Listening to my body, even when it seems lazy.

Two miles on the Dread-mill last night. This allowed me to appreciate one aspect of "starting over" -- a 2 mile run on a treadmill is easy to deal with. 20 minutes comes and goes fairly quickly, especially when compared to the days I have done 7!! I kept the dreadmill at a steady 6.2 mph, and ran for 20 minutes plus a dash to make it an even 2.1 miles. Felt fine (though boring), no real pain of any sort - no noticeable tightness in my foot like my run outside. One difference is that I wore my old Vibram Five Fingers Bikilas, instead of my new ones. The new ones are a size bigger (42) to help with room for socks in the winter.

I also did the calf-lifts 3 different times throughout the day. I suspect these are the reason that when I awoke this morning, ready to hop on the dread-mill, that my calves were sore. Going under my new "listen to the body" - I skipped running. I am concerned that I have to be careful here.. My body may just be slothful. Seriously though, I figure that I needed to skip it - as I am building my calves up from NOT running in the VFFs for almost two months. This is especially true as I stopped running, due to calf injury. My wife was also nice enough to point out to me that the calf exercises I am doing also strengthen the ankle in general. BONUS!

Thats it for the day - only a few more days of my "Feasting" existence.. We have a reservation on saturday for Fogo De Chao - the greatest restaurant of all time. Once we get back from our little vacation however - back to eating properly!

As a Note: I had to edit yesterday's posting. The new toe socks were NOT Injinji socks, but from a company called "SMARTWOOL"

Product Review: Smart Wool Injinji Toe Socks

This is a repost from http://oddfutures.wordpress.com/ - The original location of the "Once and Future Runner"

So, After wearing my black toe socks since I got them in May (washing them every night), They finally got a little hole in the heel. (Those Darn Socks!) I figure that I got my money out of them - considering I wore them at least 5 times a week. Yes, one pair - five times a week - washing them every night. I figured at $12.00/pair - I was going to get my moneys worth!

Well, I have not yet attempted to darn these darn socks - but figured I needed another pair. Off to EMS with my wife!!!!!! They had no black Injinji Socks.. Or VFF Trek LS... or Red Bikilas... Wasn't a good shopping day there. My wife insisted I get at least A pair - even if they didn't have black, so I went with the greenish-grey smart wool. I chose this pair because it was the only pair they had in the right size.

On the road again… I just can’t wait to get on the road again…

This is a re-post from: http://oddfutures.wordpress.com/2011/10/25/on-the-road-again-i-just-cant-wait-to-get-on-the-road-again/ - the original location of my blog.
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So, on my before-last post - I was talking about doing the couch to 5k.. And here is what I discovered.

I can't do it.

It was BOOOOORRRRRIIIIIIIIINNNNNNNGGGGGGGG!!!!!!!! And exceedingly aggravating. Now Mind you, I'm not saying it isn't a good choice for a new runner - but to go out there and "jog" (I'm notajogger either!!!!) for only a minute, and then walk for a minute and a half (and repeat until you hit 20 minutes)- when I know I can just run the entire 20 minutes.... I couldn't do it.

Stupidity is painful in running (unlike most of life ) to the stupid person.

This is a copy of  a post on my Wordpress blog. I have begun to post in both as I decide which interface I like better - and which one draws more readers.

First comment today - is on my leg. The calf/shin doesn't "hurt" anymore. Though It still feels off, definitely not up to running yet. Its hard to describe how it feels (wonky doesn't explain it does it?), kind of tight, almost sore - but not quite.. Today is my first day of not wearing a Compression Sleeve to see how it feels.

Now the rest of Today's post is brought to you courtesy of my old friend Michelle, who was kind enough many (many, many) years ago to rent me a room back in my Navy days. She had responded to my last post with this:

Don’t take this the wrong way, but I’ve been thinking about your situation and wanted to post my 2 cents. Take it or leave it.

I have watched you post about injury after injury which is “normally” a indication of over-training. I’m wondering if there is a way to have someone assess your running posture? Since you have a background in track, is it possible that you are running too forward and too fast (indicative of track running) for longer endurance runs? The shin splints tends to suggest this as well. If this is the case, I would highly suggest taking a look at Jeff Galloways running plans. He uses splits to keep you from really over doing it, but surprisingly speeds up your overall time. I use his training plans all the time. Check out the Disney World Half Marathon plans – that’s the next half marathon for Keith and I.

Picking a program

So, while I wait for my shin splints to go away, I am trying to pick my "do-over" plan.  I have debated the couch-to-5k program, but I have some concern that I could hold myself to that low of a level.  I suppose this is going to be a concern no matter what program I choose.  I have proposed to my son that he join me (he likes the idea) - I figure that will help me to stick with the "as-written-on-paper" plan.

Running this is going to be very frustrating.

