Running away...week of 11/16/08

[Jolt]

Nobody had started it yet, so I thought I'd do so. I don't have much to report other than I am slowly but surely getting back into running now that my IT band is loosened back up. I'm up to 1.5 miles at a time now (adding 0.5 mile after every three runs, on the recommendation of my PT) and so far so good other than a few random twinges in other places, which are probably from not having run for so long and now getting back to it. Hopefully things continue going well. Now my only problem is getting rid of some lingering trigger points in my legs (which seem to bother me more at other times as opposed to running). I think I will try taking magnesium and see if that helps keep them from coming back (they were getting better and them some of them came back a few days ago)--I was doing some research that made me think low levels might be a contributing factor especially based on some of my other annoying issues lately (menstrual cramps that Aleve doesn't help that much, PVCs around the beginning of my period). Can't hurt (well, unless one took really high doses) and seems likely to help--should be an interesting little experiment. I'm sure being stressed out and sleep deprived this semester isn't helping matters either. How's everyone else's running going?

[michelem]

Jolt, Thanks for getting this started. I've taken the majority of this week off due to IT problems myself! It's the outside of my right knee that is giving me grief. Last night I did some speedwork on the treadmill and everything felt fine while running -- especially at faster speeds -- but as soon as I slowed to about 10 min. miles for cooldown, and especially when walking afterward -- OWCH!!! I rolled on the gym's foam roller afterward and down toward the knee was really painful.

I'm in taper mode now. This weekend I'll do 13 miles for my "long" run and I'm planning on doing the 5k Folsom Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving morning as a tempo run. Depending on how the knee feels after the long run, I'll decide whether or not to do some speedwork on Tuesday.

Still struggling with gastro stuff and figure I'll do what I did leading up to the 1/2 (clean the system out and then consume very very low residue in the days before the race -- nothing after 6pm the night before until I'm 30-60 minutes into the race and then start consuming gel and electrolytes, 1 each per hour in 20 minute feeds). Just need to go into this with the full awareness that I may have to stop and use the port-a-potties along the way. Thankfully the "distress" usually doesn't start until about mile 10 or later, so the lines shouldn't be too long at that point.

Oh, Jolt, go easy on the magnesium -- too much can cause diarrhea.

[Jolt]

Sorry to hear you're having ITB problems--that bites!! I hope to never have that issue again (and at least now I know what to do for it if it ever does happen again). As far as the magnesium causing the runs, I am a little concerned about that but got a formulation that is supposed to be well-absorbed which should reduce the chance of that particular problem (hopefully) as well as increase the chance that it will actually help. Plus I am being fairly conservative with the dose (starting with 200 mg at night) and planning to concentrate on increasing my dietary intake rather than just taking a large dose of the supplement. I guess we'll see what happens...

[michelem]

Time to taper . . . Did 13 miles for my "long" run this morning and it went pretty well. I felt various aches and pains in the legs along the way, but the IT band gave me no trouble at all -- yay! Of course, it gets really tight if I sit in one position for too long now that I'm done running, but it doesn't hurt as long as I keep moving. Only other problem was recurring side stitches -- first on the upper right side, then the lower left, then the lower right . . . weird that they kept moving around, and very uncomfortable! I really worked on my hydration during this run and it was really hard. I really don't like to drink while running and it makes me feel kind of sick for a while after I take a drink. Just when I start feeling good, it's time for another drink! UGH! But, no potty stops needed during this run -- another yay!

The weather is beautiful today -- started out around 9:45am at around 55 degrees (the low was 41) and it warmed to about 60 by the time I got back home. The high was 66 today, sunny and clear - no fog - nice!

It's supposed to rain this next week, but I am hoping it stays dry Thanksgiving morning for the 10k Turkey Trot. I'm wanting to do it as my tempo run. DH will be playing flag football at that time and he'd be thrilled if it rains so he can get all muddy and stuff.

Hope everyone else has a great Thanksgiving week!

How's the magnesium working for you, Jolt?

[jesvetmed]

I got in 4.25 miles today on a rare, beautiful sunny day in the Pacific NW! (ok... it was cold AND windy, but sunny nonetheless! )

I made the mistake of committing to a half marathon. OK.. it's probably not a mistake, but the timing isn't great. It's in 8 weeks. As you see, I've been running 3-4 miles tops in the last few months, and not very consistently. So this will be a huge challenge for me!

I've sat down and worked out a schedule for every day from today until Jan 17th. I have 1 to 2 rest days a week, and at least one other cross-training day for biking or swimming (or both). My work schedule makes it tough to get in 5 go 6 days of workouts a week -- sometimes I work 50 hours in three nights, which leaves no time for any running. Barely sleeping.

Well, I have high hopes... even if I have to walk part of it, this will be good for me through the holidays. And I'm committed to doing it with a group of people so there is the guilt factor, too!

WISH ME LUCK!

MicheleM: Is it two weeks until your half? I hope you get the GI stuff figured out -- that has always been a major problem for me on 10k or more runs. Good luck to you!

[michelem]

jesvetmed,

Yes, December 7 is the date -- YIKES!!! And the GI stuff is my big sticking point at this point. Ugh.

Take it easy for your first 1/2. My longest run before my first 1/2 was 8 miles and I was HURTING for days after the race -- and not in a good way. My body just wasn't ready for all that pounding. I had the best-laid plans, but fell off my bike during a century ride the month prior to the race, so I didn't get in much running during that month. At least it sounds like you'll have consistent training up 'til your race. Just be careful not to increase your mileage more than 10% each week or you'll be setting yourself up for injury. I think your attitude is right on toward possibly walking some. Hope you have fun!

And I hear you on the work thing . . . only 25 years 'til I can retire (if there will even be such a think as retirement at that point) . . . sigh . . .

[Jolt]

How's the magnesium working for you, Jolt?

It's a little early to tell, I think. So far not much change as far as the trigger point stuff (but I'm still working on those), but the real test will be next month seeing how the cramps and arrhythmias are. I have also realized that I have been terrible about hydration lately, i. e. not drinking nearly as much as I probably should (partly because work/clinical aren't always conducive to being able to stop to pee often, and partly because it's colder and drinking anything cool/cold really isn't appealing sometimes!) so that probably hasn't helped either. I think it's time to drink lots of hot tea and carry around a Nalgene bottle...