To rest or to go short?
After Sunday's race, I've been doing a lot of resting, mainly because my calves and IT bands are revolting against me.
It seems that no matter how much stretching and rolling out I do, my muscles prefer to stay all knotted up. My left and right hips are really hurting now too, which I can say with almost complete certainty is related to my IT band.
I was hoping to get one short run in before Saturday's five mile race, but I'm wondering if my best bet now would be to just keep resting and stretching and then take it easy in Saturday's race. It's my last race of the season and I'd like to go out on a high note, maybe not necessarily with a PR, but with a fun race experience and a strong finish.
I really don't want to pack it in for a winter of cross training and maintenance running on a sour note.
So what do you think? Rest up or try to fit in something short today or tomorrow?
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12 comments
If I were you, I would probably just rest it out until the 5 miler. But, that's just me. :)
ReplyDeleteRest, ice and stretch. You won't lose any fitness between now and the weekend.
ReplyDeleteMore bad things could happen than good if you run. if something bad happens, you are looking at a DNS or DNF - not the high note you are looking for.
actually, an easy 20-30 minute spin would flush out those leg muscles... then a short run the day after to get'em ready.....
ReplyDeleteIf you've got IT problems, the best thing you can do it rest. And ice, ice, ice.
ReplyDeleteFoam rollering can actually hurt an IT band if it's severely inflamed. It just aggravates the band.
I'm voting rest dearie.
ReplyDeletei think i am leaning towards rest too. usually i think "a few easy miles will help loosen and warm things up" but i don't know if that sounds like the case here. :-/ especially since i've heard the same as jess - rolling can hinder the itb more than help.
ReplyDeletegood luck deciding/figuring it out. hopefully everything feels a little better so it's an easy decision!
eek tough one, i think you have some good answers here though. maybe ride a bike for a bit just to loosen up the legs? definitely go with your instinct.
ReplyDeleteStretch and rest is my advice!!
ReplyDeleteI always opt for rest or light cross-training.
ReplyDeleteI'm usually contrarian, but not in this case. Rest.
ReplyDeleteYour body is yelling for the rest.
ReplyDeleteoh this is tough...sometimes running is the only that gets me untwisted... have you done an epsom salt bath or have access to a hot tub or steam room that should also losen muscles
ReplyDelete