Week six is completed. It was a shorter mileage week for me, since after Monday's run, my legs were not cooperating and I really felt badly (14 miles this week). Monday's heat was rough as well, and it looks like there's no relief in the short term future. We'll just have to slug it out, take it easy, and hydrate like crazy.
Well, the heel and knee issues are really starting to aggravate me. On Monday evening. Kathy Hoover, owner of Runner's World, spent a few precious minutes with me to check out my stride and helped me make a few adjustments. Then the adjustments would be immediately put into practice during the Monday run. I was really hoping for immediate relief, but wasn't able to find any. I did however generate some new complaints, mainly in my lower calves. I think this is the area where the Achilles connects to the calf muscles. Hurts like you know what. So, I rested until Saturday, with the hopes that the rest would equal healing and freedom from pain.
Saturday's run was once again a very tough run. Ran 9 miles and it was pretty tough all the way, especially after the first 6 miles. I felt my left calf tightening up, and wanted to stretch it out. I should have stayed in the rest area longer to do just that, but the group was leaving to cover the last three miles for the day. So, I ran right away with them. BIG MISTAKE. At about mile eight I felt my calf tighten up even more and then the sharp pain ran through it. I stopped and walked for a while and then stopped to stretch. A few Badger's asked me if I was okay, and they offered to stop and help. But, there really wasn't anything they could do, and we were near the end for the day. I stretched out and then moved on at a snails pace to finish the day actually running.
A few more lessons this week about my body, it's limitations, and the effort I will need to endure to push through the training needed to prepare for the marathon in November. My legs are protesting every run now, but I am determined to push on and run anyway, as long as it does not mean a run ending injury. I am proclaiming that my legs are strong, and that I will prevail. He who made me, made me for running the race, both spiritually and naturally.
Week seven, I am coming right at you.
Sunday, July 29, 2012
Saturday, July 21, 2012
Week 5
Week 5 is in the books. Less mileage this week, as it was supposed to be a taper week. Still managed to run 4 times though. Slower pace and shorter mileage make for some good recovery time. Still dealing with some moderate heel and knee pain. I've been doing extra stretching and leg strengthening work, and trying to understand more about what's going on. This is new for me, and it is not comfortable. I've spoken with a few people, and will probably go back to RW and talk to them about it as well to make sure it isn't the shoes.
On the fun side I tried trail running this week! It was a blast. TATUR hosts trail runs at Turkey Mountain on Tuesdays and Sundays. I got grouped up with about 8 - 10 people and we went for about 3 miles in an hour or so. It's a lot more work than it seems, and you definitely have to stay focused on the path and the runner directly in front of you, because if they tumble, you might tumble as well. Well, fortunately I didn't take a spill and was able to run the three miles comfortably. I definitely felt it in my his and legs at the end. It was pretty awesome. And I am now a trail running evangelist. So, if you are interested in running trails, come and join us at 6:30 on Tuesday evenings at Turkey.
All for now. Next week we up the mileage again. Getting to see some really nice areas of Tulsa during the runs, and it's neat to run with the group, Seems like I get to talk to someone different every run, and that makes it enjoyable.
Drop me a comment on here if you'd like. I could always use the encouragement. Thanks!
On the fun side I tried trail running this week! It was a blast. TATUR hosts trail runs at Turkey Mountain on Tuesdays and Sundays. I got grouped up with about 8 - 10 people and we went for about 3 miles in an hour or so. It's a lot more work than it seems, and you definitely have to stay focused on the path and the runner directly in front of you, because if they tumble, you might tumble as well. Well, fortunately I didn't take a spill and was able to run the three miles comfortably. I definitely felt it in my his and legs at the end. It was pretty awesome. And I am now a trail running evangelist. So, if you are interested in running trails, come and join us at 6:30 on Tuesday evenings at Turkey.
All for now. Next week we up the mileage again. Getting to see some really nice areas of Tulsa during the runs, and it's neat to run with the group, Seems like I get to talk to someone different every run, and that makes it enjoyable.
Drop me a comment on here if you'd like. I could always use the encouragement. Thanks!
Saturday, July 14, 2012
Week 4 Update
Covered about 23 miles this week. Ran a 6.75, 6.75, and 9.2 or thereabouts. Monday and Thursday runs were more walk/runs with a timed mile on the return side. It was hot again this week, with weekday runs being near 100. I was thankful for the slower pace.
Saturday was a good run and the longest of the week by design. We started at Veterans park and went through downtown Tulsa, by the BOK and Brady district. Ran the 4.2 mile loop twice and then ran to Riverside and back to get over 9 for the day. Nutrition was good, as I tried some carb loading on Friday night eating mashed potatoes, bread and cheesecake (1/2 slice). Then Saturday morning I ate the remainder of the cheesecake at 5:30 am! So, my run was cheesecake fueled! I may be onto something here....
