Posts Tagged ‘running video’
9/11/12 – A Momentous Day, PT and Chiropractic Work
Posted by admin in Training (running, cycling, etc.), Try This! on September 17th, 2012
On September 11th, 2001, I was still in graduate school at Georgia Tech. I had gotten up and was getting ready for an 8:30am class, while watching Matt Lauer and Katie Couric on the Today Show. All was well until I came back from another part of the apartment to find a burning, smoking building on the screen. At first, I thought it was a hoax. How could a building in New York City be burning? Then, Katie and Matt were taking turns trying to explain what was going on when an object hit the second World Trade Center tower. “What is happening???” I kept asking in my head as Katie and Matt continued to work on explaining a horrific scene.
On this day, my cousin also had her 16th birthday. It was not the day she would get her driver’s license, though.
This year, I had a pretty big day with a Chiropractic appointment and a physical therapy appointment.
First, I went to Dr. Larry’s. I was having a pain in my right glute max, and my thought was that it might be L5. Dr. Larry said that it sounded more like S1. So, he adjusted, and it felt great! He also did the usual neck, back hips and ankles with a little right wrist for good measure.
Then, I headed down to see Brian for physical therapy. I was wondering if it was too much to do these two things on the same day, but then I figured, why not?
I told Brian about Dr. Larry’s verdict on the S1 adjustment, and Brian said that it made a lot of sense b/c the S1 is the nerve that controls the Posterior Tibial Tendon, among other tendons in the foot. So, if you’re S1 nerve gest severed, then your Posterior Tib Tendon will not work. Hmmmm, interesting. Does that also mean that if your s1 vertebra is out of alignment, then your Posterior Tibial tendon will have a difficult time working to its fullest capacity? Good question. I do not have the answer, but it certainly does make one think.
Brian worked on ASTYM for the posterior tibial tendon and the back of the calf. Still crunchier on the right than the left. Also, I was more tender from the Iron Girl 5K. He then had me do a calf warm-up (downward dog), the World’s Greatest Stretch (coming soon), and a few running warm-up moves. These running warm-up moves included learning to hop softly for approximately one minute. The “soft hops” are shown in this video by Sanatan Golden, a PT in Portland, OR, who helps to produce “Minimalist Mondays” videos and clinics.
We then practiced foot “lifts,” which are a warm up where you try to lift your foot rather than hop from foot to foot in order to prepare for a run.
Finally, he had me run on the treadmill. This is going to be an ongoing exercise, too. Despite my reservations and rebelling against running because I am terrified of continually reinjuring myself – you know the dance: two steps forward, three steps back. However, when asked to run for a camera, I cannot say no. The following video is from Sept. 4, 2012.
Note: I had no idea Brian would suggest running that day. So, I was not dressed for success in running. Also, the creepy slow voice is Brian asking me if I am relaxed in the second video. I have some serious video editing skill deficits to overcome in the future.
I have not put the later videos together, but I might just do a video post later. For now, check this out!
In the left-most video or Video #1, I am trying very hard to remember all of the steps to running barefoot: tilt pelvis up, lift legs, head up, chest expanded, shoulders back, try to create a forward lean, etc. Notice that my legs do not always come up very far on the up swing (less than 90 degrees). In the right-most video or Video #2, Brian has showed me the first video, then told me to relax and think of being light, relaxed and quick. I also only worked on tilting my pelvis up (I had to think of something – what is this relaxed thing, anyway???).
Guess what? Relaxing and not worrying so much produced a better stride naturally. These videos were only a few minutes apart. Brian literally showed me the first video, talked about good things (thank you for doing that, I had enough negative self-talk going on for about four people at the time), and then added that I could just relax. Very well done, indeed as that second video shows. My legs swing up to 90 degrees, my pelvis is in a good place, and I might even be smiling.
Although this video is from last week, it mimics the video from 9/11/12.
So, don’t sweat the small stuff, and just relax!
12/11/11 – Updates and Procrastination….
Posted by admin in Reflections, Try This! on December 11th, 2011
When I left off, I was working on the 5K. However, as I reflect on my performance in Oct and Nov of the past two years, I find that life has a way of really getting in the way during these two months. I am now recovered from a very busy and emotionally draining Oct., and November’s celebrations and holiday are done, too 🙂
Now, back to work. I realized that I have yet to get my running videos from Travis. I took him a thumb drive that was too small (I think it is about 10 years old – do any files equal less than 128MB anymore?), and that was the last time I tried to get the videos. Since I have reminded myself, I will focus on getting the videos from him this week or next week when my winter break from work starts (Hooray!).
