June Summary

June started off on a low note, as I was still in "rest mode" to let my hip heal. I tried to stay active by rowing and starting some bootcamp classes. Upon the followup with my PT, I was told that I could run again, but to take it easy and to continue with my routine of stretches he gave me. I did start of with a few low mileage runs building up to a trial 5k to see how I would do back at my normal distance. I felt fine afterwards and decided that I was ready to join the Fleet Feet C.R.E.W Half Marathon Training Group.

My first run with the group was on Saturday, June 16. Saturdays are our long run days. This Saturday we were scheduled to do 3.75 miles. I ended up doing 4.4 miles due to some course confusion! We start and end all our runs with lots of stretching, but when I come home I still feel the need to ice and stretch my hips and IT band out some more. I feel that by doing this, I am preventing any more issues from arising. It's been working out well so far. I love the group and the dynamic and it really motivates me to get up and run in the mornings!

I am proud to say that in June, I have run a personal record amount of monthly miles: 45! Not bad for coming off a hip injury! I am looking forward to increasing that number each month until my half in Nov!

In the beginning of the month I had started a Jillian Michaels 30-day DVD. I am sad to say that I have only done a few days of it, BUT I do plan to continue to do it until I actually do 30 days of it. I think with the bootcamps and running, I am getting enough exercise throughout the week. I go to bootcamp every Wednesday night and I am thoroughly sore the following days after! I love that feeling! I can tell that I am getting stronger.

I am also sorry to say that I have not been to yoga this past month due to my yoga buddy moving away and well, just not having enough time to go. I still have 5 classes left on my one punchcard with one yoga studio and I just have not been to any Bikram classes at all this month.  I love Bikram, but I think I will have to put it off until the off season. I have way too much stuff going on as it is and $20 a class is a bit much right now!

This month I have a few things going on, such as my 4-mile Race in Atlanta with my coworker on the 14th, and my first (virtual) half marathon RELAY on the 28th. Then in August, I am starting a 5 week Crossfit class with Jen – who has quickly become a great friend and running/workout buddy!

All that PLUS a few other trips and fun things sprinkled in between that I am pretty excited about. This half of the year is starting off on a high note! Hopefully it will continue like this until the end of the year! Happy Half Year!

Back on Track... hopefully

First: 

Happy National Running Day!!

Second: 

Great news, the PT cleared me for running again, but with caution, easing back into it and definitely lots of deep stretching afterwards. I'm taking all precautions here because I don't want any more setbacks.

I did a quickie 2 miler with Jenn last night using her run:walk method (run for 4 minutes, walk for 1), which I never thought I'd do, but with the easing back into things, thought it could work for me. It actually isn't too bad. I may stick with this for a while, especially if it doesn't aggravate my hip! I also read up more on the Jeff Galloway running method (who utilizes the run:walk method in his training programs). At first, the idea of walking during a run seemed silly (to an impatient runner like me), but from what he says here (regarding walk breaks), it can actually help you with recovery, injury prevention and does not take much away from your time:

"When you walk fast for a minute, most runners will lose about 15 seconds over running at their regular pace. But if you walk slowly, you'll have lost only about 20 seconds."

Anyway, when I got back home from the run, I made sure to stretch out everything and I even iced and foam rolled my IT band - both sides. This morning, my hip feels a tiny bit tender, but I am not limping, so that is great news. I'm going to get some more stretching and rolling in tonight, after boot camp.

Third:

This month I am making a conscious effort to watch my food intake and strengthen up! I started a Jillian Michaels DVD, which is a 30 day routine. There's a blog I read: Mama Laughlin, who is hilarious! She documents her weight loss journey after years of having a couple kids. Presently she looks AMAZING... This is the link to her before and after pics from doing a Jillian Michaels DVD (but not the same one I have). I hope to achieve the same type of results. I want to get rid of my pooch!

I took my own "before" photos on my phone, but I will post them only if I get some good results at the end of the month. :P I also need to remember to take my measurements...