I would have asked this of the green coaches this morning, but couldn't find one by the time I finished and got out of the massage line. (yeah, I was that slow again this week). Most of the season I've been averaging 8:40 or better on the long runs. Last Saturday's long run, however, was a total disaster (pace was 90 seconds a mile slower to begin with, and it only got worse from there) (a confluence of unfortunate events, to paraphrase Lemony Snicket) It took the full week to recover.

I completed the 30K benchmark today, and it was better than last week (thank God), managed 9:40 miles, still a full minute behind what I'd been training. My form was awful today, due to compensation for various aches and owies. I replaced my shoes immediately following last week's "run", which has helped. I've got a massage scheduled Monday afternoon, and am going to get in to see my chiropractor this week to help with injury recovery.

My training question is should I try and do the runs as scheduled this week, or Aquajog instead to avoid the wear and tear the pounding on the pavement may inflict on my body?

Cowshark,
Sorry you couldn't find a green coach out there this morning. In the future, please don't hesitate to ask any one of the color group coaches to help you. There's a wealth of knowledge from Purple to Blue.

Since this post has been moved to the Medical Forum, I'll leave the answers up to the doctors. In the attempt to save response time, please copy, paste and re-post your answers to the questions found in the "What the "Doctors would like to know." topic. You've told them that you had a couple of terrible runs, but they'll need more details to get you back on track.

Click here Fill Me In

I hope it's just a phase in your training and you'll be back to where you want in no time.

Doug

Cowshark
You can always flag me down if you have questions, I'm likely running behind you somewhere.
I was pretty beat up after (& during) the run too. I limped through track workout last night. I also hate running up to the Chart House (previous workout).

My experience has been this:
Sometimes you need to rest. Don't feel bad. Rest/recovery is 1/3 of your workout.
Sometimes working out (reasonably, listen to body) can help work through things. A 30min easy run can do wonders if you're sore.

It sounds like you have medical professionals involved and that's great.

My Right Quad, Left Hammy, Left Knee area, Hip muscles, are all hoping I take time off. Just sharing so you don't think you're alone.

Doug, I was looking for a green/blue coach as my question was specific to the workouts for the week. Tony, you were long gone before I finished.

Here's the diagnosis from my chiropractor: "Sprain/strain of the right hip with asociated inappropriate biomechanical patterns" which The Love Of My Life translates as "sprained butt".

I was given stretching/strength exercises, told to Aquajog on Tuesday, run on Wednesday, follow-up appointment on Thursday.