another week ... another pain

So Tuesday I decided I was going to change things up a little bit. Instead going to Pilates on the lunch break I would play some basketball. I walk by the court every day going to and from Pilates and the games aren’t too intense, girls and guys play, and everyday I think “next week maybe”. Well, after talking to one of the regulars at the Gym Friday (I don’t know his name, I seriously have no people skills) after Yoga, I decided Tuesday would be the day. So Tuesday comes around and I come out ready to play, of course I get picked up; Just like people assume I’m a great runner just from seeing me, they also assume I’m a great basketball player (thankfully I have my fathers “Ned Flanders” genes). Being a lottery pick, of course I’m placed on the most athletic person on the other team, though I shouldn’t be, but I held my own until the last point. Playing basketball in running shoes wasn’t the best idea especially for someone who doesn’t move well laterally (or vertically but I’m getting better at that) like myself, and right before the last point I turn my ankle. Having just lost, and knowing sitting still would just accelerate the swelling, I jumped on the treadmill and ran a couple miles before showering and returning to Cubicleville.

After returning to my cubicle entoxicated from the endorphins of my short jaunt I was set on running Tuesday night in the inclement weather (the weather actually turned out not bad at all). This would be my first time running multiple times a day, or without a day of rest in between and I was excited. There is only one problem with everything up to this point, and that’s that I didn’t stretch after the treadmill and I paid for it that night. About 4 miles into my 6.6 mile run I couldn’t lift my left leg. My hip was completely stiff and forced me to walk. This is hilarious because in the previous post I focused on not having to walk in a while on my runs. In hilarious pain I had to walk/run the last 2+ miles. While struggling home I was even passed by three Get-Fit women who announced as they passed “you gonna let us pass you”, gave them a gracious “nobody is letting you do anything, have a good run” in reply (not what I was really thinking at all). In good spirits, I finished (still did a half assed stretching routine after the run).

While excited I ran without a days rest in between, I didn’t really get to celebrate because it didn’t end well. Tuesday’s moral of story for me is to stretch even when I don’t think I need it. Sitting at home on Wednesday, and probably will be Thursday too, without being able to do anything is not exactly what I want. It’s a lot easier to look at the pile of laundry that needs to be done and step over it when you’re working out, not when you’re laying in bed feeling like an Octogenarian. Going to try Pilates on lunch Thursday and hope everything responds well. Really don’t want my long run cut short on Saturday.

On a side note I really want to work on my run mechanics. When I run past the fancy steak house on our route I can see my reflection, and it doesn’t say “runner”, says something like “this guy is hurting”. I’m not sure how I’m going to do this yet, but it’s definitely something I would like to focus on in the near future.

Sweet 16

Well this weekend was another weekend of first. I pushed my personal long to 16 miles, and I didn’t walk at all during the run (though I did welcome stops at red lights). This brings to mind, I haven’t had to walk much at all recently. Sure last Tuesday I had to walk down a gigantic hill (knees just couldn’t take it), but it wasn’t out of exhaustion. It’s amazing how far I’ve come since March. I never would have thought that I would enjoy running.

Back to Saturday, I started off this run feeling okay though a little tight from lifting weights the previous Thursday. One of the coaches, during the run, was adamant that I should slow down and keep my HR low, which is right in theory but the first 3 miles of any run my HR is always up and it was sort of frustrating falling behind the pace group I have been working to run with. Though slowing in the beginning is possibly the reason the entire 16 felt good. I eventually caught them at a water stop and was able to keep up with them for most of the last 8 miles.

Saturday was my first time ever doing the second 8 mile loop (makes me think of the first time at TNR I got to do the loop instead of the out and back, proud moment for myself) and I really enjoyed it … except the run through Freedom Park. That was by far the most mentally taxing part of the course. Who ever designed the “S” shaped walkway that seems to last over a mile, while on a steady incline, should be punished. The walk-way isn’t even the worst part; the worst part is there is a street that runs along side the walk-way that’s completely straight and on a more gradual gradient. The entire time I was running/struggling up that path, all I could think was I should have taken the street.

