Why do we push our bodies past the point of pain? Voluntarily!!!! I just don't get it. Case in point: I pushed this body almost 10 miles last Saturday - on purpose! I jogged/walked (heavy emphasis on the walked) the looong way into town, around town then back home. I did stop to visit the library's book sale while in town - I'm sure I was lovely - then stashed the books on a friend's porch for later retrieval. Why can't there be a reading marathon??? That I could do at full speed, without needing a chiropractor.
I've discovered my body can go 5-7 miles and maintain that positive, athletic "high". Whereas 3 months ago that "high" disappeared after 5-7 steps. But I've gone beyond 7 miles 3 times now - and every time is painful. Two 8 milers and the 9+... and the pain always starts in my hips then travels down my legs. What is this??? I'm wearing good shoes (i.e. expensive, ugly and fit by a professional). I'm now using the energy gels - which really help. I've slowed down the pace so much I may as well be crawling - and my body still gives out after 7 miles. I even sat in a cold bath (after stretching) because someone told me that would help! Brrrrr!!!
I know I need to do more short runs during the week - I've been having difficulties fitting them in. Yesterday I managed a 20 minute jaunt with my daughter - barely got my heart rate up.
I need to find a way to increase my mileage without pain - or I'm going to have to cut down to completing only a half marathon. I can probably drag myself the 13 miles - but not another 13. I have a few more weeks to decide - so I need answers fast!
On the positive side - after my run we went to Salisbury and walked around the mall (hey - I needed the exercise). My husband talked me into trying the water massage table there. For five minutes water beat down on my back, legs, and the soles of my feet. The first few passes were painful - John was going to turn the water pressure down, but I wouldn't let him. By the time I was done, however, I felt great! I was loose and pain-free - at least until I sat for an hour to eat dinner. By then I could barely move - again.
On the non-running front - or my real life - I seem to be losing neurons at an alarming rate. I've been drinking extra coffee, trying to get the brain and body working again - to no avail. I'm forgetting to do things, even after making a list. I'm forgetting HOW to do things. Can't find anything - even if I just sat it down. Decided yesterday that a hot cup of tea might help - and a hot bath! I put the water on to boil then sat down to work on the computer - and remembered the water an hour later. Poured the water into the tea, started running the tub, and remembered the tea an hour later. It was a tad too strong for my taste by then. Put some pita bread in the AGA to toast while I was re-heating the chili for lunch - and remembered it around dinner time. Can you say, "charcoal triangles"???? The AGA vents outside, so you never smell anything burning.
Had my husband in stitches when I confessed my day's activities. He's always said he's going to marry a stupid woman next time - so he was pretty tickled about my brain's demise. Not sure he was so thrilled this morning - when he was not only without clean socks in his sock drawer - but I was unable to find a matching pair of socks anywhere. I'm telling you - stupid isn't what it's cracked up to being!
Oh well....at least I haven't lost any children....YET!!!
Hope my happenings make you smile - or at least be grateful for YOUR life! Now I just have to remember to actually POST this message.......
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2 comments:
The long runs are all about building up your endurance. It's normal to be sore after you run, but if you are hurting a lot while you are running, then you might be pushing yourself to far too fast. I understand your dilemma, but you got to do what's right for you.
You absent mindedness is hilarious. Stupid you are not. I hear Einstein was absent minded too :-)
I have to agree with Wes on this one: if you're having a lot of pain, you could be setting yourself up for injury by going too far, too soon.
One idea might be to give yourself a "plateau" week: cover the same mileage this week as you did last week, without adding anything, letting your body get used to what this "mileage level" feels like. If you're pain-free at the end of the "plateau" week, go ahead and add mileage the following week.
Another idea that might help is being consistent about doing 2 or 3 short runs during the week (maybe 3 to 4 miles each) and only "going long" on Saturday or Sunday. (Admittedly this is tough to do when you have kids and a litter of kittens -- but not injuring yourself should be a priority, too! :-)
Time and your training will dictate whether you stick with the full 26.2 or do the half-marathon; the important thing is to ensure that you build your mileage in a way that ensures your running future. There will always be other marathons to run if you end up opting for the half-marathon this time, but if you get a nasty injury through overtraining, it will mean a lot of lost time -- not to mention pain -- that will really postpone your running goals. I know from experience that it's easy to feel like you've "given up" by opting for a shorter distance -- especially if you've shared your marathon plans with a lot of people -- but I also know what it's like to hurt yourself by ramping up your mileage too quickly.
Believe me: the pain from your wounded pride subsides a lot quicker than pain from a serious injury!
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