I wanted to post a quick update on my doctor's appointment on Wednesday. The ITBS has pretty much been resolved and the extra work on the hip seems to have kept that at bay as well. I do have to be diligent about the stretches and using the foam roller or it crops back up pretty quickly. The pain level has decreased 98% from mid December when I couldn't run at all.
In the "there's always something" department - I sustained an injury at the gym that the orthopedic doc will need to refer me to a neurologist and possible MRI, but for now we are going to see if some time will heal. More about that another time.
I don't have much time to post, because in any minute Terry, my coworker and running buddy, and her husband are picking up Lisa and me and we are heading up to Paso Robles. Paso Robles is one of several wine producing regions in California. The four of us will be doing some wine tasting and Terry and I will be running the Paso Robles Wine Country Half. It should be a fun time. My time will be slow but I'm looking forward to getting back into the racing mode.
I hope you all have a great weekend.
Saturday, March 28, 2009
Sunday, March 22, 2009
It Is Well
It was during my long run, 8 miles that the following moment occurred. A good number of the CA Cruisers were running the inaugural Pasadena Marathon Redux the following day (don’t think for a minute that I didn’t want to join them, at least for the half marathon, but I digress) so I was pretty much on my own. I had gone solo over to the San Gabriel River bike path. I was about a mile and a half into my run when this song came up on my ipod. I was alone at that point at one of my favorite spots along the trail. The song, stripped down to the vocalist and the piano, combined with the rhythm of my footfalls was a moment of peace from the frustrations that life had been throwing my way lately. Nothing else mattered; just being in the moment and at peace for a few minutes was a gift.
That song was followed up with one of my favorite artists in a completely different genre. The video is totally goofy but I can’t help but smile through the whole thing.
Some time later I ran through group of Army recruits around mile 5 and again at 7. I ran a little more erect and a little lighter on my feet as I passed them. It was definitely cool to share the path with those kids committed to serving our country.
The run was completed without any major, or really any minor, pains in my right leg. I had seen the PT the day before and we made plans to cut back to once a week for about a month and then once again I’d been on my own. I have an appointment on Wednesday with the orthopedist. I will post an update on that midweek.
Sunday morning while the Cruisers were running around Pasadena I ran around my neighborhood for 4.5 miles. The weather was heavy mist at the start, although I had awaken to rain. By the time I finished the sun was doing its best to peek through the cloud cover.
I ended the week at 21.5 miles, my 2009 maximum so far.
I start my week off next week, with a visit to the dentist for a crown prep I’ve been putting off for a couple of years. That should be fun.
That song was followed up with one of my favorite artists in a completely different genre. The video is totally goofy but I can’t help but smile through the whole thing.
Some time later I ran through group of Army recruits around mile 5 and again at 7. I ran a little more erect and a little lighter on my feet as I passed them. It was definitely cool to share the path with those kids committed to serving our country.
The run was completed without any major, or really any minor, pains in my right leg. I had seen the PT the day before and we made plans to cut back to once a week for about a month and then once again I’d been on my own. I have an appointment on Wednesday with the orthopedist. I will post an update on that midweek.
Sunday morning while the Cruisers were running around Pasadena I ran around my neighborhood for 4.5 miles. The weather was heavy mist at the start, although I had awaken to rain. By the time I finished the sun was doing its best to peek through the cloud cover.
I ended the week at 21.5 miles, my 2009 maximum so far.
I start my week off next week, with a visit to the dentist for a crown prep I’ve been putting off for a couple of years. That should be fun.
Monday, March 16, 2009
A Much Needed Dose of Relief
Saturday morning, I gathered along with a small group of CA Cruisers in front of the Snail's Pace Running Store in Brea. Our planned route was the 2 Parks-2 Loops with the possible addition of the Summit House Loop.
I had no idea whether I'd be running or not, but I decided to give it a shot. Based on the bad results of Thursday run, I didn't have much hope. But based on the work that Jeff, the PT, did on Friday I was more hopeful.
Our group was small and even fewer of the group was interested in doing the Summit House Loop. The loop includes some hills that some wanted to avoid. The one's that did want to give it a go were unsure of the directions. I fell into the leadership role.
I started off running and everything fell into place. I was running with some of the slower members of our group which necessitated frequent stops at key intersections so that I didn't lose anybody. I think the slower pace worked in my favor. No matter the pace I was able to run without the nagging hip pain that had sent me over the edge on Thursday.
After the Summit Loop was accomplished, without losing anybody, I headed off an abbreviated 2 Parks - 1 Loop route. At this point I was running with Adolfo. The rest of the group cut their run short so it was just he and I doing the 2 Parks. Adolfo, a 5-plus hour marathoner, was urging me to go on ahead of him. I stayed with him enjoying the easy pace and pain free run. After a couple more urgings I headed off ahead of him around the 6.5 mile mark. I ended up running the rest of the route without a walk break, feeling pretty darn good.
The entire route - Summit House Loop and 2 Parks-1 Loop was 9.3 relatively pain free miles. Whatever the PT did, and boy did he work me over, on Friday seemed to work.
Sunday morning, after a session with my personal trainer, I headed over to Bonelli for a second go at the 2x Picnic Loop route. I got it done without hip pain.
Things seemed to have turned around. So far, so good. I ended the week with only my second week over 20 miles in 2009 at 20.5 miles.
On other fronts, the offending Regulatory Affairs person actually scheduled a short meeting on Friday to work out one of the issues from Thursday. The teenager helped a friend repair the friend's car so they could take that on the weekend trip they'd planned. Let's see what the next week has in store for me.
I had no idea whether I'd be running or not, but I decided to give it a shot. Based on the bad results of Thursday run, I didn't have much hope. But based on the work that Jeff, the PT, did on Friday I was more hopeful.
Our group was small and even fewer of the group was interested in doing the Summit House Loop. The loop includes some hills that some wanted to avoid. The one's that did want to give it a go were unsure of the directions. I fell into the leadership role.
I started off running and everything fell into place. I was running with some of the slower members of our group which necessitated frequent stops at key intersections so that I didn't lose anybody. I think the slower pace worked in my favor. No matter the pace I was able to run without the nagging hip pain that had sent me over the edge on Thursday.
After the Summit Loop was accomplished, without losing anybody, I headed off an abbreviated 2 Parks - 1 Loop route. At this point I was running with Adolfo. The rest of the group cut their run short so it was just he and I doing the 2 Parks. Adolfo, a 5-plus hour marathoner, was urging me to go on ahead of him. I stayed with him enjoying the easy pace and pain free run. After a couple more urgings I headed off ahead of him around the 6.5 mile mark. I ended up running the rest of the route without a walk break, feeling pretty darn good.
The entire route - Summit House Loop and 2 Parks-1 Loop was 9.3 relatively pain free miles. Whatever the PT did, and boy did he work me over, on Friday seemed to work.
Sunday morning, after a session with my personal trainer, I headed over to Bonelli for a second go at the 2x Picnic Loop route. I got it done without hip pain.
Things seemed to have turned around. So far, so good. I ended the week with only my second week over 20 miles in 2009 at 20.5 miles.
On other fronts, the offending Regulatory Affairs person actually scheduled a short meeting on Friday to work out one of the issues from Thursday. The teenager helped a friend repair the friend's car so they could take that on the weekend trip they'd planned. Let's see what the next week has in store for me.
Sunday, March 15, 2009
FAI
I've mentioned the accounting class I'm taking. The text has special highlighted sections called FAI - Financial Analysis and Interpretation. Friday night we were learning about inventories. The prof thought this stuff was difficult. I actually found it to be pretty easy. Calculating Inventory Turnover and Number of Days in Inventory was pretty simple. I think since she thinks like an accountant it was difficult because it is pretty much just easy math, not accounting math.
I related about what a bad day Thursday was. I had contemplated cancelling my physical therapy appointment on Friday afternoon over the frustration with the hip. The doc and PT both were focused on the ITBS, not the hip. The ITBS was pretty severe and since that tendon runs from the hip to the knee is seemed reasonable to believe that improving the ITBS would improve the hip. The ITBS was not my primary concern. I know how to deal with it. The hip issue was my motivation for seeking medical treatment. The hip pain was what was keeping me from running earlier in the year. Time off had helped. When it flared back up the other day, I was obviously frustrated.
I did keep the appointment and made sure to explain my symptoms to the PT. He listened and even called over one of the other PT's. Based on the symptoms they both suspect FAI - femoral acetabular impingement. He worked on my hip a lot at that appointment. He wants to continue to address the hip at PT and to discuss it with my orthopedic doc as well. I have a follow up appointment with the orthopedist in a week and a half.
The ITBS is 95% better, so now hopefully we can figure out the hip thing, FAI or not, and the appropriate path to take.
