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Saturday, July 7, 2012

5K Training - Week 3, Run 1

So I'm getting to that usual point in an exercise regime where I'm really digging in my heels at keeping going. It was really hot and humid yesterday, and I just didn't want to go out in that (understandably), and I stalled and stalled. It was 9:30 pm when I was still humming and hawing over getting off the couch and running, but I'm glad to say that I kicked my ass and got off the couch, and went for another night run.

This was my first run of week 3, so they've upped the running intervals. This time I did my 5 minute warm-up walk, followed by 1 1/2 of running, 1 1/2 of walking, 3 minutes of running and 3 minutes of walking, repeated twice. Finally, the usual 5 minute cool-down.

I was a little nervous for the 3 minute run, so I kept my pace steady instead of trying to widen my stride as I did last run just to make sure I could run for the whole time. Well, I did it, and it made me confident that I'm ready for it, as well as that I will be ready for longer running stretches next week! It wasn't so bad when I kept my pace steady, and it helped that there were only 4 runs. I think I actually prefer fewer runs that are longer intervals, it makes the time go by a little quicker if I get in the zone and concentrate on my breathing. In fact, I even felt that the 1 1/2 runs were more difficult this time around than the 3 minute runs!

The only issue I'm having with my running is I am starting to get lower back pain, and it's not muscle pain, but it feels like it's actually in my lower spine :( Anyone have any tips or equipment I can get to help with back pain after running? It's worst in the morning after I wake up, and I have to constantly stretch out my spine to "relieve" the pain (though it hurts while stretching it).

4 comments:

  1. I get that too. Lower back pain is no fun..Make sure you stretch a lot. I did notice that my back pain was going away the more I ran which to me is a weird thing. Take it easy if it's not muscle though...maybe take a few days off running?
    Steph

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  2. I was going to say the same thing as Steph, that you should make sure that you stretch both before and after your runs. You are doing great at sticking with your program :)
    Julie

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  3. Yoga poses that arch the back up and down (cat pose) work really well for my lower back. Suck in the lower abdomen and pull in all the core muscles, tilt the hips to exaggerate the curve.

    Anytime I have lower back issues that is my go to stretch. I also have an awesome chiro if you ever have the need to see if there is something else going on.

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