Welcome to the Weekly Wrap!
This linkup is hosted by yours truly and my good friend Tricia @ MissSippiPiddlin. The purpose of this link is to connect with and support
other active women. You can
summarize your whole week or just a small portion of it. It's up to
you! Race recaps are also encouraged! {See complete rules}
Please challenge yourself to come back here later in the week and interact with other women. We want Wednesday linkers to have the same consideration as Sunday linkers. It's a wonderful way to make new connections! Remember, the link now opens at 5 p.m. CT.
It's been a very busy week but one without much physical activity, just a couple of short runs. Along that line, I'm keeping this post short. I am excited to read what everybody else has been doing, though. I like to live vicariously through you!
Although better, I'm still struggling with a cranky IT band since running the marathon. Squats? A-Okay! Walking? A breeze! Stairs? No problem! Mile 2.2 during a run? Not good. In fact, it only hurts after reaching about 20 minutes in a run. I wish the pain would have the decency to hurt all the time and not tease me.
I also discovered that if I run uphill, I have no pain -- even after 20 minutes. I'm seriously thinking of doing hill repeats on every run until I get the problem solved. And I will get it solved. Pass The Tartar Sauce! (If you missed my post on Optimism you may not have heard about my new mantra!).
Although better, I'm still struggling with a cranky IT band since running the marathon. Squats? A-Okay! Walking? A breeze! Stairs? No problem! Mile 2.2 during a run? Not good. In fact, it only hurts after reaching about 20 minutes in a run. I wish the pain would have the decency to hurt all the time and not tease me.
I also discovered that if I run uphill, I have no pain -- even after 20 minutes. I'm seriously thinking of doing hill repeats on every run until I get the problem solved. And I will get it solved. Pass The Tartar Sauce! (If you missed my post on Optimism you may not have heard about my new mantra!).
Saturday and Sunday were spent in all day training sessions for my RRCA Coaching Certification. A huge amount of information gets covered in two 9-hour classes and I tried to be a sponge and absorb it all. The instructor was very entertaining which made it enjoyable and much easier to pay attention. The last step in the process is to pass the test, which I plan to take as soon as possible.
And that's a wrap!
Tell me about your week!
Did anyone race this weekend?
I knew you would love the RRCA coaches course! The test is time consuming, but pretty straight forward for the most part.
ReplyDeleteI think it's a good sign that your IT band doesn't bother you until well into your run. Don't be tempted to overdo it, though, and ice it after working out.
Thanks for the link up!
I'm being very careful not to overdo the ITB. I'll be going to PT this week to get some exercises I hope that will help recover and prevent future occurrences. I hope I can take my test one evening this week.
DeleteWow, that is so crazy that you have no pain running uphill at all! Way to make lemons out of lemonade with doing hill repeats, yes? I've had similar instances in the past where my injuries didn't start flaring up until I was well into my run. It's both a blessing a curse, indeed. But hey, 20 minutes pain-free is better than nothing, right?
ReplyDeleteYes, I figure some running is better than no running. Today I went 3 miles, so YAY for improvement.
DeleteWow you are packing so much in just a very short time with this course, I'm very excited to hear your thoughts on it and what you'll do with the new information! Will you coach, will you keep it for yourself?? We've go to figure out how to get your knee well, we've got races to do! :)
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure what I'll do with the certification. I think I may need some guinea pigs. LOL.
DeleteI LOVED your post on Optimism! Good luck with the test! I'm sure you'll pass with flying colours. I hope your IT band issues get sorted soon!
ReplyDeleteI do think the ITB is getting better, but I just have no patience with that sort of thing. That should be the next Wednesday Word!
DeleteThe coaching course is SO much info in such a short amount of time, but I loved it! That's so weird that your IT band doesnt bother you on hills. I wonder if when your engaging your glutes and hamstrings the other muscles relax?
ReplyDeleteGood luck on the test- I am sure you will do great!
