Pool Running, Ice Bath, and a Post-Run Snack

Last week I was talked about my crummy run and how that doesn't really matter that much because I am still living, running and enjoying life. And, those sentiments still ring true. This week, well, things weren't fabulous either. But, in this life we must persevere, no? New season starts, today! 

I made a bad move on Saturday night, and although the same could be said for my moves on the dance floor, this one was worse. I fell down hard on my right knee onto a tile floor. I will spare you the details, but suffice to say that I hurt my knee such that it got all swollen and was hard to bend. No Bueno, folks.

I slogged out 5 miles on Sunday, but it HURT. Dammit, it HURT. I told myself that I had better be able to handle pain and unpleasantness if I am going make it through the 50K Trail Run I have planned this summer. It's a mental trick runners use when they're stupid: run through injury in the name of progress. Anyway, the race is called the SOB 50K, which I think is hilarious, because I'm immature like that. I figured my knee would only hurt for a day or something. So, so naïve, and overly optimistic, as usual.

That bugger hurt so terribly that I couldn't do Yoga on Sunday afternoon. Downward dog was tolerable, but Warrior 1, 2 or any other of those slick Yoga moves were not happening. I was able to do my weight training on Monday, but it still was iffy. On Tuesday, it felt better and I was hopeful that it felt Ok enough for me to do Intervals with ORRC Group on Tuesday Night. NOPE. I ran a slow 5 ½ miles, with it hurting more and more. Wednesday, I did my weight training, but zero running.

ICE, COMPRESSION, ELEVATION, REPEAT.  This did give my knee some relief. Don't worry I Googled, and talked to some peeps at work (I work with a bunch of PT's), and I don't have any symptoms of a ligament tear or anything like that. Just swelling that makes it feel like my Patella is being shoved laterally to the back side of my knee. In case you were wondering, Patellas don't like hanging out in the back of anywhere, they enjoy being front and center. They are like the Kim Kardashian of bones.

Today, I decided to go to the gym and try “Pool Running.” One of my lovely coworkers, Andrea, who used to run quite a bit herself, also suggested I try the Elliptical Jogger. I went over to 24-hour fitness, donned my swimsuit, threw my iPod under a baseball cap and ran in slow motion in the pool for 30 minutes. After 10 minutes, I wanted to get out. I think it was the longest 30 minutes of my life. After I couldn't handle anymore pool running I jumped out, changed clothes and made my way to the Elliptical machines.

Ok. I will freely admit, I've only been on one of those like twice, ever. The first one I got on was really easy, so I cranked up the resistance and incline all the way, but it still was exceedingly easy. I decided it was broken. I found a different brand that looked newer. It gave a me a pretty good workout, though not quite as much as running would have. I have to say I know now why they call it an “Elliptical Jogger”---it's hard to get the machine to truly simulate running, even on the highest level. It was a fairly decent workout, not as much as running but way better than nothing.

How was the knee?? I could still feel a little discomfort, but nothing like before. I decided to go for a couple of miles outside after I left the gym. It was definitely tolerable, but I didn't want to push my luck.  How about some food for all that  torturous pool running and elliptical jogging? 

Good Stuff. I hope Matt Fitzgerald would be proud.

I went home and made myself a yummy snack. I needed a reward. Today, I had: Greek yogurt and peanut butter/almond butter mixed together with honey as the base, then I added grapefruit, chia seeds, toasted coconut, small pieces of dark chocolate, and sprinkle of granola. YUM! After reading, Racing Weight: How to get Lean for Peak Performance, by Matt Fitzgerald, I have found it rather easy to feed my body the fuel it needs with unprocessed, unrefined whole foods. Good stuff.

 

 

Pre-ice bath: I already look cold.

Once my belly was full, I decided to ice my entire lower half in an ICE BATH.  My 8 year-old daughter, Maya, was sweet enough to draw my ice bath for me, and even throw in a gallon of ice cubes from our freezer. As I was resting in the tub, I over heard her buddy ask, “Where's your mom?”. Maya replied, “Oh, she's in the tub...in cold water with real ice cubes in it. She needs to do that when she runs.” Poor kid probably thinks I'm crazy. Don't worry, I know I'm crazy, so it's cool. Oh, I wasn't alone in the tub---I always have a warm beverage on hand, today it was HOT Chai Tea, like so hot that it needed a warning label like McDonald's coffee. Oh, and the dog likes to hang out in there too to keep me company. He might love me more than my husband does.


Tomorrow...I have plans to run.  The knee feels ready.






Have you ever tried pool running?

Do you like the elliptical, or other gym equipment?

Do you have any special yummy snacks for post-workout?

Ever get into an ice bath?