If you’ve been bitten by the racing bug, you might be surprised to find that you harbour a little adrenalin junkie in your genetic code. You’ll know for sure that you’re addicted to adrenalin when you find it difficult to rest!
Well, I’m here to remind you (and myself!) that change is as good a rest.
In the tapering phase leading up to a marathon, it’s legitimate to take time to beef up your speed work with plyometric moves. These will develop the fast twitch fibres in your leg muscles, adding power to your stride. Another alternative would be to introduce extra stretching to develop range of motion around the joints, specifically the ankle and hip, for improved performance.
After the race, if you get the itch to walk long distances again, don’t scratch! You’re more likely to reduce the possibility of injury and improve performance by walking reduced mileage for a few weeks. Again, additional strength training is a change that’s as good as a rest. Or, try another activity on those long walk days.
Now’s the time to confess your adrenalin junkie sins!
Yes, in my case I agree. One year I did the Chili 1/2; Around the Bay (30 km); Big Sur (21 miles); then the MISSISAUGA FULL! well…I hit the ‘wall’ at 21km and my house was 10 min down the road and I kept saying ‘oh I can just keep going home or call my husband is pick me up’ BUT, I did not and kept on going and when I hit Lakeshore towards Pt. Credit I took a Banana from someone and somehow picked up speed and finished feeling pretty good. BUT, I did learn 3 things: Rest is good after races as you have just pointed out; What hitting the wall feels like and lastly how to talk yourself out of that and keep going!
I’m not very good at listening to the hints my body gives me. Unless it’s somthing obvious like a full blown flu or a twisted ankle, I just push on. Two years ago i learned a hard lesson. I’d walked too many races and listened too little to my aching hip and knees. I had no idea that hips and knees could talk. I guess they don’t when they are only 20 or 30 years old…but they get a voice by around 40 years. I was hearing voices but I wasn’t going crazy, i was getting old and my joints were telling me they needed a break. I finally took them (my joints) seriously when I started having trouble finishing even 30 minute walks and waking up at night from my aches and pains. It took 18 long months of visits to an orthopaedic surgeon, a physiotherapist, a chiropractor, an athletic therapist before I started to heal. I couldn’t walk half marathons, but I learned to swim a kilometer and cycle really well. This year I started walking half marathons again. I walked 5 races (not all half marathons!) over 5 months and …i started hearing those voices again. I’m taking my hips and knees seriously this time. Resting, strengthening and stretching to be ready for next year. I don’t need another 18 months off…i need to walk!