Two years ago today, at the start of my senior year of college, I begin my career as a Healthy Living Blogger over at lilveggiepatch.blogspot.com. I started the blog because, on a whim, I decided to reconcile my dislike of exercise and, rather than go halfway, run a marathon. Despite slowly building up my miles, I developed a femural stress fracture and was on crutches for six weeks and wasn’t able to engage in high-impact activities for three months.
My parents visited for my 21st birthday, and when we went shopping at the Mall of America, I had to be pushed around in a wheelchair. Not so fun.
Determined not to let running get me down, I started running again, and last year, around this time, I ran my first race, a 5k, with my friend Ilana.
And thus began my love affair with running. While I didn’t necessarily enjoy training, I loved racing. I wasn’t the fastest or the most in shape, but I had fun.
Although I was gradually building up to bigger races, I first started to experience sharp, stabbing pain in my knee the day after the 10k. I went to see a physical therapist and a surgeon, who misdiagnosed me in more ways than one, but it led me to another physical therapist who, although he didn’t specifically put a name to what I was feeling, gave me some strengthening exercises to build up my quads and core. What all of the doctors and therapists could agree on was that I was logging more miles than I could support because I just wasn’t strong enough. With this physical therapist’s help, I trained and completed a 15k.
But it was the first time, during a race or merely on a training run, that I was in agony. As the look on my face illustrates, I didn’t understand! I’d prepared for the race properly in terms of logging miles and cross-training, so why was my knee screaming at me to stop?
Pete McArdle Cross Country 15k
I got into a pattern of pushing through long runs despite the pain on the weekends, icing my legs and taking shorter runs throughout the week, and doing it all again come Sunday. During this time I also had my first “real” job experience (I’d waited tables and had had many internships, but had never before had my own desk, office, someone to report to, and a paycheck). Like most first jobs, it didn’t go exactly as planned and I would get home from work only to have to stay up late and get up early to work more. I was training for my first half marathon at the same time, so I would wake up early to pound it out on the treadmill before work, and, though exercise usually gives a person energy, I was thoroughly exhausted. Ari was out of the country for most of this time, and because of all of the extra work and training, I hardly had time to socialize. I was miserable.
It was only three days before the half marathon that my friend Megan put a name to what I was feeling in my knee— iliotibial band syndrome, or ITBS. The knee pain was only a symptom of the real problem: the length of tissue from my hip to my knee was completely inflamed, and because I wasn’t stretching properly, rolling the leg with a foam roller, or strengthening my quads adequately, the problem was worsening. Still, I ran the race, and was in pain for most of the 13.1 miles. Still, I did it, and I kept telling myself that that was the most important thing.
I had to ice on the subway ride home… I still grimace when I remember how much it hurt to go down the station’s stairs.
I still felt like there was more to prove, so I signed up for the Brooklyn Half Marathon. My ITBS took a lot longer to subside this time, and halfway through training, I decided to forget about the race so I stuck to cross-training and virtually stopped running. But two weeks before race day, I made the decision to run it. My longest run was 6 miles and I knew it was going to be really tough, but I hauled myself out of bed at 5:30 and drove to Prospect Park and joined the other runners. At mile 7, I started to feel shooting knee pain. Unfortunately, miles 7-13 are on the highway, so there’s really no easy way to turn off. Luckily, I ran into my friend Ashley who was also struggling, and we helped each other push through to the end.
Surprisingly the pain was gone the next morning, but that was one of the last times I’ve really run. I’ve taken a couple short jogs with Ari and occasionally do 20 minute HIIT sessions on the treadmill, but I burned out. Running was something that got me through a lot of hard days at work, and racing gave me a sense of accomplishment after completion- although mentally readying myself for a training run was often almost as excruciating as the inevitable pain I would feel afterwards.
I want to want to run again. I’m sure I’ll come back to it one day, but for now I’m happy to keep my gym sessions short and sweet.
Disclaimer: I do NOT suggest running a race without proper training!
To read about last year’s blog anniversary, click here.
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Yesterday I woke up around 9 so I would have time to get to the gym before work. I pounded out 20 HIIT minutes on the treadmill, and although I find even such a short workout to be mentally draining (not to mention boring), Janetha’s recent posts about HIIT workouts have been a real help to me.
Also, the sooner I went to the gym, the sooner I could come home and finish up this jar of Cinnamon Raisin Swirl peanut butter 
The contents were a little weird, but quite delicious! I mixed warm barley, almond milk, cottage cheese, protein powder, cinnamon, salt and stevia in the empty jar, and it held me over for quite some time.
I wanted to bring a smoothie to work, so I defrosted a little of this frozen kale. I’ve never seen kale frozen in boxes at the grocery store before, so I had to try it out.
Er… I drank it all before I snapped a picture. Whoops! I got a lot of weird looks as I sipped my brownish green smoothie, but it was really good.
