Notes
Sore muscles, especially calves. Stretched and massaged a lot last night and still sore today. Decided to lift after work and only do a short, easy run.
Stopped to stretch after about a mile...no need to force through an easy run. Felt better after stretching, but stuck to the easy relaxed pace.
Hoping the legs feel better tomorrow.
**Side Stitch update - my research pointed out the exhale on left foot-fall approach (which I knew back in HS). Evidently only 30% of runners exhale on the right. During today's run, I sped up the breathing a couple times to mimic a race breathing pattern and realized my normal/comfortable rythm is to exhale on the right foot-fall. This is very likley the source of my problem. Exhaling on left foot-fall will require some practice as it felt somewhat akward and forced. Will also be working on ab/back flexibility and strength.
Side stitches are only a problem for me at fast paces (races/hard runs) which makes sense as my easy breathing is very loose and relaxed and the exhale often multiple footfalls. Will practice breathing during quicker runs.