The comeback from the comeback

January 10th 2014 was my last post, that post was entitled "The Comeback".

A year later I have opened up my blog again, the same time of year (New Years resolution perhaps?).

So many hopes for 2016... Happy career life (which is still uncertain since I am only 5 weeks into a new job since leaving the job I held for 13 years), more karate success, finally breaking the fucking 30:00 minute mark for a 5k, having more time with my family and kids.

What will 2016 bring... Who knows! Maybe some more blog posts? Perhaps.

Or perhaps I'll see you again at the beginning of 2017 ;)

the comeback

I've had a successful week of running this week. Of course, we have to keep in mind that the injury left me unable to do any running for several months, which mean "successful" is all relative.  In an effort to make sure I do not re injure myself I am taking it slow, but last night I did a solid 30 minutes on the treadmill!  Although my knee started to feel a little tight in the same spot, it eventually loosened up and I was able to run pain free.  I am going for another Ditda treatment next week. 

Here's to a injury free 2014!

The injury update

On August 21, 2013 I officially participated in my first team practice with my fellow Boreal members. On August 21, 2013 I pretty much kissed my running season for 2013 goodbye. Though I went through many treatments with an Athletic Therapist, then with a Physiotherapist my knee pain was refusing to get any better.  Finally in mid December I bit the bullet, made an appointment and drove to Ottawa and got my Ditda treatment. My knee has been feeling a lot better (although I do have to go for one or two more treatments). Unfortunately (warming: poor excuse coming) with the holidays I didn't have the opportunity to do any running. 

That being said, 'tis a new year, and with it renewed optimism and renewed hope that maybe this year I will break out of the 30 minute barrier for my 5k that has been plaguing me for far too long.

Onward and upward.

Here's to a stellar 2014 filled with new adventures and new personal bests.

The injury

Finishing the Triathlon, meeting Kathrine Switzer, joining the Boreal Club... all these things gave me a renewed excitement about running.  I was going to break 30 minutes for my 5k, I was going to get a new 10k record... I was going to keep improving and enjoy my runs.  That was the plan.

During my very first Boreal Team training the program called for a very lengthy workout.  Since I was already the slowest I wanted to make sure that no matter happened I would finished.  I may not win them over by being the most impressive with my speed, but I would win them over with my perseverance, my unwillingness to quit...

Unfortunately my body had a different plan.  Most runners know, that as a general rule of thumb you should only increase your distance by roughly 10%.  In August I was averaging between 5k and 8k during my weekly runs, yet on this training day in August we ran the equivalent of 13 km on the track. That's when I started feeling it.  The pain under my knee cap. Damn.

It has been almost a month and a half now, and the pain is still there.  Patellofemoral pain syndrome, AKA Runners Knee.  Apparently that's what I have.  Going to Physio, using K tape, IT band stripping, Quad stretches, Glut exercises... Hopefully I will be running again soon, but for now I have to tolerate running 2 minutes, and walking 5 minutes. 

Being a Borealite

On Wednesday August 14th I officially joined a local running club and became part of the Boreal team.  Immediately after I handed in my registration papers I proceeded to run a PB of 30:22 (so close to breaking out of that darn 30 minute finishing time) at the DDO 5k race.  A good omen I hope. 

Tomorrow I will participate in my first team practice.  I am excited and nervous all at once.  Under normal circumstances I will likely only be able to participate in the Wednesday night track training sessions every once in a while because Jarrod works nights.  But since I am very new, I thought going to the track to meet everyone would be a good idea.  Alana will be there, which will certainly make meeting everyone a little easier.  Saturday I will be taking part in the Boreal weekly long run, which I am also nervous about because my longest runs recently have been about 6k, and I am fairly certain that being the new team member I am also the slowest out there... for now.

Refocused

On Saturday August 10th 2013 I had the great honor of meeting the one and only Kathrine Switzer.  Kathrine Switzer was not only the winner of the 1974 NYC Marathon, but in 1967 she broke the gender barrier by becoming the first woman to run the Boston Marathon as a numbered entry (5 years before women were officially allowed to run).  About 4k into her marathon a race official realized that a woman was running in his race, ran after her and tried to rip her numbers off of her.  Mrs Switzer was kind enough to autograph a copy of the below picture for both myself and Alana (mine is already framed and hanging beside my treadmill).

Famous picture I had Kathrine Switzer sign for Alana

It was surreal listening to Kathrine Switzer speak about her experience in the 1967 Boston Marathon.  I was lucky enough to be able to speak with her after she got off stage.  She autographed the picture for myself and Alana, she autographed her book for me and she asked if I had ever completed a marathon.  "Not yet, I am working on running my first half marathon next year" I told her.  How exciting to share my goals with a running legend. A pioneer in women's sports. She signed my book with "Melanie - Remember, the marathon is the reward, but the real VICTORY is the process".  Such an inspiration.  She gave me a hug, we took a picture together, and we said goodbye she made sure to tell Jarrod to "make sure you keep her on the roads". Needless to say, she far exceeded my expectations.

Now that the triathlon is over I have two goals I am focusing on.  The first of which is to complete a 5k race in under 30 minutes in 2013.  The next is completing the Montreal Oasis half marathon in September 2014. 

I know that the including long runs in my training plan at least once per week will be crucial to my success, especially for the half marathon, I have decided to join Alana in the Boreal Running Club.  I will be submitting my registration form on Wednesday.  I am super excited to be officially part of a team, but am also nervous about my ability to keep up with the rest of the members on the Saturday morning long runs.  My first long run will take place on Saturday August 24^th.  Wish me luck!

Triathlete

On July 14^th, 2013 I completed my first triathlon. What an amazing experience.  Here is a photo journal of the day.  I was hoping for a better finish time for the run, but hey, it was over 40 degrees and I was exhausted!