I related about what a bad day Thursday was. I had contemplated cancelling my physical therapy appointment on Friday afternoon over the frustration with the hip. The doc and PT both were focused on the ITBS, not the hip. The ITBS was pretty severe and since that tendon runs from the hip to the knee is seemed reasonable to believe that improving the ITBS would improve the hip. The ITBS was not my primary concern. I know how to deal with it. The hip issue was my motivation for seeking medical treatment. The hip pain was what was keeping me from running earlier in the year. Time off had helped. When it flared back up the other day, I was obviously frustrated.
I did keep the appointment and made sure to explain my symptoms to the PT. He listened and even called over one of the other PT's. Based on the symptoms they both suspect FAI - femoral acetabular impingement. He worked on my hip a lot at that appointment. He wants to continue to address the hip at PT and to discuss it with my orthopedic doc as well. I have a follow up appointment with the orthopedist in a week and a half.
The ITBS is 95% better, so now hopefully we can figure out the hip thing, FAI or not, and the appropriate path to take.
Saturday, March 14, 2009
I'm a Liar
I ended my last post with this statement: "The other definition is from my work with orthodontic adhesives and that's the last thing on my mind when I'm out running."
Liar, liar, pants on fire!
Thursday after work my intentions were to head over to Bonelli once again to enjoy the BHT.
I made it to Bonelli but its certainly wasn't enjoyable. At work I sat in a meeting with some regulatory affairs people. One of which doesn't understand the workings of the database that was causing issues and another that was just far too chipper. If you have time to flow chart with color coding something that isn't even your responsibility; you have way too much time on your hand. I'm sick and tired of dealing with their over zealousness.
Once I got home I got to deal with the youngest son's explanation of why he needed to use the truck this weekend. He's lost all privileges to it - no school, no job, no insurance payments - no truck.
Once I made it to Bonelli and started running the run stunk from the get go. To top it all off, my hip started hurting again like it had hurt right after Memphis. I knew it was going to be a pain from the very first step. I suffered through one lap of the picnic loop and called it quits. During the run my mind was racing a mile a minute cursing the regulatory affairs a$$f**ks up and down. That alternated with more curse filled thoughts on teenagers and their friends. And add a few more select curse words for injuries.
It wasn't my best day to say the least and it certainly wasn't Bonelli Happy Time!
So I guess I do occasionally think about work while I'm running (and stupid teenagers and injuries).
Just call me Mr. Negativity.
(as expected all things - attitude, work, teenager, PT and running - all improved eventually. So hang in there. I just had to get this off my chest.)
Liar, liar, pants on fire!
Thursday after work my intentions were to head over to Bonelli once again to enjoy the BHT.
I made it to Bonelli but its certainly wasn't enjoyable. At work I sat in a meeting with some regulatory affairs people. One of which doesn't understand the workings of the database that was causing issues and another that was just far too chipper. If you have time to flow chart with color coding something that isn't even your responsibility; you have way too much time on your hand. I'm sick and tired of dealing with their over zealousness.
Once I got home I got to deal with the youngest son's explanation of why he needed to use the truck this weekend. He's lost all privileges to it - no school, no job, no insurance payments - no truck.
Once I made it to Bonelli and started running the run stunk from the get go. To top it all off, my hip started hurting again like it had hurt right after Memphis. I knew it was going to be a pain from the very first step. I suffered through one lap of the picnic loop and called it quits. During the run my mind was racing a mile a minute cursing the regulatory affairs a$$f**ks up and down. That alternated with more curse filled thoughts on teenagers and their friends. And add a few more select curse words for injuries.
It wasn't my best day to say the least and it certainly wasn't Bonelli Happy Time!
So I guess I do occasionally think about work while I'm running (and stupid teenagers and injuries).
Just call me Mr. Negativity.
(as expected all things - attitude, work, teenager, PT and running - all improved eventually. So hang in there. I just had to get this off my chest.)
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
DST is BHT
BHT - butylated hydroxytoluene, a preservative in many foods and in adhesives
On my first week night run since Daylight Savings Time I headed straight on over to Bonelli after work. I was there and running by 6:05 p.m. The sun was still well above the horizon. My mental plan was for 4 miles. I headed out down Raging Waters Drive and then onto my Cottontail Trail. There's no 2 mile landmark so I went right on to the end at 2.5 miles and then turned around and ran back. I'm still sticking to the 5:1 cycle for now.
5 miles total in Bonelli after work. The first one of the season, yahoo! It was a slow one at over 52 minutes. My right knee was squawking a little, but to run in the light after work I was sure a happy camper.
BHT is really Bonelli Happy Time!
The other definition is from my work with orthodontic adhesives and that's the last thing on my mind when I'm out running.
On my first week night run since Daylight Savings Time I headed straight on over to Bonelli after work. I was there and running by 6:05 p.m. The sun was still well above the horizon. My mental plan was for 4 miles. I headed out down Raging Waters Drive and then onto my Cottontail Trail. There's no 2 mile landmark so I went right on to the end at 2.5 miles and then turned around and ran back. I'm still sticking to the 5:1 cycle for now.
5 miles total in Bonelli after work. The first one of the season, yahoo! It was a slow one at over 52 minutes. My right knee was squawking a little, but to run in the light after work I was sure a happy camper.
BHT is really Bonelli Happy Time!
The other definition is from my work with orthodontic adhesives and that's the last thing on my mind when I'm out running.
Sunday, March 08, 2009
Foreign Accounting
It has been a busy week all the way around. Three nights worth of American Idol, whew. Now let's get the competition going here.
The weather has been pretty schizophrenic this week. We've gone back and forth almost daily from cloudy rainy weather to warm sunny weather. Definitely not our typical weather pattern.
Two sessions of physical therapy. All is going well. The IT band is sore to the touch afterward after having been manipulated, but I can run.
Although I ran 4 times this week, it was a pretty low mileage week. I made 3 trips to the equestrian path in Via Verde - Tues, Thurs and Sunday. Thursday I cut 45 seconds off my Tuesday time and then Sunday I added 30 seconds of it back again.
My long run for the week was just me and my music. The CA Cruisers were heading to one of my favorite places, Chino Hills State Park. Any other day, I'd have been right there with them, but following the PT's advice I'm avoiding hills for now. My friend Terry was planning 16, so I headed over to the San Gabriel River Trail near home for 8 miles on my own.
The PT had given me clearance for 8 to "put the leg to the test." He doesn't know about the 12 last week. I think that was pretty much all the test the leg had in it right now. The 8 miler was way tougher than it should have been. The IT was fine. There is just a general feeling of weakness.
The weekly/weakly mileage was 17, about what I'd planned. I hope to step that back up closer to 20 next week.
I also added in two personal training sessions this week and two 5 mile walks in Bonelli over the weekend. Not such a bad week in the physical fitness department.
On another topic - I've been taking business classes at a local community college for the past year and a half. I have a science degree and wanted to broaden my horizons a little. So far, so good, until this semester. I'm currently taking Financial Accounting and may I say it is a foreign language. All those debits and credits (which don't mean the same thing all the time), deferred and accrued, asset and liability, adjustments, journal entries, expenses, dividends, and revenues. It's just not sticking in this science majors head. Luckily I have a great tutor (my wife is an accountant), but I feel like I'm fighting a losing battle.
Running, even running injured, is much easier than this stuff.
The weather has been pretty schizophrenic this week. We've gone back and forth almost daily from cloudy rainy weather to warm sunny weather. Definitely not our typical weather pattern.
Two sessions of physical therapy. All is going well. The IT band is sore to the touch afterward after having been manipulated, but I can run.
Although I ran 4 times this week, it was a pretty low mileage week. I made 3 trips to the equestrian path in Via Verde - Tues, Thurs and Sunday. Thursday I cut 45 seconds off my Tuesday time and then Sunday I added 30 seconds of it back again.
My long run for the week was just me and my music. The CA Cruisers were heading to one of my favorite places, Chino Hills State Park. Any other day, I'd have been right there with them, but following the PT's advice I'm avoiding hills for now. My friend Terry was planning 16, so I headed over to the San Gabriel River Trail near home for 8 miles on my own.
The PT had given me clearance for 8 to "put the leg to the test." He doesn't know about the 12 last week. I think that was pretty much all the test the leg had in it right now. The 8 miler was way tougher than it should have been. The IT was fine. There is just a general feeling of weakness.
The weekly/weakly mileage was 17, about what I'd planned. I hope to step that back up closer to 20 next week.
I also added in two personal training sessions this week and two 5 mile walks in Bonelli over the weekend. Not such a bad week in the physical fitness department.
On another topic - I've been taking business classes at a local community college for the past year and a half. I have a science degree and wanted to broaden my horizons a little. So far, so good, until this semester. I'm currently taking Financial Accounting and may I say it is a foreign language. All those debits and credits (which don't mean the same thing all the time), deferred and accrued, asset and liability, adjustments, journal entries, expenses, dividends, and revenues. It's just not sticking in this science majors head. Luckily I have a great tutor (my wife is an accountant), but I feel like I'm fighting a losing battle.
