Fitness Run

Distance: not sure
Time: one hour
Surface: concrete/asphalt
Weather Conditions: misty, cool, 60s; morning run
Location: Miraflores, Lima, Peru
Secret weapon: Run Lola Run Soundtrack

Comments: One thing is for sure, getting off the treadmill and back on the road can be a bit of a shocker. I hopped on the pavement with that wonderfully perky gait I had been using most of the week and, lets just say it didn't take me long to return to reality.

Tough one. I had to really work on getting it done. But I was able to work on my stride and there is some evidence I am finally getting some strength in my legs. Although I could really feel the hills like I usually do, I didn't feel I was slogging my way through it when I hit them. But I am not getting my hopes up for a miracle surge in progress anytime soon.

I had a distressing couple of minutes when I could feel that distinctive pain when the ilitobial band and that bump of bone on the outside of the knee do that thing they do. I scrambled to alter my pace and it went away but a very worrisome development indeed. I did not develop the post-run knee pain I was dealing with in the past, so that, at least, is a good sign.

Prior to the run I did my two sets of situps (400 total) and a pretty thorough stretching regimen. Afterwards I did stretching for the warmdown as well. With the additional miles, I really can't be lazy and skip this anymore. My regular degree of flexibility, although impressive, is going to get to the point it ain't just enough eventually.

Treadmill Run

Distance: n/a
Time: 2 x 20 min
Surface: treadmill
Weather Conditions: indoors, noon run
Location: Miraflores, Lima, Peru
Secret weapon: Depeche Mode

Comments: Whoah baby. This workout may have been a case of biting off a bit more than I can chew. The idea was to get some speed work in so I did the first 20 minutes at a 7 minute mile pace and the second at a 7.5 minute mile pace. I can't say it was the hardest workout I have done so far but I was definitely working harder than I have done to date.

I did one set of situps (200) and stretched really well before I got on the machine. After the first 20 minute run I rested for a few minutes then did another set of situps (200) and stretched out again. Both time I really focused on the left hamstring with continues to be much tighter than the right. I don't know if this is connected to my wonderful ilitobial band fun or not.

After the workout I did a basic warm-down stretch before calling it a day. I felt as beat as when I finished the 90-minute run last week. The knee didn't give any specific pain at any point but it has been... in the background for awhile now. I still can't decide if it is messed up again and just waiting to manifest or if I have actually stabilized the problem.

: : Update : : Double Whoah. I am one sore monkey right now. Not any real "bad" pain but, Lordy, I can feel every step of that run. It is actually probably good since I am feeling aches in my ilitobial band and hamstrings and not my knee. Hopefully, this is a sign I am starting to gain some strength in these parts of my legs - a key to resolving this lingering problem, according to my chiropractor.

Treadmill Run

Distance: n/a
Time: 20 minutes
Surface: treadmill
Weather Conditions: indoors
Location: Miraflores, Lima, Peru

Comments: My opportunity to go run came around noon but it is a bit of a scorcher today. So that allied with my intention to be nice to my knees and have an easy run prompted me to use the treadmills at the gym. I was toying with the idea of a half-hour run but didn't feel like I had the energy for it and I had no intention of pushing myself at all following the monster run on Friday.

The run itself felt good. I concentrated on my stride and foot placement. I was a bit achy after two days off but not too bad. I definitely could feel the difference in my strength level even though I didn't push myself.