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Decision to run P. F. Chang's Rock 'n' Roll Marathon
written by: Ryan Nalepinski
posted on: Tuesday April 8, 2008
Well, Sarah and I have decided to run P. F. Chang´s Rock ´n´ Roll Marathon in 2009. This will be our first marathon.
After doing a little research on training I found this article on training. It looks doable so we´ll give it a shot.
Since I missed my run yesterday, I started today. Three miles into the run ‘it’ happened. That thing that always happens when I run: I pulled my right calf. This happens every time regardless of whether or not I stretch or not(which I didn´t).
I say ‘every time’ because I don´t run consistently enough to qualify myself as a runner. So, when I do make it out to run I inevitably end up pulling it. I think I know why.
Our muscles lose their elasticity as we age. This elasticity in our muscles is what allows them to perform eccentric (elongating), isometric (stabilizing) and concentric(shortening) movements. I will get into greater depth about these three components to the muscle in later articles but this loss of elasticity in my calves has caused the muscles therein to shorten which allows for a greater propensity to pull, strain or tear.
In addition to aging, as we all deal with, and not stretching, I have one thing that I know is contributing to this shortening in my leg muscles: my Scion xB.
I am not about to go on a rant about this car. It has served me and my family well over the last few years. My only complaint would be the terrible ergonomic design of the seat-to-pedal-to-floor configuration. I am not a tall man by any stretch (no pun intended) of the imagination but I have very little room for my legs. The closer I am to the steering wheel, the less room I have for my legs (duh). However, the farther back I place my seat, the greater my reach to the steering wheel. So, I can either A) relax my legs and loosely control the vehicle with my seat backed-up a bit or B) cram my legs underneath the counsel and have a more comfortable handle on the wheel. For the most part I choose the latter.
I haven´t driven one of the redesigned xB´s but let´s hope they have resolved this as I´m sure I´m not the only one with this problem. Although Scion is not about to call me for my opinion anytime soon, I think simply raising the seat (as this is a mini-sport utility vehicle) could solve this problem.
But as uncomfortable as that can be, the real cause of my tightened calves is pressing down on the gas/brake pedals. In the stationary position the pedals appear to be horizontal to the floor. I do quite a bit of highway driving and without cruise control I have no choice but to really push down on the accelerator. Driving with your leg in a constant plantar flexion position is not good to maintain proper elasticity in your calf muscles.
For right now, the only thing I can do is drink plenty of water, make sure I have plenty of potassium in my system and do lots and lots of SMR before and afterwards.
Oh, and not train until it feels better.
Discouraging to say the least.
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