C'mon, somebody must be running!

[OakLeaf]

FWIW, Altra makes shoes with varying amounts of cushion and sole flexibility, all with zero heel to toe drop. That alone makes a HUGE amount of difference to me. Even if I could run minimal, I wouldn't, since a lot of my running is on gravel roads - a couple of times I've bruised a foot THROUGH highly cushioned shoes. Love my new Torin 1.5s. I'm also finding that since I'm in minimal shoes pretty much any time I'm NOT running, that I've been able to adjust to them very quickly.

I went ahead and signed up for Boston. All I can think about is how I'm going to train for it this year. I guess that's a product of having already decided I wasn't going to devote too much mental or physical energy to New York.

[Crankin]

Yay, Oak.
I am getting strong wanting to run again urges. Right now, I can't since I'm getting ready for my cycling trip, but tomorrow, I am going to see a really competent LMT, who works with elite athletes (of which I am not one) and school teams, to see if she can do some stuff to get my lumbar region and left shoulder settled down. This therapist came on a ride I led a couple of years ago, so I know her. While I love my MacKenzie PT, he's a bit further away, and my co-pay went up to 40.00, so what's 90.00 for massage??? I am going to go until my trip, and then re-evaluate.
I'd like to try some trail running, too, because I really like it, but I'll be happy to not have pain and enjoy my riding.

[solobiker]

Well since a little over 4weeks ago I was able to get back to running after breaking my toe. I am taking it slow with running only 3 miles last weekend and then 3 miles today. I can't push off hard off my broken toe side and the toe is still pretty swollen. I am just darn happy to be back out and at it because this is my favorite time of year.

[zoom-zoom]

So, dammit...I rolled my already crappy left ankle today on a walnut-sized green acorn. Pretty sure I suffered a grade 1 sprain. Have a duathlon in 2 days that includes 5 trail miles. If things are not considerably better by tomorrow night I'll probably not bother setting my alarm and running the race. I don't want to risk a worse injury and losing my entire CX season.

[OakLeaf]

Aw zoom, that stinks! Heal fast - but good decision on blowing off your upcoming event(s).

Solo, glad you're on the mend.

Crankin, be careful!

I did 8 yesterday and it was just unbelievable how sore I was from that yoga video! If someone had been watching me do the video they would've thought it was nothing at all. Just a handful of basic standing poses held for a long time with total concentration on the feet. Even after doing it just once my feet feel better aligned and my arches higher, but I'm sore clear up into my hips. THAT's what I'm talkin' about!!

Probably just a little recovery run on the MUP today, then I'll catch another local 5K in the morning and maybe do another couple miles after.

[Crankin]

OK, I survived my appt. with the LMT. Total myofascial release techniques.
First, she worked on my shoulder, with me sitting in a chair. It hurt like hell, but she did confirm I really am "crooked," from my late diagnosed scoliosis (at age 16), and explained how my body is compensating. Then, I got on the table and she worked on my back and right hamstring. Then, after slowly getting up from that torture, she showed me how to do self massage with a ball in a sock. She didn't come on heavy that I need to come back, said give it 10 days of self-work, and maybe come back for a 30 minute session before my trip.
I can't believe I wasted 4 years with the PT. She told me the foam roller will not help and gave me some advice about how to sit when I am working with my clients. It was worth the 95.00, even though I thought I might get a professional courtesy discount. But, her 19 year old son is in the Marines in San Diego, and she was very impressed with my son's journey and accomplishments. So I took his phone and email and told her my son would be happy to give him advice.
Only in Concord would you find an LMT with degrees from Mt. Hoyoke and Columbia.
Going to ask my neighbor for a lacrosse ball!

[BikeDutchess]

OK, I'm probably crazy, but I decided to do another half marathon only 2 weeks after my first. This one was all downhill - needless to say I PR'd but it sure was more painful. My legs will be quite sore! It was beautiful coming down that canyon, with the leaves starting to turn. Other than some snafus with not having enough buses (delaying the start), the race was well organized. But I think I'm done with these HMs for a while now!


Big Cottonwood Half Marathon by DutchRosie, on Flickr

zoom-zoom, how did things go, did you recover enough to race or did you decide to skip it?

[OakLeaf]

Yikes BikeDutchess, you really do have the bug, don't you? It does look like a beautiful place to run.

Crankin, glad you had a good session! Hope you get lasting relief.

I did another local 5K this morning. Just one second slower than the night race three weeks ago, so I guess maybe that wasn't a fluke.

I just realized, I must be handling my brush with burnout right, because I'm having fun again.

