I had been giving some thought to registering for the Oakland Half Marathon. The race itself takes place March 28, but the early registration deadline is January 19. I’d put a detailed workout plan into place so I would at least have a good fitness base by registration time. This respiratory thing very quickly put a stop to that. I now have to accept that there just won’t be enough time to build my endurance for that race, especially considering that my lung capacity still probably won’t be back to normal right away. It’s disappointing. I need a goal. Maybe I need to look for a race in May or June.
I’ve been making the most of my downtime, or at least I’ve been trying to. I’ve tried to carve out reading time, in spite of the weight of two major projects. I’ve been cooking my own lunches, making healthy meals like quinoa salad. Last night, I went out to Gourmade and prepared four meals to freeze for later. They’re all things that I enjoy doing, but as my body starts to feel better, none of these things takes away the restlessness that overwhelms me when I don’t exercise.
I’m going to pilates tomorrow, just because I need to do something and I know that Mercy will help me do as much as I can while still respecting my limitations. It doesn’t change my burning desire to try the new cardio kickboxing class that I’ve been hearing so much about, but I know that it’s in my best interest to hold off on that, at least for a few more days.
Alas, too bad but better to be prepared rather than wing or chance such a daunting distance with less than optimal preparation. An injury could set you back much further. So, yep, I agree targeting May or June makes sense.
After three months of regular training, I survived my first half marathon (US Half) last fall pain free and came away anxious for more. I immediately signed up for the SF Kaiser Permanente Half on Feb. 7, only to run into some sort of pulled muscle near my groin a month ago, maybe from overtraining or too many ab exercises–I’m seeing a sports doctor tomorrow I’m so frustrated. I’ve tried to cut running way back but wonder if I’ll be able to handle 13.1 miles without the same amount of preparation I had for my Nov. 1 outing. At this point, the Kaiser Half is only four weeks away and my registration’s paid. I’d hate to blow it off. Let’s see if the sports doc can diagnose my pains.
Ugh, the horror of nagging injuries! Usually for me, the trick to pulled muscles is gentle stretching, keeping the blood flow going but without overextending the muscle. It’s never easy.
I’ve done light exercise two days in a row: Pilates yesterday and Wii Fit yoga today. Both left me winded. When I was lamenting my fatigue after 26 minutes of yoga, my 3-year-old patted me on the back and said, “It’s ok, Mommy. You tried to do your best.” I must say that a lot!
Get this: Doctor at my “sports medicine clinic” today seemed baffled that I like to run. “Why all the running?” he asked me after checking me out and deciding I’d pulled some deep groin muscle. Sigh… Fortunately, an assistant I found in the hallway came and listened more closely to me, and, as it turned out, is a runner herself, so she was totally sympathetic to my plight, dispensed good advice and cheer, bless her. Still, bottom line was no running period for a week “then see how you feel”.