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JFK 50 Pre-race thoughts

Yeah right!

A few months ago that’s what I assumed I’d be writing today. Unfortunately, as you know too well, life and my body have taken me along a different path this fall. Instead of spending eight+ hours running through northwestern Maryland tomorrow, I’ll hopefully spend a half hour in the pool and then maybe lift some weights. (I’m certain Elizabeth doesn’t mind not being dragged around the countryside while I’m running!) But that’s how it goes. I’m accepting the fact that I’ve needed – and continue to need – this rest and recovery time. I still don’t like it, and I’m anxious to get back out there, but I know it was the right move. Some updates are due.

I am feeling much much better. I rarely feel my back/hip/butt pain. My left knee is almost completely better and my right knee is pain-free most of the time as well. I am again wondering when I’ll be able to try to run, not “if”. Here’s why:

I’ve been to see my new PT guy, Matt, four times now. I still like him – importantly, he’s smart and he listens. He’s given me some a lot of new exercises to do and gotten me into a better stretch routine. He’s got me concentrating about 80% on my core and 20% on my legs. One of the most important lessons he’s giving me is to make sure that I’m engaging my core at all times throughout my exercises. It’s easy to go through the motions, but much harder – and much more effective – to do them correctly. I like that he doesn’t just set me up on a session of E-Stim, ultrasound and ice. In fact, I’m not doing any of that – he helps me stretch, works on my IT band and then we do exercises for 30-40 minutes of the session. I feel like it’s more effective and I see it as a sign that he’s working with me.

The other thing that has been helping me is concentrating on making sure that I roll my quads and calves on a regular basis. And I mean pretty much every chance I get. I’m spending time on my IT bands as well as the front of my quads and the inside of my thighs. I can tell it works because if I’m in a little pain before I roll, that pain is essentially gone after I roll. I’m thinking this is a sign that I need to go back for another deep massage.

Last, and certainly not least, I have to thank my friend Diclofenac Sodium. This little anti-inflammatory pill is really hooking me up. I hate taking medicine and even a few weeks ago, wouldn’t take more than a few Alleve a week. When I saw the doctor earlier this month, he prescribed the anti-inflammatory. It took me about two weeks to fill the prescription, but now I’ve been on it for a week (750mg twice a day) and it helped almost immediately. Sometimes I wonder what will happen when I stop taking it, but mostly I’m just happy that it seems to be working.

Decision time is coming up. Monday is 21 weeks until Boston. That’s still enough time to train and get ready. But I feel waiting too much longer would be cutting it too close. Except for the run with Emily during the NY Marathon, I haven’t run in over five weeks. I’m doing a little swimming, indoor cycling and elliptical, but it’s not the same. I’m feeling better but am a little worried about that first run back. I’ll think about it for one more week, and re-evaluate then.

PT – November 10

Indoor ride – November 11
Time: 30 minutes
Average heart rate: 124

PT – November 12

Swim – November 13
Distance: 1,500 yards
Time: 30 minutes

Strength – November 13

Elliptical & Strength – November 14

Swim – November 15
Distance: 1,750 yard swim
Time: 35 minutes

Indoor ride – November 16
Time: 35 minutes
Average heart rate: 130

Strength – November 16

Swim – November 17
Distance: 1,500 yards
Time: 30 minutes

PT – November 18

Swim – November 19
Distance: 1,550 yards
Time: 30 minutes

Strength – November 19

PT – November 20

Indoor Ride – November 20
Time: 40 minutes
Average heart rate: 115