What A Week

Looks like I still have not found the blogging rhythm yet, but sure it will come in time.

Last Saturday's run went well, however the follow up run on Sunday left me wondering if I would be able to continue on my journey. My IT Band was very irritated and was even affecting my knee with a very sharp pain. No warning! Crazy! 2 years ago while training for my first marathon I had my first experience with ITB pain, but did not know what it was or what to do. It was after running the marathon that I decided to seek out help. An orthopedic doctor visit landed me into physically therapy and 8 weeks of no running. It was a very difficult time.

Since then I joined a company who has a wonderful Wellness Center for their employees with not only a full gym and health coaches, but physical therapists, a chiropractor among others.  So the first thing I did when I got in Monday morning was get an appointment for PT and then on Tuesday had a chiropractic adjustment on my hip and knees. Wednesday I went out for my scheduled 6 mile run with no knee pain and even though the ITB was still a little tight it was very doable. Every morning and evening I stretched and rolled out the area to break up the tightness with the Runner's Stick. Thursday I kept on schedule with a short 2 mile easy run feeling confident that I escaped possible disaster but having a team of health care providers who know my goals and are skilled in their professions.

So today I woke early to start on my 16 mile run to be confronted with the East Coast Soaker. It was a chilly, windy raining morning and I was drenched and very cold by the time arrived back home. But good news, no knee or ITB pain at all! Amazing!

My goal today was to take in 2000 – 2200 calories to allow my body to properly recover. It is often hard to remember that there is a difference between normal nutrition and sports nutrition especially since I am still wanting to lose about 10-12 more pounds. Sometimes it is so hard not to get caught up in all the numbers.... calories and the scale, but I want to be focused on eating clean and fueling my body for those long runs not to get obsessed with the numbers.

My last meal of the day. Trying a new smoothie I found on one of my new favorite blogs, Carrots N Cake with just a minor modification.

6 oz Chobani Vanilla Yogurt

6 oz almond milk

2 tbsp peanut butter

1 banana

½ cup frozen butternut squash

1 tbsp Vega Vanilla Chi Whole Meal Optimizer

Cinnamon

Ice


I give it 2 thumbs up!

Today's Tip:  Seek out experts to help you in reaching your health goals. Having a health coach to assist you with nutrition needs or a chiropractor to keep you in the best physical condition can be the missing link. Whatever your neesds may be having Peeps to support you is priceless.
 
 
Eat Well. Run Well. Be Well,
 
Bekah