Rest day and the dreadmill

So, after my 12 miler on Sunday, Monday was a "Rest" day.  So I did nothing. :)  Well, I may have done some whining about how sore/tired my legs were - but I'm not positive.  I will have to err on the side of caution and assume I did.  Mostly Monday was dedicated to being the first day back at school for the kids!

[caption id="attachment_2978" align="aligncenter" width="490"] This year they go different ways, to different schools![/caption]

This is the first year that they are going to different schools, as my son just entered middle school.  They are both excited about it, but as parents? We are more than a wee bit nervous!

Holy Sore Muscles Batman! or Wholly Sore Muscles Bruce!

[caption id="attachment_1359" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="Still the best Batman"][/caption]

Man am I sore today.. Legs.. Chest... Arms..  Wow... Let me explain.

So last night was a pretty good work out. I started off with a one mile run on my dear friend the treadmill.  I did it at my new standard of 7 mph (8:34 minute mile) and rounded up to 10 minutes.  I decided half way through to start lifting my knees up as high as I could.

After my 10 minute warm up I finally returned to my strength training.  For some reason, I always start off with chest/triceps when I return to strength training - and last night was no different.  It was a fantastic 30 minute session, I was whooped afterwards! 

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!

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).

Monthly Review - July's totals!

Just a Quick Monthly review -

Down 1.4 lbs
Ran 67.8 miles (seems awful low when I compare it to other runner's blogs such as detroitrunner or even just watching many others.  )
Lifted 2 times (This was started at the end of the month)
Swam 1 time (would like to be doing this weekly)

As far as my marathon training plan - my mileage has been pretty close to "the plan," although I haven't been completely on with the it for a single week.

I am not to disappointed with the last month, but I am really looking forward to watching my mileage head up in the coming months!

89 days, 23 hours to go!

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Saturday's 9 Mile run.

I have ended up behind on my posting as I was focused on Assassin's Creed II, which I just picked up for the PS3.  (Incidentally, it is much more fun than the first one - just as a side note.)  So today - You are all fortunate enough to get  a double-dose of me!  We have my run report for Saturday, followed by the "Week in REVIEW!!!" So, first - Saturday's run.

I was on-deck for a 9 mile run according to the Training Plan. It was brutally hot, but I found the idea of running on the treadmill for an hour and a half to sound like a punishment for criminals - so I chose to head outside.  I filled up my trusty water bottle - and headed out!

The first obvious statement - is that it was hot.  My trusty water bottle became warm in no time - yet still remained the greatest thing in the world.  The run itself was mildly painful (my Achilles tendon has been bothering me, and being a regular Einstein - I didn't think of using my KT tape until monday morning), but VERY interesting.  I ran by the Binghamton court-house, and saw a bunch of people holding up protest signs - something I did NOT expect to see, especially on a Saturday! (Plus, protesters are usually in front of the federal court house.)  I turned around, pulled out my cell phone and snapped a picture.

[caption id="attachment_554" align="aligncenter" width="640" caption="This picture was much more interesting 30 seconds before, when they all had their signs up still and weren't yelling at me!"][/caption]

 

Can't follow instructions...

So... I am now starting to freak out. I am on to my second week of my 18 week "Marathon Training Schedule - Novice 1" program by Hal Higdon.  Week 1 is:

1

Rest

3 m run

3 m run

3 m run

Rest

6

cross

As you can imagine, this was a nice easy week 1... And I blew it.  Yup, that's right - the very beginning of my training program and I'm already doing it wrong... mine looked more like this:

1

Watch kids swim practice

Run 3 m*

Think about eating cake.

3 m run

Play Video Games

Swim laps/play in water & 3.4 m run

Think about how I should do 6 miles.

Now if you look at those two grids... See how they are different?  No, seriously - go back and look - I'll wait here.  Yup, although at first glance it looks like I did exactly what I was supposed to, the actual similarity is that they are both written in grid format.  The contents? Waaaaaaaaaaay too different.  I am thinking that I may need to do something about this if I plan on getting past mile 6 (or so) of the 26.2 miles that make up the Marine Corps Marathon. 

Now, I realize that you, my wonderful reader - are in shock.  While I give you a few moments to recover I will show you what week 2 is/was supposed to look like:

2

Rest

3 m run

3 m run

3 m run

Rest

7

cross

This (no doubt) has made you wonder what the week DOES/Will look like... so lets see:

2

Rest

weight lifting (orientation at YMCA)

5.7 miles

3 m run (will do tonight)

3 m run... maybe.

swim maybe? might lounge around instead

9 mile run

You can see how well the two grids match this time... They both have one row, and 7 squares... and have writing in them... It's where the similarities seem to end.  You would think I would be able to follow the plan for at least the first two weeks - apparently not!

