7k! Beautiful day - minimal pain - very happy

[WeavingWonk]

Exchanged my new Hoka's for a wide. And it is total love...

Yesterday was my first physio appointment. He is a magician, I swear.. Just with the things he did yesterday,, I could feel the difference today. I have a lot of imbalance and muscle dysfunction,, so it's going to take a while, but I have high hopes. Wow!

I also learned that my stride is pathetically short for my leg length because my torso rotation is restricted. Not something I would have thought of. I was thinking only about what my legs are doing. In time he says we can resolve that too.

Anyway...that said...I went off to run 7k down by the river. Can't see the river for a lot of the trail because there are trees and the railway line in between. But it's a tarmac trail that is wide and well maintained and intended for cycling and running etc.

Gorgeous chilly day but I soon shed my thin little windbreaker and wrapped it round my waist - a few odd looks from people wearing long sleeves as I ran past in a sleeveless dress and tights! Kept an eye on pace with the goal of running 8:30-9:00 / km from the outset so I would have the energy to finish. My other goal was to stay in Zone 3 for more of the run than usual. Again to conserve energy.

Success! About 60% of the run under 150bpm and the max was several beats slower than usual. Pace slowed down significantly for the 5th km, and then I managed to get back in a groove. My VO2 max dropped a point this week and this run didn't get it back, but I might try to run fast(ish) for my short run this week, and that should bring it back...

There were quite a few runners and walkers with bibs. And cyclists wearing the race t-shirt, carrying water etc, trailing the runners (in cycling lingo- SAG).

There were also huge packs of bike teams on the trail, but they didn't appear to be racing. They were drafting though, so I couldn't help but think how much of each other's breath they were inhaling!

It was a busy morning on the trail, but it didn't matter. It was never too crowded. It's hatching season, so lots of squished snakes on the trail. And millions of Lantern Flies, which are a horrendous pest, even though very pretty. They love to land on me when I am running. Yuk.

Quite looking forward to running in Yorkshire next year when we move to England. I never really have acclimated to all the bugs and critters here in the US. Or the heat. I LOVED running in today's cool sunshine.

[Elfe5 60minGraduate]

‘Lots of squished snakes’ - now that’s different! (From a UK viewpoint.)

It sounds like your physio is sorting you out - that’s very encouraging - & great run, go you! 😄

Yup, running in Yorkshire will be different- & wonderful I’m sure. 😄