Ok, so I admit, it’s been a week since I ran. I had big plans to run every day while on vacation in Connecticut, but, well, it didn’t work out that way. At all. I ran last wednesday-4 miles, but didn’t do a damn thing after that except eat. A lot! But, after today’s run, I realize that I needed that time off, for several reasons.
First of all, my joints were very achey. My feet, ankles, knees and back were all super sore and running was painful the whole time. I felt much better today, and I think it was good I gave my body time to recover. I have new insoles for my shoes which are nice and cushy, and they are much more comfy-hopefully they’ll be good for my long runs.
Second, I think I was hitting a plateau. I was just running, with little or no strength training. I realize it’s time to take my workouts to the next level by adding in some other cross training. I feel revitalized and excited to do so, instead of burnt out. Tonight I plan on going to yoga. Tomorrow, I’m getting back into my weight training routine, and this weekend I’m mountain biking. Should be good! I think that this time off really gave me the chance to reflect and figure out how best to take care of myself.
Third, I was getting too hard on myself. I was trying to ALWAYS run a 10 minute mile, ALWAYS do more than my scheduled run said to do, and I was so focused on beating my times and analyzing my performance that I forgot why I even do this-for my own physical and mental health. So, I realize it’s time to back off myself and just run for the sake of running.
My first race, a 6 mile trail run, is a week from Sunday. I’m a little nervous. But after today’s run, I feel more ready and relaxed about it. Even if I come in last, I don’t care. It’ll be good just to do it.
chefsy said,
July 2, 2008 @ 10:52 pm
glad having to read something from you again dianne!
oh how i wish and dearly pray i’d be able to do a 10 minute mile.. like crazy always or less!
Q: do you get any insomnia?
im having a hard time since i started trying to train harder.
antioxexpress said,
July 5, 2008 @ 5:00 pm
I’m not a runner, I was a swimmer. My son is a runner. He does 5Ks, 10Ks, and occassional 26Ks. He made sure he got an evaluation of his foot planting so he would buy the right shoes for his gait. (My husband and I did the same thing at a couple of RoadRunner stores.) The foot planting evaluation was fast and free. I have a balanced foot plant and my husband pronates a bit. So we both got different running/walking shoes based on our foot planting styles.
Our son had some knee pain while training for a 10k recently. He’d done a 26K a month before and had not adjusted his training to this new distance. He spoke with a running coach, and was encouraged to reduce and change his training style for the shorter distance. His knee pain disappeared.
Something else you might enjoy is a Team In Training group. There are chapters all over the place, their runs and triathalon events are fund-raisers, but the piece de resistance is that they provide running and training coaching. Our son participated in their San Francisco Triathalon -swim, bike and run – last year and it was great! He also go some valuable running coaching to relearn how to run correctly.
Good luck!
“Mac”
http://antioxexpress.wordpress.com
http://www.greensfirst.com/5039
pinkcowgirl said,
July 7, 2008 @ 1:08 am
Trail runs are a blast. And just ENJOY your runs. Glad you’re feeling better.