- 1/3 block frozen kale, defrosted
- 1/2 banana
- 1 scoop vanilla protein powder
- 1 cup almond milk
- 1 packet Starbucks VIA instant coffee
- 1 T chocolate PB2 (or peanut flour)
When I got off work at 5, I went home for lunch and had a bowl of my dad’s homemade potato corn chowder:
And a side of peach-and-fake-bologna rolls-ups. It’s actually a really tasty combination! You must try it. Trust me, I’m a food blogger!
Ari and I decided to go to a 7:00 showing of Inception, which I practically had to drag him to see. Leo was one of my first loves (there were, at one point, 17 posters of him on my wall, circa The Man In The Iron Mask) and the story looked interesting. I don’t know that I understood all of it, but I enjoyed the movie.
In the theater, Ari and I each had a Vegan Energy Bar.
When we got home at 10, I whipped up another quick Cool Taco Salad . Now, I can’t blame eating a late dinner on work… I was off at 5! I guess these formerly strange hours are starting to become my norm.
I had a big bowl of cherries for dessert, and, because we got sucked into three episodes of True Blood (just finished up season 2!) I needed a snack at 1 AM and dug a TLC bar out of my bag.
Well, I’m off to park myself in a coffee shop to read for pleasure. Haven’t had much time to do that lately, and I can’t wait!
Is there an exercise that excites you? When did you discover it? Please share your stories!
I’m just recently getting back into running after a really long hiatus (suffered a major case of burnout after my first, and last, half marathon) and I have to say I’m in love all over again
I can’t believe how much I missed it and how much I’m looking forward to racing again!
Btw…True Blood…best.show.EVER.
Loved your story! I am trying to *start* running but, ehh, don’t know if I like it. My dad and sister get so much out of it (not to mention the whole blog world seems to love it) so I figure I have to try and find the good!
Do you have a blender at work or did you make the smoothie in advance? I used to make GMs to take with me to work, but I always used an opaque travel coffee mug and stuck a straw in it.
One last thing. I LOVE the line: Trust me, I’m a food blogger. Totally saying it next time someone comments on my weird eats!
You feel my femoral-neck-fracture pain!! What a pain in the ass injury, huh? Being on crutches for six weeks truly SUCKED, and I remember even putting an ounce of weight on my right foot hurt like hell. Two months off crutches and I’m still struggling with running, but I can say that I feel supa strong after an intense vinyasa class last night.
Kudos to you for starting to run and train more seriously after such a terrible injury! I honestly don’t know how you can start something like long distance running – getting back into it is hard enough! anywho, happy blogiversary and thanks for sharing your running history!
my latest form of exercise excitement: yoga. specifically power vinyasa or hot yoga (not bikram). i discovered it two years ago when i worked at lululemon, and am now re-discovering it post femur fracture. i’m diggin it so far!
My activity of choice that just makes me happy is hiking, but I don’t always have the time to go since it’s a few hours each time. I just love it! I love being outdoors and just hiking somewhere – it doesn’t really feel like “exercise” – it’s just fun.
happy two year, my darling! you’ve accomplished SO much and are completely resilient and inspiring….i hope you continue to bring us on your journey through a healthy, happy life! ps- you’re gorgeous!!
It was a 5k race for me too that got me hooked on running, after practically my whole life doing everything in my powers to avoid the activity! I came in third for my age category, but I’m pretty sure there weren’t too many people in my division
and from then on I was hooked! I’ve been sidelined a few times, one of which was from ITB woes, but I keep coming back to it. I love that I can sort my problems out on the road – but no treadmill running for me!
I only began to enjoy running after I quit the track team. I just hated having someone tell me how fast and how far I had to go, especially on the days when I just wasn’t feeling up to it. Now, I do what feels good and let my feet guide me. I even occasionally venture out without my iPod or a watch. It feels so good to explore with the sun on my face and the pounding of my feet.
Thanks for sharing your running story– it’s amazing how it pulls you in and becomes something that you have to “conquer,” right?
Leo was one of my first loves, too! hehe. sigh. how far we’ve all come since then!
The first picture is funny, I know exactly where that is in St. Paul! I’ve been lucky to run for about 12 years virtually injury free, but I do know one thing is key with ANY workout : listen to your body! Any exercise is good excercise, running is great and your 1-2 miles runs… that is still running, my dear!
This is such a great post. I’m starting out running again after training myself too hard and then taking a 2-month hiatus, and I’ve really learned the importance of starting out slow and taking rest days – thank you so much for your post, it was a huge inspiration!
I love running but I hurt my back at Christmas and hadn’t been able till run but I’m slowly getting back to it I ran for 50 minutes today first since Christmas and it felt fab! x x
Thank you for sharing your running history–sounds like you went through quite a lot throughout your training!
I’m obsessed with my workout DVDs (embarrassing, I know). I got into them about 3 years ago when I realized that the best time for me to workout is first thing in the morning (6am!). I found circuit training to be a quick and efficient way to get in both cardio and strength training–plus, I need the motivation and direction of workout instructors (put me in a room full of weight machines and I’m clueless!).
