My Roller Coaster Weekend

Sunday has sort of become my blog day off.  So in hindsight, here's my weekend in review

Saturday

The theme this day was "WHEN!"

I headed out on my long - six mile - run.  Chelsea had told me earlier in the day that she had to cut her long run down to four miles because of knee issues.  I was kind of happy that I was going to pump out my full run; I almost thought about bragging about it.  I hit a downhill and decided to walk.  My knee felt a bit tense, so I thought I'd avoid ruining my knee.  As soon as I started walking, the knee tensed up even more and OOOOOOOOUCH!!!  I think my knee is a spy for Chelsea's team.  I made it down the hill and down the street before I decided it was time to tell myself "when."  I pulled out my phone and called for a ride. 

It seems that it's my right leg ITB that got overly tense.  And don't worry, once I rested it and applied some heat, it felt fine. I was just lucky I had taken my hydration pack with me (yet another reason to get used to wearing it out on runs); I wouldn't carry my phone otherwise. 

Sunday

This day's theme was Redemption!

Sunday, the Hartford Marathon Foundation held a free Triathlon Expo.  It started with a "fun run" 5k at 12:30pm and if I hadn't gone with Chelsea, the extreme running enthusiast, I might have not run due to what happen on Saturday's run.  The run wasn't timed, so no real race pressure.  Plus, they added a competition in that it was a Poker Run.  While we ran, we had to pick up five separate playing cards making our poker hand to win prizes; makes it interesting, right?

Anyways, Chelsea and I headed off and she kept telling me "go on ahead and run, don't stay back with me."  I told her "don't tempt me" because I really would and it'd probably tense up my knee again, ruin me, and I'd be on the injured list (not a good plan).  That didn't last long.  After a mile, she got the better of me and I jetted off to see if I could catch up to the leaders.  (I heard a few people say things like "holy cow!" as I zoomed past them a mile into the race; not gonna' lie, I love that!)  I ran the first mile with Chelsea in 7:30 and then finished the 5k in 21:00, making the last 2.1 miles a 6:25 pace; I had redeemed myself.. But the best part?!, my knee didn't tense up, nor did I have shin splints.  In fact, my shins were pain free the rest of the day!  I think my cure is sprinting.

Back in high school, my swim coach would always say "You know what's good for that?  Sprinting." to whatever ailment we had.  Stomach bug?, sprint!  Sore shoulder?, sprint!  Cramping?, sprint!  He may have been right all along. 

During the race, I rediscovered a reason why I love athletic races.  Think whatever you will of me, but the pickings get much better at a race than at the grocery store, a bar, or wherever else you choose. "How did I relearn this?" you ask.  When I jetted off, I would have loved to win the race (who doesn't love a crazy win from behind), but I really just wanted to chase down the girl in 4th place.  *wink*wink*  Cheers to motivation - and many more greats sites at races to come!

After that race, Chelsea and I walked around the expo, talked to some people about races, some protein drink/bar products, and injury prevention.  The injury prevention people threw us both for a loop.  I approached them and said that I'd been having shin splints.  We talked about details - when, where, how often, etc. and they proceeded to show me how I should roll smoothly from your heal to your forefoot while running; a non-smooth roll (or slap) will cause a type of whiplash in your shins.  We both sat there thinking "why are you telling us to heel strike?!"  Obviously, we just said "ok, thanks" and walked away.  I wish I had had time to press them on the issue, but they were also telling me to get arch support inserts, so I doubt it would have ended well. 

Instead of pursuing that interesting conversation, we opted for the pool because who doesn't love the pool?!  The expo had a coach giving one-on-one swim technique analysis and despite both Chelsea and I having extensive competitive swimming experience, we figured we could at least jump in the pool and have fun.

First off, that pool was easily 85 degrees.  NOT a pool to swim laps in.  Second, the coach actually did have tips for us.  I have a short stroke and I need to extend my reaching arm further by working with paddles.  I also bounce a little.  Both are issues that I knew from before, but he brought them to light again and now I'll make sure to work on those in the pool.  So the pool was a success.

That, my friends, was my weekend.

Questions

1.  How did your weekend training sessions and/or races go?
I'll be caught up with everyone's weekend blogging soon.

2.  Has anyone else had to call for aid during a workout?
This was my first time having to call for help. 

3.  What unique aspects about races and/or training pushes you to go harder?
I know Katie @ Run for the Bikini boosts her pace when she runs past the school; I certainly do the same, especially when any sports teams are out practicing (I see girls lacrosse quite often).  

4.