Ow Ow Ow Ow Ow

Posted: September 14, 2011 at 12:28 pm

Whew! I tell ya it’s a load off that I haven’t gotten any flack for my post from this morning. In all honesty, talking about things like blog money (including a general idea of how much I make personally) made me more than a little nervous. I believe in opening discussions and when I get enough questions on a topic, I’ll give in eventually and open up my big mouth. Mum’s not usually the word around here.

This morning, I headed out early to get my run on. Fall is definitely coming. I felt a little chilly in my Champion tee and running shorts as I started my run.

Still in the dark. I didn’t expect it to be relatively dark out! Luckily it brightened up quickly, since I’m not a fan of running in the dark. With my propensity to have a wild imagination, it never bodes well. I spend more of my run picturing creepy men in the bushes than worrying about the numerous boardwalks I could trip over. And we all know the boardwalks pose a more likely risk. Klutz to the extreme, right here!

I am incredibly thankful that today’s six mile run was a recovery run. Normally Wednesdays call for a speedier run, but this week focused on an easy pace.

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I ran the six miles at my steady pace, knowing I wouldn’t have managed any faster. My body was not happy with me on this run. I would even venture to say this is the first time I have ever felt any pain on a run. My right calf and IT band felt abnormally tight, in an almost to the point of painful way, the last couple of miles. Not okay!

It sure gave me a reality check. I have not been too good about stretching and foam rolling lately. I know I simply cannot let that part of my training slide if I want to stay in top function and adequately care for my body.

When I really started thinking about it, I realized that I have only been stretching at the end of classes at the gym or the end of my workout DVDs because it is included in the workout. I haven’t been focusing nearly enough on stretching my body out after runs. And I need it the most then!

So, after my run today I made a point to stretch well. I did some of my favorite stretches immediately following my run and then came home and bonded with my foam roller and special stretching weapon – the rolling pin.

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I even broke out some yoga poses when I had the chance sans kiddos. Let’s hope my body will feel like one piece again soon and not the broken pile of “ow-ies” it feels like right now. And that I can actually stick to my goal of stretching more. I may just have to add it to my daily to-do list to make myself do it. The satisfaction of crossing something else off my list could be just the motivation I need to get ‘er done. Winking smile

  • How often do you stretch?
  • Do you ever add unnecessary things to your to-do list just to feel good about crossing them off?

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53 Comments to “Ow Ow Ow Ow Ow”
  1. Alexandra says:

    Great job on the run! I was just telling a friend today how dark it’s getting in the morning. Hello fall! I love to stretch…I just don’t do it as much as I should though haha 😉 Have a wonderful Wednesday!

  2. I am terrible about stretching! I keep my foam roller in plain site to try to encourage it, but I seem to get distracted post-run and forget all about it.

  3. Maren says:

    I really want a tiger tail and foam roller. Aren’t they just the best?? My run yesterday was borderline painful and it put me in a bad mood. Running when it’s hard and shouldn’t be makes me sad.

  4. Heidi Nicole says:

    The rolling pin really works wonders! I used it all the time until The Stick magically appeared under my IL’s Christmas tree!

    And The Husband still prefers the rolling pin if I {yes me, he won’t do it on his own…just whine about it!} ever decide to attack his aching muscles – he says that The Stick snags too many leg hairs!

  5. Amy says:

    I hear you about running in the dark 🙂 I love to run in the mornings… but the shorter days really snuck up on me this year! I am so glad that one of my running buddies has a head lamp, otherwise we would never be able to keep up a good pace for all our tripping…

    I don’t stretch nearly as often as I should — and I *MUST* try the rolling pin 🙂

  6. jobo says:

    I am AWFUL at stretching. Unless forced, I don’t do it often at all. Bad me, bad me! I need a foam roller too…or the rolling pin idea you had before was genius!

  7. Ally says:

    Forgot to stretch this morning after my run so my answer is definitely not enough 🙂

    I love to do lists and I definitely do that. I’ll even add things on after I do them just to cross them off. My productivity goes up because I feel more accomplished.

  8. tree peters says:

    I love it that you talk about stretching and how important it is!! And the pictures are great. You even inspired me to make time for it today!
    I don’t do it enough and I now exactly how important it is. Sigh…
    I also love how your kids room looks so clean even as toys are sort of lying around. I aspire to that look in my house.
    Stretching!!!

  9. Great job getting out there early to get in a run.

    I am so horrible at stretching! I’ve been running at night once the baby is down and the only things I want to do afterward is shower and go to bed.

  10. I’ve been trying to remember to use my foam roller more after runs too…it’s definitely a “hurts so good” kind of pain!

  11. Lisa says:

    Stretching is soo important! Probably the most important part of the whole workout, but it can be boring too :-/ I try to stretch mostly after my workout. Lately I’ve been doing workout DVD’s and they focus on a lot of stretching so that’s good for me! This reminds me that I really should go to a yoga class soon 😀

  12. I. Hate. Stretching. I just simply do not enjoy doing it. Holding a static stretch just doesn’t do it for me. I will foam roll if I feel tight (I deal with some IT issues) and will do yoga occasionally, but otherwise I just don’t feel the need to hold a static stretch. I believe in doing active stretching – hip circles, donkey kicks, etc. I think it is better for your muscles to move through a full range of motion than just hold it to stretch it out. But, that’s my personal opinion!

