Coldy, Rainy, Windy... and Crampy

I didn't feel like running today.  All day, I've been a little stiff from yesterday's workout (5.3 miles - 2x12min, 3.3x9min).  That wasn't going to stop me.  Nor was the cold temperatures moving back in, nor was 30 mph wind gusts, nor was rain... but the cramp in my left side kept me from doing more mileage than I anticipated.

I having been doing well with longer warmups and today I veered off course.  I got about half a mile into my run and with the rainy conditions, I just wanted to get this over and done.  I wasn't flying, but I went for about a 10 minute pace and I almost immediately started cramping in my lower left quadrant (abdomen).  I'm not sure why, nor do I care at this point.  I just wanted the damn thing to go away.  No such luck.

I finished up my Lake Ivanhoe loop (2.5 miles) and the cramp went away less than a minute later.  I'm also in my warm and dry home and that's a lot better, too!

Running after the Rain

We had a wicked storm roll through this afternoon. I was with friends at Flagler Beach today. For dog owners out there, this is the closest beach to Orlando that you can take your dog. That's how I found it. Dogs are allowed in Flagler County and that is the first exit on 95 once you pass the county line.

So as we are finishing up ice cream cones, a tornado warning comes over the radio waves. We look inland and North and the sky is twisting around and turning black. We head to 95 and just get out of there. We cruise pretty fast southbound to I-4 to outrace the storm and get back home to Orlando. Once home, I had time to stop by 7 Eleven to drop off a redbox rental and go to Publix for some dinner supplies.

We get home and the storm hits. I waited till after dinner and for the rain to stop to get out on my run. I haven't run in a week... maybe more.

Either way, my legs were fresh. A little burnt, but fresh.

I didn't waste too much time to open up my stride, but I felt like I wasn't getting good turnover. My knee lift on the front end was weak and my kick was too low.

I had to get in motion. I started pushing off and really trying to feel my buttocks with each stride. I started moving forward a little better. I didn't change my turnover rate, just my form. After about 30 seconds of that, I added some knee lift to the front of my strides and just a little kick and I started moving faster... probably in the 7 to 8 minute range without a whole lot of effort.

Proper form does so much.

I couldn't help myself from quickening my turnover. Ruins me every time. After I got about a mile into my 2.5 mile run, I was going all out. It felt great, though, because the rain had just stopped and it was cool. About 78 degrees. That's cool for Orlando right now. We've been up in the mid 90's lately.

So yeah, I only got a quarter mile covered going all out. It felt like the speed that I used to run the mile in high school which is good, except it was only a quarter mile. I walked a little due to the cramping in my back. I've got to figure that spot out. Why do I keep cramping in my mid back on the sides?

Anyway. I went back and forth between all out running and walking until I got home and finished my 2.5 miles.

I am going to feel this tomorrow morning... along with some sunburn. Ouch!