Don't stop, get it, get it!

Hey All!

Just checking in. Another good weekend of running. Actually, I took Saturday off to go watch my sister race in Beach to Battleship half ironman. That was my first day off since I started running about 6 weeks or so ago.

Sunday I did a 12 miler. It was a practice run for a half I'm pacing my friends in next Sunday. I am beamingly proud to report that I ran exactly to the second 7:45 (goal) pace for 12 miles. Without stopping. Without running down the clock or having jacked up splits. Check it out. I even had 560 feet of elevation which is huge for me. When I was done I thought a few things:

*how the hell did I ever run 18 milers at 7 pace and enjoy it??
*I have waaay too much 50 cent on my ipod
*Holy f***, I just ran 12 miles. I can't wait to tell Pauline! I'm solid. It's confirmed!

The run before this one I had wanted an easy 6 miler. I was chill and ready for it because I've been running a few too many 6:40-6:50's than I should be. I was mentally set but then I put this on:

BAD idea for an easy run. Who the hell wears that and thinks they can schlep out 7:30 pace. Not me. So I ended up with 7 miles at 6:59 pace. haha. Enough to get the 6:xx but not kill myself. I am not wearing that unless it's tempo day. lol. But seriously. because I'm not on a schedule yet I tend to chase my own splits. It's so addicting and a lot of fun. I know I won't be able to do this come training time. Eh, fun for now.

Oh, oh!! As if all of cyber-land isn't sick of my bikini pictures I am super stoked to have these bad ass renditions! My super fast, elite runner friend Benny helped me out by pimping out my Miami Hurricane photos. Here are a few. I love the colors! Thanks Benny!

Happy Running Peeps!
Laura

I'm here, I'm here!

Dearest neglected loves! I am so sorry I haven't updated in over a week. I get your "wtf" emails and messages. I'm on it, I'm on it!!

The good news continues! I'm about a month and a half out of the BOOT:

I did 50 miles last week and looking at the same for this week. I run 7 days a week. Every morning I do 6, 8 or 10 milers. Pretty much all sub 7:20 pace. I feel like I already said this...anyways...no pain, my muscles are doing much better.

I had my first 8 mile sub 7 run today. Huge milestone. I did four with my running partner Dan. He wigged out a bit because he ran with compression for the first time. So the first 4 miles were 7:02 pace including a warm up mile. I was confused. He was talking about Halloween stuff like we were sitting at Starbucks. But my ego said, hang tight, it'll be over soon. Then Dan left and I reset my watch to do 4 more but easy...that didn't happen. 4 @ 6:51 pace. It's good to know my legs will go but I in no way enjoyed any of the footsteps from mile 7.5-8. In fact the only reason I didn't stop at 7.91 when I was gagging on my tongue was because I post my garmin's on FB. Ha.

I made a hard decision about swimming too. I'm not doing it anymore. I've been swimming for years. Minimum of 1-2 times a week. I love it but the reason is financial. My HAIR IS EXPENSIVE! I can't afford to maintain good hair with that swim schedule. I was looking ratty, dry, brittle, dull and frizzed out. Two words came to mind F**k THIS! So sad. It hurts, but my hair looks good. lol.

I also haven't been on the bike. That blows as well, but my body is adjusting to the run again and I am tired! I did a 90 degree head bob while getting my hair blown out this week. Embarrassing and it hurts. lol. So until I can hang with my new mileage I am sticking to running only.

So that's about it....WAIT, no, that's right...AB UPDATE!!! BROWNCHICKENBROWNCOW! (lmao) I've been doing a half ass version of ab ripper every day after my run. I seem to get distracted and bullshit my way through most of it. But some is better than none! Here ya go!

I dunno about you but I see some fledgling abs poking out!

Maybe?

ok, I'm out peeps..party on, run well and have a good one. PS should you become bored around 8pm eastern tonight watch the HURRICANES do some sick shit! go []_[]!!!

SWAGGERANCE!

XOXO
Laura

I'm not a has been, I'm not a has been!

