Monday, February 18, 2008

Twenty near LAX

Last weekend's 20 miler was the only run I got done last week. I did make it to the gym twice during the week and put in some good crosstraining efforts on the elliptical and the bike.

Just for something a little different, for the run I headed to the LA county beaches. I started out near the Los Angeles International Airport at Dockweiler Beach and headed north. I only had a rough idea of landmarks for a turn around point, so I mostly ran for by time. Since I run naked (no Garmin) the 20 miles may be a little soft but not by much.

I ran around the marina at Marina Del Rey and then through Venice City Beach and up past Santa Monica State Beach before turning around. On major con of this route is all the concrete and that the bike path is marked "Bikes Only" but the bikers were in a mood to share. The pros included the carefree nature of the run and on the way north I ran into many large groups of runners from the LA Road Runners. There must have been 8 to 10 different pace groups of runners with up to 20 or so in each group. It was pretty cool to see that many runners training en masse. The Los Angeles Marathon is only two weeks away. It is NOT my next marathon.

I was out there for 3:09 so the 20 miler distance better not be too soft. The 9:27 pace is still among my slowest paces in a very long time. At the end of the run I felt like a zombie. Luckily after a cool down walk, some light stretches, some food (a power bar and banana) and some cold water I felt human again in no time at all.

I haven't mentioned it much lately but the left hip is still a nagging issue. I've gotten used to it. Stretching and massage seems to help a lot. Now I've got another thing that is bugging me even more. There's a pressure, sort of a large knot, between my tibia and my calf muscle that I feel with each step. I've been running through it, but now it hurts even walking. I've been trying to self massage and ice but the pressure is pretty deep. As much as I dislike the idea, I may need to seek professional advice.

This weekend is race #3 of the Winter Trail Run Series, an 18K. It may be the only run I get in this week

As Sarah note, the 20 miler likely indicates a marathon in the future. Hopefully this latest injury won't be the end of those plans.

8 comments:

Wes said...

Terribly sorry to hear about your injuries! You're an old pro at this now, so I know you'll take good care of yourself :-)

Sarah said...

Yeah, sounds like you need to get that knot checked out. The Trigger Point Therapy Workbook is really helpful too. Take care!

Anonymous said...

please don't ever say you run naked again.... :)

and not to be the nagging wife, go see a sports doc. I'm sure that your blogging community friends will agree it's time.

~Lisa

Unknown said...

I hope the injury works itself out. It might be a good idea to seek advice from a professional especially since Lisa is suggesting. Good luck with the 18k!

Backofpack said...

You know, really, the proper form is to run wearing nothing BUT a garmin. That's really running naked!

Your knot sounds similar to what I had last year - on the inside of my calf. The chiropracter worked on it with a Graston tool, I changed up my shoes and used arnica (oral and topical) and continued to run. I also iced it daily with an ice cup rather than a bag (massaging it with the ice). It went away after a few weeks. Hope that works for you.

runliarun said...

Oh, so what is your next marathon? Number 13? Hope you will negotiate the injuries.

Joe said...

I'm sensing some very busy days in the orthodontia business, Darrell; hope it is good for you.

Bummer on the hip thing...I was thinking about that for you on a run last week and hoping that "no news was good news." There is some good advice here. Lisa knows you well :-)

David said...

You know my mantra: deep tissue massage.

I hope it clears up.

Chicago is still open.