January 30, 2013

Cold Front Blues.  Classic early morning run with a brutal, unrelenting North wind and sub-freezing temps.  Three and change for an uneventful Wednesday maintenance run.  INXS mix on the box to get me through.  My right foot is doing great at this point.  Follow-up in a week and then I can start training for a half in April.

January 28, 2013

What a difference a week makes around here.  After having to brave the unrelenting Arctic air on most of my recent runs, yesterday I stepped out to almost tropical conditions with temps in the mid-60s and 100% humidity.  Bumped up the distance by a mile, which is generally not a big deal; however, it feels great when it represents a 25% increase.  And, more importantly, it was the longest run in an injury-plagued winter.  No foot issues: no pain or discomfort noted during, directly after or 24-hours later.

January 27, 2013

A pretty unproductive week culminates without a weekend run.  Planning on getting out there three to four times this week, as well as bumping up the mileage to four miles per run.  It's definitely hard to get motivated when one's weekly mileage averaged between 25 and 35 miles pre-injury. I realize this is a necessary phase of rehab; however, it's still difficult. And it's definitely a mental thing...

January 25, 2013

Another brutal morning, replete with a cold north wind and sub-freezing temps.  I managed another three miles with no physical pain or discomfort in the right foot.  So far, so good.  Planning on boosting to four or five miles on Sunday, even though that is technically against medical advice! We'll see.  A couple of weeks until my final follow-up and it feels good.  Perhaps a tinge of soreness, but nothing even close to October's fear and loathing.

January 21, 2013

Another frigid three miles in the pre-dawn hours.  I am feeling great, as my legs and lungs continue to get stronger.  No foot issues.  Will add another mile on Wednesday...

January 17, 2013

Three frigid miles.  Three uneventful miles.  Three slooooow frigid and uneventful miles.  The urge to get back to the five and six mile maintenance runs is pretty intense; however, I have no desire to re-injure my foot, especially after dealing with it for the last three and a half months.  Slow times with an eye for mechanics is my reality.  On a positive note, I can feel my lungs and legs getting stronger, which is reassuring.  

January 15, 2013

An extremely frigid three miles to start the day.  16 degrees Fahrenheit with a slight breeze.  Once again, I have no foot pain, either post-run or 24-hours later.  Off to the gym for a chest and triceps workout this AM.

January 12, 2013

Cleared to run a "limited amount" by the doctor, I hit the road for a frigid four-miles yesterday.  Took it slow with an eye for mechanics and cadence.  No issues with the foot post-run or this morning.  I am hoping to run every other day for the next couple of weeks.  My final follow-up with the sports doctor guru is at the beginning of February, so I will have to wait a bit to get officially "cut loose."  In the mean time I will work on getting my legs and lungs back.

January 9, 2013

Misty Mountain fog and drizzle with temps in the 40s.  Three miles in a very slow and methodical fashion.  No foot discomfort, pain or tenderness ahead of today's evaluation.  I am anticipating being cut loose to begin running again.  The issue will be the limits, and there will be limits, that the doctor suggests in terms of mileage and/or frequency.

January 7, 2013

Out the door at 530 am.  Two miles in brutally frigid (27 degrees Fahrenheit) conditions.  I plan on hitting the road again Wednesday morning for a three-miler prior to heading to the orthopod on Thursday.  No foot issue today--but the real test will be Tuesday morning.

January 3, 2013

Hit the road this morning for the first time in what seems like an eternity. One mile. Around the block.  It was joyous, to say the least.  My follow-up appointment with the orthopod is next week and the physical therapy guru suggested I hit the road for exactly one mile or ten-minutes, whichever came first, to check for pain or tenderness.  Not being able to run has been a complete downer.  It is amazing how much I took it for granted when healthy.  It remains to be seen whether or not the physician will cut me loose and allow me to ease into a full-time schedule once again; however, I am ready to hit the road! I will definitely respect it. Always.