Finally, my legs are turning over with a little more ease! This is week 4 after I was cleared to start running again after a tibia stress fracture. This week I did 48 miles. All betw 6:40-7:27 pace. Yes, FOUR glorious sub 7's!! They kinda just happened. I didn't realize it until I saw my garmin. I can't tell you how exciting it is to see a 6:xx for the first time in 4 months. So exciting I did 2 more miles slightly faster. Then crumbled to the pavement happy and exhausted.

This week I did my first 10 miler. I was a tad nervous about hitting the wall. The first 5 miles were 7:45 pace up the north end of ATT and then we stopped and turned for 5 more also up ATT. lol..I hate that place! A really good negative though. I was trying to chase down my friend Chaz so my 7:45 pace turned to 7:0x's and he still won. Moral of the story: ultra runners can have sick speed and kick. Chase with caution.

I have to thank these dudes and dudette's above who woke super early and drove forever to run my first 10 miler with (or ahead) of me!! You guys rock. That was the best run ever! We need to do this more often!

Ab Ripper Update*****ding ding ding...I'm still a skinny white girl and probably will never have abs. Whatever!

2 weeks of ab ripper

On a cross training note. I haven't. I didn't ride my bike or swim. I did speed bag to keep my arms toned. I just don't have enough time or energy to do it all right now. Running is my priority. Once I get a handle on that I hope to stop running 7 days and drop to 6 with one cross training day.

So all is great in the land of post injury fitness and The MIAMI HURRICANES!!

24/30 win to UNC

Happy Running Peeps!

Laura

xoxo

Naked Ab workout?? errrr....

Dearest Loves, I have a serious warning for you tonight. As runners, or even just people getting their workout on, we've all been in this sitch.

The scene: You just got home from a workout or run. You're nasty sweaty. You strip down and throw your clothes in the washer and head for the shower.  Cool, eh? 

Ah, uh, uhhhh, not so fast. You walk by the living room and see your ab mat laying there. (My routine is abs post run.)

Well, ya'll know I'm kinda psycho about routine. So, in an effort for everyone to learn from my mistake. PLEASE DO NOT DO ABS NAKED WITH RUNNING SHOES ON!

Yes, I did it. I just didn't see the need to dirty more clothes for a 15 minute workout. But clearly, you need the weight of shoes to do abs.  So that right there folks is pure horror.


Skip the abs, do em later but don't think you can do V up situps or bicycles without experiencing extreme laughter while simultaneously vomiting a little in your mouth.


Well, that is my intro to Laura's Abalicious Comeback Part II!!

Most of my blog followers remember when I did ab updates before. I sort of gave up after a few weeks. Well, in an effort to "keep that shit tight" I'm doing ab ripper X again.

Here are some pics from this week:

fat...

skinny ...KIDDING!

 So ya'll know my baseline of nothingness...we'll see how it goes. 15 minutes about 4-5 times a week.

As for my running. It's getting easier. 6-8 miles a day at roughly 7:15 pace. 

Thanks for reading. Later Peeps!
Laura  

 

Word...

Happy Sunday my dears!

Another successful week of running done. I'm now 3 weeks into my comeback from a tibia stress fx. Now that I am over the bad part I feel so much better. Here's a recap of how the weeks went:

Week 1: all 2 milers. I limped and fought back tears because my calves were so weak it hurt. 10 miles total
Week 2: 3, 5 and 6 milers. All very hard 8 pace runs. 27 miles total
Week 3: 4, 6, 7 and 8 milers. Most runs around 7:15 pace. Pacing is hard. I'm falling back into the low 7's too soon, I think. 43 miles total.

I still feel weak in my lower legs. I don't have the strong push off that I'm used to. But on the same token I'm kinda excited to see what happens over the next month. I've cut down the swimming to 2x45 minutes of freestyle and the bike once or twice for 20+ miles.

So all is good in the land of recovery. I don't plan on going much over 50 miles for a while. This is as good as it gets for me considering my lack of self control when I run. PS I always appreciate your running advice. Thanks guys!

Cheers and GO CANES! XOXO

Trying to tone it down...

But I can't!

No caption needed!

I feel like a couch potato.

