Training Log Archive: Carbons Offset

17.1

Quebexican out and back from Myka's with Myka, David, Tara and Carbon.
First trail run since whacking my head three weeks ago. Have done two road runs that seemed fine.
A few minutes into the run I had two blobs clouding my vision, like the washed out patches you see after looking at the sun or a bright light (when I closed my eyes, I could make them out clearly). They seemed to correspond with the slight headache I seem to get early in a workout that then goes away. As we continued to run, the two blobs grew to a figure 8 and then into one larger blob which also became more opaque, even with my eyes open and trying to look through it. Weird, it felt like I was getting the visual symptom to match how my head would feel just a mild discomfort at the beginning of a workout. After about 10 minutes, the blob faded quickly until gone. I felt fine for most of the time, even before the visual blob was gone. I figured this is definitely something worth seeing a doctor about and keeping track of on future runs, but Carbon explained that she has had this before (without a concussion or head impact) and had read about it not being unusual for runners and is sometimes also affected by sunlight through trees. (Mine started in the open as we ran from Myka's to the trailhead).
Had a good run, felt good the whole time and pushed a decent pace including working hard on the various punchy uphills. It felt really fun to run on trail again. I will keep track of the visual patches.
Everyone really enjoyed the fun. It was a fun group.

Distance and time are estimated.

C • Yay, trail running! :) 2

16.9

Road ride with the Swedish father in law Tommy. Rode the Minnewanka Loop counterclockwise (a punchy couple of hills early on) then over to the Banff Springs golf course, rode that loop, and back to the car by Cascade. Windy at times.
Again, a bit of a headache early in the workout and during. Gone after.

C • I guess I missed something 2

16.1

20 min @ 89 spm
10 min @ 96 spm
20 min @ 89 spm
10 min @ 96 spm
5 min cool down

No issues, felt fine pushing the intensity up. Head was fine, feels like I'm ready for more. I seem to get miiiinor discomfort at the beginning which goes away during the exercise and stays away after. Not sure if this is at all related to the crash or just generally related to exercise regardless.

From the office to the Crowchild bridge and back on the other side of the river. Met up with Dan Ciccero (from bike spin class) on the way back and the pace picked up a little (just up to E2). Everything felt good. Might have had less than a 0.5 out of 10 discomfort in my head (do I go down to 0.25 gradients now?) in the beginning of the run and then none by half way, at the end, and after. It's feeling like I can try pushing the intensity soon.
Tried to run on the grass or dirt alongside the paved trail as much as I could, in case this is less impact.

physio stretches for thoracic spine. I had backed off on these because the ribs were sore the day after doing these, but the ribs were even more sore at the beginning of today's run, after not doing the stretches yesterday.

10 min @ 75 spm,
20 min @ 82 spm,
30 mih @ 75 spm
Not quite as sweaty as the previous workout at 89 spm.

Had a slight (1/10) headache at the start which made me really nervous about whether yesterday's run bothered the brain, so it was nice that the session on the stairmill was fine and I am headache-free after. Hopefully that means the exercise isn't an issue, but I'm still being pretty cautious and paying close attention to symptoms.

C • good idea!! 1

First time on a bike since the crash. Testing how the noggin would handle it, both in terms of headache and whether I have any issues with coordination, judgement and reaction. All was good. The first few sharp cracks in the path rattled the head a bit on the skinny tires and rigid frame, but I think they do that to a normal brain too.
Took bike paths that ended up at the reservoir and enjoyed the riding at the reservoir so much that it did the full lap. I haven't been there in a long time. Memories of many days paddle training there with Carbon. It really is quite beautiful.
Kept the intensity super easy at first. Then had to put in a little work on a couple of the climbs and then forgot to ease off when it flattened out.
Feeling fine after. Not sure if I had a hint of discomfort (0.5/10) during the first half of the ride.
Nice to be riding on the lighter summer wheel.

Distance is estimated.

18.4

First run since the bike crash. Kept it to 20 minutes as a test to see if I would have any post-conscussion issues.
Felt maybe a 0.5 out of 10 headache for the first few minutes, then pretty much gone later in the run. Also no headache or issues half an hour later.

A bit of a tease to do just a 20 minute run, but I'm just happy that everything seems good.

C • Yay! 4

Physio stretches to mobilize and loosen up the thoracic spine. It's so nice outside so I that decided to stay out after the short run and do my stretches on Prince's Island while a busker plays Blue Rodeo on the guitar.