November 17, 2012

A hammered Spring Ligament has sidelined me for over a month now. The abject disgust with this injury and my subsequent inability to run has been a downer! I've been sporting an air boot, had an MRI, taken a round of steroids and now, anti-inflammatory pills.  This, and I still have to wait another month before I'm cleared to run again.

The key was going to the doctor. Self-medication, denial, thinking it was "no big deal" and otherwise being a jackass about the nagging injury was as myopic as it gets.  The take-away is simply to call the doctor as soon as an injury occurs, regardless of how insignificant it appears to be.  My foot was bothering me for a month before I finally had enough and sought medical attention.  I am missing the Route 66 and, depending on the results of my follow-up visit, may have to sit out the Memorial in May, 2013.

Wednesday

Wednesday's five and change convinced me to stay off the street for a bit.  The pain in my foot is an undeniable issue (go figure), so marathon training or not, I feel compelled to rest it.  I am rolling the dice here: hopefully, a week or so of rest will provide some healing and allow me enough time to pick-up training and still make a go of the marathon on November 18 (36 days out).  Or not.  So, maybe I'm not as hard-headed and defiant as I think I am.  We shall see how this saga plays out.

Time: 49.42
Distance: 5.25 miles
9:28 avg. min/mile
801 cal.
Temp: 65 degrees Fahrenheit

Tuesday

Warmer than Monday's run and a bit of wind, but still very pleasant.  Foot pain 3/10 most of the time, although it seems to be more prevalent when not running.  Warming back up in these parts, lows in the 50s and 60s moving forward.  Stepping out for another five and change this morning, while Thursday will be a day of rest. 

Time: 48:51
Distance: 5.38 miles
9:05 avg. min/mile
823 cal.
Temp: 45 degrees Fahrenheit

Monday

Coldest run of the cycle! Brought out the long-sleeve compression shirt, hat and gloves for this one.  A beautiful morning with the temp at a solid 33 degrees Fahrenheit.  There was, thankfully, absolutely no wind.  Foot issue continues; however, the extra days of rest seems to have helped.  Ibuprofen and ice/heat will either get me through...or not. 

Time: 49:28
Distance: 5.39 miles
9:11 avg. min/mile
822 cal.
Temp: 33 degrees Fahrenheit

Thursday

After this maintenance run, I felt that taking a couple of extra days to rest my right foot was the best call.  These last two weeks of training, while definitely a huge downer, definitely put the process of marathon training in a clear, realistic perspective: it is brutally difficult on one's body.  I have been running since 1998 and know this well.  My goal is to power through this nagging injury, because I have done it before, but most importantly I am a stubborn jackass who really wants to run this marathon.  A reasonable person would probably go to the doctor and be told to lay off for a month to six weeks, which is what I should do, but...

Time: 49:28
Distance: 5.39 miles
9:11 avg. min/mile
822 cal.
Temp: 62 degrees Fahrenheit

Week Eleven Summary:
16 miles (297 for training period)
3 runs and 0 gym days
Weight: 196 lbs. 

Wednesday

Cool Runnings! Long-sleeve bliss with the temperature a cool 56 degrees Fahrenheit.  Absolutely beautiful heading out Wednesday morning in the pre-dawn hours.  Ran the exact route as Tuesday morning, only a bit faster.  Pain in the right arch persists; however, I switched to a new pair of shoes with the hope that this rectifies things.  We shall see.  Still sore at this stage.  Heading out for six miles shortly.  Tomorrow is my long day: 12 miles on the agenda.  The weekend is for rest and staying off my feet as much as possible.  Weekly total to be right at 30 miles. 

Time: 48:31
Distance: 5.35 miles
9:05 avg. min/mile
817 cal.
Temp: 56 degrees Fahrenheit

Tuesday

The eleventh week of training kicked off with an uneventful five miles.  The weather has finally turned, or so it seems, which is great news.  The only issue moving forward is my right foot: it is still sore and painful to the touch.  I will change shoes this morning to see if a new pair will add support.  Continuing with ibuprofen and six-mile runs in the hopes that the pain goes away!


