Running Coach - Update - Week 12- I ran for 5 minutes!

[KSH]

From last Thursday's meeting and today, I was tasked with running 3 times.

I made a run on Sunday, and then Tuesday evening. By last night (Wednesday) my legs were shot. So, with the approval of my coach, I went on a slow bike ride (22 miles at a 11 mph average- which was a easy ride for me, as it was flat where we rode).

I was also suppose to complete 4 x 400 yards. But I could never run 400 yards straight. I had to explain to him that my cardio was NOT up to par to run that far. We then decided that we had to work on pace.

So, we met today, and started with some running drills. He pretty much said that I was looking really good with all my jumps and hopping movements. We did some drills to help with my PUSH off the ground when running as well.

Then I ran. I tried to film when I ran... I say tried... because when I went to stop it recording, is said, "Tape End". Which was really odd, because I had like 45 minutes of tape left to record on. Oh well.

I did some tempo runs and our focus was to teach me how to PACE myself. I learned how to slow down and stop all out spriting. Basically, I need to chop up my step more and not raise my knees as high.

Then we ran. He actually ran with me. Poor guy. We ran for 5 minutes around the block. I couldn't believe I made it that far! Sure, I was breathing hard, but I could still talk- some. But, it was progress!

So, for the next couple of weeks, I am tasked with running 4 days a week (including my meeting time with him).

Thanks are coming along!

Now, if the pain on the inside of my legs next to my shins would subside! Oh, and it would be nice for my quads to stop hurting too.

[colby]

5 minutes today and then 4 days a week this week, those are bigs step up from just running for "real" for the first time last week.

[KSH]

5 minutes today and then 4 days a week this week, those are bigs step up from just running for "real" for the first time last week.

Yea... actually.. it's kind of worrying me.

I do have a lot of pain on the inside of my lower legs, right along the shin. It hurts pretty bad. He said it was OK...but it really reminds me of the pain I had before, but on the side of the leg, instead of on the backside.

Maybe I am upping my miles too quickly. I think he over estimates my fitness level.

[tprevost]

you are making progress and I SO commend you for your tenacity, you have really done a great job sticking this out and working on your running...

that said... I have been following your progress and cheering you on but somewhere I completely missed the initial reason that you are going through all of this can you re-tell your story???? pweeeze

You're doing great, stick with it, you'll do it!!!

Tracy

[KSH]

you are making progress and I SO commend you for your tenacity, you have really done a great job sticking this out and working on your running...

that said... I have been following your progress and cheering you on but somewhere I completely missed the initial reason that you are going through all of this can you re-tell your story???? pweeeze

You're doing great, stick with it, you'll do it!!!

Tracy

Thanks for all the kind words, I really do appreciate all the supportive and encouraging words everyone has given me over the past 3 months of my running saga!


Where to start?

Back in September 2005, I decided to run a 1/2 marathon, to get over my, "I can't run very far", self-talk... fear...????

So, I upped my miles really quick... and I was running with a heal to toe strike... AND I didn't have shoes that supported my stride- I pronated in on my ankles.

After about a month of training, I had this horrible pain in my lower legs, along the back side. It's hard to explain. But when I would run, it was this burning pain.... and it stopped before my calves.

When the pain first started, I went and bought new shoes. The pain stopped... for a week. Then it was back.

At the end of October 2005, I finally gave up on training for the 1/2 marathon. I just couldn't run with the pain anymore. It was too much.

I pretty much stopped running until February 2006. I figured all of that time off, would fix the problem.

February 2006, I start running with my Tri 101 group. The second time I run with them, I twist my ankle. Another set back! UGH. But, I kept running.

The pain in my lower legs returned. Again, BURNING pain....every step running was PAINFUL... and when I stopped... it hurt so bad.

I basically suffered through the burning pain and twisted ankle pain until the tri we were training for. I did that tri on 4-8-06. I ran a 13 minute mile and every step was painful. It took all I had to keep moving. And yes, I got passed by everyone on the run. I only passed 1 person.

I then realized that if I didn't do something drastic, I was going to have to stop running... and not running in tri's was not acceptable for me.

Now, I knew that everything in my lower legs was fine... because I had x-rays when I twisted my ankle. The Dr. said everything was fine. I knew it was my form, and I tried to redo my form, but wasn't sure what to do/not do.

So, I saw this ad in the back of a local fitness magazine- this guy promised he could help runners, run without pain. I knew I had to call and set up an appointment.

I figured I would go once, he would point out what I needed to fix, and I would be done with it. WRONG!

He looked at what my issues were and had me stop running until we could fix all my weak areas with running drills.

AND... you pretty much know the rest.

Now, 12 weeks later, I am finally running again and we have a goal for me to run a 5K in a tri on 9-17-06. My second, and probably last tri of the season.

I gave up my entire season, and a Tri 202 program I joined, to fix this problem, that's how serious and important it was.

Hopefully, with my new running form, my problems have been fixed.