I Go On Vacation....and RUN!

Only 16 more days until the Bank of America Chicago Marathon 2013!  And, only 16 more days to raise money for the Anti-Cruelty Society.

Since the Chicago Triathlon, I have turned my focus back to increasing mileage for the Marathon on October 13.  Two weeks ago I completed a 20 mile training run, the longest run of my plan!   

Last weekend, I was on the East Coast for vacation, and to attend a friend's wedding.  Even though I'm in the "taper phase" I needed to get some mileage in.

With Mark as my running partner, we decided to tour New York City via a long run. 

Our run started with the best fuel possible:  a New York City bagel!

Delicious!  We split it so we wouldn't get sick!

We found a running path along the Hudson River, to Battery Park.  This path was beautiful, as we soaked in the NYC skyline.  We finish to a sight of the Statue of Liberty:

Lady Liberty

 The East River also has a path ending in Battery Park, which we followed into Midtown.  I was determined to make it to Central Park. We only ran a mile in the park, but I can now cross off "running in Central Park" from my bucket list!

We look happy for having run 12 miles already!

 We walked to clean up and hit the town for the night.  Total distance covered during our NYC adventures:

I think the Garmin actually dropped some mileage, but not too bad for a long run while on Vacation!

Drinks at Chelsea Piers once we finished!

It was great to spend the vacation running around New York to see the highlights, as well as get my mileage in.  
 

August Owwwies.....

After months of new PR's from every distance from 8K to Half Marathon, it finally happened.  An injury.

**Cue Scary Music**

At the end of July I ran in the BTN Big 10K, and was tripped up very close to the finish line.  At the time, I thought I was fine.

Fast forward a few days, and I was unable to walk without pain in my glute/hamstring.  I figured I was just sore since I had run my fastest 10K ever.

I upped the biking/swimming last week in hopes of resting my hamstring, before setting out on my long run on Saturday.  15 miles quickly turned into 2, as I realized my leg was not going to cooperate.  Instead of risking further injury I was responsible (this is unheard of!) and returned home.

This week I have been constantly icing, foam rolling, and stretching my glute/hamstring.  I am determined to beat this injury, as I am dedicating my 2013 Chicago Marathon run to raise money for the Anti-Cruelty Society.

My new best friend for the week....

I have suffered bouts of piriformis syndrome in the past (the injury prevented me from even starting the 2009 Chicago Marathon), so I have been aggressive in incorporating those stretches/exercises back into my routine this week.

I wanted to share a few of my favorite piriformis stretches, so you know how I have been torturing myself this week:

1.  THE BUTTOCKS STRETCH

To perform:

• Lie on back, and cross one leg over the other (make a V)
• Grasp behind hamstring of lower leg, pull towards you
• Stretch should be felt in the glute of the crossed leg
• Hold for 20 seconds, repeat with opposite leg

2.  THE PIGEON

To Perform:

• Stretch right leg straight behind
• Cross left leg under hips (be careful if you have weak knees!!)
• Lean forward on your forearms
• Stretch should be felt in the glute of the crossed leg
• Hold for 20 seconds, repeat with opposite leg

3. THE BUTTOCKS STRETCH ON FOAM ROLLER

To Perform:

• Get in the same position as the "Buttocks Stretch" listed at 1.
• Sit on the foam roller
• Gently roll, leaning towards the side of the crossed leg
• Repeat on opposite leg

By incorporating these exercises into my daily routine, I hope to bounce back from injury ASAP and capture a PR in my target races for this summer:  the Chicago Triathlon and Chicago Marathon.

Please consider a donation to the Anti-Cruelty Society as I recover from injury and race 26.2 in October!  The Anti-Cruelty Society does so much more then just adoptions.  Your donation will help fund educational programs, such as their "Exploring the Link" program which gives local high school students service learning hours, as they learn how to combat animal violence in their neighborhoods!