Don't count me out

Last week was hard.  I did not run once.  The entire week.  My last day off was Nov. 15th.  I was on a good streak. 450+ miles later I decided it was in my best interest to take a week of running off to heal my leg.

So instead I swam and rode my bike indoors.  I swam 4 times and rode my bike 3 times.  This was the first time getting in the pool and on the bike since the end of September.  It felt great to be back.

Did the time off help my leg.  Short answer: No.  Didn't really do a think.  Seems like a waste.  I am not counting it.  A slight change of pace is always a good think.

So what is wrong with my leg?  Not sure yet.  I think it might be shin splints??  I have been icing it twice a day now and I will wait and maybe see the doctor on Friday...or whenever I can get in for an appointment.  I iced my leg before my run today and I felt great.  Felt almost too good. I ran so fast and didn't give in.  Felt like I was running from daemons.

Pain Tolerance

A few weeks ago my left leg started giving me problems.  I kept running and the pain seemed to get worse and worse each day.  Not a pain to stop running, but very annoying.  I am not sure exactly what the issue is, but I have determined it's lower leg.  It could be shine splints??  It could be my ankle. Not sure.

After running 22 miles on Saturday and a 7 mile race on Sunday I decided to take a few days off.  I was only planning on 2-3 days, but it's been 5 so far.  The pain only occurs when I put pressure on the left.  This includes running, squats, and other types of lifting.

I have been cross training this week.  I've been swimming 5 times and cycling 3 times.  First time back in the pool and on the bike since the end of September.  Hopefully these activities are not making things worse?

This weekend looks like I will either run or take off completely.  I want this leg issue to heal.  At the same time I don't want to miss too many more running workouts.  It's amazing how you can go running from 80+ miles per week to 0.   On a positive note I will still have 8 weeks left to train for the Boston Marathon.

Hard workouts = feeling like crap

I had a very intense workout today. Lactate threshold - 11 miles w/ 5 miles @ 15k to half marathon pace. I think I pushed it too hard!


Miles 1-2: 8:16, 7:27
Miles 3-7: 6:14, 6:17, 6:17, 6:08, 6:31
Miles 8-11: 7:14, 7:42, 7:27, 7:52
Total Distance: 11.15
Time: 1:18:47
Avg Pace: 7:04/mile

Few things to note. First, after I slowed things down a little, I felt pretty good and the pace was still pretty fast but felt easy. Second, I did a bad job with hydration. I didn't drink many liquids until I think it was too late. Third, I felt extremely sick afterwards. I am getting over a cold, so this didn't help much. I have been having extreme bowel issues lately. I have been taking emergency stops and getting lucky.

My stomach seems to be a mess after intense workouts. Today was definitely the case. I felt so sick after today's workout. I left for home, and barely made it. I used the restroom several times and got home enough to say hello to everyone and right to bed.

Finally, don't use socks with holes in them. I was desperate and used a backup pair of socks, but one had a hole in it. A good size hole. Enough to rub and tear off some skin from my foot. Doesn't hurt too badly, but I am not sure how it will fair with today’s run.

Other Notes:
Last day off was Nov. 15th, 2009
Next day off...um...After the Boston Marathon.
Miles run since last day off 700+
Miles run in January: 300 and still counting...

Lots of running.  I nearly put in 80 miles last week.  This week has been a recovery week for me.  Recovery week is set at around 65 miles.  Wow.  I can remember when that was my max for marathon training.  This recovery week doesn't feel like a recovery week.

Sore all over.  It seems that another body part seems to ache each month.  First it's my hips, then my knee, then my back, then the bottom of my foot.  Now it's my calf muscle.  My back seems to be doing better after I quit playing the Wii Fit??

I've been meaning to post more on my blog, but life has been pretty darn busy.  I have written down some possible races for 2010 that I will be entering:

2/27 Snowman Stampede 5M/10M or Greenland 50K in May
3/14 - Boulder Spring Half Marathon
4/19 - Boston Marathon
9/19 - Boulder Half Marathon
9/25 - 24 hours of Triathlon event??  Maybe the 8 hours solo??
10/17 - Denver Marathon??

Lots of decisions to make.  Lots of thanks to Brooks and GU for helping me through my journey to Boston and beyond.

