Dear James, Daniel and Emily,
I have just been tweeting about my workouts recently so haven't had a lot to blog about. Figured I should catch up on my progress.
1. Since the purchase of the new shoes my weekly mileage totals have gone up each week successively. Going from 13.5 up to 15 this last week. So that has been a definite improvement, and progress. Progress which bodes well for my goal of returning to my 5-6 mile regular runs by the end of the year.
2. I have begun gradually reintroducing some hills in my runs, along my varied route, and Sunday I was able to do a hill, as part of my 4 mile run, all of which with no pain. Another excellent sign of progress.
3. Saw the Physical Therapist for the first time 2 weeks ago. After listening to mu story, and then doing some work she determined the problem is that my IT band has become too tight, and needs to be loosened up. So I have had some therapy appointments (2 so far, with 2 more this week), and have been practicing the new stretches she recommended. And while I can't totally tell the difference it does feel better.
4. It's going to be a funny thing, I won't be totally sure what did the trick, assuming I am able to fully progress and reach my goal of a marathon next year. Will it be better awareness of the shoes, the Physical therapy, standing up at my desk? Who will know for sure (well probably the therapist)? All I know is that I will take that result, no matter where it comes from.
Monday, November 28, 2011
Monday, November 14, 2011
A week later, and I am feeling better than ever, it was the shoes!
Dear James, Daniel and Emily,
Today I ran my second speed training workout since resuming real training with my new shoes, and it felt good. I won't lie and say I was hyped up and rarin' to go first thing. It took a little while to get moving, but once I got moving it felt great.
I just finished the whole week's workouts and felt real good yesterday. Finished 3.5 miles in 35 minutes, keeping to my normal ~10 minute mile pace. So that was 16.5 miles last week running, plus cool down walks at the end of the run. Which was the best week I have had in almost 2 months!
Now I just need to continue focusing on getting my appetite under control and I should see myself getting back to top condition in a decent amount of time. My goal is to be back to 5-6 mile runs by the end of the year, which would be a comfortable number to stay at until it is time to get serious about the marathon training. And at this point I feel comfortable that I can meet that goal.
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
Fresh from Dr. appt. I run 3 miles with no pain, it was the shoes
Dear James, Daniel and Emily,
Had an appointment with the Dr. yesterday. He was pleased with me overall. He gave a great example of why my leg pain manifested itself when it did: a car drives fine at 35 MPH, but after it goes to 65 it rattles, and then is never the same again. So his theory is that hitting that half marathon number probably found a weakness in my legs, that is now more present.
So he referred me for Physical Therapy to help identify and strengthen whatever that weak piece is. He did not see anything in his exam that indicated an injury, it's just a weakness. So that's the plan for now, keep ramping up on the running with the new shoes, but also see the therapist to help strengthen my legs.
Then this morning I got up and turned in a brisk 30 minute/3 mile run. And I didn't hurt at all, other than just normal soreness. So I think the new shoes are definitely a part of the equation. But the therapy is still important in order to achieve my goal of a marathon next year.
Had an appointment with the Dr. yesterday. He was pleased with me overall. He gave a great example of why my leg pain manifested itself when it did: a car drives fine at 35 MPH, but after it goes to 65 it rattles, and then is never the same again. So his theory is that hitting that half marathon number probably found a weakness in my legs, that is now more present.
So he referred me for Physical Therapy to help identify and strengthen whatever that weak piece is. He did not see anything in his exam that indicated an injury, it's just a weakness. So that's the plan for now, keep ramping up on the running with the new shoes, but also see the therapist to help strengthen my legs.
Then this morning I got up and turned in a brisk 30 minute/3 mile run. And I didn't hurt at all, other than just normal soreness. So I think the new shoes are definitely a part of the equation. But the therapy is still important in order to achieve my goal of a marathon next year.
Monday, November 7, 2011
New shoes, new attitude, ready to reclaim what I had
Dear James, Daniel and Emily,
Friday morning I just didn't feel like getting up and walking, which was the signal to me that I just needed to get the new shoes sooner rather than later. Not being able to run or at least run comfortably was really taking a toll emotionally. So that's what I did, settling on some New Balance 690's, bought 2 pair. But this time I am going to be smarter, I just put 1 pair in the closet, and will restrict the use of these to just my running, no more using for regular shoes on off days etc.
Saturday morning I put them on and went for a short 2 mile run, and boy did they make a difference! My legs felt good, the run was comfortable and it was great. My knee was still sore, but it was sore before I even started, and it didn't feel any better or worse after the run. Sunday I went for my scheduled 30 minute run, and again it was great. And today I did my scheduled speed training, doing 2 miles in 19 minutes. So that was 7 miles in 3 days no worse for wear. 1 interesting thing was that Sunday after my run I took some Ibuprofen, and after that the knee pain went away entirely and has not returned, even after my run this morning.
I did 1 thing differently, and will continue to do this: when my training plan calls for a 30 minute run I will do that only, then walk home. I need to be patient while my legs rebuild their strength. And I need to remember an axiom I saw that said something along the lines of leave something out there when training, only push to the max when racing. Also, make a point of walking around barefoot when I get home from a run if possible, just to give my feet a chance to recover some.
Also, the month of birthdays has effectively come to an end, so all of the parties, eating out, left over cake, ice cream & candy etc. can be purged from the house. I can return to the better eating habits and healthier life style that I had. Because I had let myself go, really it started before I ran the half, because I was running so much that I could get away with eating poorly. But that habit carried over when my running eased off and stopped so I have put on some pounds. So, not only will I be getting back into the running we will also be getting back into healthier eating habits at home.
