Whew! I’m glad to have this week behind me. Running-wise it was a real challenge. I swapped my usual Tuesday speedwork for my Thursday tempo run since my body is notoriously unstable and injury-prone after a race. I got out really early and begged hubby to leave for work a little later so I could squeeze in 11 miles. Wow the sunrises all week have been beyond gorgeous–misty and eerily beautiful. I should have taken a pic. So anyway I’m out there still indignant, the fire of discontent with my pace at last weekend’s 1/2 marathon still smoldering in my belly. Oh 8:45 tempo pace today? I’ll show you tempo pace. And as if I could atone for last week I ran the first 7 miles at 8:30 just because I can. It was easy too. But par for my pouty attitude, coming up the king of all hills, suddenly it felt like someone shot a cap in my a$$. I slowed and tried to work it out. I found that if I ran while pointing my left toe out 90 degrees the pain subsided. So I’m coming up the king quasomodo-style when I see a guy and his dog looking at me like I’m nuts (clearly I am). So I point my toe the regular way and continue on in pain. I finished although at a more sensible pace. Serves me right.
Thursday: With my new high-hamstring/butt isssue, I decided to skip this week’s speedwork completely and do a 6-mile whatever-pace-I-feel-like run instead. It was slow but whatever. I feel an edge like the very beginnings of a cold.
Fast forward to today: 20 miler on tap but I was ready to pull the plug at the first signs of hamstring/butt displeasure. During my pre-run foam roller/stick session I can feel the inflammation high in my left hammy. Gorgeously cool again. Leg is tight for the first few miles. It’s another whatever-pace-I-want day. And I’m thrilled to say I felt great for the first 15. The last 5 were a challenge and the entire run was 10 seconds off planned pace but I got it done all the same. I’m thrilled to have another 20-miler under my belt!
Have a fun and safe Labor Day everyone!
STRANGE! I hurt my left butt cheek this week. Bending over is really bumming me out. I guess there is something in the air. Please tell me you do not have a cold. That is my biggest worry right now. If I can make it 5 more weeks without getting a cold it will be the first time in 5 training cycles that I will have managed to stay healthy the whole time. I am crossing my fingers!!!!
Ruth no way! Wow 2 butt cheeks in one week! Lets' hope we both heal fast. Try sitting on a tennis ball and rolling around a bit.
Not a full-fledged cold as yet, although I definitely feel rundown at times. I think we're just at that point in training where the going is really tough.
Hang in there! You're almost to the taper!