Running Nerds Unite

[fairnymph]

Piece of shit knee!

Gah! I was running my close to 4 miles (what's that 6 or 7 k?) this week, couldn't run on Wed because of minor surgery to my right shoulder, then yesterday my knee started hurting during my run. I ran through it, because I'm an idiot like that, and today it hurts just to walk. I'm sort of limping even.

It's the lower inner part of my knee. The only thing that doesn't hurt is walking up stairs, all other types of walking hurt, and despite icing, even attempting a light run was excrutiating within seconds, so I stopped. Thoughts/ideas? I reallly don't want to be out for long.

I think I just popped a stich on my shoulder, too, damnit.

My old foot injury has been flaring up a bit, but doesn't seem to be too bad, just a sort of dull ache that gets better after the first 10 min of running. It doesn't seem to be getting worse, so I'm not too worried about it, as long as I don't go up in distances.

It just sucks, this always happens, and I had shaved 6 min off my time in less than a week too on the same distance.

 

[Carl Landrover]

Ultras seem interesting to me, after I accomplish my marathon and under goals that is.

It seems rather difficult as it seems like you need a support crew to finish an ultra. Other races have water stations and aren't long enough to need to have access to additional resources.


Running has been ok for me, knock on wood, increased mileage a bit so I've been more tired. And I've been battling a strained groin muscle for over a week now! It worries me every run and soon starts hurting...ice, stretching, and some kind of cream are my only remedies at this point!

 

[list]

Fairnymph, have you considered going to a podiatrist or physio? I've had shin splints since forever and earlier this year my knee started to hurt aswell so I went to the podiatrist. He made up some orthotics which did nothing for my shin, but did give enough stability to fix my knee. You may even just need some strengthening excersises and that might be enough to fix the problem.

 

[ruski]

Piece of shit knee!

Gah! I was running my close to 4 miles (what's that 6 or 7 k?) this week, couldn't run on Wed because of minor surgery to my right shoulder, then yesterday my knee started hurting during my run. I ran through it, because I'm an idiot like that, and today it hurts just to walk. I'm sort of limping even.

It's the lower inner part of my knee. The only thing that doesn't hurt is walking up stairs, all other types of walking hurt, and despite icing, even attempting a light run was excrutiating within seconds, so I stopped. Thoughts/ideas? I reallly don't want to be out for long.

I think I just popped a stich on my shoulder, too, damnit.

My old foot injury has been flaring up a bit, but doesn't seem to be too bad, just a sort of dull ache that gets better after the first 10 min of running. It doesn't seem to be getting worse, so I'm not too worried about it, as long as I don't go up in distances.

It just sucks, this always happens, and I had shaved 6 min off my time in less than a week too on the same distance.

Dude, go see a sports specialist podiatrist and physio immediatley to get this stuff sorted out. Preferably someone who is a runner or was a runner themselves or they won't really understand how important your running is to you.

You'll end up with long term injuries that will prevent you running permanently. If PD's story in this thread is anything to go by, its a good testament to treatment early is a good idea!

However, you may want to check out http://www.kneeguru.co.uk/, invaluable resource for knee info.

Your problems are most likley related to your biomechanics/gait.. not something that is just going to go away.

 

[ruski]

Ultras seem interesting to me, after I accomplish my marathon and under goals that is.

It seems rather difficult as it seems like you need a support crew to finish an ultra. Other races have water stations and aren't long enough to need to have access to additional resources.


Running has been ok for me, knock on wood, increased mileage a bit so I've been more tired. And I've been battling a strained groin muscle for over a week now! It worries me every run and soon starts hurting...ice, stretching, and some kind of cream are my only remedies at this point!

Some ultra's you do. Generally remote trail ultra's or ones that aren't as popular and don't have facilities to provide feed/drink stations.

Comrades definatley is littered with drink/feed stations and there are a lot of well organised ultra's in Australia that can accomodate you without the need for a support crew/self sufficency.

Generally the people who organise the ultra events are as die hard as the competitors themselves and as such have excellent volunteers + support.

Carl, what sort of marathon time are you aiming for?

PS. Increasing distance steadily and no injury flare as yet, touch wood.

 

[list]

Ruski how much are you increasing your distance by each time? How many days a week are you running?

I'm off sick at the moment and just had my orthotics modified so when I'm able to run again I'll probably take it easy to try and get it right this time.

 

[ruski]

Ruski how much are you increasing your distance by each time? How many days a week are you running?

