Tuesday, April 15, 2008

Perspective

It sucks being that kid. You know the one. The kid that always gets hurt on the playground. The kid that the other kids always have to take home because of some injury. The one kid on the block who always has some sort of malady and can't go out and play. That's me. I'm that kid.

It's not because I'm clumsy or uncoordinated. It's not because I'm reckless. It's just that I'm kind of unlucky. But, it's not just luck. It's a bit of body type. I'm naturally unnaturally tight. It's my particular personal hurdle.

This year was meant to be an experiment. The goal was to learn about my body and how it could hold up to a full training schedule. As I've been telling people, it's the first time in 10 years that I've been both interested in running and not injured. Well, scratch the latter. That being said, the experiment is by no means a failure. I've learned that I can't just run. I need to run. I need to stretch. I need to get massage. I need to strengthen my core. I can't just jump up and go. So, really, I've already learned quite a bit. Just not in the manner I had hoped.

Right now, I'm on the shelf. My right calf is officially strained, and I'm taking about two full weeks off from running. I'm heating and icing it, right now. I'm stretching. But, I'll also be doing core work. And, I'll still be planning. For summer racing, April is an important month. My April we be practically devoid of running. Not exactly ideal. Hopefully, I'll still be able to run the Pineland Farms 25k. Hopefully, I'll still be able to run Mt. Washington. Neither of them will probably be as fast as I would like. But this year is an experiment. Good results would be nice, but not necessary.

In my mind, I know I have the ability to break 1 hour for 10 miles. I just have to convince my body. I know that I have the ability to run a 3:30 marathon. I just have to convince my body. Or, I need to work with my body to figure it out. I have a really long list of things I want to do: trail runs, races, long mountain runs and other crazy stuff. I just need to work out an agreement with my body that gets me there. We'll come up with some sort of treaty.

That being said, being injured still sucks. I'm getting really cranky. It's too nice outside to not be running. April showers? Um, not when I can't run. CRAP.

I also looking at a new training plan:

Anyone know where I can get some KGB agents to chase me?

2 comments:

JAD said...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8sJj2K5R5FA

sn0m8n said...

That's pretty impressive. Although, that boy needs to eat something. There's a good post over at Runnerville that puts his race in perspective:
http://runnerville.com/2008/04/14/a-little-context-for-halls-london-run/