Long Runs in the Desert

I've been out of state for Christmas. I thought our trip was going to be warm, sunny, dry and did I mention warm? New Mexico in the winter is hit or miss. Some weeks it might be in the 50-60s and some might be in the 20-30's. The lows are pretty low and remind me of home.

Christmas Day was an 11 mile run. I woke up extra early because I wasn't quite sure how I was going to sneak in an 11 mile run. I was up at 6am and left the house by 6:30. It was a pretty cold and crisp morning. I didn't think anyone would be out?? I saw a few walkers, runners and a few cars. A few more folks than I thought. I had an enjoyable run and was pretty fast.

Two Days later I had my Sunday long run. Why didn't I wake up extra early and run?? I thought I was going to have plenty of time. Time just got away and I didn't get started running until about 4:30pm. Yikes. That means I had about an hour of sunlight. When the sun goes down the desert gets COLD! And pretty scary too because it gets dark. I didn't go exactly where I hoped, but I just ran. I ran along the highway, which was fine until it got dark.

I had about 6-8 miles left out of 17. It was pitch dark. I knew exactly where I was going, but the terrain was rocks, dirt and not level. I was glad to know that I have tons of miles behind my belt and I wasn't going to trip. I've done it before, but not while on vacation. I slowed down just a little, but I think it was because it was dark. Did I also mention I played the Wii fit the night before? My Glutes were pretty sore and I felt it.

My first 2 miles were warm up and I had 8 miles of hard running. 8 miles at marathon pace. I didn't quite run those miles at my expected marathon pace, but I figured it was pretty darn good. I ran 17 miles last week and was 10 minutes slower last week. What a great run, even though it got dark out.

I have one more lactate threshold day of running tomorrow morning and we will head back to Colorado. I ran a little over 65 miles this week. Pretty cool.

Fast Day

Had a tough workout yesterday.  I was scheduled for a lactate threshold day with 9 miles.  4 of those 9 were to be run at 15K to half-marathon pace.  My goal was set to run the 4 miles in 6:30/mile pace.

9 miles = 1:00:11
Miles 1-2 = 7:06, 6:46
Miles 3-6 = 5:42, 5:57, 5:51, 6:19
Miles 7-9 = 7:03, 7:35, 7:48
Avg Pace: 6:41/mile

What happened.  I might have taken those 4 miles too hard? I felt pretty good.  It was starting to get a little cold and I was glad to be finished.

Boston Marathon Training Begins

Let it start.  Today is the first official day of Boston Marathon Training.  I am reading a book called "Advanced Marathoning" by Pete Pfitzinger and Scott Douglas.  This book has a training plan where I plan on following.  The plan I have selected is 70 to 85 miles per week; 18 week schedule. 

I ran 65 miles this past week.  I think I am ready to start at 65 miles.  This program is intense!  I will also be adding core stretches, a flexibility program and strength training.  YIKES...I am giving everything I got into this race.

Bitter Cold

Bitter Cold means treadmill.  I ran 12 miles last week outside in the cold.  The temperature was 12-15 degrees.  Way too cold.

I had a trophy series race at Washington Park on Sunday.  I ran 4.5 miles in crappy weather.  It was snowing while we ran.  The wind was so cold.  I got through it and ran my butt off.  I ended up 2nd in the trophy series race.

The weather has been cold that I've been on the treadmill for 4 days in a row.  5, 9, 12 and 6 miles on the treadmill.  Friday was much better and I ran outside!  All was great until I stepped into a big pothole.  My left foot was soaked.

RMRR 9 Mile

I had a RMRR 9 mile Tropy Series race on Sunday.  It was a little chilly and windy.  Not as bad as the Boulder Half-Marathon, but still pretty windy.  I ran 9 miles this year in 59:21.  This was a 53 second improvement from last year.  I am pretty happy with that!

Boston Marathon Received

Your Boston Marathon entry has been received.

I sent my Boston Marathon Registration last night.  I kept waiting for some extra money to come in...and I am still waiting.  I ended up charging this to the Credit Card because I was getting nervous of Boston Marathon selling out.

I am now committed to the race.

Training has started...Official training plan doesn't start till December 14th.