Finishing a 100 miler (or a goal race) is sort of like Christmas- There is so much build up/excitement/anticipation, for months and months, and then the day comes, and it's over, and you are left feeling a little bit empty (trying to recover).
I wish my recovery was going a little bit better or perhaps I just need to be a little bit more realistic with myself. Is it weird to expect to feel really good after my first 100 miler? It's funny, my legs actually feel really good but I have a few nagging knee issues. If I were to stand on one leg and grab my right foot behind me as if to stretch my quad, I am left with a little bit of tightness at my pattella (or the tendon that goes over it). I am sure sitting in a car for 3 days after the event did not help but I got to see some pretty new places along the coast!
I decided to run exactly one week after the event. I hadn't felt any pain in any of my muscles or joints the couple days leading up to it. If I were to run Knee Knacker 50km, which was in a weeks time, this run was the test. Well, needless to say, I failed miserably. It was a point to point run and by the time my knee was hurting badly, I was closer to the finish than the start. I pushed on. The pain surprisingly subsided shortly after I stopped running.
I took the next day off, and hiked the following day with minimal soreness. Yesterday it was stunning out and I couldn't resist but head outside. I was planning on a hike but once I got moving I decided on something with less vertical as I feared I'd flare up the knee on the way down. Being me, I decided to run a little bit, super slow and for short durations at a time (to test out the knee). The discomfort was on and off but enough that I knew I should not have been trying it at all. I don't know why it is so hard to take time off. Perhaps, I am just so used to doing it (running that is) and so is natural to head outside for a run when it is nice.
I am finally going to see someone today (my chiro) to get it assessed and see what is going on. I don't think it is severe but perhaps a little more R and R is needed. I don't think I have realized the severity of what a 100 mile race can do to the body. Perhaps I am a little nieve. I sure can't wait to start running again though!
I get to spend 3 wonderful days with my Gildersleeve family in the Comox Valley on the island this weekend. It is going to be a blast! Right after that Peter and I head up to Shuswap for a week with his family. I am looking forward to playing lot's of tennis! It's the only time I play all year and it's a sport I really like. Watching Wimbledon has left me feeling a little inspired!
Alright, time to go pump up my flat tire and head out on the bike!
Good luck to all those running Knee Knacker 50km this weekend. I in so many ways which I could be there. Maybe next year!!!
3 comments:
Hope you feel better very soon, and am sure you will. You had an amazing race at Western, and I thoroughly enjoyed your race report.
Have a great recovery. Don't even think about running- just go PLAY!!
I will miss you at KK. My husband is out due to a foot fracture, my friend is pregnant, and you just ran a 100 miler... excuses, excuses! JK. I kinda wish I had an excuse in this heat!! Have a great holiday!
Heather- you are going to have a great time @ KK! I wish I could not think about running...but it's just so much fun! I went for my first bike ride...man is was hot out!
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