Not So Fast...

This was the week.

The week I would return to the running world.

I took a premature jump by going to track on Monday - my first track workout since before Christmas. And my first run outdoors, on my full body weight, since the "test runs" when hoping for a stress reaction.

I've been running on the g-trainer faithfully, increasing the amount of body weight over the past five weeks from 20-75%.

And, after Monday, I can tell you that last 25% makes a difference. (Now if I can just lose like 30 something pounds, maybe I'd have a chance of running at the pace I've grown accustomed to on the g-trainer.)

Track was hard. My foot was stiff. My pacing was off. Toward the end, it started to feel a little more natural, but it was a bit of an eye opener. I have some work to do.

Fast forward to Tuesday - and my doctor's visit to check out the foot and discuss the "back to run" regime. Ironwoman Canada kindly came with me to hear the plan.

For some reason, I thought I'd be back up to 8 miles by the end of March.

Not so. I'm supposed to run, very slowly, 3 times this week for 20 minutes (plus an hour and a half on the g-trainer), then 30-40 minutes per week (plus 2 hours on the g-trainer) for the next 3 weeks, gradually building up some speed.

I am going to be a good bit behind my Lake Placid training mates with running come April.

Patience...

On My Way

Today I am boot free.

No cute shoes yet, but no clomping around, either.

My foot? Dare I say? It feels healed. Stiff and a little “off” – but no pain.

I still have one more week of the Gravity Trainer – which is quite cool. Basically you put on this bike short style wetsuit with a “tube” around the middle that you zip into a big bubble on a treadmill. It fills up with air to displace body weight. I started at 20% of my body weight the first week – and am up to 60%. You can run like the wind when you don’t have to lug around all your weight. I’ve actually been sore afterwards from the faster gait.

Then – the following week, I meet with Dr. Stadler to discuss my “back to running plan.”

It’ll be awhile before I can run fast or far. No Shamrock, no Monument 10 K even (silver lining – I’ll be cheering folks from a balcony on the race course, sipping mimosas and bloodies) – but, with any luck, I’ll be hitting the pavement in a couple of weeks.

Interesting

Like many of my training friends - I love gadgets and analysis.

Now - keep in mind - I know I am a back-packer. No gadget or analysis is ever going to be enough to get me to place in a race.

Yet, I still love the whole "thinking" and "playing" part of training.

TRIgirl BL has a much coveted new Gamin GPS system on her bike - which provides like fifteen different readings all on one screen while navigating your ride.

My husband poo poos it all - saying he doesn't get it - claiming he never even had a bike computer (though I swear he did).

Today, I had a bike fitting. It wasn't my first, as I had one soon after buying Patriot Sangria and before IMFL - but Ironwoman Canada highly recommended one of her bike guys, Les.

And being the training dork I am - I jumped at the chance to meet with Les...

Overall, my settings were not bad. Though, I did find out:

• My left leg is shorter than the right. My bike is best fitted for my shorter leg, so I am missing a bit of power from my stronger right leg. I may need a "lift" in one of my bike shoes.
• Speaking of which, the cleats on my shoes...
  (OK - little sidebar. Ever since Christmas, my left foot was not staying in my clipless pedals during hard pushes, big hills or one legged drills. I was a bit of a slacker about figuring it out - but did eventually realize that I had completely worn off the cleat lip - by comparing the left cleat to my right. The bike store dudes were practically laughing at me when I brought the cleat in to replace it.)
  ...were set up for grinders - which I am by nature - but working to overcome by increasing my cadence. Les moved the cleat placement for"spinning" - and wow - I noticed a difference immediately.
• My aerobar settings were a bit screwy - probably partially my fault when putting my bike back together after Oklahoma - but also part inherited when I bought a used bike. Les hacksawed off about an inch of my aerobars, tilted the headset and moved the elbow pads so now I am more relaxed and less contorted in aero.
• Ten speed cartridge and compact crank (and related stuff) upgrades will help me with the Blue Ridge and Lake Placid climbs. Though I also found out my legs are on the longer side - as the compact crank Les brought with him based on my height was too short. So more adjustments will be coming.

Half the stuff Les talked about while he punched numbers on his calculator was over my head - but the other half was a great learning experience. And I can't wait to try out the tweaks on next week's Osborne ride. Right, outdoor weekend posse?

Now if I can just finagle that cool GPS Garmin...

Spring Tease

There should be a word for days like today.

The middle of winter.

Frigid temperatures just a day's away memory.

Donning bike shorts and warm weather gear.

Driving to meet your posse, bike on the back of the car.

Seeing crystal clear blue skies.

Capturing warm breezes in your hair.

Noticing goosebumps on your arms.

All even before beginning riding.

And when you do.

Surrounded by others sharing the same appreciation and joy.

Fifty miles feel like thirty.

Roads are smoother.

Ponds are bluer.

Intimidating hills are easier.

Hours are like minutes.

And it is all over way too soon.

My Neglected Blog

I'd like to try to keep up better with my blog. The past few weeks have included some cool and interesting training/recovery moments.

So do I write one big, long, rambling and possibly (probably) uninspired post with no real focus?

Or just tackle some of the updates in separate posts over the next few days (or weeks)?

Or maybe a Facebook style note with a random listing of ten training updates?

OK – that’s about all I can handle for today, folks.