Having a knowledgeable and comedic instructor really helped. At least we were given tons of resource material to fall back on.
DeleteIt sounds like your ITB is getting better. Must be something about the mechanics of going up hill that doesn't strain it?
ReplyDeleteYes, it is slowly getting better. I think it's because I am more on my midfoot or toes when running hills.
DeleteI've been thinking about doing that course! I think you'll be a great coach! Hope your IT band eases up soon! Epsom salts and foam rolling are your friends! xo
ReplyDeleteI love my foam roller. However, I learned in class that I've been rolling my ITB all wrong. Hopefully, the correct technique will speed the recovery now.
DeleteSo cool that you're on your way to being a coach! I'm sure you'll do great on the test. Maybe your IT band is just telling you it doesn't want to run more than 20 minutes! Keep taking it easy and doing the recovery things. It probably just needs a bit more time. Have a great week!
ReplyDeleteI hope I can carve out some time this week to take my exam. I hear it takes a while. And, I want a really good score!
DeleteYes take that test asap while it's all fresh in your mind. Lay off trying to run for your ITB's sake. After 2 slow miles is EXACTLY when mine would continue to flare. It means more rest is needed. Thanks for the linkup!
ReplyDeleteI hope to make the time to take the test this week. I know I show rest but I'm tired of resting! I am going to PT to get the proper exercises and see what they have to say.
DeleteSounds like you and I are on similar paths with the IT band - somewhere after 2 miles things fall apart. So frustrating! Hopefully we'll both get some relief soon. Good luck with the RRCA test!!
ReplyDeleteI hope so. I am seeing improvement, but it is just so SLOW.
DeleteYour site looks great! I have felt that way many times...where running uphill is easier on the leg pain. You just have to be careful running down to quickly though, at least that's what I found with my "running on injured legs" experience. I loved the RRCA course and agree with you...lots of great information! Have a wonderful week!!
ReplyDeleteMy uphill foot strike is different enough that is provides relief on the IT band. Running downhill is a different story, for sure.
DeleteNow that you mention that, I actually remember that my IT band hurt worse on flats and downs and had some relief on uphills. Probably the only time in my whole life that I've looked forward to running up a hill. Hope you keep recovering! That RRCA class sounds so interesting. Can't wait to hear more about what you're learning and how you like it!
ReplyDeleteIt's funny, I'm thinking "where's the closest hill?" for the first time ever!
DeleteI have been thinking of taking the RRCA course. Not so much to be a coach, per se, but just for my own knowledge. Good luck on the test!!
ReplyDeleteThat was my thought process a year (or two) ago when I got on their notification list of upcoming class locations. I'm not sure what I'll do with the certification. For now, I'll just see where it takes me.
DeleteRunning uphill makes you feel better? YIKES! You need to get that fixed! HAHA! Congrats on your steps to becoming a coach!
ReplyDeleteIsn't that the craziest thing ever? For once in my life, I'm not avoiding hills.
DeleteHope your IT band gets better soon! Very exciting that you'll be a coach soon! Good luck on your test!
ReplyDeleteThe test wasn't extremely difficult, but since you must score an 85 or higher you do have to be very careful how you answer all 100 questions!
DeleteI hope your IT band recovers. How annoying to get the pain after 2 miles.
ReplyDeleteIf the RRCA course is anything like the British Athletics courses then I'm sure your head will be spinning after so much information. Good luck with completing the final stage.
I'm glad to have it behind me now. My head hurt from trying to remember everything!
DeleteI can tell you for me hills aggravate my IT. Not necessarily during, either. Rocktape helps a lot, though, while you work on strengthening those hips.
ReplyDeleteHave you been working on your certification for a while? I know you'd mentioned it, but I didn't realize you were that close!
I've been waiting on a nearby certification class for a long time, but the actual work time was all crammed into a couple of weeks. I had to be CPR/First Aid certified too.
