I think the phase I’m in can be summed up by this quote I saw on Julie’s blog:
My hamstring is permanently achy, but it doesn’t seem to get any worse. I’m trying to rest it as much as possible, but I also can’t stop running completely. My race is now SIX DAYS AWAY.
I’m linking up as always with Kim and Deborah for this Weekly Rundown- thanks, ladies! Let’s see how the week went…
Sunday
Leg day at the gym! Focused on squats- I’m not doing any more deadlifts until my hamstring calms down. In addition to the squats I did leg curls, leg extensions, glute press… the usual.
Monday
This was an easy day- a 2 mile walk followed by a Caroline Girvan abs workout.
Tuesday
Back to the gym! Giving my hamstring one more day to rest up- 45 minutes on the Stairmaster, followed by some core.
Wednesday
4 mile run that felt AWFUL! I was tired, my hamstring ached, and my hips were achy as well. What the…??? I preceded this run with hip stability exercises, and I guess my body didn’t like that.
Thursday
In the morning I did Caroline Girvan’s deadbug workout, and then upper body strength, featuring more work on the pull up bar (ouch). In the afternoon I took a 2 mile walk to try out my new trail shoes, Topo Ultraventure!
Why in the world (you might ask) would I be switching shoes NOW? Well- I’ve decided I don’t like my trail shoes. My options would be to run my trail race in road shoes, or try new trail shoes. So I’m trying these! So far, so good.
Friday
The shoes felt good so I decided to try them on a short run. But first- I did a lengthy mobility routine, hoping to warm up those hips and hamstrings.
In the afternoon I made my now-weekly trip to the chiropractor. He worked on my hamstring, both hips, and adjusted my upper and lower back. We agreed that… it is what it is. I’m going to run this race, and then take a rest so my body can calm down and heal.
Saturday
Unexpected day off! The plan was to go to the gym with my daughter after work, but in the middle of the morning she texted me that she was going earlier with a friend. Oh, really? FINE! I went home after work and took a 90 minute nap instead. I really fell into a deep sleep, and I think it was more rejuvenating than any workout would have been,
I did go for another 2 mile walk before dinner, just to keep the blood flowing. No photo, because my walking pictures are boring.
Sunday
Happy Easter! I will be sleeping AS LATE AS POSSIBLE. Then- waffles, blog reading, and in the afternoon I’ll do some cooking (lasagna for Easter dinner). Later in the afternoon I’m going for a short 4-5 mile trail run in the new shoes.
Moving forward- I’m excited about my race THIS SATURDAY! I wish my hamstring didn’t hurt, but I’m going to enjoy myself anyway. This week will be all about resting and more short runs, and then I leave for Ocala on Friday. I’m really looking forward to it!
How was your week? Do you have any aches and pains that are just “how you are now?”
9 Responses
How exciting that it’s finally RACE WEEK for you! I really hope the hamstring behaves at least for your race, and then you can give it more rest afterwards!
The snow that I mentioned in your Friday post definitely happened — but I still ended up doing my Grand Canyon trip. There were some dicey spots driving up Friday and it took longer than it was supposed to, but I got to my campsite safely…and then I woke up Saturday to ~6 inches of snow! My original plans were to do an 18 mile route but I was supposed to start early, like 6 am, and that wasn’t happening because the roads weren’t clear yet. So I ended up going back to sleep for a couple of hours, cleaned the snow off my car and then drove to the trailhead where I was able to do 12 miles. There were some muddy spots along the trail but the weather was nice during the day and it was amazing to see snow on the layers of the canyon!
Hah! I think you are just having a case of the taper crazies! I always feel more sore and tired and like things ache that never ached before and “what is that twinge?” when I am in the week leading up to a race. Hopefully it is just the rest week doing what it is supposed to and not an actual bad thing! Good luck in your race; you are going to do great. Now you have the tools to know when to slow down, but also that you CAN finish! Go get ’em, girl.
Best of luck at your race and fingers crossed the hamstring behaves! A 90 minute nap can be way more useful than an extra workout 🙂 Huge proponent of sleep and naps!
Enjoy your Easter!
So exciting!!! Enjoy the rest of your taper. By the way, are the weights you add to your gym machines colour coded? that seems very sensible!
Ha! I’m just one big ache pretty much all the time. Especially my knees. Once I get moving, it all kind of goes away. Just baby that hammie so you can run your race. Then take it easy. Seriously! Excited for you!
Oh Jenny, I’m sorry to read that your hamstring is still bothering you, but a slow and steady race might not make it feel any worse. Here’s hoping all goes well and you have a fun and successful race! And I agree with Julie’s quote on her blog 100%.
It sounds like your nap was exactly what you needed. I’d recommend not doing any more strength training on your legs between now and the race. I used to take at least two weeks off legs before my marathons.
We were in Ocala during our Florida road trip earlier this year; or maybe it was last year. I get the various towns mixed up. LOL
Good luck and have fun at your race!!! I can’t wait to read all about it!
That meme (?) is so true!
You’ve made it this far — I vote for as much rest as possible this week (focusing on mobility) to see if that convinces your hamstring to behave. I know you plan to power through regardless, but I hope it doesn’t come to that! The 90s will be hard enough to cope with!
Happy Easter — maybe your hamstring will be renewed. 😉
Very excited for you.
My lower back aches but not sure when.
Same with my foot.
Fingers crossed your hamstring takes a break.
Happy race week! I am sending you all the good vibes for a great race next weekend. It’s tough to feel achy and off. My only complaint is my achy finger joint but that’s to be expected as it will take a long time to get a normal range of motion back – but I’m not in near constant pain like I was before! So it was worth it.
My week was pretty good overall aside from getting a cold. It was a minor one but still annoying. I was able to do run/walks on fri and Sat but boy did I feel slow and extra out of breath probably from the congestion.