If the Universe would just let me run every day, that’d be nice.
Last night, as I was walking around with a giant knot in each calf, I knew I’d overdone it…again. I want to increase my weekly mileage, so I’ve been running more. Before vacation, I was doing pretty well with more running days. But I wasn’t necessarily in “training” for anything and so I just ran easy–slow for me. My legs responded nicely with little to no soreness.
But now that I’m back from vacay and I have a half marathon to train for (and a tri, but I won’t even get started on that right now), I’m ready to GO. Give me some freakin’ speed intervals. Don’t forget to pile on some tempo runs (my favorite) and, of course, let’s throw in some half marathon pace miles during my long runs. Hell yeah!
Okay, so I’m the type of runner who likes to push the limits during workouts. But I know better. This is NOT SMART. You can’t push yourself on every single run. I know this. I know it leads to injuries. Yet, I do it anyway even when telling myself not to.
On Sunday, I went out for 6.2 miles because I think I registered for Run with Jess‘s Virtual Cupcake Run, but I can’t remember, so I should probably look that up. Anyway, in case I did, I wanted to get a 10k in since I’m pretty sure that’s what I would’ve registered for if I did register at all. I did it on the trail by my house (the out is gradually downhill, the back, of course, is gradually uphill). I decided (for no reason whatsoever to run 2 miles at half marathon pace, which for the Seattle Rock N Roll Half at the end of June, will be about an 8:23 pace since I’m aiming for a 1:50 or below half. (Yikes.)
Anyway, that was dumb. My legs were actually okay, but my lungs had a hard time keeping up–my endurance is shot. I ran a recovery run on Monday of about 2.5 miles and felt okay. On Tuesday, my legs felt tired when I got up in the morning for work, but I packed my running gear for a lunch run anyway. Not just any run: a tempo interval run at faster than half marathon pace.
I’ve been reading the Hansons Marathon Method and they talk a lot about running on tired legs. But not doing speed on tired legs necessarily. I bet if I just ran, I would’ve been fine afterward, but 4.5 miles with two of them at faster than normal pace caused some cramping and tightness and knots. Tight, tight knots.
Luckily, I have The Stick and I rolled those suckers out. Today, they feel better, but I still have some lingering tightness in my left shin (nooooooo!). I guess the Universe is telling me something: better stick to the bike today.
2 comments
Have you been to The Balanced Athlete in Renton? It is at the landing and right next to the parking garage. Eric Sachs is the owner and he is the shoe whisperer. (Not that I am trying to get you into new shoes). They have group runs Tuesday Night, Thursday night and Sunday mornings. Anyway Eric is so full of knowledge. Talking to him he can get you into a training plan and give you tips for being able to run more days. I have been talking with him and taking his advice and I can see a huge improvement in my running. All the guys who work there are fast experienced runners and are so easy to talk to and treat everyone in the store equally. (They are even nice to the kids when I have to bring them in with me). I think if you have a chance stop in there and talk with Eric for a ew and see what he has to say.
I’m so sorry! I feel your pain. I was plagued by over-use injuries all last year. Have you tried ART? It has really helped me. I have a lady I love, but I’m guessing you don’t want to drive all the way to Edmonds.