Uh oh... now what?
DODAR, nounish, "Delayed Onset to Dumb-Assed Running"
With the onset of the sixth week of turning back to the car, bike, or housebecause of the pain as I tried to run, the idea of having a doctor look atmy leg crossed my mind. The visit went okay, more or less--more because hesaid there was nothing major wrong with my Achilles tendon--less because hetold me I shouldn't do "that" again. The "that" had brought a smile to hisface. I think there was a bit of empathy too, maybe a smidgen of sympathy.He had been listening, nodding in support, then smiled and almost chuckledwhen I described what I done to create the "that."
It was in late July, a wonderfully warm and almost windless day. We didnot want to wander here and there on our well-shaded trails. We wanted outin the sun. We decided to go to Padilla Bay. There is a 2-1/8th of a milegravel-surfaced walking path alongside the huge tidal basin. An almostflat ribbon with no roots or rocks to trip over, plenty of room for passingor meeting other people, and, something to be damned and double-damnedlater on, markers every 1/18th of a mile.
We don't get many days with temperatures above 62ºF on the island. Iparked and we got out. The warm air (about 70ºF) plus the clear andwindless sky brought forth the illusive memory of muscles being warm andflexible. I said I was going to alternate running and walking the eighthsof a miles to the other end. Forgetting, or neglecting, the idea that Itend to always go out in a blaze of glory (followed by an early anddramatic death) I started... wait! What's this? I have my genuinerunner's watch on; some rarely worn for trail outings. I was only a fewyards down the path. I stopped and returned to the "0" sign. I switchedthe watch to stopwatch mode, clicked "Start" and blazed off in search ofthe next eighth of a mile post. I arrived there just a few seconds beforeswitching from aerobic to anaerobic, the last remaining conscious thoughtwas to hit the "Split" button... and observe as the first recovery legstarted.
What's this? 59? Hmmm, add one and 59 becomes 60--a minute. I just did220 yards (sounds a lot longer than an eighth of a mile) at 8-minute pace.Wow? It is only about once a month that I do the one-mile long PartridgePoint Road with a watch on--just as a check to see what it is that I callrunning these days. I am tickled pink to still see 9:00 - 9:15 withoutturning red or appearing in need of the EMT folks. Hmmm, an 8-minute paceand the first recovery leg is done and--hit the button and off I go.
61? Really? So, there is some spring left in the two limbs I havemistreated the most. There are two Great Blue herons near the path. Theymove through the water with no ripples, watching for their next meal,graceful and silent--neither pays me any notice. The next post is near andI click the button again. I am in totally awe of my ability to sit in atwo-second window of variation by the end of the 2 1/8th miles. The splitswere 59, 61, 60, 61, 59, 59, 60, 60, 59. An ego being easily inflated Iwas immediately and overwhelmingly impressed. Said ego also allowing me toignore the slight twinge coming from the lower half of my left leg.
I watched another Great Blue Heron and a few other water birds, aKingfisher chittering as it dove, and waited for Kathy to arrive. I toldher my splits and said I was going to quarter miles on the way back. It wasjust too nice a day to waste on easy running. She mentioned somethingabout that being way too fast for me--not having done anything remotelyresembling speed work in a long time. I (recall the "ignoring.." justmentioned) said I was okay, hit the "Start" button and took flight.
The first quarter mile was great: 2:01 -- recovery jog seemed a bit shortwhen the next post suddenly appeared, but I hit "Split" and took off: 2:00-- with a slightly enlarged and cottony tongue I recovered again -- 1:58and I am suddenly thinking maybe I should not do the next one. There is atwinge down there in the lower part of the left leg...ahh, just one moreand the set of four is done and off I go. The ice pick was inserted justas I passed the post. It was not left in. It barely caused me to breakstride. I slowed slowly and looked at my watch: 2:00 -- the thought ofstill being master of the steady pace on a flat course was interrupted bythe ice pick being jabbed in my left calf again.
I did the jog/shuffle thing back to Kathy. She asked how it went. Iimmediately said: 2:01, 2:00, 1:58, 2:00 and started to say, but shepointed at my legs and said how are they--you are limping. I said I thinkI just did something dumb. Should have stopped with the outbound series?Yes. How bad? Strained a little, not bad. We walked/jogged/shuffled backto the car. When we got home it was, uh... difficult to get out of thecar? The ice pick was now embedded in the leg and abandoned. A smallvoice said, "That was some really dumb-assed running you just did.
The long bulge of swelling on the lower Achilles tendon was tender the nextday. Almost forgotten methods of taping were recalled so I could walkwithout pain, almost. I did some stretching, icing, heating, lit a fewincense candles, even mentioned it in the Rosary... all for naught. Iexplained all this to the orthoped of the month selection. He was kindenough to not laugh, but only chuckle when I replied to his question, "Whatdo you think is wrong?"
"Delayed Onset to Dumb-Assed Running," was my reply, "DODAR."
rgot
Nice entertaining post. THank you, but sorry for the DODAR, achilles stuff.
I've done the DODAR myself a time or two before on the local track. When I go there, I must do something fast. It's the point of the track, to watch the seconds tick by slowly and amuse your mind with how 2-3 seconds pace for half a lap can feel so different. Also running fast, nothing hurts until you stop. Not sure whether I should resume that speedwork stuff again after reading this but I probably will.
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In dog beers, I've only had one.
Refurbished Hip
This made me chuckle, John. We're all just stubborn mules, aren't we? I hope your AT heals quickly.
Running is dumb.
Funny, and I'm glad the Achilles is OK. Here is a relevant Swedish-language lesson:
död = dead
döda = to kill
dödar = is killing
3/8 Way Too Cool 50k WNS
4/19 Tehama Wildflowers 50k
Heal quickly!
flashlight and sidewalk
Oh boy...looks like a RGOT sequel in the makes . At least the writing isn't suffering. Hope it's a quick recovery for you.
**Ask me about streaking**
Le professeur de trail
Funny, and I'm glad the Achilles is OK. Here is a relevant Swedish-language lesson: död = dead döda = to kill dödar = is killing
My favorite day of the week is RUNday