Improvements

I did a full 30 minutes on the treadmill today and while I had tightness and soreness in my IT band and knee, it never got bad enough for me to stop. That's a huge improvement compared to earlier this week.

I told myself going into this training that since I knew nothing about running properly, I'd do everything the coaches told me and not assume anything. That didn't really happen.

I did follow their instructions when it came to running form and mechanics, but I let my predilections take hold in other ways.

I assumed that because I was already pretty fit — let's face it, I've been working out at least an hour a day for more than 400 days straight — I could push my pace without consequence. I also allowed my competitive nature loose a bit and I would either push to pass people or push to keep up with people who were clearly faster than I was.

Yes, I believe a big part of my pain issues were caused by my shoes/orthotics, but it was exacerbated by me not listening to the coaches when it came to my pace and whether I should have been pushing myself or not.

Their concern is time on the course, not speed or distance. Because I was focusing on speed and distance, I haven't been able to put in the time I need to due to injury or pain.

It seems that I've found a solution to the pain. Stretching, using the foam roller, getting massages and running at a slow and steady pace. Our next run is 80 minutes on a path that should be primarily flat. My goal is to get that whole 80 minutes without having to walk any of it.