"Once we accept our limits, we go beyond them"

RedRunner · 15-09-2013 02:21PM

Followed the physios orders and kept it short. The back just felt very stiff as if it was working against me but no real pain during the run . Legs felt very strong as I would have hoped anyway after such a long rest period.

A few hours later the back is feeling stiffer, so am hoping that contiued work on the exercises and a bit of work from the physio on Tuesday will bring things along. Until then I'll do a similar run tomorrow and Tuesday I think.

Felt weird to be running again, concentrated mostly on keeping good form and running tall. Good to be able to log a few miles again.

3.4mi@9:18avg

Avg HR: 144
Max HR: 156

WTD|3.4
MTD|3.4
YTD|817.27

ncmc · 16-09-2013 02:40PM

Best of luck getting back out there RR, fingers crossed for Dublin. I'm back to baby steps myself this week (but my absence is down to laziness rather than injury) so ill be following with interest how you build the miles back up.

Good call on missing Athlone, I'm just catching up after holidays and I was screaming 'noooo... Don't do it' at the screen! One missed race is nothing in the grand scheme if things.

RedRunner · 16-09-2013 04:05PM

ncmc wrote: »

Best of luck getting back out there RR, fingers crossed for Dublin. I'm back to baby steps myself this week (but my absence is down to laziness rather than injury) so ill be following with interest how you build the miles back up.

Good call on missing Athlone, I'm just catching up after holidays and I was screaming 'noooo... Don't do it' at the screen! One missed race is nothing in the grand scheme if things.

Thanks. It took a while for me to come round but I made the right decision in the end.

Yes, watch this space for this is where miracles happen;) Got a 4miler in today at lunchtime.Full details will be posted later. I will make DCM if it kills me!...well you know what I mean

Considering now what to adjust my target to...possibly sub 4hrs now rather than 3:45.

HelenAnne · 16-09-2013 09:47PM

Glad you're back running & hope you stay fit. I'm on the sidelines now - we're like weather people!

RedRunner · 16-09-2013 10:00PM

HelenAnne wrote: »

Glad you're back running & hope you stay fit. I'm on the sidelines now - we're like weather people!

Thanks Helen.What's up with you? You were going great guns recently.

RedRunner · 16-09-2013 10:09PM

Monday 16th September

Popped out at lunchtime for this one . Along the north quays and up to Phoenix Park as far as the first r/about on Chesterfield Ave and back again via the South Quays. Nice comfortable run in windy conditions. Back felt ok and it felt loosened up after the run. Bothers me more when I'm sitting for a while and then have to move again. I feel like one of those old cars that have to be manually cranked up but once I get going I'm grand.:D

left quad is a bit tight at moment, possibly a side effect of all these "Clam" exercises I'm doing at the moment for my glutes.

3.89mi@8:56avg

Avg HR: 145
Max HR: 161

WTD|7.29
MTD|7.29
YTD|821.16

HelenAnne · 16-09-2013 11:03PM

RedRunner wrote: »

Thanks Helen.What's up with you? You were going great guns recently.

Have done something to my ankle / calf / tendon. Not sure what. I sort of blame my very worn shoes, so maybe my new ones will give me more support & I'll get back on track. Only managed 16 miles last week altogether. Missed my 22 miles on Sunday. If I get better I'll skip the half and do it this weekend, if not, I won't have enough marathon training done ... oh well, it happens I suppose & I've been lucky up to now.

HelenAnne · 16-09-2013 11:04PM

RedRunner wrote: »

Monday 16th September

left quad is a bit tight at moment, possibly a side effect of all these "Clam" exercises I'm doing at the moment for my glutes.

I love those clams. We do them in Pilates a lot. V preferable to side planks etc!

RedRunner · 16-09-2013 11:54PM

HelenAnne wrote: »

Have done something to my ankle / calf / tendon. Not sure what. I sort of blame my very worn shoes, so maybe my new ones will give me more support & I'll get back on track. Only managed 16 miles last week altogether. Missed my 22 miles on Sunday. If I get better I'll skip the half and do it this weekend, if not, I won't have enough marathon training done ... oh well, it happens I suppose & I've been lucky up to now.

Personally I think you have, especially if you can get back into it this week or next. Certainly enough to get around in a decent time, maybe not your best time but a decent time. I've resigned myself to the fact that I won't do my best time now, but I can still get a PB and that's what's keeping me going. If I can get LSRs of 18,22,18,20 over next four weekends I'll be very happy.

HelenAnne · 17-09-2013 10:34AM

RedRunner wrote: »

Personally I think you have, especially if you can get back into it this week or next. Certainly enough to get around in a decent time, maybe not your best time but a decent time. I've resigned myself to the fact that I won't do my best time now, but I can still get a PB and that's what's keeping me going. If I can get LSRs of 18,22,18,20 over next four weekends I'll be very happy.

