Although we haven't had a lot of snow and ice so far, it does seem like it has been an inordinately gray and rainy winter. But finally, on Sunday we were favored with a gloriously sunny, clear day. I met up at the start of Wildwood with Olga and some other local women runners for some girl time. See Olga's blog for pictures. It was a great time! I haven't been on Wildwood since early December, so I've been missing the mud. The trail did not disappoint. But funny how it was very dry in some spots and sloppy, wet in others.
Liz and Kamm were doing repeats to mile 5 and back so I didn't see much of them. After mile 5 Caroline, Olga and I ran together. We bumped into another group and enjoyed a nice little 5-10 minute chat break. Caroline turned around at mile 11, just before Firelane 1. My right ITB was talking to me, but I still felt fresh, so decided to press on with Olga. Previously she had announced she was going to Firelane 2, which is just before mile 13. Knowing that she likes round numbers, I figured we'd actually run to mile 13. So I was very happy when she told me she planned to turn around at 12.5 to make a round 25 mile run. I had a lot of fun chatting and hardly noticed the miles pass by and was surprised when we got to the turnaround point.
On the way back, I started to feel it in my hamstrings and glutes. That's normal for me for not running long on trail for 5 weeks. Olga had mentioned that if we took it easy going out we could fly on the way back. I didn't feel that bad but I certainly didn't feel like I was flying! Coming down the hill from Pittock Mansion, I developed a strong side stitch. That was caused I'm sure by breaking more than normal due to my stiff legs. Olga took off ahead and after a brief moment of stress at not being able to keep up, I felt happy to run my own pace. But I caught up (or more likely Olga let me catch up) the last mile and we finished together.
Thanks Olga for a great run! It really brought me out of the funk I had been in the day before about my mystery arm pain/weakness. The amazing thing is that running actually makes it feel better. I'm pretty certain that it's a nerve and/or trigger point problem. I finally found a spot in my shoulder/upper back that I think is the root of the problem. It is very sensitive. When I really press it sends zingers up to my brain and down my arm. Now I feel like an idiot for not looking for a sore spot sooner. I have an appointment next week with my LMT and chiropractor, but have been applying some acupressure and self-massage in the meantime. It helps so I'm back to feeling optimistic that I can get back to normal soon.
Yesterday the weather was back to gray and gloom. But today its clear and sunny and that forecast is supposed to hold through the week. Cross your fingers for us! The clear skies meant chilly overnight weather and icy roads. I think the west side of town actually got some snow before the skies cleared. Anyway, I was happy to take it slow this morning since my legs are still a bit sore from Sunday's run. That hasn't happened in awhile. I've become used to a quick recovery. I guess that signals the start of a new training cycle. Bring it on!
Liz and Kamm were doing repeats to mile 5 and back so I didn't see much of them. After mile 5 Caroline, Olga and I ran together. We bumped into another group and enjoyed a nice little 5-10 minute chat break. Caroline turned around at mile 11, just before Firelane 1. My right ITB was talking to me, but I still felt fresh, so decided to press on with Olga. Previously she had announced she was going to Firelane 2, which is just before mile 13. Knowing that she likes round numbers, I figured we'd actually run to mile 13. So I was very happy when she told me she planned to turn around at 12.5 to make a round 25 mile run. I had a lot of fun chatting and hardly noticed the miles pass by and was surprised when we got to the turnaround point.
On the way back, I started to feel it in my hamstrings and glutes. That's normal for me for not running long on trail for 5 weeks. Olga had mentioned that if we took it easy going out we could fly on the way back. I didn't feel that bad but I certainly didn't feel like I was flying! Coming down the hill from Pittock Mansion, I developed a strong side stitch. That was caused I'm sure by breaking more than normal due to my stiff legs. Olga took off ahead and after a brief moment of stress at not being able to keep up, I felt happy to run my own pace. But I caught up (or more likely Olga let me catch up) the last mile and we finished together.
Thanks Olga for a great run! It really brought me out of the funk I had been in the day before about my mystery arm pain/weakness. The amazing thing is that running actually makes it feel better. I'm pretty certain that it's a nerve and/or trigger point problem. I finally found a spot in my shoulder/upper back that I think is the root of the problem. It is very sensitive. When I really press it sends zingers up to my brain and down my arm. Now I feel like an idiot for not looking for a sore spot sooner. I have an appointment next week with my LMT and chiropractor, but have been applying some acupressure and self-massage in the meantime. It helps so I'm back to feeling optimistic that I can get back to normal soon.
Yesterday the weather was back to gray and gloom. But today its clear and sunny and that forecast is supposed to hold through the week. Cross your fingers for us! The clear skies meant chilly overnight weather and icy roads. I think the west side of town actually got some snow before the skies cleared. Anyway, I was happy to take it slow this morning since my legs are still a bit sore from Sunday's run. That hasn't happened in awhile. I've become used to a quick recovery. I guess that signals the start of a new training cycle. Bring it on!
11 comments:
Long runs are good like that - to break the funk up. It was fun to run and chat together, isn't trail running the best? :) Now take care of that shoulder pinch and come back to bottles...we have another run on schedule!
Oh, yes, we had snow on Monday night! I ran in it, and drove in even worse conditions to look up a new place. It was fun, and I take it as a good sign.
I felt as sore after my last week's run - so I hear ya!
Great post, Sarah...awesome run. Hope you can get that arm thing sorted out!
Yeah I heard about the run from Olga. Seemed like a nice time. Good luck with the arm pain, I hope the chiropractor finally straightens it out. It's been sunny here too, glad to know the good weather has also reached you guys over there. Well I can only think about 25 mile runs for the moment, great job.
glad you had such an awesome long run. We've been blessed with some beautiful clear days down here too, which have been just lovely!
Hope your arm thing gets figured out soon :)
yay for a new training cycle and yay for running with olga!!
Wishing U Clear Skies !!!
and keep working that sensitive spot in ur shoulder it will fade away soon.
Glad u had a good long run & shared it with good friends.
great job in 2007, and many PR's to boot!
I hope the shoulder thing gets resolved soon. I also hope you have many more lovely days like this one to run on this year!
Oh how I love Wildwood! A nice long run on the trail to make you feel better is a good thing. I hope the weather stays clear for awhile. All though I would like some snow.
Nice job on the long run, and you didnt even have to pay to do it like me! I feel like I am having a tough time getting out there this winter too. I think its this way every winter, I just forget it every year. Soon we will be complaining about how hot it is. Hope to get out with you all again soon.
It's great that you got out and felt good. Someday I want to run in Wildwood - I've read so much about it from both you and Olga, and heard about it from Rob. I guess we'll have to schedule a weekend down south some time.
Post a Comment