I know this is natural given the distances we've been doing on our weekend runs, but I wish still that I had the ability to do 30 mile and 40 mile weeks like other runners and not feel it. I guess I'm just not built that way.
The plus side is that we've kept consistently faster times. Even our time for the 21.5 mile run (now 3 weeks ago) where we stopped, photographed, and checked the map no less than 20 times, put me finishing the marathon 1/2 hour sooner than my Portland record. I can live with that. But I worry about my knee giving out, even though I have been working hard to stabilize it, and even though it hasn't hurt for a while.
I'm really worried about Justin, too. He seems to have developed IT Band Syndrome, to the point where he had to stop running 3 miles into our 6-miler last weekend from the pain and had a hard time walking that day and the next. I don't want to see him try to run the marathon like that, and I don't want to see him have to stop. He visited his doctor and was prescribed some sort of super-asprin. I somehow doubt it will help.
What I/we need to focus on now is the *fun* aspect of the run. This will be a nostalgic course for both of us, one that I've run most of during my time at the U of O. I hope we can focus on that and not whatever grief our bodies choose to give us. I still hope to finish in 4:40 or less, but if I can't manage that, I'll take 5:00, and if that isn't what's destined I'd be happy just to beat my pr of 5:25. If all else fails, I hope for good weather, no pain, and the company of the people I love-- we'll make it across the finish line if we have to crawl.
Posted on April 20, 2007 @ 2:55 PM | 2 comments
Comments:
Lols that is a funny visual of all of us crossing the finish line on hands and knees, like travelers lost in the desert.
I don't know if it's too close to race day for Justin to start trying some stabilizing exercises, but it might be worth a shot. Working out my legs w/ squats and other counter-stabilizing muscles has really helped me overcome IT band flares. A wikipedia search for IT bands will offer him some hints for helping his pain. I feel for him; it's a pain that's really terrible, IT band pain.
I'm *really* excited for the marathon, but I understand your apprehension about it. It's gonna be fun. I think I will finish between 5-6 hours, but if I don't oh well. Imma not gonna worry about my time; it's too much for me to think about and for me it takes the fun out of the whole thing.
By 
Rachel, at
7:44 AM, April 21, 2007
Kat and Justin,
A massage therapist with knowledge of such problems can work miracles on tight IT bands (and hips, which often contribute to the problem).
Get thee a massage, and good luck on the race! I hope to see y'all there.
By 
Patrick, at
2:49 PM, April 24, 2007
