Wednesday, June 3, 2009

National Running Day

If potato chips, peach blossoms and hot cross buns can have a day dedicated to them, running definitely deserves a day of its own. I wish I could say I ran a marathon, or even a half marathon to commemorate National Running Day, but I had to settle for 4 slow miles. Painless miles, though. Ken with his wealth of running experience, tirelessly kept pointing out issues that could have triggered my injury till the brain fog cleared and I saw the light. You see, way back when I started running, I diligently followed the videos on runnersworld.com for the foot and core strengthening exercises, which I would repeat 2-3 times a day. As cross training and free weights got added to my routine, I abandoned these exercises in the interest of time. Turns out, it was not a smart decision. On Ken’s suggestion, I’ve started doing these exercises again this week and…ah, the bliss of pain-free running! I owe you one, Ken!!! Sometimes, we overlook the most obvious things. I’ve only run twice this week, so it’s still too early to tell if the pain has completely gone, but the difference is remarkable.

Monday: 5 miles + spinning
Tuesday: Body Works
Wednesday: 4 miles

I'm keeping the mileage low this week and will most probably stick to 4 days of running.
But I am looking forward to the "Train"ing Run on Saturday. This is a much-talked about event hosted by the running club. It is a non-competitive event; people are invited to run as many (or as few) miles as they want to on the Delaware & Raritan Canal Towpath (the entire distance is 34.1 miles), then stay and enjoy a "fabulous picnic with hot and cold food and ice cold drinks" (according to the website). Before I injured myself, I was hoping to do 16 miles. Now, I'll be happy if I can complete the 11.3 miles I have signed up for. Choo-choo!

14 comments:

chris mcpeake said...

good luck on saturday.
I am celebrating with a brisk 10 mile tempo run into the wind...let the festivities begin

Beth said...

Maybe we should combine Potato Chip Day and Running Day... Yum! Good luck with you run on Saturday. You'll do great!

Mel-2nd Chances said...

glad you "re"discovered those exercises and they seem to be helping! pain-free running sounds wonderful :) Have fun Saturday!

Cindy said...

have fun at the run and thanks for posting the link to those exercises! i have all of those weakness (hip flexor etc).

Lindsay said...

ahh the 'little' exercises that we know we should do but tend to brush off. i need to get back into them too! hope you can keep it up, sounds like they are working :)

Felice Devine said...

I ran 4 today, too. Felt good, though.

The run on Saturday sounds cool. Have fun!

Mica said...

That sounds like an awesome running event, especially the post-race festivities!

Anonymous said...

Way to go on pain free running! If it's exercises that are required, exercises it will be!

Have a great "Train"ing Run on Saturday!

Abby said...

Here's to the four painless miles!!

I'll be thinking of you Saturday when I'm starting the race up in the Catskills - it'll be a fun distraction to wonder how you're doing on the trails :)

I Run for Fun said...

Hope you enjoy the trails...I'll be thinking of you, too.

Emily said...

No, I haven't been doing exercises, but maybe I should be after reading your post. I'll check out those videos you have linked...thanks!!

Aileen said...

Good luck on Saturday and don't re-injure yourself!

Amy said...

Sounds like a fun event! :)

I think perhaps I should check out the videos you have linked. I'm glad you are enjoying pain-free runs this week!

Mica said...

You got out there for National Running Day! That's what counts. I'm glad your four miles were painless, too!