Today was my first run in two weeks, and my heart was filled with joy. With a steady rain and temperatures in the 30's, I chose the Y treadmill option to try out my leg. At the outset my senses were assaulted, but eventually I found myself easing into my own insulated, bubble world with mindless pop music and a rhythmic pace.
The treadmill was situated on the small, elevated, indoor track with a view of the gym below where two simultaneous children's basketball games were being played with cheering fans on the sidelines. Balls hitting the exposed racquetball courts behind me echoed off the walls. Runners ran in circles in front of me on the track. I turned on Mumford and Sons to an unsafely loud level to cover it all. While I noticed the noise and commotion, I was happy to be on the treadmill and focused intently on the feel of my right calf with every footfall.
After several miles without a hitch, my concern turned to joy. I was so elated that I told myself I should run 10 miles, which would give me a nice psychological boost. Common sense returned, and I reminded myself to be safe; I'm just trying to make it to the starting line.
I remembered good gym member etiquette of using a machine for only 30 minutes when others are waiting and flirted with the notion of running a couple of miles on the track, but instead insulated myself and kept moving. I wore my hot pink leg compression sleeves, which will likely be permanent training and recovery accessories from here on out even if just for the good luck they brought today.
I finished strong and found a friend cycling on the track. From our discussion and her evident concern, I decided I will see a physical therapist this week to work on whatever is causing my calf problems. I had been in a holding pattern, hoping I would be okay after two weeks of rest. I was myopic about where to go from here as I focused on staying positive each day.
Mon.: cycling class + 1 hr. elliptical
Tues.: 1 hr. bike
Wed.: cycling class + yoga
Thurs.: 90 mins. bike
Fri.: cycling + yoga: no workout/conflict
Sat.: 8 miles treadmill at 10 min. pace
Saturday, February 23, 2013
Saturday, February 16, 2013
Cross Training for Boston
I was nervous as I began a conservative 15 mile run on the flat American Tobacco Trail last Saturday. I ran into my Boston training companion by chance on the Trail and told her I was hoping for the best (which was to complete this run pain free). She wished me well and then sped away to continue her long run at race pace.
At 3.75 miles I felt a pop in my right calf, my problem calf. I was stunned; I was at the beginning of a flat, slow run and had felt fine when I returned to running earlier in the week. I stopped, walked, and was stretching at the time that members of a men's college team ran past. When the group approached, I was pushing against a bench with my legs outstretched more as an outlet for my emotions than as relief for tight legs. I knew I would be walking the mile back to the parking lot, but I couldn't resist the urge to try to jog after the pop. Futile. Utterly futile.
When I got home, I counted the weeks of training that had passed and the weeks until Boston. Nine weeks down and nine weeks to go. And I counted the minimum number of long runs and speed workouts I would miss if I can recover quickly: four weeks worth of long runs and speed workouts. In those four weeks I should have been increasing my weekly mileage and the duration of my long runs.
This time I will cross train for two weeks, but I have now lowered my expectations for race day. How low they go is yet to be determined. At this point, let's just say that I'm delaying buying plane tickets. I said a while ago that if I made it into the Boston Marathon, I would enjoy the sights and take it all in. Then I changed my attitude and was going to race Boston to the best of my abilities. If I am able to make it to the starting line and finish this race, no matter what my time, I will be grateful indeed.
Resumed training after injury:
Mon.: no workout
Tues.: 5 hilly miles; 9:23 pace
Wed.: 7 hilly miles; 8:58 pace
Thurs.: 8.84 miles; 4 miles treadmill at 9:15 pace and 4.48 miles of hills and trails at 9:11 pace
Fri.: cycling class + yoga
Sat.: 15 conservative miles; 3.75 miles completed
Resorting to cross training (again) after re-injury:
Mon.: 1 hr. elliptical
Tues.: no workout (traveling on vacation)
Wed.: cycling class + 45 min. bike
Thurs.: bike for 55 mins.
