Adrienne Langelier Racing

I originally wanted to title this post: "The Comeback", but the way I see it, I was never really out, just dealing with a season that many of us go through at some point in the game. I think this is a good time to close out the "Down for Maintenance" series, especially now that my new focus is building back up.

Injuries are never fun, especially catching "the bug" this year like I did, but there is much to be gained from them. Rumor has it, I participate in what some may call an "extreme sport", after all...Now it is time to take the new and strengthened connections I have made with others both in my immediate community and online, my new knowledge of my biomechanics, weak areas (both physical and mental), plus the new purpose if this thing I do to begin laying the grout for my new project: a 'running renovation,' to put it in metaphorical terms. 'Cuz I think metaphors are fun:).

According to the orthopaedic world, bones and connective tissue need to be remodeled and strengthened in order to be used at full capacity again. Just like laying grout or plaster, you apply a layer, wait for it to harden, then repeat. Over time, if you do it right and with patience, you often have taken something and make it something special. You want a quality product, it takes time.

 My quality product will begin by using basic ingredients: I am basically using  this schedule by Pete Pfitzinger, M.S.According to Coach Pfitzinger, my runs are short and spread out at first, just like a layer of plaster. Then comes waiting for for it to harden (or going on another run) before repeating the process, laying it on a little more each day. This is to allow the bone to remodel properly. After about 6 weeks-hopefully-I will have enough "layers" to begin the process of solid base-building, which is the main priority for the next few months.

Last night marked day one of this process. As directed, I put in 10 mins walking-talk about a strange feeling-on the track near my place and then proceeded with two 5-min experimental runs. I have to say, this was a strange, scary, yet familiar feeling-I've done this before, right? It was basically just me out there and  another runner and his ipod, my Timex, in my new Glycerins. Just as I wanted it to be for the nervous first-nice and simple.

What was no sot familiar? Feeling out of running shape-yuck! The foot seemed to hold up well, especially using the orthotics. Never once did I have to think about foot placement, and I don't think that has ever happened before!  After getting through the initial "shock" of using the running muscles again, a recurrent thought  was an optimistic one: "wow-if I do this right, some really cool things may just happen!" I felt floppy and uncoordinated, but I maintained a steady, natural pace. I did not necessarily feel slow and take that as a good sign. Towards the end of the maiden voyage, I started to feel more and more like me again. With each step I could feel the potential of what can be, instead of each step being painful, unsteady, and fatigued. I will go fast again. I am confident of that. The Gift of Running-yeah!

It was back in the water today and feeling good, where I will split time in between runs and cycling. The next 6 weeks are relatively planned out with the renovation process. I have a race or two in mind, of the 5k and 10k variety, but will not rush it. This time, the quality needs to be prime. No need to rush. Also, to get the elephant out of the room,  I will be participating in a sprint triathlon, likely the Memorial Hermann Sugar Land Tri in June (Thanks, Andy!); I have been curious about trying one for years and now have all the gear to do it. Other than that, it is up to the process.2011 will be all about having fun, getting strong and trying new things. I can't wait!

More updates later.

God Bless and blow doors.

Monday at 9:00 (just in case anyone's interested) I find out if I am cleared to make a slow, methodical comeback to running. Even though I have been feeling great for the past few weeks, I am admittedly a little apprehensive. Bones are known for having a mind of their own and heal on their own timetable, but I have been almost the perfect ortho. patient. I have stuck to the activities I am cleared for, and was slow to approach each new thing that Dr. H. cleared me to do (for example, the elliptical trainer), and I would have sealed my right foot up in a glass case if I could!

