Saturday, June 9, 2018

Back on the trails - or streets...





Without really knowing how my body will respond to the training, I signed for a new marathon - The Maui Marathon (there are actually 3 marathons on Maui, but it seems that one got the name first) which runs in October.
I am still closely watching my left heel tendinitis, my right foot big toe, my right knee and my right hip flexors (is it all ?).

After months of physical therapy, strengthening, light running and listen to running centric podcast, it was time to try again.

Poli Poli, a all time favorite
I did made a major adjustment.
Or two.
Following the recipe of Dr Maffetone, I am focusing only on aerobic training - low effort.
On top of building a "base", this approach limit injuries by slowing down and let your joints catch back on your vascular system - which adapt faster.
I.e. without paying attention, you could outrun your own body during your training - and hurt yourself.


Makawao Forest, bread and butter and Barnaby showing the way

The low intensity training - at fixed heart rate - starts paying dividends after several month, and your pace catch up. Well, I am not there yet, and I am cruising around 10 min/mile on average, i.e. quite slower than my previous training pace.
Still I saw already a drop of 30s per mile since the beginning on the training.
This is promising.

Stuck in California for work, I still can run
This is still a bit tricky when you feel good and went to run faster, specially because of the cardiac drift during long run, where you end up barely running at 12 or 13 min/mile to keep your heart rate low. Presumably, on race day, you can run a bit higher in turns.
Hopefully. Because if not, that might be my worst marathon time ever :)

Playa Del Rey


The other adjustment, directly inspired from the Chi Running method, is a huge focus on the running form. And I am clear with myself, if I am too tired to hold a good form, I would stop.
To keep a good form, you need a good body awareness, and of course, it is not obvious.
I do believe I am closer from the truth now - a good check is to record yourself - but to be certain I am gonna try to do Chi Running clinic in summer.
That would be an experience by itself.

This bike path cross a good chunk of LA.
Not pretty, but better than city streets.

So far, I am pleased with the results.
Previous injuries are kept in check, and I am back at around 2h15 for the long runs, with 3 or 4 weekly shorter runs. I gave myself 5 months to ramp up, a bit slower than the typical 16 weeks and that should help as well.
It really feels good to be training again.
To be on the trails again.