Friday, November 23, 2007

Just ran my 10k PR, now I can hardly walk…


So, how is it that each time I run a 5k or a 10k – the next week I have a tough time just walking around? Sore calves or hamstrings or both – what’s up with that??

Could it be that I ran most of the race over my “projected” Maximum Heart rate? So, according to the experts – my so call estimated maximum heart rate should be 220 bpm minus my age. Well, I’ll be 43 tomorrow, so yesterday I would have been 42.999 – which would make my maximum heart rate 177.001.

Towards the end of my race, I checked the Garmin and sure enough my heart rate was 182 bpm. So, I’m thinking – is my possible death worth my 10k PR – well, I didn’t slow down so I guess it was!

But anyway, my left hamstring is now all messed up with bandages and heat pads – my calf’s are a bit sore and it looks like I’m about twice my age with the way I’m walking around.

Tomorrow is my day off but guess what I’ll be doing on Sunday – ya that’s right – I’ll be back on the “horse” hobbling through my run and bike workout. I’ve learned with age that if you let the little pains here and there stop you from your workout – well you might as well just order that scooter.

The joy’s of old age…

1 comment:

ace said...

Hi, I was just cruising through the "tri-blogosphere" and saw your post. From my experience, age has very little to do with the aches and pains you describe. Over stressing your body, or pushing beyond your current level of fitness could be one thing. Diet, hydration, and mineral balance could be others. For example calf strains can be the product of poor kidney function and/or dehydration. When properly trained, rested, and well nourished, our bodies respond quite favorably to efforts that extend them.

Other things to consider are muscular balance, flexibility and range of motion. Impairment in any one of these areas makes maximal efforts more stressful and likely to cause injury as well.

These are just a few thoughts about the causes of the pains you are experiencing after going for a PR. Just one "old" guy to another. I'm going on 46. ;)