Trying to get back in the pattern of regular running is turning out to be harder than I thought. I didn't run Friday, I tried to run Saturday but I took too long to start and got shut down by the lightning in the last half of the afternoon. Sunday I went late again but managed two miles and then I let the lightning drive me inside. I think I was dehydrated because the legs felt awful.
Monday did not turn out to be a running day so now here we are at Tuesday. I had planned to go first thing in the morning but that did not happen. Actually I went out tonight and had a good run. The feet were swollen and puffy from sitting at the desk all day but after the first several hundred yards I did not think about them at all. The run for the first two miles was slow and steady with no music pacing. Just watch the distance go by. After 2 miles, I looked at the time and I thought I was going over an hour for 4 miles. I wanted to keep the sub 15 minute pace so I dropped my shoulders and arms and stretched out a little and turned the feet over just a little faster. I went to the Doors for help. They played til I got back to the neighborhood. They got to the Whiskey song and I matched their beat. I did two and a half verses and then had to drop back. I backed the IPOD to the previous song and dropped my pace accordingly. When I came around the corners and headed toward the house, I got Whiskey again. This only lasted one verse but I was not done at the house. I had to make the little loop as well. I hit the wrong button when I hit the last curve but I am pretty sure I did all 4 miles within the hour.
I guess Tuesday is going to be my long run day.
Got shower...someone is stinky!
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Thursday, June 12, 2008
Back in the Saddle again
Well not much has been written since January but that doesn't mean life stopped. Judy went up to visit Jenn for a weekend and before you knew it I was registered for another half Marathon. This was in Charlottesville, VA near where Jenn lives. She and I tried again and one of the people from her school also ran too. The registration was really close to the race so training was almost non-existant. Fortunately the Team in Training people did such a good job with my training, I had enough residual strength to complete another one. This time I shaved 40 minutes off my time.
This was hilly and not like Phoenix. The group started out, turned a corner, and started up a hill. Not a big hill but I thought I saw a sign that had the name Everest on it. I was pretty winded when I made the next turn and saw the road was starting to level out some but it still continued upward. Ultimately we did hit some downhill stuff as well but since this was an out and back course, I figured it might be okay to get the uphills out of the way early.
We did some more up and down and then there was a right angle turn to the left (or is that a left angle turn?). Then I saw....this was Everest. It just went up and up and up. I went up and up and oof!...This did me in and I had to walk the last part of the hill.
By now some of the half marathoners had already hit the turn and were headed back. I saw them running downhill as I was still going up. Didn't seem fair somehow.
The lead marathoner then went by with his police motorcycle escorts. Hmm...he is closing in on his 22 mile mark and I haven't hit 6.5 yet. He was moving pretty good.Lots of high 5's and atta-boys from the returning runners giving me encouragement to keep going.
Finally I saw the turn around point, (Jenn and I had driven out there before the race and I thought it might have been somewhere in Tennessee. A nice easy lope around the orange cones in the road and I was on the last half. Still lots of volunteers along the way with cheers and water and energy drinks...Let's hear it for the volunteers!!!
Now I am going up the small hill that levels out and then the big downhill that had made me walk for that short time. Now I learn the true secret that we Clydesdales share. Downhill incorporates gravity and we can haul butt if the hill is steep enough. My normal pace is about 15 minutes per mile. I checked my Garmin near the bottom of the hill and just after I passed one lady (the only one I passed until just before the finish on the back half) I saw that the pace was almost down to 9 minutes per mile. It did not last long but it felt pretty good.
More residential running now with roads meadering through neighborhoods with large houses set back from the street. This took us to the campus of U of VA. There we hit a dirt path and crossed a footbridge to get through the campus and avoid vehicle traffic.
A little further through the campus and I heard one of the roadside encouragers say " just one more hill and then it is easy from there". What I did not realize was that I only had 3/4 of a hill left in me. This made for some more walking to the crest and then running again took over.
Now I knew where I was and could almost smell the finish line. As I ran, some crazy lady ran out at me as I went by. However, it turned out she wasn't a crazy lady after all, it was Laurie from the lake who had come out with her hubby and dog to support the two from Lake Monticello. Thanks Laurie and John.
Now there were two guys ahead of me and one was limping badly. Aha thought I, perhaps I can get ahead of then and beat them in. I ignited the afterburners and edged past them. I turned the corner and headed for the finish and the arch of balloons. Suddenly I heard this racket behind me and those two guys decided to get macho and were racing each other to the finish. I didn't realize in time to get my speed up and they managed to get ahead and beat me across the line. Maybe next time.
