I did it, I had a long run and didn’t totally keel over! Originally, the plan was a 7-miler but last night I had dinner with a friend who is training for a half marathon in 2 weeks and it got me really excited. So excited in fact, I was even entertaining the idea of signing up. So the goal instead became a 10 miler. A 10 miler planned with a few turn back points if things got dicey.
I waited till the rain stopped and headed out to the seawall. The plan was to run a virtually flat course and hope that that helped the IT band. I also forced myself to walk for 30 seconds after each mile. Brilliant, brilliant idea. The run was cold but not too cold and it felt so nice to be out for a big jog again.
I had a minor mental breakdown around mile 4, but luckily I was far enough away from home that it passed fairly quickly. I also stopped for a pee break and took a gel at mile 6. I actually was feeling pretty good until around 8 when I started to feel some pangs. My leg was getting really tight and my knee was starting to tweak a little bit. I stopped and stretched and then kept going. I was actually feeling really good mentally and was even thinking maybe I could extend it to 12 when my knee twinged badly. I kept jogging for a few more minutes to see if it would improve but it wouldn’t so I walked the last .7 miles to my car.
I don’t feel defeated though, not at all. I am feeling a large appreciation for my body for letting me get that far and I know I can get back into it. (optimism, a whole new theme for the blog). There is a 5K I ran in December last year which I am determined to run again and beat my time, plus I am thinking about creating a new “back-on-track training plan”. What can I say, I like a schedule, it keeps me motivated.
I also stretched, took a big ice bath and rolled out already. Plus I was freezing so I just took a big hot epsom bath. Really hoping I still feel good tomorrow.
Current plan is to take tomorrow off (maybe even do some yoga?), do weights on Monday and Wednesday and do a little light jogging on Tuesday and Thursday.
- Distance: 9.37 miles
- Time: 1:38:24
- Pace: 10:30
- Avg HR\Max HR: 162\201
- Cals: 930
- Laps: 10:29, 9:51, 10:21, 10:10, 10:45, 10:33, 11:39, 12:08, 10:40, 5:00 (note I didn’t stop my timer so the stretching breaks really ate into my time)
I also ran on Thursday:
- Distance: 3 miles
- Time: 32:07
- Pace: 10:45
- Avg HR\Max HR: 148\166
- Cals: 298
healthy meal idea of the day:
this lentil, spinach and sausage soup looks so comforting
wicked great long run!! i love how you weren’t feeling it at mile 4 but kept going anyway
good job on the 9 miles! i love a good plan too. i need one to keep me on track. what can i say, i’m totally goal directed. good luck with the 5k- you will pr!
Way to go on the long run. Sorry you weren’t feeling it in the middle, but it’s awesome that you hung in there and made it through to the end.
Great job! I often have little twinges during long runs that go away after awhile.
I am so envious of your running ability! I start running and within a few minutes, I’m miserable! I think my New Years resolution is to start running, NO EXCUSES! I love your blog by the way! I will be back to visit often
Sounds like a really great LR!!! Good job! Love your blog, btw. Especially the picture at the top and color scheme.
DO THE HALF!!!!!
Hi! Found your blog, and I want to echo all the congrats on your post-injury long run. I know those can be daunting when you are coming back from time off. I hope the epsom bath was helpful.