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Sunday, March 31, 2024--Easter Day

 Back to the track!

This morning I got up and went to track practice. There were a lot of GPTC members present, which shows how committed many of them are (inspiring!). I did a nice mile warm-up jog, and then I did the series of dynamic stretches and drills that I have saved on my phone. I decided to go back to the beginning--where I started in Bill Collins's training program--and do 4 to 8 (the workout prescribed 8, but I wanted to go easy on my hamstring and see how I felt) 400 meter runs in 90 seconds each with 2 minute rests.  I felt good/normal as I ran the first one; I was thrilled that I did it in 90 seconds, and that I felt no pain or anything! I was so grateful. All of the splits were at 90 seconds--except for number 6--as I rounded the last curve, I could "feel" my hamstring. It didn't hurt, exactly, it's just that I noticed it--it felt slightly tight. So, in an effort to stay true to taking it easy at first, I slowed to a jog and then a walk, and crossed the line at about 98 seconds. I decided then to stop at 6 400s. I did a very easy slow jog for a lap or so, then I got down on the ground for some light stretching. I completed a truncated Pilates routine, and then did some longer deeper stretching. I put the seat warmer on as I drove home to give my hamstrings some heat. Once home, I did my compression wrap, iced the hamstring, then switched to heat, and took two Advil to help any inflammation. 

Learning from my experience, I will not run tomorrow. Tuesday I have to head back to NYC for an appointment, and Wednesday it is supposed to rain all day. My plan will be to do my Pilates lesson on Thursday morning, and then head back to Franklin Field and do another (easy-ish) track workout. I am very happy, relieved, and grateful that my hamstring seems to have healed. I have another acupuncture appointment this Friday. 

Today I wore my new Hoka Bondi 8 shoes (they are exactly the same model/style as I have been wearing for a year--so I knew I could rely on them fitting and feeling great on my feet). I love these running shoes--for some reason, they just work extremely well for me.

Here they are


on the day of their debut:


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