Nutrition was pretty good all week, thanks to the seminar we attended last Sunday. Overall, pretty good training although my heels and knees are still feeling it pretty good. Still stretching and doing some strengthening exercises for my core, which is helping. Thinking about trying some gel inserts for the heel issue, and hoping that may help the knees also. Staying on the glucosamine-chondriotin and fish oil regimine this week, and was also taking multivitamins.
Thankful for my Runners World Training group - the Honey Badgers - as they continue to support and encourage each other. They are an amazing group of dedicated runners who really take care of their own. Special thanks to the group leaders Ed Snow and Tom W.
Saturday was a good run and the longest of the week by design. We started at Veterans park and went through downtown Tulsa, by the BOK and Brady district. Ran the 4.2 mile loop twice and then ran to Riverside and back to get over 9 for the day. Nutrition was good, as I tried some carb loading on Friday night eating mashed potatoes, bread and cheesecake (1/2 slice). Then Saturday morning I ate the remainder of the cheesecake at 5:30 am! So, my run was cheesecake fueled! I may be onto something here....
Nutrition was pretty good all week, thanks to the seminar we attended last Sunday. Overall, pretty good training although my heels and knees are still feeling it pretty good. Still stretching and doing some strengthening exercises for my core, which is helping. Thinking about trying some gel inserts for the heel issue, and hoping that may help the knees also. Staying on the glucosamine-chondriotin and fish oil regimine this week, and was also taking multivitamins.
Thankful for my Runners World Training group - the Honey Badgers - as they continue to support and encourage each other. They are an amazing group of dedicated runners who really take care of their own. Special thanks to the group leaders Ed Snow and Tom W.
Saturday, July 7, 2012
Week 3
Week 3 is in the books. Ran 4 times this week - 4.5, 3+, 3+, and 7.1. Total of around 18 miles. Had some issues with my shoes since I got them about a month ago, and was able to take them back to Fleet Feet, where they graciously refunded my purchase. Went to RW and bought a pair of Adidas Supernova Sequence 5's. I like them a lot, and my legs and feet are being retrained in them.
Another OK summer this week. Monday's run looked like it might be more comfortable as it rained pretty hard on Brookside around 5:00. But no such luck as the air was sticky humid as the rain stopped and the heat took over again.
All in all, a pretty good week. I think my nutrition is starting to come together better, although I still need to refrain from the junk. Carbs are important, but sometimes I think I just use that as an excuse to indulge. Working on it.
Today's 7 miler was tough. Start temp was 82 this morning at around 6 am, and it was humid. The first half of today's run went pretty well - breathing good, pace good, and legs felt fairly strong. The second half was a different story though. By mile 5 my heels and knees were beginning to hurt pretty much every strike. But I gutted it out and kept moving at the desired pace. I started a glucosamine chondriotin regimen and will probably add some fish oil as a daily supplement. We'll see how that works.
On a great note, I ran my first 5K this week, the Firecracker 5k in the Blue Dome district! It was a super fast pace for me starting out, but managed to steady out. My timing chip didn't work so I never got an official time, but the race clock showed 24:56 when I crossed the finish line. Not sure how accurate that clock was. I definitely pushed myself, but didn't really think the time was correct.
Overall, I am happy with my improvement and will just take it as it comes. Not too concerned about pushing too hard in the heat. I am concerned about my heels and knees however. Going to attend a nutritional seminar tomorrow at Runners World especially focused on marathon training and nutrition. Looking forward to that info.
Feel free to drop me a line of encouragement if you think about it.
Thanks
Steve
Another OK summer this week. Monday's run looked like it might be more comfortable as it rained pretty hard on Brookside around 5:00. But no such luck as the air was sticky humid as the rain stopped and the heat took over again.
All in all, a pretty good week. I think my nutrition is starting to come together better, although I still need to refrain from the junk. Carbs are important, but sometimes I think I just use that as an excuse to indulge. Working on it.
Today's 7 miler was tough. Start temp was 82 this morning at around 6 am, and it was humid. The first half of today's run went pretty well - breathing good, pace good, and legs felt fairly strong. The second half was a different story though. By mile 5 my heels and knees were beginning to hurt pretty much every strike. But I gutted it out and kept moving at the desired pace. I started a glucosamine chondriotin regimen and will probably add some fish oil as a daily supplement. We'll see how that works.
On a great note, I ran my first 5K this week, the Firecracker 5k in the Blue Dome district! It was a super fast pace for me starting out, but managed to steady out. My timing chip didn't work so I never got an official time, but the race clock showed 24:56 when I crossed the finish line. Not sure how accurate that clock was. I definitely pushed myself, but didn't really think the time was correct.
Overall, I am happy with my improvement and will just take it as it comes. Not too concerned about pushing too hard in the heat. I am concerned about my heels and knees however. Going to attend a nutritional seminar tomorrow at Runners World especially focused on marathon training and nutrition. Looking forward to that info.
Feel free to drop me a line of encouragement if you think about it.
Thanks
Steve
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