Running, even running injured, is much easier than this stuff.
Sunday, March 01, 2009
New Shoe Good
I've been reduced to weekly recaps. I wish I had more (or shorter) posts, but this is the way it is.
I had Physical Therapy on Monday and Friday. The ITBS felt really good after not having Jeff, the PT, beating me up since Wednesday last week. I've actually gotten worse at doing a couple of the single leg balance exercised they have me doing. When I left Friday I was initially approved to run 30 minutes this weekend. Say what?? I negotiated for an hour, but ultimately ran the 12 I had planned. That probably turned out to be more like 2 hours. Oops!
Tuesday I ran 3.5 miles from home. I wore the new Brooks Adrenaline GTS 9. It was a good run. It felt a little like the old days. My pace was 9:25, about the same as last Saturday's run, but this run felt "new shoe good."
Wednesday I took the day off and realized later in the evening, after dinner and settling in, that I wouldn't be able to run on Thursday or Friday due to prior commitments. I should have run but I didn't.
Saturday, I met the Cruisers and my friend Terry for a 12 mile run in Huntington Beach. Terry and I ran together using a 5:1 run:walk interval. Around mile 9, my right IT was sending me signals that it had had enough for the day. I stuck it out and made it the whole 12 miles. The IT has since calmed down but the quad/hip flexor is more concerning. I'd mentioned this to the PT on Monday. Friday they gave me some extra exercises to help strengthen that area.
Sunday I had an appointment with yet another PT. This time it was my personal trainer. I decided to run to and from the appointment. The gym is about 2 miles from home. The trainer always has me do some aerobic warm up before starting the strength session. I figured the 2 mile run would be plenty of warm up. What I didn't expect was how difficult the run home would be after the strength training. The run was made somewhat more difficult by the summer-like heat wave we had this weekend. It was 80 degrees by 10:00 a.m. The new shoes weren't much help this time around.
Later in the day after doing some chores at home I headed over to Bonelli for my 5 mile walk. I ended up sharing the trail with somewhere around 200 mountain bikers. I didn't realize it but today was the first race in the US Cup Mountain Bike Series. I made it about 2/3 of the way around my loop before meeting the racers head on. I had to step off the trail for several minutes to let them all pass by. I gathered up 5 dropped water bottles on my way back. The riders were on their way around for loop #2 as I finished up my walk.
I ended February with 71.9 miles, nearly double what I achieved in January. Still pitiful by 2007 standards but heading in the right direction. I ended the week with 19.5 miles, a slight decrease from last week.
My intentions are to scale back the long run next week but to try to get in four runs. I'll probably hit 17 to 20 again next week. If all goes well, I can ramp things up a bit the week after that.
Slow and steady is my mantra this time around, but patience is definitely not my strong suit.
I had Physical Therapy on Monday and Friday. The ITBS felt really good after not having Jeff, the PT, beating me up since Wednesday last week. I've actually gotten worse at doing a couple of the single leg balance exercised they have me doing. When I left Friday I was initially approved to run 30 minutes this weekend. Say what?? I negotiated for an hour, but ultimately ran the 12 I had planned. That probably turned out to be more like 2 hours. Oops!
Tuesday I ran 3.5 miles from home. I wore the new Brooks Adrenaline GTS 9. It was a good run. It felt a little like the old days. My pace was 9:25, about the same as last Saturday's run, but this run felt "new shoe good."
Wednesday I took the day off and realized later in the evening, after dinner and settling in, that I wouldn't be able to run on Thursday or Friday due to prior commitments. I should have run but I didn't.
Saturday, I met the Cruisers and my friend Terry for a 12 mile run in Huntington Beach. Terry and I ran together using a 5:1 run:walk interval. Around mile 9, my right IT was sending me signals that it had had enough for the day. I stuck it out and made it the whole 12 miles. The IT has since calmed down but the quad/hip flexor is more concerning. I'd mentioned this to the PT on Monday. Friday they gave me some extra exercises to help strengthen that area.
Sunday I had an appointment with yet another PT. This time it was my personal trainer. I decided to run to and from the appointment. The gym is about 2 miles from home. The trainer always has me do some aerobic warm up before starting the strength session. I figured the 2 mile run would be plenty of warm up. What I didn't expect was how difficult the run home would be after the strength training. The run was made somewhat more difficult by the summer-like heat wave we had this weekend. It was 80 degrees by 10:00 a.m. The new shoes weren't much help this time around.
Later in the day after doing some chores at home I headed over to Bonelli for my 5 mile walk. I ended up sharing the trail with somewhere around 200 mountain bikers. I didn't realize it but today was the first race in the US Cup Mountain Bike Series. I made it about 2/3 of the way around my loop before meeting the racers head on. I had to step off the trail for several minutes to let them all pass by. I gathered up 5 dropped water bottles on my way back. The riders were on their way around for loop #2 as I finished up my walk.
I ended February with 71.9 miles, nearly double what I achieved in January. Still pitiful by 2007 standards but heading in the right direction. I ended the week with 19.5 miles, a slight decrease from last week.
My intentions are to scale back the long run next week but to try to get in four runs. I'll probably hit 17 to 20 again next week. If all goes well, I can ramp things up a bit the week after that.
Slow and steady is my mantra this time around, but patience is definitely not my strong suit.
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Rememberable
Lisa and I spent the weekend in Temecula, again, and it was rememberable. (more on the use of the word in a bit).
We started off the weekend by meeting Joe and his wife for breakfast. Joe was in San Diego taking a much needed break from the Midwestern winter visiting family. Happily, Temecula is about an hour drive for both of us. We had a great time over eggs and pancakes. Our time together was short but Lisa finally had the opportunity to meet Joe. She and most of my friends thought I was a little crazy three years ago to fly to Indiana to run a trail marathon with a complete and total stranger. I'd have to say it all worked out quite well. We've met twice more and I even stopped off in Indiana for a weekend during a long business trip a couple of years ago. Any fears of this guy from the Internet being a crazy ax murderer have long since been dispelled.
Lisa and I become regulars in Temecula of late. We spent the rest of the day picking up club selections and trying a new winery known for their reds. We met some interesting folks during the day. We met a couple having issues with their young teen that echoed many of the same issues we were having with our youngest. We commiserated. They recommended a winery that we hadn't tried before. We met a lady dentist from a town near home that knew a lot about my company and some of our customers. We took a break during the day for a light lunch around 3:00 and headed to our hotel for a nap.
We went to dinner around 8:00 to Rustico. We had eaten there in December when we'd picked up our last club selections. We'd had a really great meal and enjoyed our server. We ended up with the same server, again. She welcomed us back, which is always nice. We talked for awhile and she recounted what she had remembered about our last visit. Along the way she commented that we were "rememberable." We decided to take that as a compliment. After the meal we chatted with her for about 20 minutes. It was a nice way to end the day.
The next morning we had brunch at a local country club. The food was satisfactory, but for the price, I'd have to say it wasn't worth it. We visited the winery recommended the day before and then headed home.
____________________________________________________________
On the running front I was pleased to tally the mileage today and find that I had broken the 20 mile barrier for the first time in 2009, with 21.3 miles. I wasn't expecting that since I wasn't planning on a long run due to the early morning drive to Temecula on Saturday.
I got a 5 miler on the roads in Bonelli on Wednesday, followed by a 3 miler in Via Verde on Thursday. Friday I warmed up on the treadmill for 10 minutes before beginning my workout with the trainer. I gave myself credit for a mile. Saturday morning I had time for a 5 miler on my Bonnie Cove 5 loop before heading south to meet Joe and his wife. That run was done in a 9:24 pace. The fastest I've gone in a long time.
I got up early on Sunday morning and left my wife to sleep in before brunch. I ran the same loop around Temecula I'd run back in August. When I was done it had only taken me about 36 minutes. I wanted to run a little more so I ran another block and ended up running for 70 minutes. Mapping it out later I determined I'd run 7.3 miles; for that 21.3 total.
Starting with the run on Wednesday I bumped my run:walk cycle up again to 5:1. Working with the PT and regular stretching seems to be keeping the ITBS in check. There is still some of the quad pain that plagued me before and during St. Jude that I will talk to him about at my next visit.
I ordered and received a new pair of Brooks Adrenaline GTS 9 to get into rotation. All my current Adrenlines have 400+ miles and the PT isn't crazy about my Brooks Trance. I'll give them their first spin next week provided it doesn't rain all week.
I hope all your runs were rememberable.
We started off the weekend by meeting Joe and his wife for breakfast. Joe was in San Diego taking a much needed break from the Midwestern winter visiting family. Happily, Temecula is about an hour drive for both of us. We had a great time over eggs and pancakes. Our time together was short but Lisa finally had the opportunity to meet Joe. She and most of my friends thought I was a little crazy three years ago to fly to Indiana to run a trail marathon with a complete and total stranger. I'd have to say it all worked out quite well. We've met twice more and I even stopped off in Indiana for a weekend during a long business trip a couple of years ago. Any fears of this guy from the Internet being a crazy ax murderer have long since been dispelled.
