How to become inspired again after a running injury

I had my last ITBS physical therapy session at Empire Health and Wellness Center before I get my running orthotics.

I ran an exhilarating 35 minutes on the treadmill, then worked on my balance with the bosu ball. I also did some lunges and learned how to do squats with the stability ball. I liked doing the squats, because the stability ball provided a little bit of a back massage!

I talked with Brendan about how my physical progress had outpaced my mental progress. I can run pain free but I am scared to run and potentially injure my ankle or knee or hip. The fearful feeling is stronger now that the orthotics are on the way. Like a soldier would say - "I'm short!" I just don't want anything to happen when a permanent cure to my running injury is so close at hand.

I'm working on getting the joy back in my running.

I had a great run in Central Park, NYC yesterday and went to the corner of 90th and 5th to visit the statue of Fred Lebow, the founder of the NYC Marathon. Seeing all the cyclists and runners passing the statue got me back in the mood to start training again!

If you need some inspiration and cannot get to Central Park, here is a funny video made by high school runners that really takes me back to high school track days:


These are my new track spikes!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bU_4ojPluPI



How do you get inspired to run after a setback or injury?

What is your favorite cross country or track memory?


Want to run faster? Click here to get free running and nutrition tips by email.

Tips and advice on speedwork for intermediate runners

Once I get my orthotics, I am looking forward to getting back to speedwork!

Cool Running website has published tips and advice on speedwork for intermediate runners, separated into charts for 5K and 10K racers.

Intermediate is defined as a 5K time between 22:00 and 26:00, and 10K is between 44:00 and 52:00 for female runners. The chart offers schedules for 440’s, 880’s, mile intervals and hills.

Do you run speedwork as part of your 5K or 10K training?


Want to run faster? Click here to get free running and nutrition tips by email.

Running Orthotics will cure my ITBS, tibial torsion and pes planus!

I visited the talented folks at General Orthopedic at 1659 Central Avenue in Albany, NY last night to get fitted for orthotics. General Orthopedic also manufactures, and sells orthopedic shoes. After a thorough and fun examination, I was diagnosed with winking patellas, tibial torsion, ITBS and pes planus.

They made impressions of my feet in foam and will construct a custom orthotic that will fit right into my current running shoes and align my feet correctly. This means that my days of hip pain from ITBS are over, and I can start to run again without pain or the constant fear that I will injure my iliotibial band. I am so excited that I finally have a medical diagnosis and a cure for my running injuries.

I am still keeping up with my physical therapy, practicing yoga and running.


Want to run faster? Click here to get free running and nutrition tips by email.