Fri.: cycling class + yoga
Sat.: cycling class + 1 hour bike
At 3.75 miles I felt a pop in my right calf, my problem calf. I was stunned; I was at the beginning of a flat, slow run and had felt fine when I returned to running earlier in the week. I stopped, walked, and was stretching at the time that members of a men's college team ran past. When the group approached, I was pushing against a bench with my legs outstretched more as an outlet for my emotions than as relief for tight legs. I knew I would be walking the mile back to the parking lot, but I couldn't resist the urge to try to jog after the pop. Futile. Utterly futile.
When I got home, I counted the weeks of training that had passed and the weeks until Boston. Nine weeks down and nine weeks to go. And I counted the minimum number of long runs and speed workouts I would miss if I can recover quickly: four weeks worth of long runs and speed workouts. In those four weeks I should have been increasing my weekly mileage and the duration of my long runs.
This time I will cross train for two weeks, but I have now lowered my expectations for race day. How low they go is yet to be determined. At this point, let's just say that I'm delaying buying plane tickets. I said a while ago that if I made it into the Boston Marathon, I would enjoy the sights and take it all in. Then I changed my attitude and was going to race Boston to the best of my abilities. If I am able to make it to the starting line and finish this race, no matter what my time, I will be grateful indeed.
Resumed training after injury:
Mon.: no workout
Tues.: 5 hilly miles; 9:23 pace
Wed.: 7 hilly miles; 8:58 pace
Thurs.: 8.84 miles; 4 miles treadmill at 9:15 pace and 4.48 miles of hills and trails at 9:11 pace
Fri.: cycling class + yoga
Sat.: 15 conservative miles; 3.75 miles completed
Resorting to cross training (again) after re-injury:
Mon.: 1 hr. elliptical
Tues.: no workout (traveling on vacation)
Wed.: cycling class + 45 min. bike
Thurs.: bike for 55 mins.
Fri.: cycling class + yoga
Sat.: cycling class + 1 hour bike
Monday, February 4, 2013
Caged
I have been reminded twice this past week how fragile we are, yet how strong the spirit can be. Encouraging words and prayers of a dear friend have helped lift me through the week. I was reminded again to be thankful for the capability of my body and for the motivation to use it to run for my physical, mental and spiritual well being. Running is a gift.
My Thursday run was a gift, but I didn't realize it in the moment. I was anxious about how I would feel and how far I could go, so I chose to run on a treadmill. On the cardio balcony at the Y, I felt caged. The sides of the treadmill wrapped around me, and black netting hung in front of me to protect me from children's stray balls. A man on the elliptical machine next to me worked at a frenzied pace for 30 minutes and then left me in peace. It was cold outside, and I thought the run, if I could do it, would be a reprieve from the elements. Instead, it reminded me of how much I love to run outside.
Boston Training: Week Nine
Monday: 50 mins. bike
Tuesday: 1 hr. bike + 1 hr. elliptical
Wednesday: cycling class + yoga class
Thursday: rest
Friday: 8 miles on treadmill
Saturday: 90 mins. bike
Sunday: rest
My Thursday run was a gift, but I didn't realize it in the moment. I was anxious about how I would feel and how far I could go, so I chose to run on a treadmill. On the cardio balcony at the Y, I felt caged. The sides of the treadmill wrapped around me, and black netting hung in front of me to protect me from children's stray balls. A man on the elliptical machine next to me worked at a frenzied pace for 30 minutes and then left me in peace. It was cold outside, and I thought the run, if I could do it, would be a reprieve from the elements. Instead, it reminded me of how much I love to run outside.
Boston Training: Week Nine
Monday: 50 mins. bike
Tuesday: 1 hr. bike + 1 hr. elliptical
Wednesday: cycling class + yoga class
Thursday: rest
Friday: 8 miles on treadmill
Saturday: 90 mins. bike
Sunday: rest
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