Writing training logs when you are injured… stinks. Maybe that’s why I waited so long into the new month to write this (a whopping 6 days). I thought maybe I would have good news to share. October started off great and then slowly became not as great.
Miles run: 280 miles
Range of Paces: 6:14-20:30-untimed
Rest days: 6
Swimming: 29.16 miles
Thoughts:
The month can be divided into before injury and after injury. I had a great race at RnR San Jose on the first day of the month. It was redemption after a not great 2022 race. I ran a 7:02 paced half on a long course. I thought I am finally getting into some sort of fitness. I was second overall at the Aquarium of the Pacific 5k where I took it out in a 6:14 mile but couldn’t hold on due to the very hilly second and third mile. I couldn’t believe I was even second. Then I ran the Long Beach half the day after on tired legs and averaged a 7:22 pace. Honestly, training was going well and I was feeling really good about the upcoming marathon (CIM). I thought maybe a sub 3:20 was in reach. The last race of the bunch was the Space Rocks trail half marathon where I finished 4th overall. With 3000 feet elevation gain, it was hard, but honestly, I could not care less about time in trail races.
On Tuesday, October 24th, I woke up with immense sciatic pain. It wasn’t after a run; I just got out of bed and immediately I was like, holy crap. Back and sciatic pain is what knocked me out of running for 2 months about 2 years ago, so I was fairly worried that it was a similar case here, and honestly, it still might be.
Looking back at my training, it’s easy to see this likely wasn’t an “I just woke up and I have no idea what happened” kind of moment. The week between Long Beach and Space Rocks, I did not feel great. Not injured, but every run just felt hard. My legs felt very tired, and I even said to someone, “I might be on the brink of an injury.” Yet, I still ran. My guess is Space Rocks was the final push that locked up a bunch of muscles in my hip and back.
I’ve been seeing Rich at VFE Enrichment to try and unlock my hip. That Tuesday when I got out of bed, I couldn’t stand, sit, walk, or do anything without shooting sciatic pain down my leg. Right now, I can walk, sit, stand, swim 100% pain-free, but the moment I try and run the pain comes back.
I rented a lever system (-45 pounds body weight) and have been running about 3 miles on that, but I don’t really love it. In fact, I’m not sure how I feel about it. I think it drastically changes my form. So TBD.
All of that to say, I have no idea if CIM is in my future. I’ve already missed 3 long runs, and since I don’t really have a marathon base I don’t know if it’s a great idea to run. I’ve only run a few marathons, and I don’t really want to finish just to finish. I would rather rest up and get a good base for the Los Angeles marathon in March. We will see though, if I can run Richmond half on Nov 10 then I’ll consider CIM; if I can’t, then I know that it’s not a good idea.
Finally, being injured I have swam more than usual this month but I can’t get to the pool every day with my work schedule.
Posts from the Month:
Shoe Reviews:
Saucony Triumph 21 Shoe Review
New Balance More v4 Shoe Review
Brooks Ghost Max Shoe Review
Hoka Cielo Road Shoe Review
Gear Reviews:
Coros Pace 3 Watch Review
Vitassium by SaltStick Review
Bodyglide Review: Do you need it?
Shoe Guides:
Guide to Saucony Running Shoes
Guide to ASICS Running Shoes
Guide to New Balance Running Shoes (2023)
Guide to Hoka Running Shoes (2023)
Guide to Brooks Running Shoes
Questions for you:
How was your month of training?
What are you training for?
Was Revel Big Bear in your plans for this year?
No. I think the race is really well put together and I had fun but that downhill was harsh on my body and I wouldn’t have recovered fast enough before running CIM.
Here I was complaining about a mild ankle pain.
Injuries stinks, no matter what!! Hope you heal quickly Llon.