Alternately I have thought about starting out with 1 mile runs, 5 times a week.  Then move it up to 1.5 for the following week.  Then 2, then 2.5, then 3.. But I think that this might go beyond the "Start over" idea - and do to much to soon. Especially if I keep raising it by .5 miles. 

I thought about this same pattern of running a set mileage and increasing it weekly - but using the 10% rule.  Start at 1 mile, then go 1.1.  then 1.12 the following week. then 1.23.  The big problem I see with this one - is that it almost requires my runs to be on a tread mill.  In addition to my hatred of those things, it will not get my bones/ligaments/muscles used to the pounding on pavement - which is one of the primary reasons for "Starting over."

I am definitely open to any suggestions!
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Next years potential running schedule (goal of at least one race a month)
Jan -
Triple Cities Runners Club - January Freeze 10k Series
Feb -
11th - Cupid's Chase 5k Run
March -
39th Annual Forks XV (15) K Run
April -
Mudders and More Trail Run and Family Walk (if it is done again next year)
May -
6th - Greater Binghamton Bridge Run Half Marathon
June -
Tortoise and Hare Trail Run - Buttermilk Falls Ithaca
July -
8th - The Utica Boilermaker
August -
Kelly LeBarre 5k
Sept -
Monstar Marathon and Half Marathon Trail Run (unsure of which I will do)
Oct -
Wine Glass Marathon
Marine Corps Marathon
November -
Some Turkey Trot.
December -
Dec 31 - YMCA Resolution Run

I got to see my skeleton today.. Did YOU do anything that exciting?


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You only get to see the top of the machine
because my phone lost the bottom somehow



So, today I had a bone scan done - it was a pretty cool experience.  I had to go in at 8:30 am, and they gave me a shot of radioactive material (my son is going to be so jealous.)  They then did the scan and at that point they could look at the blood flow.    They had me lay on the little bench, and then they set up the machine just over my shins/knees and took the scans.  Then they told me to go away for a couple of hours.



The screen on the right is where the pictures appeared



Back to work, then back to the hospital at 11:30.  After the required thirty minutes spent sitting in the waiting room (doesn't it always seem mandatory to you?) in we went for the actual bone scan.  Now this time, they actually did a full body scan.  It started over my head with it almost touching the tip of my nose.  For the next 25 minutes it worked its way down my body slower than a Caterpillar could crawl.  I could see the monitor (its blank in the picture, I know -bad timing - but they took my phone away for the full scan) as my skeleton slowly appeared on it.

Now to me it was just a cool skeleton shot - but the tech was able to look at it and let me know that I had pain in my knees - both left and right.  He also asked me what sort of trauma had occurred to my left arm (I don't recall any to be honest, but with an older brother and sister?  Probably..) 



They taped my VFFs together to help keep my legs still.

The guy who ran the machine was also a runner (though to be fair, he prefers biking -so his tastes could be questionable) who owned VFFs.  It suprised the first tech that helped me that not only did I have bizarre toe-shoes, but that his coworker did too - and apparently had worn them to work before!
We discussed shoes - he told me he had seen people come in that were wearing VFFs and switched back with shin splints (both the actual medical issue with the shin bones, and just muscular) from switching BACK to normal shoes. Moving back to the lifted heel and a more heel-strike style of running seems to help cause aggravation of the shin muscles.

The tech also explained how the bone scan works - the radiation they had injected me with gave off gamma radiation. This radiation hit the salt crystals that were in the flat thingies (you can see them on either side of my VFFs in the third picture).  That is what gave them the "picture" - just like a time release photo shot.  He told me that a stress fracture (such as the one he himself had in his thigh bone [though he used fancy medical terminology.. the show off...] shows up as a bright white compared to the greys of the normal imaging.  He explained this to me and showed me the monitor. Now let me be clear - he did NOT diagnose me, or tell me if I had a stress fracture or not.  He wasn't a doctor and could not do that.  But after explaining to me that a stress fracture would show up white - he pointed to the screen for me to look at.

I didn't see any white. :)

Marine Corps Marathon... 2012.

So, after speaking with a a bunch of people over the weekend, I think I have decided I am going to defer my running of the Marine Corps. Marathon.  I have just had too many injuries/illnesses and set backs this year.  I seriously can't tell you how bummed I am -  But I do want my first marathon to be fun. I run because I enjoy it, and while I think I could finish the MCM - I suspect that the majority of it wouldn't be fun.  We will still be going down to Washington that weekend - as the Hotel Reservations are "non-refundable."  The kids,wife and I will have a good time at the Museums and Monuments.  Plus by getting to see the lay-out of how they do things - will let us plan for next year.

