I missed a few weeks of posting my training. So, I figured the first thing I would do is catch up.
Jan 31 - Feb 6: 4 runs, 32.28 km, 2:49:40 total time
Feb 7 - Feb 13: 4 runs, 29.84 km, 2:38:15 total time
Feb 14 - Feb 20: 5 runs, 41.52 km, 3:42:57 total time - (week breakdown below)
Mon: planned rest day
Tue: 7.25 km, 5:16/km, 147 avg heart rate
Wed: 5.96 km, 6:01/km, 134 avg heart rate
Thu: 8.89 km, 5:23/km, 143 avg heart rate
Fri: planned rest day
Sat: 12.95 km, 5:04/km, 150 avg heart rate (hour+ run)
Sun: 6.48 km, 5:24/km, no heart rate data
2011 totals: 27 runs, 219.37 km, 19:24:17 total time
As you can probably tell, the last three weeks have been status quo. Just more of the same: trying to run more, having bouts of time when I feel great and others when I feel I regressed.
In really attempting to be inteligent, but truthful with myself, I believe I have recognized a few things. The first is that it seems that running does not make my back feel worse. I have gone for short runs and long runs, some easier, some more of an effort. There is not one time I have felt better or worse. To me, it seems as though the pain stems from a physiologic problem.
Sure, I understand that in running with any problem, I am in greater danger of injuring myself...either a new injury or a reaggrivation of a former/ongoing one. Hence why the last three weeks have been similar to previous weeks in 2011.
Another realization is that it appears the pain/discomfort in my lower left leg is increased with running. I have had massages and done countless muscle work with the stick, but the tightness and tenderness continue to return. My range of motion has not been affected like it has been in the past, which is a good thing.
Meaning, I think both my lower left leg and lower left back pain are symptoms which stem from an underlying root cause. Could it be the collapsed arch on my left foot? I don't know. Recently, I have tried using a grade c orthotic (dr scholls athlete insert) in my running shoes. As of yet, I can not conclude whether it is working or not.
I believe I have been given all of the tools by my chiropractor to return to a healthy state. However, I think I need to address what I believe an underlying problem. I think more tests/research is needed to find out exactly what is going on with me.
To finish this post, I recently had a dream. It was a memory of a specific moment after a training run I had completed a few weeks prior to my marathon back in 2009. It was after a 14+ mile tempo run with the middle 10.5 miles @ 6:06/mile pace. I remember how good I felt during and after the run, but I also remember how happy I was that I was done with the workout. I remember during the dream the feelings of satisfaction, confidence, happiness that resulted from that workout. When I woke up, I knew that was a feeling I wanted to capture again. Here's to hope!!!