DeleteUgh IT bands are the worst! I'm actually relieved that my knee and hip issues aren't IT band-related. Apparently it's more my piriformis muscle. Hope you feel better soon. Anytime something hurts, they've been having me ice it so maybe icing your hip/IT band area after a workout would help? -C
ReplyDeleteI have used ice some. But it doesn't hurt when I'm not running. So, I don't always think about icing it.
DeleteGood luck with the running coach test! Two days of sitting is a long time to be sitting. I have a weekend coming up in April like that for an operating room nurse certification course. Not excited. I am really bad at sitting that long. Hope your mad IT band calms down and lets you run more than 20 pain free minutes this week. Hill repeats are great for strength though :)
ReplyDeleteThe worst part of this course was sitting for two days! UGH. I'm up to 30 minute runs now. YAY for small improvement!
DeleteI'm probably late on this, but I love your new blog design! It looks so fresh and clean. Good luck on your coaching test!! You're going to crush it.
ReplyDeleteThanks, I'm still working on my new look. I haven't had much time to finalize it.
DeleteGood luck with the certification and your IT band! Nobody has time for just uphill ruining ha. No races for me this weekend, but I ran outside twice, which was amazing!
ReplyDeleteMy neighborhood is pretty hilly, so when the ITB starts pulling -- I just head to an uphill section. Hooray for outdoor running!
DeleteI suggest getting a lacrosse ball and working out the kinks in your IT band. My therapist recommended that in 2014 and I still use it every single day. It's so good at getting deep down to the knots.
ReplyDeleteGreat idea! I do foam roll religiously, but it can't get very deep. It is not as specific as I need it to be. I've been using my hand/fist.
DeleteThat's so cool about your certification. Hope you IT bands heals quickly so you can get to running all those halfs. Have you considered joining the 100 Half Marathon club?
ReplyDeleteI looked at the link you gave me on my race page. I have never heard of that club. It would take me a while...but I guess I would eventually get to a 100. Hopefully, anyway.
DeleteI hope that your IT starts feeling better during running soon! I dealt with that last year, and mine only hurt when I ran too.
ReplyDeleteThat's awesome about your certification course!
My IT is improving, I just don't have much patience with it. I'm glad to have the course behind me!
DeleteSorry to hear your IT band is still bothering you. I hope it starts feeling better soon. Interesting how running uphill causes no pain. Yay for the certification training sessions and how you are so close! Good luck on the test!
ReplyDeleteMy training and testing is now complete. I'm just waiting on my official notification. Hurry up all ready!
DeleteOnce again, my ITB stuff was similar: uphill was ok, downhill was sometimes terrrrrible, and flat was meh. Just think, all those hill repeats will make you even stronger! I'm glad you have the coaching class to keep you busy as well. Maybe it'll be a nice distraction while the IT band stops being annoying!
ReplyDeleteI may still try the Superfeet insoles you told me about. Someone else recommended them too.
DeleteHow weird that the pain only starts 20 minutes into the run and not at all on the uphills. I guess it's a reason to look forward to hill training! I hope it's better soon.
ReplyDeleteI'm getting further on my runs now, so that is very encouraging!
DeleteI'm dealing with an injury too. I hate that!
ReplyDeleteI'm thinking of this as a small setback. LOL. I was truly injured last fall and I don't want to be there again, mentally or physically.
DeleteOnly a runner would say that they wished something would hurt all the time. :) I totally get it though - why make you hopeful that all is well only to flare up later? Good luck with your test!
ReplyDeleteI'm serious about that. LOL. If I've got a problem, please body tell me LOUDLY all day long. Don't wait until I've run 30 minutes and then go away as soon as I stop running.
DeleteI didn't realize you were having IT issues, sorry to hear that! Hopefully it doesn't lead to anything serious.
ReplyDeleteI think that makes sense about it being okay on the uphill. I had a friend with it, ans she struggled with downhill running, but did okay uphill because it doesn't pull on those muscles. I think the delay response, means it's healing and its taking your body time to aggrivate it.
