Like the canyon

Catching up on the last week and a half, long post to note some recovery issues.

I took the week following the Bear 100 pretty much off.  The normal 2 day haze of low energy and funk that usually appears after a long race seemed to hang on for a lot longer than usual. My appetite didn't really come back until wednesday following the race, but when it did it seemed I couldn't get enough food in for a couple of days. 

I did get out for a few easy hikes in the week following the race, both alone and with the boys.  Mt legs felt fine pretty quickly and I had no soreness, even able to cruise up and down stairs on Sunday after the race with not too much discomfort.  They only nagging thing was my hip.  It continued to ache all week and was popping a fair amount in the joint when I would walk.

I was feeling pretty good by Saturday and set out on what I was planning to be a very easy 45 minute cruise around the lower trails above the house. 15 minutes out I felt great, with lots of pep and energy.  My 45 minute run turned into a very enjoyable, high energy 2 hours with lots of vert.  The crazy thing is I felt better than anything I had run in the weeks leading up to Bear.  Go figure? Analysis, I went into Bear tired and the rest week was what I needed??  Cooler temps? lower pollen?? I'm going with tired.

I did have a little Bear 100 souvenir after Saturday's run. Coming down Malan's at the end of the run, I felt my hip get really tight and painful and the knee below the hip hurt on the outside/mid-knee. Getting out of the car at home and walking down the stairs to shower, the knee hurt terriably.  I've never had any ITBS issues, and knew the pain usually is on the outside of the knee. I took my 3 year old out on a short hike right after I got home and spent the whole hike looking up ITBS info on my phone.  By the time I got home, the pain and new information had me convinced that is what it was. ART appointment for Monday night was made immediatly.

A painful hour on the ART table on Monday and a couple of days off and the 6 easy miles tonight felt fine.  Hip is still a little tender, but improving so I am ok running easy on it for now.   

Saturday: 14 miles, 3500 vert (some left hip pain, tight left quad, ITBS like left knee pain)

Teusday: 6 miles, 700 vert (hip a little tight, quads and knee fine)

Wet and cold cruise 3/4 up Malan's before Parent-Teacher Conference. Freaky how fast the weather can change and how early it gets dark.

Everything felt fine going up, ITB Knee was a little twingy on the way down, not too serious, no pain after the run. Hip is much better.

3 miles 1800 vert or so.

Easy 4 miles, pretty flat, things felt good.

Here is a video from our Wind River trip in August.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=57dswGIzkkQ&feature=player_embedded

Rainy, snowy trip over Indian Trail and back.  Went mid afternoon, not a soul out just me, the hills and a lone mtn bike track in the wet dirt that must have been just in front of me. Guy or gal could ride, looked like they cleaned some pretty knarly sections. Gorgeous out, love this time of year.  ITB issue feeling almost 100% .  Still taking it really easy on the downhill. 

10 miles, 2800 vert

Early start with Cory, Matt and Cory's kids.  Pretty easy trip up Malan's.  3-4 inches of snow on the trail at the top.  Took the low trial to Strongs and upper BST back. Easy pace all the way through. 

AM 9.5 miles 3000 vert

PM: Fast lap on Malan's right before dinner.  Took my boy to an afternoon movie, so the gut was sloshing with a power blend of Diet Coke, Kit Kat, and movie popcorn.  Yum.  Hit it pretty hard though and made the top in 37 and the RT in 55 which is I'll take 'cause I'm still runn'en with the brakes on going downhill to keep the pressure off the ITB.  Sun was out, leaves were blazing, snowy peaks were glowing, perfect! 

4.4 miles 2250 vert, day, 14 miles. 5250. Week, 32 miles, 10,500.