Training Log Archive: maprunner

one last check of control locations for next week's event at the Arboretum

Went to the doctor this morning to get a prescription for physical therapy, and then was lucky to get a lunch time appointment.

Therapist did a full evaluation of flexibility and strength. No surprise, I'm strong but stiff. Calves, hammies and back are tight She thinks the tight calves probably led to my recent bout of plantar fasciitis.

We're starting with softening and lengthening some key areas: calves, quads, hamstrings and IT band. I have to use the foam roller on the IT bad and quads: torture!

I did one set of exercises with the therapist, and a second set when I got home (after a short walk to warm up).

I learned one very exciting fact today: one no longer needs a prescription to see a physical therapist in Kansas*! Woo hoo, finally I can just make an appointment when I need a quick assessment, or a check up. Maybe I can do this once or twice a year, to keep me injury-free.

(* limited to 10 visits or 15 days, which ever comes first; after that you need a prescription)

C • Visit vs day? 3

Mike, Gene and I did a line O on Daisy Hill while the thunder clouds gathered in the distance. I walked. It was fun.

C • Daisy Hill 2

All arms tonight. Boy, are they wobbly now.

C • Arms 1

Decide to go to the track at lunch time to do my sprint drills, because it was supposed to be 90 degrees and very windy after work. Plus I had an appointment after work with a guy to look a replacing some siding on our house.

So I did some of usual warm up drills, but not all. And then I started the lactic training (200 meter repeats). I felt OK, not as tired as Sunday, and my first repeat was going well. I felt a twinge in my left hamstring, but I kept running. It wasn't so bad, and I'd gotten a twinge once or twice before.

i tried to walk it off during my three minute rest, but it was still bothering me, so I tried to stretch it. And then I tried a few steps of sprint motion, to test how it felt. Not good. Time to stop, go back to work and RICE with ibuprofen.

I was so bummed. it was hard to get through the rest of the work day, when all I wanted to do was go home, lie on the couch, cry, eat comfort foods and drink lots of alcohol (that's coming up very soon :)

Right now it hurts just sitting still, and it is stiff when I walk. I will do everything I can to make this heal faster; I welcome all suggestions.

Meanwhile I'm kicking myself mentally for getting in to this predicament. My best guess is that I didn't warm up enough (trying to rush the workout during my lunch break). I also read that stretching a hamstring right after an injury is not a good idea; maybe I made it worse? An outside possibility is that my new orthotics have thrown my balance off a bit, and put a different strain on my hamstring? Or it's tied to my recent bout of plantar fasciitis? Other wise, I'm at a loss. Wasn't trying anything I hadn't done before; was not ramping up my training too fast, I do lots of hamstring exercises with my trainer.

Right now, I'm going to throw myself a pity party and cry "why me?" for 15 minutes. Then I'll get over it and move on to healing.

C • Bummer! 2

Did my sprint drills to warm up (although it was mid 70's and getting hotter). HR monitor worked, somewhat. Still gets stuck at some ridiculously low number whenever I start to move faster.

Plan was to do the lactic training again today. Total fail. In the first rep, my form completely fell apart about 150 meters. My legs are tired from yesterday; I shouldn't have tried to run hard to day. So I quit and went home to relax, and I'll try again on Monday or Tuesday.