As you have likely seen in previous posts I took some time to evaluate what running meant to me, what to do with it from here on out, and worked on sealing the holes that were lacking in my training and overall health. After the initial, painful first few weeks, I have been exercising like a fiend: aqua jogging, elliptical (not my fave, but can work some of the same muscle groups), cycling, swimming, and corrective strength exercises-quite the garden variety, if I may say so!. Along with prayer, activity has really helped my resolve and I am floored with how easy this process actually was on me. Not every day has been easy, but the majority of it has been good. Here is a synopsis of some of the components  of this relatively long process-hopefully not too repetitive from all my other posts:

• Improved overall health status: it turns out I was crazy deficient in most of my B-vitamins, especially B1 which produces collagen and B12. It's amazing after addressing these things how much better I feel.
• I ended up gaining about 3-4 pounds of muscle. At first I was not digging the "man arms" I feel like I have sprouted, but what do you expect when pumping them vigorously for 30-100 minutes (current record) at a time through water? After reviewing a racing weight chart, I may have raced some under what I weighed when set my marathon PR. Again, also possible tied to a lack of strength. I know I didn't get too fat if currently not much gives to the touch!
• I am actually in really great overall shape. I spent anywhere from 5.5 to 10.5 hrs./week depending on the week doing some sort of auxilary activity. 
• Core training, core training, and more core training! If you want to know my bread and butter routine, you have to ask ;-)
• I realized that I am capable of being patient and dealing with setbacks. This does not just come from the past few months but the whole 2010 season as a whole. 
• I have had the opportunity to spend some time getting together necessary components in building up my Sport Psychology consulting gig, Your Competitive Edge. 
• My spiritual life and hopefully my attitude are on the upswing, and it's refreshing!
• I have met new friends and training partners of which wouldn't be in the picture.
• and lastly... it actually could have been much worse! In post-Turkey Day reflection, I do have a lot to be thankful for.

Anyhow, that's enough for now. I will likely post some of the return exercises and progress. I am moving to a new apartment next weekend, complete with a track right across the fence-super easy access to a soft surface:). Someone should tell radiology that I have been super-good and deserve to come back now.

Hoping to let the new adventures begin.

God bless and blow doors.

The purpose of this post is to (try) not to get too cerebral/analytical/chicken and egg as I often tend to. Ever since "the break" I undoubtedly have spent many hours trying to go piece together my injury "whodunit"-of course there are much more productive things to do with my time, like do something about it.

In addition to my solid support network of Ken Sly at PHS, Jarrett Smilie ([email protected] sidebar) for muscular therapy (if you haven't gone to him for massage you don't know what you're missing!) and great docs advising me, I have added some things to my daily nutrition. In addition to the biomechanical side of the issue, my long string of admitted training errors, there was a chronic soft tissue inflammatory issue also. It's almost a given that this predisposition (cue training errors in not enough recovery) contributed to the major tweakage many weeks ago.

While I tend to be somewhat conservative on the supplement end, a lot of times it is near impossible to get all we need, try as we may. I have become a calci-phile (with boron-that's important) and have used Omega Complex for years, but never have addressed the muscles, etc. with the exception of protein. Through my job, I have access to Metagenics' product, a pharmaceutical-grade supplement line and was able to get some recommendations from our rep this past week. Two things he suggested to me, given my history were Fibroplex, which I have been using since October, and EC Matrixx, which I started this past week. Basically Fibroplex is a b-complex with high concentrations of Thiamin (Vit. B1), a collagen-forming vitamin and therefore enhances the healing process. It also seems to help me feel less sore from my hardcore cross training efforts. From my understanding EC Matrixx helps the collagen lay straight and enhances the extracellular matrix in our soft tissue (whatever that is!!). Fingers crossed it helps in addition to the therapy with the scarring down there.

I have to say, I am pleased with both products, especially together. Even though it can't help my biomechanics, it can address some of the aftermath of the things I do to myself. I don't know if it would work for others, but so far so good for me. Bottom line: this will probably help me health and recovery-wise, but nothing replaces LISTENING to my body!


God bless & blow doors.

As usual, my weekend was jam-packed with activity. As much as I sometimes gripe and complain about not really getting a chance to rest and relax, it ends up working for me because I am not very good at the former anyway!

