The problems with the calf started Sunday when, halfway out on my 50 minute route, I landed a bit funny on my left foot and felt tightness. I shortened my stride and finished the run. Since the rest of the day was spent away from home waiting for my son to finish his time with the US Navy Sea Cadet Corps, I didn’t ice it. That was a mistake.
The calf was tight on Monday and Tuesday, and loosened a bit Wednesday morning. The run was to be 50 minutes and started a bit later than usual, but that wasn’t a big concern since nothing was scheduled until after 10am. My work days can last deep into the evening, so if my morning starts at 9am instead of 7am I feel a twinge of guilt before convincing myself I shouldn’t be concerned. This particular morning, I felt good about it. It showed
running has become a priority.
A Florida August morning is warmer and more humid than most other places. The term "swampy air" seems appropriate. I was running a new route – a 5 mile loop that goes through four very distinct neighborhoods. When I was a little over halfway around, my calf stiffened so I slowed the pace to a fast walk. At an intersection, the driver of a car motioned for me to continue through the crosswalk, so I started to run and BAM! a knife-like pain hit my left calf. I hopped across the intersection on my right leg and gingerly pressing my left foot down, unable to put pressure on it. I stopped to slowly stretch and massage it. I continued limping for about 50 yards, debating the worst case scenario; calling my wife to come pick me up. It was around 7:30am, and her summer schedule would have her beginning the day. As I walked and thought, it loosened enough so I wasn’t limping and I continued the rest of the way home, iced my calf and limped through the rest of my day.
Disappointing. I had the Celebration of Running 5K today, and I missed it. The calf is still tight, and running won’t help it heal. The focus right now is on the Michelob Ultra Half Marathon on November 9th, and I can’t get off track. I realize now my “endurance pace” runs were being run faster than they should. In switching to Strava, I became hooked on the idea of Segments and beating previous attempts. My competitive self woke up and was proud of the progress I was making with the consistent effort over the past couple weeks. Instead of throttling back the effort, that competitive self took it up a notch. The result? Well . . . it was the end of 15 days of consistent effort where I either walked or ran every day.
I talked with my coach, and I’ll be switching things up a bit this week. Today I hit the gym. I designed a full body workout that was intense, and I’m a bit disappointed because I didn’t finish; a broken promise to me. The trip to the gym was another reminder that strength training needs to become a regular part of the routine. Stretching too. To that end, I’ll be taking a week off the road except perhaps to walk. So, here it goes . . . subject to change (based on my coach's input).
Sunday: 8:30am Yoga Class; 9-10:30am Abs; Back / Shoulder / Arms; 30 Minute Rowing Machine; 20 Minute Elliptical
Monday: 4:00am 30 Minute Walk; 4:30am Stretch / Ice 3 x (10am, 1pm and 8pm)
Tuesday: 5-6:30am Gym – Legs / Abs; 50 Minute Elliptical; Stretch / Ice 4 x (7am, 10am, 1pm and
8pm)
Wednesday: 5-6:30am Gym – Back / Biceps; 60 Minute Elliptical; Stretch / Ice 3x (7am, 3pm and
8pm)
Thursday: 5-6:30am Gym – Legs / Abs; 40 Minute Elliptical; Stretch / Ice 4 x (7am, 10am, 1pm and
8pm)
Friday: 4:00am 30 Minute Walk; 5-6:30am Gym –Shoulders / Chest / Triceps; Stretch / Ice 4x (7am, 10am, 1pm, 8pm)
Saturday: 7:00am 50 Minute Walk; Gym – Legs / Abs; 40 Minute Elliptical
Sunday: 7:00am 50 Minute Run (Endurance Pace)
So there is my challenge - to keep this schedule for the week. Changes will be the result of my coach's input tomorrow. From there . . . it's about keeping promises I make to myself.
The calf was tight on Monday and Tuesday, and loosened a bit Wednesday morning. The run was to be 50 minutes and started a bit later than usual, but that wasn’t a big concern since nothing was scheduled until after 10am. My work days can last deep into the evening, so if my morning starts at 9am instead of 7am I feel a twinge of guilt before convincing myself I shouldn’t be concerned. This particular morning, I felt good about it. It showed
running has become a priority.
A Florida August morning is warmer and more humid than most other places. The term "swampy air" seems appropriate. I was running a new route – a 5 mile loop that goes through four very distinct neighborhoods. When I was a little over halfway around, my calf stiffened so I slowed the pace to a fast walk. At an intersection, the driver of a car motioned for me to continue through the crosswalk, so I started to run and BAM! a knife-like pain hit my left calf. I hopped across the intersection on my right leg and gingerly pressing my left foot down, unable to put pressure on it. I stopped to slowly stretch and massage it. I continued limping for about 50 yards, debating the worst case scenario; calling my wife to come pick me up. It was around 7:30am, and her summer schedule would have her beginning the day. As I walked and thought, it loosened enough so I wasn’t limping and I continued the rest of the way home, iced my calf and limped through the rest of my day.
Disappointing. I had the Celebration of Running 5K today, and I missed it. The calf is still tight, and running won’t help it heal. The focus right now is on the Michelob Ultra Half Marathon on November 9th, and I can’t get off track. I realize now my “endurance pace” runs were being run faster than they should. In switching to Strava, I became hooked on the idea of Segments and beating previous attempts. My competitive self woke up and was proud of the progress I was making with the consistent effort over the past couple weeks. Instead of throttling back the effort, that competitive self took it up a notch. The result? Well . . . it was the end of 15 days of consistent effort where I either walked or ran every day.
I talked with my coach, and I’ll be switching things up a bit this week. Today I hit the gym. I designed a full body workout that was intense, and I’m a bit disappointed because I didn’t finish; a broken promise to me. The trip to the gym was another reminder that strength training needs to become a regular part of the routine. Stretching too. To that end, I’ll be taking a week off the road except perhaps to walk. So, here it goes . . . subject to change (based on my coach's input).
Sunday: 8:30am Yoga Class; 9-10:30am Abs; Back / Shoulder / Arms; 30 Minute Rowing Machine; 20 Minute Elliptical
Monday: 4:00am 30 Minute Walk; 4:30am Stretch / Ice 3 x (10am, 1pm and 8pm)
Tuesday: 5-6:30am Gym – Legs / Abs; 50 Minute Elliptical; Stretch / Ice 4 x (7am, 10am, 1pm and
8pm)
Wednesday: 5-6:30am Gym – Back / Biceps; 60 Minute Elliptical; Stretch / Ice 3x (7am, 3pm and
8pm)
Thursday: 5-6:30am Gym – Legs / Abs; 40 Minute Elliptical; Stretch / Ice 4 x (7am, 10am, 1pm and
8pm)
Friday: 4:00am 30 Minute Walk; 5-6:30am Gym –Shoulders / Chest / Triceps; Stretch / Ice 4x (7am, 10am, 1pm, 8pm)
Saturday: 7:00am 50 Minute Walk; Gym – Legs / Abs; 40 Minute Elliptical
Sunday: 7:00am 50 Minute Run (Endurance Pace)
So there is my challenge - to keep this schedule for the week. Changes will be the result of my coach's input tomorrow. From there . . . it's about keeping promises I make to myself.
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