Track at Brookline

My calf did not hurt during the track workout this evening.  

Hallelujah!  

On top of the great health status, I also ran at peak performance (fast and consistent!).  

It was a relief.  This is the first workout in a couple weeks that my calf did not hurt while running.  I have a couple possible explanations as to why the pain has subsided.  

1.  I did attend church this afternoon with my sister and nieces.  They did some volunteer work and I suppose some of the good deeds rubbed off on me.

2.  I incorporated the strength training exercises prescribed by the physical therapists at Marathon Physical Therapy

3.  I also introduced and added the exercise suggestions from massage therapist Lisa Gorman from 360 Neuromuscular Therapy Massage.

4.  I have massaged my quads, hamstrings, calves, shins, and IT band a lot over the last couple weeks.

5.  I warmed up for a solid 30 minutes prior to the workout with massage and dynamic warm-ups.

6.  I wore light flexible Nike Free 4.0 Flyknit shoes with Blue SuperFeet inserts!

A tiny tint of red added to the bottom from the sweet red Brookline track.  Fancy materials over on the other side of the river!





7.  For the last couple weeks, I have been wearing compression socks as advised by the PT.

8.  I hung out with Maggie and Elizabeth today, which included short sprints and lots of kneeling.

I am not certain whether it was a combination of 1 &7 or 2, 6 & 7 or all of these, but I am on the road to a strong race!  

This evening, I ran 800 repeats on the track which is two laps around a standard track and equals a half mile.  It is an ideal "speed" workout for marathon training.  Sadly, I can't tell you the physical reasons why it's the ideal distance.  I only know because the best and most successful marathon coaches and trainers advise to include 800 repeats.  The workout is referred to as the Yasso 800s after Bart Yasso.    Based on the reading about Yasso 800, my marathon time will range between a 3:05 - 3:09 marathon.  Phew, that is fast and seems a little unlikely!

Thanks for your support! http://www2.mda.org/goto/katierunschicago2014