Posts Tagged ‘blood pressure’

Hiccup

First, the Monday holiday condensed my work week, so the Carnival of Running will appear tomorrow. My apologies.

Next, you may have noticed a dearth of training updates since last Tuesday, and that’s because I developed lower right leg pain soon after my 5k. This time it’s not a shin splint, nor my chronic peroneal tendinitis. It’s difficult to pinpoint, but it seems to originate in my arch, and long distances spread the soreness and stiffness to the top of my foot and up the outer side of my right leg.

I took 4 days off, ran 6 miles on Saturday, then tried a long run on Monday, but I gave it up after about 20 strides. I could have continued, but it was immediately obvious I would have to quit before reaching double-digits, so why aggravate it?

Took Tuesday off, and ran 6 today at an 8:29 average pace. Felt OK, and I’m using a lot of ice. Bottom line: My focus is just getting through the next couple of weeks. I don’t know what will happen to my marathon plans. Common sense would dictate resting until I’m 100%, but there’s no way I could restore that lost training and run a decent race. Anyway, the message I’m getting after six lower leg injuries in three years is that it might be time for me to become 5k-10k Guy and leave the longer distances to the indestructible old dudes and you young pups. If so, it’s moderately disappointing, but jeez, you can’t say I didn’t keep trying.

I get moody when I can’t run, so this morning’s jaunt was soothing. I took my blood pressure afterwards and got a reading of 102/43. I knew that couldn’t be right so I took it again and got a 100/52. Maybe I’m dead.

New Way to Impress Your Friends

Ever tell your non-running friends about your new 5k PR or the number of miles in your long run, only to be greeted by blank stares because of no frame of reference (or maybe because of utter boredom)?

Skip all that technical jargon and tell them your latest blood pressure reading. New research in the journal of the American College of Sports Medicine reveals regular long-distance running leads to lower incidence of metabolic syndrome – a package of conditions that includes high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes.

“All forms of regular exercise provide important health benefits,” said Dr. Paul Williams, author of the study. “But these data suggest there may be heightened benefits for those who make the exceptional effort and commitment.”

My blood pressure PR is 101/59 and I’m not the calmest individual in the world. I have no doubt it is due to running.