Lisa and I become regulars in Temecula of late. We spent the rest of the day picking up club selections and trying a new winery known for their reds. We met some interesting folks during the day. We met a couple having issues with their young teen that echoed many of the same issues we were having with our youngest. We commiserated. They recommended a winery that we hadn't tried before. We met a lady dentist from a town near home that knew a lot about my company and some of our customers. We took a break during the day for a light lunch around 3:00 and headed to our hotel for a nap.
We went to dinner around 8:00 to Rustico. We had eaten there in December when we'd picked up our last club selections. We'd had a really great meal and enjoyed our server. We ended up with the same server, again. She welcomed us back, which is always nice. We talked for awhile and she recounted what she had remembered about our last visit. Along the way she commented that we were "rememberable." We decided to take that as a compliment. After the meal we chatted with her for about 20 minutes. It was a nice way to end the day.
The next morning we had brunch at a local country club. The food was satisfactory, but for the price, I'd have to say it wasn't worth it. We visited the winery recommended the day before and then headed home.
____________________________________________________________
On the running front I was pleased to tally the mileage today and find that I had broken the 20 mile barrier for the first time in 2009, with 21.3 miles. I wasn't expecting that since I wasn't planning on a long run due to the early morning drive to Temecula on Saturday.
I got a 5 miler on the roads in Bonelli on Wednesday, followed by a 3 miler in Via Verde on Thursday. Friday I warmed up on the treadmill for 10 minutes before beginning my workout with the trainer. I gave myself credit for a mile. Saturday morning I had time for a 5 miler on my Bonnie Cove 5 loop before heading south to meet Joe and his wife. That run was done in a 9:24 pace. The fastest I've gone in a long time.
I got up early on Sunday morning and left my wife to sleep in before brunch. I ran the same loop around Temecula I'd run back in August. When I was done it had only taken me about 36 minutes. I wanted to run a little more so I ran another block and ended up running for 70 minutes. Mapping it out later I determined I'd run 7.3 miles; for that 21.3 total.
Starting with the run on Wednesday I bumped my run:walk cycle up again to 5:1. Working with the PT and regular stretching seems to be keeping the ITBS in check. There is still some of the quad pain that plagued me before and during St. Jude that I will talk to him about at my next visit.
I ordered and received a new pair of Brooks Adrenaline GTS 9 to get into rotation. All my current Adrenlines have 400+ miles and the PT isn't crazy about my Brooks Trance. I'll give them their first spin next week provided it doesn't rain all week.
I hope all your runs were rememberable.
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Run for Life
I've mentioned Dr. John frequently on this blog. He and his wife are the de facto leaders of the CA Cruisers. They are instrumental in planning each week's running destination and taking pictures at each and every outing. We all get weekly emails letting us know where to meet each Saturday morning and another with pictures from the run the week before. They encourage us all to run the myriad of races and distances available to us in SoCal. They are also plan our yearly destination race. The CA Cruisers have been to Chicago, Washington DC, Big Sur and are planning to run the Redwoods this year, thanks to the Strands. Any one we happen to meet along the trail or at the race gets invited to join the group. The email list has grown quite large. I mentioned that at the Surf City Marathon we had well over 50 runners associated with the Cruisers to some extent. We even had our own tent in the organized group area.
John is my running hero and inspiration. John completed his 50th state, in his late 60's, during the time that I was training for my first. I thought the accomplishment was so cool I adopted it as my own goal. He has also run marathons on each of the seven continents, as well. His marathon total is currently over 110. His running has been chronicled in the local newspapers.
Now you can all read about Dr. John. His running exploits are part of a new book by Roy Wallack, Run For Life. Roy identifies his book as “the anti-aging, anti-injury, super-fitness plan
to keep you running to 100”. It has a lot of interesting chapters, including one on John Strand. The book describes fitness plans and devotes a section on people who have distinguished themselves in athletics. Pages 204 through 209 cover the story of John Strand and his marathons.
This is John and Dorothy with Roy Wallack at the unveiling ceremony. Roy is the author of Run For Life. The book is available on amazon.com
I'm adding it my my amazon wish list. I may not meet the author but I intend on getting Dr. John's autograph somewhere on pages 204-209.
Happy Reading. Happy Running. Both good prescriptions for a long happy life.
John is my running hero and inspiration. John completed his 50th state, in his late 60's, during the time that I was training for my first. I thought the accomplishment was so cool I adopted it as my own goal. He has also run marathons on each of the seven continents, as well. His marathon total is currently over 110. His running has been chronicled in the local newspapers.
Now you can all read about Dr. John. His running exploits are part of a new book by Roy Wallack, Run For Life. Roy identifies his book as “the anti-aging, anti-injury, super-fitness plan
to keep you running to 100”. It has a lot of interesting chapters, including one on John Strand. The book describes fitness plans and devotes a section on people who have distinguished themselves in athletics. Pages 204 through 209 cover the story of John Strand and his marathons.This is John and Dorothy with Roy Wallack at the unveiling ceremony. Roy is the author of Run For Life. The book is available on amazon.com
I'm adding it my my amazon wish list. I may not meet the author but I intend on getting Dr. John's autograph somewhere on pages 204-209.
Happy Reading. Happy Running. Both good prescriptions for a long happy life.
Sunday, February 15, 2009
Good Patient, Bad Patient
Good Patient:
Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday I did the complete compliment of stretches prescribed by the physical therapist. Based on the advice that I could run if the pain level was a 2 or better (from both the orthopedic doc and the PT), I ran three miles on Wednesday evening. I had my second PT appointment on Friday - more exercises and stretches, heat, ultrasound, massage and ice.
Bad Patient:
I had made the decision on my own to dial the mileage back just a bit for this week. My goal was 14 miles for the week, including an 8 mile long run on Saturday. When I first met the PT I told him I'd run 10 the weekend before. On Friday I told him I'd run 3 mid week. I noted improvement in the ITB and hip pain. I guess all that stretching did some good. When the PT was done massaging/torturing my ITB he told me I could run 3 miles over the weekend. What!! 3 miles?! I met my friend Terry at the Santa Ana River trail and ran the 8 miles I'd planned. I obviously still have an IT band, but I was able to run. The pain level was within the "2 or below" range so I made the decision that it was OK to run. We kept to the 4:1 run:walk. Our pace was around 10:00 minute miles.
Sunday, I walked my traditional 5 mile loop on the trails in Bonelli. The trails were a little muddy so I wore my Cascadias. After the walk I headed back to the car, changed my shoes and shirt, and put in 3 miles of running around the Picnic Loop +. Total weekly mileage was 14.
Good news about the orthotics and shoes. I wore my Brooks Adrenaline 7's with the orthotics to the appointment on Friday. Jeff likes these shoes better than the Trance and he gave my orthotics a "B" grade. He gave me the go ahead to stick with that combination for the time being.
Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday I did the complete compliment of stretches prescribed by the physical therapist. Based on the advice that I could run if the pain level was a 2 or better (from both the orthopedic doc and the PT), I ran three miles on Wednesday evening. I had my second PT appointment on Friday - more exercises and stretches, heat, ultrasound, massage and ice.
Bad Patient:
I had made the decision on my own to dial the mileage back just a bit for this week. My goal was 14 miles for the week, including an 8 mile long run on Saturday. When I first met the PT I told him I'd run 10 the weekend before. On Friday I told him I'd run 3 mid week. I noted improvement in the ITB and hip pain. I guess all that stretching did some good. When the PT was done massaging/torturing my ITB he told me I could run 3 miles over the weekend. What!! 3 miles?! I met my friend Terry at the Santa Ana River trail and ran the 8 miles I'd planned. I obviously still have an IT band, but I was able to run. The pain level was within the "2 or below" range so I made the decision that it was OK to run. We kept to the 4:1 run:walk. Our pace was around 10:00 minute miles.
Sunday, I walked my traditional 5 mile loop on the trails in Bonelli. The trails were a little muddy so I wore my Cascadias. After the walk I headed back to the car, changed my shoes and shirt, and put in 3 miles of running around the Picnic Loop +. Total weekly mileage was 14.
Good news about the orthotics and shoes. I wore my Brooks Adrenaline 7's with the orthotics to the appointment on Friday. Jeff likes these shoes better than the Trance and he gave my orthotics a "B" grade. He gave me the go ahead to stick with that combination for the time being.
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Active Runner
This was written on my prescription to the physical therapist. The owner and PT is Jeff. I get a kick out of the description "active runner". That's me, pretty cool.I had my first appointment with the PT on Monday. I was there for nearly three hours. Right off the bat he told me that if I'd ever had PT before that this was going to be completely different. I really liked my old PT that I saw last year after the stress fracture. But it didn't take long to figure out that he was right this place was different. That fact that Jeff is a runner made a huge difference. He knew what my shoes were at the first glance and had an obvious opinion about them. He also wants to see my orthotics (I hadn't thought to bring them). I went through a whole new regimen of stretches and strengthening exercises.
