The Official Hype Fitness Thread 6.0 - Part 8

[Iceman]

Yesterday was one week since my last time I’ve run. My knee is still swollen and incredibly sore. I opted for no MRI at this time. I’m taking peptide injections to help with healing.

But I’m really going stir crazy not getting in any exercise right now. I’m going to try to limit calories so I don’t gain a ton of weight. And otherwise I’m planning on just resting this thing till the swollenness and the soreness subsides. If it isn’t better by mid December I may go ahead with an MRI.

But this is really hard.

Do you administer the peptide injections yourself or need a professional to do it?

That sucks, but doing work to recover from injuries, niggles, illnesses is all part of the long term art of running, so I'd see it that way if it helps. Like all the rehab I did is what made the later running possible and better, more so than running itself would have done.

Could you do weight training in the meantime? Upper body and core at least.

 

[Babillygunn]

Do you administer the peptide injections yourself or need a professional to do it?

They are just subcutaneous injections, basically with a tiny needle like you’d use for insulin. So I administer them myself. My doc prescribed them for me for my meniscus previously and I feel like it sped up the healing.

That sucks, but doing work to recover from injuries, niggles, illnesses is all part of the long term art of running, so I'd see it that way if it helps. Like all the rehab I did is what made the later running possible and better, more so than running itself would have done.

Yeah, it’s a long term thing and I have to remember that. I guess I’m mostly irritated that I need to watch what I eat. But I probably needed to do that more anyway. And I do struggle with not having the release of exercise. I genuinely find it fun.

Could you do weight training in the meantime? Upper body and core at least.

Ha. I did crunches the other night and my son walked in and said “those are the worst excuse for crunches I’ve ever seen. They aren’t really crunches at all.”
I started to protest and my wife said “Babe I hate to break it to you, but you’ve never done crunches well. They’ve been sorry your whole life. Even when we were teenagers, I didn’t know how you had a flat stomach.”

It was like an intervention! But it was so funny. But weight training is definitely a good idea.

 

[Iceman]

They are just subcutaneous injections, basically with a tiny needle like you’d use for insulin. So I administer them myself. My doc prescribed them for me for my meniscus previously and I feel like it sped up the healing.


Yeah, it’s a long term thing and I have to remember that. I guess I’m mostly irritated that I need to watch what I eat. But I probably needed to do that more anyway. And I do struggle with not having the release of exercise. I genuinely find it fun.

Ha. I did crunches the other night and my son walked in and said “those are the worst excuse for crunches I’ve ever seen. They aren’t really crunches at all.”
I started to protest and my wife said “Babe I hate to break it to you, but you’ve never done crunches well. They’ve been sorry your whole life. Even when we were teenagers, I didn’t know how you had a flat stomach.”

It was like an intervention! But it was so funny. But weight training is definitely a good idea.

Oh cool. Yeah I’ve heard peptides are good for that. Was looking into a peptide collagen supplement.

Ha, good point. One of the biggest benefits with this much running for me is being able to get away with a lot more on the eating front. Yeah, the high you get - great for mental health too. Are there any lesser impact cardio things you could try?

Haha, they’re really bringing the home truths together.

Good. It’s super important so maybe a good time to establish that as a more regular habit in the downtime.

 

[Iceman]

Sunday turned into a busy day so I missed the run altogether. Quite a low mileage week in the end with the weather change and some missed or curtailed sessions.

Great progress on intervals lengths today though at 16kph. The 20 min 5k before 50 dream looking good if I can transfer any of these gains to outdoors (where I seem to be so much slower).

10.3 miles / 16.55 km total.

