First I have determined the issue is definitely with my calf muscle. I think the other tweaky ankle, shin pain was from limping around for three weeks off and on. Because yes, my calf was hurting for about three weeks before I finally broke down and decided to take care of myself... lesson learned. Today it doesn't hurt like it did before, the muscle just feels really tight and very sore. I am taking this as a good sign, the pain isn't there any more, just that muscle strain feeling.
Second, I decided to opt out of running for a week total. I ran four on Saturday and iced and stretched, but I decided not to push it and try and do 22. It hurt with each step. So on Sunday I went to the Y and only was able to sneak in one hour on the elliptical, very busy day. So all my usual runs for this week will be replaced with the elliptical until my calf no longer hurts.
I do have a 10K race to do on Saturday, the Easter Sun Run. I won't be setting a predatory rabbit (PR) and I will only race (i use the term race lightly, i should say run it) it if my calf doesn't hurt one OUNCE. I am supposed to do 12 on Saturday, so if feels okay I plan to run six miles before the race and count the race as my last six.
Three, I'm doing my "22-miler" on the elliptical tomorrow... that will be me and three hours of quality time on the elliptical. WOW. It's the soonest night I could fit it in since I'm teaching tonight (don't judge, it's finals week, I'm just sitting in class helping with questions on the final). So to help the time fly by on the elliptical I'm planning to take a book, read some magazines and maybe just plain zone out to the iPod. I've already informed Ed he has to do at least a 30 minute stint next to me, so that leaves me 2.5 hours to entertain myself. Sigh. But I am assuming it is better to do this, than to putz out and do nothing at all. The elliptical doesn't hurt my legs one bit, so I'm safe with this plan.
Four, I've decided freaking out is getting me nowhere. And thanks to some people over at Run to Finish (which I just joined) I'm realize I need to just think positive, ice, stretch and do what I can. So no more freaking out, I will make it through the marathon. My new goal is to beat Oprahs time, should be do-able!
Thank you again for all your advice, it was greatly appreciated! It really did help me make my final decisions. Oh and I'm calling my doctor tomorrow about the calf thing to see about getting into PT for some massage or ultrasound on it to loosen it up. I guess I'll have to wait and hope and see.
Cheers to an excellent running week my friends!
13 comments:
Oh, sorry about that ... another try:
"My new goal is to beat Oprahs time"
OMG! This is totally my new motto for the past few weeks now! I'm glad someone else is embracing this exact idea as well. You can do it. We all can.
Glad to see that you are being smart and even though 3 hours on the elliptical will be pretty tough, it's also pretty hard core. Switching over to the elliptical this week is definitely the right move.
3 hours on the elliptical = dedication!
Good for you for taking care of yourself AND still finding a way to get a workout in. In the words of Miley Cyrus, "It's the best of both worlds." LOL, sorry, I have a 6-year-old. ;)
Take good care of yourself and let us know how things work out!
Enjoy your Elliptical hours, WOWZERS!!
3 hours on the elliptical is a long time. I am sure with a book though it will go by fast! Good luck!
Not sure when the marathon will be. Maybe this Fall. I will decide that in the next couple of months.
Someone in our cheering section needs to make us a sign that says "Just Beat Oprah!" I need to see that sign somewhere around mile 20, I think.
22 miles on the elliptical? wow...that is crazy....as far as OKC, doing a dinner sounds fun, i'll double check with my wife...starting together is cool too, but I will be the slow one so may not last long...
I wouldn't last 30 minutes on an elliptical, so you are way more dedicated than me. :o)
Keep taking care of yourself.
WOW 3 hours on the elliptical, no way i could do that :)
hope you continue to feel better!!
It sounds like you are making all the right decisions. Good luck with the eliptical!
wow, you're hardcore, not sure i could last that long on the elliptical either! I'll have to look up Oprah's time, and think that'll be my goal too! :D Hope that pain keeps subsiding, sounds like you're doing everything right! Good luck!
nice use of predatory rabbit by the way...I love the commitment to random foolishness that nobody will get. And 3 hours on the elliptical machine is pretty mind blowing. I've got this image of you training in some high tech facility like Ivan Drago in Rocky 4. Are there scientists with lab coats and clipboards standing around watching and monitoring your vitals? I will go ahead and assume this to be the case unless you tell me differently
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