Sunday is the Boilermaker up in Utica.  I have wanted to run this race since Highschool, so I am really looking forward to it. Based on my stellar training recently, I have decided to take it slow and easy to make sure I can finish it. I briefly debated going for the record (42:54 in 1997 by Joseph Kimani) but decided not to show up the other runners that way -  It strikes me as rather rude to show up, run it my first time, and make everyone else just feel silly.  So, Keeping the big picture in mind - this year my goal is to give everyone a false sense of security when viewing me as competition - I am hoping to finish in the top 10,000 finishers, with a time of 1:30-1:40.  I figure THAT should really make them rule me out when sizing up the field in 2012.

It should be fun - Here is what the starting line looked like last year:

[caption id="attachment_452" align="alignright" width="423" caption="Don't drop your soap!"][/caption]

Decisions on Vibram Five Fingers - The Cure for all that ails you? or a plan for injury?

 So, I went for a run last night in my Asics, after only using my Vibram Five Fingers (VFFs) as my primary running shoe for a while.  I found the run in general less enjoyable, especially the shoes. It seems that I really enjoy the range of motion granted by the VFFs, as well as the added ground feel that comes with the thinner soles.  In my reading however, I have found that there may be one major issue with using VFFs as my only running shoe.

[caption id="attachment_376" align="alignright" width="300" caption="Keith Olbermann's Foot on the David Letterman show."][/caption]

It seems they may cause stress fractures.   Keith Olbermann appeared on the David Letterman shoe wearing a "boot" due to a stress fracture in the VFFs.  There is an ongoing discussion on a podiatry forum I found online.  In regards to stress fractures and VFFs, the podiatrists were not the least bit surprised that people were reporting injuries from running in the VFFs.  Though to be fair on this one, they sounded as bad as the "church of the barefoot runner" folk do when talking about it.  They are hostile, non-helpful to people who might have inquiries about them - and just plain mean at times.  They actually search the internet (like my google search earlier) looking for people reporting foot breaks in VFFs, and then they mock them. So I take them with a grain of salt, just as I do the "VFFs/barefoot running will cure all your problems!"  Plus, add in the fact that if VFFs really do cure alot of foot problems - it will seriously cut in to a Podiatrists' bottom-line.

First five mile run, post calf-strain

[caption id="attachment_371" align="alignright" width="220" caption="Look! A Healthy Non-Complaining Calf!"][/caption]

So I headed out on a slow run to see how my calf held up.  I decided to run in my Asics rather than the VFFs, with a goal of stressing my calf out as little as possible.  I did run with a forefoot/midfoot strike rather than a heel strike. The good news?  The calf held up just fine - no complaints from it at all!  I did stretch after a half mile warm up, as well as half way through the run.  It didn't feel bad, but thought it was a good preventative measure.  I also stretched that good, health calf when I got home.

The run itself?  Honestly, it wasn't all that enjoyable.  It seems my cardio abilities have faded in the last three weeks, though I know that will return quickly.  I also started off behind a cigar smoking man walking down the side-walk - its amazing how long THAT smell stays with you!  Took me half a block to figure out what the smell was!

Anyway, back to my whining.  So the run wasn't as enjoyable as many of them have been.  I ran in my Asics, and the feeling of my foot hitting the ground simply isn't as enjoyable.  I know that those in the "church of the barefoot runner" (read that name on a Podiatry Forum) refer to shoes as "foot-coffins" and I really felt that way today.  To quote "Barefoot Kenbob" - it was like singing with earplugs in.   I suspect I was also dehydrated, didnt' sleep well, etc.. etc...  Lots of things came together to make this a really not-fun run.  I even walked at several portions of the last two miles, figuring better to hurt myself when I wasn't "feeling-it."  I am hoping that anyone that knows me passed me while I was running, not walking.

Still despite not feeling like the best run in the world, I am still glad I went.  I knew starting back into running after 3 weeks off (well, 2 weeks, plus 1 running day, and a week before that) wasn't going to be easy on the lungs and legs - but I really expected more "fun."  Think I will pull the Vibrams on for tomorrows run. Its simply more fun.

Climbing Hills Raises the Level of Fun!!!!

Ok.. So most people don't really view hill running that way,  but "back in the day" when I ran Cross Country, I used to love hill running.  In a race, it was a fantastic time to pass people.  I would come up from behind, seeing another runner bent forward, slowing down, gasping and wishing that they were anywhere on the course - but a hill.  As I approached, I would stand a little straighter and speed up as I hit the hill.  As I would pass them, you could hear comments, gasps of surprise and depression - basically you would mentally beat them by blowing them away on the hill - or even worse, bursting over the top.  (Thanks Mr. Hyland for teaching that!) It could be better than passing the person in the last 10 feet of the race!

Most people, especially if left to train on their own, have a tendency to avoid hills as much as they avoid speed work.  They are far more work, less fun and wear you out in no time.  But these things are the very reasons to DO hill workouts.  Something to think about - many races have hills, and if you don't train on them, how can you run a race on them?  Especially if it is a half marathon or full marathon?  Not to mention the obvious benefits to strengthening calves and quads! (one good hill workout lets you know you are indeed doing THAT!)

I started thinking about my training plan for the Marine Corps Marathon, and realized that I didn't know what sort of hills were on the course.