I have yet another cold, which is annoying, but I am not letting it get me down. My fiance' is so slammed at work that he tends to get stressed out and run down, then he catches the germs and brings them home to me, where I fight and fight and then end up catching it anyway. Still, after a couple of rest days, I am just feeling a bit sniffly today and should be able to hit the pavement tomorrow or Wednesday. I have also been struggling a bit with some piriformis issues. This is basically brought on by sciatica (something I've struggled with since a bad car accident 12 years ago) and manifests itself as, literally, a pain in my butt. The big muscle right at the base of my left butt cheek feels like it is being pulled and strained when I run. I have taken weeklong breaks from running accordingly, and while it is seemingly feeling better, the breaks have really thrown me off my schedule, making me really worried about what is coming up. I do have to say though, in the breaks from running over the past few weeks, I have really fallen in love with my road bike. I have gone on some great rides and can't wait for more.
Speaking of what is coming up, on the horizon I am facing the Colfax half marathon on 5/16, The Girls on the Run 5k on 5/22 and the Bolder Boulder on 5/30. I am super nervous about that next half because I have just not been sticking to my training schedule, and I am worried about how it will go down. However, with three weeks left, I am just going to train as much as I can, do my best, and then start getting ready for what is next. That is really all I can do, especially as I sit here with a stuffy nose and a cough.
I am REALLY excited for the Girls on the Run 5k. That is my charity now, and I am looking forward to helping them raise funds this year. It is such an awesome cause, and it makes me really happy to be able to run for them in all of upcoming events. I have to raise $250 dollars for the first half of the year. I guess I'd better get on that, huh? If you want to donate, please visit my fundraising page, linked here on the right.
I have had piriformis issues also. The best thing I did was to invest in a foam roller. It really has helped.
ReplyDeleteYou have quite a month coming up but I am sure you will do great!
Hi Cara! Had to go through 3 blogs to find you - you get around, don'cha ;)
ReplyDeleteI am a local personal trainer/movement specialist. Your piriformis issues are something you need to get looked at right away. If you are going to survive your next 3 races (I have a team doing the Bolder Boulder, it is going to be aaaawesome!) then you need to fix that lickety split. Think of it as a wobbly tire on your car... sure you could drive it, but you would get a lot farther with it screwed on tight. If you want some ideas just email me, I would be glad to help you out with some advice over the phone free of charge (I had a whole professional career cut short with piriformis-related issues, which really helped me learn a bunch about them, but it also means I have a soft spot for those who suffer from them).
You guys rock! Thanks for the suggestions and the offer of help! I will surely be contacting Fitness Insights shortly! And foam roller, here I come!
ReplyDeleteI love my bicycle too! We fell in love last summer when I was training for a sprint tri. Now I go for a 15 mile ride or so every Sunday. It's awesome! And if you don't have the clip in pedels, they make a WORLD of difference. Hang in there Cara! You are doing GREAT!!!
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