey. I live in NC. From NH. But who cares. My leg hurts. My right leg. It's all jacked up. Right there. Yup, by the Soleus.

….

O.K.

Just a little pinprick

There'll be no more, ah!

Are you kidding me? Then I can run 6:30 pace again? Just like that?! What about tempo pace? What is this a Cortisone shot? Can we talk about tendon rupture first? Maybe I'll just foam roll now.

But you may feel a little sick.

Can you stand up?

Sick? Is this a joke? I don't care. I'll puke through a 22 miler, don't care.

Ya, standing isn't a problem. I need the run fixed Pink Floyd. The RUN!

Sigh. 

Just a little humor. I'm still sain, I think : )

Laura

Not so fast killa!

Hey Guys, Lovers, Haters and The Occasional Creeper!


I was hopeful that I would be thumping out 6:30 pace this morning. I have zero pain when walking or digging at my leg so I figured I would be good to go. I got up at 5am. Downed a gallon of coffee and headed out the door.

I took 10 strides and lunged back up the hill to my house.  I still get a zap in my mid leg. But the toe off is beautiful. Before that hurt too. So I feel that I'm almost there. I just have zero patience.

So I ripped off the booty shorts and threw them on the kitchen floor in protest and put on the dreaded bike shorts. Instant buzz kill. Paint me ugly. There is no feeling of stealth in those things. Sigh. But I'm doing what needs to be done.

Every year I get on the bike and my fear fades a little. Today I was hauling on the downhills. I think I got to 29.5mph. Which is about the top of my comfort zone on country roads with traffic. So dare I say it's kinda fun out there.

So I rode for as long as it took for my mind to unwind. Which was cut short by my aching ass. Sigh.

Mile 35ish

Stats:
41 Miles
16 mph avg
1611 feet of elevation
Time on bike: 2 HOURS 33 Mins.

Tomorrow if I'm on the bike I am going to try to hit 30mph on the downhill if physics will be so kind. I'm not sure if a 100lb person can pull that off. Any skinnies out there have success with that?

Thanks for listening. Hopefully my blog will turn around soon. But seriously, I google my fingers off looking for people in situations like mine. I hope this helps someone else.

Laters!!
Laura

Nothing like spine x-rays to make you feel like a bent up piece of shit!

Hello My Dears!!

I wanted to update my blog once I had some GOOD news instead of whining and crying on your screen.  Well, it took a freakin' while to get back on the road and make some good news!

Basically, I swam and cycled my ass off and took off another 5 days of running. I couldn't figure out why I hurt EVERYWHERE. People kept saying suck it up, get out there. I needed answers. What was wrong??!

So I went to my trusted Chiropractor that I usually see just for Graston Technique. I asked her to check my back. She sent me to Raleigh Radiology for lumber and thoracic x-rays. I went there on a walk-in basis and didn't leave until I had my reports and films. I went back to the Chiro.

WOAH....

lower back and top of hips

Thoracic...creepy

Just a cool x-ray. Not bad

So, my problem clearly was that my hips were uneven causing my gait to clop around. Basically, the good 'ol one leg shorter diagnosis. I googled my fingers off and found some controversy on the topic. Some think it's a crap dx. Or that we all are uneven and it's not a big deal. Well, I can tell you this explained WHY I was clopping. I was UNEVEN! But don't cry for me (Argentina!)

So, I had my first ever adjustment with the wussy gun because I can't handle the thought of manual manipulation. I walked out fine. I rested the next day and ran the following. I ran EVENLY! No clopping! I ran the next, the next, the next and the next day. No clopping. I had a second adjustment. I'm about a week into daily running 7-10 milers. About 7:30 pace.

I keep waiting to fall apart. It's kind of stressful but it will pass. When I'm not running, I'm stretching every which way I can.

I'm still swimming almost daily after my run. I force taught myself bilateral breathing, instead of one side only. I don't know if that will help but half my back is really tight muscularly. So I'm trying to keep things symmetrical.

So it's not the end of the world. I feel 200% better but I'll be running through Humbleville for a little while longer. I still can't believe that's my back. I don't feel like that person. But I have BIG plans for that cranky back!!! It's getting closer to roll time!

See you guys out there!!

Laura

How do you stress out a runner 3 weeks from the Boston Marathon?

Answer: Jack em up, but just for a day. And while you're at it, make it their long run day.

