Working Through That Barefoot Tempo Run Like I’m Made of Springs

I’ve had trouble with my right calf muscle cramping this week.  It began after I hadn’t technically run for four days, although I had danced for about three hours a full two days prior.  I did ride the spinning bike the day before.  But, I was just sitting at my desk, being responsible, balancing the checkbook, when my leg started to cramp.

A long run (currently 7.5 miles for me) was planned for  that day, so I tried to analyze what I was up against.  Was it a warning sign to take it easy?  Was it, hee hee, lack of activity?  Since I wasn’t going to be running hard, I decided to go ahead with the run.

At about mile five, that right calf started tightening up again.  If it stayed on the cramp trajectory it was on, I would be calling for a ride home.  I didn’t want to do that, so I slowed down a little and let my foot almost dangle from the ankle for a split second with each stride.  I also concentrated on relaxing my whole body, trying to avoid the “I’m tired at the end of my run” syndrome, where everything goes tight with the effort of finishing.

After a few yards, the cramp started to dissipate.  A half mile more and it was gone.  I was still tired, and I was going uphill, but it was my longest run in awhile.  I was content.

As has been my habit since I pulled my popliteal tendon right before the first sprint triathlon I was signed up for, I took a hot bath and gave my legs a good massage.  (I can’t believe that was almost two years ago!)  This heat and massage routine really helps with the soreness AND helps relax the muscles. I had absolutely NO problem again with cramping after the run.

Which brings me up to today and the planned tempo run.  I was still concerned the cramping might return with the increased effort.  The course would be flat and a circular, .95 miles, meaning it would be easy to cut the run short, if necessary.

I aimed for a quick pace that felt like between 8:15 and 8:30 minutes per mile, which was just barely pushing the pace I was able to maintain last week on my tempo run, but for only 4.9 miles.  I was trying my first run with the husband’s GPS watch, but couldn’t seem to make it work right, despite his patient training.  >.<   Thus, I don’t know my actual pace and could only proceed based on perceived exertion.  I do know the walkers and fishermen that I passed were hearing my breathing, not my footsteps.  Their expressions were confused when they turned to see what was coming…  My breathing is not usually so audible, so I think I was trying hard.

For the whole run, I kept myself coming back to the concept of relaxing.  I was recently reminded of this when I read an article at Barefoot Running University about letting the legs be springs.  I realized that all this trying-to-relax-while-running was probably letting my legs properly load for the next step.  I do know I always feel better on my run (and afterward) when I am doing this; and it helps me keep up my tempo pacing.

My total tempo run of 5.7 miles felt good.   After feeling so tired on the long run, this was encouraging.  Also, no cramping whatsoever during the run.  Only a twinge of it later in the evening, but I haven’t had my hot bath yet.  🙂  Need to keep those springs… legs… loose!