Some things are the same as before. I need to work on developing some better flexion in my ankle, I need to strengthen my gluteus behindus and I really, really, really need to stretch out my hip flexors. I got heat. I got ultrasound. I got ice and e-stem. I got it all!
I go back on Friday. Jeff will evaluate my orthotics. They've already checked my insurance and I can get another pair if needed. He will also likely make a shoe recommendation. He wanted to know if I was in love with my Brooks. I've worn Brooks Trance or Adrenaline pretty much exclusively since the beginning. I love my Brooks, but if it means running pain free then I'm open to try whatever he suggests. I just hope it won't be Nike. (I've got a thing against super giants like Nike.)
I'm allowed to run as long as the pain is no more than a 2. He described a pinch as a 2, a headache as a 5. So it looks like I will continue to run as planned for the week. Although no hills and no cement allowed.
I had planned on heading to the gym after the PT for an hour on the bike and some upper body work. Jeff suggested 20 minutes each on the bike, elliptical and stairmaster. So being the good patient that I am I did just that. I've never used the stairmaster before. He said it would help with the glute strengthening I need. If it works so be it.
Tonight I went back to the gym for another round of bike, elliptical and stairmaster followed by shoulder and bicep work. I followed that up with nearly and hour worth of prescribed stretching routine. So far so good.
I'm doing what I can to live up to my prescription description - Active Runner!
Sunday, February 08, 2009
The Groundhog was Wrong
Wednesday's mid-day doctor appointment gave me the opportunity to take the day off. I headed over to Bonelli, of course, got some vitamin D exposure. I walked my usual 5 mile loop and then I ran 4.5 miles on the trail that heads north on the opposite side of the park. It is 2.25 miles of mostly down followed by 2.25 miles of mostly up. I was pleased that I did both directions within a minute of each other. The temperatures were in the low 80's and the sun was shining wonderfully bright. I got a little head start on my summer beach tan. I love that.
The next day, a cold winter storm rolled in from Alaska. It rained pretty steadily until Friday and has rained off and on through this afternoon. The weather heads say we'll get more tomorrow. On Tuesday I was pretty happy that the groundhog predicted 6 more weeks of winter. Our winter so far has been exactly like the day I described above. Who wouldn't want more of that. But winter decided to come a couple of days late. So much for the the groundhog.
There was a wonderful break in the rain during the Cruisers planned run on the 2 Parks-2 Loops course in Brea. I upped the ante to 4:1, nothing too drastic. After about the third cycle I fell in step with John, a 73 year old member of our group. He'd just had double hernia surgery 4 weeks ago and was back running. We ended up running the remaining 8 miles together. He walked when I walked. The pace pushed him a little but he was happy to have the company. He's got some great stories from a long life lived well, that's for sure. I ended my run after the second loop while he continued on for a couple more miles.
Today I headed out after one of our scattered showers and was able to get 3 miles of running followed by 3 miles of walking on the Picnic Loop at Bonelli. My legs were feeling a little tired so I decided to give the muddy wet trails a chance to dry out before I wandered them again.
I ended up with 17.5 miles for the week. A nice gradual increase from the 1 mile I got 6 weeks ago in Peters Canyon. The weekly progression has been 1 - 5 - 8 - 12.7 - 14.6 - 17.5. My legs were kind of tired and the ITB was singing pretty good on the 3 miler so I think I may scale things back a tad next week before heading on up towards 20. Right now I'm only running three days a week. Once I can run 20 for a couple of weeks comfortably I will try to add back in the fourth day. Ultimately I'd like to get back to being a 5 day, 40-50 mile a week runner like I was back in 2007. That may take until 2010 for all I know.
That doctors appointment I mentioned earlier went well. My wife has been seeing
the same guy for her knee and we both had appointments within an hour of each other. In addition one of my wife's coworker's wife had a knee replacement done by this doc. According to the girls he is "easy on the eyes." Apparently he is one doctor's appointment they don't mind keeping. Anyway, my hip problem is just really bad IT Band Syndrome and bursitis. The doc is a runner so he understands that not running is not a good prescription for someone like me. He prescribed a regimen of Aleve and is sending me to a physical therapist for a couple of appointments. This guy is a runner as well so I am optimistic that I will be getting good care and advice and should come out the other end OK.
The next day, a cold winter storm rolled in from Alaska. It rained pretty steadily until Friday and has rained off and on through this afternoon. The weather heads say we'll get more tomorrow. On Tuesday I was pretty happy that the groundhog predicted 6 more weeks of winter. Our winter so far has been exactly like the day I described above. Who wouldn't want more of that. But winter decided to come a couple of days late. So much for the the groundhog.
There was a wonderful break in the rain during the Cruisers planned run on the 2 Parks-2 Loops course in Brea. I upped the ante to 4:1, nothing too drastic. After about the third cycle I fell in step with John, a 73 year old member of our group. He'd just had double hernia surgery 4 weeks ago and was back running. We ended up running the remaining 8 miles together. He walked when I walked. The pace pushed him a little but he was happy to have the company. He's got some great stories from a long life lived well, that's for sure. I ended my run after the second loop while he continued on for a couple more miles.
Today I headed out after one of our scattered showers and was able to get 3 miles of running followed by 3 miles of walking on the Picnic Loop at Bonelli. My legs were feeling a little tired so I decided to give the muddy wet trails a chance to dry out before I wandered them again.
I ended up with 17.5 miles for the week. A nice gradual increase from the 1 mile I got 6 weeks ago in Peters Canyon. The weekly progression has been 1 - 5 - 8 - 12.7 - 14.6 - 17.5. My legs were kind of tired and the ITB was singing pretty good on the 3 miler so I think I may scale things back a tad next week before heading on up towards 20. Right now I'm only running three days a week. Once I can run 20 for a couple of weeks comfortably I will try to add back in the fourth day. Ultimately I'd like to get back to being a 5 day, 40-50 mile a week runner like I was back in 2007. That may take until 2010 for all I know.
That doctors appointment I mentioned earlier went well. My wife has been seeing
the same guy for her knee and we both had appointments within an hour of each other. In addition one of my wife's coworker's wife had a knee replacement done by this doc. According to the girls he is "easy on the eyes." Apparently he is one doctor's appointment they don't mind keeping. Anyway, my hip problem is just really bad IT Band Syndrome and bursitis. The doc is a runner so he understands that not running is not a good prescription for someone like me. He prescribed a regimen of Aleve and is sending me to a physical therapist for a couple of appointments. This guy is a runner as well so I am optimistic that I will be getting good care and advice and should come out the other end OK.
Sunday, February 01, 2009
Meep, Meep
On each of my last two walks in Bonelli I've seen a road runner. It was doing exactly what you'd expect it to be doing. It was running across the road (fire road in this case). No coyote in chase though; that would have been awesome. I haven't seen a road runner in Bonelli in at least a couple of years.
This week I've stuck to the 3:1 run:walk. It seems to be working out for now. I upped the total weekly mileage to 14.6 in three runs. Saturday I joined the CA Cruisers on our home turf, the Santa Ana River Trail. Many were running short because they were running the Surf City Marathon on Sunday. We had about 60 members and friends signed up for either the full, half or 5K. I used to be one of the faster members of the group. Couple the short mileage for the rest with my current pace and run:walk strategy and I was one of the last ones out there. My pace over the 8 miles was 10:32. The days of 8:30's are a distant memory for now.
Besides the running, there was 105 minutes of bike riding and 10 miles of walking.
The end of the month calls for mileage totals. January 2009 was a whopping 37.7 miles. It has been a slow and steady climb on the weekly mileage since the beginning of the month after nearly 5 weeks off after St. Jude.
I'm going to rely on my inner Wile E Coyote and keeping chasing that Road Runner towards the next marathon.
For now I'm off to partake in the national day of denial and escapism from the real world and watch the Super Bowl. I have no real interest in either team but its my civic duty. Come to think of it I'm supporting the Cards; dislike of the Steelers runs deep in this ex-Ohioan.
This week I've stuck to the 3:1 run:walk. It seems to be working out for now. I upped the total weekly mileage to 14.6 in three runs. Saturday I joined the CA Cruisers on our home turf, the Santa Ana River Trail. Many were running short because they were running the Surf City Marathon on Sunday. We had about 60 members and friends signed up for either the full, half or 5K. I used to be one of the faster members of the group. Couple the short mileage for the rest with my current pace and run:walk strategy and I was one of the last ones out there. My pace over the 8 miles was 10:32. The days of 8:30's are a distant memory for now.
Besides the running, there was 105 minutes of bike riding and 10 miles of walking.