Clearly, I was being punked by the fitness gods. I appreciate my health obsessively. However, I may have been getting a little aggressive with the back to back Half Marathons and the seemingly, but not quite triple digit mileage of late. I have felt unstoppable for so long. I never have any twinges, wonkiness or injuries.

However, I did a few things that tested me last week. One or all of them took me out for 2 days:

*I ran 22 miles of hills in the Adidas Boost. New shoes to me. Probably not the best idea.
*I ran a 1:24 half and then 30 miles in the following 2 days. Way too fast to be considered recovery.
*I ran through exhaustion. I wasn't listening to my body. I wanted the mileage. I was digging a hole.

So, I ended up with some itis in my ankle. Of course I had my ortho and physical therapist on it immediately. I googled my fingers off and figured I inflamed my flexor hallucis longus and or my tibialis posterior tendons.  It may have just been inflammation to my Drs but I needed specificity.

So basically, ice and NSAIDS. Lots of stretching, electrical stim and more ice. I've never had a non bone related injury so I needed answers and I needed them NOW. I needed to do something to help my bum ankle recovery faster.

So I stared at it for two days. I poked at it. I pleaded with it. I talked to it. I put gobs of lotions and potions on it. I bought every homeopathic placebo I could find at Whole Foods. lol. I had to do something! Then the twilight zone hit. I picked up my iphone and see this random photo. It freaked me out so much I screen shot it:

I said to myself, I GET IT!! I LEARNED!! Please fitness gods, let me pass go! I'll never run crazy again! I'll go to church. Whatever you want! My phone refreshed and the image went away. I couldn't find it again. Clearly, this is deep. haha. Eventually, I found it on my BFF's Facebook page but still!!

My PT said I was being a baby. But I wasn't chancing anything. I was out a day and then took a buffer day. Today I ran 10 miles with what seemed like brand new legs. Phew!

My days off were time consuming. I knew if I didn't stay active I'd lose my fitness right away (haha). I could feel the muscle atrophy almost immediately. So I biked 2.5 hours. Swam free style for an hour straight. Lifted every damn weight I could find in NE Raleigh. I tried most of the Nautilus equipment in my gym, twice. Reduced my calories to avoid the inevitable beer belly. I wasn't gonna let my fitness get away!

So now it's back to the grind. A happy grind. A grind I love and missed! I wanted to blog about this because after a bazillion hours googling I noticed that no one has anything good to say about itis. So hopefully some jacked up runner will see this and know it will be okay.

Continued healthy and happy training guys!
Laura

2 + 2 + 40...comeback is creepin..

I am not loving this 2 mile stuff. But I really think my legs need it. Right now I feel like superman in one leg and Erkel in the other. I can only go as far/fast as the Erkel leg feels like going. It is getting better. Aside from being pretty sore my strength is creeping back in.

Next week I will continue the daily runs and increase to 3 miles when I feel like it.

I did 2 miles on saturday and then watched the Miami Kansas game:

I made that necklace out of orange and green glass beads.That's dedication!

 When I'm not running, swimming or biking I am preparing for my next game outfit. Saturday the venue was: my living room watching ESPNU. So the obvious choice was a jean skirt with a Miami jersey top and a beaded necklace. Hair totally flat ironed. HA! Muy importante!

 Sunday I ran another 2 miler. Still right around 8 pace. I *want* to go faster but I'm trying to view these as strength workouts and stay away from sub 8. For now my loves, for now.

After that I got on the bike for 40 miles in the rain. I started in a group ride but broke off because I'm chicken shit of going fast, in rain, in a pack of experienced cyclists. No thank you!!

So that wraps up 10 miles of running for the week. 65 miles on the bike and 3+ hours in the pool. I am stepping back on the other sports to give my legs a chance to adapt to the running again.

Have a great week friends!
xoxo

I have been humbled by the shortest, slowest run ever!

Well, I did it! I ran 2 miles with stop breaks on a soccer field. 8:20 pace


GOOD news:
zero fracture pain. no tendon pulls. Nothing scary.


BAD news:
*I have no right calf strength. It feels like running with half a calf. It got easier as I ran some.
*GRAVITY sucks ass!
*I feel like a load of bricks
*I SWEAT at 8:20 pace. I don't sweat at 7 pace normally. UGH!


I thought I would feel a little lighter being that I'm 100 f"ing pounds but apparently not!


So I have my work cut out for me. I need more calf and more ass. It will happen with my daily running but I'll keep at the strength training too. Here's a photo recap of how to have fun on wet turf:

Stretching that shit.