Yes, that would be loads! Hope you get all that done. If my pain completely goes and I get completely better, I'd do 22, 14, 22, 14, 8, but I doubt I'll be able for that! I don't have a marathon time in mind & would be delighted just to finish, but because the pain is the back of my leg, I'm afraid it's a tendon and that it might snap as i hobbled round the marathon, so I'm going to wait & see before doing any high mileage. There'll be other marathons!

I got new shoes yesterday AT LAST (they were delayed in the post) and that might help. My old one were very worn, on my last run I could actually feel my heel slipping inwards in them. Fingers crossed a rub down (tomorrow) and new shoes will help.

Hope you're continuing to improve.

Runchick · 17-09-2013 01:25PM

Hey RR great to see your back on the road

Adjusting the target and enjoying the day sounds like an excellent plan - best of luck with the long runs and might see ya somewhere around the 4 hour pacers then

RedRunner · 17-09-2013 04:53PM

HelenAnne wrote: »

Yes, that would be loads! Hope you get all that done. If my pain completely goes and I get completely better, I'd do 22, 14, 22, 14, 8, but I doubt I'll be able for that! I don't have a marathon time in mind & would be delighted just to finish, but because the pain is the back of my leg, I'm afraid it's a tendon and that it might snap as i hobbled round the marathon, so I'm going to wait & see before doing any high mileage. There'll be other marathons!

I got new shoes yesterday AT LAST (they were delayed in the post) and that might help. My old one were very worn, on my last run I could actually feel my heel slipping inwards in them. Fingers crossed a rub down (tomorrow) and new shoes will help.

Hope you're continuing to improve.

If the injury is that precarious then yes I understand you being tentative about the marathon and much better to make sure it is an enjoyable experience.

Hope the new shoes make a difference and you get back to full fitness soon.

RedRunner · 17-09-2013 04:55PM

Runchick wrote: »

Hey RR great to see your back on the road Adjusting the target and enjoying the day sounds like an excellent plan - best of luck with the long runs and might see ya somewhere around the 4 hour pacers then

Thanks RC. See you on the start line!

RedRunner · 17-09-2013 11:20PM

Tuesday 17th September

Returned to Physio today. He sees definite improvement and says we are going in the right direction. Left Hammy still very tight so focus on that side this week and have some additional variations on exercises to improve core strength.

A 10mile LSR this week was as far as he was prepared to sanction for this week but is hopeful that I could go for 18 the following week if progress continues. So I'm thinking 10,18,22,20,12 over next five Sundays perhaps as a run in so just a two week taper instead of three. If I can manage that I'll be happy.

So to today's run. Didn't get out till late and ran in drizzly rain. Ran to feel, keeping easy and didn't look at watch during the run. Back was ok, no pain but definitely knew it was there.

5.65mi@9:32avg

Avg HR: 135
Max HR: 161

WTD|12.94
MTD|12.94
YTD|826.81

RedRunner · 19-09-2013 12:16AM

Wednesday 18th September

20 mins on exercise bike followed the guts of an hour stretching and foam rolling. Jaded tired after that!

Weighed in this morning and am absolutely shocked that I haven't put up a few pound since Ive done little running over past few week and have been a complete chocolate whore!

chocolate.jpg

Starting Weight Jan '13|15 St 7 lbs/98.4Kg
Last Month|14 St 11 lb/94.1Kg
This Month| 14 St 9 lbs/92.98Kg
Target DCM '13|14St 10lbs/93.4Kg

career_move · 19-09-2013 02:28PM

RedRunner wrote: »

Weighed in this morning and am absolutely shocked that I haven't put up a few pound since Ive done little running over past few week and have been a complete chocolate whore!

You're doing better than me then - I'm 3lbs heavier since my last weigh in. Bloody tapering :mad::D Thanks for adding your details to the HM thread

HelenAnne · 20-09-2013 02:27PM

RedRunner wrote: »

If the injury is that precarious then yes I understand you being tentative about the marathon and much better to make sure it is an enjoyable experience.

Hope the new shoes make a difference and you get back to full fitness soon.

Thank you! Finally stopped waiting for it to go & went to physio - looks like I sprained my ankle two weeks ago and running about 50-60 miles on it since means I've inflamed my calf muscles and tendons. Anyway, it's not the end of the world - I'm delighted it's a sprain rather than a tendon tear or something! No running till next week & then we'll see. I'm now thinking IF (& only if) I could manage 14 miles on 29 September, 20-22 the week after and then 14, then 8 after i MIGHT still make DCM? I don't know, I've done two twentys, an 18.5 and two 17s since I started marathon training, maybe that will stand to me? Does that sound mad?

