Winter Running Thread

[emily_in_nc]

Great job, Oak! I could not have run in that cold.

I did a 3-mile run today in sunshine and wind, temp around 58-61. Quite nice! Trying to work back to where a 5K distance is easier again; I've been so erratic in my running lately that it's still a bit of a struggle.

[OakLeaf]

Nice, Emily!


Really, what we had yesterday was the kind of weather that it's tough to motivate for a training run, but near perfect for a hard effort once you're out there. Probably a good thing I ran the race on that level, too, because sticking to the training book and doing 15 miles easy pace, I might have sat around procrastinating until the sun came out again this morning.

[rocknrollgirl]

So more tales from the PT front.

Yesterday's session included adding lunges onto the stability pad. They did add another exercise, an extension with a straight leg. That was no bueno, so I stopped. I did wonder briefly yesterday that they were pushing me too hard, but I trust they know what they are doing. Aside from muscle fatigue, nothing hurts from an ut oh stand point while I am doing it. Just sore muscles day after. And the PT does pay 100% attention while I am updating him. For example when he asked me yesterday how I was feeling and if I ran over the w/e and how did it feel he was very attentive. So I must trust.

So perhaps on the other side of this I will be much stronger ( and have a really nice butt from all of these exercises). The question is, does a period of less running in the middle of training derail the train, or sink the ship as it were. Before the hammie cried stop, we were almost up to time and distance necessary for our upcoming May 1st trail race. The last time we did this race in 2013, most of our long training runs were around 2 hours. Hopefully between that good solid 2 month training block and what I can put in after my leg feels better will be enough to have a decent race. And by that I just mean enjoy the race without having to worry every 2 mins if my hamstring is going to hold up.

Worst case scenario, I can change my distance up until the day before the race if I have to and drop down. I have already found another trail half about 6 weeks after the May 1st race in case I do have to drop down and feel like I still want to run a longer race before summer.

And onward we trudge. Keep on running ladies! We have bitter cold coming so I will have some chilly stories for later in the week!

[emily_in_nc]

RnR, I am thinking that the base you've already built up will carry you through this period of less running. I know that has been the case for me for cycling at least. May 1 is still a ways off!

It's super chilly and crazy windy here in Central Florida, with three cold fronts coming through in two days (how is that possible??), but I keep telling myself that most everyone else has it worse, so I try not to be too bitter.

[OakLeaf]

Sounds good, RnR.

What does the PT say about maintaining your overall running fitness? Is there other cardio you can do, to keep that end of it up? Most of what I've read, is that when someone's well-trained before having to take a break, it comes back pretty quickly.

Hang in there!

[rocknrollgirl]

Sounds good, RnR.

What does the PT say about maintaining your overall running fitness? Is there other cardio you can do, to keep that end of it up? Most of what I've read, is that when someone's well-trained before having to take a break, it comes back pretty quickly.

Hang in there!

I will ask at PT today. I know I can ride the trainer, maybe elliptical? I have not really brought it up, since I am allowed to "run". I did another easy 5 miles yesterday. Felt ok. It is hard to tell I am so sore from doing the lunges! It is the w/e long run that has me worried.

I am going to try a trail run this weekend. Stick to the flatter trails and keep it under an hour. It is the flat part of this formula that has me worried.But I will stay the course. If I am this sore from doing the rehab work, obviously there were weaknesses in the chain.

[rocknrollgirl]

So i went to PT Wed, and they were not at all worried about my soreness. They said awesome because it is muscular and not structural, They worked me hard, and stretched my well and then the chiro did some voodoo magic on my foot with a metal too called Graston technique. When I woke up yesterday morning, no leg pain. hmmmm.....I waited all day for it. No pain. First day i have been blissfully unaware of it in 2 weeks. Ran yesterday ( in the 20 degree weather), no issues.

Could it be the voodoo magic? Or is all of the rehab coming together? I am going to call for more voodoo today. It is excruciatingly painful, but if it works like that, count me in!

[Catrin]

Graston is awesome, it CAN be too much in the hands of someone less experience! My chiro uses that on me from time to time. All Active Release techniques (tool or hands) can be excruciating but usually only during the application, as you found out. Sounds like you've a good one! There are still a few out there that think it must leave bruising and residual pain/soreness to be effective but that's just not true.

Sounds like the voodoo magic was the perfect followup - hope you continue to feel better!