Ingury update

It's been about two weeks since my last run. I'm pretty sure this is the longest time away from running since I started emphatically running in 2004, which is probably why I'm in this situation. I pushed and pushed for about 4 years trying to get faster and stronger with very little time off...maybe a week here and there during the year.

I'm at peace now that I can't run. I think the swimming has definitely helped and with helping my cross country girls with summer training. It does suck that I can't run with them or with the boys, but I do get to ride my green machine beach cruiser. Abby and I did get paddle boards!! Very stoked to get on the water this summer!

Update...
So hamstring is feeling a lot better. Very little pain in the butt anymore when sitting, but still a big difference when stretching the left hamstring between the good (right) and bad (left) hamstring. On another note, my right sciatic nerve is not improving.  The pain starts in the butt and travels to my hamstring, so no back pain and it's not traveling down the whole leg. The only way my SN feels better is after an activity like swimming, spinning, or even walking. Not really sure why. Could be blood flow increase? No clue.

What I am hoping is to start kicking more in the swim and do some leg strengthening that's not hamstring specific like bridges, calf raises, hip flexor raises. I've found this article on RunnersWorld.com to be very helpful. http://www.runnersworld.com/injury-treatment/pain-rear-high-hamstring-tendinitis?page=single

Summer is here so I hope everyone is enjoying the long days for training!

Next up...Rev3 Williamsburg...I'll be volunteering my butt off!

Summer is coming...

Hi all!!
Well this post is a little bitter sweet....

1) Summer is here!! Student's are finishing up their finals as I type. Summer brings rest, relaxation, and usually lots of training....but....
2) I'm not healthy.  I've had a nagging hamstring issue for the past month and it's slowly...slowlllllyyyy....sllooooowwwwwwwlllyyyyy getting better.

The issue is the attachment area in the upper hamstring/lower butt....literally a pain in the butt. Basically where the red arrow is on the picture. I haven't been able to run a lot, which is killing me because as you know I heart the running. I have been able to spin and swim. I haven't gone on any significant bike rides but maybe in a couple weeks. Abby and I did purchase some paddle boards so I'm excited to get out as much as possible in the summer.

So I've come to the realization that this summer in racing is going to be very little to non-existent. I've read various articles that this hamstring issue can be up to 4-6 months till one is back to competitive racing. I will miss the racing, but I think the biggest bummer is that I will not be running much with the cross country team. Running will the guys is one of the best things about summer...just going out and enjoying everyone's company while logging long miles.

I've been able to log many yards/meters in the pool, which has helped with my sanity, but it's just not the same. I've been getting into the yoga studio (bikram) a little more to help with my alignment and flexibility. I actually convinced three of my cross country girls to try it...not really sure if they enjoyed it or not

Treatment:
I've been seeing a chiropractor to help with my alignment. He said the major issue is that my glutes are not firing correctly...not really sure what that means, but I've been working on my bridges and core. I've done ART, which seems to help with breaking up the tissue to help heal.

Well...updates will be coming for sure but everyone out there...keep up the great training and enjoy the summer!!

Staying busy...

Wow! Things are getting cray cray...yeah that's right, I'm using my student's language.

January is always busy with track starting and new semester at school plus the research course that I teach is winding down with county competition and University of Florida competition, but on a whim I signed up for running Ragnar from Miami to the Keys, continue training for Disney Marathon, and of course running the annual Ringling Bridge 4 miler.

Great month though....

Bart and I in the Keys

• Ragnar - ran just under 20 miles with 6:35 average and met new friends from Zensah along with Bart Yasso. Plus many friends from Sarasota made the trip to run as well as my Rev3 teammate Jen Small who was running for Fat to Fit...awesome!
• Disney Marathon - I felt I was in great shape. Training went well, but I came down with a little funk the Friday before, but pulled out a 2:53 to qualify for Boston. No coaches record...2:52.
• 4 miler Ringling Bridge - great local race with over 2000 runners and the Sarasota High Cross Country team had to defend our fastest team title. I finished 4th overall with 22:22, but I was the fastest over 20 years of age! And of course, the SHS team takes home 1st again with runners finishing 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 6th in the top 10...that is right, I only lost to 2 of them!
• University of Florida - I had a student who finished 5th in the research symposium who is going to Dayton in May!
• Regional Science Fair - student's took home 9 1st places out of 12 categories!!



4th place overall at Bridge Run

• Revolution 3 Triathlon made new announcements of team members as well, which is very exciting and can't wait to meet them in Knoxville. 

Fastest team at Bridge Run!! Way to go SHS!

So very busy but exciting!

February so far hasn't slowed down...

Jackie and Shelby's snowman

Fun times at Boston Common

• Track is in full swing with our time trail of the 1600 and 800 on Groundhog's Day
• I'm getting back into triathlon shape with more biking and lifting.
• Just came back from Boston for the national AJAS (American Junior Academy of Science) conference, which I took two of my student's who qualified last year to present their research. Very exciting trip and the student's had a great experience. [I was bummed that I missed the annual Scrub Jay 10K at Oscar Sherer (my training ground), which means I didn't earn any points for the MTC racing series. One of my goals this year is to win the series, which started off great with max points at the bridge run.]
• First track meet is this Friday (22nd) at North Port for the Bobcat Relays where we have a shot for breaking the school record in the Distance Medley (DMR) for the boys and the 4x1600 for the girls!

Jackie at the site of Boston Massacre

Time to focus...

• Back to regular training
• Running isn't an issue since I have the track team at my disposal...they are definitely pushing me.
• Good ole' trainer...most rides have to begin early before school.
• Same old swim...I love swimming before school because I can just grab and my stuff half awake and get a great set in. Plus most times after track I can get a good 2000-3000 yards in since Abby works till 7:30.
• Coming up in March...
• Springfest 12k (MTC race series)
• Gate River Run 15k (my favorite race...great crowds, great after party)
• Benderson Mix Relay ITU super sprint! (Can't wait for this...myself with 3 others will be competing in a super sprint relay where all 4 people will swim/bike/run in a relay...$500 prize money!!)

Good luck to everyone's training and racing...