So, For next year I am planning on doing the MCM, But I think I might do the Wine Glass Marathon as well. Its a local one that is the first week of October, giving 3-4 weeks between the two of them.  I also want to find a spring/summer Marathon (The Bluenose International is on my Birthday Weekend - May 20th) - as it is going to drive me nuts that I didn't run the one I had planned.  In fact, it will do so until I actually complete a marathon (Silly, I know.)  Anyone have any good suggestions for the East coast?  I am also thinking I need to look at the running calendar for 2012- I am also going to set a goal of at least one race a month.  Also accepting suggestions here!

But on a good note - I see this as a great opportunity to "Start Over."  I am going to begin running again, as a non-runner.  I am going to do short distances and slowly build everything up. I am tired of being injured and un-able to run and I think that starting from scratch - and building everything back up - may help.

This weekend - no running per the doctor's orders. I get the bone scan done on my leg tomorrow. It isn't a sharp pain anymore, but there is still a dull ache going on.  I am looking forward to seeing what is happening - as then I can plan out my "do over."


Running Diva Mom - Picture from the SHAPE Contest Website.

 On an even happier note - one of the blogs I read has been nominated for a "Top 20 Blogs for Fitness Junkies" -  Please consider stopping by and voting for "Running Diva Mom" -- here is the Link for the Voting.  You might also want to consider clicking on the "Running Diva Mom" and reading the blog - as it's a pretty good read!

Short post.. Shin Splints or Stress Fracture?

As the day progressed yesterday, the pain in my shin grew gradually worse.  As I did some reading online I became concerned it might be a stress fracture, so I headed out to the Walk-In to have it looked at.  The Physicians' Assistant that saw me was a runner (thankfully), so he was VERY understanding about my concern. They did an X-Ray (expecting it to be mostly useless), it turns out that it didn't show anything.  He told me to follow RICE (Rest,  Ice, Compression, Elevation) and that they would get a bone scan scheduled.  He let me know that despite being a stubborn runner that was going to ignore him - I really shouldn't run on it until after I get the bone scan results.

I agreed I wouldn't run for my next 2 scheduled rest days.

So my bonescan is on Tuesday morning.  The shin is feeling better today, after spending all day yesterday following RICE (and playing PS3).  I will do more massaging/icing/etc today - and see how it goes.  I will see how I feel on sunday.

Shin Splints HURT!!!!! Seriously, is 24 pain-free days to much to ask for?

I have to admit, I am growing progressively less amused with the idea of ankle pain.    My calves seem to be doing GREAT!!! I did 3.5 miles yesterday with a "Faster-than-marathon" pace - and they felt AWESOME!!! In fact, my whole body felt great - EXCEPT for my shins on my left leg.  I have one place on the inside of my leg (Front/inside) that is quite painful.  There was a matching pain on the outside - but the inside one was definitely worse.  I cut my run short from what I had planned (it was going to be a mid-week longer run) due to this.  The last half mile or so was REALLY painful.

I got home and iced it, and spent the night massaging it (or as close as I could) while taking Advil and after a short period I was walking on it ok, with just a slight twinge. It gave me great hope!

This morning I was walking with a noticeable limp and significant pain. I have KT Tape'd it (though this doesn't seem as effective on shin splints as it is on a sore calf), and took Advil. I woke up too late to ice it sot hat will have to wait until tonight.  I am thinking tonight will be a bike ride or a swim for my work out, and possibly friday as well. 

I hate how negative my blog has become, but it has become a frustrating game of "what can I hurt now?"    I know that I am physically capable of doing the Marine Corps Marathon, and enjoying it - If my left leg will let me.  This is a goal I have had since I was 16, 20 years ago. I 'd really like to see a check on that bucket list!

Less than 24 more days.. Is that really to much to ask for?

Running for a Ride - a great motivator.

Only 25 days to go! At this point, I should be starting my taper - having done my longest run of 20 miles this last weekend.

Except, that didn't happen. :( Though now you need to turn that frown upside down - because I am actually in a pretty good spot. The 13.2 I did over the weekend wasn't to bad - and I think I will be able to do somewhere between 15 and 20 this weekend. I have obviously left the "Hal Higdon" training plan, but (For those whom have just started reading my blog - Joining the other three of you) with the Calf problems I have had that lead to my time-off of running - I am doing fantastic. I am on track to be able to complete the Marathon (with no real time goal.)

Walking for a Cause, and Running because..

Yesterday was the "16th Annual Making Strides against Breast Cancer" 5k walk at Recreation Park in Binghamton NY. My wife, my children and one coworker were there with our pink on to try and do our little part toward a great cause. It was amazing to see 3600 people out there walking on a dreary October day for such a great cause. The attitude was quite festive!

We went home after the walk - and ate left over chinese food (just as good the second day!). I did give it a chance to settle, and than headed out on the run. I had planned on a 15 mile run - figuring if I could do 15 yesterday, I had no worries at all that I was going to be able to pull off the 26.2 on the 30th of the month. Well, that and my buddy did the Wineglass Marathon in the morning, and it was "inspiring" (aka, I was having jealousy issues).