My running goal this year is to run a total of 500 miles, which to some may seem like a lot but to most runners it is not. In fact, when I was training for ultra-marathons (technically any distance over the marathon’s 26.2 miles) I would reach these 500 miles in about 6 weeks. My goal of reaching 500 miles in 52 weeks gives me 46 more weeks to reach this goal than I had back in my crazy ultra-running training days. So, why only 500?
Some of the reason is I am still trying to figure out running after having two kids. I ran throughout most of my first pregnancy and maybe the constant bouncing did a number on my pelvic floor—or maybe just childbirth in general did. I was starting to run again at a decent pace for myself (which for me is 7:00 minute/mile in training runs, and racing at 6:30 per mile), and then was pregnant with my second child. With my second child, I decided I would not run so I just walked and did home workouts (because of COVID) throughout my pregnancy. After she was born and I was ready to work-out again, however, I still had the same pelvic floor issues as I noted previously. I started to work up my pace again knowing I could not just go out and run a seven-minute mile without bladder issues occurring. I started running at a ten-minute per mile pace, then a nine-minute, and then was at an eight-minute mile pace over time (about six months), and was happy with the track I was on this past fall. That was until I overdid it! Right now, and when I wrote my goals, I am struggling with an old Achilles injury that has been showing up since college. It’s an overuse injury when I walk or run too much. So, my fall running with pushing the pace and increasing my mileage probably caused it. I know that I need to increase my mileage slowly, but knowing this and not just going out and pounding the pavement to get rid of nervous energy or to transfer stress from a bad day do not always equate. The fact that I am solely a toe runner also puts more stress on my Achilles and has led to this insertional tendonitis (or tendinopathy). To treat this injury, I should be resting for 2-3 weeks (no walking or attempting to run) and then building these activities back up with a gradual increase in mileage and speed over time. So far, this year I have attempted to walk/run through it and have only managed a total of 11 running miles this January. My walking mileage this January, however, is currently at 240 miles (and that’s with a five-day COVID rest). This is where the problem resides, and why I had to side-step down the stairs this morning because of pain in my left heel. The pain will get better as the day goes on, but anytime I flex my foot I will feel it. My body’s need for constant movement needs to be put in check. I probably need to switch to cycling rather than even walking to channel this movement over the next month. Again, knowing this and acting on it need to be more in-synch for me. I knew of this over-use injury when I wrote my goal of only 500 running miles for the year. Now, I need to follow through with action and not try to achieve 500 miles quickly because clearly if I keep trying to muscle-through-it I’m not getting anywhere near 500 running miles this year!
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AuthorKristina Scott Archives
February 2023
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