After the run we get back to Piedmont and the masseuse is there (thank the lord), I didn’t feel like anything was bothering me too bad considering I had just run 16 miles, then I laid on the table and my knee almost instantly started killing me. Unbeknownst to me, I found out that the knee pain came from not stretching my calfs muscles. I have avoided stretching my calfs since I tore my Achilles with the reasoning of “if it’s working leave it alone”. I now know that’s not the proper approach to have it remain in working order so I’ll fix that. After the most painful massage I have ever had, I felt no knee pain, though my calfs are still on fire, it was almost instantaneous. Also my foot has felt better since too, I hope it last. It’s crazy how much I continue to learn weekly and it’s nice to still be in the stage of setting personal longs. It really pushes me.

This week I plan on purchasing a wetsuit before the Xterra (if I can’t find a better deal elsewhere) sale ends on the 31st. Sleeveless vs. Long-Sleeved is the question. Decisions, decisions.

On the rocks ...

So, I’m in this new relationship with Running. From the beginning I thought it would be best if we started out slow. After six months seems like things were/are starting to pick up, but there is always hiccups and bumps in the road. Strangely the up-hills are better than the down-hills, and the flats never seem to last. Then there is Tuesday and the infamous MFHP. As I sit here hurting all over, I don’t know if our foundation was strong enough for this yet. I even managed to get loss and shave off half a mile, yet we still couldn't reconcile things. Maybe it was I was little over-confident after Stone Mountain, or all the times I should have been pushing the pace yet I coasted were coming back to haunt me. Either way Running and I are back on the rocks and I realize there is a lot of work to be done if this is meant to last. I’m pretty sure there is something to be salvage after Tuesday, but I know it’s going to take time and a lot of work. Who knows what will happen when Swimming and Biking come back in the picture … I’m determined to make this relationship work. Here is to praying Wisconsin is flat or at least doesn’t resemble MFHP.

Me and Running called a truce

Thursday I went out for my longest run ever, on probably the most consistently hilly terrain ever, at Stone Mountain. I was skeptical yet determined that I could do the entire 15. Thankfully determination won, and there were no mileage surprises because I was running with someone with a GPS watch. While there were times I wanted to walk or just quit all together, those feelings were never stronger than my desire to finish (possibly a first). It also helped I didn’t want to make my run partner run around that rock in the dark alone. After 3 laps around the rock, and two laps around the parking lot to hit exactly 15 miles, pain and a huge sense of accomplishment congratulated me. Then it was time for an Epson Salt soak and a huge plate of pasta (not at the same time). BTW how does Epson Salt work?

This run was also my introduction to running in cooler weather. I originally didn’t think me and cool weather would get along. I figured it would cause asthma complications, or simply be harder than normal for me to get out in, but so far it has felt great. My HR was way down during the run, that probably has a little to do with the pace I was running, but that was encouraging. Right now I’m really encouraged about running through the winter. My relationship with running is budding.

Saturday I went for a run in Auburn just to see how my legs would respond to Thursday. Surprisingly, I felt really good, though I was still a little nervous to push the pace. I think I’m going to aim for 3 runs a week now. I can feel my legs are getting stronger and the recovery periods between the runs are getting shorter. Running three times a week will give me a chance to focus on Hills, Tempo, and Distance. I never would have thought that I could enjoy running as much as I’m starting to. I hope it last. Running could possibly be my new best friend – that’s probably a little premature.

2 Minutes til take off

The last few days of training have been pretty good. Saturday I went out for my long run, planning to go for 12. After getting home and mapping out my run with Mapmyrun I realized my long run wasn’t as long as it was intended to be - 12 miles magically turned into to 10. Originally this was a huge let down, but I was really happy with how I felt following the run. Knees had no pain and even my toe wasn’t in very much pain. Since I have upped the mileage and I think this (triathlon/being active) is something I’m going to stick with for a while, I am considering investing in the new Garmin Forerunner. I really don’t want to shortchange myself on anymore runs - real-time distances could helpful, what do you think?