I'm off sick at the moment and just had my orthotics modified so when I'm able to run again I'll probably take it easy to try and get it right this time.

4 days a week, 1km at a time. Frustrating as fuck, excuse the french. But it is.

Everytime I've jumped the gun and increased by 2-3km it has always bitten me in the arse, but I honestly think this time I'm just being over protective this time. But bugger it, better than running 0km a week.

ITBFS is a bitch and I want to get over it. Daily stretching, icing, elevation, compression and anti-inflammatory steroidal creams are my mantra at the moment. I'm dedicated to getting over it.

Right now I'm on 6km, so run 6km x 3 then I can increase by 1km. Physio says once I'm at 9km I can start increasing by 2km, once at 15km then I can just return to normal training. If I experience a flare up anywhere along the way I have to start from scratch again, its a labourious process, but I just want to get over it so I can get back into distance training.

I'm not running 2 days in a row as it may induce unneccessary strain on my ITB. Prior to the flare up I was running up to twice a day, with a recovery run in the evening.

I'm convinced my cycling is helping with any muscle imbalances I possibly had before. Perhaps I'm finally beating this thing.

I recovered from the ITB flare in my left leg and it has never come back, so hopefully the same will happen with my right.

For the record, ITB stretches suck. They are easily the most uncomfortable stretches I have to do, but thems the breaks.

I'm going to look at taking up yoga/pilates and doing more core strength training excercise to combat any future injuries.

 

[ruski]

Progressing, 6km @ 4.30min/km^1 last night.

 

[Carl Landrover]

Some ultra's you do. Generally remote trail ultra's or ones that aren't as popular and don't have facilities to provide feed/drink stations.

Comrades definatley is littered with drink/feed stations and there are a lot of well organised ultra's in Australia that can accomodate you without the need for a support crew/self sufficency.

Generally the people who organise the ultra events are as die hard as the competitors themselves and as such have excellent volunteers + support.

Carl, what sort of marathon time are you aiming for?

PS. Increasing distance steadily and no injury flare as yet, touch wood.

I'm not aiming for a marathon until next spring time or so and that's even a big IF. I'm trying not to plan too far ahead, as you never know what bump in the road might lead you in a completely different direction.

I'd really like to qualify for the 2008 Boston Marathon though. For men ages 18-34 the qualifying time is 3:10, so I guess under 3:10 is my goal for now, but for my first effort I'd just like to finish.

How about yourself or anyone else for that matter? Working towards any specific time/distance barriers?

 

[ruski]

3:10 is pretty quick, 4:30min per k for 42.2km.

My first mara was in 3:51, I'd like to run the next in 3:30 and my next half in 1:30, I think both goals are fairly achievable.

Also would like to do a sub 40 10km at some point. I don't think that'll be an issue as I've done a 39:55 in training once before, I just need to be able to run 10km first again before I can look at time goals.

My training at the moment is all about quality and speed. Getting gait correct, maintaing good posture, high leg turnover and good pace.

Riding has helped me a lot as well, I think the cycling has strengthened my legs a lot, I seem to be able to cope a lot more with pace now. Seems like my lactic threshold has been increased a lot.

 

[wastedwalrus]

What are you people running from?


I run whenever I can and I think it's great conditioning plus I do feel refreshed and balanced afterwards. But how can you people obsess over it? I can't understand that. It's like pulling teeth to me.

 

[ruski]

What are you people running from?


I run whenever I can and I think it's great conditioning plus I do feel refreshed and balanced afterwards. But how can you people obsess over it? I can't understand that. It's like pulling teeth to me.

I think you'll find everyone here does it because they like it or at the very least, for excercise. But I guess theres other forms of exercise that you could partake in that you did actually like.

Personally I started running for exercise and to get my mind off an emotional situation I was dealing with at the time but quickly I really started to like it.

I just wanted to run faster and further and the joy of competition started to show promise in my mind.

Running to me is the purest form of sport. It's just you and the road. You are faced with physical and psychological challenges that you wouldn't otherwise encompass in every day life and the overcoming them and then taking them that extra step further is an amazing personal achievement.

Speaking for myself here, I feel it elevates your body and mind creating a large impact on your personal expression in life.

You'll find all runners are a special breed of people. They stick together (as you can see in this thread) and even if someones achievement isn't as great as yours they will always encourage and respect your own goals.

Running provides a social community that I may not have found otherwise.

