The trouble with my legs?
I want to comment a little on a comment that Thomas left yesterday. First let me post his comment:
“Jack,
are you sure it's really the surface that's trashing your legs, or just your mind that thinks your legs won't be able to sustain it? I'm reading quite a few blogs theses days, and all the trail runners seem to manage asphalt without real problems - except you, that is.”
I think Thomas raises a very good point. And I agree that “many” trail runners seem to manage asphalt without real problems. I must admit that I have never met anyone that seems to have the problems that I do with asphalt.
This is not a new problem for me. I have always had problems walking (or standing) on hard surfaces for a longer period of time, for example an hour or two of walking through shopping centers or around town turns my legs into jello - I start looking for a place to sit down. On the other side I can run for 10 hours plus on a good mix of trails and asphalt and feel better than the shopping center tour. Can someone explain this please?
My doctor has told me that it is related to poor circulation. His only suggestion was to sit down and take a break for a while, which really works fine in the shopping center, but doesn’t do me much good 5 miles before the finish line.
What is funny is that I only seem to have problems when I push hard during a longer race and when it is on uneven asphalt or concrete paths. I have almost no trouble with training long runs on asphalt when my pace is slower. It is also relevant to note that in every case my best race times have been with races where the majority of the route was non-asphalt.
So I don’t know if it is a circulation problem, my age, I whine too much, or is just mental as Thomas stated. On the other side, maybe I am just one of the few trail runners who freely admits that asphalt gives me problems. I don't have a right answer.
I do know that it is a real problem (mental, physical or whatever) that I have to deal with, as 90% or more of the longer races in my area of Germany are on asphalt.
Comments
Jack,
I've heard plenty of trailrunners in my area complain about running on asphalt - I really don't think you are alone. I have the same problem with shopping trips - two hours in the mall makes my legs feel like I'm at mile 18. Plus, I hate shopping, so all in all it's torture!
Posted by: backofpack | December 4, 2006 4:55 PM
Well, I think walking is harder than running. Incredible but since I started running I hate shopping as my legs get tired so fast... I just want to stay standing for running now. Still I'm a weak person...
The "problem" I think can be solve with some more training on the asfalt. Last year I avoided it as much as possible and had many injuries, this year I'm always on it and I'm fine. Running has so many details to take on count that who knows what can be :P
Still what we know already is that you are a great runner and that you can overcome all the challenge that come!
Posted by: Hilda | December 4, 2006 5:20 PM
Congrats for your half marathon. 1.50.50 is a very good final time. I cannot believe how the asphalt can bother you. Did you try to ask to a "running doctor"?
Posted by: Black Knight | December 4, 2006 7:57 PM
Walking slow IS harder, it's time on your feet and static muscle contraction. Try sitting on a squat with no back support for a minute - talk about time vs tired ratio. Remember your slow pull-ups too. It doesn't explain asphalt pain, but the fact that hard surface makes pounding over 10 to a 100 times more than soft comes to rescue. To run asphalt hard you need to train on asphalt hard (high speed equals more pounding power). The age factor comes in play here - no offense, it's for everybody over 20. Or you can skip roads all together. There is no easy way:) But think of that 70+ dude from Canada who still runs 3 hr marathons and trains 2-3 hrs a day on a paved bike path. he is OK.
Posted by: olga | December 4, 2006 9:18 PM
Here's my two cents: Read Chapter 3 of "Why Zebras Don't Get Ulcers" See if you relate.
Posted by: Lora | December 5, 2006 3:45 AM