There will (not) be blood
Yep, that’s right. No surgery, no cutting, no anything that will put me in crutches or a cast or anything like that. At least that’s the word from the visit to the doctor on Wednesday morning after thorough examination of my shin, calves, hamstrings and hips.
This is really, really good. I hate shots, needles, knives and anything that makes me bleed.
Nevertheless, it’s not like I’m 100 percent healthy, either. Here’s the thing – I have a pretty good case of tendinitis and inflammation on that muscle that runs along the shin bone that hasn’t gotten better (or worse) since it popped up while I was racing up that steep hill on North School Lane between Wheatland and Marietta. The big culprit, of course, was too many miles with too little rest mixed in and some really tight calves and hips.
As a result, the next two weeks will be spent in the gym (or roads) riding a bike and walking. I also will be stretching like the stiffest, angriest yogi this side of Lhasa. More than anything else, the doctor says I should go through a vigorous stretching routine three-to-five times a day.
Hell, if that’s what it takes.
Anyway, I’m not much of a bike rider because it always seemed as if I had to cover 100 miles to get the same feeling of a 10-mile run. And I’m not much of gym guy because I think I’m a little too intense about the workout. But for the two weeks where I’m off from running (who wants to bet I’ll cheat on that two-weeks-off thing?) I can give it a try.
Whatever it takes.
Therefore, I could be on target for a good marathon in November as long as I don’t pack on too many pounds these next two weeks. I also am still looking at the 50k in D.C. for the first week of September, but, of course, it all depends on the healing. Summertime racing is out.
But whatever it takes. I suppose I’ll come out of this recovered and fresh for a change. It may also teach me that “downtime” and an “off-season” are good things…
But I doubt it.
Anyway, one of the better, straight-ahead training programs I’ve seen out there is the so-called “Summer of Malmo” plan. Basically, it’s what I like to do year round…
Give it a look: The Summer of Malmo
June 5, 2008 at 6:46 pm
Glad you escaped the knife John, and I love that “Summer of Malmo” page.
Stretching? Really? At 36 I’m starting to do it too. That “Brain Training for Runners” by Matt Fitzgerald has some good stretching and strength routines. Maybe you could read it while on the recumbent bike at the gym.
On second thought… Bike and gym? That sounds like hell.
June 6, 2008 at 1:56 am
Hey John,
Like the new blog! Sorry to read about your tendonitis. That sucks big-time. I have been relatively pain & injury free over the past few yrs of bike racing, but now that I’ve gotten back to running I realize how much more? of a toll on the body it takes than pushing those pedals.
I’ve been having all kindsa shin splinty-like pains as I tried to put in too many miles @ too fast a pace in April. Now I’ve cut back and am trying to mix cycling & running more to give my legs a rest from the pounding. I know that I’m not biomechanically gifted when it comes to running, and due to a leg-length discrepancy I have had all kinds of probs w/ my right leg. First it was knee tracking now it’s more hamstring kinda soreness. I pretty much just run w/ the pain/discomfort b/c I can’t stand not to exercise.
And don’t get me started on back pain. Oh lordy. I feel like an old 36…
drop me an e-mail when you get the chance. ezbhj@yahoo.com
ezb
June 6, 2008 at 3:00 pm
Yeah, all those people strutting around like peacocks because they have mastered the elliptical machine and all those “edgy” pop tunes from the ’80s piped in… man, I need to get out to run.
Nevertheless, the Malmo stuff is so simple it’s genius. Gee, if you want to be a better runner, run.
Anyway, the move from the chiro to the sports doc was interesting — it seemed to be all about getting better and stronger rather than “healing.” Either way, it’s off for some ice, yoga poses and my medically prescribed stretching routine.
Shouldn’t we get bonus points for running? Stretching?
Damn.
July 29, 2008 at 3:44 pm
John, what’s going on with the training these days?