Today was a planned 13 plus mile run to see how my hamstrings and right hip were really doing.
I know, I know, but I had to know how they felt.
I found out that the hamstrings do not like hills or a faster pace yet, which is okay, they still let me run. The right hip is doing a lot better, but still is a little creaky, but it didn’t hurt any worse during the run and when I was cooling down, it didn’t bother at all (which last week it did), so it is getting better.
It was pretty warm – in the low 80’s, bright sunshine and just a little humid. I can tell now when I have had a pretty good workout, the sweat drips off my hat like water dripping off the edge of a roof and yes today the hat was definitely dripping sweat.
Also the Goodhue Road is under construction, so I had to think about what I was doing while running there.
Lots of little rocks and no place to go except the ditch when cars came by = fun and adventure a few times.
That is one thing about most of my running routes around the house, there isn’t a lot of clear shoulder to run on, you generally end up in the ditch or a dirt shoulder that can get real interesting pretty quickly.
Unfortunately, the planned 13+ was side railed by events around the house and instead of running to Waterville or Augusta, I just did the Pond Road 10 mile course. Actually, it was a good choice and I felt pretty good as long as I didn’t try to push too much (especially on the hills). It was the right distance for today.
I did figure out a few things during the run, that I will elaborate on in a different blog post, but one thing that I did learn that was pretty important was – that after mile 6-7, I definitely start to land more toward the heels, unless I am very focused on my form. Once I stop focusing I automatically go to more of a rear-foot landing pattern.
I have thought that I do this for a while and have noticed it on many of my longer runs, but today it was very evident, even when I was taking smaller strides that I was landing more towards my heels than forefoot. I have to do more thinking about that and how to help me focus better or protect myself from my poor form in that other post.
That isn’t what I was expecting, I really thought that my form was improving to more of a forefoot/full foot landing, but thinking about it and looking back at my old videos, that seems to be pretty much what I do, so that is going to cause me to re-think a bunch of things about my running.
Overall, I was very happy with this run and what I learned. It just wasn’t the direction that I thought I was going 
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4 comments
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Aaron Smith
August 13, 2012 at 7:01 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Sometimes it takes a little more time to heal. I’m sending good vibes your way man! Still, 9:06 pace is what I’d love to have. Tomrrow I will see how I do in the morning.
Harold L. Shaw
August 13, 2012 at 8:11 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Thanks Smiddy – Congrats on your Ultra completion – I am jealous of that accomplishment, it is something that I want to do, but have a feeling I will wait until after the 2013 MCM to try. You will be surprised how fast you will be in a month’s time when you start doing your speedwork
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Aaron Smith
August 14, 2012 at 5:41 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
I got mostly 9′s this morning, with 4 of the 9 miles just on the 10′s side. I didn’t feel taxed at all. I was a little weary to push it since Saturday was huge, although I was pretty pumped, with the 62 temp, it felt great. I need to get my timing right too, the USAF Half will be the test…:) Thanks for the props, it was a blast man. If they are all like this one, you are in for a real treat! Excellent aid and vittles, and tons of awards. Some age groups went down 25 spots (I was just out of the running, but got a “goal medal” which was huge). The winner did 59.22 miles. Here are the results: http://www.kennekuk.com/results/2012/2012-Howl-OA.pdf
Harold L. Shaw
August 14, 2012 at 7:12 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
WOW!!! You will cruise along pretty good when you get the speed work in, if you were not pushing hard today. You really make an ultra sound more and more enticing, next year
. Congrats though that is really an accomplishment!!!!