Jenn gave me just time enough to get the people at the finish line coordinated as a cheering squad. I had 6 people joining me in cheering her through the arch.
The race was fun but the post race was easier than Phoenix. We each got into a cold tub to soak and prevent swelling and that night we went out to eat and took in a movie. Both of us did pretty well in spite of our reduced training.
Now to the THIRD race. This will be in Virginia Beach ( another Rock N Roll) and it will be Labor Day weekend. That now turns out to be about 11 weeks away. Got a call from both Jenn and Lisa yesterday reminding me that training a necessity to running half marathons.
So today I ran 2 miles to get started Time 28:23. I think under 15 minutes per mile is pretty good considering.Thanks girls, I needed that.Time for a shower and some dinner.
Go Team!
This was hilly and not like Phoenix. The group started out, turned a corner, and started up a hill. Not a big hill but I thought I saw a sign that had the name Everest on it. I was pretty winded when I made the next turn and saw the road was starting to level out some but it still continued upward. Ultimately we did hit some downhill stuff as well but since this was an out and back course, I figured it might be okay to get the uphills out of the way early.
We did some more up and down and then there was a right angle turn to the left (or is that a left angle turn?). Then I saw....this was Everest. It just went up and up and up. I went up and up and oof!...This did me in and I had to walk the last part of the hill.
By now some of the half marathoners had already hit the turn and were headed back. I saw them running downhill as I was still going up. Didn't seem fair somehow.
The lead marathoner then went by with his police motorcycle escorts. Hmm...he is closing in on his 22 mile mark and I haven't hit 6.5 yet. He was moving pretty good.Lots of high 5's and atta-boys from the returning runners giving me encouragement to keep going.
Finally I saw the turn around point, (Jenn and I had driven out there before the race and I thought it might have been somewhere in Tennessee. A nice easy lope around the orange cones in the road and I was on the last half. Still lots of volunteers along the way with cheers and water and energy drinks...Let's hear it for the volunteers!!!
Now I am going up the small hill that levels out and then the big downhill that had made me walk for that short time. Now I learn the true secret that we Clydesdales share. Downhill incorporates gravity and we can haul butt if the hill is steep enough. My normal pace is about 15 minutes per mile. I checked my Garmin near the bottom of the hill and just after I passed one lady (the only one I passed until just before the finish on the back half) I saw that the pace was almost down to 9 minutes per mile. It did not last long but it felt pretty good.
More residential running now with roads meadering through neighborhoods with large houses set back from the street. This took us to the campus of U of VA. There we hit a dirt path and crossed a footbridge to get through the campus and avoid vehicle traffic.
A little further through the campus and I heard one of the roadside encouragers say " just one more hill and then it is easy from there". What I did not realize was that I only had 3/4 of a hill left in me. This made for some more walking to the crest and then running again took over.
Now I knew where I was and could almost smell the finish line. As I ran, some crazy lady ran out at me as I went by. However, it turned out she wasn't a crazy lady after all, it was Laurie from the lake who had come out with her hubby and dog to support the two from Lake Monticello. Thanks Laurie and John.
Now there were two guys ahead of me and one was limping badly. Aha thought I, perhaps I can get ahead of then and beat them in. I ignited the afterburners and edged past them. I turned the corner and headed for the finish and the arch of balloons. Suddenly I heard this racket behind me and those two guys decided to get macho and were racing each other to the finish. I didn't realize in time to get my speed up and they managed to get ahead and beat me across the line. Maybe next time.
Jenn gave me just time enough to get the people at the finish line coordinated as a cheering squad. I had 6 people joining me in cheering her through the arch.
The race was fun but the post race was easier than Phoenix. We each got into a cold tub to soak and prevent swelling and that night we went out to eat and took in a movie. Both of us did pretty well in spite of our reduced training.
Now to the THIRD race. This will be in Virginia Beach ( another Rock N Roll) and it will be Labor Day weekend. That now turns out to be about 11 weeks away. Got a call from both Jenn and Lisa yesterday reminding me that training a necessity to running half marathons.
So today I ran 2 miles to get started Time 28:23. I think under 15 minutes per mile is pretty good considering.Thanks girls, I needed that.Time for a shower and some dinner.
Go Team!
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
What? It's done? I did it? Wait...I'm getting ahead of myself.
