Nature Park: The Revenge

If you have followed my last two blogs (this one and KV Challenger), you'll know I am a big fan of the Irving Nature Park. It's a short drive from my house, or a quick jog if I am feeling especially ambitious. I would guess that over 15 percent of my runs take place at the Nature Park, including many of my long runs. If I need to get the lead out of my legs and it's still light out, chances are you'll find me there.

My last run in the park, however, left me with a bum knee that took a week to heal, so I was eager to retrun to my place of injury and right some running wrongs. After a small but tasty meal of pasta and steamed veggies (cooked by yours truly), I changed into my running gear, hopped in the car, and ventured to the park. Time for some payback.

The gates were locked and the sunlight was fading as I entered the park. I jogged slowly around the barriers, monitoring my right knee in hopes that it wouldn't cause me any discomfort. This, of course, make me hypersensitive to every creak and moan on the right side of my body. I passed through the first kilometer pain free, but very slow. I picked it up for the second kilometer, but did not hold the pace, eventually settling into a slow groove that I figured would last until I exited the park.

That is, until I heard someone say, "Excuse me, do you have a cell phone?" I looked to my left and there was a young man in running gear, favouring his leg. Apparently, he twisted his ankle during his run (it was the size of a baseball; another unfortunate Nature Park victim), and was unable to walk to the exit. I couldn't help at that moment - I had no cell phone on me, and supporting him for three kilometers wasn't an option - but I figured that I could find someone with a cell phone once I left the park. I told him I'd do my best, and bolted for the exit.

Worries about my knee faded during those last three kilometers, as my increased pace did nothing to aggravate last week's injury. Sure, I wasn't breaking the sound barrier or anything, but I was running relatively hard without any hint of pain. Even the last downhill section, which I thought would give me grief, was no issue for my beat up body. I peeled out of the park in a little under 32 minutes, which, for an easy run, is pretty darn fast.

And, on a happy note for my injured friend, help was on the way upon my exit. The fire department arrive within minutes with keys to the park, and he was whisked away in no time at all. Hopefully it's just a sprain.

Chuck is running the marathon in support of InterAction School of Performing Arts Capital Campaign. To find out how to donate, please click here.

Too Much, Too Soon?

After six days of inactivity, I decided I was feeling healthy enough to get back into training mode. My first run - a lazy Sunday 5k in Nackawic - went surprisingly well, considering I spent the first kilometer hacking and coughing the last bit of cold out of my system. Sure, I felt a little stiff from the extended layoff, but all systems were go once my legs started moving and my lungs cleared up. I was back in the running business, baby.

Brimming with confidence, I scheduled my last long run for the next day. I made a date with the Irving Nature Park, and charged my trusty point and shoot in anticipation of some running photos. Inspired by Sacha Goldberger's project Before and After Shots of Joggers, I thought it would be interesting to take a picture of myself after each completed loop of the park. With five laps planned, I figured I would probably look quite exhausted by the time I finished, which would make for an interesting set of photos. Everyone likes looking at a trainwreck once in a while, don't they?

I arrived at the Nature Park early the next evening, looking a little worse for wear but feeling mentally ready for the task at hand. I took a quick self portrait to document the start of the run (top photo) and hit the trail. Running a little faster than expected, I cruised through the park, completing the loop in 33 minutes and change. With twenty perecnt of my run in the bag, I jogged to the car, hydrated, snapped my second picture (that handsome shot on the left), and continued on my merry way.

Unfortunately, I wasn't feeling very merry. I was struggling to maintain my pace (which was fine, as I probably ran the first lap a little fast), and was full of nagging doubts about my ability to finish five laps before dark. This feeling was compounded at kilometer ten by a hot spot on my right knee. It was a minor discomfort, but I wondered if it would become a problem later in the run. Mentally, I crossed my fingers, but physically, I wasn't so sure.

I finished the second loop in a little less than 35 minutes (right on target), and hit the car again, adding a quick stretch to my drink/photo routine. The sun was starting to fade in the sky, and a slight breeze chilled my sweaty body. Unfortunately, I forgot to bring any extra clothing, so I couldn't protect myself from the wind. Hoping non-stop activity would keep me warm, I started running again, shivering with cold and cursing my lack of layers.

At this point, my run totally fell apart. My knee discomfort quickly elevated to pain levels, and each hill made it worse. My pace slowed to a crawl, and I knew I wouldn't be able to finish five loops of the park in one piece. To make matter worse, I came to the decision in the middle of the park, which meant I had to finish the loop, pain or no pain. Focusing on form as best I could, I jogged, walked, and limped the last three kilometers, finishing the loop in 37 minutes and change. Considering my discomfort level, it wasn't bad, and I even remembered to take my last photo (see below) before leaving. Sweet.

What went wrong? I am not sure, but I think the lack of activity, coupled with the quick return to the long run, aggravated up my iliotibial band. I think a couple of days of rest, coupled with some ice and stretching might fix the problem, but I am seriously worried that it might affect my ability to race next Sunday. Hopefully I won't have to delay the marathon, but if I do, I'll let you all know, and soon.

Chuck is running the marathon in support of InterAction School of Performing Arts Capital Campaign. To find out how to donate, please click here.

Nature Park Pains

So I have yet to find a running partner, and have spent the last week wandering solo around Saint John. I thought about joining the Running Room group on Wednesday, but ended up jogging around my neighbourhood late at night instead (that's what happens when you procrastinate). I expcted my friend Peter would want to go out for an easy run when he arrived from Woodstock for a visit, but he wasn't feeling well, so I ended up taking the day off. So much for socializing.

My last two runs of the week took place at the Irving Nature Park. I did a lot of training for my last marathon in the park, and it has become my go-to place of choice whenever I need to churn out some mileage. The road is marked every 500 meters, which makes it easy to break down mentally, and the rolling hills keep you on your toes physically. Sure, the occasional speeding car can give you a moment or two of panic (who speeds through a nature park, anyway?), but other than that, it's pretty much a perfect place to run.

I wasn't loving it this week, however. I headed down on Thursday to knock off some repeat kilometers, and found myself getting slower with each successive repeat. I'd like to think the sun has something to do with my lagging energy - it was mighty hot out - but its still not good when your last repeat is thirty seconds slower than your first repeat. By the time I dragged myself out of the park, I was a mess.

Sunday wasn't much better. I went to the park for my long run, with the goal of completing at least three laps (four if I was feeling especially good). For some reason, however, my body didn't want to cooperate, and I almost quit before I finished one lap. My legs were dragging, my stomach was killing me, and I wasn't running particularly fast. Luckily, most of my discomforts disappared about forty minutes into the run, and I managed to pick up the pace for the last lap and a half. Still, my end time was a lot slower than I expected, which means I am not as fit as I first thought when I started training.

I hope my energy level and fitness improves this week. Otherwise, I might be in for an espcially long marathon.

Chuck is running Marathon By The Sea in support of the InterAction School of Performing Arts Capital Campaign. To find out how to donate, please click here.