I love running, I love it not...

I seem to have a love/hate relationship with running. Ever since the half marathon I have really enjoyed NOT running regularly. I am obviously not one of these people who are addicted to running - I'm more addicted to exercise in general - I love the pumped feeling of pushing yourself to the limits, but I love variety. I still enjoy running but I enjoy not having it as my sole focus.

Lately I have been doing all the cardiocoach tracks in the mornings - mainly on the elliptical because it doesn't stress my hamstrings at all, and they seem to be perpetually injured (from running!). I've really enjoyed it, but have to be careful not to do too much as it really is a HIIT (High Intensity Interval Training) workout, and if I do it in the mornings, and then do Combat/Attack in the evenings, that's really two HIIT workouts a day - and its too much for the body to cope with day in/day out. Anyway - its been great, I've really enjoyed it all, and I've had no hamstring pain.

So Monday/Tuesday I was down in Adelaide and staying with my parents. I was unable to exercise Monday due to an early bus ride, and evening commitments - so I knew I needed to do something Tuesday. With no vehicle for transport, I thought a run would be in order. So I decided to stick with the cardio coach program and use it on an outdoor run.

I think my hamstrings became sore overnight in anticipation of the work (they have been fine for weeks, but felt sore when I got up - go figure!). Nevertheless I headed off - walking for the first 10 mins, and then did slow jogs for the interval work up a really steep hill. It hurt a bit, but it was OK. I've kind of decided to just ignore my hamstrings - I'm just so fed up with them not healing. Any, the cardio coach programs seem to be graduated in length and in intensity - and just my luck, the one I was up to was #5 out of 7. The wonderful Sean O'Malley told me that it was 60 min session with a series of short sprints. Ah well- why not. I could do at least one couldn't I. So I went for it. And it felt fantastic. In fact I ended up doing 6 x 1 minute sprints, with 30 secs rest, and then 6 x 30 sec sprints with 90 secs in between. Apparently in the first set of sprints I was meant to keep my HR below 85% and not hit the anaerobic state - ooops - kinda ran them all at 90% - 95%! I loved the feeling and got lots of strange looks as I practically bowled people over on the footpaths as a ran like a madwoman - or at least someone who was being chased by the boogie man!

But it all came at a price. I could feel the pain in the hamstrings, but I ignored it- I was having too good a time! Eventually when the pain became very sharp - I had to stop and skip the last two sprints. And of course today - I am in agony- not just the pain in the hamstrings, but every other muscle in my thighs is stiff and aches - because I really kicked butt! (Did I mention on one of the sprints I hit 15km/hr!!!!)

So it was an elated feeling, followed by frustration. I guess I really am going to have to see someone about this injury - (but as a health professional I hate to admit that I can't solve my own problems!) Whilst I don't want to have to run all the time just to keep fit (that seems like a chore) - I do love the feeling of really "going for it" every now and then. Once a week would be fine with me - but I can't keep putting myself through this injury. I would really like to be able to push myself to my limits without being limited by pain.

Maybe after Christmas when I have a bit more money....

By the way - only 6 more sleeps! I'm so excited - I have really spoilt the kids and I can't wait to see their faces!

One more "by the way". The reason I was in Adelaide was for my graduation ceremony - I have finally graduated with a Masters in Primary Health Care.