Melanie linked to a NY Times article called Questions Couples Should Ask (Or Wish They Had) Before Marrying. They’re all reasonable questions, and I wouldn’t even have mentioned the article if I hadn’t taken a look at the reader comments. There were a number of comments suggesting that couples ask questions like “do you really like my parents,” “what’s your relationship like with your mother/father (if you are a man/woman),” and finally stuff like “how can we make sure we don’t end up like our parents?”
It made me think about how many people out there have strained relationships with their parents, and how many people just flat out don’t like their mothers and fathers. I’m going home for a week and a half for Christmas, and in casual conversations with some coworkers, I hear them say things like “oh, I could never stand to be at home with my parents for that long, I’d get so bored, and we’d get on each other’s nerves.” I look forward to going home because I know I’m going to get to go shopping with my mom, hear funny stories from my dad, and just be with them. And suddenly I realize how extraordinarily lucky I am to have two parents that I love, admire, and enjoy spending time with. I’m very excited about going to Charlotte on Friday night.
Last night was another speed workout; this time, it was one I knew I could do: 6×400 in 2:08 with 400 recovery. I did a little speedwork on my own last year in preparation for the 2006 half marathon, and I always did 400s in just over 2:00. So here’s how it went:
1 mile warmup – 11:58
400/400 intervals –
2:13, 4:10 (400 walking)
2:03, 3:33 (200w, 200 jogging)
2:06, 3:22 (100w, 300j)
2:05, 3:26 (100w, 300j)
2:04, 3:26 (100w, 300j)
2:05, 3:44 (100w, 300j)
1/2 mile cooldown with Jose – 6:47
My legs were very tight and sore, specifically the back of my legs below the calf muscle but just above the Achilles. They were even sore at the end, which is mainly why I cut my cooldown short — I was tired of my legs hurting. This has been a fairly consistent problem over the past few years, and I’ve been unable to find a solution other than just waiting for the pain to subside, or at least dull. I can’t figure out how to really stretch that particular part of my leg, and I don’t know if that would help in the first place. Suggestions welcome.
Steeeve says
There goes Beckster, again keeping the cheeky chorus away. Very nicely executed; we’re looking for consistency here, and you delivered.
Enjoy your time in Charlotte. Since your folks are way cool I’m sure they’ll stock the fridge with Gatorade and look after everthing you need for your workouts.
Steeeve
Vic says
I think that’s the soleus muscle. Stretch it just like you would your calf only bend your knee.
Erin says
I’m with you. When I’m with my folks, I get to spend time cooking and drinking wine with Mom (usually at the same time 🙂 ), and going for early morning runs with Dad. Doesn’t get much better than that.
Agree with Vic on the stretch. Just make very sure you don’t overstretch–you can cause more problems that way. Feel better!
Sam says
I agree with the parents comments. I think I have pretty cool ones myself, so yeah, you’re very fortunate, and it’s good to get something to remind you of that good fortune and blessing from time to time.
I’m with them on the stretch. One other thing that I’ve noticed gets my calves tight… tying my shoes too tight. Always tightens up my calves beyond belief. I stop, loosen, almost to the point that they feel too loose. Double-knot them and get going again. The tightness generally goes away then.
Let us know if anything works!
Sam
Jen says
Ditto on my parents. I’m always sad to leave. I wish I lived close enough that I could see them all the time.
Jennifer says
2 weeks I can do, but my parents come for THREE weeks, which is too much for me. I’m going home for a week which is fantastic; I only hate the flying part of it. Going home for 3.5 weeks when I was in school was a little much, mostly because not even one of my high school friends lives in Roanoke.