16kph: 1x600m, 1x700m, 1x1k, 1x1.3k, 1x1.4k
17kph: 3x600m, 1x500m, 1x400m
18kph: 2x400m

 

[Iceman]

Update for the week after Monday:

Tues: 13.7 miles on the way to work and 4.6 miles on the way back.
Weds: 14.7 miles on the way there and 4.1 miles on the way back (had to cut it slightly short and walk the last bit)
Thurs: day off for Thanksgiving and didn’t get much sleep. Did a 5.2 mile walk and then after a coffee felt a bit better later in the day (still not 100%) and did a 18.1 mile run - very happy with that in the circumstances, and on a regular work day would have been a zero day.
Fri: Off
Sat: altogether 27 miles including a parkrun 5k PB of 23.29! <20 by 50 plan still on course!

Felt the effects of yesterday more than usual, maybe with less efficient post-run nutrition having to travel soon after. As a result taking today off to recover properly and hopefully be ready for intervals tomorrow.

Final total for Nov was 403 miles / 648.5 km. Hard last day to get 400 miles over the line but very happy with that. Will see if I can maintain it over Winter.

 

[Babillygunn]

After taking a few more weeks off, I did some jogging on the treadmill on Tuesday night. Just a light jog at 11 mph pace and went a mile and a quarter. But then I started feeling some pain so I stopped. Now this morning, around 36 hours later, my knee is once again inflamed and swollen up.

It’s looking like I may need to visit the orthopedist, but I may wait till next year to let my insurance reset, just in case I need to have surgery.

But this is really a bummer.

 

[Babillygunn]

I’m still struggling with inflammation on my knee. I’m probably going to rest it for at least the remainder of 2024. But I’m hitting the diet pretty hard right now to counteract the lack of calories being burned.

I can’t wait to start running again next year.

In the meantime, I may do some strength training and dieting.

 

[Iceman]

14.3 miles this morning after Storm Darragh stopped me doing my hardcore planned Saturday. Also forgot running kit when visiting parents and got back late meaning Sun and Mon were zeroes too. Along with the usual Friday rest day that’s 4 days of nothing! Glad to get back into it today and get things back on schedule. My first half marathon date is Feb 1 so not actually that far away now.

 

[Iceman]

After taking a few more weeks off, I did some jogging on the treadmill on Tuesday night. Just a light jog at 11 mph pace and went a mile and a quarter. But then I started feeling some pain so I stopped. Now this morning, around 36 hours later, my knee is once again inflamed and swollen up.

It’s looking like I may need to visit the orthopedist, but I may wait till next year to let my insurance reset, just in case I need to have surgery.

But this is really a bummer.

Sorry to hear and hope you can recover asap.

Isn’t 11 mph very fast? Thought you would be taking it easy testing the injury out.

 

[Iceman]

I’m still struggling with inflammation on my knee. I’m probably going to rest it for at least the remainder of 2024. But I’m hitting the diet pretty hard right now to counteract the lack of calories being burned.

I can’t wait to start running again next year.

In the meantime, I may do some strength training and dieting.

Good plan. Sounds like rest may be best in this situation. I eat pretty much the same when I’m running 100 miles a week and zero miles a week so can put on weight fast when on a break. Definitely worth being more careful on calories during this period. Strength training can only help and reduce the chances of further injuries. Hopefully 2025 starts well for you on the running front when you get back to it.

 

[Babillygunn]

Sorry to hear and hope you can recover asap.

Isn’t 11 mph very fast? Thought you would be taking it easy testing the injury out.

Lol. I said 11 mph, I meant 11 minute mile. So it was a light jog. 11 mph is a crazy sprint that I cannot withstand for more than a minute even with good knees!

 

[Iceman]

On Thursday I did a 17.3 mile run and impressed myself by being able to throw in a fast lap of the park (2.7 miles) after already being 8 miles into the run. It showed up as a 5k of about 26.30 which seems awesome given my parkrun time was slower than that not so long ago and that I had gone back to jogging slow for the last 0.4 miles not knowing that the watch would be measuring an intra-run 5k time.

