10/25/11
7 miles
*Pseudo speed work. I went to the track this morning and it was occupied…at 6:30AM?!?!? Peeved, I drove home and attempted a speed workout on my usual paved bike path. I managed 3 x 1-mile repeats at HM pace. I can’t do speed work without a track. I need to be able to count down the laps!
Last night I went to the chiropractor for the first time.
Remember how I raced the Philly RnR Half the week after my marathon and got all sorts of tightness in my right hamstring? Well, it’s still there. It comes and goes. The 2 weeks of rest I took helped but my right hamstring, hip, and glute just feel off. Hard to explain. I’m not in pain; my right side just feels abnormal compared to my left. The tightness is directly proportional to how fast I run. The faster I run, the tighter my hammie gets (I’ve been conscious of my overstriding too). Since I’m not in pain, I’ve been running but I’m keeping my overall mileage low and not doing all-out speed work. And I’ve been icing, foam rolling, and yoga-ing.
I decided that I want to nip this in the bud before it became an injury, especially with 2 races coming up in November. I have heard such great things about ART but I wasn’t sure if I was a candidate since I’m not really experiencing pain. I chose a chiropractor that performs ART over a physical therapist since my insurance covers it and I didn’t need a prescription from my primary care doctor to make an appointment.
Fast forward to last night. First, I couldn’t believe that people were getting treated right in front of everyone (it’s a small office). People are laying down on these crazy beds right near the waiting room. And these people looked like they were in so much pain! Ice packs, traction, etc. Scary! I got the whole work-up (x-rays, foot analysis, my oh my) and then laid down on a crazy bed. The doctor immediately told me to put both of my arms out in front of me (if I was standing up, think of the mummy walk) and resist while he tries to push my arms down. My right arm was fine; I was able to resist. My left not so much. I tried with all my might but I could barely keep him from pushing my left arm all the way down. Strange. Then he did something with my feet and my left was hanging lower than my right. Hmmmm. He did an adjustment to my left arm and then he tried to push it down again and it didn’t budge. I was shocked! I was pretty skeptical going into the appointment but maybe this will work???
I’m going back next Thursday for another appointment to discuss my x-rays and possible ART. I just want to be in tip top shape for my upcoming 12K and the Philly Half.
Have you ever been to a chiropractor? I’m trying to keep an open mind about it…
Do you prefer the track for speed work? I’m OK with the treadmill too, at least it passes the time quickly.
I’ve never been to a chiropractor, but I’m a huge skeptic in general. Some people swear by it, so it must at least have a powerful placebo effect. 🙂
I know exactly what you mean! I’m only going to get ART, so if this doc wants to align and adjust too, so be it. I don’t think the adjustments are going to cure my tightness but I think ART will.
I just got adjusted and got ART yesterday! Its helped my ITB a lot, as well as my SI joint. Hope it works for you, too!
I also like the track for speedwork because it helps me pace myself.
I love ART. It helped fix me when running on a sprained ankle caused everything to go wacky…and made me not able to run. I still go a year later. I think it helps me be able to run so many marathons in a row :p
I love the track for speedwork but usually just do speedwork on a stretch of road or on the upper reservoir in Central Park. The tracks are kinda inconvenient and super crowded. I NEVER use the treadmill. HATE IT.
that is so crazy! My ART guy is a chiropractor, but I’ve only ever gotten ART from him. I think it’s definitely great to get if you’re just tight – I went yesterday even though I have no pain (knock on wood) and still felt a lot better afterwards.
I’ve never done speedowork on a real track, just the reservoir in Central Park. I don’t know why, but real tracks intimidate me!
part of the reason why i’m going is because you rave about ART 🙂
My husband goes to the chiropractor twice a week and has seen a big improvement in neck and back pain he was having. I am still fairly skeptical though, when he started, I was shocked that they are not actually acknowledged by the American Medical Association (I’m naive, they are called “doctors”). But if you see results, go for it!
Now I am worried about racing the MCM….
just be careful. i already had the normal micro-trauma to my muscles post-marathon (even though they felt OK) and then i went and compounded that by racing a half. 2 tough races 7 days apart with little recovery was not good.
my two cents: if you feel even a twinge that doesn’t go away, i would back off on your pace. you need to be healthy for your 50 miler!