Wonder where I've been?
Frustratingly, I've had to admit that I'm injured and that "running through it" wasn't going to be the right thing to remedy the problem.
After the Thanksgiving race, my right calf remained very tight. It feels like a pulled muscle only more persistent. I felt it on the course. I thought it was just the cold temperature, my failure to warm up properly (although I did make good efforts to warm up in the frigid conditions), or what I call an overcompensation injury from my IT band problem. Bottom line is that I don't know what caused it or what it is but it's still bothering me a week later.
In addition, my IT band problem has only worsened with running over the past few weeks. So I'm taking some time off to rest and hopefully recover.
My latest theory in the IT band problem is that the cause was due to starting the FIRST training program without the proper base. The program was intense and I like it but I don't think my body was ready for it. Therefore, I'm shifting gears. After the rest period, I'm starting back next Monday. I'm going to cut the mileage and intensity in an attempt to build a solid base and not aggravate my IT bands. I plan to build the base over six weeks. Instead of the 3 or 4 running days per week, I plan to run 5 or 6 days each week. Hopefully this plan gets me out of the bad cycle that it seems I was following.
I'm looking forward to having a positive report next week. | 