BOOM. Three runs and a 16 miler last week and I'm back to feeling like I can tackle that 'm' in October. While my hip and calf are still a bit cranky, they are holding up to my runnings and yogaings. It's bearable. In fact, I had the best 16 miler to date in my running history on Sunday. And that's saying something!
Any run over 14 miles is something I typically dread. I don't like how much time it takes, but I'm finding as my pace and strength have increased, so has my tolerance for long runs. Of course it didn't hurt that it was only 74 degrees during the 16 miler, a pure treat during August in Kansas. Plus my running company wasn't too shabby either! We even managed to negative split the last two miles, something we are working on during long runs to help us through those last miles.
Upon the advisement of my running buddy Shellers, after my 16 miler I went home and took an ice bath (first one since i trained for my first 'm' two years ago), and I even drank some Muscle Milk (it was my first time trying it), then took some Aleve. I felt fantastic afterwards, even yesterday. I won't lie, it's refreshing to finally feel good during and after a run over 14 miles. Big milestone for this girl, and it's giving me a lot of hope about that 'm'. However my hip is back to a painful state this week, but I'm simply running through it and hoping PT works. Fast.
Speaking of, I've changed my goal a bit for the 'm' seeing how I had to take a week off for injury. Whereas I was aiming for a sub-4 goal at the start of training, I'm tweaking that a bit and now shooting for anything under 4:10. Hopefully reaching something more in the 4:05 range. It's not exactly what I wanted, but I am being realistic here, especially considering my training interruptions. Sub 4:10 would still be a pretty decent PR, so I'm satisfied with that.
Week 9 Training:
Monday - Rest cranky hip and calf
Tuesday - Rest cranky hip and calf
Wednesday - Rest cranky hip and calf
Thursday - 4 Miles Easy
Friday - 7 Miles Speedwork, with 3x1 mile @ 7:30
Saturday - Rest
Sunday - 16 Miles with last two at faster pace
Cheers to a fantastic running week fellow interwebbers!!
5 comments:
Looking gooooooood! Let's hope that hip holds up and you are going to have a STELLAR 'm' day!
Good God, of course anything over 14 miles sucks! It takes so much of your day and then you have to recover for the rest of it- so it's pretty much your entire day. You totally rock!
Congrats on the solid 16! Also glad to hear that you're willing to adjust your goals a bit based on how training progresses. Smart.
I'm just getting caught up on my regular blog reading, and it sounds like you've been really busy training!
Get the hip checked out ASAP if you haven't already, and insist on an MRI or CT scan. Sure, it could be something out of alignment, but it's better to be safe than sorry and out of commission for 4 to 6 months. I get scared when I hear that someone has pain in the hip area. Fractures in the hip area (femur)don't show up on a standard x-ray, are often misdiagnosed, and are a relatively common injury in endurance athletes. I want to be able to read your marathon race report!
PS
I'm really not trying to be dramatic, but I know 4 people, 5 if you count me, 6 if you count Meb, who had this type of injury.
love it when you have a week that puts the pep back in your training.
glad you found some good recovery moves too...ice baths just are sooo hard for me to make myself do
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