My training for the week went well enough, despite a few debacles and fighting the desire to sit in air conditioning and sleep in (who doesn't battle this most of the time?), I met my goal mileage of 30 miles this week. If I wasn't trying to cut out most sugar in my diet right now, I'd go stuff my face with all manner of candy. Instead I'll drink some water with Crystal Lite in it. Exciting, I know.
My legs are a little tired and sore, as I mentioned before I was peaking around 32 or so miles last spring for OKC training. Plus, I haven't been babying my legs like I was this spring because for the most part I am feeling great. However, add lack of babying to training at a faster pace with higher mileage and my legs are getting a teensy bit grumpy. Most notably that knot the size of China in my left calf. Right now I'm swearing by "the stick." I am convinced it's keeping me from physical therapy since China sure won't give up and leave. If anyone has any suggestions on how to get rid of that sucker, please share.
I'm at a frustrated loss over that knot, pretty sure I was in tears last night because of it. Both from the pain of digging "the stick" into it so hard I was shaking and just general frustration that it isn't going away. It will diminish and loosen up some, but by the end of the week (after being neglected) China comes back with a vengeance. In fact, I resorted to running most of my 10 miles in recovery socks on Saturday despite high heat and humidity even at 6:30a. I stripped them off around mile 6 and that was a huge mistake,.
If I don't do something about China (and my legs in general which tend to get knotty all over) after every run, it's going to jump up and destroy me. I just know it. I try to go to yoga three times a week and use my arsenal of leg fixers: the stick, the foam roller, and the trigger point ball. Yeah I'm a high maintenance runner, I mean, look at the name of my blog for goodness sake. I never claimed not to be! But come on, I'm 31, scrawny and can't help it I knot up. It is what it is, so yeah, I have to baby my legs. That lesson has been learned the hard way after years of injury and FAILING. It's clearly doing the trick, but just enough. I'm still kind of worried this calf knot is going to turn into something wicked at some point. HYSTERIA!
In the end, besides China, I'm feeling positive and hopeful for Chicago. Maybe the third time really IS the charm, but I still have 12 weeks to go and a lot can happen. For now I'm focused on the fact that running is making me happy, I'm feeling good, and staying healthy. I'm grateful just to be out there doing it. Maybe it's age, but I am so much more appreciative of the fact I can simply get up and run when I want to than I ever have been before. Running makes me happy. Period.
Week 4 - Chicago Training:
Wednesday - 6 miles
Thursday - 8.5 miles
Saturday - 10 miles
Sunday - 6 miles
Total = 30 miles
10 comments:
You make me happy.
Awesome job on your training, chicky! Here's hoping you can keep China at bay. Keep using that stick, even when it feels better! (I am guilty of not taking my own advice in this regard....)
Looks like a great week. Hope that China decides to move for you soon!
Go away China go away!! are you icing too? Foam roll and stick it away! You are doing great! 30miles in week...is is bad that I'm at half that!! Oh well...what are we going to do with our scrawny injury prone legs?:) hugs
Congrats on 30 miles. I think that's quite an accomplishment. Make sure you're stretching and icing too!
Hmmm, I don't have any brilliant suggestions for what to do with China, but I think ice might help a little. Or perhaps you could stop neglecting it during the week? Either way, congrats on getting the 30 miles in. Yesterday when I checked the weather, you guys were a little warmer than K.C.
you HAVE to go see Nancy Bowers!!! She's better than the stick with soothing music and a heated table!!!
Telling you, she keeps me from breaking. See if you can schedule with her consistently during training. It's so so worth it!
love the stick...i need to use it more....how do you like recovery socks? they seem to be the craze right now...good luck on the your training...
I hear that stick is a gift from heaven. Good luck!
China does not sound fun. Drink a couple beers before using the stick. Then dig in there and show 'em who's boss. :)
Post a Comment