I missed the 4km run yesterday, because I was instead trying out.
Though it felt closer to some kind of voluntary torture. I was put through sprint drills, plyometrics, regular strength tests, defense scrimmages, and then the full-on scrimmage against the other half.
By the end of it, all the muscles in my upper legs felt like painful lead.
And then I did the ultimate silly thing, and went to do my long-slow run of 8km today.
If I thought it was hard getting onto and off of chairs yesterday, it's worse today.
Almost half-way through today's run (from the store, up along the canal to the Mackenzie King Bridge and back), I developed a stitch in what I believe was my diaphragm. I'm not entirely certain if that was the location, but it hurt with every breath I took. I took that as a sign that, as much as I want to be in good shape for 10km, my body's health is more important, and I walked as much as I needed to. I also took a short-cut home, up Holmwood St. instead of continuing down to the bridge.
I will definitely be taking tomorrow off in order to recuperate for (hopefully) Tuesday run and then Wednesday's hill training.
Sunday, April 19, 2009
Friday, April 17, 2009
The Hills
Bad updater, no cookie.
We did our first round of hill-training this week! I was so super-excited that I was bouncing on my toes before we went out for our run.
We took a slow run to the hill, over at Bronson Place. Then there was a small hill, supposed to be 400 metres. We went up and down it three times, and by the end of the third, I was thinking, "Is that it?"
However, on the run back, I was definitely feeling the thighs!
Then we received strict instruction not to run the following day.
We did our first round of hill-training this week! I was so super-excited that I was bouncing on my toes before we went out for our run.
We took a slow run to the hill, over at Bronson Place. Then there was a small hill, supposed to be 400 metres. We went up and down it three times, and by the end of the third, I was thinking, "Is that it?"
However, on the run back, I was definitely feeling the thighs!
Then we received strict instruction not to run the following day.
Sunday, April 12, 2009
This Long Run Sucked
Today we were without our Fearless Leader, James. Something about that dude, long ago, rising from the dead and disappearing three days later... Oh yeah, happy Easter. Even if you don't celebrate it.
Anyway, I'm probably crankier than I was earlier about the run. It was supposed to be a long, slow run of 8km, but wound up being 7km. However, with the absolutely bitchy wind, it felt like forever.
As we set out, the middle pack had a leader who is usually placed in the fast group. Now I know why - she was at the fast group's pace, and rapidly out-distanced the four people who were not looking for a fast run. Since I was already low on energy, I was one of those four.
This incident also highlights the need to take a timer of any type with you - cellphone, watch, iPod, anything that counts minutes. Since we lost our leader so early on, it became a bit of guesswork to figure out exactly how long until the next walk minute was.
And I have learned another lesson: I don't care how lazy you are, how awesome the TV line-up is, etc. Have a square meal the evening before a running morning. In fact, if you're not in the habit of at least three meals plus snacks (healthy of course!), get into it right away. My shining example: Yesterday, I had:
1/2 bagel with peanut butter (pre-run)
2 eggs, 2 pieces of toast, and 2 strips of bacon (around 11 a.m.)
8 perogies (around 9 p.m.)
See that huge gap of 10 hours? The human body is not meant to go that long without food, and to have foolishly eaten such a one-sided meal meant that I lacked a lot of energy and could have hurt myself due to either physical exhaustion or mental carelessness due to exhaustion.
Don't do that.
Anyway, I'm probably crankier than I was earlier about the run. It was supposed to be a long, slow run of 8km, but wound up being 7km. However, with the absolutely bitchy wind, it felt like forever.
As we set out, the middle pack had a leader who is usually placed in the fast group. Now I know why - she was at the fast group's pace, and rapidly out-distanced the four people who were not looking for a fast run. Since I was already low on energy, I was one of those four.
This incident also highlights the need to take a timer of any type with you - cellphone, watch, iPod, anything that counts minutes. Since we lost our leader so early on, it became a bit of guesswork to figure out exactly how long until the next walk minute was.
And I have learned another lesson: I don't care how lazy you are, how awesome the TV line-up is, etc. Have a square meal the evening before a running morning. In fact, if you're not in the habit of at least three meals plus snacks (healthy of course!), get into it right away. My shining example: Yesterday, I had:
1/2 bagel with peanut butter (pre-run)
2 eggs, 2 pieces of toast, and 2 strips of bacon (around 11 a.m.)
8 perogies (around 9 p.m.)
See that huge gap of 10 hours? The human body is not meant to go that long without food, and to have foolishly eaten such a one-sided meal meant that I lacked a lot of energy and could have hurt myself due to either physical exhaustion or mental carelessness due to exhaustion.
Don't do that.
Sunday, April 5, 2009
Common Sense > Stubbornness
As a follow-up to yesterday's post, common sense totally trumps stubbornness.
When I woke up this morning, I didn't feel so much as a twinge from my hamstring. I will credit to going no faster than a walk yesterday.
This morning, the weather was -6 with wind chill, but I dressed warmly on top and in my new running capris. Turns out that was a good idea - doing 7km in that weather is enough to bring a sweat but not to overheat. And nary a complaint from the hamstring.
The knees were not pleased at not being stretched out, though.
In other news, I now have an exercise ball! My AT and I have been talking about it for a while, and I decided to take the plunge. It's a trusted brand, Everlast (they do a lot of boxing gear too), comes with a DVD, inflating instructions, two-way pump, and the ball. All for $20 at Walmart.
Can't wait for my first full work-out!
When I woke up this morning, I didn't feel so much as a twinge from my hamstring. I will credit to going no faster than a walk yesterday.
This morning, the weather was -6 with wind chill, but I dressed warmly on top and in my new running capris. Turns out that was a good idea - doing 7km in that weather is enough to bring a sweat but not to overheat. And nary a complaint from the hamstring.
The knees were not pleased at not being stretched out, though.
In other news, I now have an exercise ball! My AT and I have been talking about it for a while, and I decided to take the plunge. It's a trusted brand, Everlast (they do a lot of boxing gear too), comes with a DVD, inflating instructions, two-way pump, and the ball. All for $20 at Walmart.
Can't wait for my first full work-out!
Saturday, April 4, 2009
Where Common Sense Trumps Stubbornness
I went to watch my clinic's presentation about biomechanics today, but I myself did not run. My hamstring began to hurt yesterday, and during my athletic therapist (AT) appointment, she recommended not playing Ultimate last night, to preserve any goodwill my hamstring had for me today.
When I stopped playing Ulti half-way through the game, I consoled myself with thoughts that at least I'd be able to run today.
When I got up this morning, I realized that I was still in a bit of pain, and though I could run today, the 4km I would do today would not be nearly as important as the 7km run tomorrow.
It didn't help that today's heavy mist/drizzly rain is cold and non-enjoyable.
So now I relax at home, only sort-of watching soccer, and dreaming of tomorrow's run.
Remember, kids: one day of injury-preventative rest can save you two weeks or more of injury-recovery rest.
When I stopped playing Ulti half-way through the game, I consoled myself with thoughts that at least I'd be able to run today.
When I got up this morning, I realized that I was still in a bit of pain, and though I could run today, the 4km I would do today would not be nearly as important as the 7km run tomorrow.
It didn't help that today's heavy mist/drizzly rain is cold and non-enjoyable.
So now I relax at home, only sort-of watching soccer, and dreaming of tomorrow's run.
Remember, kids: one day of injury-preventative rest can save you two weeks or more of injury-recovery rest.
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