Sunday, September 29, 2019

It was a Week of Mishaps but the Running was Good

Returning from an escape away is always tough. If only life could be that much fun all the time, right? If only every day could be filled with blue skies and sunshine...friendship and wine...boating and laughter...

Reality bites. I rode the wave (pun intended) for a couple of days. The good vibes carried me through my first day back at work. But by Wednesday, life took over and once again my feet were firmly back on the ground. Even the weather took a turn, bringing blustery, rainy, cool conditions which lingered through the week.

I had a few mishaps during my workouts, too. I think my body was tired. Being the stubborn warrior that I am, I kept on moving. Was it the right or wrong thing to do? Not sure. I do love to move my body, though. Even when my body pushes back.



The week in review:
Monday: CrossFit
Tuesday: Rest
Wednesday: 7 miles, Yoga with Adrienne
Thursday: Strength training, Bootcamp
Friday: rest day
Saturday: run 3 miles, massage
Sunday: run 6.5 miles
September monthly mileage: 58 miles

After such an active weekend in Alabama, I debated going to CrossFit on Monday. Since I missed last Thursday, I went to class, figuring I could always scale the workouts if my body rebelled.  The strength workout included snatches. I successfully hoisted that bar overhead multiple times...and then fell out of the squat portion of the move. Nothing hurt but my pride, I continued the workout. The MetCon was for time and included running, single-arm dumbbell overhead squats, atomic situps, and pullups. Rinse and repeat.

Full Video in Friday's Runfessions Post, if you're interested
For Thursday's strength training, Sammy Jo planned on me making up for last weeks' missed session. I started out with back squats alternating with strict presses. Then she loaded up the green plates (!) for deadlifts. I was so excited! I love deadlifts! I love the colored plates! I lifted the bar and did several lifts for a warm-up set. Pain spread across my lower back. Nope. Not happening. I didn't say anything and SJ added more weight. I pulled the bar up once and yeah, my back said no. She even had me try lifting with a weight belt, but by that point, I was in enough pain that I stopped. I was not happy.


When we were done with the workout, I consulted with the resident PT of the box, who reset my SI joint. While I felt much better after that, my low back was still achy. I was able to participate in bootcamp, which was chock full of med ball cleans. In fact, I did so many that I lost count. We also did a lot of rowing with burpees over the rower. Because why not?

My back was sore the rest of the week but not so much that it prevented me from running. In fact, running was a highlight of the week for me. Now isn't that a change of pace? Wednesday's 7 miler, using run/walk intervals, felt GOOD. In fact, I finished that run with an overall pace of 10m/m. On Saturday, it was raining and 58 degrees, so I decided to take my 3 miler to the treadmill. Again, pacing was good. But the treadmill is just so freaking boring!

The Treadmill: I hate you but I need you
I woke up to more rain on Sunday, but the thought of another treadmill run had me shaking my head no. I took advantage of a break in the rain to hit the bike path. Again, my legs felt good for this 6+ miler! Unfortunately, on my way home, I was caught by an impromptu rain shower. The back half of my run was faster than the first 3 miles. I call that a win.

On my way to 6.5 wet miles
After my back injury on Thursday, I scheduled a massage on Saturday. There's no sugar coating it--the massage was painful. Several times, she asked me if she should stop or lighten up. I told her no. As much as it hurts, I know that if I let her go hard, I'll reap the benefits. She worked hard on my left SI joint, my right quadratus lumborum and psoas, and both IT bands. When I woke up Sunday morning, I still had some low back pain. I was also incredibly sore and my back was bruised, but it didn't prevent me from having that good run in the rain.

In spite of my mishaps this week, I'm feeling good about where I'm at, fitness-wise. I'm hoping to get on top of that back pain. That includes increasing my stretching via yoga, continuing to work on hip strengthening, and continuing to get those therapeutic (code word: painful) massages. I'll tell you, being an older athlete requires as much maintenance as it does training! But it is so worth it.

Running felt very, very good this week! Strength training? Not so much /via @oldrunningmom #crossfit #runchat #running #sijointdysfunction

Have you had weeks where it felt like nothing went right? Do you have SI joint dysfunction? What maintenance activities do you regularly do to keep yourself injury-free? 

I'm linking up with Deborah and Kim for the Weekly Rundown.

44 comments :

  1. Glad to read you felt better about your running this week too! Those treadmill runs are tough when you are used to being outside. Thanks for linking up

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    1. I can't explain it, but my legs feel so light! It's the most pleasant sensation.

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  2. Yay for a good running week! I think the aches and pains are going to be there regardless, better to have them from working out rather than not working out. When I was in my early 30's I went through a phase and stopped exercising (I think just to see what it would feel like?) and kept the streak up for a few months and I got all kinds of aches and pains and creaks and just felt SO OLD in general.

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    1. Yep, you can't win whether or not you work out! I'll take my chances on moving it!

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  3. Great to hear the running mojo is back, and things felt great on the road/bike path. My lower back has been funky lately, too. It feels fine after I've gotten up and moved around, but definitely not a fun "welcome to the new day" sensation.

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    1. Yeah, this SI joint thing is literally a PIA. I've been told to go to PT to see a pelvic floor specialist but really, if I keep running, is it going to make a difference?

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  4. Glad running was good to you this week, but bummer on your back pain! How about giving an old-fashioned heating pad a try?

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    1. I had the seat heater on in my car on the day of the injury, lol!

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  5. I'm so sorry to hear about your back pain :( It sounds like the massage, although painful, did some good too. Sometimes I suffer from lower back pain. Usually a visit with my ART doctor to get an adjustment is helpful, but I've also been using KT Tape Wide on my lower back for my double digit runs.

