Couch to 5k - Up And Running Again!

I managed to get another run in yesterday.  I was able to go the whole 20 minutes.  I don't know why it has been so hard to get back where I was.  I am just happy that I was able to complete my goal.  I am hoping that I will be able to add those extra 5 minutes back on Saturday.  That will put me back where I was  before my ankle injury.

I wonder how long it takes before running becomes like walking and becomes second nature.  I find myself thinking about the clock.  I long for the time when I can just let my mind go and think about other things in life as I run.  I hope to get there soon.

I Am Back To Running Again - Couch To 5K

I am happy to report that I am back to running.  I took a few weeks off from it to let my ankle/foot heal and it seems to have worked.

I ran on Saturday on the Westchester Parkway.  I felt a bit cautious and de-conditioned but overall my ankle and foot was fine.  I did have some pain in both knees for a bit and then it lingered in  my right knee a little longer (the side that I injured my foot on). 

I back tracked to week 6, day 1 just to see how running would feel. 

Anyway, I got a chance to try out my new Reebok RealFlex running shoes.  I like the way they felt, they were nice and flexible and super light.  These shoes are so nice and thin and feel like a part of your foot.  I love them.

Over the weekend I got another pair of running shoes in the mail.  Asics Neo33. I will be posting about them soon.

I ran again this morning.  I just ran Week 6, Day 1 of the program again.  It was easier this time and I tried to be very aware of my surroundings, especially the crummy sidewalks in my neighborhood.  I want to run in the street but I am sure someone will try to run me over, sigh!

Exercises For An Injured Ankle

My ankle is feeling a bit better.  I want to rest it, but I also want to strengthen it while it is getting better. 

Here are some easy exercises to do that are non-weight bearing:

Isometric Strengthening Exercises

Do these exercises to strengthen the muscles around your ankle. This will provided added support to the joint. Each exercise should be repeated between 5 and 10 times; increase the number of repetitions as you get stronger.

Eversion Isometrics

1. While seated, place the outside of the injured foot against a table leg or closed door.
2. Push outward with your foot into the object your foot is against (your ankle joint should not move) causing a contraction of your muscles.
3. Hold this muscle contraction for 15 seconds.
4. Relax for 10 seconds.

Inversion Isometrics

1. While seated, place the inside of the injured foot against a table leg or closed door.
2. Push inward with your foot into the object your foot is against (your ankle joint should not move) causing a contraction of your muscles.
3. Hold this muscle contraction for 15 seconds.
4. Relax for 10 seconds.

I have also been doing some resistance band strengthening:

Couch to 5K Running Program - Still Recovering From Ankle Injury

Well, I am sad to report that I am still recovering from my ankle injury.  It has been hard not being able to run or work out very strenuously.  I like to be active and instead I find myself limping around trying not to put any weight on my right ankle/foot.

I have been researching this injury.  I am supposed to stay off of it as much as possible, do non weight bearing exercises, ice it and keep it elevated.  It  has been over 1- 1/2 weeks since the injury.  I think when I was running on the "wonky" sidewalks in my neighborhood, I came down on it wrong a few times trying to navigate the horribly dangerous sidewalks.  I also think that since I have never been a runner before that I was trying to do too much too fast.  My personal trainer teacher seems to think I was not running fast enough, causing the impact on my ankles and knees to be more frequent and more intense.  That makes sense, but really I feel it was more due to the un-level, cracked and raised sidewalks. 

It feels a bit better.  I am hoping it will heal and that I will be able to run again, but I must say, I am scared.  What if I just keep injuring it?  I am going to try and be patient and give it the rest it needs.
Has anyone else had problems like this?  So frustrating!