Well, I did something completely out of character for me today. I stopped listening to the PT and threw all caution to the wind. I wanted to run just a few miles to see how things would go...just a few. I'd planned the morning so I could do 1 hr cardio then spin class then finish with another hour of cardio work. Well, I figured I'd try the miles first, because if I had any pain it would just get worse (I wasn't feeling much/any pain this morning to begin with mind you), so do the running while I felt good. I sure felt good, so I kept on running... 5 miles in 44 min (8:48 AP - started at 8:57 and the last mile was progressive). Then it was off for a quick spin. There were some other teachers in the class that Jenn felt the need to impress, so the class was tough. Hills, but had to keep cadence pace as well - not to mention that she doesn't let you out of the saddle for the first 30 minutes. Then it was off to the last hour of cardio... Leg was feeling good, so I thought "I'll just do 6 miles, just 6...or maybe 7 like 2 weeks ago and see how it goes" Well, I just kept on running for the full hour. It felt SO good! I would constantly take inventory and make sure no (more) pain was creeping in and that my form was good with driving knees and toe push - no more shuffling for me! I started again at 8:57 pace and after 3 or 4 miles kept increasing the pace. Mile 5 was started at 8:16 pace and mile 6 was started with an even 8:00, then with .5 left I went to 7:53, .25 was at 7:30, then .15 was at 6:58 - finished with an AP of 8:37 which isn't too shabby given A: all I'd done the 2 hours before hand and B: the majority of the run was at a 9mm. I went to roll out my quad (which still wasn't feeling too bad) before I left and there was a massage therapist loitering around trying to peddle his services. I chatted him up a little and put him to work on my quad - WOW! Totally made the gym fee this month worth it. A 20 min free massage and he did some really good hip flexor releases and stretches. I think I may need to call MY massage therapist now and make an appointment! Came home feeling good and energized, there is a little lingering adductor/quad tightness or whatnot, but overall it doesn't feel any worse than after a normal workout and about 90% better than the last Saturday I ran. I am now not so worried that Ogden is going to be a complete disaster.
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