Durability

Throughout these past couple of years I've learned a lot about the durability the body requires to maintain hard training. It seems like I'm always walking a fine line trying to avoid injury, I've had my fair share. In my first year of real running I suffered many setbacks: a stress fracture, pulled muscles (calve, hamstring, hip-flexor), multiple cases of tendinitis (knee, achillies, ITB). Most injuries were related to inexperience, going too fast on a recovery day, increasing mileage too quickly, stubbornness, etc. But after 2500 miles or so (ha!) your body starts to finally adapt and take shape, muscles get stronger and you become more bio-mechanically efficient, posture and form evolve. The loosening and relaxation of your stride, you find rhythm, you break free from the mold of upright walking in cushy shoes. You're now designed for fluid motion and speed....a runner is born. Practice makes perfect!

Unfortunately, injuries are part of the sport of running. With more and more experience I'm able to tell when to back off, take it easy, slow it down, ice it, elevate it, cross train it , stretch it, massage it, or if worse comes to worse, just take a day off and rest it. As I begin to reach the peak weeks of training, the stress I've put on my body is taking me right to the breaking point. This is the final push before the taper. Last week I ran 53 miles in singles, which included a tough mid week interval session (8x800meters), and a 20mile Sunday long run (2:30) the 1st of 2 in the training. I ran a 5:35mi during Saturdays short speed drills, the fastest mile I've ever run in my life.

Knock on wood, I haven't had a serious injury in over a year and half, but this is by far the toughest training I've ever endured, not in terms of mileage but intensity. As I head into week 9 of 14, I've got a little inflammation in my left knee and a slightly agitated right achillies. There's no time for injuries, no time for set backs. Everyday has a purpose and cannot be compromised. I'm in the home stretch....Roger Bannister - First person to crack the 4min mile, May 6, 1954