Monday, March 16, 2009

Lessons Learned

This post is about a couple of things that I've learned over the last number of days.

First, if you say you are going to post something, bloody well do it! I have been negligent in posting a promised sentence or two about a fellow blogging runner's virtual race, and for that I am sorry. Marci over at Ramblings of a Running Addict is holding a virtual race for a really great cause and I plan on supporting her efforts by participating in this fundraising effort. You can read about the race here, but in summary it is taking place on April 24th and the distance is 4 miles. The money raised will go to further arthritis research via the Arthritis Society. The inspiration for the race is a little girl who suffers from this disease. I didn't know that children could suffer from arthritis, but I know that my ankle has the early signs of the most mild form since the good doctors have told me so. I feel for Reese (the little girl, see below and check out Marci's blog to learn more!) and urge anyone who can spare a few bucks and can run 4 miles to head on over to Marci's blog and follow the links to make a donation.



The second thing I learned is that you can't go out drinking on a Friday night, forget your promise to have a glass of water for every drink that you consume, stay out late, wake up early, drink coffee all day, skip lunch, and then get to bed late again, wake up too early yet again, and then expect for your longest run ever to just go "as planned". Instead, if you do all of the above you should expect your long run to kick you in the ass, and then continue to kick you all over the place south of the waist.

My body did not have the fuel it clearly needed to run 24k and finish strong. I was also way too dehydrated (I craved water on Sunday evening like crazy and drank glass after glass after glass of it with dinner). Today, my body continues to feel the effects of my transgressions. I did get a good massage on the calves this afternoon that hurt like crazy, but will likely pay off in the next few days. I am now into the last two weeks leading up to the 30k race, and that means nice easy runs.

That started this evening when I once again ventured out for a short, easy, sweet 4km jog to get some blood moving. Active recovery, as it were. It took me 23:20 to do the distance, which made the average pace 5:50/km. The run actually felt pretty good, though the left calf started to say, "Hey, buddy! What the hell d'you think you're doing?" right about the 3.9km mark. I'm glad it was that close to the end. After much icing, then a hot bath, then some application of MyoMed (basically the same as BioFreeze, which is just menthol), I am ready for sleep.

I also made an appointment with the massage therapist for the day after the Around the Bay race, thereby demonstrating a chimp-like ability to predict the future, and learn from the past.

Garmin don't lie.

Labels: , , ,

7 Comments:

Anonymous Anonymous said...

Ya, the days of eating what you want, staying up late and being fine the next morning are long gone! Sounds like taper came at a good time.

March 17, 2009 at 7:18 AM  
Blogger nwgdc said...

That "build up" to your long run sounds eerily similar...with similar results. Now that there are TWO case studies refuting such indulgences as proper build-up for a long run, I think I'll start hydrating properly and eating a decent diet before those training runs.
Then again...maybe not :)

March 17, 2009 at 7:56 AM  
Blogger Felice Devine said...

Ugh, I know that feeling! Glad it is taper time. You need it!

Keep on drinking that water :-)

March 17, 2009 at 9:17 AM  
Blogger Marcy said...

Ahhhhhh thanks for reminding me! GAH! I've been meaning to post a link to Reese's Run as well. Dang it I knew I forgot something. Bleck. Thanks homie!

March 17, 2009 at 9:51 AM  
Blogger Ace said...

Race time is on its way! Very exciting stuff! Keep up the good work! More exclamation points please!!!!

March 17, 2009 at 1:13 PM  
Blogger Marlene said...

Sometimes we all have to learn lessons the hard way... over and over and over. ;)

Great job on the 24K, nonetheless.

Looks like we will be participating in a few of the same events this year. Good luck at ATB! I look forward to hearing how it goes. Unfortunately, I had to sell my bib. A shoulder separation in January set my training back too far.

March 17, 2009 at 3:18 PM  
Blogger Aron said...

wooo race day is almost here!!!

i am the same way, i can tell if i have had ONE drink the night before... GAH :(

March 17, 2009 at 4:54 PM  

Post a Comment

Subscribe to Post Comments [Atom]

<< Home