With the videos I will begin a new regimen of running. The running is very difficult in VFFs in the winter due to the cold and wet conditions combined with the Raynaud’s Phenomenon, which causes my fingers and toes to go numb with the slightest chill. I find that running on wet pavement in the winter causes my toes to go numb really quickly, which leaves my feet feeling like big blocks of wood that are propelling me along. I will say that when I ran a 5K (more like walk/jog) on Thanksgiving day, my feet were numb within 1/4 mile, but at mile 2, the feeling began to return to my toes as my body heat increased. It was a very pleasant finding that I have been unable to compel myself to replicate :-/
I am continuing to work with Melissa, and we have had to scale back my workouts due to my lack of motivation (read: I do not go to the gym unless she is with me). I am also in the process of changing to a gym that has a TRX device. My first TRX workout was last week, and it was such an amazing change of pace. I will write more on the device later. To balance out the TRX workout with my regular workout (the only way to workout lower body large muscle groups is squats and lunges on the TRX, and my right knee is currently rebelling against those two moves), I am doing a regular non-TRX workout this week. I did go to the gym one time between my workouts with Melissa last week due to my interest in the “new” TRX workout. Yes, it was rather like a kid with a new toy. My new plan is to workout once between training sessions with Melissa followed by a yoga class the next day to help increase flexibility. If I can get back into the workout habit, then Melissa can up my routine, and I can start rebuilding strength. Yay!
Motivation is slowly coming back. The biggest factor is that I just turned 35, and my thighs look more like 35 year old thighs than 25 year old thighs, which is not how I want my thighs to look. I mean Cher looked awesome at 65, but I think I read somewhere that she spent 3 hours in the gym each day. I guess there’s something to look forward to. At least I won’t be bored in retirement, and I could wear a thong leotard and dance on a Navy ship with all of the sailors. Now, that’s a good retirement plan…..
9/12/10 – Aflac Iron Girl 5K: I Ran the Whole Thing! Plus, a VIDEO!!!
Posted by admin in Training (running, cycling, etc.) on September 18th, 2010
OMG! As the valley girl would say, I ran the whole thing! All 3.1 miles!
It was a beautiful, overcast, 60 degree Sunday morning. Although rain had been forecast, not a drop was falling. I was all set with my new stability shoes and my racing chip attached.
I had never run in a race before. I’ve been to several of my husband’s races, but it is very different when you are the participant. The mass of people exuded an energy that is so infectious that you cannot help but feel excited and exhilarated. To say the very least, I was pumped!
After arriving an hour and a half early (b/c they said to), we finally got to line up according to our average mile time. I chose the end of the 10 minute mile as I have been clocking around 10:40 seconds per mile in training (but that was only running 1.5 miles with walking in between). I hoped I had not chosen incorrectly.
After the national anthem where no one sang, which I thought was so weird (Tangent: I love singing the national anthem, and I figured that being surrounded by a bunch of women, I would get a great chance to sing in an impromptu chorus. Nope, no one sang.), the Aflac duck screamed the start, and we were off!
My heart was racing as I wondered if I would be able to run the entire 3 miles. Then, I decided right there in the chute that I would run the three miles. I weaved through the clump of women as we all began to find our paces. The first mile was cake. Then, in the middle of the second mile, I started getting tired. That’s when the mind over matter became very real for me.
It was my determination to keep going, not my physical prowess, that kept my body jogging. I had one thought, “I want to be able to tell everyone that I ran the whole thing!” I did not want my first race to be me wimping out half way through!
Thus, I kept that mantra in my head the rest of the way, and it worked!!!
Now, as I hit the chute for the finish, it was about 150 or 200 yards until the finish line. I decided to sprint this last part because it wasn’t that long, and I figured I might as well. So, off I go. In my mind, I was running like the wind. I had Chariots of Fire in my head. Dun dun dun dun dun dun dun, dun dun dun dunnnnnn….. I could feel that I was really extending my legs and making huge strides toward that finish line!!! Boy was I looking good in my head!
So, when I finished and found my husband, he told me that he had videoed my finish. I was so excited!! I could see how good I really looked! Yay!
Here’s the video – I’m in the pink hat:
Alright, I couldn’t help but laugh my ass off at this video. I looked nothing like I was picturing! Where’s my awesome extension??? What about the speed? Where did that sway back come from???
Man, I’ve got some work to do. However, let’s not lament here. There is a lot of good stuff to say. For example, when comparing my first ever run video from April, I definitely have a lot more extension than I had then. I’m just not at an olympic athlete range like I was picturing myself as being. So, all is not lost.
Overall, my finish stats were good! Especially considering how spotty my training was.
I placed 371 out of 1371 – that means that out of the total 1371 ladies who ran, I finished before 1000 of them! Not bad 🙂
In my age group, 30-34, I came in 65 out of 255! I was in the top third! Also, not bad 🙂
My time was 32:50, which is an average pace of just under 11 minutes per mile. Woohoo!!! I maintained my estimated pace!