Friday morning I just didn't feel like getting up and walking, which was the signal to me that I just needed to get the new shoes sooner rather than later. Not being able to run or at least run comfortably was really taking a toll emotionally. So that's what I did, settling on some New Balance 690's, bought 2 pair. But this time I am going to be smarter, I just put 1 pair in the closet, and will restrict the use of these to just my running, no more using for regular shoes on off days etc.
Saturday morning I put them on and went for a short 2 mile run, and boy did they make a difference! My legs felt good, the run was comfortable and it was great. My knee was still sore, but it was sore before I even started, and it didn't feel any better or worse after the run. Sunday I went for my scheduled 30 minute run, and again it was great. And today I did my scheduled speed training, doing 2 miles in 19 minutes. So that was 7 miles in 3 days no worse for wear. 1 interesting thing was that Sunday after my run I took some Ibuprofen, and after that the knee pain went away entirely and has not returned, even after my run this morning.
I did 1 thing differently, and will continue to do this: when my training plan calls for a 30 minute run I will do that only, then walk home. I need to be patient while my legs rebuild their strength. And I need to remember an axiom I saw that said something along the lines of leave something out there when training, only push to the max when racing. Also, make a point of walking around barefoot when I get home from a run if possible, just to give my feet a chance to recover some.
Also, the month of birthdays has effectively come to an end, so all of the parties, eating out, left over cake, ice cream & candy etc. can be purged from the house. I can return to the better eating habits and healthier life style that I had. Because I had let myself go, really it started before I ran the half, because I was running so much that I could get away with eating poorly. But that habit carried over when my running eased off and stopped so I have put on some pounds. So, not only will I be getting back into the running we will also be getting back into healthier eating habits at home.
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
It's gotta be the shoes!
Dear James, Daniel and Emily,
Here is my scientific breakdown:
Problem: Since I ran in the Half Marathon (and realistically probably a little before then) my legs have been hurting a lot more when I run beyond a certain distance.
1. The pain is never exactly the same in every run, it can vary between each knee, or on bad days both.
2. Shortening up the runs and rebuilding my strength has not had any effect.
3. Shortening up my stride, stretching before the run, dynamic stretching, none of those made any difference.
4. Changing where I run to a trail run helped a little, but I was still hurting at the end of the run and the rest of the day.
5. I can walk long distances with no problem, even a very strenuous mostly uphill and then downhill hike like the Incline and Barr trail did not cause me the same pains.
Causes, or why it's the shoes: I have been alternating between 2 pairs of shoes I bought back in February/January time frame. I have been diligently keeping mileage numbers the entire time I used those shoes.
1. Each of the pairs of shoes is now over 260 miles roughly (not counting walking miles from daily wear)
2. According the conventional wisdom you should be able to get from 300 to 500 miles out of a pair of shoes.
3. In a Facebook runner group I put up a post for thoughts on that conventional wisdom and while it does appear to be consistently true that is really only the case if you own a pair of more expensive shoes. (the ones I use were each around 50$)
4. The majority (say 80-90%) of my running has been on concrete or asphalt, which does put more strain on my legs and wear and tear on the shoes.
5. It really doesn't make sense that running in the half marathon should have damaged something, and if it did the damage would have affected me when I walked or even hiked at least, and that wasn't the case.
Given all of that I am certain that the cause of my problem lies with my shoes. And it is time to get a new pair(s). Now I have tried on some of the minimal shoes, and while they do feel real nice my biggest concern is point 4 above, will I shred those minimal shoes running where I run? So I think the smart thing will be to get some more solid shoes.
Here is my scientific breakdown:
Problem: Since I ran in the Half Marathon (and realistically probably a little before then) my legs have been hurting a lot more when I run beyond a certain distance.
1. The pain is never exactly the same in every run, it can vary between each knee, or on bad days both.
2. Shortening up the runs and rebuilding my strength has not had any effect.
3. Shortening up my stride, stretching before the run, dynamic stretching, none of those made any difference.
4. Changing where I run to a trail run helped a little, but I was still hurting at the end of the run and the rest of the day.
5. I can walk long distances with no problem, even a very strenuous mostly uphill and then downhill hike like the Incline and Barr trail did not cause me the same pains.
Causes, or why it's the shoes: I have been alternating between 2 pairs of shoes I bought back in February/January time frame. I have been diligently keeping mileage numbers the entire time I used those shoes.
1. Each of the pairs of shoes is now over 260 miles roughly (not counting walking miles from daily wear)
2. According the conventional wisdom you should be able to get from 300 to 500 miles out of a pair of shoes.
3. In a Facebook runner group I put up a post for thoughts on that conventional wisdom and while it does appear to be consistently true that is really only the case if you own a pair of more expensive shoes. (the ones I use were each around 50$)
4. The majority (say 80-90%) of my running has been on concrete or asphalt, which does put more strain on my legs and wear and tear on the shoes.
5. It really doesn't make sense that running in the half marathon should have damaged something, and if it did the damage would have affected me when I walked or even hiked at least, and that wasn't the case.
Given all of that I am certain that the cause of my problem lies with my shoes. And it is time to get a new pair(s). Now I have tried on some of the minimal shoes, and while they do feel real nice my biggest concern is point 4 above, will I shred those minimal shoes running where I run? So I think the smart thing will be to get some more solid shoes.
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