hello little hamstring....

tonight was a midweek walk, planned to go for about 30 minutes or so, probably around 2-3 miles. Got on the road late, it was already after 9 as I had a long day at work and a session with a client after.

What a beautiful night for a walk, the temp was cool, the first real inklings of fall are in the air and there is a crispness that wasn't there only a few nights ago. I decided to head out around the neighborhood to the landmark turn around points that I know well, so off i went past the playground and soccer field, down to the slice gate and out onto the main road of lake monticello. about 5 minutes into the walk, I was feeling really good, the cool air felt great on my face and my lungs were really enjoying the walk, so i decided to try a little jog. As i took the first few strides, i noticed that i could actually feel normal while jogging, so i focused on my breathing and decided to see how far i could take this thing. After about 3 minutes, i was feeling a little winded, so i decided to drop back to a quick walk. I walked for about 4 minutes and decided to try it again. Off i went again for another few minutes, jogging a good pace (though probably about the same as my normal walking pace), this time i decided not to time it but just to keep it for as long as it felt comfortable. Once i started to get winded again, i slowed down to walk and tried to keep up a brisk pace. I made it all the way to the 1.5 mile marker and had to make a decision of if i would keep going or turn back to head home. although i felt like i could have gone another good distance, i decided to turn back as i didn't want to overdo it with the endurance walk/jog on saturday. on the return trip, i was making even better time than on the way out. looking at the time, i was realizing i would probably make the best time yet.

As i rounded the turn on to bunker, about 3/4 of a mile from home, i felt a little twinge in the back of my knee. i took a few more steps and felt it again, this time a little louder. i decided to stop and stretch out my legs to see if i could get it to release, staying only for a few minutes in order to not lose too much time. I stood up and got back on my way only to have it twinge again and this time hold for a little longer so that there was the sensation of something grabbing the back inside of my knee. Realizing that this was just going to keep happening until i stopped or fixed it, i took the next few minutes to really stretch out the muscles. I am noticing that my flexibility is greatly improved in the time i have been walking, in fact i stood with my feet just beyond shoulder width with my toes pointed in to stretch my glutes and bent over into a forward hang and put the flat of my palm right on the ground! i haven't ever been able to do that without a good amount of stretching first.

so, after stretching the legs, i got back on the road, and made it the rest of the way home. although i didn't break any records for time tonight, i did the whole 2.5 miles in exactly 40 minutes, so even with the break, i am holding it around 15 minutes for a mile. plus, the shoes were comfy, no signs of shin splints tonight, the lungs are holding up well, and i even got some jogging in. all in all, i would say a successful outing :)