Monday, August 16, 2010

Dancing With the Devil

Completed training week 4 of 17 over the weekend, and overall I’d call it another successful week. Since we were still traveling on vacation I had to cut a couple runs short, but I managed to not miss any runs, and got 33 of the 38 planned miles in the books.


Having come into this training cycle still working against ITBS and Plantar Fasciitis, continuing to increase my mileage has me walking a fine line. It’s a delicate dance between pushing and improving, and pushing and breaking. Yesterday’s 16-mile long run was a pretty big test of just where my knees and feet really are in the healing process. I got a very early start this time, and the weather was cooperative, so I managed to make it through 16.12 miles without any major issues. Ran it at an overall 9:06 pace, which is considerably faster than I intended to run, but I’m finding that as I add speed work mid-week, it’s becoming harder to slow down on my endurance runs.

In terms of injuries, my knees felt good throughout the run, and my right knee is a bit sore today, but it doesn’t feel like it hurts in an injured way. My right heel was making sure I remembered it was there throughout the run, but overall held up pretty well. Some soreness today, but well below the level of pain I felt when the PF was in full effect. My right hamstring was sore before I started the run, thanks to far too much squatting while gardening and pressure-washing on Saturday, and it’s very tender this morning, but I don’t sense this is an ‘injury’ either.

Hydration-wise, I think my 4-bottle Fuel Belt isn’t enough to cover me once my runs get over 12 miles. I’m going to start looking into adding a handheld to the mix on my longer runs. Time to do some research.

16 miles was my longest run so far in the Gel Nimbus 12, and they felt pretty good. Big difference at that distance between my old squishy insoles and my green Superfeet, but I think my soles are getting stronger with the decrease in cushion.

11 comments:

  1. That’s doing very well while traveling on vacation. I use a hydration pack for water on the long runs. It keeps my hands free to carry other things and I take a 1.5liter bladder with water.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Way to walk the line. :)

    I have the same hydration concern. I had my four-flask Fuelbelt on yesterday, and by the end of only 9 it was bone dry. I may have to consider the handheld also.

    ReplyDelete
  3. most - for some reason - don't like hydration packs like Camelbak while running. Trail runners however use them. I use them in the summer for anything longer than 8-9 miles road runs living in Vegas. I also use them for all HM's and Marathons I do after a post-race Med tent hydration issue/drama after a HM a year ago. I use a Camelbak with 38-40oz. capacity bladder. The effect on my running form is minimal while wearing it and no discomfort. Plus, as you go thru the race, drinking from it - it magically gets lighter for some reason ;)!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Glad to hear your injuries seem to be staying away. I have a waist pack and just acquired a handheld as well (thanks to my mom - she just seems to have random new running gear sitting around her house) and am going to try it soon.

    ReplyDelete
  5. I have a hand held but am looking at getting a fuel belt. Usually I run on the trails so I have a few water fountains to refill at, but when I don't....yikes! Great job on your 16 miler! and awesome pace. :)

    ReplyDelete
  6. yeah...my fuel belt hasn't been cutting it for me either (this has been a hot summer). I've had to search out people watering their lawns to fill me up mid-run. Thing is...I don't like runing with stuff in my hands. Lately I've been going out the door with an extra water bottle and my belt. I go through the water bottle first, then I can ditch it and it stretches out my fuel belt a longer. good luck.

    ReplyDelete
  7. I'm very impressed with your success while on vacation. Huge kudos to you.

    I'm glad your injuries seem to be doing better - I hope your right heel stops bothering you.

    I had the same problem this weekend on my 15 mile with running out of hydration. I actually stopped for the first time in my running life at two water fountains. I'm a germaphobe and I don't do water fountains. I am trying to figure out what to do next weekend when I do 17.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Only one thing...ITBS is a b*tch! Glad that you're doing better:)

    ReplyDelete
  9. Man, you are on a roll. That's awesome. 33 miles while on vaca is rock solid too.

    ReplyDelete