Back and forth

ho-hum

 

Shirt had to go. Can't dress worth shit.

 

Cold and wet

That felt good

If there is a pole I will find it!

My mom and partner in crime!

Overall I'm stoked. I get to run daily and get stronger. I'm so happy I can run again!! I don't care how fast. I'm glad I have running shoes on. I'll get better. It's all good loves!

Cheers!
Laura

I heal as fast as I run!

I have the boot to thank for a 6 week recovery on a grade 4 tibia stress fracture. I had my follow up appt with my Ortho today:

Door opens:

Me: I swear, I wore the boot. Check my blog. How are my x-rays???

Ortho: You are laying out some serious bone. 

Me: (uhhh that sounds odd) ok, that's good right?

Ortho: YES, this is way better than expected. There is new bone growth all over the fracture. Your bone scan results are normal as well.

Me: YES!! I schlepped that boot everywhere. I am stoked. I am the most compliant patient ever. What's next? Can I run?

I can run next week!! Yeehawww! He wants another week of walking and then gave me an "advanced" return to running schedule. Basically, don't run too hard, too fast and build up slowly. I expected that. 

I'm still weaker in my right leg from wearing the boot for 3 weeks so I don't mind waiting a few more days. Every step makes my leg stronger.

I can only run in the dirt or grass as well. No pavement. Yes, yes...

He said we are definitely winning this one. It could be so much worse. I will take that to Umstead next week!

Party on peeps! Thanks for caring!

XOXO

Laura

FREAKISHLY AMAZING!

Happy Sunday Peeps,

Another beautiful week of cross training with a stress fracture. I feel I have kept my endurance for the last 6+ weeks off from running. Who knows what I'll actually run when the time comes but I don't think it'll be that awful.

This week's cross training was:

3 hours of aqua jogging class
3 hours of freestyle swim
202 miles on my road bike. broken down into 5 rides. shortest 17 miles and longest 60. avg 17-18mph.
2 hours of PT doing strength training, walking on the dreadmill and stretching.

So I thought this Nike shirt was fitting:

FREAKISHLY AMAZING by Nike (haha)

So this week I I have more PT and the day I have waited for since my tibia broke: the FOLLOW UP X-RAYS! Validation that I'm healing. (HEY DON'T STOP READING DAMN IT!) I don't have pain per se but my broken leg is very weak from being in the boot. My calf is slightly smaller and my gait isn't quite normal. That could be boot related or from these shoes:

This is my annual ode to my favorite ACC football team: THE MIAMI HURRICANES!

                                                  I'm not sure why I'm hitch hiking. LOL! But I love the CANES!  Here are some more:

no crew here. I carried my own pom poms!

I swear my leg is broken! Clearly, I'm favoring!

Well, I'm usually and hopefully on your left but for now I'll straddle the center line. HA.

Happy running friends! See you out there soon!
XOXO
Laura

Being injured is a lot of work!

Hello and welcome to Laura's OCD fitness train! Gone are the days of sweat soaked mid week 12 milers. Instead, welcome to the land of the brick: swim/bike. I'm sure the cyclists and swimmers out there are saying, "you're not going hard enough." I will work on that, but for now I feel that to get a good workout I need to do extra. Running is harder. I'm gonna say it loud and proud!

Also, I love the water and the bike simply because I'm not limping or on crutches. I feel like a regular person. As soon as I pull out of the pool or unclick my shoes from the bike reality hits that I still am a busted up mess. I can't even unclick my broken leg out of the peddle. I have to bend over and use my hands. Ugh.

My schedule has looked like this lately:

Friday: 1 hour aqua class followed by 1 hour of free style swim. This = 1 COLD Frey.
Saturday: 35 miles on the bike.
Sunday: 1 hour of freestyle swim
Monday: 1 hour of aqua jogger and 22 miles on the bike.

The aqua class I take is awesome. Basically, it's aqua running and arms at the same time. Lots of sprints etc. I can feel "a little" pressure on my Stress Fx so I'm not going to bust too much ass too soon as far going solo with the aqua jogger and strictly running. Maybe in a week or 10 days.

Here are some pics:

Yay Mom!! Thanks for coming out!

NOT NIKE'S...

ahhhh yeah...a sneak peak at my new MIAMI bikini!! The official FAN photo is still in the works. ie my tan line

s suck!

Well, my Ortho just called and said my BRACE is in...aweeee shit. Brace?

Later Taters!
Laura