Okay, this come back is crap! Yes, I'm sooooo grateful to be able to run again. Every morning that I put on running shoes I literally get loopy with joy. I've waited 2 months to run again. I couldn't be happier. However, considering I BUSTED MY ASS with cross training I'm a tad shocked that I'm not clicking off 7 minute miles as easy as before.I swam and biked about 13-15 hours every week. My cardio was spot on. My quads feel strong, my core feels strong. But I'm laying out serious effort to keep a 7:15 pace for 6 miles.This is my thinking:

*My calves are still crap from the boot. I wasn't using one leg for 3 weeks and that was just 2.5 weeks ago.
*I'm still hitting the pool and bike moderately.
*I could be "tired"
*I didn't run for 2 months, this happens
*confirms that running is the most bad ass sport out there.

I think I need to gain muscle back in my calves and gluts. I didn't notice it until I went on my first run. The power wasn't there. So my focus is on rebuilding those areas via running and strength training. 

Last week I ran 27 miles in 7 days. starting with 3 milers and ending with a 6 miler. I never increase more than 1 mile a day.

This week so far I've run 6 milers on Monday and Tuesday. 7:23 pace and 7:18 pace averages. I HATE stopping but I promised my ortho I would stop and stretch at the midway point. Technically, I am over doing it but I know my body. I have zero stress fx pain but overall soreness and feeling like I want to lay down and take a nap. Then getting home and taking a nap. lol

As I was sucking air today and my legs were burning and sweat was dripping in 55 degree weather I thought of my running partners over the years. The ones that never talk on a run just so they can keep up or the ones who stop and stretch mid run. The ones who wouldn't run with me. Or those in a group run who whisper, let her go. NOT saying I was ever fast but I GET IT NOW!! Running is hard work. I will never take it for granted again!  But this sucking air bullshit will be coming to an end SOON!

Mini me holding down the podium. Good job kiddo!

The party continues!!
Later Peeps!
Laura

No Candy Asses here!

Good Morning Bitches, Lovers and Friends! I say that with the utmost love and respect for all my blog followers. xoxo. I'll lay out some descent stuff soon. Promise. For now I wanted to update my daily running.

Mon: 3 miles 7:46 pace then 1 hour of bad-ass freestyle swimming
Tues: 3 miles 8:39 pace then 25 miles on the road bike @ 16.5 mph
Wed: 3 miles 7:53 pace and probably bike after PT

As long as I stay betw 8-9 pace I think I can call it a success. My legs are still sore and have what feels like no strength. But it is getting easier. I am running as much as possible in the dirt/mud on the sides of greenway trails. It's very hard because my ankles are shot. My stabilizer muscles aren't back yet. So an acorn is a huge stressor. Sharp turns don't happen and barrel turns take 5 seconds. Meh...it'll get better.

I'm running out of ideas here.Sure, ride the sign..sounds good!.

I can't tell you how hard this was to balance on...

So hey, it's mileage..I'm getting there.

Peace my loves xoxo
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

A fallen log in the forest. What would you do? Clearly, the only option is to dance on it!

Day 3 of my return to running program:

I walked 2 miles of a mulchy trail around Lake Johnson. My calves are still horribly aching. The good thing is the pain is bilateral. Bilateral pain is welcomed by most runners. I still feel like I just ran a hard 20 miler. I figure it's because I haven't run in 7 weeks and didn't use one of my legs for half of that. Fair game. I could have pushed thorough it but I felt the walking really stretched out my calves. I think that was more beneficial for me today.

My mom walked with me. It was a drizzly but warm speed walk around the lake. 

This log was screaming for the PeeWee Herman dance

Talent right there! ha

Lake Johnson

More power to the people who can run on this stuff. Not me!

Off to ice these poor legs. Peace.
Laura

Nail gun to the calves

I'm so grateful I am able to laugh at this "situation" called rehab because otherwise I'd cry. Today I ran 2 miles at Fletcher Park (Thank you Meghan!) at a pace that put my garmin into auto pause. The reason being my legs are so sore from yesterday's run and p/t workout. It really felt like someone ripped the skin off my calves and shot the muscle with a nail gun and then poured alcohol. Or similar to after running a fast 20 miler.

My PT said I have to push through it. That in order to build strength in my bad (boot leg) calf I need to work it out. My Ortho said the same. He said I have to do it daily. So I ran in circles in a soaking wet field until it was done.

