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April 28, 2024

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Location:

SLC,UT,

Member Since:

Apr 28, 2011

Gender:

Male

Goal Type:

Other

Running Accomplishments:

PR Table and Notable Races

Marathon: 2:21:12 (Chicago); 2:20:41 (CIM)
Half Marathon: 1:05:45 (Long Beach)
10K: 30:03 (Portland)

All race results:
2011 - 2012 - 2013 - 2014 - 2015 - 2016

Personal:

   

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Wed, Apr 24, 2013
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Super lazy day, did absolutely nothing. Didn't even try to run today. My hamstring actually feels OK, but I don't trust it (if that makes sense). This issue goes back to the race on Saturday. When I made a little surge and passed Brett later in the race, I felt my left hamstring lock up just as we turned on to 600E. It wasn't painful, but my drive/power was gone... similar to what happened in the last couple marathons I've run (although this time it was the left side... my "good" hamstring!). It didn't bother me on Sunday, but at the very end of my afternoon run on Monday I felt a slight twinge. Stopped immediately. Started the run yesterday and felt the twinge again after a few miles. Stopped immediately. So the good thing is that I haven't blindly pushed through and turned what might just be a minor thing into a major thing. 

I did a bunch of rehab stuff w/ Andrea and really tried to work it on the foam roller. I haven't been able to make it hurt, and it feels normal. Still, I'm unsure of what to do going forward from here, because I don't know if its a real injury or I'm just over-reacting. The smart move is to continue to lay off for several more days, maybe a week, before giving it a shot again. I've already decided I'm not running the race in Nashville this weekend.

The 25K Championship is hanging over my head. But if we're being realistic here, I'm not in shape to reach my goals there. A weak sauce 5K doesn't bother me (I thrive off them!), but running a 1:07-high half marathon (on a downhill course) doesn't exactly bode well three weeks out. My fitness just isn't where I need it to be right now to compete for a Top 10 finish in Grand Rapids. I still feel like I have the potential to go to Duluth in June and run a PR there, so I'm trying to shift my focus to what is the best approach to make that happen. That may mean laying low for a while... I may still go to the 25K... I'm not sure yet. It might be wise(r) to spend the next couple weeks focused on addressing some of my imbalances/weaknesses with my PT coach (Andrea), dropping a little excess weight, and getting my mind laser sharp again. Right now its a little dull.

Comments
From Rob Murphy on Wed, Apr 24, 2013 at 20:28:00 from 24.10.249.165

Hmmmm....

I could make a comment to the effect of running a 1:07 half at the end of a 130 mile week is pretty good.

With some common sense, some well timed workouts, and a proper taper, I wouldn't write off that 25k.

From Derek D on Wed, Apr 24, 2013 at 20:39:43 from 68.109.132.154

I like your perspective Jake. Most people couldn't think the way your thinking without a coach. I think you have the right frame of mind on your body/training. You just have some decisions to make. Would love to see you get the body right and catch fire again. Your training is some of the best I've ever seen when your on a roll.

From Jake K on Wed, Apr 24, 2013 at 20:54:40 from 67.177.11.154

1:07 falling off a cliff isn't very good whether I ran 30 or 130 miles that week.

But the main thing is the hamstring, how it responds to a run - tomorrow or Friday. If I feel like I can run w/out injuring it, then I'll certainly give the 25K a shot, but w/ the realization I need to adjust my goals a bit. I'm just not firing on the right cylinders to be able to run 5:00-5:05 pace for 15.5 miles right now.

This definitely read too much like a dear diary whah whah whah entry! :-)

This is why I'm better off running because I do all my thinking then, instead of on the blog.

From runningafterbabies on Wed, Apr 24, 2013 at 20:59:38 from 71.195.219.247

You are being very smart and cautious and I am sure in the long run it will pay off. The 25K would be a great tune up race for the Half Champs. Hope you feel 100% tomorrow!

From Rob Murphy on Wed, Apr 24, 2013 at 21:07:47 from 24.10.249.165

There's nothing wrong with venting a little on the blog. Otherwise why not just keep a private running log? I know that the thing I most like about this blog is that I know that people who's opinion I respect are reading my blog. I value their input.

Hamstring aside, I still think my point holds. Riley is a good runner with a lot of experience and talent. Maybe it's too much to expect to be able to beat him when you aren't fresh? I know you're acclimated to 130 plus mpw in your training, but as you know, racing is different.

If the hamstring turns out to be a minor thing I think you can be ready for a great race in short order.

From Lulu Walls on Wed, Apr 24, 2013 at 21:15:54 from 67.177.4.64

Someone needs to get up into the mountains :)

From Matt Poulsen on Wed, Apr 24, 2013 at 21:18:48 from 98.202.242.213

Jake, my hat's off to you. You are being very wise with your hamstring (something I wish I could say about myself recently). Learn from my experience and be careful. But, you may find that within a couple days it has entirely resolved. Great perspective also. But, I'll tell you what, I still firmly believe your fitness is significantly higher than you think it is. Backing off for a bit may help you believe this also.

From allie on Wed, Apr 24, 2013 at 21:26:02 from 97.117.82.92

i always learn the most from other people's "dear diary" entries.

From ACorn on Thu, Apr 25, 2013 at 01:25:09 from 71.213.40.95

You're the man Jake. The honesty is appreciated and refreshing. Get that hamstring healed up and listen to your PT coach and I'm sure you'll be back where you want to be shortly. All the best!

From Rachelle on Thu, Apr 25, 2013 at 08:55:21 from 199.190.170.22

Smart choice Jake. Hang in there and definitely don't rule anything out. Just take it one day at a time.

From Lily on Thu, Apr 25, 2013 at 13:35:38 from 166.137.119.32

It takes a mentally sound athlete to do the right thing and instinctively know when to not push things. Lay low and roll that sucker out until the twinges are gone.

From Adam RW on Thu, Apr 25, 2013 at 15:09:22 from 128.110.72.7

Impressive focus and patience. Keep playing it smart. You know best what your body is telling you.

From Jake K on Thu, Apr 25, 2013 at 15:33:54 from 67.177.11.154

Rob that is a good point about the value of this format over a paper log. Plus, then I'd have to buy a scanner to post all my hand written pages, and remember to write neatly. It would be a lot of hassle :-)

I'm just gonna play it day by day. Err on the side of being a little too conservative, and try not to do anything stupid. And try to get out of this mental funk and get my confidence back!!

From CollinAnderson on Thu, Apr 25, 2013 at 22:16:44 from 70.208.2.215

My thoughts: 1:07 at SLC half is much better than you're making it sound. It is not even close to a "falling off a cliff" sort of course. Sure, it's downhill, but there's some very significant uphill mixed in, not to mention that it is at altitude. You can't expect to be sharp at the end of a 130 mile week and I bet that having tapered would have made a significant difference for you. You've mentioned feeling a little mentally not with it and potentially even a little stale lately. Maybe having a forced rest will be the best thing for you! Don't write off that 25k!

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