Dec runs: 78.6 miles / 126.5 km

 

[Iceman]

I’ve not tried doing a half marathon at anything beyond zone 2 but needed to finish the run by a certain time today which helped me try and go faster than usual, finished in just over 2 hours. Hopefully can get under 2 hours soon, and at least by the half marathon event upcoming in Edinburgh at the beginning of Feb. Also was fun doing another 5k around the 26.30 mark in the middle of it. Hopefully these little bursts can help condition for actual 5ks too while doing the longer runs.

 

[Babillygunn]

I’ve not tried doing a half marathon at anything beyond zone 2 but needed to finish the run by a certain time today which helped me try and go faster than usual, finished in just over 2 hours. Hopefully can get under 2 hours soon, and at least by the half marathon event upcoming in Edinburgh at the beginning of Feb. Also was fun doing another 5k around the 26.30 mark in the middle of it. Hopefully these little bursts can help condition for actual 5ks too while doing the longer runs.

That’s a great goal of going under 2 hours. When I was in high school, my goal was usually 1:35. In my twenties I only ran once or twice. I kept a goal of 1:50. Then in my thirties I would keep a goal of 1:45-2:00. Early 40’s my goal was 2:15. The last couple years my goal has been 2:30. So you are killing it and I’m impressed.

Half marathons are a blast. They are a real challenge and push your body, but they also won’t kill you like a full marathon where you run all out. It’s also fun when the crowd is huge. The one that I run every year has around 10,000 to 12,000 runners competing each year. It’s a blast to run with so many folks and to have crowds around the course cheering you on.

I’m excited for you getting to do one officially. I can’t wait to hear all about it. I’m really hoping to heal up to be able to train for mine in late April. But I’m probably going to hold off from running till January. But I almost was tempted to take a run tonight. But the knee still has a little fluid on it and is a bit puffy, even if most of the soreness is gone.

 

[Iceman]

That’s a great goal of going under 2 hours. When I was in high school, my goal was usually 1:35. In my twenties I only ran once or twice. I kept a goal of 1:50. Then in my thirties I would keep a goal of 1:45-2:00. Early 40’s my goal was 2:15. The last couple years my goal has been 2:30. So you are killing it and I’m impressed.

Half marathons are a blast. They are a real challenge and push your body, but they also won’t kill you like a full marathon where you run all out. It’s also fun when the crowd is huge. The one that I run every year has around 10,000 to 12,000 runners competing each year. It’s a blast to run with so many folks and to have crowds around the course cheering you on.

I’m excited for you getting to do one officially. I can’t wait to hear all about it. I’m really hoping to heal up to be able to train for mine in late April. But I’m probably going to hold off from running till January. But I almost was tempted to take a run tonight. But the knee still has a little fluid on it and is a bit puffy, even if most of the soreness is gone.

I can’t even comprehend times like 1.35.

Yes, it’s a pretty nice distance. For distance running probably 5k and halfs are my favourite.

I’m looking forward to running in front of a crowd for the first time and getting the atmosphere of a big event.

I hope you can recover in time to do a training cycle for April.

 

[Babillygunn]

I can’t even comprehend times like 1.35.

My sons have a friend whom my oldest played basketball with and my youngest ran cross country with. Last year, he won the 16-19 age division of the half marathon I run by finishing at 1:17.

Talk about times that cannot be comprehended!

 

[Iceman]

22.8 miles today with a break in the middle. The last 8 miles were hard as needed the bathroom and none in sight!

 

[Iceman]

My sons have a friend whom my oldest played basketball with and my youngest ran cross country with. Last year, he won the 16-19 age division of the half marathon I run by finishing at 1:17.

Talk about times that cannot be comprehended!

Super crazy! I’ll be happy when I get below 2 hours in the half, feels like a matter of time, but not sure what to aim for beyond that. With half and up I’m still always focused on completing them rather than going for it with speed.

 

[DKDetective]

After taking a few more weeks off, I did some jogging on the treadmill on Tuesday night. Just a light jog at 11 mph pace and went a mile and a quarter. But then I started feeling some pain so I stopped. Now this morning, around 36 hours later, my knee is once again inflamed and swollen up.