As many may be aware, I had to scratch the RNR San Antonio 1/2 Marathon this year. Disappointed as I was, as one door is shut another one opens. A month ago, Steve D. sent an email to my fellow Brooks ID members requesting help at the expo for a special promotional tour, coined the Cavalcade of Curiosities (as it was definitely one of a kind!). Not even a week prior, I had to relinquish my spot in the race but jumped at the chance to hang out in a city very dear to me-I lived in the area off and on through my senior year of high school and most of the family still resides there-and help out my sponsor (ok, I did get a sweet free pair of Glycerin 8's and a jacket). Although it was your typical big-race chaos scene, I did have a good time on Saturday.

It was a whirlwind traveling from Houston to San Antonio on Friday; I had a presentation to give at a local college to give before making the 3.5 hour trip down I-10 to get set up. I arrived early to get my assignment, which was handing out tickets and answering questions on everything from where the nearest restroom was to running shoes and form. This was an all-day assignment and I was a little apprehensive to how my right foot would respond standing for the better part of nine hours, but I learned a cool little trick-to be discussed in the next paragraph-and I was fine all day.

Some of the highlights from my assignment (besides that this company is awesome) 1.) getting a chance to talk to Keith Hanson and the eventual winner, Hanson's-Brooks runner Molly Pritz. Both individuals were gracious enough to talk shop for a few minutes and Molly was very encouraging in discussing some of her own past injury woes. Obviously, whatever it was did not hamper her since she clocked a 1:12 and change for the Half. I can only dream!! 2.) seeing my friends from The Woodlands Running Club pass through-always good to see familiar faces!3.) Eating  (a pretty lame, I must say) lunch across the table from THE Frank Shorter. Too bad I was too shy to bug him for an autograph or a pic, but he was on his lunch break too. 4.) Being able to indulge my shoe nerd self and sample the entire Brooks Neutral (at least the one's I don't own) and racing line-there were shoes everywhere that we could try on.

The neat trick I mentioned earlier is that if you switch out your shoes every few hours, your weight gets shifted to different pressure points. Here are some preliminary reviews (I arrived in my Launches& note *I was only able to stand and walk around in these in adherence to Dr. orders):

1.) Green Silence-I have been curious about them, but for the current state of my feet, they get a 'B. They are very neutral and don't have a whole lot of support, but they may be worth racing in for me in distances up to a half or 25k. They are very light, which I love, and the new black uppers are more understated than the red and yellow ones.
2.) Glycerin 8-I received these last week and give them a pretty high grade: A-, only because of the weight. They are a great orthodic base and quite comfortable. The extra wt. will probably be more of a boon than a bain when I do my easy runs in giving me a 2 oz or more impetus to slow it down a bit. Beats the heck out of the threats of a leash and/or bungee cord from my running partners.
3.) Ghost 3-These were the winner of the day, as I will likely purchase a pair in the future. I hated the previous Ghost models, but these presented a stark contrast. A+.  Perfect for the inserts and perfect foot placement. Very cute and light too, which I love. I'm not gonna lie, I really didn't want to put these back in the try-on box at the end of the day.I doubt I will ever supinate again in the Glycerins and Ghosts!:)


Even though still no running for, er, 2 weeks or so, workouts remain solid. My aunt owns a personal training studio attached to her home in SA so I was able to take the show on the road. I had the chance to wow my friends with my pushup routine Wednesday night as I visited the track. Yes, at one time I struggled to do a few full ones, now I can switch hands mid movement! Soon enough, there will be less aqua jogging going on. My record for this stint is 90 minutes straight. If you visualize running somewhere really nice, it helps. 

Anyhow, that's all for now, I'm good and exhausted from presenting, expo hoopla, family, the road, and work. I'm a blessed woman to have a schedule as full of good stuff.

God bless and blow doors.

 Here's a more spiritual post for your Sunday-enjoy.

"To give anything less than your best is to sacrifice the gift".-Pre.