How are you getting on? Hope you're ok & that your back is continuing to improve?

RedRunner · 21-09-2013 12:01AM

HelenAnne wrote: »

Thank you! Finally stopped waiting for it to go & went to physio - looks like I sprained my ankle two weeks ago and running about 50-60 miles on it since means I've inflamed my calf muscles and tendons. Anyway, it's not the end of the world - I'm delighted it's a sprain rather than a tendon tear or something! No running till next week & then we'll see. I'm now thinking IF (& only if) I could manage 14 miles on 29 September, 20-22 the week after and then 14, then 8 after i MIGHT still make DCM? I don't know, I've done two twentys, an 18.5 and two 17s since I started marathon training, maybe that will stand to me? Does that sound mad?

How are you getting on? Hope you're ok & that your back is continuing to improve?

No, not mad at all, IMO.Glad to hear its nothing serious. Hopefully I can join you on that 20-22:)

Back is feeling stronger. Still not 100% but getting there.

RedRunner · 21-09-2013 12:13AM

Friday 20th September

Rested Wednesday and Thursday and focused on the exercises.

Tonight ,went out and took it easy to start out with. back was feelin ok so decided to push it a little and see how it went . In the end it turned into a bit of a tempo progression run. Very happy with how it went. Aerobically felt good. Legs were perfect after it and no bad reaction from back.

Max HR seems a little high since I wasn't flat out and felt comfortable.

4.39mi@8:35avg

9:13,8:51,8:29,8:05,(7:49)

That can be my session for the week:)

Avg HR: 145
Max HR: 175

WTD|13.93
MTD|17.33
YTD|831.2

Working tomorrow and then between kids matches and All-ireland Final on Sunday not much room for LSR so think I will run home from work. Am tempted to a little more than 10 though.

HelenAnne · 21-09-2013 07:49AM

RedRunner wrote: »

Working tomorrow and then between kids matches and All-ireland Final on Sunday not much room for LSR so think I will run home from work. Am tempted to a little more than 10 though.

Well done on your week, sounds like you're improving, yay! I know I am not normally so cautious (being of the 'just run what you feel like, man!' school of running!) but maybe someone more experienced will jump in with an opinion - will you be ok running further than 10 miles when all your runs lately have been shorter? Just see how you feel & dodn't compromise your recovery.

RedRunner · 21-09-2013 09:34AM

HelenAnne wrote: »

Well done on your week, sounds like you're improving, yay! I know I am not normally so cautious (being of the 'just run what you feel like, man!' school of running!) but maybe someone more experienced will jump in with an opinion - will you be ok running further than 10 miles when all your runs lately have been shorter? Just see how you feel & dodn't compromise your recovery.

You're probably right. With 14 total so far this week shouldnt have too long an lsr. I was only thinking of 12 at most when I said more than 10 though. Will see how I'm feeling on the run.

You going to the a.g.m on thurs?

RedRunner · 21-09-2013 07:47PM

Saturday 21st September

Ran home from work to day the scenic route. Plan was for 10 miles with maybe 1 or 2 extra if i could manage it. Was comfortable enough up to 8 miles but at that stage I was beginning to tire. This is a bit worrying from an endurance perspective:eek:. So decide it would be 10 and not any longer. I'm hoping the tiredness is just down to a hard week at work with long hours and late nights as a result which meant less rest and sleep.

Was very warm too so was loing a lot of fluids and didnt take any water on board till about 8 miles. Back was ok. There was a little discomfort but nothing serious.

10.0mi@9:33avg

Avg HR: 143
Max HR: 160

WTD|23.93
MTD|27.33
YTD|841.2

RedRunner · 22-09-2013 11:36PM

up the dubs!

HelenAnne · 23-09-2013 10:18AM

RedRunner wrote: »

You going to the a.g.m on thurs?

Unfortunately I can't make it - my sister and nephew are coming for dinner and to stay the night. It's worth going though - I went last year and you really get to hear what all the different strands of the club are up to.

Last year I presented a report on how the Fit 4 Lifers were doing. Sinead will probably do that this year, so I'll get some info together on how we're doing!

I am becoming a retired runner and an expert exercise biker at this stage! Did 1hr 40 on the bike on Saturday, then in & out of town on a normal bike plus 30 mins on the exercise bike yesterday and cycled to work this morning. Cycling isn't winning me over - wish I could run!