The end of the month calls for mileage totals. January 2009 was a whopping 37.7 miles. It has been a slow and steady climb on the weekly mileage since the beginning of the month after nearly 5 weeks off after St. Jude.
I'm going to rely on my inner Wile E Coyote and keeping chasing that Road Runner towards the next marathon.
For now I'm off to partake in the national day of denial and escapism from the real world and watch the Super Bowl. I have no real interest in either team but its my civic duty. Come to think of it I'm supporting the Cards; dislike of the Steelers runs deep in this ex-Ohioan.
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
16 Days
Thanks to all who weighed in on the accounting issue. I've decided to pretty much continue what I've always done. If I'm on a training "run" it will count towards my mileage totals, no matter the run:walk ratio. If I'm simply walking or biking as an alternative to help maintain fitness, it gets written down for posterity, but not counted toward the lifetime mileage. Right now I'm writing down more activity than I'm adding to the total but that will change again someday.
Where do 16 days go? There's no way to capture the all the minutia of the last two weeks so I will try to hit the highlights.
Weather wise we've gone from temps in the 80's to chilly 40's, from sun to rain and back to sun.
I've been running very little, but running non-the-less. Even though my running isn't where I'd like it to be, I am active. I ride the bike and use the elliptical at the gym and I'm really enjoying lifting weights and working on improving my core strength. I haven't done a leg work out since a couple of weeks before St Jude, first in anticipation of the marathon and since due to the injury. Two weeks ago my trainer still wouldn't let me do a leg workout. In his words "It will only take one thing to go wrong and we won't work legs for a whole year." He was probably right. The following week he relented and I finally worked the legs with no apparent ill effects. My only rule was no jumping - white men don't jump! It was a pretty benign leg workout but my quads sure let me know they weren't used to moving that way.
The first week since my last post I covered 8 miles in two runs. I stuck to a 2:1 run:walk ratio. The hip and IT still let their presence be known. I also biked for about 2 hours and got one good 5 mile walk in Bonelli.
The second week, last week, I upped the running ante up a little to 12.7 miles in three runs. For the second two I upped the ratio to 3:1. That week also included the leg workout. By the end of the week the hip felt fine and the IT still creaked now and then. Besides lifting, I rode for about 90 minutes and walked 12 miles.
One of those runs last weekend was on Saturday morning. It was a misty morning. I had told myself I would stay on the roads to take it easy on the leg, i.e. no hills. But on the way back I couldn't help myself and ran about 2.5 miles on the muddy trails. While I was running a tune was playing in my head that included "misty morning" and "I come following you." I looked up lyrics and can only come up with Mr. Tambourine Man, but that's "jingle jangle morning..." The tune sounds right in my head but I don't know where misty morning fits in or if I'm confusing two different songs.
This weekend, Super Bowl Sunday, the first of my 2009 goal races will go un-run. I had hoped to run the Surf City Half Marathon. Admittedly, I was running it for the super cool medal and the chance to complete the California Dreaming Series. Alas, I run Huntington Beach all the time and as the the Cub's fans always say, "There's always next year!"
The appointment with the orthopedist, I scheduled back in December when my hip and ITB would not let me run and even walking was painful, is finally scheduled for next week. At this point I'm not sure I should keep it. The hip pain that I feared was serious is 98% gone and I know how to deal with the ITB. Part of me wants to save the deductible expense, but it took almost 6 weeks to get an appointment, part of me feels like I should keep it. Probably by the time I post again, you'll know what I decided to do.
Let's not wait 16 days to get together again, OK?
Where do 16 days go? There's no way to capture the all the minutia of the last two weeks so I will try to hit the highlights.
Weather wise we've gone from temps in the 80's to chilly 40's, from sun to rain and back to sun.
I've been running very little, but running non-the-less. Even though my running isn't where I'd like it to be, I am active. I ride the bike and use the elliptical at the gym and I'm really enjoying lifting weights and working on improving my core strength. I haven't done a leg work out since a couple of weeks before St Jude, first in anticipation of the marathon and since due to the injury. Two weeks ago my trainer still wouldn't let me do a leg workout. In his words "It will only take one thing to go wrong and we won't work legs for a whole year." He was probably right. The following week he relented and I finally worked the legs with no apparent ill effects. My only rule was no jumping - white men don't jump! It was a pretty benign leg workout but my quads sure let me know they weren't used to moving that way.
The first week since my last post I covered 8 miles in two runs. I stuck to a 2:1 run:walk ratio. The hip and IT still let their presence be known. I also biked for about 2 hours and got one good 5 mile walk in Bonelli.
The second week, last week, I upped the running ante up a little to 12.7 miles in three runs. For the second two I upped the ratio to 3:1. That week also included the leg workout. By the end of the week the hip felt fine and the IT still creaked now and then. Besides lifting, I rode for about 90 minutes and walked 12 miles.
One of those runs last weekend was on Saturday morning. It was a misty morning. I had told myself I would stay on the roads to take it easy on the leg, i.e. no hills. But on the way back I couldn't help myself and ran about 2.5 miles on the muddy trails. While I was running a tune was playing in my head that included "misty morning" and "I come following you." I looked up lyrics and can only come up with Mr. Tambourine Man, but that's "jingle jangle morning..." The tune sounds right in my head but I don't know where misty morning fits in or if I'm confusing two different songs.
This weekend, Super Bowl Sunday, the first of my 2009 goal races will go un-run. I had hoped to run the Surf City Half Marathon. Admittedly, I was running it for the super cool medal and the chance to complete the California Dreaming Series. Alas, I run Huntington Beach all the time and as the the Cub's fans always say, "There's always next year!"
The appointment with the orthopedist, I scheduled back in December when my hip and ITB would not let me run and even walking was painful, is finally scheduled for next week. At this point I'm not sure I should keep it. The hip pain that I feared was serious is 98% gone and I know how to deal with the ITB. Part of me wants to save the deductible expense, but it took almost 6 weeks to get an appointment, part of me feels like I should keep it. Probably by the time I post again, you'll know what I decided to do.
Let's not wait 16 days to get together again, OK?
Sunday, January 11, 2009
Running Accounting
Last week, while on vacation, I walked 39 miles. Of those 39 miles I ran about 1 of them in Peters Canyon. My running log shows a whopping 1 mile for the week 12/29 to 1/4. That got me thinking. What can I actually take credit for? What will I actually give myself credit for?
I'm a runner. I keep a running log. I keep track of the miles I run - or do I?
I ran/walked my first seven marathons. I've done plenty of long runs using the run a mile, walk a minute strategy. Most recently I ran Memphis with Joe using a 3:1 schedule. I did the rough math and figure I "ran" about 22.5 miles and "walked" the other 3.7 miles. My running log clearly shows 26.2 miles. I allowed myself credit for each of those miles.
In 2008, I was injured, and I wouldn't have even gotten to Memphis if I had insisted on running every step of the miles I had in my plan. I currently find my self injured again, so walking it is. I have absolutely nothing against the run/walk technique. It has served me and many others very well.
But last week my walk segment far outweighed my run segment. I don't feel right taking credit for those 38 walked miles, but I proudly wrote down the 1 mile I ran. My questions: Do miles covered when I only walked count? Why is it all right to count miles that are covered with a combination of run/walk? Should the Peters Canyon Run really count as 6 miles since I technically ran at least part of the planned route?
Silly questions maybe, but can you relate?
Since going back to work for a full week, my "movement" routine has been up in the air. I did use the elliptical on Monday for 15 minutes before my workout and made it back to the gym on Wednesday for 45 minutes on the bike. Friday, my wife lured me away from the gym with an invite to an Italian place we hadn't tried yet. (Our time together was fun, the food was mediocre).
Saturday I volunteered at the Boney Mountain 21K. I walked about 5 miles of the course. I ran this course last year.
Today while the Chargers were freezing their pattooties off and losing to the Steelers (I'm originally from N Ohio. There's no way I could ever root for the Steelers, NO WAY!), I was over in Bonelli. It was sunny and in the high 70's. I went around my 5 mile loop and used a 2:1 schedule. There was no problem with my right hip and quad. My right ITB squawked a little but not much. I made it home in time to see the second sad half of the game.
I had no problem recording the 5 miles in my running log when I got home.
2009 racing plans are on hold. I had things in mind but until I can run more consistently and pain free, I am wary of making any plans. If the plans were on paper I would push myself to get there with the risk of injury. Knowing that, I will hold off putting anything on paper or here until the time is right.
I'm a runner. I keep a running log. I keep track of the miles I run - or do I?
I ran/walked my first seven marathons. I've done plenty of long runs using the run a mile, walk a minute strategy. Most recently I ran Memphis with Joe using a 3:1 schedule. I did the rough math and figure I "ran" about 22.5 miles and "walked" the other 3.7 miles. My running log clearly shows 26.2 miles. I allowed myself credit for each of those miles.
