Marathoning: Training Diary, 7/28-8/25, or, I’d Rather Be Fishing
Henry’s Lake sunset, originally uploaded by nparish.
Mostly vacationing and rehab, really.
Well, charity run training diary update fans, there’s a reason why I’ve been absent since our last check-in. That IT band issue really had me slowed down on the training front.
After my 7/25 trip around the reservoir I shut training down completely, began a mini rehab program in earnest and took about 10 days off running in hopes of driving the problem away. Unfortunately, it’s still around. But, I’ve learned largely how to contain the pain, am working on efforts to restore the muscles whose weakness contributes to it and have been back on schedule over the last few days.
The rehab has mainly come from stretching sessions with my new invaluable training tool, the foam roller. I hit the roller twice a day for 30 minutes, whether I run or not, to iron out the kinks in my legs, not just the parts that scream during excruciating IT band stretch. I’ve also got a brace/strap contraption I wear during runs, a big-ass tube of Ben Gay and a bag of frozen peas that’s used solely for post-workout icing. Also, hip hitches and resistance bands are building up the parts of my glutes that have been degrading since I stopped weight training in May.
Luckily, I was able to do some fun cross-training in Montana, wading through deep, fast rivers in pursuit of oncorhynchus mykiss, oncorhynchus clarki and salmo trutta. Between the cold water and the lateral work involved it helped a lot. (Check out the photos–no pain there!)
Getting back, though, I realized I had a lot of work to do, and would have to train back to my previous level. And fast. The race is in less than a month. Unfortunately, the marathon is out of the question at this point, but I think I can still hit my original goal: a sub 2:00 finish in the half event.
8/16: Slow, short. 2 miles in 25 minutes, AM
I had planned to go across the Manhattan bridge, back via Brooklyn and home for about a 7 mile trip, but shut it down when a twinge kicked in early. This was irritating. Even though I felt some pulls in Montana, on heavy hikes, humping up and down canyons in felt-bottomed boots, I hoped those weren’t around anymore. Home to rest and ice.
8/22: Slow, long. 6.5 miles in around 2 hours, AM
Finally last Saturday I had a breakthrough. A long, slow run without a huge amount of discomfort. Rehab was paying off.
This is really only a few miles off our target for this stage in training (8-9 miles) so this weekend I’ll probably bump it up to 8.5 on our long Saturday run.
Best of all, there wasn’t any pain after I stretched and iced post run. Jump for joy! (But don’t pull anything.)
ON FUNDRAISING:
We’re getting to the point of no return. Fundraising ends September 8th. I still need your donations to fulfill my minimum obligation, so now’s the time to pull your moral compass out of its pouch and help make a difference.
So many of you have already responded to the call. Jocelyn, Merrilee & Rance, Cousin Ian–you’re the best. Thanks. Thanks also to all of you that came out to support us during our open bar last week. You’re golden. I couldn’t have done this without you.
For all you fence-sitters, now’s the time to get into it.
Want to help? You should sponsor me here!