[Crankin]

Oak, so I was totally sore in my shoulder yesterday, and, interestingly, on the opposite side of my back, from where the big issue is. I almost felt like I was in a spasm. I had told the LMT I was going to be riding 80-100 miles over 2 days and she said it was OK. So, I rode 41 miles yesterday and then came home and used the neck/shoulder shaped heating pad which totally did the trick. Woke up this morning with just mild stiffness in the spot that is the problem in my lumbar area and did my stretches and now using heat on my back before my hilly ride today. I will start with the self massage tomorrow, as per instructions.
I wish I could stand up at work, but I can't stand and look down at my clients!

[solobiker]

Zoom-Zoom, I hope your ankle heals fast. I was sorry to have read this.

Oak, good for you on the running and having fun again. Yeah!

I went on run #3 since breaking my toe. It still hurts a bit and today during my run my legs felt so heavy/dead and my HR was higher then usual. I did managed to get in 3 miles. I figure the fatigue could be related to my recent lack of running and I have been having fewer carbs recently.

Hope everyone is doing well.

[zoom-zoom]

Zoom-Zoom, I hope your ankle heals fast. I was sorry to have read this.

It's healing fast, but it was still in no shape for the race on Sat. Pretty sure I need to stop running trails altogether. I'm even wondering if snowshoe running is such a good idea (you know, <1 year after investing in running snowshoes, ha!) this Winter.

Awesome to see so many Fall races. Had I not just sprained my ankle I'd likely do a 5k in a couple of weeks. It's part of the same race event that holds my favorite half marathon of all I've run. It ends with live music on a deck with BBQ at a nearby brewpub.

[OakLeaf]

Aw, Zoom, keep healing ... and all the time you would've been racing, spend it on rehabbing the ankle y'know?

I found out yesterday that the 5K I did on Saturday was sponsored by a LRS and it was so small that I finished third overall and won a $15 gift card! Hahahaha ... last time I finished a race in the money was a looooooong time ago. I know perfectly well that it's all in who shows up, but I'm pretty glad now I ran it hard even though I had no real competition among the women, and the two men who beat me were far enough ahead that I wasn't racing them, either. I would've been embarrassed to collect a gift card if I'd just cruised. But the whole idea of entering was that it's my speedwork, so I gave it what I had.

So yesterday I reprised the crazy hills I did last Friday. They haven't gotten any less steep, I lost count of the >20% grades on that route, but it was 20 degrees cooler and what a difference that made. I was still flagging pretty good toward the end, until the thought went through my head that it's SUPPOSED to hurt, and so I thought, "Oh right, okay then" and picked up the pace again.

There's a little local half marathon on Saturday that I can't decide if I want to do or not. I probably should, but it's too hilly for me to really want to. It's a benefit for renovating the local high school/middle school track which desperately needs it, and which I'd probably use occasionally if it were in better shape. Of course I could just send them a donation and not run.

[OakLeaf]

So, I ran that little half this morning. It got to last night and I didn't really want to run, but I knew if I didn't, I'd wish I had. It wasn't as hilly as I'd been afraid of, they changed the course from prior years, so there were only a couple of short climbs over 15%, one steep gravel descent that I just picked my way down, and on the average right around 50 feet per mile elevation gain. I ran a 2:01 something, which I'm plenty happy with considering the terrain, my (lack of) training and my intention for the day. It was a chance to try out my new Altras on a tempo run, too, and they're still great, I'm sure now I'll be wearing the other pair for the marathon. Plus, it's a beautiful day. I probably wouldn't have run if it had rained!

[zoom-zoom]

I may have to try Altras at some point. A friend swears by them and they look like they'd fit a wider foot pretty well.

Managed my first CX race yesterday. Ankle was fine, but I was very careful going into dismounts (remounts still suck and I have to come to a complete stop to get back on the bike, ha). Didn't push the pace hard, either. But a couple of noob racers who should have been racing Bs lapped me 3/4 of the way through my 3rd lap. Had I known I'd only get 3 laps I would have pushed harder. After lap 2 I was told I had 2 more, so paced myself appropriately.

Today the ankle is a little stiff, but not really any worse for wear. Next CX race isn't for another 2 weeks, so by then I expect I'll be fully healed.

[solobiker]

Oak, way to go with your 1/2. That is great! I used to do those several years ago...I guess close to 13 years ago. Gosh where has time gone?

ZoomZoom, I am happy to hear your ankle is doing better and you were able to participate in CX race.

As I said above I used to run a fair amount several years ago. I had to stop due to frequent injuries and very tight hamstrings. I went for a short 3 miler today and of course my hamstrings tightened right up. blah. I may have to look into Altras as well because I do need a shoe with a wide toe box due to neuroma issues.

Happy running and racing everyone.