Week 1: 15 miles

I think while I am rebuilding my base, i'll just post weekly totals and some comments. After the 5k on Sunday last week, I ran 3.5 on Tues and 4 on Thurs outside at easy 8-9 min miles. I was in London over the weekend to see my kids, so only had time to do a 4.5 miler on Friday. My leg is starting to feel better, both during and after runs. That is encouraging. This week, I plan to run at least four days, and try to run one 6 miler, so target around 20 miles.

Day 1: 3.1mi, 21:30

The 5k went surprisingly well. I didn't try to kill myself, so I was pretty surprised to run it in the same time as the one I ran back in June. I came in 17th overall and third in my age group. So my layoff did not do as much damage as I had feared. I took a couple of aspirin prior to the run, which minimized the thigh issue. I feel comfortable now with pushing up the mileage a bit and throwing some speed workouts in there as well.

Restart: Day 0

I met with an orthopedist at the beginning of September to discuss the recurring pain on my left thigh joint. After an hour of various tests, he recommended I take a couple of aspirins a half hour before running. I'm not kidding. So after a couple months of running about once a week, I've been gradually building up my mileage and frequency, running 3-5 miles 3-4 times/week. I've been running 8-9 minute miles, just to get back into the rhythm, and using my HR monitor again most days.
I feel ok, although I was travelling in Asia for two weeks, which made it hard to get motivated, and have come down with a cold in the week since I returned. But I am less worried about my leg, as the doc didn't think I would do further harm running on it (although I am supposed to avoid speedwork for the moment). So the quest is back on. I will get a good test of my fitness level tomorrow, when I run a local 5k. It is quite hilly, so I think I will be unhappy above 25 minutes, pleased if I am sub-24, and very pleased if I am sub 23.

Day 191: 4mi, 33:29, Boston

I set up a appointment today to see a doctor, but it won't be until end August. In the meantime, I'll just keep stretching and running. Tonight resumed my low HR training, for the first couple of miles anyway. Second half was a little erratic, getting up into the high 140's vs my target of 137bpm. Left thigh pain was moderate but constant. Tried to lengthen my stride/pull my knees higher for some of the run, thinking this might help stretch the muscles out some. Suggestions welcome.

Day 190: where am I?

I've tried to minimize my running over the past three weeks to see if my thigh improved. I also tried doing some new stretches, along with my new self-diagnosis that I have an iliopsoas strain. I don't know how to pronounce it, but the symptoms seem to fit very well. Unfortunately, the rest and stretching haven't worked, so I am going to see a doctor.

I've done a few short (3-4 mile) runs over the past few weeks at 8-9 minute miles, and I've done a few 25 mile bike rides as well. But without the thigh flexor muscles working properly, the 5 minute mile will be out of reach. So my first priority has to be to get it fixed. Let's hope the doc will give me the magic bullet.

Day 179: 4mi, 35:00

A moderate pace on tonight's run along the Charles. After two weeks of very light training, my leg is feeling a lot better. There was still some lingering pain towards the end of the run, but overall, it felt pretty good. If it feels good tomorrow, I am going to start building back the mileage and working on my speed.

Day 178: 3mi, 28:00

A run to and along the beach on Nantucket on Sunday. Running on the sand is slow, but I think it helped my left leg problem. Followed with a nice ocean swim.