Have a great weekend
After reading this post, I believe you’ve earned the label “hard-core.” Way to stick with running through many obstacles!
Congrats on your two year blogversary! You have accomplished SO much in these past two years!
Not sure about the bologna, but that is the best peanut butter ever!
My favorite sport/exercise by far is a really hard, super fast spin class. I had a totally psycho instructor once who I was convinced was trying to kill me. I loved that class! I guess I just really love to have my butt kicked.
These days, my 9 month old son and full time job keep me too busy for classes like that, but I plan to return to them someday when I have more time for me. For now, we walk and run with the jog stroller when we can, which is never enough, but better than nothing!
Loved your story!By the way i’ve been reading your blog for a few months now..
Anyway i suggest to try outside biking.It s fun,it’s not expensive and a great exercise!Plus you can actually train like for running (the whole miles thing).And there are also some races!
I’ve tried running but i actually dont enjoy it.But i love biking!
I really enjoyed reading your story. It’s always good to see where other bloggers are coming from with their exercise routine.
I’ve always wanted to be a runner, ever since high school, but when I tried back then I developed severe shin splints and had to stop running on the winter track team. A little over a year ago, I decided to try again, this time sticking to one of Galloway’s 5k training plan, which worked really well. (I was doing way more than my body could handle back when I was fifteen.) I continue to run, and really enjoy it, making sure to only go out three days a week, and to stretch every time I get back. I love the freeness I feel, and how it really helps me destress.
congratulations on 2 years! here’s to the start of number three.
i think the important thing when it comes to exercise is to remember that you have, literally, nothing to prove. running 2 halfs is a great accomplishment, but you don’t (and didn’t) have to in order to be “healthy” or “in shape” or whatever else. even when it feels like everyone else is running, it doesn’t mean that you have to – i had to tell myself this a million times when my knees started hurting. feeling that pain is not worth it when there are so many other things that we can do!
you know that yoga is what excites me now – it replaced running in my life completely, and i think what worked for me was that i was forced to take it slow. you can’t start yoga for the first time and say, “ok, i’m going to do handstands and wheels and birds of paradise today.” you have to work at it to improve, and i found that very motivating. i think it also brought me back to the feeling of being in a studio when i used to dance, and i feel very comfortable in that atmosphere. you know i’m down if you ever feel like coming to a class.
That picture of you in the wheelchair is HILARIOUS.
hi hi hiiiii
i seriously loved EVERY word of this story! i bet it felt so good to just hit publish and put it out there 
i feel you on the running. last year aorund this time i was obsessed with running and MISERABLE. seriously i remember trying to run like 10+ miles on the treadmill and getting off feeling like the death of satan. and then i found out i tore my hip labrum and it was kind of a blessing in disguise! i’ve given it up for the most part except for when i feeeeel like running. anywayyyyyys hope you have a great weekend AND we need to plan a date for us very very very soon!!
you pick the place!!
Adored reading your story about running. I feel like we all have such personal experiences to share and I really felt like I was with you reading that journey. It’s not smooth sailing for most people and it’s so great to read such an honest assessment.
Happy Blog-versary! Sticking with running when going through pain like that takes some guts and dedication – your story is inspiring! I’ve also had serious ITB issues, and I know how frustrating it can be. When you’re ready to come back, you’ll be stronger than ever, for sure!
I heart running <3 and I didn't become more serious about it until about 5 ish years ago. Can't live without it now!
Happy blogiversary!
I think I burned myself out on running too. Sadly, it was really short lived :\ I ran all spring starting at the end of February, ran 2 5 k’s, 2 10k’s, and then decided to take a break because (ok this makes me seem like a wimp compared to your injury) my new running shoes were really hurting my big toe! Though I think I kind of just used that as an excuse to stay off of it thinking it would just be a few weeks, and then got extended. I’ve been kind of afraid to run since then, though I know that sounds really irrational and I have no basis for this fear. Maybe I think I’ve forgotten how or have lost all my stamina? I’m ok with not running for now because I really believe in getting in tune with my body and mind when it comes to exercise since I’ve overdone it in the past for wrong reasons so I make sure that everything I do, I’m 100% happy and excited about doing. Even with yoga, though I’m absolutely in love with it, if I’m too stressed out or tired or know I won’t get into the right state of mind, I won’t do it. I don’t want to overwork my body, and I don’t want to create negative associations in my mind with any one exercise and ruin any real love of the activity I enjoy.
So that was a long winded way of saying I completely agree with your attitude towards running, and am also way impressed that you completed those half’s!
I’m also looking forward to cooler temps here so I can see if I enjoy outdoor running again. 115 heat index here for the last month and a half really doesn’t do anything to beckon me to the outdoors! Maybe when I visit we can get in a short run around Central Park! I also got this awesome thing called the “Prana Pass”. You should look it up because for $30 you can try out dozens of yoga studios all around NY b/w now and March. I bought one so I’ll also be visiting several studios while I’m there. I can’t wait!