Pretty sure I'm an official Runner now

I think I'm going to lose a toenail. That makes me hard core, right? I'm not sure how, but apparently I'm running on the tips/tops of my toes. Like a ballerina! Am so graceful! I was just slogging along and it felt like my toenail was bending at a 90 degree angle. It didn't hurt, just felt weird. Now my toe feels kind of bruised and numb.

PEOPLE. I HAD A GREAT RUN TODAY.

I wish I had a way of making this sparkle and blink, b/c it was that good. I ran continuously for 1.5 miles. I know for most people that is super easy, but not me! And I ran it 0.5 mph faster than I was running my terrible one on Sunday. Maybe b/c I took 2 days off? I don't know. I just decided to run at a pace that felt good for as long as I could.  Covered up the display and went. I definitely think the mindset of running on my own schedule vs. C25k helped me go a lot further b/c I wasn't just trying to get through the crappy running part until I could walk.

And I felt so good. Tired, but not super painful. My back didn't bother me at all. AT ALL. I can not remember any activity in the past, oh, 5 or so years that hasn't made my back hurt. I have this weird spot on the top, front of my thigh that bothers me, and I wasn't careful when I started walking so it started hurting straight off. I got off the tm, and stretched and stretched and then warmed up with good form and felt totally fine. I didn't even think about my back! Usually it hurts immediately, and I either deal or try to distract myself. It just straight up didn't bother me and it never crossed my mind. And I had been having a somewhat bad back day!

It was amazing. I was in that magical, happy land that runners (and I use that word describing myself extremely loosely) love. I felt like I could go forever...my lungs did not feel that way after awhile though. I can not believe I had a virtually pain free run. It makes me want to run all the time!

Friday run

I actually had a really good run tonight! And I am not one who has good runs very often.

I always warm up and start slow. But, I usually don't start slow enough and end up feeling like I am sprinting after 5 minutes! I am not a fast runner, but I generally don't pace myself well. I went at what felt like a slow, slow pace where it was barely more than a quick walk. But! It actually felt good! I ran much further than I usually do in my first bout of running. I usually do run/walk intervals. I tell myself it is for the high calorie benefits from interval training...but really it is because my endurance is shot. I just kept running and felt good and like I could run a long time-usually I am counting down the seconds. I just kept pushing myself for another quarter of a mile or another minute and on and on. I had built a new playlist for running which also helped tremendously.

 Even though endurance wise I felt great...my SI joint did not feel great. It always hurts, so it isn't like I'm going to have a pain free run. It just ached more than usual and I found myself wishing for my back brace. I think I might not have stretched enough beforehand. I also think I had been taking some NSAIDs before my last run, so that might have helped my pain level last time. Note: I am not recommending drugs to get you through your runs!! Just trying to id what makes a good vs bad run. I really want to build my endurance because, oddly enough, it is less painful to run than walk. I don't know if it is the shorter strides or what. I've been stretching my hip flexors quite a bit and that has helped tremendously with my upper quad pain. I know that my back is super tight and my abs are, um, not so I find myself wanting to bend over and stretch. I'm going to work on abs and kind of bending forward more as I run.

But I ran further at a time than I have in maybe a year! And it felt good! Miracle!

--again, I am only speaking as someone with back problems and what has been my experience as a patient.

Running with injuries

In an effort to 1) encourage myself to exercise and 2) figure out how to make it more fun and enjoyable--I'm going to be talking about my walking hard core running on the treadmill. It is way too cold to run outside!

So, my body is pretty messed up in that it barely works. I have a super fun little ligament problem that makes it where my joints subluxate or completely dislocate. I've always had it, and it primarily presented in my knees-I  have dislocated my kneecaps more times than I can count. About 6 years ago it started in my SI joint, and now I have some muscle imbalances and activity can really hurt. All this to say: I have to be SUPER careful when I exercise. I am working right now on form and endurance...definitely not speed! Let me tell you, it sucks to have to think about each step. Makes it seem like you have been on the treadmill forever.

Amazingly, I had a pretty good run last night with a minimum of pain. I ran on Monday and had to stop pretty early because my hip was hurting. I take really long steps I guess. When I would step forward with my left foot it would stretch and hurt all at the top/front of my right thigh. So I was focusing on taking really really short steps...and it worked! It is a miracle when any kind of treatment or theory works for me! I am generally the outlier. So I was able to go for longer than I usually can : ) And it was actually fun and felt good! Usually it just hurts and eventually I come to a limping, leg dragging stop. So I'm calling it a MIRACLE. 

**please note, I am not qualified to talk about injuries and treatment. I am only talking about my experience as a chronic patient.