  13. Yes…like shower. I always write that down. Not like I’m going to not shower, or forget to, but I just like crossing things off my list!
    xoxo from Trinidad

  14. I’m usually very good about stretching and foam rolling after each run, but lately I’ve been slacking. I’m not sure why — laziness probably!

    I will for sure stretch/foam roll tonight. I promise 🙂

  15. I am TERRIBLE about stretching and I def. pay the price for it when I break out the foam roller. Hurts so good! I will def. try to do more of it though.

  16. Lisa says:

    After an injury from running I became much better about stretching. When I start to feel tight I try to prevent injuries by hitting a yoga class. I also use my foam roller ALL THE TIME. Love it!

  17. Yeah, I’m the WORST about stretching. I do it after a class when they tell me to, and once a week at the chiropractor’s office. That’s about it. It’s not a good idea.

    I live for crossing things off my to-do list, though, so that’s not a bad idea…

  18. I am the same way about running in the dark! I have been starting my run a bit later so I only have a mile or two in the dark. I am the worst about stretching. I am always so excited to be finished with my workout that I hurry onto the next activity. Thanks for the rolling pin idea!

  19. janetha says:

    I need to stretch more often. Thanks for the reminder. I have used a rolling pin, TOO! Works wonders. Love you!

  20. Marcia says:

    I stretch when I teach because I must! haha….I don’t make enough time for it that is for sure! If I had lots of time and $$ I would go to hot yoga at least 2x/week. That would be ideal! 🙂
    What’s a To-Do List?!?!? 😉

  21. Jess says:

    I’m bracing myself for an entirely dark AM run tomorrow. With Scott’s new job, he’s got to be back from our run around 6 to get out the door in time to beat some of the traffic so dark dark dark is where we’ll be tomorrow too! Good thing I have a running partner or I’d be stuck on the dreadmill for sure, such a wimp I am!!

    I’m not great about stretching either – until recently anyway, between barre n9ne and all this running, I realize that stretching is almost MORE important than the workout itself. I could always be doing more of it tho, for sure.

  22. Lauren says:

    Good reminder. I should stretch after my runs too, but usually I’m too focused on chugging water and my favorite post-run smoothie to stretch. I fit in some 20 sec stretches while waiting for crosswalks during running though hah.

  23. Jess says:

    I know I should stretch after every run, but I often find myself only stretching when something hurts. Oops.

    And I totally add things to my to-do list just to check them off. I LOVE crossing things off my to-do list 🙂

  24. Jenny says:

    I have been especially bad about stretching lately and it bit me in the butt too! So the past few days have been spent dedicating a lot of time to my foam roller, grid roller AND rolling pin (definitely the best of them all).

    I sometimes add things to my to-do list that I already did in the day just to make me feel more productive and to cross them off!

  25. I try and stretch out a few times a week or anytime I feel the need. I love adding things to my to-do list that I’ve already done earlier just to cross them off! Its a mental thing!

  26. Errign says:

    I am THE QUEEN of putting the most random stuff on to-dos just to cross off. LOVE.

    I like stretching and I’m pretty good about getting to yoga, but just general stretching, I’m sort of bad about. 🙂

  27. Izabela says:

    Hi Tina!
    First of all you read my mind twice today;). I am new in this community. I just started my blog a month ago. I am still getting used to the habit of writing and figuring out what to write about;). So your post about blogging was very helpful. I just don’t know how it all works. Your post about stretching is totally related to me and I was struggling with this problem last weekend. Check my post, hopefully you will enjoy it . And yes, all runners definitely stretch after your runs and make my job easier;)
    I am teaching ” yoga for runners” and it’s hard and might be painful. Just do it on a regular basis and it will be all right.
    xoxo

  28. Oh, I’m bad with stretching, too. It helps so much and makes me feel so good, but I never want to take the time to do it.

  29. I use a foam roller from time to time, but to be honest, I never can tell too much difference. After a run, I like to do this quick yoga for runners video from the Runner’s World website. Stretching feels goooood.

  30. I NEVER stretch with my run. I do yoga intermittently, but I’m terrible unless I start feeling achy. 🙁

  31. I try to stretch after each run but admittedly often cut it short! I need some quality time with the foam roller too – and bikram! Thanks for reminding me 🙂

  32. I am also bad about not stretching after my weekday runs. I run before work so as soon as we are finished with six miles I jump right in the car and drive home to shower and get ready. No time for stretching!! Sunday afternoon I was trying to stretch out my IT band with the foam roller, but my 2 yr old managed to steal it and make it “HIS” toy instead. I have to wait and foam roll when the kids are not around!

