I couldn't resist hitting the trail again today, if only for a little bit. I ran 1.5 miles out then headed back. Things felt good except for the downhills. I was feeling fast today. Sub 8 pace! Once back to the car, I walked for a bit then talked myself into another .5. Things were pretty sore and tight, but I made it. Progress is so slow, but at least I am improving slightly.
T- 26:50 (7:40) 500' Vert
PM: Found a break in the day for a bike ride. Spring has been long awaited and despite the wind was a great day for a ride. Things felt great with no issues with the injury during or after the ride. Looks like I have a great cross-training option now.
T-36:00 (19.1 mph) 11.5 miles (Count as 3.5 crosstrain)
AM: 2 miles - Knee felt ok until the last .25 as it started to ache and get tender.
PM: Bike ride in 45 degree weather. Not too bad. I rode up to the top of Hollow Road and back. Leg felt great. It was a bit shaky when I got home as I was pushing it a bit. Also noted that I should have worn gloves, brr...
Out in 25:30 Back in 19:50. 45:20 Total - 19.5mph ave 14.75 miles - 200' vert. (Count as 4.5 miles X-train)
AM: 3 Miles Deer Fence - Knee hurt bad on the downhill, but was fine on the uphills.
T- 28:00 (9:17) 550' Vert
PM: Only managed 1 mile on the treadmill before the pain was limiting. I called an orthopedic doctor today and got an appointment for Friday. Getting tired of this. Want to make sure it is only IT band inflammation over the knee and not something worse.
2.5 Miles to make sure things good and hurt before going to the doctor. Not sure if that was a good idea or necessary. I went to Alpine Orthopedic Specialists who specialize in many things including sports injuries. I figured it would be a good idea to see an actual doctor about my self diagnosed IT band injury. I think it was a good idea as he was a runner too so could co-miserate with me.
Turns out I was right with my diagnosis. IT band tendonitis. He said I have been doing many things right. Stretching, icing, massage. He gave me a localized shot to help reduce the inflammation. He also said I need to do a steady cycle of Ibprofen to reduce the inflammation. That and a few days of rest and things should improve. Or so he claims. Maybe the localized shot really will help, but right now it aches pretty good. So, ice, rest, anti-inflamatory meds, stretch, and not a whole lot more to do, but to wait it out. If that doesn't work there is some ultrasound and physical therapy I can do, but I am going to wait on that. Not terribly excited to pay for that.
After taking it easy this weekend I was really anxious to get outside for a bit today. Per doctor's orders I rode bike instead of running. A quick loop around the Young Ward Loop was just the thing I needed. T-31:30 (20mph ave) convert to 3 miles x-train.
Oh, the leg was sore all weekend from the shot but things feel better now. Still, the test is running, not biking. We shall see...
AM: 5 MILES! Yep, you read it right. All running miles and leg was no more sore after 5 then it was at 3. That is, mild tightness in upper ITB. No knee pain during or after. Sweet! Progress.
After a long drought, Joe and I finally hooked up for a run. Sure, it was for only an hour, but it was great. We are getting excited for the mountains to clear and we can endure some sweet adventure runs. Today's jaunt was the longest run I have done in 8 weeks. I survived it without any pain. There was a lot of tightness during the last 3 miles, but since those miles were downhill, I blame the hills. I still have to take it easy, but I think things are looking up.
Today's run (for me) was starting at First Dam and up the River Trail to the Spring Hollow loop. (The right fork then down to third dam at the 4 way intersection). It doesn't matter, it was on dirt! Mild rain throughout, but who cares it was awesome. Alright, you get the point.
T-1:06 (8:00) 700' Vert
** Weekly summary - 26.25 Miles (23.25 running) 215 Mins 800' Vert
AM: Treadmill due to the torrential rain outside. Hill climb workout. 1@5%, 1@8%, 1@4%, 1@8%, 1@2% - 45 mins 1400' Vert
PM: I was so inspired from Paul's 3rd American Finish at Boston today, that I had to get outside and run again. Alright, I admit I was going to anyway, but dang that was sweet. I headed out to inspect the Logan and Blacksmith Fork Rivers as there is some serious runoff with all this rain. This is a picture of where the logan river and the blacksmith fork rivers combine. My house is over the trees to the left. So far no flooding issues at my house. Getting kind of scary though.
Here is a picture I took today at noon from the end of my street.
I didn't get a picture, but the bathroom at the end of the Planet Walk is very nearly under water. In fact the loop that we have dubbed the Paul Petersen memorial loop would require a boat to navigate as it is submerged completely. I have never seen the rivers so high and technically, the runoff has not peaked yet. By my rough estimation, the river needs to rise only 1 more foot to breach and cover the golf course completely. The next 3 weeks will be quite interesting. 5 miles of investigating. 37 mins.
AM: Back to the Bread and Butter routes now. Today was Providence Hills Loop. I can tell my fitness has slipped as 7:30 pace was harder than it should have been. It was great to be out though. Leg sore by the end.
T- 63:45 (7:30) 500' Vert
PM: Easy 3 on Planet Walk loop. River is down about 6 inches today.
My leg was quite unhappy with me the last few days. I guess I did too much this week and it caught up with me. So, for a break I went for a bike ride. That seems to not hurt it at all. I figured a nice ride up to Hardware Ranch would be just right. Well, apparently I am out of shape. The nice tailwind I had going up the canyon was brutal on the way down. I was quite miserable. Oh, well I survived and with a 2.5 hour ride to boost the fitness while not hurting the leg. Perfect.
T- 2:28 (44 miles) 17.8 mph (convert to 15 miles x-train) 500' Vert
** Weekly Summary 55 Miles (40 Running) 465 Mins 3900' Vert
Too much running hurt the leg again. Better re-evaluate for next week.
No running on Wed, Thurs and all I have to show for it is a 1/2 mile more of running pain free. I ran 1.5 miles before the pain set in today. I stopped to walk at mile 2. It quickly felt better so I ran again. Within a half mile it was back. Stop and walk, better, run bad, walk good. You get the idea. Same relative location as before. I guess I still have some internal issues that present itself during running that don't show up except for an occasional twinge during the day mostly going down stairs.
I had a real heat to heart today with my leg and we came to a truce. I will no longer subject it to biking and running until I don't feel it twinging during the day and during subsequent testing. Nothing for a week. Possibly 2. Even biking. I think I will lose my mind after a week, so wish me luck. I have pretty much written off Logan Peak and Pocatello is now laughable. Even the 20 mile option I was hoping for at Pocatello is out. See you in a week or two for an update.