Monday I went for a swim and it was extremely boring. Did I say it was extremely boring, oh because it was extremely boring. I am determined on swimming one to two days a week so I don’t have to start from scratch when I join a masters team in January. I heard a good quote this week that I hope will help me to get to the pool “there are no reasons for not doing it, just excuses”. This week wasn’t as bad as last week though, I did have a preprinted workout to follow and not just the idea of going for a swim. There really isn’t much else to say about the swimming besides I hope I enjoy it more when it picks back up.

Then there is the glorious Tuesdays. TNR is by far my favorite thing to do training wise. After steadily posting better times on the TNR runs, I set the goal of breaking an hour on the 7.05 mile run. The previous 2 weeks I’ve run it at 1:07, 1:03, and this week I came up short at 1:02. While not satisfied I didn’t reach my goal, it is extremely satisfying to be making improvements. I’m going to break that hour, might not be this week, maybe not the next, but it’s going down. This course is a technical course, with the first 5 miles being hilly and the last two being pretty flat. Having that forerunner would come in handy here too, for pacing (I’m seriously trying to talk myself into buying that watch).

Going to Auburn this weekend for a football game, so I’m pushing up my long run to Thursday. Not doing anything Wednesday is probably the hardest thing i've done this week, but I know I wouldn't make it through my run Thursday with out sitting Wednesday out. The plan for Thursday is to run 15 miles around Stone Mountain with a club-mate. Being that riding around Stone Mountain is a task, running it should be really interesting. Hopefully I survive to write about it. The Journey continues.

Now you're running ...

I just fought through my first crossroad of this off season. Fear had completely taken over me. Lately, I’ve been trying to work as hard, if not harder, than I worked during the Triathlon season, until my awakening Monday night. At first I didn’t see pushing myself as a problem, but Monday after swimming by myself, the entire time thinking “what the hell am I doing”, I just about swore off everything healthy and went to Wal-mart bought me some Little Debbie’s snack cakes and was about ready to be a bum. Three Little Debbie’s Swiss Roll packs later, I realized I’m trying to do too much. So, I am forcing myself to focus on quality as of now and not quantity of workouts. The Idea that I may not finish and look back and think “did you do all you could do”, works against this, but smart training is better than overtraining, right?

I’ve been researching workouts for swimmers online and most suggest total body workouts on days you go to the gym. With the stuff I’ve found, I put together a new workout routine for myself with me only lifting two days a week right now. Also, I’m going to make myself take some time off and hangout with friends I’ve neglected to hang out with (If you are reading this invite me to things again). Taking this time off now will probably help come March when everything is planned around workouts and finishing Ironman Wisconsin without having to walk a complete marathon – assuming walking will be an option.

(Sorta like a second entry, I have to write in drafts)

What a difference a week makes. Tuesday Sept 29th I nearly had a breakdown at mile 6 of a 7 mile run. When you’re running with people (and struggling) and they bring up a marathon a mile before you’re to finish a 7 mile run, it makes you think “how in the hell am I going to do 26.2 miles”, after biking 112 and swimming 2.4. After a profanity laced rant of my own I had to pick up the pace and finish (thank you girls for the encouraging comments) - I think I was going crazy and to stop running was the only thing that was going to help me. After the run, it turned out to be my fastest 7 miles up until that point, so there was a small silver lining. Fast forward a week later to October 6th and I entered TNR (Tuesday Night Run) with a goal to better my previous run, without wanting to kill myself for signing up for an Ironman during the run (working on the mental toughness). The last few weeks I’ve been running on a treadmill on Thursday nights to increase my speed with out having to focus on it so much mentally, you set the speed and you move your legs – a lot easier than doing it mentally for me at this point. Well low and behold I think it is working. It’s so nice to see it pay off so quickly after only 3 weeks. I had my fastest TNR yet, I averaged under a 9 minute mile on a course that I originally averaged over 12 (it's hilly and i'm slow). Huge Victory for myself, huge.

During the last week I also made my first trip to the Doctor for a “not usual pain”. Turns out I have an inflamed sesamoid bone in my foot, big Toe to be exact (a bone I didn’t even know exist). Doc says I should try Orthotics and to Ice and all that good stuff. Knowing he’s not going to have to take my big toe, I think everything is going to be alright with this one, I do plan on icing more. One more thing for someone to ask me about when they walk past my cubicle at work.

48 more weeks to go!