Last time with the group was Wednesday night at Bayshore. Tapering, tapering, tapering. Easy 3 mile jog. Nothing to it. Kinda dark but exciting...this is the last group run before the big run. Wow.
Running with Coach Steve and Debbie. Hit the dark area. Sidewalk turns to driveway. Concrete turns to blacktop. I turn to talk with Steve. Debbie makes a slight misstep. Steve lurches toward Debbie to steady her. Debbie gets her balance. Debbie glides onto the blacktop like a gazelle. I sidestep like a lumbering bear. I step onto the blacktop. I topple like a house of cards. I drop to the blacktop and try to roll. I smack my forehead. I drag the top of my knee along the blactop. I slide on my forearm near my elbow. I roll my arm mysteriously and slide along the top of my forearm. I stop. Wait....I am in training. Try everything you are going to do in the half marathon during training. I don't need to fall during the half marathon. I get up. Steve says to wipe the blood on my forehead because it is about to go in my eye. I say no way until he takes a picture...I earned this for all my training.
I left bad mojo on the sidewalk because Marai comes up behind and trips in the same spot and twists her ankle.
Wow...maybe that was one training session too many.
Well I am okay and the bleeding has stopped. Judy has just landed at the airport from her business trip. I tell her about the fall and my battlescars. I am heading home when the flashes of white light start to flash in my right eye. Hmmm...concussion? Maybe I should have this checked out.
That was 8:00 PM. Got home from the hospital at 2:00 AM. Cat scan said I was okay and they couldn't find anything to stitch. Unproductive time spent and now I am pooped. Got some ointment to prevent infection.
We that is all behind me now. The event is Sunday.
Fly out with Judy and the team on Friday to Phoenix. Southwest makes a great announcement for the whole plane about us and our involvement with TnT and L&L Society. Wow we're celebrities.
Landed and met up with Jenn and then Frank Lisa and Miranda. Got a big van and headed for Flagstaff where we had rented a house for the week. Great run through Sedona and the Red Rocks. Beautiful!!
Back to Phoenix on Saturday to go to the Expo and get souvenirs, stuff, and our race packages. Met the team for shirt decoration and last minute instructions.
Short night sleep in the hotel and an early start with the team.
Bus ride to the starting area and met up with Jenn. Did not see Lisa but since she is going faster, she is in an earlier corral than Jenn and I.
We are jammed in with 1,000 half marathoners looking to go at our pace. There are a lot of slow folks here but all are really excited. We move forward every two minutes as another 1,000 move on. About an hour after the initial gun, we are off.
So incredibly exciting. The bands were terrific...the cheerers were terrific...the race watchers were terrific. Wow! Am I having fun.
We passed some, some passed us. Lots of purple jerseys of fellow TnT participants.
Frank got pictures from the van about the halfway mark. Judy got some near the end. Bea took our cameras out ahead and got some of us coming along.
The bridge from Scottsdale to Tempe was pretty and the night concert stand was being readied along the roadway. We are approaching mile 13. Down a narrowing chute as we approach the finish line. We are actually going to make it. I remembered Bill Conway's advice to enjoy the final yards....got time for some good pix. Cheered and displayed my honored teammates for all to see. What a great feeling. Crossed the line to the announcer's comments and learned that with the right preparation, mighty terrific results can be attained.
Team Daniel was united at the finish line and we celebrated, got pix and then went to join the rest of the family. Lots of hugs, cheers, and some stiffness.
After the post race festivities, it was off to the hotel for an icy cold tub to fend off the inflammation and an hour or so of power nap to get ready for the victory party.
Lots of fun and exuberance at the party as well as dancing. Roaring cheers for the results of the fund raising by TnT for this one event of over 3 Million Dollars.
The rest of the week was spent in enjoying Arizona's sights and the trip house with the hot tub and the trampoline. Note to self....13.1 miles is do-able with minimal distress to the body. 13.1 seconds on the trampoline nearly did me in.
Flew home on Friday and woke up on Saturday wondering what to do with all my extra time since I am not doing grueling distance runs to prepare for my first Half Marathon. I did however give some thought to another. Virginia Beach has another Rock and Roll Half Marathon in the summer which will net us our 26.2 mile pin to go with the 13.1 mile pin we have now. Well maybe another blog can be anticipated.
Three cheers to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society for their great work. Three more to Team in Training for making such a successful program to support their work and to support all the athletes who Train, Endure, Achieve and Matter. Go Team!!
