running again, more or less

[ilanarama]

So since my last post I've been steadily ramping up the running. That first week I ran 5 times, 3 miles a day with 4 as my long run on Saturday, for 16 miles. Last week I ran 24 miles, with a "long run" of 6. I'm hoping to get to 30 this week, probably hold that for another week, and then give another push.

There are three problems, though. The first is that...my pain in the butt is back. And I have no idea what to do. It's not as bad as it was originally - it doesn't radiate down the leg, and I can still run, and actually, the pain goes away after about five minutes - but it hurts all the time. In fact, it hurts more when I'm not running! I've been doing some stretching and strengthening exercises, but I'm reluctant to go back to PT when it didn't do me any good before.

Second, I am soooo slooow. I'm running by heart rate, keeping my HR in the 'easy' range, and my pace is 1-2 minutes per mile slower than it used to be. I am so out of shape! It should improve as I run more, but it's just depressing.

Third, I am soooo fat. I gained ten pounds since October, and that's a lot for me. I don't fit in any of my clothes and I feel terrible. Almost terrible enough to diet. It's just so hard for me to restrict my eating. I'm eating a little less, but I haven't e.g. given up drinking wine, and I probably should, but - I hate dieting. HATE. So I rely on my eating a generally good diet and running to keep the weight off. I'm hoping that when I get back to my usual running volume all this fat will go away, because I really don't want to go on a diet!

Anyway, I feel like I am clawing my way up out of the pit. I can see the sunlight, but man, it's so far away.

Comments

[thalia]

Oh, man, I sympathize. Been there. Several times.

I'd still recommend seeing a chiropractor, but if you're not comfortable with that, maybe do lots of hip flexor stretches? Those are the biggest help with my sciatica, but ymmv, of course.

And it pains me to say this, but cutting back on alcohol will probably help speed the weight loss along, although I bet now that you're running regularly it will start coming off. Sucks, though, no question.

Anyway, hang in there, and I hope the pain doesn't get bad enough to interfere with your running. And that you find a way to get rid of it somehow.

[ilanarama]

I know, I know. It's just so HARD to drink less when wine tastes so good!

I refuse to see a chiropractor for Reasons, but I'm actually going back to the back specialist next week. I didn't make a follow-up appointment right away, but he had said that if things were bothering me to come back, and I have nearly maxed my deductible due to the MRI (sigh) so, might as well.

[traveller42]

Keep climbing! You'll get there!

Good luck!

My first visit with PT was OK and I have a few exercises I need to do to help my shoulder. Progress is mixed. I seem to have significantly great motion, but I also have more pain. I will have regular sessions with them next month.

[ilanarama]

Aw, thanks, and to you as well. Good for the motion but boo for the pain - I would think if you can't do exercises without pain you shouldn't do them?

[traveller42]

I've been given limits on the pain. For this condition, some is expected. I'm just supposed to keep it low (2 out of 10).

[blnchflr]

I cannot be surprised that your butt pain is back when you start out with five runs the first week. But I understand the temptation, semi-running and doing lots of yoga on my bad ankle as I am, myself - I was in the best shape of my life around New Year, of course I don't want to give that up D: !

And poo on dieting - running and eating like a pig is ten times moar fun.

But yeah, both of us may eventually realize we're going to have to do it the hard way (exercise less, diet more), in order to one day run more again. Pah.

[ilanarama]

Five very very short runs! And it didn't hurt then!

I hate dieting. HATE.

[riverlight]

Ugh, I hear you on the weight loss—I too have gained ten pounds in the last year, which like you is a lot for me; I'm a small woman so that's a lot. And dieting is so no fun!

There was an interesting NYT article recently about keeping a 12-hour window during which you don't eat; apparently it helps lose weight. Also apparently exercising first thing has the same effects. I don't know if that's helpful info for you, but it was new to me, and so was inspiring!

[ilanarama]

Hmm, I pretty much don't eat between 8:30p and 8:30a, so yay?

I don't exercise first thing in the winter, because I like to wait for it to get warm and sunny! But in the summer I do. Interesting!

[riverlight]

Hey, there you go, then!

:D

[walterfielding]

Oh yeah, been there, for all three problems. First one is the most annoying because you're starting to feel better and relieved and happy but nope, body isn't letting you off that easy. Speed I honestly wouldn't even think about -- you'll bounce back super fast once you can get into a good routine again.

And weight, ugh. I've got that issue right now because I've been dealing with a host of issues that have cut into my running the past few months. One thing that's worked for me is to *not* diet. At least, that's not how I think of it. I just try to pay extra close attention to what I'm eating, and cut excess calories, which is surprisingly easy. But it might mean the dreaded calorie-counting for a few days to get a sense of where you can make the cuts. You might be able to keep the wine!

[ilanarama]

The butt issue seems to be getting better, fortunately! I have been aggressively foam rolling my ITB and doing my core and hip flexor exercises more frequently, and I think it's having an effect.

I have always done my weight maintenance exactly that way, through portion control and managing excess. Of course part of it is that what I'm used to eating when I am running 50mpw is too much when I'm running 20mpw. But right now I am eating one cookie after lunch instead of two, and a small piece of chocolate after dinner instead of a big one, and trying to limit to two alcoholic drinks daily (which is still too much according to the medical establishment for a woman, sigh).

[ariadnes_string]

Congratulations on running again--I'm so impressed you can ramp right up to that kind of mileage! Sorry about the frustrations, though.

I hear you about the weight gain. I gained 8-10 pounds after I turned 45, like wham, and have never been able to take them off (though at least I haven't gained any since). I'll lose a few pounds when I'm running a lot, then put them back on when I'm running just a bit. Age, I think, at this point: I decided if I'm going to be a fat old lady, at least I'll be a fit, fat old lady. (though I suppose if I were willing to seriously diet, give up wine, etc., it might be a different story).

Anyway, good luck!

[ilanarama]

I can ramp better because of where I started, I think. Since I'm accustomed to running 50-60mpw, 20mpw is nothing. (A friend on the running forum is coming back from injury and ran 80 miles last week! He runs 100-mile ultras and typically runs 100mpw, which is just INSANE.)

And I hope I can lose this weight. If I can't I have to buy all new clothes, seriously. I hate the way it looks on me.