  33. I don’t know about you but i’m really appreciating the little chill in the air – I ran during my lunch break today and normally I can’t even do that because it’s just too hot. I swear the heat seriously takes it out of you! Keep up the foam rolling – I make it a habit every night before bed. I’m such a scheduled, organized person that I have to pencil in the stretch/foam roll/ice time or I would find myself too busy to do it 🙂

    I guess that goes into your question – one of my weaknesses is not being able to slow down and just RELAX. I am always go-go-go which means I definitely add things to my list to keep myself busy!

  34. I haven’t been stretching as well either and my body is still feelin’ a 5o mile ride on Sunday and a 4 mile run on Monday… time to do something about that! I am usually pretty good about it 🙂

  35. […] and workouts. Powered by WP Greet Box WordPress PluginI woke up in a crabby mood this morning. My “ow ow ow” run didn’t particularly help things. I think I just needed some good food to resolve the cranky pants […]

  36. Sherri says:

    Just wanted to tell you – as a new stepmom and avid runner I find you to be a true inspiration. Let’s be honest… running can kick your butt some days and leave you feeling less than energetic to tend to the kids. I love that I can come visit your blog and be reminded “hey, if she can do it, I can do it too!”

    Thank you for doing what you do!

    PS: I am loving your recent ‘controversial’ posts… about faith & money in particular. Staying true to YOU is what keeps me coming back to your blog and I’m sure I’m not the only one who feels that way.

    • Tina says:

      Thanks, Sherri! And trust me that I have my days too. I just remember how much better I am to them (oh so more patient!) when I take care of myself too. 🙂

  37. Dorry says:

    I try to stretch or go to yoga everyday, but more realistically it’s 5 or 6 days a week. I LOVE stretching – I just have to make myself sit still long enough to do it. 🙂

  38. I stretch after every workout (leftover habit from ballet). But after my runs, I really stretch longer and I roll out on the triggerpoint kit I mentioned on twitter. It’s more than just foam rolling, it comes with several different items you use to roll different “trigger points.” The idea is that all muscles are connected so an IT band tightness is also related to a tightness somewhere else. You can actually do a search for trigger points and find charts that can help you pin point pain spots. Really kind of cool (in a geeky way LOL)

    • Tina says:

      I really do want to check into those because its true that one part being tight is affected by others and can affect other areas of the body too.

  39. […] running and my knee and ankle were a bit funk so I found it very interesting that Tina at FFF also posted about her forgetting to stretch after running!  Wish I would have had this revelation a bit more in advance than 3 DAYS before my half […]

  40. Oh my gosh, I am the WORST at remembering to stretch after my runs! I’ve gotten a little better about it recently though…I usually drive to my favorite routes since my own neighborhood is SUPER hilly and basically has no sidewalks/shoulder so I tell myself that I’m not allowed to get in the car (besides going for my water bottle) until after a few minutes of good stretching first! I’ve really been considering getting a foam roller, but hey, I’ll have to give the ol’ rolling pin a try first! Heck it’ll will be the most action that thing’s seen in a long while! Haha!

  41. Spring says:

    I absolutely add unnecessary things to my to-do list. There is SO MUCH joy in sliding a big, black marker across each completed item! I am so inspired to start running longer distances. How did you build up to what you do?

  42. Lindsey says:

    I so need to stretch more. I tend to only really dedicate time to stretching after long runs or when the sensei’s tell me to in class or if something is especially ouchy.I heard somewhere that you should stretch for half the amount of time you ran and my first response was, “who has that kind of time?!”

  43. Khushboo says:

    I am SO bad with stretching and I know it’s not doing me any good…I really need to make it regular but I always leave minimal time for it at the end of my workout. Either I allocate more time to it or bring back yoga into my life!

  44. Kattrina says:

    I have the same fear of running in the dark!!!! I have to start my long marathon training runs at 5am so that I can finish 18 miles by 8:30am and it’s SOOOO dark out. I run in the middle of the street because I’m afraid of boogey men in the bushes! I also just bought a “rape whistle” and a reflector vest so that I can whistle if any sketchy person gets too close and I don’t get hit by a car in the middle of the street. I did trip over a speed bump last week though.

    I have found that I have to stretch before going in the house, otherwise it falls to the wayside. I try to do a five minute cool down walk, then stretch on the sidewalk. People look at me weird when I’m stretching my IT band in front of the apartment complex but I know if I go inside I’ll never do it. It keeps me from neglecting my stretches. I also stretch while my ice bath fills up. I am guilty of “sprinting” through my stretches though and it definitely does a disservice to my bod.

    Have a great day!

  45. Laguitana says:

    Good video clips you completely bnsdliided me for one!The editor of Popular Mechanics is the kind of person who can look at the Pennsylvania and Pentagon aircrash images and make up an airliner full of debris in his own head who ignores that jet engines are also made of steel and they can compress and superheat and mix it with air for weeks but they melt.I heard the boy scout commenting from Popular Mechanics tee hee I admire his Bush-style absence of intellectual rigour! WHAT […]

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