Learning how 2 run....

You know those pictures floating around on social media where the beautiful thin model is running perfectly and the caption reads "what I think I look like when I run" then there's a picture of a mastiff running with his tongue hanging out & drooling and that caption reads "what I actually look like" yeah well, I got to see that first hand.

I had the dartfish running analysis done and WOW do I need some work. I saw myself running from every angle IN SLOW MOTION.....ugly! Not to mention I saw things moving that should not be moving in slow motion, I also saw some running inefficiencies that I have begun to work on. Trying to run more forefoot, not dropping my left hip, landing under my hips, & a few other things.....isn't that enough?!

Well, on Tuesday it was almost 70 degrees here in Chicago so for the first time this year, in shorts & a t-shirt, I headed to the track. It was wonderful to get off that damn treadmill and work on teaching myself how to run....EFFICIENTLY! I did drills, had a midfoot strike, high cadence, and I felt like that beautiful model running perfectly. I know that's not what I really look liked, thank God I had the track all to myself or I may have gotten some crazy looks, but its a start.

Getting stronger everyday and more efficient. Hope there are more near 70 degree days soon!

Smiles,
Courtney

LOOKS CAN BE DECEIVING....

Sometimes when you look at something or someone what you see is not always what you get. When it comes to a person there is most likely more going on inside than they show on the outside. I pride myself on not being a liar and not being fake, but I also pride myself on being strong. Sometimes I try to be too strong, sometimes I deceive others by putting on a tough exterior when really what is inside is anything but....

As a mom we are stong for our kids, as a wife we hold down the fort for our husbands, and in my case as a fitness instructor I am strong and motivating for my classes. When things are challenging or if I have an ache or pain I can't let my "students" see me wince. As many know I have had some serious plantar fascia issues in both feet but I can't let that stop me from conducting a kick ass bootcamp class or yoga class or spin class. I put on my tough chick face & power through it, even through training.

This past Thursday night I became so sick with what was probably the stomach flu.....everything from cramping, diarrhea, and vomiting. This lasted just about 24 hours, even through the night! I was exhausted, dehydrated, and sore from wretching. I still had to be mom, although my oldest asked if he could stay home to take care of me, he is a sweetheart. I said yes! I still think he just wanted a day off of school but I was a vulnerable & thought I could use use the help.

I started feeling better Friday night but I still could not eat much because I was afraid it would happen all over again. Saturday morning came and I had to be ON for my spin class and I was not feeling ON....but they motivated me and even though I taught from the floor I felt even better after leaving them. when I got back home I moticed my little Eva (3 yrs old) had a runny nose. Ugh, it is always exciting in our house! We had a relaxing evening at home trying to get better.

Sunday morning comes & I am feeling good. Still not able to eat much so I had a few egg whites & a piece of toast, then off to the gym for a 35 min run (easy) and a pool all to myself, AHHH! I had not been in the pool since Tuesday due to my illness so I was ready.....As serene as that pool looked the workout was anything but, especially after being sick! I once again toughed it out but afterwards I felt like I was going to toss my cookies AGAIN!!! It did not happen, thank God...

When I got home I needed nourishment, I needed vitamins, I needed to BLEND! So I did...pineapple, cucumber, lemon juice, lime juice, raspberries, blueberries, spinach, kale, ginger, mint, parsley, orange, celery, and coconut water. It is DELICIOUS, try it! Then I made a crockpot full of beef vegetable soup....mmmmm

I'm still tough, but trying to be ok with taking and asking for more help and being confident it will all work out fine. I know ironman cannot be done without help.....

Goodnight,
Courtney

ASTYM....

ASTYM is a therapy approsch that addresses problems such as scarring, fibrosis, and degeneration that occur in soft tissues.

I was expecting it to be more painful while being performed, but its not a graston....I have had that done & OMG!!!! So it wasn't painful during but it did hurt after & last night was a difficult one. I did not get much sleep and when I woke up it was tender so I took some celebrex, I have been trying NOT to take it because I don't like being on medication but I had bootcamp & yoga class to teach so I took it. It did take the edge off but since I go bare foot in yoga I felt it a little more by the end of class.

I spend a lot of my evening relaxing time stretching, foam rolling, & icing. I have a feeling this is how it is going to go for me, but whatever it takes to get better & keep moving! "Where there is a will there is a way"

I hope to get a better night sleep tonight. I am beat....Jen, that swim did it! :>)

Tomorrow I have an appointment with the PT for a dartfish analysis. I think I do some funky stuff when I run but we will see....

Sweet dreams,
Courtney

2 weeks.....

Today  has been exactly 2 weeks since I started training with Jen Harrison & 1 week since I started running again. My swim workouts have been longer, more structured, & a lot more fun than what I was recently doing. My biking has been a little less & easier than what I was doing, & my runs.....well, its only been a week. I am definitely NOT in run shape but I will get there. I want to take it nice & slow because I can NOT, will NOT re-aggrivate the plantar fascitis.

I hope to start physical therapy Friday & I am hopeful it will end up with me being pain free or the very least keep me running stong through all of the training & racing. I try to stay positive & not dewll on every little twinge of pain but I do find myself thinking about it waaaay too much. I even wake up in the middle of the night (multiple times) flexing my feet or stretching my calves. I am really thinking about getting a night splint. Has anyone ever used a night slpint for the relief of plantar fascitis & how did it work???

I got back to blending again a few weeks ago....I say blending because I dont like a juicer, I think it takes out all the stuff thats soooo good for you, so I blend it ALL!!! I have tried many different concoctions & they are all delicious, not to mention great for you.

Trying to figure out how to post pics......

Courtney

Swim Test...

Yesterday was my 1st swim test, I was nervous about it because I really wanted to do well. The test consisted of a long warm up & then 10x100 with a :10 rest......going at max effort!

Once I got to number 5 of the test I felt like I could finsih it really strong & I was not going to die....haha! Following the test was a long cool down as well. Iam not going to post my time but I will say it was slightly faster than I thought it was going to be :)

Not only did i have my swim test today, but I also ran for a total of 1 hour this week. I know its not much but for me not running since the chicago half marathon in september, it was AWESOME! I still have some pain but I am going to be starting physical therapy to help with that. Continuing to ice my feet & stretch like its my job....

I may post my test time after I have another to compare...

Later,
Courtney

new address...

i am trying out a new blog address because i can actually add some color here.