6 Miles

Well, I am trying to get out of town, so this will be brief. Got up and drink a bit of water then went out. Stretched the IT for a bit then started. The legs hurt but not too bad to begin with. Decided to stop and stretch and the 2 and 4 mile markers to try to help me get through it. Each time...all the pain went away...but it came back after about a quarter of a mile. I mixed up the pace and threw in some strides like before. Once I got home I walked a couple of blocks and then stretched again. The pain stopped as soon as I began walking and has come back as I have been laying here icing. So I think I am moving forward...ever so slowly. Don't feel like going over and looking at my watch...but I know my pace was 9 minute and 19 second miles. It is frustrating having all this energy just building up...but gotta take care of the legs. Have a good one!

No run Friday

Decided to give the legs another day in hopes that more stretching will help me tomorrow. Still aiming for 6 miles although I plan to stretch along the route as necessary. So we will see how it goes.

Thursday...3 Miles

So the legs really have not being feeling great, but they have been workable. So I went out and did 3 miles today. I have started doing a bit more stretching...I am really worried about over-doing it though. I honestly believe my over-enthusiasm about it while training for New York actually made it worse. But more on that later.

The first mile was a little rough, there is black ice everywhere. We have had some sunshine the last few days, but the temps have still been really low. Then last night we had a dusting of snow. It really made for some sketchy spots today.

I made sure to stay slow for as long as possible. One of the pieces of advice I received awhile back from the Runners Roost, was to try some strides to try and get the IT to release a bit. After I had run about two miles I did that a little bit. I didn't notice a difference, but I think mixing up my pace helps overall with just having the muscle have to change the amount and length of each step. Maybe I am wrong...I tend to be wrong a lot with running...

After I got home, I walked about 4 times the distance that I would normally. After I was done...I decided to do the stretch I do at the beginnin recommended by my sports doc...but today I just decided to hold it....for awhile...rather than 30 seconds. And while it didn't completely take away all the pain in the left leg (original IT leg) it got rid of everything I was feeling in the right. I was pretty amazed to be honest. Now...I little bit has krept back in since I have been home...but still...gives me hope.

I doubt I will run tomorrow...but we will see. My plan is to take off tomorrow and then try maybe 6 on Saturday and then spend next week slowly tacking on a mile or two here or there for a constant progression until I am back on track. I will not be racing on Saturday...which really bums me out....it was kind of a birthday present to myself. But....it is all about the marathon....

Wednesday....2 Miles....

2 Miles...they weren't fast....they weren't easy. Got them in. I am in a little bit of pain with both legs, but it feels like something I can live with for the time being. Will probably try for 3 tomorrow then take Friday off...

Monday...no run :-(

Monday...still store...and very stiff. I am hoping to try a light jog tomorrow. We will see. Pretty bummed at the moment. I like routine...this is not part of my routine...maybe tomorrow....

The ITB Strikes Back

Well, like the title says, I am having difficulty with my Iliotibial Band....but this time it is in the right leg. It felt off the last couple of runs, and today it finally just seized up on me during the run. It pretty much was bothering me from the start, but I had hoped if I went slow and just took my time that it might be alright. I had run over 8 and a half miles when I had to stop at a four-way stop sign. After the car passed, I start up again, the pain was immediate and I am here to tell you...intense. I have learned to deal with a lot on a run, but this was very severe. I tried to keep going for about another tenth of a mile, but that just seemed to make it worse. I stopped and stretched a bit and that didn't help either. I was a about a mile and a quarter from home. I hobbled home...feeling pretty rejected and in a lot of pain. I have had my leg up and have tried to do a little more stretching. It really hurts....

I am going to stay off it as much as possible today and tomorrow. I am guessing I am not going to be able to run for a couple of days....but we will see. I am trying not to overreact yet...but it is difficult. I felt like I was doing so well. I am optimistic this will just be another bump. The left one hurts most runs, but it is pain I can deal with. Here is hoping that I can get the right one under-control and back on track...if anyone is curious...I ended up doing 9.62 miles total.....

7 Mile Friday

My legs were both feeling pretty sore in the knee area before the run. I definitely did too much on Wednesday. The thing is, this is where I can make my biggest jump as a runner. If I am able to process what is going on with my legs...and occassionally make some concessions...it will make me a better runner over the long haul.

During the first mile, the pain was pretty strong. The side of my left calf that feels similar to shin splint pain was pretty noticeable for a good chunk of the run. But I just kepy my head and tried not to push too much and let the leg just work itself out. It did take a long time to feel decent, but I was able to keep going and that is what is important. I had beautiful snow covering everything to help keep my spirits up. There was a bit more ice than I could see, but no major issues...

I did two loops, the first being a 4 mile loop and the second being a 3 mile loop. The second time up the hill, I decided to give a bit more effort. The legs felt tired, but I still managed to increase my tempo just a little bit. By the time I was at the flat part at the top, I was in a nice stride that I continued until the end of my run.

By the time I got home I had run a bit over 7 miles. My pace for the whole run was 9 minutes and 35 seconds. Probably faster overall than I should have allowed myself, but I think it will be ok tomorrow. Just have to push through Saturday and get this next chunk of the cycle going properly. Thanks for reading!