Wednesday, January 30, 2008

Can't be a slave to the numbers

Its a good week for a little break. My mileage for the last four weeks has been 45, 45, 45, and 51. That's pretty serious for me for January. I think I tweaked something on my left side when I slipped on the ice last Saturday and landed on my right side. Funny how things happen that way. Anyway, during Sunday's 25 miler, I was definitely feeling some stress on my left side (hamstring, glutes and groin.) Honestly, after about 20 miles I was a little worried that I might be doing some damage. But it felt better to run than walk so I kept running. Fortunately, later that day I was feeling much, much better. So much so that I later told Marc that it felt like my run was the 25 mile cure. I must have stretched something out during the run. Despite feeling pretty bad the last 5 miles, I ultimately felt better after the run than I did before.

Tuesday's 6 miles was slow. I felt mostly okay, but could sense that tweak that's more than just normal muscle soreness. I looked at my schedule and realized this week would be a really good week to step back again. That said, it took me awhile to really wrap my brain around cutting the mileage this week. I just love my running schedule, especially my mid-week routine. In my heart of hearts I knew it would benefit me more if I skipped this morning's 8 miles and gave that "tweak" a bit more time to fully work itself out. Even so, I did get my running clothes ready last night with the idea that I might run 4. But reason won out and I stayed in this morning and did some strength training instead. I think my body will thank me. I'm still looking at getting in approximately 18-20 miles on Saturday. I can't run on Sunday so my week will probably top off somewhere in the low 30's. After my cutback week I'm confident I'll be ready for some more serious mileage again.

In other news, I mailed in my registration for the Pac Rim 1 day this morning. My mood as I wrote out the check can best be described as "giddy". Ask me at 3 am on March 16th if I'm feeling giddy. I daresay the answer will likely be no. Delirious might be more like it. But it is exciting to be trying something new.

10 comments:

onepinkfuzzy said...

giddy - yay!!

Unknown said...

I just e-mailed him for a registration form as well.

The cutback week will do you good. Better to be smart about things. You have big goals this year, which means you need to take extra special care of yourself. Well, you always should, but you know what I mean.

Bob - BlogMYruns.com said...

Sarah Said:In my heart of hearts I knew it would benefit me more if I skipped this morning's 8 miles and gave that "tweak" a bit more time to fully work itself out
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Now that is SMART and more people should pay attention to what the body is telling them...Way to go Sarah!

I believe Recovery Part goes hand in hand with the Running / trainings ... I am going to share more about this over the next few months!

And YES that trigger book has been like magic for me, I hope more people check it out... it's amazing!

Backofpack said...

I'm sure the rest is good for you - but dang! It's hard to give it up. Rob's supposed to be getting my form too - I emailed a while ago, but haven't heard anything back. Soon...

Olga said...

I love giddy!!! And rest week:) Be good to your body, it'll make a great debut and feel happy 9still) on March 16, not only 3 am, but 8 am as well!

Joe said...

Smart. Very smart. You have all the experience, Sarah, to know the tweaks you feel. Yes, letting the little mitichondria rest up a bit will bring them back stronger than ever next week.

I'll make a note to check on you at 3am that morning!!!!! Yeah, delerious might be the word!!!!

Gotta Run..... said...

Love your blog. My passion is right in the middle of any trail!! Great numbers for the start of 2008. I will close this week at 39 for the beginning of a taper. Twice the milage as where I was this time last year.

Your race line up looks insane... but fun. I will have to follow along!

Glad your 25 miler turned out good.

Bret said...

Crossing my fingers! Looks like I should be at the Pac Rim too. Is cowboy gonna do it too? I want pacers, lots and lots of pacers.

Sarah Elaine said...

You are such a wise, wise woman for listening to your body. Really, it's too bad that ALL women named Sarah didn't share in that profound wisdom.

Rick Gaston said...

Yeah sounded like you were ready for a cutback week. I do a 3 week build and 1 week back down myself. I had to back down last week myself, I had the "leaden" legs feeling and some tweaks on my left leg. Congratulations on your decision to do Pac Rim, I'm sure it will be a lot of fun.

Omg. Do you really think it will be humid in Wisconsin in June. Yikes I might have to do some "sauna" training before I leave.