Running 41:45 [3] 5.5 mi (7:35 / mi)
rhr:44 slept:7.5 weight:165.5lbs
I finally got to run at lunchtime! It was the first lunch run since March 6th - over 3 months ago. I guess it's no surprise that I am out of shape.
Time was too tight to do the UR ped bridge loop, so I ran up the river to the blue light just before the bridge, which must be 2.75 miles, and back. Out in 21:17, back in 20:28.
Splits: 5:17, 7:41, 7:58, 19, 19, 7:15, 8:13, 4:41
Was 7:35 during a measured mile out (from "5" to "4"), making sure I outran some ballers who entered the path just behind me. 7:15 for the usual measured mile on the way back was a chore (although I did it a hard way: 3:47, 3:28). I've got some work ahead of me.
Stretching 5:00 [1]
OK, so I was reading this month's Runner's World, and it had an article on hamstring problems. One of the sidebars had some common problems and I read the description of piriformis syndrome and it sounded way like my butt problem. This is a problem I've had on-and-off since an unfortunate softball injury that resulted in my being unable - literally - to run a single step for two months. This must have been over 10 years ago. Anyway, this problem comes and goes in intensity, but it's always at least sort of there (driving awhile always brings it out). A PT friend did check things out after a flare-up a few years ago, and said my glutes were too weak and I was too tight.
So, I did some research, and this seems to be some sort of BS syndrome that just means the doctors can't locate the true problem and decide it must be the piriformis. Fine. The important thing is that whatever this is, if it can be addressed, is dealt with by various stretching and strengthening exercises. So, I started with some stretching today, and I'll have to figure out what to do about strengthening.