Fall Running Thread

[roo4]

I was sidelined by a persistant hamstring problem, but I've been doing short, slow runs on the rail trail. The weather is spectacular, the trees are gorgeous, and I wish I could be out there longer. I guess that is what dog walks are for.

[yellow]

Emily, eccentric heel drops have saved me from chronic Achilles issues more than once. I try to do them on a regular basis now. I have chronically tight calves from being a forefoot/toe runner that runs up mountains a lot, and this leads to a cranky Achilles every now and again.

Oak, half the battle (OK, maybe more than half) is just getting out there. Nice work.

I did my last race of the year over the weekend. Time to do something else now (let it snow!). This race was my first experience with a timed event. Originally I nuttily thought I might do 24 hours but actually got smart for once and opted for the 12 hour event. I took it pretty easy, didn't really have a goal (I went to do the race with a friend who is new to trail running and new to ultra running so I wasn't really there to race). Tiny, local event in Morristown, Tennessee. Great weather, great organization, super fun crowd, and pleasant rolling course. I ended up doing 59 miles in 12 hours. I had time for one more lap but just didn't feel like it. I'm pretty happy with the result considering I didn't even think or feel like I was racing. It's all about who shows up and how many show up. I won the whole shebang. I'm pretty sure that is the first and last time in my life that will happen. My friend did great--her longest run ever (and she is already talking about her next race in November). And I had a great visit to Tennessee and North Carolina. The weather was beautiful and the hard cider was tasty.

Come December I have to start thinking about running again since many of the race lotteries open on Jan 1. I'll just read about all of you running until then!

[OakLeaf]

For myself anyway, it's just as important to do the concentric (raise) phase one-legged and without hanging onto anything (fingertips for balance if needed) - that sets up good alignment in my feet and calves, that I don't get if I just get onto my tiptoes however and then try to do the lowers. YMMV.

Yellow, great work!!! Congratulations!

[emily_in_nc]

Emily, eccentric heel drops have saved me from chronic Achilles issues more than once. I try to do them on a regular basis now. I have chronically tight calves from being a forefoot/toe runner that runs up mountains a lot, and this leads to a cranky Achilles every now and again.

I've actually been doing these since I got injured. Google was my friend and I found this very site online! Thanks, though. They don't hurt at all and actually don't feel like I'm doing much of anything, but perhaps they are helping. We do a lot of toe raises and calf stretching in the 3x a week yoga practice I go to, tons of downward dogs (and I can always touch my heels to the floor, no problem), so I am not sure that tight calves is my issue. I think I was over-striding in my first attempt at speedwork. Coupled with the many, many stair climbs I have to do daily because of where we live, I think it was just too much.

Congratulations on your race. I can't even begin to fathom 59 miles. You are amazing!!!