Tonight’s track workout should be interesting given the amount of residual soreness that I am experiencing. My quads are fried.
Although I would normally embrace the challenge, the thought of hill repeats is not at all appealing to me right now. In preparation, I am doing my best to move around, inflict pain through self massage (via foam rolling and needing my leg like a mound of pizza dough), do the dynamic stretching taught in our TNT workouts, and Rx (ibuprofen & arnica). I almost forgot hydration. Hang on; I’ll be right back. *head up the stairs for “good” water by the executive offices*
You may find it puzzling why a 12.4 mile trail run at an easy pace was more damaging than a 13.1 mile race. It is true that the trail “run” was seriously hard with ascents and descents that sometimes lead to expletives spewing from my mouth. This type of language is typically reserved for driving only. “Sweetness and light” folks; that is my attempted impression. Let me clue you in to some other possible etiologies for my severe case of DOMS.
The list of “Should haves”:
Stretching post run: Didn’t happen.
Recovery drink: Didn’t happen. I did enjoy the post-run soup, and snacks provided by PCTR.
Ice bath: Didn’t happen. Apparently, ice melts when mixed with warm water.
Ibuprofen: Didn’t happen. The ibuprofen was down stairs and I just wanted to take a nap.
Foam rolling: Didn’t happen. Again, I just wanted a nap.
Nap: Didn’t happen either. I just lay there with my eyes closed.
On Sunday morning, I got out of bed and nearly fell to the ground in shock. OUCH! By this point, I was unable to manage any of the the foam roller self-massage techniques, and stretching was futile. I tried to institute some of the recommended treatments but had very little success in the movement category. It is true; I have developed quite a talent maneuvering the stairs (crawling up the stairs on four extremities, or 3, if coffee is in my hand) during bouts of extreme soreness. I suspect that my limited movement did not aid my recovery. Even the dogs’ walks were cut short.
On Monday, I attempted to use my foam roller again. The pain felt worse than on Sunday, by the way, and I was not very successful in my attempts to “roll” out the muscle soreness. I did start my intake of ibuprofen, but I was not successful in doing any cross training. I blame this on work, even though I could have gone to the gym after my extra long work day.
As of 2 pm today, the soreness is finally starting to resolve. I’ve got 4 more hours until T-time.
Quite a few marathons back, with much coaxing from Eric, I went out for a run just two days later and very sore. He told me to hang in there and I would loosen up in a mile or so. He was right! Now I routinely run a marathon (or trail run) on Sunday, then run on Tuesday. I think you’ll be pleasently surprised at the track (once you warm up, that is!)
Yes, those PCTR trail runs are killer. Nothing can compare to the routes those two lay out. I’ve run Sequioa too, although the most astoundingly painful one I’ve done had to be the “short” 25K Diablo race. But you get great views and the best aid stations *ever*. Hard to beat for that price.
The pain is always worst on the 2nd day after. And yes, trail runs are great but they eat you up!
I need to do a PCTR run because I have a voucher from volunteering at one.
I feel your pain!
I’m signed up for a trail half marathon in September. Guess I’d better stock up on the ibuprofen!
Quit whining and just run.
Really, you shouldn’t do anything “hard” for the number of miles you ran in days, i.e. you do a 10k, don’t do speed, hills, long run for 6 days (Easy running or cross training is fine). …..but running will get the quinks out and you will feel better afterward (after you force yourself to take the first steps tonight after getting out of the car. You maybe jogging the hills and I would strongly reccomend running with the “slow” group and just chat and enjoy helping them up the hill……(get there early enough to use the potty and not have to sprint for the groups (and most likely running by yourself (and tell the coaches you did a hilly trail run so you would like to run with the easier paced group (using the word “slow” isn’t politically correct in my mind)…eat a good lunch so you aren’t starving when you meet them, etc.)
I guess I need to work on the focus of my writing more. The point wasn’t about the soreness; it was about the post-run ritual that I ignored. I paid for my laziness with more profound soreness than I should have had. Live and Learn.
We all (or most) do! Just giving you a hard time.
You will feel better after the run (leave the ego in the trunk of the car).