My Road to the San Antonio Rock ‘n’ Roll Half Marathon – Week 2

Things are going well.  I feel my legs adjusting to the extra effort.  Can you say “Pain?”  The plan had me start walking 5 minutes then running 1 minute.  It is still pretty easy.  I’m fighting the desire to crank up the treadmill and fly down the “road.”  I’m walking at 3.6 MPH and running at about 6.6 mph.

While I was running on Wednesday, John, a personal trainer I had worked with, walked by and we started talking.  I told him I was going to run the Rock ‘n’ Roll Half marathon.  He encouraged me.  I also explained that I was going slowly to avoid injuries.  He asked if he could evaluate me form.  I said yes.  He watched me run and had me do some flexibility and range of motion exercises.  He told me that I had some problems with over-striding, over-pronation and tightness in my hip and upper leg muscles that could cause problems.  He offered to help me.  I told him I would think about it.

That evening I went out to the web to research running form and found out John was right; I was over-striding.  On Thursday I slowed my speed way down, walking 3.3 mph and running 5.3 mph.  That allowed me to shorten my stride.  It was strange at first.  Actually, it still is an effort to do it.  I started running on a treadmill next to the mirrors so I could check my form.  I have a long way to go.