Running Update (Long Overdue)

I know I said I'd get back to this blog. So here is a "catch up" post.

I've experienced some problems this summer with my training, but I'm confident I will get through this.

I wrote about my 10 mile run a few weeks ago. That was a difficult run and I experienced a tremendous amount of calf pain afterwards. I attributed that to a lack of stretching and continued to stretch my legs out and let them heal - and I skipped the 12 mile run.

I then ran my 14 mile run, which was the last "on my own" training run I set myself up for, which was about 4 weeks ago. The first half went well, but the second half was the most difficult experience I've had so far. I'm not entirely sure, but I believe I pulled a muscle and getting home from that run was extremely difficult (and took a long time). I also suffered from a lack of rest and a lack of supplements. And I was mentally challenged on that run as well.

The 16 mile run was about 2 weeks ago. It went much better than the 14 mile run, but I still experienced calf pain (as well as foot pain) in the last 5 miles of the run. I was running on a new pair of shoes, which are much better (and I broke them in properly). I was so grateful to be back with my running group.

Each of these long runs resulted in pain in different areas. I decided to seek professional help. I asked several friends and fellow runners and determined that a chiropractor might be able to help me. Spencer also thinks that there is something out of balance in my body and that a chiropractor might be able to help. And I have full chiropractic benefits through my employer, with only a $5 co-pay per visit.

I skipped out on our 18 mile run last weekend because I was attending a wedding in South Dakota. I'm optimistic and confident that things will improve through a series of chiropractic adjustments and shorter, but progressively longer runs, prior to my next long run, which is the 20 mile on September 15th. I'm going to do whatever it takes to push through this.