Time: 49:50
Distance: 5.35 miles
9:19 avg. min/mile
816 cal.
Temp: 57 degrees Fahrenheit

Sunday

A fitting end to this week's training! Headed out in a steady rain, as is customary, and then things got ugly around mile five.  The rain became a downpour and lightening became an issue.  By mile seven it was like running in a typhoon, which is why I bagged it and headed home. I was bummed about stopping short, but it was pointless to continue: had it been a marathon, the race would have been called.  Not the best week of training; however, these things happen.  The plan is to take today, Monday, off and get four runs in this week: 6-6-6-12. 

Time: 1:26:22
Distance: 8.00 miles
10:49 avg. min/mile
1,182 cal.
Temp: 64 degrees Fahrenheit

Week Ten Summary:
32 miles (281 for training period)
5 runs and 0 gym days
Weight: 196 lbs. (-2 lbs)

Weekend Bliss

As advertised, it was beautiful running weather yesterday morning.  There was a light rain from beginning to end.  A planned six-miles ended up being a slow seven and change (7.28).  Right foot ache (arch) has me a off my game a bit.  Woke up last Tuesday with a bit of discomfort, which has persisted.  I'm relatively concerned due to its nagging nature.  I may rest it another day this week, depending on how it feels post long-run (18 miles) this pm.  It's currently 64 degrees and raining as I prepare to head out. 

Time: 1:12:28
Distance: 7.28 miles
9:57 avg. min/mile
1,099 cal.
Temp: 69 degrees Fahrenheit

September 29, 2012

An atypical week to be sure: ran Monday, then headed to St. Louis for three days, where I got my work done on the treadmill.  Took Thursday off, as planned, and then slept through Friday's planned 6.5.  So, I'm moving Friday's 6.5 to today, Saturday, which means that Sunday will be an 18-mile long run.  Get it?  I'm positive that there is a more concise and articulate manner in which to convey the fact that I am basically one-day behind, but...

I forgot how much I struggle on the damn treadmill.  So very boring.  Looking forward to hitting the road here this morning: it's currently cool and raining! Nothing like running in the rain.

Monday's Time: 56.37
Distance: 6.00 miles
9:27 avg. min/mile
910 cal.
Temp: 64 degrees Fahrenheit

Tuesday's Treadmill Time: 60:00
Distance: 6.00
10:00 avg. min/mile

Wednesday's Treadmill Time: 50:00
Distance: 5.00 miles
10:00 avg. min/mile

September 22, 2012

Saturday's long-run was definitely a forgettable experience.  Out the door at 430 am in the hopes of getting 17-miles in before the world was up for breakfast.  It was one of those morning when, early on, I knew it would be tough.  Never really felt it.  After pushing it for a couple of miles with the hope of getting through, I bonked at 15.22 miles: completely-out-of-fuel, ready-to-pass-out bonk.  There are worse things, to be sure; however, there is a brutal sense of hopelessness associated with not being able to run another step without the fear of passing out.  Anyhow, I survived and am poised to step out the door for an easy six-miles this morning.  The training regime continues: this week has 6.5 x 4 and an 18-mile long run on Saturday.  Week 11 is 44-miles of training, the longest of Higdon's training program.

Friday's Time: 55:45
Distance: 5.39
9:39 avg. min/mile
820 cal.
Temp: 60 degrees Fahrenheit

Saturday's Time: 2:46:01
Distance: 15.22 miles
10:54 avg. min/mile
2,254 cal.
Temp: 63 degrees Fahrenheit

Week Ten Summary:
33 miles (282 for training period)
4 runs and 0 gym days
Weight: 197 lbs. (-1 lbs.)

September 20, 2012

Skipped Tuesday's planned six-miles after some hard-core dental work Monday afternoon. Back in the game Thursday with an easy five and change.  Ran it a bit faster than in previous outings; however, I'm skeptical of the GPS accuracy on this one.  It just didn't seem that much faster.  So, out the door this morning for six.  Saturday has a 17-mile long run planned.  Week's total to be in the 34-mile range...