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    1. I've got those SalonPas patches pasted over my SI joints. I think the waterskiing may have aggravated things. #notsorry

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  6. I need to follow your lead and get a massage. Not sure why I'm putting it off. Glad running is feeling GOOD!

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    1. I'm really glad too. Gearing up for some fast running next year? and needing your guidance!

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  7. I had to look up SI joint dysfunction. I've felt something similar to this "Sciatic-like pain in the buttocks and/or backs of the thighs that feels hot, sharp, and stabbing and may include numbness and tingling." Hmm.

    I haven't had a massage since January/February. I found a new location downtown but keep putting it off. Why is it that I can easily take a rest day from running but not make the time for a massage?

    I hope your back feels better soon.

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    1. I think this back thing is going to be an ongoing thing. Between RA and just being a female, it's a given. I'm working on trying to keep it quiet.

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  8. I was never team Treadmill is Boring until I did ten on it earlier this summer - since then I can't stay on there worth a damn. I know I'm in the minority, but I love rain runs. Not standing around waiting for races to start, but love just going out in one.
    Glad the massage helped, but yokes on the bruising

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    1. I don't mind a warm rain, but a cold, windy rain? Not so much...

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  9. Glad running was better but sorry about your back! The "therapeutic" massages are painful but worth it.... they fall into the "Type 2 Fun" category where I am happy I did it much much later in the week lol.

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    1. True story! I'm definitely feeling much better this morning! Expecting to continue to improve.

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  10. I've had lots of issues with my SI joint and I haven't quite figured out what makes it better or worse...it just sort of comes and goes but luckily is not really too severe. Knock on wood I haven't really noticed it since having Grayson.
    Thats nice that they have a PT at your crossfit box! Hopefully getting it reset right away will help it heal faster, along with everything else you've done.

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    1. Until the next time it decides to act up! From what I've learned, the SI joint is an issue for a lot of women. I'll be educating myself and there will probably be a blog post down the road...

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  11. I hope your back feels better soon! I'm glad you had a good running week in spite of the back. If it's not one thing, it's another!

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  12. First time here. I workout daily. I do not run as much as I used to. I am married to a PT- bonus for me, but also a bit of shoemaker's children syndrome going on. I walk 5 miles a day - same route I used to run. I run sometimes but it messes up my back. I have sciatica issues and SI problems. I cannot stand the treadmill. Winter in Chicago is a killer though. In addition to my power walks, with bursts of running, I attend high intensity strength classes several days a week. More in summer when I can get to the healthclub. I read about your run along Lake Michigan. I really enjoy a change of scenery run/walk!

    I blog about the adventures of raising 6 busy kids- mostly.

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    1. Hey, thanks for reading and commenting! Heading over to check out your blog.

      Damn back...

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  13. Oh man! What a week! I feel like I"m stuck in a rut too! I keep getting sick!!! 3rd time since Labor Day. Oct has to be better... right???

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    1. You've got those little guys who touch everything and share it with you! Life of a toddler mom...

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  14. That's great news that running felt good this week! Though I'm sorry to hear about your back. Fingers crossed the yoga and massage will have it back to 100% soon.

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  15. I have fallen on my rear SO MANY TIMES doing full snatches.

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    1. Glad it's not just me! LOL. And wouldn't you know it, we did snatches again today. No falling this time.

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  16. I just had flashbacks when you were talking about back pain... omg please don't even get me started!

    burpees over the rowing machine? how? sounds nuts!!

    I also had a massage recently that involved a lot of elbow in my trapezius. And then foot reflexology (yes I'm trying all the things) that now confirms to me that it's nowhere near the pleasant sensation of a foot massage...

    I'm glad running was the highlight though - and as we say, "you're not made of sugar" so no problem if you get caught in the rain.

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    1. Today we did burpees over the bar--sadly, it was a barbell, not a bar with liquor. Now that I could get my head around!

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  17. I so hear you on the extra maintenance needed - I swear I'd never make it out the door if it weren't for massages and acupuncture!

    Hope your back settles down for you this week!

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  18. Sorry about the back pain, that’s always a bummer. The older we get, the more important recovery is (which includes massage — & foam rolling, just sayin’. ) During YTT one of the lectures on myofascial release said about 90% of women have SI disfunction, unfortunately.

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    1. I knew SI joint dysfunction was common in women, but I didn't know it was that high! I'm doing my research and you know a blog post will be coming down the road.

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  19. Glad you got some running mojo back! I hate the treadmill to and avoid it like the plague unless there's no other option. Be careful with that back! Back injuries are no joke and you don't want it to get worse. Hopefully it starts to heal soon.

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    1. It's the SI joint and I've had on and off issues with it for the past couple of years. It's more annoying than anything!

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  20. Sorry about the back, well done for pressing through with the massage!

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  21. Glad the running was feeling good! My SI went out last year right as I was getting over my knee injury - fortunate timing since I was still going to PT. The PT gave me an exercise for it: lie on your back, clasp hands behind the leg of the "bad" side, and push into your hands for several seconds using hamstring/glute muscles. Not an immediate fix, but it felt like it popped back into place after 2-3 sets (5 reps) per day for several days.

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    1. Yes! The PT at my CF box has me do that exact move. It really helps.

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  22. Glad your SI joint is feeling better. My acts up occasionally, too.

    I ran five miles on my treadmill late Monday afternoon (it was the only time I could fit it in). It was hot and drizzly outside and I just didn't feel like running in a sauna. Like you, I hate it, but I'm grateful that I have the option.

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