About running…
Been a bitch of a week on the sleep front (the later I wake up, the less of a chance I have to eat, digest, and still have time to run before dark), and my left leg still doesn’t feel right. I must’ve had a stress fracture when it was at its worst, but it’s still not healed totally, regardless. I hear that they’re long, annoying injuries to come back from. I’ll know more when I get my x-rays done, but I’ve gotta sort through a bunch of paperwork if I don’t want a few hundred more dollars tacked onto my list of “doctor bills I’m not that likely to pay”, and hospital charity care programs have gotten REALLY stingy in the past few years.
It’s frustrating, and I keep wondering if I’m just making excuses or something, even though I *want* to run.
Gonna rest this week, and start again with Week 2 on Monday, see how it goes.
Bah.
I know I don’t owe you guys any explanation, but most of why I started posting my running logs here was for accountability. I want y’all to stay on my ass and call me out on my bullshit if any arises. It’s not your responsibility, but it’s still something I’d appreciate.
December 11th, 2008 at 8:13 pm
Hi Scott,
Questions that are probably stupid: Do you have the right shoes? When you do your intervals, are you pushing hard or running a relaxed pace? LOL, do you want me to come up and run with you? :)
Have also been meaning to address your post on stretching. It’s a must, particularly with the issues you seem to be having.
Deb
December 11th, 2008 at 8:16 pm
Forgot to add: when stretching, I think you should hold (don’t bounce) for a slow count of 20, each leg, each muscle. And don’t forget the IT band stretch.
Coach Deb
December 11th, 2008 at 8:26 pm
i make excuses, too. i havent done anything serious since august. it’s horrid. get to it, young man.
December 11th, 2008 at 9:21 pm
Shoes: I’ve had people at two of the best running stores in NJ tell me that I’m going with the right stability shoe (Asics Gel-Kayano in this case, I got ‘em on sale, but I could go with cheaper options if need be) based upon my gait. Problem was, I wasn’t running in running shoes with any arch support for the first month of my running, and that’s where I messed up. Safety tip: if you’re reading this and considering a beginning running program, GET THE SHOES FIRST! FOR THE LOVE OF GOD, GET THE SHOES FIRST! :D
Pace: I go as relaxed as possible usually, because I’m not trying to be Usain Bolt here. I’m just looking to finish a marathon and get into good shape, not necessarily in that order.
Coming up: that’d be cool, but no pressure. Plus, I still have to learn how to run around people, because my competitive nature gets the best of me there still (which has probably led to at least one re-aggravation of the injury). I’m not looking to beat anyone, but I’ve felt obligated to keep a pace that may not be my own, so much, when I’ve run at group runs and such.
Stretching: I really need to spend more time on it, learn to do it all the right way, and make room in my house to do it without being cramped. I’m not in love with the idea of stretching outside my place for some reason.
December 11th, 2008 at 9:22 pm
Oh, and the shoes weren’t just recommended. They feel comfortable, too, the best of the ones I tried on (about a dozen pairs).