Temporarily reduced to a regimen of walking thanks to a lingering hamstring injury, I've decided to make the best of it. It's incredibly sad, I know. Once a runner, etc. It's tragic, it sucks, but--well, at least I've got both legs. It could be worse, right?
5' 11". Age 57. Usual racing weight: 165-166. That's where I was when I hurt the hammy back in late March. Now I'm 174, thanks to a two-month detour using therapy designed by the Postural Restoration Institute. Total cessation of running and walking. I finally quit that, but the damage was already done, weight-wise. Again: it's absolutely sickening. But you've got to start where you are, and this is where I am: I'm an overweight power-walker. I'd rather be standing at the front of the room proclaiming "I am an alcoholic," frankly. Hell takes many forms. But if you're going to walk through hell--well, just do it. Be there.
This thread will be the epic story of how I pulled my self, one day at a time, back out of the hole. I WILL run competitively again. Meanwhile, I walk. I will NOT do the swishy-hipped speed-walk thing. That's fine if it's your thing, but it's not my thing. I am walking on public roads, including highways, in Mississippi. 'Nuff said. All my walking, in any case, will be garden-variety walking, streamlined for speed.
I've been putting in a daily 3-mile walk, at paces ranging from 16:20 down to 15:10. Two days ago I went from normal walking arm-carriage (down at my sides) to running arm carriage, and my pace miraculously dropped to 14:37 pace. Huge gain!
Again: this is a pitiful, painful story if you're a runner. But I suspect that a few souls here have been through this particular house of horrors and will empathize.
Today I decided to go long: 5 miles in just under 75 minutes. Significant uphills and down hills. 14:53 pace. Average HR: 56% of max.
More to come.