In 2008, I was injured, and I wouldn't have even gotten to Memphis if I had insisted on running every step of the miles I had in my plan. I currently find my self injured again, so walking it is. I have absolutely nothing against the run/walk technique. It has served me and many others very well.
But last week my walk segment far outweighed my run segment. I don't feel right taking credit for those 38 walked miles, but I proudly wrote down the 1 mile I ran. My questions: Do miles covered when I only walked count? Why is it all right to count miles that are covered with a combination of run/walk? Should the Peters Canyon Run really count as 6 miles since I technically ran at least part of the planned route?
Silly questions maybe, but can you relate?
Since going back to work for a full week, my "movement" routine has been up in the air. I did use the elliptical on Monday for 15 minutes before my workout and made it back to the gym on Wednesday for 45 minutes on the bike. Friday, my wife lured me away from the gym with an invite to an Italian place we hadn't tried yet. (Our time together was fun, the food was mediocre).
Saturday I volunteered at the Boney Mountain 21K. I walked about 5 miles of the course. I ran this course last year.
Today while the Chargers were freezing their pattooties off and losing to the Steelers (I'm originally from N Ohio. There's no way I could ever root for the Steelers, NO WAY!), I was over in Bonelli. It was sunny and in the high 70's. I went around my 5 mile loop and used a 2:1 schedule. There was no problem with my right hip and quad. My right ITB squawked a little but not much. I made it home in time to see the second sad half of the game.
I had no problem recording the 5 miles in my running log when I got home.
2009 racing plans are on hold. I had things in mind but until I can run more consistently and pain free, I am wary of making any plans. If the plans were on paper I would push myself to get there with the risk of injury. Knowing that, I will hold off putting anything on paper or here until the time is right.
Saturday, January 03, 2009
St. Peter(s Canyon)
I don't know if there is a patron saint of runners. But after today, I'm convinced that he is St. Peter.
As you know I haven't been running since Memphis. Over the holidays I took up serious walking as a substitute mental/physical boost. I've put in at least 5 miles a day for the last week, consistently. This morning the CA Cruisers were meeting in Orange County for a little trail running in Peter's Canyon. From the Alberton's on Jamboree, around the reservoir, up and over East Ridge View Trail and back Peters Canyon Road is a little over a 6 mile loop. For something different to do besides Bonelli, I decided to join the group and would walk the loop.
Our group today was quite large. We had runners from the Brea Snails Pace store joining us for a change of pace running venue. The group took off and I was surprised how quickly I was left behind. I knew I would be alone, so it wasn't a huge factor. I marched along, up and down the rolling hills of the East Ridge View Trail. There were several runners coming in the opposite direction as well as many people out for their morning walk, so I wasn't exactly alone. Peters Canyon is wedged between to fairly expensive housing developments, so many people take advantage of the park. Civilization is almost always in your peripheral view.
Once I made it too the far end of the park and began to head back on the flat Peters Canyon Road, I was feeling pretty good. I decided to give my leg a little test run. I set my watch for a one minute interval and off I jogged. There was some stiffness and a little weakness, but things held up. I followed that with a one minute walk segment. One minute later, the watch beeped again, and I was off and "running". I kept that up until I reached the end of the park and was back on the sidewalks. I think I ran at least ten 1-minute segments on the forgiving path for about 1 mile of running. I can't tell you how good it felt to even get that little bit of running in. It was a giant step forward.
I was all smiles when I met up with the Cruisers for some carbs, protein and coffee at the coffee shop where we'd parked. Then I was off to the gym back near my home. At the gym I rode the stationary bike for 60 minutes and then did some leg and core exercises. I've gleaned a lot of good tips from books I have, from the web and from fellow bloggers. I want to thank Wes and Nick for their ideas on how to beat the ITB and to strengthen the core.
And thanks to St. Peter for being kind to me today and letting me run, even a little bit, for the first time in 4 weeks.
As you know I haven't been running since Memphis. Over the holidays I took up serious walking as a substitute mental/physical boost. I've put in at least 5 miles a day for the last week, consistently. This morning the CA Cruisers were meeting in Orange County for a little trail running in Peter's Canyon. From the Alberton's on Jamboree, around the reservoir, up and over East Ridge View Trail and back Peters Canyon Road is a little over a 6 mile loop. For something different to do besides Bonelli, I decided to join the group and would walk the loop.
Our group today was quite large. We had runners from the Brea Snails Pace store joining us for a change of pace running venue. The group took off and I was surprised how quickly I was left behind. I knew I would be alone, so it wasn't a huge factor. I marched along, up and down the rolling hills of the East Ridge View Trail. There were several runners coming in the opposite direction as well as many people out for their morning walk, so I wasn't exactly alone. Peters Canyon is wedged between to fairly expensive housing developments, so many people take advantage of the park. Civilization is almost always in your peripheral view.
Once I made it too the far end of the park and began to head back on the flat Peters Canyon Road, I was feeling pretty good. I decided to give my leg a little test run. I set my watch for a one minute interval and off I jogged. There was some stiffness and a little weakness, but things held up. I followed that with a one minute walk segment. One minute later, the watch beeped again, and I was off and "running". I kept that up until I reached the end of the park and was back on the sidewalks. I think I ran at least ten 1-minute segments on the forgiving path for about 1 mile of running. I can't tell you how good it felt to even get that little bit of running in. It was a giant step forward.
I was all smiles when I met up with the Cruisers for some carbs, protein and coffee at the coffee shop where we'd parked. Then I was off to the gym back near my home. At the gym I rode the stationary bike for 60 minutes and then did some leg and core exercises. I've gleaned a lot of good tips from books I have, from the web and from fellow bloggers. I want to thank Wes and Nick for their ideas on how to beat the ITB and to strengthen the core.
And thanks to St. Peter for being kind to me today and letting me run, even a little bit, for the first time in 4 weeks.
Friday, January 02, 2009
2008 Ups and Downs
2008 could be called “The Year That Darrell’s Legs Gave Up”. 2008 was my lowest mileage year, 750.2, about half the 3 years preceding it. I had three months with less than 50 miles and two with big fat zeros.2008 was the year of the stress fracture, the shin splints, and most recently the strained quad coupled with a super duper case of IT band syndrome that has kept me from running, not for lack of trying, since Memphis.
2008 was the year of my first ever DNS when I had to back out of the Catalina Marathon in March due to the stress fracture and then my second DNS at Big Sur in April. I didn’t even bother to sign up for the inaugural Big Bear Marathon in September and the Pasadena Marathon in November. I ultimately had to bow out of my first attempt at a 30K at Twin Peaks, rescheduled from February to December.
2008 was the year that I was only able to move 2% closer to my goal of 50 states by adding Tennessee to the list in December. I have gotten 4 states in previous years.
2008 was the year that all my race times were slower, well beyond anything nearing a PR, almost back to square one race times.
Even with all that, 2008 was a year full of incredible running experiences.
2008 was the year I started off on the trails. I ran the Boney Mountain 21K in January, rescheduled from October the prior year by wildfires. It was a tough 21K, but I love the trails.
2008 was the year that I was able to continue on the trails by finally running the Winter Trail Run Series put on by Baz in the mountains of the Cleveland National Forest. I ran the series with my running buddies Terry and Mike. Jim and Julie from the Cruisers were there as well. Even though this was the beginning of the stress fracture it was a hoot heading to those trails every other week for the four race series.
2008 was the year I ran the sloppy, muddy, rainy, windy, hilly, whole heck of a lot of fun Mission Gorge Trail 15K. Tyler volunteered at the finish line and was soaked through the bone as well. I’m still a little miffed that he didn’t save me a finisher’s medal (wink, wink).
2008 was the year that I cheered for runners at the finish line of Big Sur along with my friend Kitty, also on the DL. We rang some good cow bell out there. The night before the race I had an enjoyable dinner with Donald, Eric & Michelle, and Dori and her husband. Tyler ran the second leg of the marathon as part of 4 Cruisers relay teams. He went on to run leg 3 up Hurrican Point as well. It was a great weekend in a beautiful place.
2008 was the year I made my running comeback at the Surf City 5K on July 4th. The time was not stellar but I was glad to be running again.
2008 was the year I was able to run the last 2 races of the Summer Trail Series in Peter’s Canyon. It seemed only appropriate to balance the Winter Trail Series with the Summer Trail Series. I ran into to Jeff for the first time in a long time and was able to meet his wife and little guy, tc.
2008 was the year I got to spend the weekend with my wife in a cute little hotel in Crestline and I ran the Run Through the Pines Half Marathon. Four loops around Lake Gregory accompanied by half dozen or so of my Cruisers buddies.
2008 was the year I finally gave in and ran the Long Beach Half Marathon. Many locals use this as a precursor to Los Angeles Marathon in March. I paced my friend Terry for the first half and she went on to finish the full.
