May 31, 2010 (Updated February 16, 2023)

The 8 Miler That Wasn’t

by Anne Mauney, MPH, RD

35 comments

Hello friends!

Happy Memorial Day. I hope you took a moment today to honor the brave young men and woman who have fallen defending our country.

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This morning, Jessica and I drove over to my favorite trail to meet Heather!

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It was a lovely (although rather hot/humid) morning!

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As I mentioned in a previous post, Jessica is currently training for the Susan G. Komen 3-Day for the Cure walk in Seattle, so she decided to come walk on the trail while we ran.

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She was excited because she had a new pair of shoes to test out — remember the New Balance shoes that I was given at Fit Bloggin a couple months ago? Originally, they gave me a size 7, but apparently they run big because they didn’t fit. New Balance sent me a new size 6.5 pair when I got home (I’ve been wearing them for low key cross training), and told me to give the original pair to a friend who would enjoy them. So that’s just what I did 🙂 They fit Jess perfectly and she loved them!

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Yay! I’m so glad they went to a good cause. 🙂

Once we got down to the trail, I handed Jess my camera, told her to take fun photos for the blog while she walked, and Heather and I were off!

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We had 8 miles planned, and the first 2 or so miles went well… but then my right calf started to really bug me. Last weekend in the last few miles of my muddy 12 miler with Ashley, it started feeling sore and crampy. It was fine enough to finish the run on it, but it still felt a little weird this week, which is why I blew off my Tuesday 2 miler. By Thursday, I ran 6 hilly miles and it felt decent, if not totally awesome (still a bit sore).

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I was hoping it would be fine today, but unfortunately it kept feeling crampy and started to hurt more the more we ran, so I asked Heather if she would mind turning around early.  We ended up combination run/walking the rest of the time, for a total of about 6 miles. Blah. I am really bummed that my last run before my first half marathon on Sunday was such a bust — plus, I felt bad to have held Heather back, although she swears she was tired anyway and didn’t mind 🙂

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I’m not sure what to do about my calf — any advice? It basically feels like the morning after getting a “charlie horse” or something — just very sore and it hurts to press on it or massage it. I don’t think it’s seriously injured or torn… I think (hope) it’s just been overworked. Should I do some foam rolling and hold it where it hurts?? Heat it? Ice it? Avoid running all week and cross train? Help! I really hope it’s better by my half marathon on Sunday 🙁

At least Jess got some pretty photos of the trail for me!

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Awww cute baby geese 🙂

After the fail of a run, Jess and I said goodbye to Heather and headed home for quick showers before meeting some of the girls for a final brunch at a new place called Northside Social in Arlington (VA).

It was delicious! I had the fruit and local yogurt:

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And a salad with peas, carrots, and olive oil-y bread topped with grilled tofu.

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Majorly delicious (and pretty!)

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After brunch, I sadly took Jess to the airport to say goodbye 🙁 Boo! It was so fun having her here this weekend. I miss you already, Jess!

I’ve spent the rest of the day catching up on homework — time to get back after it! Have a lovely night and I hope you all had great long weekends full of sun and friends! 🙂 I’ll be back tomorrow with another fun LA Boxing post — I figure I’ll just ask Jerome to give me a major arm workout and spare my calf!