Three more for the great folks in Suncoast Chapter who were so supportive all the way along. Coach Steve, Mentor Marai, Aimee, Bill, Marianne, Robin, Sandy, Rick, Coach Bea and all the others who helped me through this very memorable process. Old and fat...a Clydesdale...but now I can add the title of Runner.
Also special thanks to my new friends who were out there both first time and alumni, Linda, Kelly, Joe, Phil, Eric, Tommy and all the rest for your great spirit and sharing this with me, you are a great group.
Lastly, my one more really big cheer for my inspiration, Janice...I hope you know how much you helped me on this and I know we will do more of this together.
I guess that is all for now....thanks to all those that made contributions on my behalf...You are all heroes....thanks from the bottom of my heart.
And thank you Judy for all your support.
Go Team!!!!!
Running with Coach Steve and Debbie. Hit the dark area. Sidewalk turns to driveway. Concrete turns to blacktop. I turn to talk with Steve. Debbie makes a slight misstep. Steve lurches toward Debbie to steady her. Debbie gets her balance. Debbie glides onto the blacktop like a gazelle. I sidestep like a lumbering bear. I step onto the blacktop. I topple like a house of cards. I drop to the blacktop and try to roll. I smack my forehead. I drag the top of my knee along the blactop. I slide on my forearm near my elbow. I roll my arm mysteriously and slide along the top of my forearm. I stop. Wait....I am in training. Try everything you are going to do in the half marathon during training. I don't need to fall during the half marathon. I get up. Steve says to wipe the blood on my forehead because it is about to go in my eye. I say no way until he takes a picture...I earned this for all my training.
I left bad mojo on the sidewalk because Marai comes up behind and trips in the same spot and twists her ankle.
Wow...maybe that was one training session too many.
Well I am okay and the bleeding has stopped. Judy has just landed at the airport from her business trip. I tell her about the fall and my battlescars. I am heading home when the flashes of white light start to flash in my right eye. Hmmm...concussion? Maybe I should have this checked out.
That was 8:00 PM. Got home from the hospital at 2:00 AM. Cat scan said I was okay and they couldn't find anything to stitch. Unproductive time spent and now I am pooped. Got some ointment to prevent infection.
We that is all behind me now. The event is Sunday.
Fly out with Judy and the team on Friday to Phoenix. Southwest makes a great announcement for the whole plane about us and our involvement with TnT and L&L Society. Wow we're celebrities.
Landed and met up with Jenn and then Frank Lisa and Miranda. Got a big van and headed for Flagstaff where we had rented a house for the week. Great run through Sedona and the Red Rocks. Beautiful!!
Back to Phoenix on Saturday to go to the Expo and get souvenirs, stuff, and our race packages. Met the team for shirt decoration and last minute instructions.
Short night sleep in the hotel and an early start with the team.
Bus ride to the starting area and met up with Jenn. Did not see Lisa but since she is going faster, she is in an earlier corral than Jenn and I.
We are jammed in with 1,000 half marathoners looking to go at our pace. There are a lot of slow folks here but all are really excited. We move forward every two minutes as another 1,000 move on. About an hour after the initial gun, we are off.
So incredibly exciting. The bands were terrific...the cheerers were terrific...the race watchers were terrific. Wow! Am I having fun.
We passed some, some passed us. Lots of purple jerseys of fellow TnT participants.
Frank got pictures from the van about the halfway mark. Judy got some near the end. Bea took our cameras out ahead and got some of us coming along.
The bridge from Scottsdale to Tempe was pretty and the night concert stand was being readied along the roadway. We are approaching mile 13. Down a narrowing chute as we approach the finish line. We are actually going to make it. I remembered Bill Conway's advice to enjoy the final yards....got time for some good pix. Cheered and displayed my honored teammates for all to see. What a great feeling. Crossed the line to the announcer's comments and learned that with the right preparation, mighty terrific results can be attained.
Team Daniel was united at the finish line and we celebrated, got pix and then went to join the rest of the family. Lots of hugs, cheers, and some stiffness.
After the post race festivities, it was off to the hotel for an icy cold tub to fend off the inflammation and an hour or so of power nap to get ready for the victory party.
Lots of fun and exuberance at the party as well as dancing. Roaring cheers for the results of the fund raising by TnT for this one event of over 3 Million Dollars.
The rest of the week was spent in enjoying Arizona's sights and the trip house with the hot tub and the trampoline. Note to self....13.1 miles is do-able with minimal distress to the body. 13.1 seconds on the trampoline nearly did me in.
