Hi! My name is Josh. I ran a marathon last week, and it went quite well if I do say so myself. The problem is, I’m still sore (glutes. Or “butt,” as the kids say), and I’m signed up for a 10k and a 5k race tomorrow. I’m pretty sure I won’t do very well, and it’s possible I could injure myself. If I suffer a butt injury, I’ll never hear the end of it. Yes, I said end of it. End. As in butt. I get it.
Anyway, here’s my question: should I race tomorrow?
Thanks,
Conflicted in Cackalacky
No.
Sincerely,
Running Sensei
—
There you have it, ladies and gentlemen, the inaugural advice column from the wise and mysterious Running Sensei. I shall heed his words, and sit this one out. Good luck, my competitors, and enjoy the freezing rain!
We’ll miss you, Josh, but I think you’re making the right call. I almost ruined my running due to IT band issues – I ran through them during my first marathon and ended up limping the last 5k instead of pulling out of the race. Then I came back too soon. Took me years to find someone to get me pain free.
Get a sports massage for your butt, then get your butt back out with us when you’re 100%.
Cheers,
Trey
This doode told me once, well, no one ever got an injury from taking a break. Seems he was pretty much on “track” hahahaha! and now that my blue foot is almost “normal”-ish, I’m thinking I’ll be back running circles soon without! a! worse! injury!
and you gotta take care of that exit-view equipment… just saying.
What a pain in the butt that is!
Bummer. But, you’re wise to consider the words of your sensei. Rest well, Josh!
Here’s a couple of good stretches:
http://youtu.be/yGBAcwbZqf4
http://youtu.be/JbpkAOxro5Q
What a sad tail.. The end of carefree, happy go lucky, Josh. Butt, I’m sure your competitors won’t leave you behind. I rectum you won’t be bringing up the rear for very long.
Ok, enough of that assinine drivel…
Seriously, you probably made a wise decision to skip the race “which of course means you did it all wrong”…
Mature move. Well done.
Slept in this morning (6:30!) and Operation Sloth is in full effect. Of course that means I’m feeling restless and ready to go, which is good. Rested restlessness makes me faster. Ooh, that’s a good one.
Trey:
I’m bummed (sorry) not to be hanging out with the racing gang. Hope everyone had a great time! Looking forward to the results. Something tells me I’m going to be in a heated battle for 5th.
Kathryn:
True; there needs to be something for the door to hit on the way out.
Kelly:
Is that all? I expect more from you. Butt the pain is pretty much nonexistent this morning.
Ash:
He’s not my sensei. He’s THE sensei. Mysterious and wise.
StephenB:
I can buy the idea of stretching for flexibility, but never really could understand how stretching an over-exercised muscle helps make it better. I haven’t really looked into the issue, though, so I don’t really know what I’m talking about.
Scott:
You win!
MissZippy:
This was one of those rare occasions where the right answer is very obvious and requires only a little bit of discipline.
sorry, from a rear view I was trying to be brief, much like THE Running Sensei
but I’m glad you got to the bottom of your problem
I hope this is the end of arse talk.
Yes, I’m starting to feel uncomfortable. One last bit, though, unrelated: Iris never noticed the root word for the product, “Anusol” until she met me. Just something I feel you all should know.
That explains so very much about you, Josh…
What can I say, I’m an educator.
Anyway, the results are in. First, second, and third look pretty set from here on out in the series, with third place impossibly beyond my reach. I slipped to 5th place. Three of us will be battling it out for 4th. Should be fun!
Josh, I agree with you about static stretching. I prefer to use the foam roller, which is closer to a trigger point type therapy. Foam rollers can be used on the gutes too, as can a tennis ball or similar. Good luck!