Then I went to the pool...

I wore my Miami colors today! Orange and Green! There is a reason I'm on the ground. That's all I had left. I coulda slept there! It will get better, no doubt!

post run. still ok..standing

moving onto knee poses

DONE! One tired []_[] fan!

until tomorrow!

OUT!!

 

Later Peeps! Go MIAMI!
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

It's Come Back EVE!

It has been nearly SEVEN long weeks since the stress fx to my tibia took me out. Tomorrow I am allowed to run again. Albeit, very little with walking breaks, but hey it's a start. I'll take it!

I've had a lot of fun during these 7 weeks. Biking, swimming and chillin' in the beer section of a hole in the wall convenience store. Hey why not?

Ha-ha! So, wish me luck! I'll keep you posted!

xoxo
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

X-ray Eve

Hola mi Amorcitos!

Two great things:

1. I have 6 week follow up x-rays on my tibia stress fx tomorrow &

2. It's Miami Hurricane Football season! For my close English speaking friends you know I become bilingual post kick-off on the first game. It's tradition. For my bilingual friends: don't knock the spelling. And for my Spanish only friends, hola. And to those of you at the BP gas station on Buffaloe Road: I know what you're saying to me! Watch it!

So, I am hoping to get approval to start running tomorrow. I'm skipping my morning-o-fitness in hopes of hitting the road soon. We'll see. I'm so jacked from the bike and the pool I need to chill to get my legs back. I'm still doing an hour swim and a 2 hour bike daily, on avg.

I don't have any fitness porn today so you'll have to deal with a bike picture (ha-ha) Someone coined that term. I think it's hysterical:

Hopefully good news tomorrow! Peace out loves..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

walk-a-palooza over?

ahhh man...it happened too soon. Since my last blog post an hour ago I got my fire back. I practiced walking around the house. I sashayed like Rupaul in '92 and strutted my shit around the kitchen island like I was Kate Moss modeling for Dolce. Aside from feeling like a shark bit my right calf off I feel okay.

Walk-a-palooza is gonna be tough...just sayin' I won't run yet I'm not a complete moron ready to blow 6 weeks of healing but I may have to hide the good ol Nike's and booty shorts. UGH!

I'm gunnin' for something. Greenway joggers be forewarned and I am on your #$$%^& LEFT VERY SOON ; )

Thin, White & Female

The BOOT is history! 3 weeks of lugging that piece of crap around and it's finally over. I wore it every moment I wasn't biking or swimming. Crutches at night. Good, but now I need to learn how to FREAKIN' WALK again. Seriously, I am so jacked up from the boot that I can't walk right. It's horrible. I was shaving my legs and noticed that my calf on the boot leg is non existent compared to my other leg. All my muscles have been trapped in the boot and now have to move. It's weird.

So now operation WALK is in effect until next week. Then I'll get x-rays and review my bone scan and HOPEFULLY get a jogging schedule. But honestly I am in no rush. I am so grateful to feel the floor with both feet. Even wiggling my toes is badass. I'll relish in this walking thing for a bit.

Also, now is the time I should start getting phantom pain. You know, pain near the fracture that *could* be the fracture but isn't. The whole mind game part of recovery sucks. That's why I like x-rays. Clear and objective proof that I am healing.

I've repeatedly asked my doctors, therapists etc WHY did I get this Sfx.? There are many possible reasons but I keep hearing, "look, you're a thin white female. It happens."  It would be easier to blame my shoes. Oh well.

So this week when I wasn't in the boot I was doing about a half ironman everyday. (ha-ha, sort of) 60-90 mins of pool (swimming and aqua jogger) and then 35-50 miles on the bike. No days off.

I almost feel like I should jump on a Half Ironman. My training is their race distance...almost. But I'm not in race mode. Just a thought. However, I need to win something. I want a friggen race T-shirt! Ugh....

Here are some pictures of my last week or so:

Fake....Smile

New TYR suit. Happiness bought!

Post pool..

So happy training this week friends. If your legs work go run something! If you are still "sore" you can borrow my boot ; )
XOXO
Laura