Wurst Runner Ever! (Video Gait Analysis Results) and some runs

I got my Video Gait Analysis (VGA) results on a CD Friday, and I figure I'd share the findings with everyone. Maybe you'll see some of the same errors? Solution: Increase cadence by 5% to not give myself time to make the errors and some exercises to improve my form (and hip exercises).

Knowing what I'm doing wrong makes me much more aware of it now when I run, although I don't want to change up too much before the Chicago Marathon. Form and speed will by the goal of the winter.

Now for the weekend runs:

Saturday I did an easy pace 8 miles with my kiddo in the jogging stroller.  No photos. I haven't been too happy with the return of the tightness/knot in my left calf again. Mentally frustrating after having a nice week. The physical therapist worked on the spot pretty hard too, so I shouldn't be surprised. The lady that did my run gait analysis also gave me more exercises and stretches to do. Who has time for all this?!!

Sunday: My legs were pretty tight again, so I spent a good 20+ minutes total doing dynamic warm ups, they seemed to have helped. 16 mile long run with Pete (The Lakefront Trail) was on tap.   My longest run with anyone and it was a lot of fun. He shared a plethora of run experience with me and was a lot of support for me. Then add his powerful speed, he kept me from falling back. We were trying to settle into the 7:40-7:45 per mile time frame, which would be a finish around 2:04 I think. We stopped at Navy Pier for a couple photos. Here is what we got:

Suns out, pistols out

I take serious pictures

Total moving time: 1:59:14 (7:27 mile average), total time with break, 2:02ish.  Hopefully the faster pace isn't going to hurt us. It felt nice and we were trying to compensate for the wind coming back, and compensate we did!

Also on a side note, Lickity Split is serving coffee flavored frozen custard, MY FAVORITE! 

These streets will make you feel band new

Second time writing this. First one got lost in draft...

I hesitated writing this post in the thought that I'll jinx myself. Since my run on Friday morning, I have felt... normal.. Like pre injury normal.. at least when I am not running. I walked around after my run Friday with that feeling I so dearly missed.. Feeling like I wanted to run again, not crawl into bed feeling like crumpled tin, hoping my body would repair itself in time for my next run.

I did my 90 minute physical therapy session, and then did my video gait analysis.

My review: I was already fatigued from my morning run and therapy.   They had me warm up then do some marathon paced miles. I was impressed by their stance on this.  They didn't want to push shoes, inserts, or doctors.  They wanted to see the problems and work with you instead. Good feeling to know they had no sales agenda.  The gait analysis therapist and my physical therapist talked about the inserts I bought and said that is basically to get me through the marathon if I find that I'm still getting strains without them. We'll see what happens!

Preliminary Findings: My legs, my right more than my left swings around and causes me to run with one foot in front of the other, causing the knee tapping and that fraying of the inside of my sneakers I find. Initial suggestions, increase my steps per minute by 5%, from 180 to 189 during my marathon pace, this should help me not have time to do that swing and fix up my pace.  I follow up next Friday to get the full analysis.

Saturday: 10 miles at easy pace per Hanson Marathon Method. I get out around 5am. And for the first run since July... I had no mountain of rough pain or strains to break through to run. I'm going to pause and let that feeling hang there...

I was normal, at least to start. A big mental relief.

I still had some periods of tightness and aches through my run, but that happens in all my easy paced runs.  I saw Mrs Fueling Strong as she started her CARA run and we exchanged our normal cheery hello!

Here are some photos from the run:

And for those of you who are here for a photo of my kid, here she is rocking her new fall jacket:

Only down side to the run, I focused too heavily on trying to watch my feet and how my legs were moving and flared up something in my upper glute. Some foam rolling has since helped.


Sunday: Cut back weekend, so just another 10 miles at easy pace. It was raining today and I started pain free again, which was great! My pace was felt fresh, and I just ran at whatever felt good for that mile, and ended with a sprint for the last few blocks which felt great. No blogger sightings today.

Will I be pain free again tomorrow?

Tomorrow is also Pint Night at +Fleet Feet Sports - Chicago , who is going and if so, at which location?

Now for your Sunday motivational picture:

I hope everyone had a great weekend and thank you for your feedback on how to race the marathon.  I have to fiddle around with the comfort level on the sliding scale of  enjoyment speed vs training speed, as it is my first marathon.. but I don't know what I'll do in the future for races.  I haven't found myself addicted to them yet. I love running, but I'm not sure I like races yet..

Edit: Also! BIG NEWS EVERYONE! Yesterday I went to Lickity Split for my 70th time Since October 2011 while checking in with the Belly Card! I'm kind of a big deal.