Monday, January 31, 2011

Easing back into it in short shorts

Nothing about that title is true.  Some friends were giving me static about the length of my shorts on our run yesterday.  They weren't that short.  They fit my 5'2" friend very well (sorry if I'm underestimating your height, Ronda), and yes, I'm 7" taller, so maybe they are a bit short.  If you're going to cover up, then you might as well wear tights, but if it's 50 degrees in January, then the shorts should be as short as you can make 'em.

A distant view of shorts in question. 
And in terms of easing back into it, I decided to run the MadAss 50K as my first run back after my 60 mile DNF at HURT 2 weeks ago.  I was feeling pretty down, in general, after HURT, and really did nothing active during those 2 weeks, aided in part by a 80+-hour work week my first week back from Hawaii.  Well, I ran 2 miles on Wednesday with some colleagues, but I don't really count that as a run.  And I did a little yoga, but really, not much of anything.

I've been kicking myself all day for not easing back into it a bit more slowly, as my ITB seems to be a bit irritated.  I've never had ITB issues; I don't think I've even ever felt my ITB before, but I certainly felt it from about mile 12 on yesterday, and cut the run short at 22 to play it safe.  It's what I thought was a sore quad during HURT, but after some investigation into the area, I'm guessing it's actually my ITB.  It's not at my knee, but is about 4 inches up from there along the outside of my thigh.  I've been rolling, stretching, and icing the heck out of it, in hopes of thwarting a potential issue as I gear up to jump back into training this week.  Argh.  I'm really excited about the races I'm entered in up to and including WS, and dread the thought of being injured.  And I'm really excited to start training for said races.  Here's hoping it's all in my head.

8 comments:

saschasdad said...

Hah - I knew Ronda had something to do with your shorty short shorts (btw, I think you may be overestimating her height:)!

Heal up so you can get back out and tear it up again for yet another season, Amy!

Neal Gorman said...

Good call cutting the 50k short rather than risk a nasty IT flare up because I think the IT is something that could easily go either way if mismanaged: a quick healing or chronic. Gary is rallying the troops for Cascade. I take it you will be there as well?

Maura said...

We have your hydration pack. Email us (from MadAss 2010 website) to figure out how to return it to you.

Mo n Stan

amy said...

Sean--come on, they aren't THAT short.

Neal, if Gary rallies the troops, I how can I say no? Are you going to join in the fun? I volunteered last year--great VHTRC-like run.

Hone said...

Short shorts are great on women but nasty on dudes.

I also never have IT problems but have been dealing with a bit of it since Hawaii as well.

amy said...

Evan,
Short shorts are awesome on dudes. Speedos are even better. Oh, to lay butt-watching on the beaches of Rio again....

While I'm not glad to hear you're having ITB issues, it does make me hopeful that it's HURT-related and will go away soon for both of us. I felt pretty good on my run today.

Neal Gorman said...

Cascade, um Washington State, would be very nice- plus to hang with the peeps- but it is unlikely I could make it out the way summer is shaping up.

Melissa Schweisguth said...

The sign of a true Oregonian at heart...letting your skin enjoy the fresh air and getting warm before everyone else (besides Alaskans), thus needing to wear less. Many Souther Oregonians would indeed be shirtless (or running bra for the females) in those conditions.