Finishing my first marathon with my dad meeting me at the finish line (and tracking me throughout the course to support me) is still one of the most amazing experiences in my life.

Running to me is hardly an obsession, it's part of my life.

 

[list]

Progressing, 6km @ 4.30min/km^1 last night.

Congrats! I set my alarm this morning for a run but it was too cold. From tomorrow I'll get to test out my modified orthotics and just maybe this time I can be injury free.

But how can you people obsess over it?

It's not an obsession. It's more like a religion - some people go to church every Sunday, some people go for a long run.

 

[lucid.tripper]

What are you people running from?


I run whenever I can and I think it's great conditioning plus I do feel refreshed and balanced afterwards. But how can you people obsess over it? I can't understand that. It's like pulling teeth to me.

endorphins are chemicals, like methamphetamines are chemicals.

Endorphins are a group of opiate proteins with pain-relieving properties that are found naturally in the brain ...

Drugs arent the only things that are addictive kids..

I've just started to get back into running, I havent ever done a marathon, but running is my favorite form of exercise...

 

[Carl Landrover]

What are you people running from?


I run whenever I can and I think it's great conditioning plus I do feel refreshed and balanced afterwards. But how can you people obsess over it? I can't understand that. It's like pulling teeth to me.

I think I'm kind of like Ruski in my reasons for running. I find it peaceful to go out there and clear my head for a while, to be outdoors, just enjoying the moment. You really get to know yourself, phyically and mentally, discovering your body's limits as well as the limits your mind makes on your body.

After running, everything else seems a bit easier and more often than not, a lot of the lessons you learn in running shine through in non-running life. Like pacing yourself or just focusing on the moment and not over-anticipating what's ahead for example. Can't be thinking about that giant hill at mile 6 if your legs are feeling kind of tired in mile 2.

There's also the physical benefits exercise offers and I certainly like the way my image looks after I've been running for a while. Definitely a great confidence booster to finish up a solid run at a respectable pace and still feel strong. The added endurance is helpful in all activities and the added leg strength/aerobic capabilities help in work, sports, etc.

I am also rather competitive and racing can be really intense, yet fun, when you're in racing shape. This is especially true if you're battling someone who is at a similar level as you.

Possibly most important for me right now is that running has been my main reason not to go out and pick up some bags. After developing a lot of breathing problems from using, I don't want to jeopardize any gains I've made/effort I've put in. Frankly, I feel better just going for a run than I would if I sat around and blew some lines. %) I feel sad now when I think of anyone addicted to drugs, especially once it takes away your real zest for life. Just a crappy situation that not many understand...but I'm off topic now.

endorphins are chemicals, like methamphetamines are chemicals.

Endorphins are a group of opiate proteins with pain-relieving properties that are found naturally in the brain ...

Drugs arent the only things that are addictive kids..

I've just started to get back into running, I havent ever done a marathon, but running is my favorite form of exercise...

Having been an opiate/weed head, I think I can feel the a comforting numbness from endorphins, but I've read that the 'runner's high', the good feeling of relaxation following a workout, is related to the creation of anadamide(sp?) taken in by the cannabinoid receptor. Meaning the chemical your body produces as a result of your run, is like a reward from your body, taken in by the same receptor that takes in THC/other cannabinoids when you smoke/vaporize weed.

I personally feel the post-workout feeling feels more like a relative of the herb high, not the opiate high, but that might just be me. Either way, I like it. :D




------First post spark notes for anyone who isn't in a reading mood.

1. Running = good - learn about self - be outside
2. Learn life lessons
3. Physical benefits
4. Racing = fun
5. Stay off drugs

 

[ruski]

I've just started to get back into running, I havent ever done a marathon, but running is my favorite form of exercise...

Any running = good running

26mile races aren't for everybody!

 

[lifeisforliving]

What are you people running from?


I run whenever I can and I think it's great conditioning plus I do feel refreshed and balanced afterwards. But how can you people obsess over it? I can't understand that. It's like pulling teeth to me.

Obsession pretty much means addiction, which would mean that we are running in spite of negative consequences. There are no negative consequences from my running, but many positive ones. So therefore, it's a hobby

Some people are runners, some people aren't. Just go find something else you like then.

 

[ruski]

7km and counting, I can feel double figures yelling at me

 

[Piggy_G]

Finishing my first marathon with my dad meeting me at the finish line (and tracking me throughout the course to support me) is still one of the most amazing experiences in my life.

Awww that's beautiful *wipes tear*

 

[ruski]