Saturday, September 24, 2011

Upswing

Since my last post ("Tired"), my body has actually bounced back a little. Maybe that post was cathartic. I ended the week with a total of 6 endurance workouts: 3 runs, 2 swims and a bike ride, plus some weights & calisthenics.

The swims are still pretty slow, but I'm starting to feel better in the pool. I swam 2000 yds on Monday (20 x 100yds; 30 sec rest), then 1500 yds on Friday (10 x 150yds; 40 sec rest). The ride went pretty well, although my right knee was sore for the last 5 miles. Monday's run was a slow HR run, but my Thursday and Saturday runs were surprising. Thursday was 3 miles with a fast middle mile (6:54), and this morning, mile 4 (of 4.27) was 7:28...so I'm testing the wheels just a little. I'm still not ready to blast out a fast overall run (I can tell I can't yet sustain a fast pace beyond just a mile or so). Unlike a few days ago, my energy levels seemed to be up by the end of the week.

One concern I have is for my daughter Natalie. Her right heel has been hurting (sound familiar?) As soon as she complained about it this morning, we cut her run short, and I continued on for a bit. When we got home, she was introduced to the ice pack. She nearly ripped it off her foot after a minute or so, but stuck with it for 12 minutes (I've iced so much the last few years that I hardly even notice it anymore. It feels good to me.) She has her first cross-country meet next Wednesday, so I told her to let her coach know if her heel hurts at her next practice. I've been working with her on her form, but she still overstrides and heel-strikes. I'm hoping it's just a bone bruise and not the start of a fracture. I certainly don't want her to go through anything close to what I've had to endure. If she has to miss part, or all, of the season, I'd prefer that to a potential long-term injury. Fingers crossed.

So with that, I bid you adieu. I'm looking forward to a good training week ahead. Stay thirsty, my friends.

3 comments:

  1. It seems like we have weeks like that no matter what, even while the miles are low, it sounds like you're still putting in some good training time. Makes the good weeks even better, I think!

    Hope the daughter's heel rebounds well.

    Happy training!

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  2. Having been on the DL for well over 18-months with heel pain due to PF and Achilles Tendinitis, I feel for your daughter's pain (and yours)! I had to relearn 35 years of over-striding heel striking to land on my forefoot and it was not easy but wow, what a difference it has made (also wearing LOW heel drop shoes and strengthening my hip). I hope your daughter's pain is better and she's able to keep up the excellent job in XC. And so happy your energy levels are picking up...that definitely makes a big difference!!

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