Paul Petch

First week of Kepler training DONE :)

Week one summary

Well, I’ve just finished my first week of training for the Kepler Challenge and what a week it has been! So much so I can blog it without even referring to notes that I’ve emailed to Karen (I write about energy levels, general feelings, issues etc after each run). Last weekends Port Hills run started the week off and went pretty much ok aside from the ITB issues 3/4 way through the 2 hr run. Following this I ran Monday’s easy paced 40 min run pain free in a local park and then on Tuesday I picked up some new runners (Brooks Adrenaline ASR5) to sort out the total lack of support of the Nike  Air’s (marsh mellow anyone?).

Wednesday’s 1 hr fast paced run was aimed at setting a time to then attempt to beat each week- but with a pretty average head cold looming I opted for a run  in the Gym instead. With my warm up getting close to dialed, the tread mill had no chance and I knocked off 7 minutes over 10KM’s since I last ran in the Gym. WoOT!

By Thursday I was feeling fairly spent and really felt like giving the planned easy paced hill run a miss…..but  jogged about the city instead. By the end of this run, my hamstrings were very sore and the ITB issues were back (caused by the incorrect orthotics and new runners?) so Friday I saw Nick and he fixed up the shoes…..but did it fix things up?….

Overall it has been a good week and I’m still in one piece. Aside from some aches here and there from new muscles being “awoken” I’m feeling in good shape. A tad tired maybe- but that’s to be expected! I’ve also increased my stretching to at least 2- 3 times daily (and a core workout) as well as some substantial foam rolling to self massage those hard to reach spots, especially the ITB area/s. I’m also icing the tender ITB points in my knees after each run and flushing the muscles as much as possible too with some gentle massage and anti flam. On my “off days” I put aside some time to work on my inner/ outer thighs, legs and of course the glutes too- which I’ve learnt (and appreciate- thanks Dorothy) need some work to help stabilize me while running. Basically- I’ve been flat out!

I’m positive that the stretching, icing, foam rolling and “waking muscles” is helping recovery and is loosening up tendons and muscles. I like it too! I do have a fairly tender lower back though- so I’m keen to get in for a massage and advice this week.

Week two

Yesterday’s easy paced 2 hr run in the Port Hills signaled the start of week two of my Kepler training and I was up bright and early and could not wait to get up there! That’s a good sign right? :) With  the new runners and orthotics, I carried my Nike’s in my pack just in case and after grabbing a coffee on route I chained up the bike and warmed up before heading up.

I won’t bore you with the route taken, but I ran a good mix of up and down trails as well as road side- the important thing is that the new runners felt fantastic off road and my ITB issues were considerably less than last week (and the week before etc.). By less I mean at about an hour into the run the right side flared up and I did question if I could go on as the pain was excessive (if you have ever had ITB niggles you will understand)- but after a stretch and some lace tightening It seemed to subside. It was as if I could revise my foot landing and push off and kind of minimise it- like I had “other muscles” to play with. It would niggle and then subside…niggle…a quick stretch….and subside. I can identify where is causes the most issues though- and that’s on technical downs……

As for the left side- it never had any issues at all :) The ITB issues are still present, but yesterday’s run felt different some how- as if I’m close to working “something” out in my legs. Infact, It felt like my first “real” trail run! Considering that I’ve only been running on dirt for 3 weeks, I’m really happy with my progress (and my legs). The question is “could I have gone on after 2 hrs?” and I’d have to say yes!

Oh…and the Peak fuel gels are bloody awesome……I particularly like the coffee one with extra caffeine! (expensive though at $6.50 a pop!).

Bring on week 2!

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Related posts:

1. Weekend run (week one) – Port Hills
2. Kepler Challenge – some ultra marathon training tips
3. Training, goals & ITB syndrome
4. Back in the Porthills….endurance training
5. Nearly 50% of my target distance DONE

This entry was posted on Sunday, August 2nd, 2009 at 10:19 am and is filed under Runs & Walks and tagged with brooks, ITB Syndrome, massage, nutrition, peak fuel, photographs, port hills, runners knee, stretching, trail running. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.