2008 was the year we made a trek to Temecula for a day of wine tasting that starting off with me setting my 10K PR of 55:45. This race was one week prior to my scheduled marathon. The quad pain that had been bothering me for a while was evident at the start but seemed to dissipate during the run. It seemed to grow worse as the week wore on. I hobbled through 3 miles two days after the race and didn’t run again until Memphis.
2008 was Year 3 of the December Blogger Reunion. I met Joe and David in Tennessee. Joe and I ran a very enjoyable 26.2 miles through Memphis, hitting Beale Street twice plus an extra trip for post race barbeque. I finally crossed the 13th marathon off the list.
In a nut shell my races were:
Boney Mountain - 21K
Winter Trail Run Series – 12K, 15K, 18K, & 21K
Mission Gorge Trail Run – 15K
Surf City 5K
Peters Canyon Summer Trails Series #2 & #3 – 5 Miles
Run Through The Pines – 13.1 Miles
Long Beach Half – 13.1 Miles
Temecula Turkey Trot – 10K
Memphis St. Jude Marathon – 26.2 Miles
Post Memphis I decided to give my self the luxury of a full week off. That stretched to two when it became apparent that running on my right leg was an impossibility. The pain with each impact radiated from my knee to my hip accompanied by a sense that the whole thing would collapse mid stride. On December 19, I tried to do a Christmas Light Fun Run with the Cruisers but I ended up having to walk 90% of the 2 mile loop.
Since then I have put all my efforts into riding the stationary bike at the gym and walking. Since I been on vacation for the last two weeks, I’ve taken at least a 5 mile walk everyday since Christmas with all but one of those being on my Bonelli 5 Mile loop. The hip doesn’t hurt while riding the bike and the pain is tolerable while walking.
2008 was a forgettable year and a memorable year, like most years I guess. Up next - my plans, hopes, wishes and dreams for 2009.
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
A Bonelli New Year
I've been on vacation for the last two weeks (partly planned, partly demanded by the economic slow down). I've spent a lot of time taking walks in my favorite place; favorite in that its close. My 2008 wrap up post will have to wait for another day. Instead I leave you with views of Bonelli on a 7.5 mile walk I took today. The temperature was in the low 70's, the sun was shining but there was a lot of haze. Enjoy the pictures and have a safe and fun Happy New Year's Eve. It looks like 2009 is going to be quite a ride. Stay calm, be diligent, plan for the future and keep running!
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Sunday, December 21, 2008
December Next
There is certainly no resting on your laurels with this group. No sooner had I finished state 13 and written up the report along came the questions of what’s next in general and what’s up for next December, more specifically.
Truth be told, I really have no idea. The opportunities abound with 37 states remaining, but the choices at the beginning of December are becoming more limited year by year. With 50 weeks advance notice I’m putting out some ideas for December 2009.
Taking a look at marathonguide.com the following 15 races are on the marathon calendar:
Baton Rouge Beach Marathon, Baton Rouge, LA
Envirosports Death Valley Borax Marathon, Death Valley, CA
Kiawah Island Marathon, Kiawah Island, SC
St. Jude Memphis Marathon, Memphis, TN
Tecumseh Trail Marathon, Bloomington, IN
California International Marathon, Sacramento, CA
Zappos.com Las Vegas Marathon, Las Vegas, NV
Marathon of the Palm Beaches, West Palm Beach, FL
Holualoa Tucson Marathon, Oracle, AZ
Charlotte's Thunder Road Marathon, Charlotte, NC
Rocket City Marathon, Hunstville, AL
Roxbury Marathon, Roxbury, CT
Nexbank Dallas White Rock Marathon, Dallas, TX
Honolulu Marathon, Honololu, HI
Otter Creek Trail Marathon, Brandenburg, KY
The list can get narrowed pretty quickly. In 2005 I ran Las Vegas. In 2006 I did Tecumseh and Otter Creek in back to back weekends. In 2007 I met up with Wes and Joe, along with David, Michele and Lana at Rocket City. Most recently Joe, David and I knocked off Memphis. That narrows the list to 11 choices.
Death Valley and CIM are off the list, too. NO MORE CA marathons! 10 options left.
Tucson is off the list, since I’ve already run Rock-n-Roll AZ in Phoenix. Roxbury is off too. I did Hartford in 2005. The list is getting a little sparse.
Baton Rouge Beach Marathon, Baton Rouge, LA
Kiawah Island Marathon, Kiawah Island, SC
Marathon of the Palm Beaches, West Palm Beach, FL
Charlotte's Thunder Road Marathon, Charlotte, NC
Nexbank Dallas White Rock Marathon, Dallas, TX
Honolulu Marathon, Honololu, HI
As far as Texas goes, Dallas is definitely not my first choice there. Eric tells me that Dallas is a lot of concrete. My legs are not a fan of concrete. I would much rather run Austin or San Antonio. My choice for Hawaii is definitely Maui. Maui is run in September within days of our wedding anniversary, how can I pass that up – Maui on our anniversary – Honolulu doesn’t stand a chance. There are many choices in Florida as well and West Palm Beach wasn’t on my radar. I have relatives on the west coast. I was leaning towards the Gasparilla Marathon in Tampa in March or ideally the X-Country Marathon in November.
So for me that leaves only the following three states: Louisiana, South Carolina, and North Carolina.
Baton Rouge Beach Marathon, Baton Rouge, LA
Kiawah Island Marathon, Kiawah Island, SC
Charlotte's Thunder Road Marathon, Charlotte, NC
That was until I opened the January 2009 Runner’s World and read about the North Central Trail Marathon in Sparks, MD. It is run the last weekend of November, close enough to December for me. This is now high in my list for Maryland, competing with the B&A Trail Marathon in March.
Where do you want to go in 2009?
Louisiana? South Carolina? North Carolina? Maryland?
Truth be told, I really have no idea. The opportunities abound with 37 states remaining, but the choices at the beginning of December are becoming more limited year by year. With 50 weeks advance notice I’m putting out some ideas for December 2009.
Taking a look at marathonguide.com the following 15 races are on the marathon calendar:
Baton Rouge Beach Marathon, Baton Rouge, LA
Envirosports Death Valley Borax Marathon, Death Valley, CA
Kiawah Island Marathon, Kiawah Island, SC
St. Jude Memphis Marathon, Memphis, TN
Tecumseh Trail Marathon, Bloomington, IN
California International Marathon, Sacramento, CA
Zappos.com Las Vegas Marathon, Las Vegas, NV
Marathon of the Palm Beaches, West Palm Beach, FL
Holualoa Tucson Marathon, Oracle, AZ
Charlotte's Thunder Road Marathon, Charlotte, NC
Rocket City Marathon, Hunstville, AL
Roxbury Marathon, Roxbury, CT
Nexbank Dallas White Rock Marathon, Dallas, TX
Honolulu Marathon, Honololu, HI
Otter Creek Trail Marathon, Brandenburg, KY
The list can get narrowed pretty quickly. In 2005 I ran Las Vegas. In 2006 I did Tecumseh and Otter Creek in back to back weekends. In 2007 I met up with Wes and Joe, along with David, Michele and Lana at Rocket City. Most recently Joe, David and I knocked off Memphis. That narrows the list to 11 choices.
Death Valley and CIM are off the list, too. NO MORE CA marathons! 10 options left.
Tucson is off the list, since I’ve already run Rock-n-Roll AZ in Phoenix. Roxbury is off too. I did Hartford in 2005. The list is getting a little sparse.
Baton Rouge Beach Marathon, Baton Rouge, LA
Kiawah Island Marathon, Kiawah Island, SC
Marathon of the Palm Beaches, West Palm Beach, FL
Charlotte's Thunder Road Marathon, Charlotte, NC
Nexbank Dallas White Rock Marathon, Dallas, TX
Honolulu Marathon, Honololu, HI
As far as Texas goes, Dallas is definitely not my first choice there. Eric tells me that Dallas is a lot of concrete. My legs are not a fan of concrete. I would much rather run Austin or San Antonio. My choice for Hawaii is definitely Maui. Maui is run in September within days of our wedding anniversary, how can I pass that up – Maui on our anniversary – Honolulu doesn’t stand a chance. There are many choices in Florida as well and West Palm Beach wasn’t on my radar. I have relatives on the west coast. I was leaning towards the Gasparilla Marathon in Tampa in March or ideally the X-Country Marathon in November.
So for me that leaves only the following three states: Louisiana, South Carolina, and North Carolina.
Baton Rouge Beach Marathon, Baton Rouge, LA
Kiawah Island Marathon, Kiawah Island, SC
Charlotte's Thunder Road Marathon, Charlotte, NC
That was until I opened the January 2009 Runner’s World and read about the North Central Trail Marathon in Sparks, MD. It is run the last weekend of November, close enough to December for me. This is now high in my list for Maryland, competing with the B&A Trail Marathon in March.
Where do you want to go in 2009?
Louisiana? South Carolina? North Carolina? Maryland?
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