A Sympathetic Leg

Topic: A Training Crossroads
Key Words: Chicago Success, Knuckleheads, mental/physical breakdown
Word Count: 464
Next Likely Topic: Verizon Wireless Saved My Budget

I named a few last time, so here's my complete list of keys to Chicago Success:

1. Accelrade
2. Endurolytes
3. Glucosamine
4. Increase my mileage
5. Run at a heavier weight so I'll have more strength
6. New shoes to help my knee
7. Tag along with the 4:15 pace group on race day

Number 4 is key, and I'm now afraid I may not be able to execute it. To that point, here's the weekend's run:

I decided 10 miles with the Fall group was too much for the recovering hammy, so I decided to go from 3 miles on Thursday to 6 miles on Saturday. The big debate was whether to modify the Fall group route or run the 6 mile route with the Knuckleheads; I decided the Knucklehead timing would let me meet up with the Fall group and the seminar afterwards, so off I went. We ran up to Dunlavy and then I took McDuffie back down to the park; 1:00:34. The hamstring felt much like it did on Thursday; discomfort high on the leg, but it was bearable. Parts of the run (particularly hills) caused some pain, while there were periods where it was relatively quiet. I tried to run without giving to my left leg, but I don't think I succeeded very well. Today, the hamstring feels the same as always, but my achilles on the leg is quite angry; sympathy injury from giving to it I suppose. I'm stretching often, icing, and I'm going to look into some therapy; maybe that will help.

I'm worried that I'm going to have to break off from the Fall schedule. Unfortunately, next week is 11, then 12, then 15. If I can't make the next run due to the hammy, I don't see how I could possibly justify jumping back into 12 and certainly not 15. I had hoped the Fall schedule and trying to run 4 times a week would meet my goal of increasing my mileage, but now that's in limbo.

Even if I have to break off from the training, there's still value in Chicago. The HoustonFIT orientation reminded me of the value of finishing the race, regardless of your time. Beating Oprah may be in limbo, but finishing marathon #4 is still worth something to me.