Run-Down Forums

mlewis73 · Water Boy Joined: 23 Nov 2003 Posts: 89

Okay, I'm taking Dan's advice to play nicely and start a running log. Wink

Before embarrassing myself too much I must preface all my messages that will follow with the comment that I'm coming back from knee surgery due to a softball injury (surgery was in September '03) and have been battling tendinitis since surgery.

This has meant that I've gone from running 5-6 times a week for the past 10 years (injury free) to having taken the past 4 months off from running almost entirely due to fears the knee was worse off after surgery. Doc told me to start running again on 1/6/04.

SOOOO... four days later, I ran my first half marathon (Museum of Aviation fund raiser at Robins AFB) at a very leisurely pace and managed to finish the run feeling ENERGIZED and OUTSTANDING instead of tired, although I was very sore. I was somewhat embarrassed by my time (1:45), but set out merely to show myself that I wasn't going to be crippled forever following the surgery and that I could indeed complete the distance. Yes, it was embarrassing to have women, old folks, and kids place before me but... my mission was accomplished, right? Ran at a comfortable pace--never breathed hard--and the young lady I ran alongside placed in the awards for her age group.

Since then, I've gotten back into running trails a little bit. Need to pull myself back in and keep it on the track or smooth dirt for awhile, as trails are a little rough on the knee, still. Have noticed a marked decline in my endurance and speed. The best way to describe the way I feel right now is, "unbalanced." Legs feel heavy, lungs are struggling, and upper body feels lighter and tighter than it should. Back on the long, slow road to recovery... hopefully to once again be in a position to work on getting my 1.5 mile run times down to about 8 minutes.

Ran about 4 miles this morning coming back home from the auto mechanic (left the truck there for front end work), with lots of stops and starts as required by the lungs. Felt good, but noticed the heartrate ticked up into The Astronomical Zone rather quickly. Gonna see how things go tomorrow... might make it a track workout if weather permits.

Hired a well-known running coach in Atlanta to help get things back in gear... hope to meet him this weekend.

Mike

Dan · Posted: Mon Jan 19, 2004 9:32 am Post subject:

Welcome to the coolness corner! Thumbs Up

Do we get to know who your well known Georgian coach is? Micah???

Dan
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Micah Ward · Posted: Mon Jan 19, 2004 10:43 am Post subject:

When Mike gets a good look at my own track record he might pay me NOT to coach him!!! Surprised

Hey Mike, we need to hook up at a race somewhere. I'll be the old fat guy at the back of the middle of the pack. Laughing

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graeme · Posted: Mon Jan 19, 2004 12:28 pm Post subject:

Welcome, Mike Smile

let us know how things go with your coach.

mlewis73 · Water Boy Joined: 23 Nov 2003 Posts: 89

Paul · Posted: Mon Jan 19, 2004 12:52 pm Post subject:

You wouldn't happen to be training with Roy Benson, would you??
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Dan · Posted: Mon Jan 19, 2004 1:35 pm Post subject:

I thought Roy Benson is in Australia? Confused

Australia ... Atlanta ... close enough.

Dan
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mlewis73 · Water Boy Joined: 23 Nov 2003 Posts: 89

mlewis73 · Water Boy Joined: 23 Nov 2003 Posts: 89

Paul · Posted: Mon Jan 19, 2004 4:30 pm Post subject:

Mike, now you know why I've been tagged the "reader" of the group. I would strongly recommend picking up his two books, "Coach Benson's Secret Workouts" and "The Runner's Coach" to give you an idea of where he will be coming from and an intro to his methods. He is a big heart rate monitor believer.
135 on a 5'10" frame is not too thin, but I'm sure some weight training would be very beneficial.
Mike, you are fortunate to have ventured on to this Forum. If I try to introduce any training info on my own club's message board, I am declared an elitist. Confused

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Paul · Posted: Mon Jan 19, 2004 4:35 pm Post subject:

Benson was with the original Florida Track Club people during those astounding early 70's: Shorter, Galloway, Batchelor, and, yes, John L. Parker (Once A Runner).
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mlewis73 · Water Boy Joined: 23 Nov 2003 Posts: 89

graeme · Posted: Tue Jan 20, 2004 7:38 am Post subject:

If you ask me, 5'10" and 135 pounds is good for a runner. That doesn't mean you can't work on your core and upper strength, but you'll have huge advantages in running economy.

I'm 6 feet and get as low as 125 sometimes. (it seems to be going up constantly now, despite my efforts to keep it low)

mlewis73 · Water Boy Joined: 23 Nov 2003 Posts: 89

Well, today I had a good one. Short, but good.

Ran a 2 mile warmup and then 4 200m sprints, with 200m walking rests in between each sprint. Times were roughly 31.6, 32.1, 30.6, 32.5 and I was pretty worn out. This is the first time I've sprinted for training since high school (14 years ago) and I found myself hurting towards the end of each sprint but still capable of pushing.

Actually ran out of lungs. Might be due to the fact that I'm getting over a minor head cold. First time I've been sick with anything in 3 years. Weight is down a couple pounds, energy level is low, and heart rate is up. Actually had to stop once during my warmup.

Went rowing on the rowing erg at the gym for a few minutes after running.

Those 400m pieces are gonna hurt!! I'm probably not aerobically up to those yet.

Hopefully things'll go better next time I run. Probably going to take Thursday off and run on Friday morning.

Mike

Dan · Posted: Wed Jan 21, 2004 4:58 pm Post subject:

Not bad at all. Thumbs Up

Dan
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