Breakfast + Brunch
- anne

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35 comments
  • Carly
    Don't stress about the rough run... I was having major knee problems before my first half a few weeks ago. The most I was able to do in training was 9.3 miles about a month and a half before the race, and then I didn't run AT ALL for 2 weeks before the race to rest up. I not only completed the race, but did it in under 2 hrs (my goal). Just rest, get in some good cross training and your adrenaline will carry you through the race if nothing else :)
    Reply
  • Marci
    I would do exactly what you said--ice, crosstrain off it, foam roll. Look into KT Tape also. I use it for shins but there are videos for a lot. Then try to run some on Wednesday or Thursday maybe just to make sure it is better. Good luck!
    Reply
  • Evan Thomas
    I think you've got to do what you got to do with injuries so listening to your body was so smart. I'd say stretch it, rest it, and lightly test it next time.
    Reply
  • Jackie (Peaces of Earth)
    Sorry to hear about your calf! I've been having calf troubles too. :( Not fun. Since you're only a week out I would just cross train and maybe try to get one small run in to see how it feels. Definitely use the foam roller everyday and the stick if you have one. I do both, but the stick has been better for my calf. Lots of stretching, lots of resting and you'll do awesome come race day!! :)
    Reply
  • Radha
    When I get a Charlie Horse in my leg it's from dehydration and lack of minerals in the diet. Drink water and be sure to take your mineral supplement at night before going to bed. Sorry this 'ruined' your plans. Nice photos. XO
    Reply
  • Kara
    I had the exact same problem with my calf a few weeks ago. Basically I kept stretching and resting it for a few days. After that it would slightly bother me at the beginning of a workout, but very quickly went away. I honestly think it's just a matter of time.
    Reply
  • Melissa @ For the Love of Health
    AMAZING photos! That must be a such a great running trail!! I am sorry to hear about your calf! I would definitely try with some mega stretching, even as soon as you get out of bed and of course before and after working out. I would also get someone to massage it to loosen it. I hope it's better by your half too!
    Reply
  • Meghan @ Spreading the Health
    I'm sorry your calf is bothering you! I'm running a half this weekend, and I'm dealing with a sore quad. My number one piece of advice is don't run. You've done all your training, and you can do way more harm than good this week. It's tapering time! Good luck. :)
    Reply
  • christina
    That is too bad about the calf, I would ease up the next couple of days and take it easy, good luck!
    Reply
  • Becky
    I experienced a lot of tightness in my left calf in the week before my first half. I foam rolled and stretched. The taper alone seemed enough to rest it for the race and the problem has not returned. Hopefully it's just a tired muscle. Good luck!
    Reply
  • Lauren
    I've been having problems with my lower hip lately. It's a new pain for me, so I'm not sure how to treat it other than just lots of stretching and rolling. Do you have a foam roller? I swear by them! Honestly, any tight muscle or cramp or pain, I roll on it and it always seems to do the trick! I highly suggest investing in one if you haven't already. Good luck this weekend! You will do amazing Anne!
    Reply
    • Anne P
      I do have one... I will be using it a TON this week for sure!
      Reply
  • Heather C
    Take it eeeasy this week! I would definitely recommend going very light on the leg workouts with mista Jerome - let them rest up and get ready for Sunday :) On another note, clearly my thumbs UP post-run smile is an indication that I was 110% fine with those hot, humid, 6 miles ;) heh. Seriously, lets hope for at least 10 degrees cooler in Naptown this weekend.
    Reply
    • Anne P
      Yeah seriously... please let it not be 192381029381209 degrees on Sunday!
      Reply
  • Amanda
    I just ran a half marathon this weekend and felt like I pulled something in my calf 2 weeks before (doing a Jillian Michaels DVD, go figure). So I cut my runs down, did some yoga and just rested it! I felt a little twinge or two during my race, but was glad that I rested. You obviously won't affect your running fitness over the next few days so take it easy!
    Reply
  • Liz
    Definitely rest it! Your endurance/running levels are high enough that running this week could only make it worse. I would suggest rolling on it 3x a day and icing it at night. Hope it feels better soon!
    Reply
  • Turner
    That moth is the coolest thing ever.
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  • Kate N.
    I did the exact same thing yesterday! Went out for a long run and wasn't feeling it. The humidity KILLED me. Hoping it won't be as bad next week for the half marathon!
    Reply
  • DHP
    Sorry to hear about the calf. In addition to what the folks above recommended, you should also take Motrin. It's obviously a great anti-inflammatory, and given the symptoms, it should help recover this week and help during the race, as well. Beyond that, losing the final run and week's no big deal; in fact, you'll be better rested. But you wil need to start at a moderate pace on Sunday and not go out too fast...
    Reply
  • Luna
    Ohhhhhh look...is that a luna moth??? ^^
    Reply
    • Anne P
      Hehe I don't know... is it?? :)
      Reply
  • Katheryn
    I would stay away from running this week. Cross train if it feels okay, foam roll, ice, and yoga.
    Reply
  • Liz
    What everyone's saying: lots of ice, and I like the Stick on my calf. It feels like it gets in there better than a foam roller. Have you changed shoes or anything? I started having calf problems when I switched to new shoes. Just be sure to take the first few miles of the half to warm up, and you'll be able to get through the rest of it just fine. Negative splits are the way to go.
    Reply
    • Anne P
      I haven't changed shoes - I think it was just all the hiking up and down last weekend coupled with the 12 miler...
      Reply
  • Heather (Heather's Dish)
    bummer on the calf issue...i've been having those too and it's actually royally screwed up my knees! hope it gets better soon...but at least you got some stunning photos :)
    Reply
  • Sarah
    Aww, I hope your leg gets better soon!! I'm impressed you ran outside yesterday. I attempted but it was so freaking hott so I ended up on the treadmill....ick. Jessica did a fantastic job with the pictures :)
    Reply
  • Brenna
    Hi Anne! I love your blog. I live in DC and was wondering how you get to the trail? Can you get there on public transit or do you need a car? I am always looking for new running spots!
    Reply
    • Anne P
      Thanks Brenna! :) We ran on the C&O Canal, which unfortunately is only accessible by car. It's worth the drive, though! You can park at Chain Bridge or at a number of spots along the trail!
      Reply
  • Lisa
    What an amazing trail! I'd love to run there. Not sure about the calf issue....is it from not stretching perhaps? I sometimes get charlie horses. I was told I wasn't drinking enough water.
    Reply
  • Jamie
    Hi there, love your blog!! First time reader, and I'm happy to see you live here in DC! I live out here too, technically Alexandria. I just love it, can't wait to scour your site for running trails and places to eat!
    Reply
    • Anne P
      Aw thanks! Welcome to the blog! :) My favorite trail in DC is the C&O Canal - so gorgeous!
      Reply