Flew home on Friday and woke up on Saturday wondering what to do with all my extra time since I am not doing grueling distance runs to prepare for my first Half Marathon. I did however give some thought to another. Virginia Beach has another Rock and Roll Half Marathon in the summer which will net us our 26.2 mile pin to go with the 13.1 mile pin we have now. Well maybe another blog can be anticipated.
Three cheers to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society for their great work. Three more to Team in Training for making such a successful program to support their work and to support all the athletes who Train, Endure, Achieve and Matter. Go Team!!
Three more for the great folks in Suncoast Chapter who were so supportive all the way along. Coach Steve, Mentor Marai, Aimee, Bill, Marianne, Robin, Sandy, Rick, Coach Bea and all the others who helped me through this very memorable process. Old and fat...a Clydesdale...but now I can add the title of Runner.
Also special thanks to my new friends who were out there both first time and alumni, Linda, Kelly, Joe, Phil, Eric, Tommy and all the rest for your great spirit and sharing this with me, you are a great group.
Lastly, my one more really big cheer for my inspiration, Janice...I hope you know how much you helped me on this and I know we will do more of this together.
I guess that is all for now....thanks to all those that made contributions on my behalf...You are all heroes....thanks from the bottom of my heart.
And thank you Judy for all your support.
Go Team!!!!!
Sunday, January 6, 2008
Happy New Year
It is now January 6...6 plus 7 equals 13...our race will be over in one week. Wow! How the time has flown by but how much has been accomplished.
I am glad that I kept my early notes on my initial struggles to move my feet. I don't think I would really believe the amount of change and that I really kept to this. For a guy who has been able to drop out of almost every physical training endeavor with minimal excuses, I am thrilled to realize that this has gone on for nearly half a year.
I am a runner. I am not fast but I saw a sign the other day at a running store that said " Your easy run is probably longer than most people run in a whole week." I do believe that is true. And I can handle running and I enjoy it.
I have enjoyed my solo runs and my runs with the team and the runs with my daughters. Running has united the three of us in a way that adds a whole new dimension to our relationship. And that is so much better than sharing needles or smoking pot or doing shots to find something that we all can enjoy together. Thanks girls (Kiss Hug Kiss Hug)
This week brought winter to Tampa. Our Wednesday run was down at Bayshore again and it was cold. Hats mittens and sweatshirts on this bunch was a strange sight. We have mostly had 80+ weather and high humidity to deal with, even in our night runs. We all seemed to run faster and nobody seemed to want to hang around and chat afterward.
We did a tapering 5 miles but we did get to see each other and that was good.
Saturday was at the Upper Tampa Bay trail. Started at 7:00 AM and was nearest to home. I almost felt guilty sleeping in so late on a Saturday.
We did another 5 miles but this time the weather had softened to 40 degrees and that is race weather for us. 40 to start and 65 at the finish.
I ran behind Linda who has been a good pace runner as she is a bit faster than I. She was in good form Saturday though and I was catching up while she walked but then she started to run again and was pulling away. I decided she was out of reach so I walked for a short bit. I started my run again and I heard a voice from behind say "How am I going to catch you if you keep running like that?"
I turned and saw Janice behind me and I merely said "Don't worry, you''ll catch me soon enough." She did by mile 1 1/2 when I stopped for water. We ran together from then on. She had her pace set for walk 1 minute run 2. We had a good chat and a good workout. We were nearing the starting pavilion and knew we had to run in so we waited til we were the right distance out and got the run going. We hit the final turn and she had Rocky music on her MP3 player so we had a good pace going. Then I let the long legs loose and we busted for the finish. Finished to cheering and high fives for the last long run. Good feeling and lots of fun with the friendships I have developed along this path.
Joined the crowd (18 of us) at First Watch for breakfast and stories and laughs. A really nice way to finish.
One more Wednesday and we are off to Phoenix. WOW!
I look at the money that is being raised by TEAM DANIEL (and that includes the runners and the my major fund and moral supporter, Judy) and I feel very proud to be one of the Team. We don't often get a chance to make a difference in the lives of strangers. Fortunately for the whole Daniel bunch, we have mostly been spared the challenges that face Leukemia and Lymphoma patients daily. I am truly blessed for not having to have had to explain chemotherapy to my girls or grand daughter and tell them what they would soon have to go through to try to get better. But this does happen far too often. I know that we are providing some assistance to those patients and families with our efforts here.