It might be a good sign that a week or two of rest might just be the ticket to getting it fixed!
I'll keep my fingers crossed for you! Meanwhile take it easy, listen to your body.
I think it's just a function of running a marathon without having enough time on my feet. I was well aware of that risk. In fact I stressed over it beforehand quite a bit. I think it will be OK with time. I'm able to run a little further each time I go out.
DeleteI'm sorry about your IT Band... that sucks! Although interesting that uphill doesn't hurt it. Time for lots of strengthening!!!
ReplyDeleteExactly. From what I understand, hip strengthening is key.
DeleteSorry about your IT brand ! I love going up hills but hate coming down. Way too much stress on my knees. I had IT band issue, orthodics and strengthening my glutes helped. I foam rolled a lot and find it didn't help at all. Was extremely painful but not useful. Have a great week !
ReplyDeleteI love downhill running but there is no way I could do that right now.
DeleteHope your IT band gets with the program soon. I took that RRCA class and really enjoyed it. Good luck on the test!
ReplyDeleteThere were so many things I didn't expect them to cover. For example, I didn't expect we'd go outside so the teacher could demonstrate and also nicely critique our form. So helpful. A lot of other tips and tricks too.
DeleteHill repeats sound awful!! LOL That is so cool that you took that course! I hope you will share some of your knowledge!
ReplyDeleteFor the first time EVER, I want to run uphill!
DeleteAwesome that you took the RRCA course! I took it last year!! What do you plan on doing with it? Would you like to train online? Locally?
ReplyDeleteI don't really know. I originally just wanted the extra knowledge. But, I wouldn't mind doing some local coach to 5k groups maybe. Online training would be nice too.
Deletethat is so great you are taking the RRCA course-It definitely on my to do list in the next few years. I have to get through my dissertation first!
ReplyDeleteYou've got a lot on your plate right now, but it's definitely something to consider when things calm down.
DeleteYay for certification!!! I'm so excited for you!
ReplyDeleteThanks! I'm glad it's done. The exam took a very long time!
DeleteThat's awesome that you took the coaching course! I'd like to take it eventually even just for the information! I'm looking forward to hearing how you plan on using it. I hope your IT band issues straighten out soon!
ReplyDeleteMy original intention (way back when) was to take it for informational purposes. But, I wouldn't mind actually doing a little coaching now.
DeleteIt doesn't hurt to run uphill......said no one ever! LOL! The certification sounds exciting, keep up the good work, HoHo-Sponge! :)
ReplyDeleteIf the size of the textbook doesn't scare people off, the time it takes to finish the exam might! It's a lot of very interesting information but I'm glad to be done now.
DeleteI love the new look of your blog! I hope your IT band issues get better soon! Strange it doesn't bother you running uphill. Those up hills will make you stronger. Good luck with your RRCA certification test. That's exciting!
ReplyDeleteThanks. I'm still working on the look and the logo. I've been a little busy lately. Ha. I'm pretty sure this is the first time I've ever wanted to run uphill!
DeleteThat's so interesting that you have pain after a certain amount of time..I wonder what that could be! That's awesome you're doing a coaching program!! I love your new look!! :D
ReplyDeleteI pray it means that the problem is not permanent. It goes away as soon as I stop too. Both of those things are encouraging. I'm hoping time with do the trick.
DeleteIt looks like I might be able to get a bike ride this weekend. It will depend on what the wind is like. And, if I have enough motivation to take my bike off the trainer! The test was LENGTHY.
ReplyDeleteIt's so frustrating when an injury doesn't have the decency to be consistent so you can get it figured out!
ReplyDeleteThat RRCA sounds like a jam packed, intensive course. Thank goodness for the entertaining instructor! People like that always make things like that much better :)
I really can't complain about the instructor. He kept it interesting.
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