I enjoyed this race so much that I think I’ll try to find another one, and soon! I’m going to stick with 5K for a little while longer to make sure my feet are ready. This race did not cause any symptoms in my left foot, which is awesome. I am so relieved!
Anyway, onto training!!!
Video!!!
Posted by admin in Training (running, cycling, etc.), Try This! on June 25th, 2010
At long last, I am going to share those videos that I have been promising.
Video #1 – Me Running from the side in late May 2010. You will see 5 seconds in my super stiff running shoes and 5 seconds in my Vibram Five Fingers (TM).
Of note: First, I run like an old lady, meaning that I have a very short and inefficient stride. This indicates that I have tight hip flexors, which has been backed up by both my PT and my Chiropractor.
Second, in my running shoes, my stride is really short, while in my barefoot shoes I extend my back leg a little more.
I find this video very eye-opening. No wonder I run a slow mile!!! I am completely wasting energy and holding myself back with my stride.
Video #2 – Me Walking heel view late May 2010. The only video I have from the heel view is of me walking/running in my running shoes.
Erin Walking Posterior May 2010
Of note: First 5 seconds are walking where the problems of the left foot arch falling are not evident. Second 5 seconds are running where several issues are quite evident. First, my left arch does fall, which means many bad alignment issues further up my leg. Plus, the major pressure is on the posterior tibial tendon to keep that arch up. Last, my right foot is turned slightly out, which causes a torque in the right knee, which I have evidence of my body feeling in that my right knee is the one that had “patellular tendonitis” (i.e. your knee hurts, therefore you have an -itis). Someday I will figure out how to get a video of me in my barefoot shoes up here, which really shows the left foot caving in.
These videos brought to you courtesy of many long hours of working with the video editor by my Physical Therapist, Travis Orth.
I also want to say that iMovie made it possible for the clips to be short and provided the ability to play cool songs rather than the foot slapping soundtrack the videos came with 🙂
I have ARCHES!!!!
Posted by admin in Reflections on May 21st, 2010
Yes, folks, it’s official! I have an arch on my left foot! This was witnessed by Ollie at bellydance class yesterday. I stood barefooted through the entire class, shimmies and all, with a full-on, no-nonsense arch on my left foot!!! It was awesome. I will post pictures this weekend.
Speaking of pictures, I have my videos sans some Vibramâ„¢ footage due to a guy inadvertently taped on the giant wall mirror. Oh well. I will try to re-make that tape.
So, more later 🙂
Run #3 – 5/5/10!
Posted by admin in Training (running, cycling, etc.) on May 6th, 2010
A blog on time! Watch out!
So, this morning, I struck out on the bigger run – Day 3: Walk 1/4 mile, Run 1/4 mile, Walk 1/4 mile, Run 1/4 mile, Walk 1/4 mile.
Yes, I could tell I was running an extra 1/4 mile. My right leg took to it like a duck out of water. However, my left leg made it great the first 1/4 mile, but I could tell it was lagging on the second. Talk about foot slapping the sidewalk on that side. I am thinking that I might stick with this run for more than prescribed if my left leg doesn’t respond any better than this quite soon.
Otherwise, I am feeling really good! Between my running, foot Physical Therapy exercises, and Personal Trainer exercises, I am beginning to feel very strong for the first time in a very long time. It is such an exhilarating experience!
Stay tuned because the video will be up before the weekend!!! It’s finished and waiting for me to pick it up 🙂
Physical Therapy Visit 4/8/10
Wow! It has been four weeks since starting physical therapy! And guess what?! Travis had me push my foot against his hand today, and he said that it was definitely stronger! Hooray! It’s working! I’m not ready to run, yet, but things are looking up. Not to mention, I’m very close to running 🙂
Ok, this visit I was so sore from my personal training session with Melissa, that I was really in sad shape to do much for Travis. He kept it simple, but definitely challenging. First, we started with the bridge with a twist – my feet were on a big ball. However, Melissa had made me hold a bridge on one leg for one minute each leg. It was too good of an exercise, and my sore muscles rebelled.
So, Travis, then moved through a series of exercises. My homework is to do them as close to everyday as possible. I took the weekend off, but I started tonight (Monday) with a bang! I did Melissa’s workout combined with Travis’s! Man, was it ever nice to walk into the gym with a plan.
Also, Travis did have me run in my super stiff running shoes with orthotics for 2 minutes. He told me that I picked my feet up at neutral, which does indicate a tight hip flexor, as Melissa had found. So, he said to continue stretching those. He also said that my right foot looked great, while my left foot continued to fall around the arch/ posterior tibialis. So, more work is needed.
Next time I go in, Travis is going to record me running in my super stiff running shoes and my Vibram’sâ„¢. I cannot wait! He said that I might be able to put it up on the blog. So, stay tuned! You might be lucky enough to witness my feet in motion!
Until next time….