GO BENNY....
It's currently 7:27 p.m. here in Toronto - 4:27 p.m. in Tempe, Arizona. Nytro has just updated the blog - Benny is at the 5 mile point of the run with some cramping. I'm seriously trying to send him energy.....
Anyway, I need some input from all you elites and experienced runners out there. Many of you know that I've been struggling with nagging injury issues lately, however, I've discovered that when I get really warmed up that my right hip/groin/butt stops hurting? What I don't know is... how do I really know if I have the kind of injury that I should be trying to run/stretch through... or, if it's the kind of injury that I shouldn't be running on at all? Of course, I want the answer to be the former. I just don't know anymore. I kinda remember somebody telling me once that if only one leg hurts that it is probably not good pain?
If the answer is that I should run through it, then I can report that I had a really good treadmill workout both yesterday and this morning. I did 3.75 miles of mostly jogging/running. I can really feel the difference in my lung capacity since giving up smoking. If I should be running through it, then doing 5 km races through the summer is completely doable - then who knows maybe a marathon by the end of next year?
But I just feel like I have so far to go.... the weight to lose, my aging body, the core training to figure out, the miles to log. Then I start asking myself all over again: why Scott do you need to put yourself through it all? what exactly do you hope to gain?
Then I read all these inspirational blogs which connect me to something of which I am quite certain; that on some very very deep level that I will only fully and finally discover the true and complete essence of who I am through continued perseverence and training. In the end, the length of the race won't matter in the least.
Which bring me back once again to the Soundtrack from Rent which I was listening to this morning during my workout. A couple of minor characters in an AIDS support group sing the following exchange:
How do you feel today?
Best I've felt all year -
Then why choose fear?
Because fear's my life.
And there you have it folks. The unvarnished and ugly truth of Scott. I am afraid of it. Pathologically so. Even from this vantage point of living my guts out and being happier than I ever dreamt was possible - I am still afraid - no terrified - of success; afraid of coming out from behind this layer of fat that I have used my entire life as a shield to hide behind and to keep people at a distance.
I'm really not at all sure how all of this is coming together. It might just all seem like incoherent babbling. What I do know, is that I am in a place of change and growth and it is not always so clear what one thing has to do with another... self-esteem, fear, losing weight, training....
I think I'll leave it here for tonight. Have a great week all.
Anyway, I need some input from all you elites and experienced runners out there. Many of you know that I've been struggling with nagging injury issues lately, however, I've discovered that when I get really warmed up that my right hip/groin/butt stops hurting? What I don't know is... how do I really know if I have the kind of injury that I should be trying to run/stretch through... or, if it's the kind of injury that I shouldn't be running on at all? Of course, I want the answer to be the former. I just don't know anymore. I kinda remember somebody telling me once that if only one leg hurts that it is probably not good pain?
If the answer is that I should run through it, then I can report that I had a really good treadmill workout both yesterday and this morning. I did 3.75 miles of mostly jogging/running. I can really feel the difference in my lung capacity since giving up smoking. If I should be running through it, then doing 5 km races through the summer is completely doable - then who knows maybe a marathon by the end of next year?
But I just feel like I have so far to go.... the weight to lose, my aging body, the core training to figure out, the miles to log. Then I start asking myself all over again: why Scott do you need to put yourself through it all? what exactly do you hope to gain?
Then I read all these inspirational blogs which connect me to something of which I am quite certain; that on some very very deep level that I will only fully and finally discover the true and complete essence of who I am through continued perseverence and training. In the end, the length of the race won't matter in the least.
Which bring me back once again to the Soundtrack from Rent which I was listening to this morning during my workout. A couple of minor characters in an AIDS support group sing the following exchange:
How do you feel today?
Best I've felt all year -
Then why choose fear?
Because fear's my life.
And there you have it folks. The unvarnished and ugly truth of Scott. I am afraid of it. Pathologically so. Even from this vantage point of living my guts out and being happier than I ever dreamt was possible - I am still afraid - no terrified - of success; afraid of coming out from behind this layer of fat that I have used my entire life as a shield to hide behind and to keep people at a distance.
