I just saw a message on Facebook from a friend who is also running the Sun Trust Rock N Roll USA 1/2 Marathon reminding us all that it’s only 17 days away. That was my reminder that A. I forgot to write up my post today and B. Time really flies.
After last weekend’s 10K PR, I decided to come back strong with a 12 miler this past Sunday. Since I’ve been noticing that my times have suffered at the end of my runs, I made sure to keep it at around a 10 minute mile pace. It was a nice, conversational pace and I felt good for most of the run. Here are some concerns I have that I think I need some advice with:
1. Bra burn.
I have a huge problem with my sports bras. It doesn’t hurt too terribly bad but there is a huge bra burn the runs from side to side under my boobs. It’s pretty nasty.
2. Shoulder pain.
I have been struggling with a pain in my left rotator cuff since I played soccer in college and popped it out during a workout. For the past 12 years or so, I’ll wake up randomly with a stiff/tingly arm that will last all day, and sometimes it will make my chest hurt. I felt like I was having a heart attack one night and drove myself to the ER. They said I had inflammation in the cartilage around my ribcage, but I’ve started to think that the inflammation is actually from the rotator cuff. At around mile 5, my chicken wing bone (you know what I’m talking about) started hurting so bad. This pain went down my shoulder into my chest and I started getting a weird shooting pain in my left arm/chest/back. I started focusing on stretching the area, made myself stand straight while I was running, and concentrated on my breathing. I stopped back at my house at mile 6 to stretch, take some Aleve (and a Shot Blok and to pee) and around mile 7 it started to feel better.
Should I be concerned?
I’ve been thinking about seeing a chiropractor but I’m really hesitant about it. I’ve never been to one before and to be honest, they kind of scare me. I guess I just have to be cautious while I’m running and be sure to properly stretch and take an anti-inflammatory before I begin.
3. Mental fatigue.
This is normal I’m sure. I was good until about mile 9, and then I started getting antsy. I started thinking, “My God 12 miles is a long time. How the hell can I ever run a full marathon if I hit a wall at mile 9?”
I’m sure this gets better with time, but I really struggled through those last 3 miles mentally. I was fine physically. My playlist helped but I was still … not really enjoying myself at that point.
I will have to say that my new kicks are doing awesome and my toe is no longer swelling.
Happy Hump Day!
1. Bra burn stinks! Do you use Body Glide, Aquaphor or vaseline? If not, get it, it really helps. Lube up before you head out. I put on my feet too, it prevents blisters.
2. For the record, I have gone to a chiropractor for the past 5 years every month (after I threw my back out.) If I don’t go I get completely out of whack. I hold tension in my neck and shoulders and he always makes it go away. He also shortens the duration of an on coming cold. He is magic!
That said, you may need to see an ortho doc if you suspect your rotator cuff. It’s kind of funny because after my long run on Sunday my left shoulder has been bugging me. Are we twins from anotha Motha?
3. . . .and lastly, the mental part is the hardest part. Don’t let the crap talk creep in. Find a mantra! It’s true that it works. Break up the run into small segments and don’t think of it as one giant run.
Wow that was almost as long as your post. Tee, hee
Ann! We are twins! About breaking up the runs — I do that. I look at it in quarters – like for the 12 miler, it was 3, 3, 3, and 3. I ran 3 miles out, 3 miles back, drank water/aleve/etc. and 3 miles out and 3 miles back. During races I do the same thing. “At miles 3, 6, and 9 I’ll walk through the water stop” or “Ok, the first 3 will be slow, and ever 3 miles after I’ll turn it up” Things like that. But yeah, it’s still difficult sometimes to get the “What the hell am i DOING?” out of my head.
Does your chiropractor actually “crack?” Don’t laugh .. I have a thing against cracking…my co-workers can attes tto that! I hate it. And I feel like it will hurt ….
Yes, there is cracking. But not all chiroprators are the same. You have to will yourself to relax and it isn’t easy but it’s worth it. (at least to me anyways
)