One week ago today I pulled my groin running hard to first in a meaningless softball game. I've never been brought to by knees (actually to my back) in such convincing fashion. When I got back up, i couldn't even walk without a big limp.
So I have spent the last week doing absolutely no running. I visited the PT three times. Rode about 45 miles on my bike and did three 30-minute sessions on the ellipitical. I discovered a few things in the process:
(1) It is very hard to get a decent cardio workout on a bike.
(2) I hate to bike
(3) I hate working out indoors on an elliptical or any other device
(4) I really like running
The good news is that I was able to run today. I ran about half on grass and the other half on blacktop. No pain and only a little tightness. I ran pretty slow...averaging 7:45 miles. I can tell that speed work is a no-go for at least another week. I intentionally waited until noon to make sure it was warm enough outside that my muscles would be loose. Which brings me to my next point.
Seattle is at the beginning of a heat wave for the ages. When I left to run at about 12:15, it was already 89 degrees and very humid for our area making the heat index well over 90. We topped out at 96 but triple digits are coming for the next three days or so. I know many of you live in climates where the mid-90s and even low 100s are common in the winter. But Seattle has hit 100 degrees only once since they started keeping records in 1891. Yes, once. In fact, we only average two days per year in the 90s which is why very few Seattleites have air conditioning in their homes.
Anyway, we'll be hanging out at the library today once I get back from cub day camp. The bad news is that I can't run today until about 4pm...the absolute hottest part of the day. Should be fun. | 