Showing posts with label half marathon. Show all posts
Showing posts with label half marathon. Show all posts

Learning to Run Again

Leave a Comment
I've always been an open book on my blog. I have nothing to hide but since my half marathon in February I've kept very quiet about running. Since my injury (stress fractures on both feet) and subsequent running ban (4 week blanket ban, 8 week outdoor ban) I've had an absolute fear as well as a mental block when it has come to running outside. I just have not been able to put one foot in front of the other. This week that all changed, this is the story all about how I learnt to run again!

Follow me on Instagram! My username is georgiamedwards

Dealing With Injury

Leave a Comment

Hey guys! Sorry that its been so long since I've posted! I've been crazy busy this week - I've basically worked full time in the store as well as (somehow!) attending class so I've been a little out of the loop to say the least!

I bought myself an iPad mini this week so hopefully the blog posts shall become more regular again because when I am at work (which is becoming increasingly more the case haha!) I'll be able to write up a post!


Today's blog is about injury. You may remember that in the last weekend of after, I ran a half marathon with my Dad. The outcome (apart from me feeling amazing of course!!) was that my Nike Free's didn't offer me the support I needed so I came away with tissue damage and a stress fracture! It sounds a lot worse than it is but for the last two weeks I have been in a lot of pain!

I visited the emergency room and the Doctor put me on a running/anything that puts too much pressure on my feet ban (aka my exercise class of choice; Zumba)! At first I was disheartened. Part if me was still on my finishers high but I learnt some ways to adapt!

Firstly, I have been walking a relatively large distance (weather permitting!) with my dog each morning! It's usually at least a mile! So whilst I haven't been able to get a morning run in, I've just made some modifications!

Secondly, I have upped my Yoga! Normally, I do a few yoga routines just before I fall into bed on a Sunday night. It's always been a really nice way to finish of the week for me! Now I'm doing Yoga at least twice in the week as well- just to keep everything stretched and loose! I don't want to risk further injury haha! Some of my favourites have been the Tara Stiles YouTube videos and the Tone It Up routine from their Beach Babe DVD

Thirdly; I have been hitting the stationary bike at the gym like there's no tomorrow! I've actually been pleasantly surprised: I'd kind of written it off before but now when I'm back to full strength I will definitely incorporate it into my normal routine! The difference I've noticed in my calves is amazing! Last week I challenged myself and cycled 100k! I haven't tried a spin class just because I am a little anxious about how much pressure that would put on my foot, particularly when you're climbing but I plan on asking the people at the gym!

Lastly, I have been keeping up with the daily Tone It Up daily strength training routines but completing them with modifications! For example, I can't plank, but I can crunch. I can't do too ,any lunges or squats but I can do some. Plyometrics are a definite no for now but I'm getting cardio in in other ways!

I'm not going to bore you with the details for too long but I guess the moral of the story is, don't let injury demoralise you! Whatever it might be!I t would have been easy for me to give up for six weeks whilst I allowed myself to heal but I was determined to keep going. Listen to your doctors, see what they would recommend and work around it!

What are some of your injury tips?

xoxo Georgie 

My Half Marathon Experience

2 comments
I did it!! I can't believe it! I'm so proud of myself but let me tell you, it was gruelling! I worked my butt off and worked with every step that I made!



If you would have asked me three years ago if I would/could ever run a half marathon I would have laughed at you! In three years I have made the jump from couch potato to half marathoner! It has definitely been a journey

If I could offer you any advice, if you're looking to take on a half, please please please train! I didn't do nearly enough beforehand as I should have done and I definitely felt it. By mile 10 I was spent! I could hardly move. 

I didn't run the whole way - I would have killed myself!! I promise you, though, I gave it my absolute all and I couldn't have given it any more! I ran across the finish line and cried with relief and overwhelming emotion. I was walking faster than I could run anyway teehee! 

The weather for our run was perfect!! The course went right along the beach which was lovely and given the weather in the week leading up to the race (clouds, rain and even snow at one point), I was amazed at just how beautiful the day turned out to be! There was only a bit of wind, completely blue sky and it was relatively warm for February!


Taken with my iPhone! Amazing right!

I am so so proud of what I have achieved. I never ether thought that I would be able to do it and I did. 

I am so grateful to have shared this experience with my Dad. It is a memory I will carry with me forever because he carried me yesterday!! There is no way that I wouldn't have been able to do it without him. He is a true star, he is my hero and I will be in awe of him forever. 

Because I had to walk a lot over the last quarter of the course, I had a big build up of lactic acid before I had even finished so it is more than fair to say I am sore today!! (I was sore by the time I got home haha!) My upper body is fine (despite my shoulder twinging at about mile 8!), by legs are 90% there after feeling like lead but my feet are in agony still! I am waddling about like a penguin today - I keep laughing at myself hehe). When I got in yesterday I jumped in a cold bath (that was harder than the actual half marathon!) and have been doing stretches and yoga moves frequently so I should be fine soon!

I'm not sure if I will ever do a half again, I know there is no way I could ever do a marathon! I would love to do the Disneyland half and if the opportunity presents itself then I probably would enter but I have really learnt the importance of a training schedule! I'm just not sure if Im a runner! I really enjoyed my experience and it's something I will take with me forever, what's more, I am so proud of myself for completing it! I learnt that I am strong enough and I am good enough and I am brave enough. 

One of the things I learnt was that in situations like a half marathon you really need to focus on your own race. To begin with I was thinking that I could stay with these people in front of me because they had a good pace etc. But I had to keep checking myself - I was running my race for me! I had to do what was right for my body! If I had run full out towards the end of the course, I would have really hurt myself! Listen to your body!


At the Start Line!

I keep thinking of how far I actually ran and how my mind kept pushing me instead of bashing me and I can't believe that I've made this journey! It all still seems a bit surreal - I have run in a half marathon --- and finished!!

If you're looking for a goal and you want to push yourself, I can absolutely recommend a half. The experience was incredible, I don't regret it at all and I'm filled with such a sense of achievement - I want to share it with everyone!!!

Here are some of my own pictures, as well as the official pictures from race day! Enjoy :)

Georgie x


**Update**
Hey guys, so after writing all of this I've found out that I've developed a stress fracture in my left foot and have got tissue damage in both feet because of the half marathon (namely the lack of training the few weeks before the half and mainly my Nike Free 3.0's! I love these shoes - they're super cute but I will only be wearing them in the Gym now! They are 100% not long distance running shoes! There's no way I'm going to let this slow me down though over the next few weeks! Stay tuned!




It was such a lovely day for it! Run along the beach anyone?

Wish it didn't have the watermark but love this! 

Looking and feeling  good at mile 5-ish?







Half Marathon; My Journey. 3 Months to Go!

Leave a Comment
Hey guys! 

You may or may not know that I've signed up for a half marathon in February! I'm really exctited and I've started a video series to vlog my progress!

Check it out below!

xo 



Powered by Blogger.