September 23rd, 2009
So the race is over but my body is still in argumentative mode. I’ve never had to run three recovery runs in a row, but I have this week. Monday was a 5mi recovery run @ 9:45, Tues was a 9miler @ 9:25 and today was a 12miler at 9:13 (and I even had side stitches for 3 miles, lol). Technically, 12 miles is too long to be called recovery but it was slow going, so that’s what I’m calling it.
I don’t feel bad about having to take it slow these past few days, though it is a new one on me to not feel repaired by now. It could also be that I got my LadyTime yesterday, which might explain some of my discomfort during the race and why I’m feeling so drained and sleepy this week. I hope so, because otherwise I have SARS.
Thanks to everyone again for all the positive comments about the race. After all is said and done, I’m pretty pleased with the outcome. I looked at the 133 females who came in ahead of me and realized that only one woman was older than me (a 51 year-old with an Age Grade of 94.4% who came in at 1:22:13). So I’ve got absolutely nothing to pout about and it’s all onward and upward from here.
In other news, I had a new injury for a couple weeks that I didn’t mention because it was slight, but I think it’s worth typing out since you never know who might benefit from reading it. I had my first case of metatarsalgia for a couple weeks there (ball of foot pain), likely due to rotating a couple pairs of shoes with over 400 miles on them. It was pretty mild as far as injuries go in that I was able to run with it, though one day it really did feel like I had a pebble in my shoe (classic symptom).
I got rid of it without much ado by ordering a new pair of shoes, but more proactively, by simply massaging my foot whenever it started to “feel” (not on the run, but while sitting here at the computer). Took me about 10 days to figure out that I could knead the painful area without harm, and once I realized I could, it only stuck around a few more days. So no big story, but worth a mention.
As for the rest of the week, I’m going to attempt a speed session on Friday and then I have my first 20 (22 actually) this Sunday, so here’s hoping I’m back in fighting shape by Friday. The workout looks like this: 3 easy, 2x(10x400m @ 10k – 5k pace w/1min rec), full recovery between sets, 3miles easy. 400s – not your usual marathon workout but should be fun to do and get some movement back in my legs. Good stuff.
Now if I can keep my eyes open for the rest of the day, I’ll be a force to be reckoned with (against what I’ve no idea, but it’ll be real forceful, that’s for sure).
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I just stumbled upon your blog, so I haven’t read all of it yet. I’m 39 and I live in Sinking Spring. I did last year’s PDR and this year’s Lehigh Valley Half, too.
You are such an inspiration! You are really fast, especially for someone who started runner a couple years ago. I just wanted to let you know that you are motivating me to train harder.
You did a great job at the PDR and should be proud of yourself. I hope to see you at a race sometime, but I think I will be very far behind you!
Metatarsalgia…this was one of my candidates for what caused (and occasionally still does cause) my foot pain. It was in the ball of my foot but also radiated into the smaller toes on the left of the foot. I finally figured out a way to quiet it–scrunch the toes, as if you are trying pull yourself forward with your toes, inchworm style. This strengthens the foot, and for me, actually makes it go away if it is flaring up. Something to keep in mind if this crops up again, or for anyone else reading.
Anyways! Don’t worry about the slower recovery. I’m sure you’ll be ready to rock by the weekend. I continue to marvel at your performance. Seriously, only one woman older than you was ahead of you? That is some serious awesomeness.
Yup, nothing to pout about. According the the RW calculator your AG score was 79.66%. Wow.
Do you think you might have recovered faster if you’d taken a day off on Monday?
Those numbers make your time at the PDR even more impressive. And if it makes you feel any better, I didn’t get my legs back under me until Thursday after my half a couple weeks ago. I hear you on the shoes too. I bet that will solve most of your issues. If not, what Mir said sounds good too.
Melissa, thanks for popping in! Small world that you were at Lehigh Valley. If you ever see me at a race, please please say hello.
Mir, aha, another metatarsalgia sufferer, sorry to hear it but glad you got a handle on it. Great tip with the scrunchy toes, I’ll remember that.
Jim, the race results rounded it off to 79.7%, so I swear I wasn’t a liar in the previous post.
About Monday being off, actually no, I think it was good that I did Monday’s slog because it left my legs feeling better. I could probably have gone just 9 today and been better off for it, but I was trying to overachieve with my blistering 9:13 pace.
Zab, very glad to know the slow recovery is normal, thanks for sharing that bit of info. Yeah, the kneading and shoes got rid of the problem about 6 days before race day, so all is right with the world in foot land.
who knew LadyTime was contagious? I too am blaming it for my not want I wanted but still a PR on Sun.
That’s good. The DA survives. Yes, onward and upward for you. Next year, something around 1:26 I reckon – and that’s not one of my crazy predictions.
20 x 400 is some session. I’d love to be there timing the 1 minute recoveries
Doggie, I think I got LadyTime from you after reading your email, so yeah, very contagious. ;-)
Ewen, that is a beyond crazy prediction, you’ve passed the insanity line, but that’s what makes you so entertaining. Hah, about the recoveries – Garmin will have to suffice until you get over here with your stopwatch.
What is this ladytime I keep hearing about? Is that like happy hour where the ladies get 1/2 price drinks or something?
Seriously though, LOVE the new pics on top of the page Flo!
I really love the new banner at the top of your blog!!! And always you continue to remind to just keep struggling to move forwards.
Tobey and Christi, thanks for the pic compliments, mucho appreciated.
Christi, just remember “struggling” is only a sometimes-and-as-little-as-possible thing, sure and steady gets the worm (or something like that).
Tobey, it means free drinks! If you’re a vampire. (h)
SARS…and last week it was SFX. Did your PDR fall open to the S’s?
You are still a good 45 days out from taper madness, we are going to have to take all your shoe laces, belts and sharp objects away by then!!!! Recovery runs are good, most my runs are at that pace…or slower.
Wow- great placement on the race! Why are you worried about the 2 recovery runs? I often recover 2 days. This past weekend, I did 10K followed by 21 the next day. After that I had 2 easy days. No shame in recovering!
Jhowdy, too funny.
LARunner, it was 3 recovery runs in a row. I’ve never even needed 2 in a row, much less 3, so that was unusual. Feeling fine now though, so no worries.