Gluts... Ankles... and a Great Workout Day

My gluts were so sore today thanks to Billy Blanks. I'm somewhat ashamed that a man on my computer screen worked my tush harder than it's been worked in the past few weeks.

The ankle performed well today. I barely remembered I "injured" it. I actually twisted my ankle a little yesterday running after my kiddo in the snow. Maybe I twisted it back into place, because it feels excellent today.

I ran intervals again today on the treadmill. Since I've been feeling so good lately running at 5.2mph (11:30/mile), I decided to crank it up to 5.4. Just like Monday, I felt a burst of energy at the end and decided not to stop at 30 minutes. I kept going until I hit 3.1 miles (or 5K... for the first time!) and ran it in 35 minutes including a 1-minute walking break. According to dailymile, today was my fastest pace - 11:17/mile.

Then, I went to weight lifting class where I went 5 pounds heavier than my usual on chest, back and squats, and even though it burned, I could finish all of the reps.

Overall, a great workout day. Who would have known that I had to sweet talk myself into going to the gym in the first place? Fortunately for me, reruns of my two favorite TV shows were playing on my treadmill's TV during my run: Desperate Housewives and Grey's Anatomy. Definitely made 30 minutes feel like 5.

Now, I'm typing to you guys from my nightly 106-degree Eucalyptus Aches & Pains bath soak (yes, I measured!) which I soooo deserve. Good night!

Net Carbs: 39 grams
Workout: Running and 1 hour of weight lifting
Days Til 5K: 36

I Finally Ran...

...3 miles today!

So you guys know I've been nursing this ankle "injury" that came out of nowhere. I hadn't run on it since Thursday, to give it time to rest. I did, however, do some running in place and toe raises at home to test it out.

Well, I finally tried treadmill running this morning before work. At first, I felt the twinges again (which have now moved down to the lower part of the tendon near the side of my foot), but it loosened up and the twinges went away.

The plan was to do the 15 minute run, 1 minute walk, 14 minute run interval.

I did run for 15 minutes @5.2mph. But, during the second interval, I felt so good by minute 14 that I kept going -- I wanted to see how far I could run before I got out of breath (or make it to 3 miles, whichever came first). It felt really good, and next thing ya' know, I had run 3.02 miles in 35:30, including my 1-minute walking break.

It's still slow, but I did it!

I still think I'm going to go back to doing my interval training, but it feels good to know that if today had been race day, I at least could have finished.

Net Carbs: 20 grams (mostly in carrots - lunch AND dinner!)
Workout: Running.
Days 'Til 5K: 39 days

A Running Attempt

Today didn't go so well. After running for 10 minutes and feeling like my right leg was about to give out, I realized it because I was avoiding the left ankle (aka, the hurt one).

When I tried to focus on running on both legs, my left ankle felt even more tight followed by twinges I didn't appreciate, so I switched to walking. In total, I ran 15 minutes and walked 25 minutes.

I'll rest for another day or two and try again this weekend. I am upset, though, that this sets me back on my 8-week plan.

Net Carbs: 30 grams
Days 'Til 5K: 43

In other news -- 2 issues from my new Running Times subscription came today. I love magazines -- especially subscriptions -- so it didn't take me long to sign up for one. So far, I am intrigued...

The Swollen Ankle Report

Remember yesterday I mentioned how my ankle hurt when I touched it, but not so much when I ran on it?

Well, it didn't really bother me the rest of the day. After I left the gym, I worked a 12-hour shift on my feet and by the time I got home, I told hubby my ankle felt swollen, but I still thought it was okay (I obviously hadn't really looked down).

He looked first and alerted me to the fact that something was obviously wrong.

This is a picture of my ankles last night. I chopped off my toes to spare you guys the horror. But, I think you get a sense of how swollen the left ankle was.

Finally out of denial, I soaked in a hot bath, then iced the ankle, wrapped it and elevated it while I slept and voila -- this morning I have creases in my ankles again.

One of my doctor buds and I figured out that it's probably an inflammation of one of my peroneus tendons.

Today was my day off anyway, so tonight I'll do another hot soak followed by icing and elevating (freezing water inside Dixie cups works great to ice injuries). But, the plan is to stick with my training schedule and run 14-minute intervals tomorrow.

By the way -- Two thumbs up for the new Panera Mediterranean Salmon salad! Without the olives, and using balsamic instead of the tangerine dressing, it was only 20 NET grams of carbs.

Net Carbs: 31 grams
Days 'Til 5K: 44