Friday, June 24, 2011

The Next Step?

So here I am enough Graston sessions into the summer that I need to get fit again. I still have pain but I can run more comfortably than I have in a long time. I've done some fartlek stuff but I have zero endurance at this point. I keep pushing forward when I will race again...soon it will be July! Maybe that will be an advantage for me since I love the heat. Sure I get hot, but I don't mind running in it at all. I actually look forward to it. A repressed memory just surfaced: In high school when other runners were drinking water and stretching out in the shade, I had my shirt off and trying to get some sun. It probably slowed me down but I still loved it. Speaking of the heat and sun, I have figured out that a big part of why this Achilles injury has taken so long to heal is because of nutrition! Anyone who knows me knows that I have acid reflux and as a result I have a sore throat much of the time. Long, boring story short, I don't eat lots of meat or any food that is difficult to swallow. I do eat eggs and peanut butter but now I have added two protein shakes a day. I already feel stronger and I hope this will speed the healing of my tendon issues. I'm also doing more eccentric exercises for my Achilles on the stairs. Down to one Graston session a week but it is time to get serious about running. Not sure I will be 100% soon but if I can race again this year I will be happy be 90%. I have been doing most of my runs on Clear Creek trail. One, it is flat and less aggravating to the Achilles. Two, on the rare 90 degree days that may require a drink of water I can get that there too. I even choke on water while standing still! Explain that to me. Three, I see other runners and that motivates me. So I guess I will keep following the current plan and see what happens next. I miss racing so much and I am not sure I will race well even when I start again. Wish I could be more patient and have less ego.