Friday, April 21, 2006

Sore and Running

I ran twice yesterday - about three miles each time and at about a 12 to 12:30 pace. My heart rate was way up -I'm pretty sure it is just a reaction to stress. I usually run with about a 144 average, but yesterday the average was more like 153 with a peak of 168. I'm not supposed to go above 160. At first I'd walk when it hit 161, but it was happening too frequently, so I kept running (remember this as at over 12 min/mile) and walked when it got to 168. I'd walk till it dropped somewhere around 140, which usually took about 35 seconds, then start running again. I also took my normal walk breaks every 9 minutes. My heart tends to react quickly to any unusual stresses - especially heat, illness or fatigue. My experience has been that this will go on for a couple of weeks, then settle back to normal.

I expected the whole heart rate business, but what I didn't expect was how sore I would be! I took 16 days off running, and after one short run my quads were killing me - what's the deal? For heaven's sake, I have a 12 year base! And yesterday morning I got a blister, which morphed into a gigantic bubble by the end of last night's run. I guess laying around for a couple weeks softened my feet up too.

I also taught Pilates this morning and was able to do all the exercises comfortably - except for the spine twist. That one was okay when the emphasis was on the left side, but I couldn't do more than two on the right. There was also a couple times that I could feel a little cramp right below my sternum. And I was seriously stiff. I imagine it'll take a couple of classes to loosen up. All in all though, I'm pleased with both the runs and Pilates. I didn't think I'd be this far along in recovery in under three weeks.

Plans for the weekend include volunteering at the Y Run for Kids, and if it doesn't interfere with my volunteer duties, running the race. It's a 5K run and walk, so I should be able to go out and just run comfortably. Sunday will be spent following the racers at Mt. Si.

I plan to spend today cleaning house. Ugh. It hasn't had a good cleaning since I had surgery and we are going to have a couple of guests for the next week - our friend's 13 year old daughter and their ShihTzu. Our friend and her husband both ended up traveling for work in the same week and were stuck for child/dog care. They also have a toddler, but she is going to another friend's house. We got the easy job. It'll be interesting to see how the two dogs get along - we had them meet the other night and they were pretty excited and playful.

That's probably it till Monday - have a great spring weekend everyone!

10 comments:

E-Speed said...

Take it easy and don't push too hard too early! You'll get back into the swing of things!

Olga said...

Your recovery IS faster than one would expect - thanks to that 12 years base. So don't dwell, you'll be back in no time. However, your heart still bothers me.

Tony C said...

Hey BOTP! I'm new to the blogging world as you commented on my blog ... not sure how to reply to comments so I am just leaving a comment on yours. Still trying to figure out how you guys do the pictures, etc.

I wished that I had time to do Pilates and/or yoga. I'm sure it would improve my running.

Saw a picture of a teen (Emerald Ridge) on your page. My daugther runs cross-country and track and we've been to some of the same meets / invites as ER. Is this one of your teens? *tc

Unknown said...

Sorry I missed you guys last night. I decided to run at Sumner instead. I know I don't have to explain, but you are kind of a motherly figure to me so I feel like I am in trouble. My computer was offline all day yesterday. I will see you tomorrow at the Y-run.

onepinkfuzzy said...

Yay, you are running! Make sure you take it easy :)

Donald said...

Is running twice per day normal for you? I'm not surprised that you're sore. You know it will get easier, though.

PuddyRat said...

Way to go getting back to it! Yes, it will take a couple of weeks for you to start feeling like you are back to normal, but by then, you will be 4 to 6 weeks post-op and right about where normal would feel.

Anyway, it's nice you are back to running. Sorry I will miss everyone this weekend. I've got a 90 minute tempo planned for Saturday and Sunday is the Daffodil Classic and I'm aiming for the century.

See you soon, I hope.

Sarah Elaine said...

I think we have the same tendency -- holding back and resting in order to heal, when what we really want to do is go full steam ahead -- yes?

Sounds like you are making a fabulous recovery!

Liv said...

Hm, dog and 13-year old care vs. toddler care. Hard to tell which is sweeter :)
Have a great weekend and enjoy your 5k!

Dawn - Pink Chick Tris said...

You're doing great. I had planned on cleaning house today as well, but ummmmmm I'm still reading blogs...lol.