I realize now that I overdid it on my last long run. Although the run felt great at the time, I let my enthusiasm get ahead of my physical fitness and I am paying the price for it now.
I think the only way to get back on the path to my first ultramarathon is to take some time off from running so that my calf muscle can properly heal. Once healed, I can get back into jogging the trails slowly and then resume my training. I know this time will be hard--I don't do the sidelines thing very well.
I am in no way giving up on my ultramarathon goal. I am doing what I think is needed to recover.
Way to listen to your body and take the needed rest. Not always easy.... I am in that mode right now too :(
ReplyDeleteOver the last few months, I've done this a couple of times. Take the week off and put your feet up. When you're ready to get back into the game, either repeat your last running week, or pick up where you left off.
ReplyDeleteAlso, make sure you schedule an easy week every 4-5 weeks in your training plan. Your body will thank you for it.
I'm taking a 3-4 weeks off to let several nagging pains heal up and work on some weak areas. Nothing wrong with taking some time off. You will come back stronger!
ReplyDeleteHey Hey!
ReplyDeleteI ran a half marathon trail yesterday and about 8 miles into it my calf started nagging me and then the opposite knee. Very familiar with that kind of pain from running a full marathon this summer. I was able to tamp it down and still finished with an 11:40 pace, which is where I'm at when I'm training, but well under what I would have considered a competitive time. Was a little let down by this, but our goals sometimes exceed our present limitations. I think whats going on is my LCL and from what I've researched on the internet just now, common sense is to rest it and begin a strengthening therapy. I thought If I placed in the top 25% I'd try and do an ultra in 2011. I placed in the 57% range so I was well off but not impossibly close. Also the North Face Endurance Championship is an extremely competitive field. Well I know what I gotta do next year: Work on that climbing. Really.... I climbed 2,354 feet yesterday and now I can barely walk on one foot this morning. Rest up and strength train and cross train like yoga.
Thanks everyone for the great advice. While resting, I am doing some reading about the ChiRunning method. I am starting to think part of my problem is related to my running form or posture. So I've started looking into running methods like Chi and Pose. Anyone have experience with those?
ReplyDeleteI REALLY wanted to go running today. But I am behaving myself!
Hey there,
ReplyDeleteTake it easy on the calf. I typically reach the point one or two times every year where I "quit" running due to injuries. It never fails, a few weeks later, my body says it's time to run again.
Chi running is a smart way to run, but now might not be the best time for you, as transitioning to a mid/fore foot technique could put more emphasis on the calf. A common complaint during the transition period I have read is calf/achilles strain.
Best wishes!
Neal--thanks for the caution about transitioning to a mid foot strike. I don't need any more strain on the calf muscles!
ReplyDeleteBut actually, I have been using more of a forefoot strike, so moving to a mid foot will probably reduce the impact on my calf muscles (I hope!).
In hindsight, I think moving from heal to forefoot strike might be the root cause of all my calf injury problems. We'll see!
Thomas,
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear of your pause on the way to great health. Here is an intro video I thought you might like:
- ChiRunning Simplified!, Efficient and Injury Free Natural Running Technique
- http://www.eChifitness.com/chirunningsimplified.html
Landing and loading midfoot (relaxed fullfoot) can significantly reduce stress on the foot/lower leg. The key is flexibility in the calf/Achilles (via stretching) and loosening (primarily via the Body Loosener: Ankle Rolls, descriptions in the CR material or Google it).
I had foot/lower leg issues for two years until I tried ChiRunning. With focus and gradual progress, all aches gone within a week or two. Now running ultras as if a 5K.
Enjoy,
David.