Time: 47:20
Distance: 5.44 miles
8:42 avg. min/mile
781 cal.
Temp: 60 degrees Fahrenheit

September 17, 2012

Awoke to a surreal Marine Layer Fog event! The landscape, enveloped in fog, made for an interesting pre-dawn run.  I felt slow and stiff throughout; in fact, I never really found a sustainable groove until the fifth mile, or so it seemed.  Will take Tuesday off, and hit the trail again on Wednesday.  Weather appears to be cooperating.

Time: 56:37
Distance: 6.00 miles
9:27 avg. min/mile
910 cal.
Temp: 58 degrees Fahrenheit

September 15, 2012

So much for the extra mileage this week: left the house late on Saturday morning, so I was only able to get a seven-miler in the books.  The long-run was scrapped; however, mileage for the week was where it needed to be.  Week nine was the half-way mark in Higdon's training regime: the next five weeks are tough.  Average weekly miles will be in the mid-40s, while the long runs are between 13 and 20 miles.  Still vacillating on whether or not a person really needs two 20-mile training runs prior to the marathon.  I'd rather do 21 or 22 once and then save what limited mojo I have for the marathon! Luckily, the weather seems to have turned and the temps will be pleasant from here on out.  Week ten's schedule: 6-6-6-6-17.

Friday's Time: 46:15
Distance: 5.22 miles
8:51 avg. min/mile
792 cal.
Temp: 59 degrees Fahrenheit

Saturday's Time: 1:07:12
Distance: 7.34 miles
9:09 avg. min/mile
1,112 cal.
Temp: 58 degrees Fahrenheit

Week Nine Summary:
28 miles (249 for training period)
5 runs and 0 gym days
Weight: 198 lbs. (no change)

September 13, 2012

Another very cool morning.  Ran the familiar loop a bit faster thanks to the relatively low temp and humidity.  The plan was to take two days off this week; however, it's currently 56 degrees out there...so, I'm stepping out! Five miles this morning and 13 on tap for Saturday.  An extra five miles never hurt anyone, right? 

Time: 47:35
Distance: 5.36 miles
8:53 avg. min/mile
787 cal.
Temp: 62 degrees Fahrenheit

September 11, 2012

Tuesday morning bliss! Out the door for another standard, no-frills, five-mile maintenance run. The weather is cooperating nicely--cool like the underside of the pillow!  No complaints.  Building a nice compilation of songs for the marathon, assuming ear buds are feasible.  Took Wednesday off instead of having two off-days in a row...

Time: 45:29
Distance: 4.82 miles
9:27 avg. min/mile
726 cal.
Temp: 60 degrees Fahrenheit

September 10, 2012

Another cool morning! Out the door at 500 am with the temp in the high 50's.  Found myself gravitating to the hits of the 90s this morning...slow pace and lacked a focus, but a day that starts with a run is a good day.  Another five tomorrow...

Time: 48:11
Distance: 5.17 miles
9:20 avg. min/mile
784 cal.
Temp: 58 degrees Fahrenheit

September 8, 2012

A beautiful, cool dawn with temps in the upper 50s!  Out the door at 500 am for a planned 15 and ended up with 15.50.  Pace was great and my legs were fine.  The run took on performance art status at mile 13, as I became a bit silly, but that's pretty much the norm.  Feeling great as week nine commences.  It's a short week because Mr. Higdon gives us an extra day off.  Saturday's long run is 13.  The total mileage will be 28, down from this week's 37.  This week looks like a 5-5-5-13, with Thursday and Friday being off days.  I may even head to gym...

Time: 2:40:30
Distance: 15.49 miles
10:12 avg. min/mile
2,324 cal.
Temp: 58 degrees Fahrenheit

Week Eight Summary:
37 miles (221 for training period)
5 runs and 0 gym days
Weight: 198 lbs. (no change)

September 7, 2012

Out the door a few minutes behind schedule this morning.  A planned six was shortened to a five and change.  Weather remains hot and humid; however, a "cold front" is on the way.  Solid run to get me ready for Saturday's outing...

Time: 48:07
Distance: 5.23 miles
9:12 avg. min/mile
781 cal.
Temp: 75 degrees Fahrenheit