My training for the Runner’s World Half Marathon is going great, thanks for asking! High five for me in celebration of Meg’s High Five Friday.
Really though, I am happy with my progress and consistency so far. My biggest fear has been my knees as last October I experienced immense knee pain which made me want to quit both the half marathons I ran. (I didn’t quit! I finished one race in 2:05:15 and the other in 2:03:28.)
My knees have held up pretty well, and I think a large part is due to consistent training, foam rolling, and stretching. However, occasionally they still act up, and during my last race my hip was hurting, too. I finally decided to take my friend’s advice in visiting a recommended chiropractor who uses active release techniques in his practice, treats professional athletes, has a lot of experience with runners, and specializes in athletic injuries.
I had my initial consultation on Wednesday. He performed some preliminary assessments and watched me run. After watching me run, he discussed what he saw. He told me that most distance runners run like gazelles with their long strides. Then, he informed me that I did not. Ha. Seriously, I had to keep from laughing. I would never compare myself to a gazelle or any other graceful, speedy animal. Clearly, I went straight to Pinterest to find some funny picture or quote that had to do with running and gazelles. This is what I found:
“Every morning in Africa a gazelle wakes up. It knows it must run faster than the fastest lion or it will be killed. Every morning a lion wakes up. It knows it must run faster than the slowest gazelle or it will starve to death. It doesn’t matter whether you are a lion or a gazelle when the sun comes up, you had better be running.” (source)
Basically what the doctor explained was that I take much shorter strides. Instead of taking nice long, stretched out strides, my strides are short which causes me to lift my legs up more, in turn putting more strain on my knees. Plus, my hamstrings and hips are pretty tight and that is also making the other muscles not function as efficiently as they should. Everything in that area is a little out of whack; nothing serious, but I hope to have it fixed sooner than later. In the interim, I’ll keep stretching, foam rolling, and loving on my foam roller (because that’s not weird…).
The doctor affirmed I’m not a gazelle, so I guess that makes me a lion? I’m off for my morning run… you know, so I don’t starve.
Lion or gazelle? Lion actually does make a lot more sense for me since I’m a Leo. What’s your sign? What animal would you compare yourself to?
No it’s not weird to love the foam roller. I couldn’t live without mine. Best of luck with your training.
Thanks!
Haha I love that quote! I’m so happy the chiropractor is getting it figured out for you!
I hope I’ll have success with him!
Good luck with your training! I think I’d be a lion as I know I do not have long strides! RAWR lol
hahaha rawwwr!
Glad you decided to see a chiro, and it’s working for you! Good luck w/ the rest of your 1/2 marathon training hunnie
Thanks, Jessie!
this made me laugh but i am glad you found relief in your pain. you got this!
Haha I was cracking up too
Definitely a gazelle when I run. I think that it’s the strength training that I’ve done in the past. My foot turn-over isn’t that fast, but I’m able to launch off that back foot. (Which is why I like hill running so much, I think). Glad to hear that the injuries are staying at bay — fingers crossed that they continue to!!
I’m a Pisces — I hope I don’t run like a fish!! haha. However, I am a dreamer and usually have my head in the clouds. I love it up there though. So peaceful.
Very nice!!
Bahahah LOVE IT. I’d rather be a lion any day
Right??
Haha that’s awesome. It’s pretty cool that he made the comparison too, I mean that gives you give a clear picture of what he meant at least. You should try yoga for stretching too, I’m sure it would help you with the tight muscles! Good luck!
That’s true – I have got to start incorporating more yoga into my life!
I love that comparison – I can’t really picture myself being much a gazelle either. :-p
I’m a Scorpio! I kind of love it, apparently it makes me sexy and mysterious. I’ll take it.
Ooooh scorpio – very nice
haha love that.. I’m a gemini, so apparently I have a twin hahaha
A brother from another mother? haha
I terms of running? I don’t know…maybe like a buffalo?
haha!!
Love active release – it’s my close friend (when I’m not trying to hold back a scream of pain) and I finally found a doc out here this week! Hopefully your doc will watch as you change your stride, because you can also injure yourself from overstriding (very common). So many things to pay attention to.
That’s awesome! Thanks for the advice!
Oh hey lion. RAWR! Haha.
Love my foam roller. No issues lovin on that thing. Besides mine is pink, how can I not?!
BTW–that’s great info he gave ya. I think I run in between-mid length stride. But I never have knee problems, so maybe I have longer strides than I think?
HAPPY FRIDAY!!
I’m sure you have longer strides with as long of legs as you have! Plus you’re always graceful you little dancer!
I have short strides too (though maybe that’s because of my short legs? Haha)! I never knew that could contribute to knee pain! That would make sense for me though. I hope this chiropractor can help you fix your issues!
I think I’m kind of like a dog when I run – not too fast, kind of lop-sided, and usually with my tongue sticking out of my mouth. LOL!
I was thinking my short strides had something to do with my short legs, too! And I’m picturing you running with your tongue out hahah
I am definitely more of a gazelle. LOL.
Lucky you!
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you. are. PRECIOUS! hehehehehe loved this story!!!!!!!!!!! Thanks for linking up to HFF! My Daddy says I run like a gazelle (he saw me running on the treadmill two summers ago and told me that), but I highly doubt that I actually do. haha
Haha I’m sure you’re as graceful as your daddy-o says!
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