Tuesday, August 12, 2008

Tuesday...with Cherries on Top

I've been slowed by an iliotibial band strain, where the band joins the hip. I think I injured it last Monday, riding my bike to work. I was pushing too hard up the hills. (Why was I in such a hurry to get to work? I could understand doing that on the way home.) Regardless, I've been reluctant to do any speed work for the last two weeks, because it is much more uncomfortable when I stride out. It is tolerable when I keep a moderate pace.
Those of you who have been reading my blog for a while know that Tuesday is speed-work day at the track. I needed to substitute a different work-out, something that would not risk further staining my ITB. Bike riding is right out, since that's what caused the injury. Hill work is also off the table since even a slow uphill pace cause lots more pain. Then, I thought of the perfect thing...



ICE CREAM!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Everyone has a preferred marathon training plan. Some follow Hal Higdon, others use the Pfitzinger method, many follow the Galloway schedule, I am following the Hagen Daz plan. I believe marathon training should include an Ice Cream workout at least once a week. Today, I made a banana split with cherry vanilla Hagen Daz. I topped it with the whipped cream and some fresh cherries, followed with a drizzle of dark chocolate. Cherrylicious! Bananatastic! And since I wisely chose to do 6.5 miles at lunch in case I was not up to the speed work, it was completely (almost) guilt-free.



So I have taken three of the last seven days off. Here are the days I did run. Notice there are no bike miles shown. I will not ride again until the ITB quiets down. Also, the number 1 and number 2 pairs of shoes in current rotation are at 650 miles and 500 miles respectively. I need to buy new shoes. I think some of the 'dead leg' issues I am going through may be due to 'dead shoes'. I've got my eyes on a few new shoes, but I need to get down to Vertical Runner and try them on.

4 comments:

E-Speed said...

definitely hurry and get those new shoes. I was able to fix pretty sever itb problems with just a few massage treatments and new shoes. In the meantime stretch those hips and quads and piriformis muscles! They are all connected and contributing to that ITB flare up! I think I am getting a similar flare up but in the knee, must be that time of year!

Elizabeth said...

Hope you IT band is much better but new shoes seem to be in order. Banana split picture was definately tempting.

solarsquirrel said...

OMG - I am on the icecream training program too!!!

Janet Edwards said...

Get better soon!

Seriously I think I could get behind the Hagen Daz method!