Quick non-philosophical rundown on how training is going:
Knee pain kicked in two weeks ago. I was forced to terminate a short, easy run when I felt the pain that I knew was not a typical ache, but a more serious inflammation of my patellar tendon. I felt it again for most of my long run that Saturday, but I made it through 16 very slow miles. I spent most of this last week not running. I replaced each run with swimming, elliptical, or cycling. I bought some foam rollers and started rolling out my leg muscles at least twice a day. If you've never tried foam rollers before, do it now. They hurt so bad that I kind of want to cry while I roll my quads, and I make a lot of painful noises. Afterward, I feel like a new runner.
On Thursday I broke my running hiatus for my March time-trial. I went from 7:19:04 on February 1st to 7:13:99 on March 1st. I know I can do much better next month. Most of my celebrating afterward was because I felt zero pain in my knee during the trial.
Yesterday I polished off my 14 mile long run. I started out feeling amazing, probably from the combination of extra foam rolling, stretching, and rest. I made a rookie mistake and took this as a chance to go way too fast for the first 7 miles. I made it through the first 10 miles at a pace of 8:10 per mile, and then started to fall apart. I was walk-running by the last mile.
This week I'm going to continue foam rolling and try to return to my usual running schedule at a controlled, slow pace. Next Saturday I'm scheduled to run 18 miles. My goal is to begin at a 10 minute pace and finish at 8:30 or 9. I am also trying to workout some hydration issues. Suggestions are very much welcome! I have been drinking about 10 ounces of gatorade mixed with two scoops of Vitargo S2 for every 16 miles. I down one caffeinated GU at mile 10 or 11. Afterward I get really burpy and have some pretty bad stomach cramps, but I feel like I have an unquenchable thirst from mile 10 on. I just can't get my hydration figured out! Also, I don't really like GU. The texture usually gags me. Does anyone have any gel alternatives that they like? Help!
Knee pain kicked in two weeks ago. I was forced to terminate a short, easy run when I felt the pain that I knew was not a typical ache, but a more serious inflammation of my patellar tendon. I felt it again for most of my long run that Saturday, but I made it through 16 very slow miles. I spent most of this last week not running. I replaced each run with swimming, elliptical, or cycling. I bought some foam rollers and started rolling out my leg muscles at least twice a day. If you've never tried foam rollers before, do it now. They hurt so bad that I kind of want to cry while I roll my quads, and I make a lot of painful noises. Afterward, I feel like a new runner.
On Thursday I broke my running hiatus for my March time-trial. I went from 7:19:04 on February 1st to 7:13:99 on March 1st. I know I can do much better next month. Most of my celebrating afterward was because I felt zero pain in my knee during the trial.
Yesterday I polished off my 14 mile long run. I started out feeling amazing, probably from the combination of extra foam rolling, stretching, and rest. I made a rookie mistake and took this as a chance to go way too fast for the first 7 miles. I made it through the first 10 miles at a pace of 8:10 per mile, and then started to fall apart. I was walk-running by the last mile.
This week I'm going to continue foam rolling and try to return to my usual running schedule at a controlled, slow pace. Next Saturday I'm scheduled to run 18 miles. My goal is to begin at a 10 minute pace and finish at 8:30 or 9. I am also trying to workout some hydration issues. Suggestions are very much welcome! I have been drinking about 10 ounces of gatorade mixed with two scoops of Vitargo S2 for every 16 miles. I down one caffeinated GU at mile 10 or 11. Afterward I get really burpy and have some pretty bad stomach cramps, but I feel like I have an unquenchable thirst from mile 10 on. I just can't get my hydration figured out! Also, I don't really like GU. The texture usually gags me. Does anyone have any gel alternatives that they like? Help!
No comments:
Post a Comment