lhermiston
Beer-powered running machine
- Joined
- Feb 6, 2013
- Messages
- 2,829
When I came back, I really intended on doing weekly updates here to coincide with getting back into regular exercise.
Not coincidentally, my absence here mirrored a relative absence in exercise as well, unfortunately.
The year started off well. I got some short runs in midweek, and then a couple of runs in the 4-6 mile range. Nothing significant, but my goal is really to get back to running with regularity, with less emphasis on distance since I don't have to build up to anything for a while.
My first setback came in mid-January when I was hit with some sort of respiratory illness that grounded me for about 10 days. Then came bitterly cold temperatures. I did get out to run a couple of times during the cold spell, but not much.
When the weather became more conducive to running (at least by Iowa standards - think breath not freezing to my eyebrows), I tried running again and it did not go well. My knees especially ached and my legs just felt dead. 5-6 easy miles felt like I'd run 20 the day before. As someone who used to be about to knock out a 10K at the drop of a hat, this was less than bueno.
For the past 18 months, I have been dealing with pain in my left hamstring. It hampered by experience for the Twin Cities and Philadelphia marathons, but I did finish. I took some time off winter 24-25 and did some PT that helped some, but eventually I just dropped that and focused on building up my mileage. I used a run/walk method that got me through training for DC, but my performance definitely faulted.
Starting last November, my leg pain started getting significantly worse. Just sitting - sitting! - caused me considerable pain and stiffness in my knees. I more or less shut down running, but it didn't really improve much.
The final straw came a couple weeks ago. I set out to do 6 easy miles and I ended up doing 5 with more walking than I wanted. The pain was just too much.
So, I got back into sports medicine these past few weeks. Physically, I appear to be fine. No arthritis, no damage. But I have got some very, very tight hamstrings and some weak hips, I guess.
I saw a PT this week and I'm going to do that with some regularity. I'm taking what I hope will be a short break from running and am doing exercises at home to strengthen my hamstrings and hips. I did ride an exercise bike for half an hour today, so I'm hoping to make cross training a regular thing going forward, as well.
Mentally, I am ready to rock. I'm going to try to make some dietary changes to help things along, as well. Physically, I've got a little ways to go. But I'm willing to put in the work and see what happens.
Have a good week, everyone.
Not coincidentally, my absence here mirrored a relative absence in exercise as well, unfortunately.
The year started off well. I got some short runs in midweek, and then a couple of runs in the 4-6 mile range. Nothing significant, but my goal is really to get back to running with regularity, with less emphasis on distance since I don't have to build up to anything for a while.
My first setback came in mid-January when I was hit with some sort of respiratory illness that grounded me for about 10 days. Then came bitterly cold temperatures. I did get out to run a couple of times during the cold spell, but not much.
When the weather became more conducive to running (at least by Iowa standards - think breath not freezing to my eyebrows), I tried running again and it did not go well. My knees especially ached and my legs just felt dead. 5-6 easy miles felt like I'd run 20 the day before. As someone who used to be about to knock out a 10K at the drop of a hat, this was less than bueno.
For the past 18 months, I have been dealing with pain in my left hamstring. It hampered by experience for the Twin Cities and Philadelphia marathons, but I did finish. I took some time off winter 24-25 and did some PT that helped some, but eventually I just dropped that and focused on building up my mileage. I used a run/walk method that got me through training for DC, but my performance definitely faulted.
Starting last November, my leg pain started getting significantly worse. Just sitting - sitting! - caused me considerable pain and stiffness in my knees. I more or less shut down running, but it didn't really improve much.
The final straw came a couple weeks ago. I set out to do 6 easy miles and I ended up doing 5 with more walking than I wanted. The pain was just too much.
So, I got back into sports medicine these past few weeks. Physically, I appear to be fine. No arthritis, no damage. But I have got some very, very tight hamstrings and some weak hips, I guess.
I saw a PT this week and I'm going to do that with some regularity. I'm taking what I hope will be a short break from running and am doing exercises at home to strengthen my hamstrings and hips. I did ride an exercise bike for half an hour today, so I'm hoping to make cross training a regular thing going forward, as well.
Mentally, I am ready to rock. I'm going to try to make some dietary changes to help things along, as well. Physically, I've got a little ways to go. But I'm willing to put in the work and see what happens.
Have a good week, everyone.
