Stress Fracture Update

I actually have a pretty serious post to share with you today due to the overwhelming amount of emails I received regarding the condition of my back and when I will be running again. I really appreciate your interest and figured you deserve to be filled in, so here we go!

Philip and I running through the neighborhood (2/2011)

 In December 2010, while running Winter Track, I started noticing pains in my lower left back.  At first I thought I just didn’t stretch enough that day and shrugged it off.  It kept coming back and after a week of practices and my Black Belt Test, I realized that it needed some attention.  Immediately my Mom called an Orthopedic and I got X-Rays, a MRI, and it was confirmed that I had a stress fracture on my sacrum (where my back connects to my pelvis.)

Running my first 5K – The Flying Pig

The Orthopedic informed me that I would not be able to do Winter Track and had to take a minimum of 2 months off from running.  Let me tell you, it sucked.  I always took the ability to run for granted and didn’t realize how much it meant to me until I was unable to do it anymore.  I was (literally) counting down the days until I could run again.

Sam and I after our first XC Meet

So naturally, when the first week of February rolled around, I hit the pavement and went for my first run in 2 months.  I did a mile (the maximum distance I’m allowed to do for now) and felt wonderful and pain-free.  The time wasn’t too great – 9:08 – but I figured I could improve it when I got back into consistent running.  The next few times I went running I did improve by an entire minute!  I thought my stress fracture was gone for good, but it wasn’t.

Phil and I before the Turkey Trot 5K - My Current PR

A few days ago I noticed a pain in my lower back, right above the tailbone.  Once again, I am gave my body a few days to rest, in hopes that it was just a lack of stretching or something minor like that.   I think it was, considering Phil and I went for a 1 mile run yesterday and it felt fine.  Yay!

Currently my plan is to ease back into running and do approximately 2-3 miles a week.  After a few weeks increase it to 5-6 miles and so on.  Hopefully, I’ll be back to running 30 miles a week in no time!

As for Spring Track,  I’m hoping my body will be ready by the time practices start, but I’m not going to push myself.  I think healing definitely takes priority over sports now.  Plus, I’d hate to injure it again and miss Cross Country – my all-time favorite sport.

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Questions of the Day:

1. Have you every been sidelined due to an injury?
2. Do you like to run?  How many miles do you run in a week?

Phew!  It feels so good to get all of my thoughts on paper the internet.  I hope it wasn’t too wordy for you – I tried to break all the writing up with some pictures.  Hope they helped.

Have a great Thursday and Friday!

Recipe Repost + Abs 101

WHOA!  Is it just me or is this week flying by?!  I feel like yesterday was Monday!

Today, as the title indicates, I have a recipe and an ab workout to share.  Let’s start with the food. 

I’m sure any blogger who has been blogging for more than a few months will agree with me when I say that some of my old posts are just downright embarassing.  I can’t believe how far FFF has come in only a matter of 7 months!  I love all of my old posts because I saw them gradually getting better and better, however, that being said I need to repost this recipe.  I eat it so much I figured it should have it should be redone.

Blueberry Breakfast Bowl

A FFF Original

Ingredients:

• 1 Chobani 0% Bluberry Greek Yogurt
• ½ cup Kashi Go Lean Original cereal
• ½ cup fresh (or frozen) blueberries

Optional Add-Ins:

• Coconut
• Chopped Nuts
• Flax/Chia Seeds
• Banana

Directions:

1. Scoop yogurt out of container and into a medium bowl.  Top with Kashi Go Lean Original, bluberries, and optional add-ins.  Enjoy!

Yield:  1 serving

Yeah, that’s some good stuff right there. 

Easy.  Quick.  Delicious.  High-Protein.   High-Fiber.   Amazing. 

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Now let’s move on to the workout! 

 Ab workouts are my favorite kind of workouts.  You can use as much machinery and gym equipment as you want or none at all and still get similar results.  Lately I’ve been doing a lot of ab work through yoga, but I’ve also started doing Lisa’s Abs 101 workout.  It’s awesome! 

Seriously, you need to try it out. 

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Questions of the Day:

1. What is your favorite ab move/workout?  Feel free to leave links!  I love trying new workouts!
2. Do you have any embarrassing old posts?

Have a great day!