And so the training begins

It’s been a while since I’ve posted here and so much has happened. Let me tell you the short version …

My physio has been an enormous help with some very good exercises – changing things slightly so I am comfortable with the action and seeing the desired good form and result. My squats have improved out of sight with her new technique. I’ve just seen her our third visit and she is pretty happy with me. There are still things to work on,  and I have a new exercise to do which is fine. After all these years of bad habits, they aren’t going to fix themselves overnight.  I know I am seeing results and feeling the difference all over, not just in my knee, after only six weeks.  To be running again this close after seeing her I am incredibly happy, with no pain now outside of the usual running ache I get (a completely different pain to that of the ITB).

Hubby comes home one day and says ‘..I’m doing the city to casino..I have to get my fitness back up and this is a good way to start…and I can help you with marathon training…’ Woohoo! Love him to bits ❤️.  The (marathon) training plan is ready to go and we can follow it through to race day – which is a planned 10k run 🏃- with runs that will ease us both into the distance.   I know hubby will be able to do it, he’s pretty fit – he can put me to shame with his 5k pace and with a little practice he’ll whip my butt. We’ve agreed that on the day it will be a run at our own pace with the aim to finish. If he gets into the zone and wants to surge ahead then he can go, I don’t want to feel like I am holding him back, and vice versa, I would like to look at a PB. I am so happy that he wants to do this (for both of us) and no matter what I am incredibly proud of him getting out there.

Between the first two physio visits I took the two weeks off running completely.  Tried a small one two days post visit and it hurt like the bejeezers so took the rest of the time off. My second visit gave me new exercises and the permission to walk if I need to during a run.  In this last few weeks I’ve done several runs, two stair climbs and continued my strength and stretches. I feel good, albeit somewhat unfit. I will improve over the next few weeks. Speaking of improvement, my diet needs serious work.  I haven’t been as disciplined with this like I should be, between not running and eating larger portions (plus a bit too much chocolate) it’s not good for the waistline. I will work on it, I have to if I’m going to be in peak (ish, for me) condition and be able to improve on my current results. The books will come out and a healthier plan put into place that the whole family can eat also. There is no reason for hubby and I to eat too much differently to the kids. Breakfast is my main issue, I am up early and don’t like to eat too much at 6am, I then do a full-on 2+ hours of work and by the time I’m finished with that I am starving. Two small breakfasts would be ideal, I just have to find the right combination so I’m not eating too much.

As mentioned above, the marathon training plan is in place. It started on Tuesday with a 5k jog which was perfect for post physio. I have written it up onto the white board so everyone knows what’s happening. If hubby is on nights and there is a run he will be able to do his bit during the day (if he so wishes) while I’m at work.  My long Sunday runs will need to be changed around from the last plan as hubby’s roster is different. Some weeks will be morning runs, others will be afternoon ones. Be organised is the key for this one.

My strength and stretching routine this fortnight has been a little hit and miss though one thing I’m really embracing (and it seems to be working) is my foam roller. Doing the sides and fronts of my legs hurts yet feels so good afterwards. I’m concentrating on form over repetitions for strength movements and this is working. My push-ups are also becoming easier. Real push ups people, not the knee version.

Til next time, train strong and stay safe, jennifer