My New years resolution: priority to remain uninjured! Pah!
Even as I made the resolution I knew my thigh was beginning to play up again, and on Monday I accepted (temporary) defeat. So now I'm resting it. No running, but still swimming and some strength work.
Today I went to our local uni sports clinic. It turned out an 'injury assessment' was absolutely free. Two hours later I had been thoroughly assessed by two final year students and their teacher (a qualified Sports Therapist), the offending quad had been massaged and taped and I had a list of suggestions ranging from the content of my training plan, to strength work and dynamic stretches pre-run. It was really informative.
As for the injury - it seems there is nothing serious, but there is clearly something in the mechanics of the way that I'm running that keeps aggravating the quad muscles, and so I need to be mindful as I go forwards.
I explained my current training - a 9 day cycle with 4 runs, 4 cross days and one rest day. It was strongly suggested that that was too much for me (just now at least); I should consider reducing the running days, focus more on the cross training and maybe aim for two rest days in my 9 day cycle!
When I started this plan, intuitively I knew I needed to add in cross training (which I hadn't been doing previously) because I felt my condition wasn't up to continued increase in running effort beyond the point I was at. This plan means I've made steps in the right direction but the advice is that I need to alter the run/cross balance yet more.
She went to great lengths to stress that running is not the only route to running fitness and that muscles stressed from running need time to heal before being used in the same way again. But we forum-dwellers know all that don't we? There's a subtle message there though for me - it's about having the confidence to reduce the runs, yet still be fit enough to run better.
Anyway, no running for the rest of this week. Instead I will spend time amending my plan! After chatting to Abi I'm going to remove the easy recovery runs, swap a couple of days about and will end up pretty much with: run/cross/cross/run/cross/rest/run/cross/rest . Hopefully that will help keep this recurring problem at bay,
To anyone else who is injured or sick - heal fast; to everyone else - enjoy a run for me please
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linda9389
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Sorry to hear your quad is giving you grief again Linda, fingers crossed it will improve with a few days rest and an amended training plan. Lucky you having a uni sports clinic on your doorstep though! Not long to your holiday now, perfect opportunity to give your quads a thorough rest
I wouldn't have thought of going there, it was actually Abi's suggestion and now I think of it others have mentioned uni clinics before. The amended plan is all prepared and doesn't look too naked with the easy runs removed, so I'm feeling calm and positive again
TBH I’m really not feeling it this week, tried to do my 15km run on Tuesday but aborted after just 3 km, legs felt like lead and my nose was streaming (that’s normal for me but I had forgotten to take tissues). Will try again today.... can’t wait for my holiday but that’s still a couple of weeks away
Some runs are just like that aren't they. Best cut short and left for another day. Good luck today, and here's to holidays! We will come back super refreshed and ready to go 😀
Im sorry to hear about your leg Linda, but it sounds like you’ve taken the right advice and built a plan that will work for you. That Uni clinic Abi suggested is a great thing too. Wish we had something like that here.
Sorry to hear this Linda. Sounds like you've had some great support and advice though. Rest up well and good luck with your revised plan when you get back out there!🙂
Agh! Saw GP on Wednesday who said there is still a 'bit of a crackle' on one lung (no treatment needed as he thinks all is resolving and I feel SO much better now but I guess I may have to wait a few more days!😫😫😫
Aw! You! So sorry that your quad (just looked up about quads, still so much to learn) is causing you problems. What an example of being positive even when you have had a set back! Well done you and all the best with your onward "run/cross/cross/run/cross/rest/run/cross/rest" plan. Certainly not a total ic phase at least. Here are some flowers for you 🌸🌺🌼
Oh! I think I misunderstood just X training and rest for now and the modified 9 day cycle later. You are certainly good at coming up with strategies! Well done you! I'm glad that you like the flowers and that you are looking after them too! 😊
That’s good news that it’s nothing serious. Maybe slowing your pace could help? I know after I finished my first hm I started ramping up the pace which seemed to cause various niggles, especially as I still relatively new to running.
I have found with my hip that as soon as I try and increase speed it goes but I can plod on forever almost at my own pace I use my park runs as my only bit of speed work
One of the things she said was tjat some runners find good form at slower speeds, but that some actually find slow speeds interfere with form. Yet again it seems to be a personal thing and I see lots of evidence to support that just reading posts here - you and Hillrunner2201 have both experienced niggles at faster speeds and yet several people have said they feel really uncomfortable when they slow pace down to suggested 'easy' pace. In my case I suspect it's poor form whatever the pace but I do try to think about that as I run 😂
That is literally a pain, but you've learnt some things which are going to make you a better runner moving forwards, so this little blip in the plan will ensure long-term success!!
Sorry your quad is still bothering you Linda, sounds like you have remained positive and put a good plan (B) together. Hope a wee rest and the massage does it good and you will be back out there very soon 😊🏃💪 xx
Thanks Helen. Glad it sounds positive because I felt like I was having a right good whine! Just off for a replacement swim which will make me feel better. She even talked about how a long swim can be used to deal with endurance and persuading the mind to keep going when you're tired and bored. Now she was VERY positive, every cloud had lots of silver linings 😀
You didn't sound whiny at all! Just determined to make the most of your situation. Well done for getting to the uni sports therapist, sounds like you got load of good advice 😊
Atb to you Linda and keeping injury free and finding what you need.
It’s ironic that through the general adaption syndrome,super compensation, and sprinting implications that our bodies adapt and strengthen in order to cope with our demands.
Of course we do not run through pain, but overall exercise loading,and a comfortable adaption time/period depending on good recovery due to thorough warm up and warm down and as you know lots of other good practices, can allow you in time to achieve anything and not limit any of your ambitions.
I have the greatest respect for people in this field but have to say if I followed there advise and indeed followed the guide lines which I also respect, I would never have experienced any of the stuff I have trialled.
You listen to your body and take good care of you,but never believe you are limited, our amazing bodies are not, just time to find what is good for you.
You're right there! It's finding that line and the best route to it. I've been running with the pain but I was aware it was getting worse not better so thought it must be time for a (hopefully) short break!
Sorry you’re quad’s playing up, but good to hear you’ve got advice on moving forward Linda. Hopefully it will settle down and not happen again.❤️
Having largely taken the easy cross option of walking, which I’d really like to do 7 days a week anyway, I see my current cross days as “as good as” rest days. I’m hoping that avoids me overdoing things as much for now. Hopefully we’ll all be more robust for run days after we’ve clocked more months of running.
Right now even walking is uncomfortable! The pool is the one place where I don't feel it, which is realky nice. Robust sounds like a great target to aim for 😀
I have liked your post, not because you are briefly sore (boooo) but because I like how you're simply adapting to suit. A holiday will do you the world of good, and you'll be back up and running (figuratively and literally) in no time
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