Here are the week long blood test results taken after running a 20 miler. The test was to analyze the normal recovery rate from a 20 mile run.
Blood Inflammation:
C Reactive Protein (CRP) - Used to measure muscle tissue damage.
Normal: 0–1.0 mg/dL or less than 10 mg/L (SI units)
Pre-20 mile run - .72
Post 20 mile run - .96
Day 1 - 3.49
Day 2 - 1.97
Day 3 - 1.33
Day 4 - 1.20
Day 5 - 1.16
Blood Enzymes:
Lactate Dehydrogenase (LDH) - Used to measure tissue damage. Also called lactic acid dehydrogenase. For adults, in most laboratories, the range can be up to approximately 200 units/L, but is usually found within 45-90 U/L.
Pre-20 mile run - 150
Post 20 mile run - 195
Day 1 - 156
Day 2 - 152
Day 3 - 152
Day 4 - 159
Day 5 - 155
Creatinine Kinase (CK) - is an enzyme found primarily in the heart and skeletal muscles, and to a lesser extent in the brain. Significant injury to any of these structures will lead to a measurable increase in CK levels. The primary damage in my case was to the skeletal muscle system.
Normal Range: Male-15-160U/L Female-15-130U/L
Pre-20 mile run - 96
Post 20 mile run - 176
Day 1 - 524
Day 2 - 263
Day 3 - 137
Day 4 - 135
Day 5 - 98
As you can see from the results it wasn't until after the 5th day that the levels went back down to the pre-20 mile run. After the 3rd day I felt no soreness in my legs yet the test results indicated I still had inflammation. The levels may have gone down sooner if I didn't swim, bike, or run during the 5 day test period. It looks like it takes 6 to 7 days before I would be fully recovered from the 20 mile run. I think this is good proof to me that the 3 weeks needed for tapering before a marathon is very important in order to perform well on race day.
I'm sure the results have more meaning but this is all I could gather for now. I'll have to wait for the professors and the graduate student to write their report on us and hope they give us a copy.
The next test will be on the effects of counterpulsation to improve recovery from a 20 mile run, will take place in early May.
10 comments:
That is so interesting. Especially that you had no sorness after 3 days, but the levels says you still had significant damage. How cool that you get to participate in that!! I can't wait to see how great you do in Boston!
Pretty cool stuff!
Wow! That is so interesting. I wonder how recovery runs factor in--does a short easy run help or prevent the reduction of inflammation? It seems to help, but like you said, it might feel like it helps but there could still be a lot of unsensed damage still there.
Hope you're enjoying your taper. This will be my first week with a real reduction in mileage and I'm looking forward to all the extra time. Less than 2 weeks!!
Thanks for the comment on my blog - you are right, sometimes I forget I am doing this for fun. :)
Thanks also for sharing the blood test results - one take away for me is to take the time to rest despite "feeling" better already.
Thanks for sharing. I'm a data freak so this is very interesting to me!
Great data. I wonder if numbers in someone not in your kind of shape would take longer to come down? The May comparisons will be interesting.
Very cool info Louie. That training/science combo can take you far! I'll drop you a note next week.
Neat Stuff! I agree with the 3 week taper for a marathon. Can't wait to see the results!
first comes the Bunny weekend then Boston! :)
Hey Louie...lost your e-mail. shoot me another note and I'll get you my number (or if you have a day in mind now). We're in Boston Sat through Wed morning.
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