Sunday, November 14, 2010

Remembering how to run.

The concept of running shouldn't all that difficult. Left, right, then repeat a little quicker. I haven't run in a while due to my injuries but I think I recently had a eureka moment with my leg pain. I've seen a bunch of doctors and almost all have found something wrong with me but those things may have been wrong with me for a long time and not the cause of my pain.

I've worn orthotics since I ran in high school (yes, they had orthotics back then in the dark ages and I ran). Over the years I've had them replaced when they break since they typically last 3-5 years. At the same time as my running injuries started about a year ago, my right orthotic cracked so I got remeasured and the podiatrist made me a new pair. While looking in the back of the closet recently (typically a frightening place), I found an old right orthotic. I thought I'd take a chance since it looked different from my current one and replaced it in my shoes. After two weeks with the old one, my leg pain was almost gone. (One of the reasons I took the plunge with IMFL was because of this improvement. It may be a coincidence with something else but I'm not arguing.)

Now training has started concentrating on building fitness. I needed to get back into some sort of running even though my expectation is that IMFL will involve a lot or perhaps up to all walking. My coach's plan started me at walking with mini runs of 10 minutes and increasing the run duration slightly from time to time. Most of these runs were on the dreadmill but I decided to go outside this weekend as the weather gods were smiling in my area. The last time I ran outside was on July 4.

I bought two pairs of new sneakers (to alternate) since I didn't want to chance what condition my "old" ones were in. My Garmin 310xt has forgotten how to synch with the heart rate monitor. My ipod shuffle wasn't charged and I couldn't find the charging adapter. Once I charged it up, I couldn't find my running headphones (the standard Apple ones always fall out of my ear so I buy crappy, cheap, over the ear headphones that I kill over time with sweat). The small phone I carry while running wasn't charged either. I started thinking that maybe there was more to running than the left, right, repeat.

But I'm getting my "runs" in. I'm still based on time and my pace is frightening slow. I'm not hurting more than one would expect but the remembering is starting. Perhaps soon I'll remember how to run fast or if not fast, faster than slow.

One's gotta hope.

13 comments:

Unknown said...

It should not be surprising that returning to running will be slower than you might like. Just take it easy, don't push too much, and try to enjoy. It will come back. :-)

Unknown said...

p.s. i'm glad the long lost orthotic seemed to clear up your pain.

Ewa said...

As soon as your Garmin finds your heart rate you will be fine.
But seriously, coming out of injury for me has been a long and frustrating process. I wish you more patience and brains than I have. It took me a long time to finally learn to slow down and take it one step at the time.
Good luck.

Heather said...

Good for you for getting back out there.
I hope you enjoyed your run.

Jon said...

Hope the easing into the running goes injury free this time around. Be patient! Ya got lots of time till Florida next year.

Patrick Mahoney said...

x2 to what Jon said. Glad to have ya back on the road...

Middle Name Marie said...

in response to your comment on my post: yes, people in KC love their Royals. Plus, the stadium is always bribing us with sweet give-a-ways. Win or lose, KC loves the Hot Dog Derby! :):):)

Anonymous said...

GOOD LUCK to you, keep your spirits up...the feel of the run WILL return to you. It takes time, but the reward is worth the journey! you can do it! DONT look at the clock for a while. I hope you have a great week ahead of you!
xoxo!

Big Clyde said...

Orthotics and ipods = two things that are with me wherever I go.

(Funny how humans used to run when they were chasing down food, or trying to avoid being food).

Looking forward to hearing about your renewed running routine.

April said...

I love my orthotics! And I don't even care that that statement makes me sound old!
Glad you found out what was causing the pain and are getting back into the swing of things!!

Big Daddy Diesel said...

I am in the exact same boat as you are, coming off an injury, all i did was aquabikes and now I decided to go irondistance. I am starting slow like you, the progress are slow, the gains are small, but at least I am seeing them

Kathleen said...

I haven't been injured but running has always been a struggle for me.
Best of luck with the training. Hopefully the orthotic will do the trick.
I have orthotics and they have been a real help.

Al's CL Reviews said...

Glad you are back!