I wrote my Runner’s World Running Streak Re-cap on Thursday’s blog link-up so I’ll spare you the redundancy; but, I will update you on Thursday night, Friday and today’s run.

Thursday I had 6 miles on my calendar. Typically, I do these on the treadmill late in the evening. I had had such an awful week up to that point that all I was waiting for was the drum of the garage door opening signaling my husband’s arrival. I wanted to just hand the kids over and go for a run.

Which was exactly what I did.

And, instead of going to the gym to run, I told him I was running our usual 6 mile neighborhood route in hopes that running in the fresh air would help lift my spirits. I don’t know if it was because of the week I had been having, fatigue from running every day, or just fatigue from everything! but the entire run was h-o-r-r-i-b-l-e. Right from the beginning I felt my legs like sandbags, my hips flared, my shins ached–my body was just not having it. It was also dark out at barely 5:45 p.m., it was cold (for Arizona), and it was windy. Everything was off. I trudged through that run wanting it to be over and was so frustrated at what I hoped would make my day better only ended up making it worse.

We have those days….

Friday is typically my rest day. I had my MRI results appointment in the afternoon and headed over with grim expectations. Luckily, there was actually a ray of light at what had been a bummer week up to that point. The doctor said my leg had a stress reaction which is the precursor to a stress fracture. Not something to take lightly, but not serious enough to put me on the bench. He recommended I decrease my mileage and stay off my feet as much as possible (ja!).Beside the not possible latter, I was so happy that I would still be able to continue my training! He also suggested I keep my decreased mileage up until my ½ marathon mid-January and then re-evaluate if I could return to normal training for my marathon in March. All in all, a good visit with good results. (I didn’t tell him I was streaking; I think he would have taken my running shoes from me.)

Friday night I had a holiday party the leader of my run club was hosting. Since it was a runner’s party, it was only appropriate a run was involved. We did an almost 4 mile run around the neighborhood to look at the decorated houses : )

This morning, Saturday, I had my long run with 10 miles on the calendar. I was little apprehensive as I had ran 6 and the almost 4 in consecutive days but told myself to take these 10 easy. And I did. Reeeeally easy. I ended up running them at an 11:20/min pace but wasn’t hard on myself at all; I mean, I totaled almost 20 miles in 3 days! (My doctor would’ve freaked!)

It was a super long and stressful week with a lot of running—every day except for Tuesday I ran at least 3 miles. I’m looking forward to the holidays and turning a running day into a cross-training day and seeing how that goes.

Total Week’s Mileage: 31 Miles

–How was your running week?

–Have you had not-so-good runs before?

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12 Days of Fitmas-Day 9 and 10

RUNNERS, WORK YOUR HIPS AND GLUTES

I learned this the hard way. My very first half marathon was 4 years ago. I was on the wedding diet and had no idea what I was doing as far as “training” for a race. In fact, I didn’t train. I basically ran here and there when I could but had no plan, no goal, no clue.

I was doing fine up to mile 6 when whoa! holy hip flexor pain! My hip flared up so bad I limped my way to the finish line practically in tears. I wanted no part of any post-race festivities or any post-race photos. I wanted drugs and my bed.

Fast forward to now and when I first told my trainer at my gym about my shin problems a few months ago, the first thing out of his mouth was, “Have you been working out your hips and glutes?” Uh, no. Since then, I’ve been doing a few videos, from Blogilates of course, that focus on hips and glutes to help strengthen them. It’s pretty crazy what a difference I feel it has made in my running. With the exception of my shitty run on Thursday, I haven’t had any hip flares. I was nervous with Saturday’s 10 mile run but nope, nada.

It’s another one of those things that people tend to overlook and something I’ve learned along the way. You really can’t just get up and run (well some people can but they’re few and far in between). A strong core, hips, and glutes are key to running pain free.

–Have you had your hip flare during a run?