RUN AWAY: Week of Aug 25

[Fujichants]

I should ask if the PT I am seeing is experienced in sports medicine. Things went well though, he was very attentive to my running needs and showed me some amazing stretches that loosened that annoyingly tight hip flexor right up. He was worried that it would interfere with my performance on Sunday as these stretches made my legs feel all Gumby like, but I told him anything is better than a tight hip flexor. As for my ITB pains, my glute muscles are not strong enough, hence my hip kind of pops out when I run, which aggravates my ITB. He gave me some exercises for that.

I even asked him: you're not going to tell me to stop running are you? And he just laughed and said: I would only tell you to stop if you are in such great pain that you can't even walk properly. But even then, i'll try to fix you up.

[colby]

As for the Seattle Marathon, I'm thinking if I feel good after my month off, worst case I can at least do the half marathon which takes less time to build up to, and then we can still hear the cowbells... my father in law is all excited about it.

I started with a chiropractor that doesn't necessarily have a sports focus, but has done chiro for major running events and seen a LOT of runners. The massage guy I see has seen a lot of active people, but never an Ironman.

The ortho I was referred to seemed to "get it" and are well-known in the area, but I don't specifically know about their sports focus. The PT shop (therapeutic associates, for those of you in the NW) does sponsor local sporting events (triathlons, running) and some of them have a sports focus, but I don't know if the lady I'm seeing does (since I haven't seen her yet!).

Right now, I'm going with the cycling, swimming, and yoga plan. I am probably going to start acupuncture for my hip pain, too, and see if we can get over the hump FAST. The less PT the better, but what I want them to do is to give me clear instructions for the things I can fix, and figure out if I have problems with shoes, or gait, or whatever. Those are the questions I'll be asking... sooooooooon!!

[emily_in_nc]

Had a good 4.25 mile run on the treadmill today -- the first time I've managed to run all week. I did quarter-mile intervals from flat to incline (2% twice, 2.5% twice, 3% twice, all at a 5.5 mph pace), then finished up with a long flat section at a faster pace (6 to 6.2 mph). Discovered that it is much easier for me to run faster on the flats than slower on the hills; that's why I am working on hills now, because every time I actually get to run outside, I die on the hills.

I am also reading Chi Running now and am trying to put some of it in practice -- forward lean, mid-foot strike, elbows and legs back, relaxed ankles/legs. It does seem to help, though there is a lot to remember!

Hope all the injured folks heal up! I feel lucky not to have any injuries, probably because I don't do enough to injure myself. ;-)

[Deborajen]

I did 4 miles of easy pace this morning. We've had a mild summer and the morning runs feel so good.

I've been working on the Chi Running, too. I really like it, but the hardest for me seems to be the leaning forward in a straight line from the ankle up. When I look at my shadow, I always seem to bend forward from the hip a little bit. When you get it right, though, it does work.

Deb