First; here is the route for my run today. 24 degrees and gray outside, a little windy. I was comfortable in a base layer and some fleece pants, hat, gloves, light jacket and wool socks over my dry fits. I am always nervous about running in cold or rainy weather, but it usually is just fine.
Second; posting title: I am not sure who sounded that warning first, but I have heard it many times since I was a kid. I have fond memories of watching dozens of bundled up people run by my house in New Hampshire whether in rain, snow, or deceitful frozen sunshine, on a 20 mile organized training run, every March, year after year. I would aspire to join them. At the time I had no concept of what series of hills could do to a person AFTER running over 15 miles already. With another 5+ miles to go after the last hill!
I was back in New England a few weeks ago and was shocked to see the hills. Everywhere hills! Driving along the streets where I grew up I was in disbelief that I used to run all over those hills. Those hills! I never realized I was running on all those hills! I just went from point A to point B, or in loop, or out and back, and tried not to trip on the edge of the pavement or twist my ankle on a pine cone.
4 years in Chicago has made me a complete and utter, injury ridden wimp! What am I going to do! — Such were the thoughts running through my mind on a sleepless night recently.
In trying to find some reliable information on the inclines of each hill on the Boston Marathon course last night, I stumbled upon this article by Marc Chalufour. And now it’s the DECLINES not the inclines that are making my shudder. I already began jotting down some exercises to add to my training to try to get my joints extra stable before the marathon.
Here are the inclines I have found so far, I pulled this text directly from a forum
“It’s rolling before this but starting at mile 16 for .6 mile set at 2.4% incline,
then mile 17.6 for .3m 4.7% incline,
mile 19.2 for .4m 3% incline,
mile 20.3 for .4m 4.6% incline”
I have done two hills workouts on the treadmill so far. I am keeping track of how many “hills” I do per workout and the inclines, as well as total feet climbed so I can chart it to be sure I stay on track.
My long run is scheduled for tomorrow, but I am going to push it back to Saturday. Just about every injury I have ever had seems to be hurting today. I have one shin wrapped, a foot braced, a heating pad waiting on my pillow, and a night splint ready to go. I am going to try to go swim tomorrow after work, and spend some time quality time with my foam roller
Good grief, is week 2 over yet?!
-AB
All wrapped up and resting with Penelope post run.
Pingback: 25 weeks out: training recap. | Fluency's Folly