The second week of training for the National Half-Marathon, to be run fifteen weeks hence on March 29, 2008, was held yesterday morning in South Arlington. I went out with the intermediate group, and we ran seven miles out and back on the Mount Vernon Trail at a 9:09 pace. Before the run, the Reebok rep came by with running outfits for the coaches. Reebok is sponsoring the training program, while my running club is supplying the coaches. I liked the running jacket provided, it was light-weight and wind-resistant, keeping me warm on a cold windy morning without allowing too much of a heat-buildup as the run progressed. (Above: Reebok's lightweight men's running jacket. Absolutely perfect for West Point graduates.)
During the run I developed a painful cramp in my right calf muscle, which I ran through. It hurt, although I couldn't imagine how you could injure your calf by just running. Perhaps the two miles I did the night before, an 8:28 outbound mile uphill and a 7:55 return, started the problem. I really should warm up before I just "head out" when I return home from work and before I eat dinner.
I was going to do 18 miles this morning. It was in my brain that eighteen was what was on the schedule and it's so hard to give up when it's locked in. Forget about the cold pelting rain out there, other runners were out in it. But as I worried my calf "injury" with my Runner's Stick, it really hurt. Dragging the stick over my right calf twenty times, even lightly, was pure agony. I decided not to do the eighteen, nor even to run at all today even though the rain stopped. (Above: The Stick. Hey you, it's my right calf that hurts.)
I couldn't walk up the stairs but I was wrestling with guilt about not augmenting last weekend's fifteen mile run with eighteen today. I feel like a such a slug. Are runners insane or merely strange?
13 comments:
Bummer!
Take a few days (or so) off and get well!
yes, it sounds to me like you need a little rest. That jacket is nice and if it do what you say that is awesome. Hope you're feeling better.
My wife uses the term "crazy" fairly liberally when refering to my running.
nice duds! but bad calf. Calling Dr. Bombay!
You obviously need to REST it for a bit.
I'm gonna go with crazy. But that's coming from me, so who knows. Dude...rest. Sounds like you need it. The marathon's in March. It's December. But nice duds!
And thanks again for your help and the ride last weekend. Priceless!
Needing to take a break.. at the same time the weather is pretty crappy.. seems like good timing.
Hehe, I'd say a little strange. All of us:)
It's the mental battle. "I know can do this" when our bodies are saying something else. Hang in there Peter...
Oh dear! One good thing about being a triathlete is there are other sports one can often do to maintain sanity when a running injury crops up. Hope your calf gets better soon!!
Yes, the concourse where we ran in the Twin's Metrodome last week is the place where, in October, Twin Cites Marathoners can warm up and use restrooms. I kept telling myself the concrete floor wasn't any harder than a concrete street.
Thanks for stopping by.
Hey, sometimes you just need to take a rest. Listen to your body. You'll be back out there in no time.
Insane! hahaha!
Hope your calf feels better!
Were your legs cold when the calf cramp hit?
I do not think there is any acceptable excuse for not running what's on the training schedule. I think it's a matter of how much inexcusable behaviour you can tolerate without demoting yourself to the club team.
I think runners are indeed insane! Ha. At least my husband thinks so...
Sorry your calf was giving you fits. I am sure some rest will do you good.
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