injuries

Some days I wake up and I feel like an old woman. I swear, I'm aging faster than most people! I am pretty sure this has a lot to do with the amount of high impact activity/sports I did as a kid and for most of my life.

My injuries started in high school really... shin splints set in my sophomore year of high school and got worse Junior year (I'd also put on some weight living abroad).

In college, I played rugby. Yes, this is a major contact sport... but my two big injuries weren't from getting hit. Both my shoulder and knee were injuries that, according to my Orthopedic, likely started long ago in soccer and gymnastics and then just got to the point where it took the right (aka wrong) pressure and BOOM, I was done.

As many of you know, after my 2nd blown joint in rugby I became pretty inactive for a number of years. I got pretty heavy and completely lost the "athlete" part of my identity.

This year, I did a few work outs with a trainer early in the year, but really wasn't eating smart (and I was drinking too much). But I learned a lot from him, so when I was ready to really get after it, I went to the gym on my own. It was the day after I had returned to Chicago after my best friends' wedding in Utah. I was doing some HIIT box jumps and I felt a pop in my heel. I knew immediately something was wrong. I stopped what I was doing and limped to the locker room to change and go home... I was in A LOT of pain. The next day I couldn't stand on my left foot. I knew I'd ruptured my Achilles.
I looked up the ways to rehab and at-home PT exercises (since I don't have great insurance)...and rested. Told myself no running until I knew it was really ready.
I limped for about 10 days and then I could walk normally. But even a slight jog to get across a cross walk faster sent pain up the back of my leg. So... I rested and I really focused on my diet.

A few weeks later was the Boston tragedy. There was a support run in the city I wanted to attend so I went. I ran 4 miles after 4 weeks of no running. I felt FINE during the run and I was pumped. Big Mistake because the next day I could hardly walk again.

SO I really cracked down and said NO RUNNING. I didn't start to run again until just a few weeks ago now. I've been taking it easy and doing some run/walk to ease myself back into getting mileage. But my heel hurts. Not in the same place as the injury was... my actual heel... on the sides. It's weird. I thought maybe it was just the Achilles (where it attaches) being achy, but now today, the other one hurts.
Maybe I have weak tendons all over my body?? I am going to focus on stretching A LOT more and try to find some yoga classes as maybe that will help with prevention of other aches and pains.

I know I'm in the right shoes. I work for a running store and have custom insoles HAHA... but I need to change something. My body hates me. I'm an old lady ;)

7/1/13 (July Goals)

It's a new month! Pretty stoked for summer :) Hopefully the rain will stop ruining my fun and it will stay beautiful out for the whole month... ah, wishful ;)

GOALS FOR JULY:
Planking - 5 minute front plank and 3 minutes on each side (current PRs are 2:22 front and 1:01 side)
[check out slambooyfitness.com for the challenge details and follow on Instagram]
Running - run 2 miles without walking [I can do with when I'm with a group, but solo I haven't done a mile yet...hoping my achilles cooperates]
Weight - I would like to get down to 170... I've been up closer to 180 the past few days, but since mid last month I hit 175 I am confident that if I stay focused on my food and drink enough water, I can do this!

So... my kidney infection is still hurting today. If it still hurts by this evening I'll go back to Urgent Care and find out what's going on. This is not fun.
Enough about icky stuff.

9:00a
100 - red delicious apple

10:30a
180 - proats

My heel is still sore, so I'm still waiting on running again... I don't want to risk re-injuring my achilles! But I can go for walks and hit the gym. My body aches and discomfort make these difficult, but I have to tough through. We'll see what the day brings. LOTS of work to do (plus searching for a 2nd job) today...

2:00p
360 - chicken
70 - peas
I needed a caloric meal in there today... definitely going to the gym later and likely for a walk... feeling good about where I am calorie wise so far for the day.

5:00p
Feeling anxious... wish I could just go RUN but my stupid Achilles :( grrrrr endless frustration.
I'm also obsessively thinking about guacamole. I need to eat something to make the cravings go away so I can effectively go shopping and get myself to the gym today.

Went for a 3.1 mile walk, 40 minutes. [- 400 calories]

8:30p
780 - Subway footlong veggie patty sandwich (honey oat, ALL veggies [no onion, no pickle], mustard & vinegar)
holy crap I was starving... scarfed that.

Was pretty torn about getting bread or anything for dinner, but I was SO low for my daily calories and I needed to go grocery shopping [NEVER GO SHOPPING WHEN YOU'RE HUNGRY] so I went back and forth with my pseudo-sponsor and decided it was ok. Just making sure my cravings stay under control tonight and tomorrow!

9:30p
180 - pudding :)