12 March 2008
One week closer.
Posted by Matt Stargardt under: Matt Stargardt .
Last week was a tough week. Sunday after trying to stretch out my lower back from Saturday’s run…..I moved the wrong way…..you know that one way that you know will make you walk crooked for a few days. I should have stayed off it, but I ran anyway….and chipped the ice from the driveway. Anyway, by Sunday night I am very crooked. Monday night I dig out the heat pad and lay on it for a couple hours. By Tuesday I can walk pretty straight and on Wednesday I am ready to go. I know I could visit the Chiropractor or my family doc and they would be more than happy to find something to help me……..But I prefer to heal the old fashion way. Its hard for me to back off when I am in the middle of a training schedule. To me it feels like jumping off a bus and then trying to catch back up to it as it speeds around the corner.
Thursday I managed to get in my 20 minute Tempo between parent teacher conferences…… One of the perks of having ready access to a lockeroom….and I felt great. I have always liked afternoon runs in March when you can start to feel the sun start to overpower the snow on the ground.
Friday, I find myself in Lansing attending a science teachers convention. I can see the Capitol River Trail from the hotel, and figure I will try it out in the morning.
Saturday was cold. I didn’t know how cold because I ran from the hotel room. Lansing is not a scenic town, but the trail does take me away from the down town and near MSU. The day glo orange graffiti adorning the bridges was breathtaking to say the least. I think I saw a squirrel flip me off. Tough Town. I turned when the river came over the trail, I think it was about eight miles total.
Sunday I ran about 7 and called it good.
I never feel good about skipping a long run during a week. However, I think getting my back back into shape was more important than trying to stick to the schedule. I would much rather heal than turn this into a nagging injury. This week I am feeling good so far and have been slowly adding stretching and core strength exercises back in.
Lastly……….I can’t help but notice all the grief I’ve been getting about my cold run count. So let me respond. Last weekend should have been the last bitter cold run of the season. I double checked the length of the orange band of the wooly bear caterpillar I used in my prediction…….It was spot on. But now I remember why I thought this. Before rungazelle 8:00 am long runs, I would have waited until mid morning or early afternoon to run….if I thought it had a chance of being above freezing. We have just been running at the wrong time. However, running with people definitely makes a long run easier and in my mind outweighs a few degrees, a couple extra layers of clothing, frozen water jugs, frostbite, etc…………
That said I’m digging out the sunscreen for this weeks long run. I think we’re due for a scorcher.
Matt
4 Comments so far...
Farrah Says:
13 March 2008 at 8:38 am.
Can we have strollers in the 10k?
Randy Says:
13 March 2008 at 12:10 pm.
Never underestimate the power of Cheese Whiz.
Steve Kelly Says:
13 March 2008 at 3:06 pm.
I ran yesterday, about 40 degrees, I had no idea what to wear after the last few months! I just kept peeling off and unzipping things (maybe that’s why those blue lights were following me!).
Shelly Says:
17 March 2008 at 8:50 am.
So our cold runs are done after this past weekend, RIGHT, MATT????? 
Honestly, I’d rather run in the weather we had this weekend than in 80 degree heat, so I’m just kidding as I give you a hard time on this!