I'm really not at all sure how all of this is coming together. It might just all seem like incoherent babbling. What I do know, is that I am in a place of change and growth and it is not always so clear what one thing has to do with another... self-esteem, fear, losing weight, training....
I think I'll leave it here for tonight. Have a great week all.
posted by Scott at 9:49 AM
6 Comments:
Hmmmm...not sure about the pain. Hard to tell--have you been icing and using ibuprofen? That helped a lot for me when I had some heel pain. Be sure you are stretching after each run for at least 10 minutes, too.
You are doing GREAT. I find YOUR blog inspirational and can't wait to hear about your progress and eventual races. Every distance counts!!
hmmmm...yeah, ice is the way to go - ibuprofen only AFTER you work out, not before. And stretching is essential too - but I only stretch after too - I kept pulling stuff when I stretched before my workouts...
My pain gauge goes like this:
if it hurts while running/walking etc., then stop.
If it hurts a little bit and then feels better once things are warmed up, see if a little stretching will help and if it's all ok, then finish the workout.
If it feels ok during the workout but then hurts MORE after the workout than it did before, it's probably not "good" pain and you should rest it and not try and work thru it.
If it's about the same after the workout, you're probably ok to work thru it but pay close attention to your body and work the ice/ibuprofen religiously.
If it feels BETTER after the workout, then it's likely normal workout soreness - the "good" pain. And your theory of bilateral pain is a good one...both sides should feel equally sore if it's not an injury...
Our bodies are really good at telling us what they need. Unfortunately our brains aren't as good at listening!!
I still have a bunch of weight to drop too - when I first started this quest, I spent the first 6 months doing nautilus, swimming and the elliptical trainer - no impact activities at all. This helped to build up all the smaller muscles so I didn't get hurt when I started to run on the treadmill. I was still able to build a considerable fitness base doing this stuff so if you need to back off the running, that's an ok thing. And don't forget that just walking is an excellent way to make gains.
Also, if you're itching to get outside, try running on grass or trails - it's a little bit harder than the treadmill but not as pounding as the asphault or concrete...
You'lll be fine!!!
There's only us
There's only this
Forget regret,
Or life is yours to miss.
No other road,
No other way,
No day like today....
I'm gonna try to give you some massage therapist advice on the hip/glute/groin pain. They don't all go together. The hip/glute pain could just be impact related. Lie on your back and put one foot on the opposite knee and pull your knee towards your chest to stretch the glutes and open the hip. Another good stretch is called "the pigeon" in yoga. Lunge with one leg forward and extend your other leg straight behind you. Drop down as low was you can go and drop the front leg to the side. This is a good hip/groin stretch.
Chances are, if you can run through the pain with only a little cringing- it should be okay to keep running. Your muscles will get the hang of it and cut you some slack. If the pain goes higher than a 7 on a 10 scale- hit the pool. Running in the water is zero impact and will give those joints a rest.
if it is "sore" pain then you run through it, if it is holy hell that hurts and i can barely get through it pain, then its bad.
only you can really tell what kind it is.
and unfortunately if you have a high pain tolerance sometimes you can think you can run through something you shouldn't.
find a doc that is "pro" running and spill all you nagging injuries making sure they know that you wish to continue running and they will put you on the right track.
you'll get to that marathon one of these days!
I am not good with pain so I will hold off on the advice as it looks like you got some valuable advice from others.
Keep pushing yourself and searching for whatever it is you are looking for. If it helps any, I am often afraid of what I might find out, but I know that I will never know if I stop looking.
Scott: Thanks for your note!
I don't think you necessarily have to complete a marathon or 1/2 marathon to achieve your goals. Getting back to exercising pain free is the first step. Don't put the added pressure of completing a long distance race on yourself at this point. You're doing great just taking that first step on the treadmill! Kudos for the recent mileage you got in. I agree w/Elizabeth on the pain. Be cautious. One mile at a time!!!
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