New Oshes

***The IT Band/Shin Splint rehab post now includes all the videos.  Check them out if you haven't already.  Thank you for not mocking me (at least in your comments)!  I'm aware they are dry- These were all business; welcome to the serious side of Amylee.

Moving on.

Growing up, we called shoes "oshes" in our family (pronounced uh- shez). Why? I have no idea, but don't you feel closer to me knowing that random fact?

So.... NEW OSHES!!!!!

Brooks Cadence: Minimalist footwear with support and stabilization; basically a hybrid between a minimalist shoe and a normal trainer.

They're black.

And purple. 

And I'm completely in love. 

 Well, as "in love" as you can be without having run in your running shoes. Hope y'all got out there and enjoyed (or will enjoy) a nice long run!

Brooks Cadence Running shoes:  $128.22

RUNNING total: 381.47

Running in HOT shoes:  Priceless

IT Band & Shin Splint Rehab Exercises

First off- I'm so awkward.  How in the world did I study theater in college?!  WHY DID PEOPLE EVER CAST ME?!

I'm baffled.

Second- I love you guys.  A lot.  Here's the proof:

IT Band and Shin Splint Rehab Exercises

Disclaimers:

*My husband makes me laugh.  This cannot be stopped, or controlled.

**I am not a photographer.

***I am not a videographer!  I'm so awkward on camera.  Just, get over it and follow the exercises.  You're welcome that I got over my insecurities so quickly to offer these to you ;).

****I am not a doctor.  If you are suffering from pains, I cannot tell you enough how much I encourage you to go and see a physical therapist.  Only they can properly diagnose you and give you the treatment you need.

That being said, here are the list of exercises that my Physical Therapist gave me for IT Band rehab as well as shin splints.

1.  Bridges and Clam Shells

2.  One legged bridges- You bridge up and extend one leg.  You then lower your buns until they nearly touch the ground and then bridge back up.  If you are a weakling like me, these will kill you!  My hamstrings often cramp during these.  I do 12 on each leg, then switch.  2 sets on each leg.

3.  Monster Walk and Side Steps

4.  Dead Lift Leg Raises- These are like a dead lift using 10 lb weights (feel free to use heavier!) only you lift one leg as you bend over.  Do 12 reps on each leg and then transition to backward lunges.  Do 2 sets of each exercise.

5.  Backward Lunges- These are your basic lunge, only you step backward instead of frontward.  Do these while holding 10 lb. weights.  Do every other leg for 30 repetitions.  2 sets alternating with the dead lift leg raises.

6.  Weighted Squats- (If you have access to a gym, I would do the leg press using only one leg).  50 squats with weights (10 lb).  2 sets.

The following are for Shin Splints:
7.  Body Twists

8.  Eccentric Calves

9.  Heel Walks

RUNNING total

I started running because it was a cheap hobby.

Cheap MY EYE.

This year I have decided that I'm going to keep track of every cent I spend that is running related: races, supplements, clothing, shoes, gear, you name it.  I have a bank account that is set up for running.  I try to save 25 cents for every mile I run (which equals about $25-$30 a month).  I'm pretty sure this barely pays for my shoes.

Since we are, indeed, "starving college students," I have decided that I'm going to tally up just how "cheap" this little hobby of mine is.

So far the bill is fairly small:

Physical Therapist, 1/9- $50.00
Chinese Dragon Run 1/11- $13.25

But I know it is destined to grow.

I did pay for 2 big races last year that I am going to include for this year.  They are the Ogden Marathon ($85.00) and the Wasatch Back ($105).

That brings my running total for 2011 up to:

$253.25

Yowza!!!!!!!!!  Don't tell my husband.

The shirt I've been wearing every day since last Friday:

Family blog updates: {My Baby}

I love the Nike clearance rack.  LOVE.

Why do I make that face all the time?  It just happens.  The camera comes out and my mouth just drops and my eyes bug.  I can't control it.

I also picked up a green shirt that says "Fast", but of course I promptly spilled sausage grease all over that one.  I've been working on the oil spot for days trying to get it out.  I really wish it would because then I could change my shirt.

PT says...

No running for at least two weeks.

It's weird- normally I would be totally devastated by this news, but I feel fine!

Perhaps it's because I don't have a race.  Perhaps it's because I'm so relieved that I don't have a stress fracture and two weeks feels like nothing compared to 4 months.  Perhaps it's because I have been feeling so sore and run down that having someone tell me that I have to take time off takes the pressure off of me- I don't feel like I'm just "wussing out".

Yesterday I had not only one, but two Physical Therapists working on me trying to get me back in running order.  For TWO HOURS they shocked, poked, stretched, massaged and essentially attacked both IT bands, both shins (with extra attention on my left), both hips, my right hip flexor, and my knee caps.

In short- I'm a mess.

I plan on cross training on the elliptical some, but mostly I'm going to be doing lots and lots and lots of strength training.  I'm going to definitely be a STRONGER runner when I get back at it.

I'm so glad I decided to go in.  My body needed it.  If you are feeling aches and pains that are nagging and concerning- don't ignore it.  Go see a physical therapist.  You won't regret it, promise.

(And this is coming from someone who doesn't like to spend a dime on anything- let alone seeing a doctor.).

After talking about my form and shoe options, my PT is encouraging me to go with minimalist shoes.  I've had the New Balance 10's for awhile now and absolutely love them.  In a few weeks I am going to transition to running solely in those.  My form is better when I run in these, and until I learn to run correctly, I'm just going to continue to get injured in normal trainers.

Time for a new pair, though.  I'm stoked on these:

I'm also going to be reassessing my marathon training.  Lots of blog posts to come on that, and I'm going to break down the IT Band and Shin Splint rehab exercises for you all.

If you couldn't run for two weeks, what would you spend your time doing instead?