Setbacks and Steps Forward

Before I jump in, I want to make sure to thank everyone who has donated to my Boston Marathon fundraising page since my last post!  Big high fives to Roseann H., Jessica S., and Alison M. for your generous donations!  If you'd like to help me out and make a donation, you can:

Who's the sexiest gal at the gym?

On Monday, I went to my doctor to see what could be going on with my busted up knee and...drum roll please...she didn't think it was a big program, which is great news!  She thinks it's a bad sprain and put me on a regimen of ibuprofen and ice and told me to get a knee brace. I am following her advice to the letter and taking one run at a time.  If it persists, I'll go to see an orthopedic doctor.

On Tuesday, I FINALLY had the opportunity to go for a run with the RUNFELLOW crew in Cambridge, something I've been wanting to do since it began about 5 months ago.  Runfellow organizes 3-5 mile group runs in Cambridge and Somerville on Tuesday nights.

Truth be told, I have been putting off joining them for a run, because I am a huge introvert and get really intimidated going into situations where I don't know anyone.  I revert back to being in school and am afraid no one will talk to me and so I just don't go. Knowing that the winter is coming and accountability is going to be really important, I decided to put my big girl pants on just put myself out there...and I am so glad I did! The Runfellow group was warm and friendly and I look forward to making it a part of my weekly training.

Get ready, Runfellow!
Here I come!

The great news is that I ran the full 3.5 miles (in my knee brace) without stopping and without pain.  My pace was a little slower that I would have liked (9:45 avg min/mile), but considering I had to stop three times on my Sunday run from knee pain and difficulty breathing, I'm more than happy with it!  It was a great reminder that I didn't fall completely apart from my peak shape a month ago and that with every run I'll get closer to being where I need to be.

That being said, I tried running on the treadmill on Wednesday and only got about 2 miles in when my knee wasn't having it anymore.  It was frustrating to go from feeling so good to feeling so bad, but I think this is just part of the healing process.  I'm trying to stay patient and not let setbacks upset me too much.  I'm just trying to listen to my body, push it when I can and give it a break when I need to.

Photo courtesy of Runfellow. 
They do a group photo before the run &
everyone gets a high five at the finish!

Hit the gym again today planning to take it easy and hop on the elliptical machine, but my knee was
feeling so good all day I decided to take it to the treadmill.  SUCCESS! Three miles, no pain, no trouble breathing!  I took it slow and have felt the best I've felt since before my half marathon.  Progress is a beautiful thing.

I plan on posting again tomorrow to share a little bit more about Victory Programs, the incredible agency I work for.  I gave an overview of what we do in my first entry, but there's so much more to share about who we are and what your donation dollars are helping to support.

Until then, run happy!