Marathon By 40

On my long runs, I typically follow my weekly interval pattern (like run 3 mins, walk 1 min) until the last mile when I try to sprint and “leave everything out on the run.” The last two times this has included running up the grass knoll that runs alongside the playing fields at Richland College. I’ve noticed myself feeling short of breath when I get to the top.

This video explains why that happens and how to overcome it. Bear with the quality at the start, its easier to hear and makes sense as you near the end of this short video.

I saw this on “Run to Win: Marathoning Made Simple,” one of my regular running reads. And, I’ll certainly focus on deep, full exhaling next time I feel short of breath!

Yesterday I went for my weekly long run. The plan called for 7 miles, which was a new longest distance for me. It took a few miles to get into a rhythm, but by mile 3 I was feeling good.

When I returned home 1:38′ later (including a 5min warm up and 8 minute walk-back/cool down) I checked my Nike+ report and was happy to see a PB for both my 5 and 6 mile splits. It felt great to run farther than I ever had before and still get PB splits.

However, the rest of the night was brutal. My ankles and the outside of my shins felt as if someone had been beating them with a bat all afternoon. I didn’t feel this pain while I was running, it came on quickly after I showered. All evening I was hobbling around and I went to bed in real discomfort. I was afraid I would be hobbling all day today.

Well, I have been quite pleasantly surprised to experience absolutely no pain today. I’m hoping that I’ll experience similar recovery times this week as I get back on track with interval training before taking on my next long-run, an 8-miler at the end of the month.