Man! I feel like a runner

15th - 21st March
35 miles this week over 6 days. I never got out on Monday after a work call ran a little late and I was hungry Didn’t bother with the HRM any day I think, but just tried to run easy enough by feel. It was nice to add a couple extra miles on Wednesday with the day off, and the weather has been just perfect for running. 2 x 45 min S&C sessions as usual, along with the rehab exercises most days.

My left calf started to feel a bit tight this week, which had me thinking I’m still not running at all efficiently despite all my activation exercises pre-run as well as general glute strengthening exercises. Funnily enough, the physio checked in with me and ended up suggesting he take a look at how I’m running on Saturday morning. There is nothing as likely to make you completely forget how you put one foot after the other as someone standing watching you :pac:
We went through a few things to try improve how the legs are moving, or rather the hips, so we’ll see. It’s not anything that can change overnight, but I’m willing to try it for a bit anyway.

Very boring log this week really...

29th March - 4th April

Mon 29th
Easy few miles after work, 3.4 miles @ 9.21/m.
To my shame last weekend I was tidying up a few things, and discovered a pair of runners I had entirely forgotten I’d bought around the same time I bought my Brooks (approx 6 months ago) - Nike EPIC Reacts ! Time to admit a shoe buying problem possibly! Anyway, I tried them on this day and they’re better feeling than the Infinity ones although probably still need a few more miles to break them in...

Tues 30th
40 mins S&C.
Was off work so nice opportunity to get a relaxed lunchtime run in with the sun shining. Threw in 8 x 20s hills, again just focusing on form over speed. 6 miles total @ 9.02/m

Weds 31st
Tried the Infinity React for what is probably the last time. They just felt like they were bruising my sole (more on the right foot though interestingly). I’d tried lacing them up differently also. Funny though, one of my brothers called me later in the week and as usual running came up, and he mentioned a new pair of Nikes that he found uncomfortable - the same ones :pac: must be our feet!
Anywho, 4 miles @ 9.25/m. Wore the HRM, 141 avg.
150 miles for the month.

Thurs 1st
Chose one of the more hilly routes around the roads. 6 miles @ 9.10/m (thanks to the downhills I suspect).

Fri 2nd
45 mins S&C.
I finished up work early and had fully intended on going for a run, but once I shut the laptop I decided to do some furniture rearranging and then bookshelf sorting.. and the evening completely got away from me! Not like it was lazy I guess.

Sat 3rd
Out in the lovely sun for 6.3 miles @ 9.14/m. Just a lovely morning.

Sun 4th
I decided to head into city centre for my long(ish) run Sunday morning. Lovely and peaceful, really just other runners and cyclists about. 8.3 miles @ 9.29/m. Think the couple of glasses of wine the night before helped keep my pace down

34.3 miles for the week.

The hamstring is holding up well, left calf a little tight at times so just need to keep rolling it and doing my activation exercises before I head out the door (which I am doing most days), as well all the other ‘stuff’. I do feel like my legs are lifting better but sometimes I wonder how much of that is just in the head!!

Mon 5th - Sun 11th April

21 miles over 5 days running. 2 x 45 min S&C sessions, 1 x 15 min yoga

I feel like I’ve been doing nothing but complaining on the log the last couple of months. While the hamstring is improved, the changes I’ve been trying to make to my running form seem to have done something else
The early part of the week was fine, and I added the 20 sec hills again on Tuesday’s run.
Thursday’s run was cut short with pain in my RIGHT leg (was the left that was always the problem before now), so I was sensible and turned for home sooner than planned. Rested Friday and Saturday, and headed out for a run today and it was fine for the first couple of miles, but certainly the last mile was quite uncomfortable. I have a few thoughts but honestly couldn’t be bothered writing them down. Will probably text the physio tomorrow and see, but right now I’m thinking a week off running for some proper rest might not be the worst thing.

Murph_D wrote: »

Oh go on, write down the thoughts! Sorry to hear of the difficulty.

They're more ramblings than thoughts and therefore not helpful to anyone I suspect, not even to myself!

Laineyfrecks wrote: »

Jaysus nothing like reading about S & M of a Tuesday:eek:

V did the tear hurt when it happened as in was it a sudden pain that made you want to go to the physio or was it a gradual thing?

There wasn't any sudden sharp pain as I would have always assumed happens, but I do remember precisely when the pain started i.e. running up the hill towards the Goat Thurs before last and I had to cut the run short. It was certainly foolish to run again the couple days later but sure I'd no clue what the damage was. It was obvious it was pain as opposed to tightness anyway.

Kellygirl wrote: »

Hi V, I’m rarely on here these days but I heard that you and me are in the same boat! It seems I’ve done damage to my soleus muscle ... hard enough to diagnose but typically if it’s not healed then it goes again at some point when you try a run again. It happened to me back in 2018 just before Dublin too. I ended up having to take 2 weeks complete rest though I could swim throughout. No pools open now unfortunately so trying to walk and that’s now causing me trouble. Physio said I could try cycling on the flat very gently. Anyway, my advice would be give it plenty time to heal. It’s a hard one as if you are like me it feels perfect. Also the physio has me doing loads and loads of single leg bent knee heel lifts. I’ve to work up to 3x30 of them 5 times a day. Best of luck with it.

Hey, nice to hear from you! Hope all is well besides the injury
Sounds like similar approaches from both our physios really. I'm going to do my best not to rush back, or do too much too soon. Good luck to you as well.