So, Mr. Prefontaine, great statement- but what does it really mean? An obvious interpretation is to throw your whole self into your passion, your whole being focused on one moment in time, using what you've been given to full potential. Pre ran according to his own accord; running a "pure guts race" and turning a race into a work of art, leaving nothing more and nothing less on the track. He (or she) who can endure the most pain the longest emerges with the victory. However, is this always to be the case? Is this the truth for every runner? I agree with Steve Prefontaine in that running is a gift. It is up to us to accept it, and some of us have 'it' to varying degrees.

Recent events have made me question the notion of this gift. I have known for a while that I have been blessed with the ability not only to run, but to run relatively well. I remember like it was yesterday hearing my P.E. teacher shout out "6:56" as I completed our mile fitness test as a smiling and tired 10-year old. Running, for the most part has come easy; it has brought me recognition and praise, sponsorships of which I appreciate, friendships, and opened doors for me that would never have been opened if I would had never laced up. Especially after watching my mother's effortless run last weekend, I see that I may have something genetically special to work with, if I choose to take care of it.

Some of my favorite moments so far have involved the sun shining, cool weather, the pavement underneath me, burning legs and lungs, and in an odd state of focus listening to the crowd while pressing towards the finish- only to momentarily double over in both exhaustion and exhilaration. I used this gift early and often, with many early morning runs, hot, steamy track workouts, leg searing progressive runs, and monthly races; each race in pursuit of bettering my time, bettering myself, pressing, and chasing, chasing, chasing....

Ok now, lets take this beaten dead horse and flip it over for another look...recent events have left me wondering: "what is this all about?", "why do I do this to myself?", or "when am I going to be truly satisfied"? You see, I believe that God has given me the gift of notable (yet not overly exceptional) speed and running ability; instead of using it to glorify Him, I have used it almost exclusively for the glory of myself. Problem is, I am the type that is never satisfied.  As in many other situations, if you don't edify the one who gave you a gift, it makes it less meaningful.  In a sport where the individual is usually the focus, it is easy to take your eyes off the real prize. I was recently told by an individual that I have all my resources, friends, and contacts for a reason-I am supposed to keep going. I am getting hungry to return strong but in a more careful manner than before. Gifts are fragile and if you don't play nice you have to wait while they get glued back together.

Now to examine the concept of "your best"-something I often discuss with athletes in my practice. Truth is the answer is different from day to day. I believe this concept is as fluid as, well, water itself. Is giving your best taking an unscheduled rest day after waking up fatigued? Could giving your best also mean training and running smart smart and listening to your body? Could being your best  include having patience and accepting that things don't always go to our plans? I am beginning to think that being your best is definitely more than just one race , qualifying time, or workout. There will be the nasty ones, and those "pure guts" moments.  Don't get me wrong, there will always be personal bests and best workouts, etc., however, it is more than the sum of its parts-each little detail can lead to a breakthrough down the road.

This gift is merely just one small facet of who I am as a person. There are also the gifts of friendship, family, counseling, and health to name a few.I am to nurture and grow those as well. Talking with a good friend the other day, we discussed how some days and races are better than others, but it is those days where we learn from experience that are most beneficial, those that reinforce that we are not alone in this journey.

To wrap up this post, which is a diversion from my usual stuff, I am thankful for my gift. I hope to start using it in a slightly different manner-a little less about me (which in full disclosure, will likely be hard), and a little more back to Him and others. Of course, I will still regularly discuss my training, progress, and future races here. There is still much excitement just around the corner and lots to do. I have a lot to offer this sport, but it is not all about "The Adrienne Show". 

...Back to he notion of not sacrificing our gifts...this may be one of the most important things we be sure to do in life. I have certain goals, unfinished business (sub-3), and an experiment or two (ahem, summer sprint triathlon) ahead of me, but I still don't completely know what will unfold. The bar will be set high, but I will try hard to not let me get in the way of it. I can do this, but it is He who gives me strength. Phil 4:13.

Enjoy the gift of running.

Run Happy.