This weekend, I decided to get back on the endurance exercise track with a nice swim at the pool and a long run. It has been a while since I have done either of those things — especially the swimming!

On Saturday, Ryan and I went to the pool. We go to 24-Hour Fitness — there are quite a few locations near our house, so we decide where we want to go depending on what activity we are doing. One of them has a nicer pool than some of the others. I swam 1250 yards — not too bad for the first day back to swimming in almost 8 months! By the end my right shoulder was particularly cranky….definitely need to slowly work back up in the swim distance.

Did I ever tell you guys about my shoulder surgery a few years ago? I know I’ve told you about my knees, but I couldn’t remember about the shoulder….

Basically, from 2006-2008 I played a lot of ultimate frisbee (played all through college in Delaware and at Minnesota) and the repeated motion of throwing ended up causing a tear in the labrum of my shoulder and my ligaments to be kind of loose. I kept sort of dislocating it. Eventually in Fall 2007 it was really bothering me a lot and I had surgery. I had to wear a big sling and couldn’t use my arm or hand for 8 weeks! Being my dominant hand it was so difficult. I had to teach myself how to write left handed….when I graded papers it was particularly hilarious!

So, sometimes my shoulder bugs me for a little while — especially if I’m doing some sort of new exercise or working on really hard. But if I take it easy or lighten my weights for a workout or two, it is usually back on track in no time. I’m sure after a couple more swims, it won’t get tired as quickly.

Now back to the weekend exercise — Sunday I did my first long run since my marathon back in early December! Let me tell you, it was TOUGH. I went 8 miles at a 8:52/mi average pace. I let myself take it a little easier for the last mile because my legs were crying. It didn’t help that I did a leg workout on Friday evening at the gym and my muscles were feeling tired and sore, or that I went at a pace that is pretty speedy compared to my marathon training. I’m really glad I fit in a run this weekend though — it was a good start to my spring half marathon training.

Hopefully a few more outings in both the swimming and running categories will get me back in the groove.