Lefty on Strike

Huh?!
So... I'm watching The Biggest Loser right now. The contestants have to run 26 miles as part of a challenge. They have 26 days to train.

Am I the only one who feels uncomfortable about this? I mean, these people have done incredible things, but a marathon?! It's not that I don't think they can do it, but it seems unhealthy to me. But then, who am I to say? I'm no running expert... just someone who over-did it in the training and am suffering the consequences of that.

My Workout
I made it to the gym today. My plans were to do strength training for my upper body and then do a run on the treadmill. The whole time I was doing my upper body work, I was looking forward to trying out my new shoes and logging in some miles.

Once on the treadmill, I warmed up by walking a lap and then upped the speed to running level. I could not do it! It was not just the pain in my right leg, which I'm used to... it was my left leg rebelling this afternoon! It didn't hurt, fortunately. It was tired!

I think my poor left leg has finally said, "Look, lady- I've been doing most of the work here, trying to pick up the slack for Ms. Righty over there. I even pushed us through 14 miles on Saturday. Well, I've had enough! I'm taking a rest whether you want one or not. I'll let you know when I'm ready. Don't call me... I'll call you."

I ended up taking both legs- and the rest of me- to the stationary bike (which is getting so boring). Then I did a little on the elliptical. Ho-hum.

My physical therapist suggested running in the pool. Have any of you tried this? If so, what did you think of it? Did it give you a good workout using the same muscles as running? Any suggestions or advice?

Comments

Glenn Jones said…
Yougotta remember - these folks are not runners. They are weight losers. They are going to simply survive a marathon. Most of them will never put on another pair of shoes once they are done!
joyRuN said…
Egads! 0 to 26.2 in 26 days is asking for trouble!!
Unknown said…
26 days to a marathon sounds like a recipe for disaster to me.

i've never done pool running. i like swimming though...
Mel-2nd Chances said…
I totally agree with you and didn't like that idea at all. Wonder now how many people will say "hmm, they could do it, so can i" and will go out unprepared themselves, since BL made it look so easy. Ugh.
Bob said…
My daughter's orthopedic m.d. had her do pool running. It was low stress, for sure, but I'm not sure how hard a workout it is. My sense is that it is more rehab than workout.
Melanie Tait said…
Lefty striking too? Those legs need a good spanking. Although that may not do much good. Rephrase: those legs need a good... massage?

I can't BELIEVE they're making TBL's run a marathon. Surely that's insanity if they're still overweight?

I think the whole show has a little bit of crazy - one bloke here lost about 87kegs since Christmas! SURELY that's not healthy for your heart or anything else to lose it so quickly!?
Sarah Jane said…
26 days to train for 26 miles? Seriously? Or are they allowed to run 1 mile a day until it adds up to 26 miles? (Now that's MY kind of marathon!)
I was a little put off at first but when I saw the two ladies push through I was inspired. I TRULY hope that ALL people do not think that they can do a Marathon without training, because the BL contestants have been training 8+ hours a day for months.

I have run in the pool MANY Times after my knee surgery...it is a GREAT workout. I had floaters on my arms, not sure what the workout would be like in the shallow end.

Good luck with the pain, I hope lefty and righty opt to come back to your side soon..
tfh said…
You know, I'm really surprised they don't get more injuries on that show. I thought making them run an unprepared 13.1 was bad enough!

And yes, I've done pool running-- definitely a good workout, can get boring so I usually alternate it with swimming laps. I think moving in water is super-good for healing, though-- I always recover faster if I get in the pool!
Patrick said…
I was just as shocked as you when I watched BL last night!!! My first question: What the hell were they thinking?

Then--- I saw Tara and Helen push and make it through and thought it was cool.

Remember these guys have been training A LOT more than just 26 days... Several weeks for HOURS each day- I heard one of them in a previous episode say they were running at least 5 miles per day-- So maybe they were ready-- I don't know..

Sorry about your Lefty-- I have never run in the pool but it sounds like fun!!!
MCM Mama said…
Sounds crazy, but then I've never actually watched BL.

I"ve never run in the pool, but I took a pool exercise class in the deep end one time and it was quite a workout.

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