It’s looking like I may need to visit the orthopedist, but I may wait till next year to let my insurance reset, just in case I need to have surgery.

But this is really a bummer.

I’m still struggling with inflammation on my knee. I’m probably going to rest it for at least the remainder of 2024. But I’m hitting the diet pretty hard right now to counteract the lack of calories being burned.

I can’t wait to start running again next year.

In the meantime, I may do some strength training and dieting.

Sorry to hear about your knee. Yeah, if you are craving the endorphins from exercise, resistance training really is great for that. After all, Arnie did say the Pump feels better than sex.

Also, if you pick up the iron while you can't run, make sure you get enough protein in your diet. Most recommendations are for 1g protein per pound of bodyweight for muscle growth.

If you hit the iron well, you won't need to diet or go into a calorie deficit at all, you can just recomp where your body actually turns fat into muscle. It works especially well in people who haven't lifted in a long time.

 

[theastsunnn]

After sitting for about a month, after surgery I got back into it and took my former strength for granted. I went from 16 pull ups to 5 currently. I’ll be back in a few months though

 

[Babillygunn]

Sorry to hear about your knee. Yeah, if you are craving the endorphins from exercise, resistance training really is great for that. After all, Arnie did say the Pump feels better than sex.

Also, if you pick up the iron while you can't run, make sure you get enough protein in your diet. Most recommendations are for 1g protein per pound of bodyweight for muscle growth.

If you hit the iron well, you won't need to diet or go into a calorie deficit at all, you can just recomp where your body actually turns fat into muscle. It works especially well in people who haven't lifted in a long time.

We are buying my youngest son a weight stack home gym for Christmas. And selfishly I am really looking forward to using it. I used to lift quite a bit, but then I stopped after I herniated a disc in my neck. Since then I mostly do bodyweight and resistance bands. But I am ready to go back to actually moving some weights. And where I am now, my goals are more aligned with strength than anything.

As to diet, I have been trying to track macros my targets are:
Calories/day: 1690
Protein (g/day): 189
Carbohydrates (g/day): 125
Fat (g/day): 35

I’m typically good with this, but I have two periods of vulnerability: when I get home from work and then after dinner. I really want to snack when I get home and I want sweets after dinner. But I’m getting a gadget for Christmas to make homemade frozen deserts that should provide me an outlet for the sweet tooth while not disrupting the diet.

Historically, I can gain muscle really quickly and my body style is such that I am usually naturally inclined to bulk. Throughout high school, I ran exclusively, but then my junior year I added lifting. I went from 140 lbs to 170 pretty quickly. Then in law school, I started lifting even more as my outlet and I hit 185-190lbs. I was pretty muscular, but I didn’t like the way I looked in my clothes, so I made a conscious decision in my 30’s to lift light weights and focus on athletics and plyometric exercises. I went back down to 165-170 lbs and I really liked the way my clothes fit. I’d rather be lean and athletic than muscle-bound.

Now that I’m limited in my running for the time being, I’m wanting to see how lifting along with a balanced diet that focuses on calorie management and balanced nutrition will do to maintain strength and hopefully not bulk.

 

[Iceman]

16 miles today. December trending towards about half of November, but to be fair, still very good numbers for a December with everything that goes on. Also feels like a great investment in 2025 to hit the ground…. running next year.

Dec runs: 130.4 miles / 209.9 km

 

[gohei_]

I've been in a bit of a training rut recently. Due to not having much energy my workouts have been pretty sporadic and not very focused. I have a 2 week christmas leave from work now, so I am using this opportunity to give myself a kick in the butt. It's a lot easier when I am able to not only train well, but also get plenty of rest. Hoprefully I will gain some momentum to keep me going once I get back to work next year.

 

[Lily Adler]

Rethink Smart watches apparently.

 

[gohei_]

Good thing my watch has a nylon fabric band