HelenAnne · 23-09-2013 01:09PM

PS sorry for hogging your thread, but found this in a book I was reading (Running & being by George Sheehan) and thought you would like it, based on your log title:

'On the way home I recalled a Nikos Kazantzakis in “Report To Greco” asking his grandfather’s ghost for a command. His grandfather answered, “Reach what you can, my child.” But Kazantzakis refused that command and asked for a more difficult, “more Cretan” command. The ghost then thundered, “Reach for what you cannot.”
I may put that slogan on my running shirt. If there is a better rule for the marathoner, I have yet to hear it. If you try to be all you can be, you have to expect a failure from time to time. Finding the limits of your ability will most certainly end eventually in a walk to the finish line. Which is why you can never tell from the agate who is a failure and who is a success; who is simply out there grooving and who is reaching what he cannot; who is a twenty miler and who is a marathoner. Only God and the runner knows that.'

RedRunner · 23-09-2013 02:49PM

HelenAnne wrote: »

PS sorry for hogging your thread, but found this in a book I was reading (Running & being by George Sheehan) and thought you would like it, based on your log title:

'On the way home I recalled a Nikos Kazantzakis in “Report To Greco” asking his grandfather’s ghost for a command. His grandfather answered, “Reach what you can, my child.” But Kazantzakis refused that command and asked for a more difficult, “more Cretan” command. The ghost then thundered, “Reach for what you cannot.”
I may put that slogan on my running shirt. If there is a better rule for the marathoner, I have yet to hear it. If you try to be all you can be, you have to expect a failure from time to time. Finding the limits of your ability will most certainly end eventually in a walk to the finish line. Which is why you can never tell from the agate who is a failure and who is a success; who is simply out there grooving and who is reaching what he cannot; who is a twenty miler and who is a marathoner. Only God and the runner knows that.'

Love that!

blockic · 23-09-2013 05:11PM

HelenAnne wrote: »

PS sorry for hogging your thread, but found this in a book I was reading (Running & being by George Sheehan) and thought you would like it, based on your log title:

'On the way home I recalled a Nikos Kazantzakis in “Report To Greco” asking his grandfather’s ghost for a command. His grandfather answered, “Reach what you can, my child.” But Kazantzakis refused that command and asked for a more difficult, “more Cretan” command. The ghost then thundered, “Reach for what you cannot.”
I may put that slogan on my running shirt. If there is a better rule for the marathoner, I have yet to hear it. If you try to be all you can be, you have to expect a failure from time to time. Finding the limits of your ability will most certainly end eventually in a walk to the finish line. Which is why you can never tell from the agate who is a failure and who is a success; who is simply out there grooving and who is reaching what he cannot; who is a twenty miler and who is a marathoner. Only God and the runner knows that.'

Wow..work of art right there, poetry in motion! That would be right at home in the literature forum!

RedRunner · 24-09-2013 11:36PM

Sunday 22nd September

Come onnnnn youuuuu boyyyys in Blue,Come on you boys in blue!

Great win for the Capital on Sunday, no running of course, plenty of elbow exercising though:) After being stood on Hill16 for a couple of hours though my back was killing me...but it was worth it. On Monday no ill effects, hangover wasn't too bad and back seemed to be getting back to near normal.

Monday 23rd September

Rested. Tired and emotional!:D

Tuesday 24th September

Saw the physio this evening and he decided he was going to "release" my back. So he went to work and had me doing all sorts of contortions while he tried to push my hips and back into the right places. Have a new set of exercises to do now and don't have to see him for another two weeks. I can increase the mileage this week so we agreed I could do 6 tonight, 10 on thursday and 16-18 on Sunday.

My hope would be to try and do some at MP on thursday. Was thinking maybe 6 but is it too early to try this? Any advice Meno et al?

Tonight's run went really well. Didn't get out until after 9pm so was a little tired but overall felt good and no issues from the back. Was particularly happy that the HR is back down to a good level for easy effort.

5.8mi@9:15avg

Avg HR: 124
Max HR: 145

WTD|5.8
MTD|33.13
YTD|847

RedRunner · 26-09-2013 10:58PM

Thursday 26th September

Did same route tonight as I did last Saturday. Decided to take CMs advice and do 2 mi w/u and c/d with 3 x 2mi @ MP with 2mins jog in between.

This was by far the best run i've done since I got injured several weeks ago. Felt quite good throughout even though some of the run was into quite a strong headwind, still maintained the MP and at the end of the run felt like I still had plenty left in the tank. Happy days.

10.03mi@9:18avg

MP sections avg paces were: 8:52,9:00,8:56

Avg HR: 137
Max HR: 163

WTD|15.83
MTD|43.16
YTD|857.03

career_move · 26-09-2013 11:07PM

Good stuff RR. The best thing is that you enjoyed it and felt strong at the end

Oh and also I love it when I'm right

"Once we accept our limits, we go beyond them"

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