This week started on a very positive note and its all about health. It's amazing how much there is behind living an active healthy lifestyle, specially if this involves running. Somehow I always thought that running was just that, getting off the couch and hitting the pavement and just... run. Well I am learning "the hard way" that there is a lot more science to this than just going for it.
Last week I had pain while running and even though I rested a couple of day I still went for my long run and felt it. I was a lot more aware and careful of what was bothering me and took it easy, which translated into tons of walking. Running in Central Park was fun but definitely didn't account for how hilly the run would be. My lower calf pain kept bothering me but walking when this happened made it feel better almost immediately which took an Achilles injury out of the picture (awesome news) but due to this pain I probably started running funny and developed a different injury "ITBS".
ITBS or Iliotibial Band Syndrome is a pretty common injury for runners, the good news is that I do not really have to stop running but I do have to take it easy. Incorporating exercises that strengthen my leg muscles will help these injuries heal. The Calf strain is due to my butt being week, lol! so I have to work on moves that help my gluts get stronger and my hip abductor to help my ITBS... who would have thought! Thanks to Athletico Andersonville for all the help.
Stretching is also one of the things I need to improve for a healthy running experience. I was sure that STRETCHING or maybe I should say NOT STRETCHING would be part of the problem. I am totally guilty of not taking enough time to stretch before and after my runs and that is something that has to change, so I am committed to work on it.
This made me realize how little I know about running, there is so much more I need to do if I want to keep my body healthy and active for years to come. I am excited about incorporating these changes into my routine, I have great support at home specially now that my fiance is training with me. This will be an improvement to our routine and can't wait to see the results on both of us.
