Sunday, March 8, 2015

The race to recover

Ready to return
Today's workout (elliptical): 50 minutes

Racing used to be big part of my running life, but I've definitely decreased the number of events I do. It's not that I don't want to race. Races are fun and few moments in life are better than the feeling you get after you've crossed the line. I only participated in few races last year, the last one being the Jingle All The Way 5K in December that I ran with my run buddies. They're the other reason that races are fun.

The one race I've run every year without fail is the Marcie Mazzola 5K in Huntington. It was the first race I did after returning to running in 2008 (at that time it was a 4 miler) and I have a sentimental attachment to both the event and its cause. Two factors that will cause me to miss it this year include my current soreness issue and the fact that the date coincides with a visit with weekend guests.

A year ago, I was preparing for the Brooklyn Half Marathon and used the Marcie M as a speed workout as I got closer to the date. I had every intention of following Brooklyn with my usual set  of races: New Hyde Park, Dirty Sock, Cow Harbor, TOB Supervisor's, Run for the Warriors, etc. I ended up skipping them all. I'd lost interest in racing after a grueling experience in Brooklyn and I needed to recapture the thrill of the race.

Now the spirit is willing but the glute is weak. I'm anxious to return to the road and start training for something. Spring is almost here and I'm going to get out there as soon as the roads are safe. I'm encouraged by the fact that I can already do long, pain-free elliptical sessions that will allow me to maintain a level of fitness while my body repairs whatever damage I've done to it. I plan to visit to a sports doctor if I don't see fast improvement. I have a good record for recovery, but I'm not so good at staying recovered.

10 comments:

  1. I would go to the doctor before your three weeks of elliptical are up. Otherwise, you only prolong the recovery.

    My next registered race is the Kings Park 15k on Saturday. Peter will be away once again so I'm not sure I'll be able to pull it off. Also, I am not properly hill trained Nor have I don any speed work to run it competitively. I might wait until the night before to make up my mind.

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    1. I'll make an appointment. I want to get to the underlying issue, not just get back to the point where I can run again.

      I've heard the King's Park 15K's hills are killer. Maybe it's better to let that one go. Find us a race for late April/early May.

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  2. Replies
    1. I don't participate in events that deny civil rights.

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    2. It's more like a themed race. In this case, the theme is women. Do you think a zombie race denies people who are still technically alive the right to race? I agree with you, though. I have been dying to do those one mile "fun runs" before races, however they don't allow people over the age of 10 to participate. This is clearly ageism. I have already contacted the ACLU. I'm waiting to hear back before I threaten legal action. I have considered running, anyway. I would be the Rosa Parks of the fun run.

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    3. Thank you. By that I'm sure you mean that I look good for my age.

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