Learning to run hills again.. and being sidelined.

So, yesterday I had decided to run up to the golf course for the first time this year. The reason this is even worth mentioning is that the Golf course is a 7 mile round-trip run,  that is on the top of a VERY large hill.  I was a little nervous about it - as it was my first big hill run post-surgery, as well as being my first big hill run in my Vibram Five Fingers.  I headed out slowly, as I fully expected to have to walk a couple of times, and to really be wiped out.  I reached the bottom of the hill (that is about 1 and a half miles from my house) and headed on up.

I am a runner.

Last week, I was contemplating WHY I run.  And the very obvious answer to me - was because I am a runner.  while this may sound like circular logic, I don't see it as any different that "I think there for I am."  Only its "I run, therefore I am a runner" or "I am a runner, therefore I run."  It made perfect sense when it occurred to me.  For the large chunk of my life since highschool when I didn't run - inside, I still thought of myself as a runner.  I don't mean it in the sense of Al Bundy as a football star - relieving "past glories."  Just that running has been a part of me since I found it in highschool, even when I wasn't actively a runner.  We would do our 1.5 mile runs in the Navy - and it was something I NEVER worried about - as I was a runner (even though I was only running 2 times a year at my semi-annual physical fitness test.)

Running in the morning.. the cause of today's whining.

So, I was up and at 'em at 5 am this morning.  Have I ever mentioned that I don't like mornings?  My son's choir that he is in - the Parlor City Boy's Chorus - is performing tonight at St. Ambrose Church in Endicott NY (at 6:30 - please notice the subtle plug) so I had to get my run in this morning instead of my usual post-work run.

[caption id="attachment_302" align="aligncenter" width="640" caption="The Parlor City Boy's Chorus at their Winter Concert"][/caption]

My legs just did not want to work at first.

Mileage and days spent running..

A couple of weeks ago I posted that I was feeling guilty not running, even though it was a rest day.  At the time I was really trying to get used to my Vibram Five Fingers - and would do a long run, a shorter run and then a rest day.  It was pointed out to me that - if you are doing mileage correctly, you could run six days in a row before a rest day.  Now, this isn't necessarily true when starting from scratch (or when recovering from surgery), but it seemed like it might be a good thing for me to look at - especially since I was finally able to get my mileage up over 20 miles/week for the first time since last November.

Another post about pain... Though this one concerns CrossTraining!

If you read any running magazines, or decent blogs on running - the importance and benefits of cross training will come up.  How it can strengthen your core, help prevent injuries and even speed up recovery time.  But, the negative aspects of cross training aren't always mentioned. This is where my story comes in.

So, last week, I began to supplement my running with lifting.  What this means, is that I lifted once - and then never got around to it the rest of the week.  But this week is/was going to be different! so on Monday, I did my run - and followed it up with a Chest/Shoulders and Tricep work out.  I didn't kill myself over it but did ensure that all muscle groups got a decent work out.  Then last night, I headed out the door to do 4 miles or so.  About two miles into it, my chest (left side) started to cramp.  For the life of me, I couldn't' figure out why!  My form was good, my breathing was good, and my arms were swinging as they should.  Then it occurred to me.  I had spent the previous day, working my chest to exhaustion.

I continued to run (of course), but made it a point to really concentrate on form.  The cramping did indeed work its way out and the rest of the run wasn't too bad.  The general point here - is to realize that when you start a new exercise routine - it usually causes a new type of pain.  This is also true when you drastically change, or add too - your existing exercise plan.  I hadn't thought about the fact that tired muscles - chest/back/whatever - will affect running, just as my goal of strengthening them will affect running.

Sometimes, Common Sense - doesn't seem so common.

Where you run changes the sites and sounds..

So last night I headed out for my run in the early evening.  As it was looking quite overcast, I decided to go without my headphones to avoid their getting soaked (and presumably never working again) in a heavy down pour.  I also changed up my running route, and headed out to, and then up, Main St.  What makes this note-worthy, is that it was fairly warm and there were many people outside.  My usual route takes me on less-walked and crowded areas containing less traffic of both the foot and car variety.

Beeping and Waving... or not.

[caption id="attachment_283" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="Its nice to wave at the runners you know as you drive by!"][/caption]

So last week, I decided to head out for my second 7.5 mile run of the week (in my FIRST 20 mile week since my surgery!!!)  The interesting thing, was within the first mile I had 3 different cars beep and wave!  Later on in the run - another one did.  The cars were moving faster than I were, albeit - not by much (you believe this right?), but faster none the less - so I was unable to see who it was.  However, as I was running - it was very encouraging and helped perk me up a bit.  To be honest - the intial ones perked me up so well - that I really enjoyed the run and smiled a good portion of the way!

Different things can perk people up or make them feel good about themselves.  I know I love hearing from people - "I saw you out running yesterday!"  But a beep and a wave WHILE I am running - turns out that is even better.  It can take a good run, and make it great.

Ironically.. My wife drove by on her way to work, and did NOT beep and wave... Can you feel the love?

(In her defense, our horn isn't in the middle of the steering wheel.  She said she hit the airbag as she went by...)