Condura Run 2010: The First 21km Story

It was a few months ago that I decided on running a half marathon. At first I targeted a December race but the 21ks were scarce and...umm...the kms logged were likewise scarce. Hehe. The announcement came that Condura will be held on the February 7th and so, as it was a more feasible goal for me, I started running seriously come the last weeks of November. Too serious perhaps, as I injured myself with 2 weeks remaining, and hence an earlier, and longer, taper period.

At Sunday of T minus 2weeks, I was scheduled for a 16k long run. But the shin acted up so badly, even at a really easy pace at that! So I stopped at 15k. Next day, went to the doctor to hear what I already knew: Rest it for a week; next time don't run too much hills and stretch before and after!

Confidence dwindled as each day passed without running, so instead, I did everything I could to recover fast while maintaining endurance: leg sleeves compression, therapeutic massages (oh, it's a valid excuse!), anti-inflammatory medication and cross-training. I enjoyed it, actually. Thursday prior to Feb 7, did a final easy run just to boost the confidence, although there was still some minor pain.

That's the story of my training.

Fast forward to the Condura Run. The festive air was so encouraging, but all I could think of was I NEVER HAD THE CHANCE TO RUN BEYOND 15K. Oh Sh*t.... It had to boil down then to strategy just to finish. And with strategy (and faith....and sometimes, force, threats and intimidation...:P) i do accomplish some unexpected things. The strategy for this feat: music, hydration planning, compression and a pace chart. Haha! :O

Running Injury No. 2: Shin Splints

Running Injury No. 1 was hamstring tendinitis (read about it in my multiply acct), a knee injury which was caused by a sudden spike in physical activity after around 3 years of dormancy, plus the tendons have been weakened by 8 years of taekwondo varsity training previous to that. In short, overuse and misuse.

After that I became careful: warm up and stretch first, cutting short the distance when there's some unusual pain, etc. Last week I felt pain brewing again, this time in the shin (See related entry). Didn't ignore it this time around so I did the RICE method and even bought Zensah leg sleeves from Second Wind, J.Vargas Ave. This morning I went to see our family orthopedic surgeon (haha) and confirmed that it was shin splints indeed, but to rule out stress fractures, I should rest for one week first. What a drag....:(

But on the bright side, I could still cross train but constrained to activities which are not stressful to the shin muscles (bike for example). I guess I can use the elliptical at the gym, or take out the bike (at night?). Anyway, the goal is to keep the endurance up until this subsides. Good luck. Doctor says, in the future, don't run so much hills (guilty) and stretch more before and after a work out (guilty). Happy resting!

Brewing an injury

My left shin has been experiencing minor pain the last four runs. The last run, it wouldn't go away until i've ran 3k at an easy pace (7:30), wherein previously it goes away after 15 mins of the same pace (1.5 to 2k). I'm getting worried because this week and next week i'm supposed to peak on the mileage but had to restrain some 10kms and speed drills because i don't want to run Condura with an injury. (As advised by every running book or site, the right way to treat this is to completely stop running.)

Anyway, the game plan is, next week i'll have to restrain on mileage too but a must-do is a 2.5 hours long run to be confident on race day. What a drag...But that's subject to the results of my doctor's check up. Could it be shin splints or stress fractures? Abangan...

Taping techniques:

KT technique: click here

Point of pain technique:

Its been a while...

Since the last time i posted I ran 216k and rode 61k, including Botak Paa-bilisan (15k) and SCSM (10k).

I bought a bike too, so i can pursue my triathlon dreams and redeem the effing slow sprint time. I named it/her barbie girl, because its bar tape is barbie pink, plus the pedals are keo elles, girly girly.

Bought some gear along the way like fuel belt, 2xu elite compression tights, a pair of sporty shades (which matches my helmet) and newton lady isaac (to replace the nb which just retired)...you see, i motivate myself by buying stuff. So far, they work...especially the newton shoes.

I keep track of my training using dailymile.com now, which is why i seldom write here, and also because I am in the process of writing a legal research paper...too much writing might be bad for me.

And lastly, I've been increasing weekly mileage since xmas vacation. Training for what? My first 21k in Condura. Target time, secret. Haha. But i'm not expecting a good time, nutrition and sleep deprived, and was set back one week due to an asthma attack a week ago. The legs are becoming stronger but I'm not so sure if i can maintain a good pace for more than 2 hours. Also, I'm constraining myself to one race per month because by racing it means I should miss a sunday bar review session. That's the boring life of a bar candidate.

Well, that's all for now. Until Condura. :)

P.S. This entry is boring because I'm too lazy to frill it up.