Rehab Update

As most know I've been rehabing from a hip stress fracture.
I took about 4 weeks completely off from impact running. During this time I continued to bike and swim. But I also tried out a few training sessions of pool running.
I read good things about it. So I went out and bought a pool running float strap.
With pool running I was getting the running movements. I tried it for one week, my 3rd week without actual running. In the end I didn't feel like I was getting anything out of it. So I decided not to waste my time with it anymore. I moved onto the treadmill for some hill climbing.

By this time any pain from walking was long gone, but I still couldn't run without the pain coming right back. So I set the treadmill at 15% max grade and a 10 min/mile pace. Not easy by any means. It was like very fast walking up hill. My thoughts behind this method was to work my running muscles and get my heart rate up really high without the running impact. So I did this method for almost a week before I decided to get running.

I keep the treadmill at a steep slope still, 12-15% grade, and turn up the speed. Running at grade reduces ground impact. To my knowledge this is the best method for me in order to get back into fast running shape without compromising the healing process. I can run at a threshold heart rate and also get the leg turnover rate I need. It's a tough workout.
I've begun to mix in normal grade treadmill running into the training. Awesome right. Not really. I still feel tiny pain. But, an awesome thing is that when I'm done with the treadmill running I have no pain at all.

I am now 5 weeks with out running outside. WOW. That is Crazy! I'm going to give myself another week before I test myself outside. Also, I am going to make an effort to go to a really good running physical therapist this week to get my running problems analyzed for corrective measures.

I still can't help to think where I was at last year compared to now. I was gearing up to run a marathon at this time. In fact, I remember I had a 22 mile run this weekend last year. HAHA.
By the way I am not ruling out the marathon this year. Im signed up and it's 7 weeks away.

The real goal is to improve in running, biking, and swimming every year. It's easy to feel down about my running condition, but I think about my swimming and biking. I know for a fact I am a faster swimmer now. I've been swimming about 5 days a week for almost an hour a each time. As far as cycling goes, its really hard to tell. I think I am cycling more this winter than I did last year. I think my intensity has been higher as well. I've been able to stay at a pretty low off season weight this year. I have theory that I've lost muscle and bone mass from not marathon running.

I've signed up for the majority of 2010 races already. And I am a little worried about being 100% for the tough early schedule.

Next time I'll discuss my 5,55,40 breakdown.