Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Alison Meek, a D.C. resident who trains in Georgetown, shares her experience of becoming a long-distance runner. One mile at a time.
Despite the taper, the injuries just seem to keep on coming. I spent the bulk of my past Saturday in the urgent walk in clinic. Four hours, five x-rays and some strong prescribed medications later, it was determined that I was suffering from a severe sprain and inflammation of my right foot. The exact cause or moment it happened is unclear, but I am guessing it is in strong correlation to the amount of training I have been doing and the amount of time spent on my feet in general. Long story short, I am on crutches and have a boot I hobble around the city on. I feel as though I should be fine come race day as long as I take it easy these next couple of weeks. Tapering for me may turn out to be more like sitting on the sidelines until March …
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
Alison Meek, a D.C. resident who trains in Georgetown, shares her experience of becoming a long-distance runner. One mile at a time.
I feel frustrated. I have been working so hard the past few months in training to make the most out of my upcoming marathon. I have been religiously following the vigorous training schedule and possibly even putting in a bit extra effort. Beyond that, I am making sure I am eating and refueling correctly all while maintaining my personal schedule. But, almost a month out from the big day and I have full blown runners knee. Patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS) to be exact. In simple terms, it is the irritation of the cartilage on the underside of the patella (kneecap). PFPS typically flares up during or after long runs and high endurance activities (i.e. everything that I am doing on a daily basis). Training has definitely kicked up a notch …
Monday, January 24, 2011
Alison Meek, a D.C. resident who trains in Georgetown, shares her experience of becoming a long-distance runner. One mile at a time.
Sitting in the office the other day, I was talking to a client about the training I am doing for the half marathon. I detailed all the work I was putting my body through, how I ran in the snow, my new shin splints I am currently battling, but mostly I could not stop beaming about how I was so excited about the upcoming marathon in general. Ever-so-polite, my client remained quiet most of the conversation, throwing in the occasional judgmental glance until finally saying, “Are you nuts, child? Why the heck does that seem fun to you? You must be insane.” In all fairness, it’s a reasonable question and I just smiled and responded, “Yes." This is not the first person to question why running for a few hours at a time in arctic temperatures …
38.90964
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Rock Creek and Potomac Parkway
2400 P St NW, Washington, DC
/articles/why-i-run
1308141
/locations/3150785
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Alison Meek, a D.C. resident who trains in Georgetown, shares her experience of becoming a long-distance runner. One mile at a time.
Having just returned from an early Saturday morning, frigid, icy, yet beautiful run through Rock Creek Park with the The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's (LLS) Team In Training. I am feeling just that much more prepared for the Yuengling Shamrock Marathon in Virginia Beach on March 20, 2011. For those avid runners who have not experienced an early, winter run through Rock Creek Park, you MUST. The snowy creek babbling in the background and the mammoth trees covering you over head makes for a serene and peaceful environment. Crazy as it sounds, I have come to realize that running outdoors in the winter is awesome. By generating my own internal heat, I feel like I have somehow defeated mother nature temporarily. Seeing my own breath, sweating …
38.90964
-77.05041
Rock Creek and Potomac Parkway
2400 P St NW, Washington, DC
/articles/gearing-up-for-long-chilly-runs
1308141
/locations/3093024
Alison Meek
9:27 pm on Wednesday, February 9, 2011
What a pesky "injury" it is. Thanks for the supportive words, I too am hoping for a speedy recovery! more ›