Tuesday, October 9, 2007

Portland Adventure

So this weekend I was in Portland to run the 5 miler that coincided with the Portland Marathon. It was really hard not to register for the marathon during the expo. It was a fun weekend that included trips to and from Protland with my Y running buddies Michelle, Eric and Rick. What entertaining rides we had!

The 5 miler was really fun. I felt kinda dorky just doing the 5 miler, but Ireally did enjoy myself. Portland is my hometown, well, I grew up 15 minutes south of downtown, so it feels like home. I loved getting to watch the marathoners and even caught Michelle and Rick at their 5 mile point. I decided I'd stick to my own recovery regime of 5 minutes run 1 minute walk intervals. It was tough to do this for a five mile race, but I wanted to continue to give my ITB the breaks it was used to. I finished in 45:30. 11th in the 30-34 age group. It was too fast and my hips paid for it. I hurt the rest of the day. I had planned on at least 50 minutes but Igot caught up in the excitement andrace atmosphere. I did have fun and thats what counts.

I had a blast watching the marathoners finish with Sonja and Patch. So, no regrets for not registering for the marathon, yet anyway.


The reason I registered earlier for the 5 miler was due to the fact that I am Runnning the Nike Women's Marathon in San Fransisco on the 21st. The last time I ran two marathons in two weeks I ended up with super duper IT Band issues. It felt like a burning hot knife was sticking out the side of my knee. Funny, It didn't bother me until a week after the marathon though. Needless to say, I did not want the same thing to occur, so I opted for the 5 miler. I know it still sounds weird, but I wanted to be able to have fun in San Fransisco and then be able to run the Autumn Leaves 50k two weeks after the Nike. I realize this sounds wacko, but it makes sense to me. I am not going for a certain time at either, but if I would have run in Portland, I would have really wanted to best my time from last year and I know my IT and hips would have paid dearly for the run.

So, as I just said, my hips would pay. I am having pain after running and for the next day at the top front crest of my hips. I can tell it is muscular and not the joint. I am told to stretch my quads, hamstrings, and IT and to strengthen my glutes. I am using the big white foam roller which is quite painful as well as the Tiger Tail hand roller. Any more suggestions? I have been trying to cross train more, doing hour long spin classes and run slower. I find that the faster I try to run, the more my hips hurt. So, slow and steady for SF and Autumn Leaves.

Grace and peace to you.

6 comments:

Joe said...

Only suggestion I have on the ITB is to check your shoes. Some over pronation perhaps?? Perhaps a need to go to a solid (read: heavy) motion control shoe??

it fixed my ITB and I had EXACTLY the same thing you had...one week after Portland 2006, it started hurting me and continued to hurt until I changed shoes in February. I've also stayed withe Run/Walk routine. The combo has worked for me.

FWIW.

My son must work near where you grew up...in Tigard. Amazing!!

Sarah said...

It sure was great seeing you, Patch and Sonja just before the finish! I looked for you during the 5-miler...I did see Patch.

Sorry about the ITB and hip! My hip problems stem from really deep knots/trigger points in my glutes. With the foam roller I try to balance most of my weight on that spot and hang there as long as I can. Really hurts but gets better as it releases. Take care!

Backofpack said...

No suggestions here, you've heard them all. What I want to know is just how slow? Pokey-Michelle slow or Sorta-slow-Jenny slow? That's what I want to know!

And once again, thanks for hosting us this weekend - it was a blast!

wendy said...

Good call on the 5-miler, you have bigger fish to fry, and I'm sure it was hard to stick to the walk breaks. You're so funny - all that adrenaline and you can't help yourself.

I can't wait til San Fran either! Yay for signing up for Autumn Leaves, you'll have to let me know the details and maybe I can cheer you guys on.

Anonymous said...

I am glad I was able to see you all for awhile and catch up with you at the expo and the end of the race. You were the best cheerleader out there for all the runners. I completely understand your race theory, but you're right, I am sure that most people think it's wacko.

Darrell said...

Two things: hip issues are tough to get rid of and you are a very wise woman concerning your race strategy.

Have a good time in San Fran with the girls. As though I actually need to tell you that. ;-)