Two weeks to go

(Small caveat:  since I'm new to blogging, I'll probably dork out and over-blog for a little while until the novelty wears off.  Bear with me.)

Monday

I've been having some problems with my right hamstring where it attaches to my glutes for a little while.  After some of my fastest speedwork last week, things got really uncomfortable. I skipped my Saturday long run out of fear I would just really injure myself.

So after three days off, I tested my legs out with an easy 8k this morning.  Things felt alright but the tightness and pain are still there in stretching. I headed off to my sport doc for advice and treatment. 

One of the treatments she used today was cupping -- a first first for me.  Small cups were attached (via suction) to the back of my thighs and then pulled along to break up the adhesions in my hamstrings.  I couldn't help but think of poor Westley in The Machine at the time.  (Bonus points if you know what movie I'm talking about)

Fortunately for me, it was only uncomfortable enough to make me break out into a full-body sweat.  Not even close to mostly dead.  Then some ultrasound, light, KT tape and instructions to ice and roll twice a day.

Fun times at chiro :)

Did you see what I did there?
Yes, that's a lacrosse ball.  Lacrosse must be french for rock-hard ball.

I ended off the night by going to a late-night hot vinyasa flow yoga class, and then headed home to bed.

Tuesday

If sitting on a freezing metal bench while watching my kids at the park constitutes icing a hamstring, then mission accomplished.  Second round of rolling and icing before bed.  I  took Dr. Emma's orders to try an ibuprofen to see if it helps with the inflammation.  We shall see tomorrow!

Wednesday

I dropped the kiddos off at school and headed out for a 10k at near HMP.  I wore my crops for the first time in ages with a long sleeve top, but wished for most of it that I'd been in a t-shirt.  It's that tricky time of year for dressing for us runners......dress too lightly -- you freeze and never warm up.  Dress too warm -- you get too sweaty and then get chilled.   Go ahead, call me goldilocks.  

Ran 10.6K in 57:03 (5:22 pace).  My hammie felt good to start, but was a bit cranky by the end.

I followed up with a  hot yoga sculpt class for extra punshiment.   Burpees, handweights and yoga in a 104-degree-heated room.  Can you say 'sweat-fest'?  I swore I'd never be able to use my triceps again after that class too.   Good times, good times.

Thursday

A quick 6k with waaaaaay too much gear and clothing:  CRX crops, merino long-sleeve top, jacket, gloves and buff for ear/headband.   By 6k I was cooked, and then stripped off the jacket, only to freeze in the the headwind.  Clearly I need to remember how to dress in these Fall temperatures.

Friday

Day off running.   Still rolling and icing.   Less crunchy bits in the glutes.  This is good!

Saturday

So this is how things were looking on Friday night:

As expected, the weather conditions were less-than desirable today, but meeting up with Emma and Patty to battle the elements for a 13k run made it much more tolerable.  I came home very wet and very cold, but this is why they invented hot showers.  And these: 

I got a sneak peak of what to expect on portions of the Road2Hope course next weekend.  Now if I could just get my friends at Environment Canada to arrange for good weather next week, we'll be good to go. 

In the meantime, someone top up my mug, pretty please?

Sunday

Short 7k to round off the week.  That's 45k total for the week, and seven sleeps to go until race day.  I've just got three shorter runs planned for the week, with a chiro appt, daily rolling and lots of hot yoga to keep these legs happy and loose.  Now I just need to work on my brain.  Goal is 1:53 or better. Miracle goal would be keeping up with Patty and Emma as they aim for sub-1:50.  *gulp*