Also I am so pleased with the response from friends and family and strangers who have opened their hearts and wallets to assist us in our fund-raising efforts. I can not say "Thanks" with enough enthusiasm to get my true feelings across.
Special thanks to Boss Ron, Sandy and Art and Janice for the recent donations. You guys are great and will be in my thoughts as I run next weekend.
Also Special thanks to Steve, Marai, Sandy, Bea, Aimee, Kris, Marianne, Robin, and Bill. You are all exceptionally special people and I am very happy to have met you all and your training and support have gotten me to this point in a healthy and positive way.
I guess that is all for now. May the best of results be received by the patients, may the researchers make HUGE strides this year, and TEAM and TRAINING continue with overwhelming results for the elimination of these terrible diseases.
GO TEAM
I am glad that I kept my early notes on my initial struggles to move my feet. I don't think I would really believe the amount of change and that I really kept to this. For a guy who has been able to drop out of almost every physical training endeavor with minimal excuses, I am thrilled to realize that this has gone on for nearly half a year.
I am a runner. I am not fast but I saw a sign the other day at a running store that said " Your easy run is probably longer than most people run in a whole week." I do believe that is true. And I can handle running and I enjoy it.
I have enjoyed my solo runs and my runs with the team and the runs with my daughters. Running has united the three of us in a way that adds a whole new dimension to our relationship. And that is so much better than sharing needles or smoking pot or doing shots to find something that we all can enjoy together. Thanks girls (Kiss Hug Kiss Hug)
This week brought winter to Tampa. Our Wednesday run was down at Bayshore again and it was cold. Hats mittens and sweatshirts on this bunch was a strange sight. We have mostly had 80+ weather and high humidity to deal with, even in our night runs. We all seemed to run faster and nobody seemed to want to hang around and chat afterward.
We did a tapering 5 miles but we did get to see each other and that was good.
Saturday was at the Upper Tampa Bay trail. Started at 7:00 AM and was nearest to home. I almost felt guilty sleeping in so late on a Saturday.
We did another 5 miles but this time the weather had softened to 40 degrees and that is race weather for us. 40 to start and 65 at the finish.
I ran behind Linda who has been a good pace runner as she is a bit faster than I. She was in good form Saturday though and I was catching up while she walked but then she started to run again and was pulling away. I decided she was out of reach so I walked for a short bit. I started my run again and I heard a voice from behind say "How am I going to catch you if you keep running like that?"
I turned and saw Janice behind me and I merely said "Don't worry, you''ll catch me soon enough." She did by mile 1 1/2 when I stopped for water. We ran together from then on. She had her pace set for walk 1 minute run 2. We had a good chat and a good workout. We were nearing the starting pavilion and knew we had to run in so we waited til we were the right distance out and got the run going. We hit the final turn and she had Rocky music on her MP3 player so we had a good pace going. Then I let the long legs loose and we busted for the finish. Finished to cheering and high fives for the last long run. Good feeling and lots of fun with the friendships I have developed along this path.
Joined the crowd (18 of us) at First Watch for breakfast and stories and laughs. A really nice way to finish.
One more Wednesday and we are off to Phoenix. WOW!
I look at the money that is being raised by TEAM DANIEL (and that includes the runners and the my major fund and moral supporter, Judy) and I feel very proud to be one of the Team. We don't often get a chance to make a difference in the lives of strangers. Fortunately for the whole Daniel bunch, we have mostly been spared the challenges that face Leukemia and Lymphoma patients daily. I am truly blessed for not having to have had to explain chemotherapy to my girls or grand daughter and tell them what they would soon have to go through to try to get better. But this does happen far too often. I know that we are providing some assistance to those patients and families with our efforts here.
Also I am so pleased with the response from friends and family and strangers who have opened their hearts and wallets to assist us in our fund-raising efforts. I can not say "Thanks" with enough enthusiasm to get my true feelings across.
Special thanks to Boss Ron, Sandy and Art and Janice for the recent donations. You guys are great and will be in my thoughts as I run next weekend.
Also Special thanks to Steve, Marai, Sandy, Bea, Aimee, Kris, Marianne, Robin, and Bill. You are all exceptionally special people and I am very happy to have met you all and your training and support have gotten me to this point in a healthy and positive way.
I guess that is all for now. May the best of results be received by the patients, may the researchers make HUGE strides this year, and TEAM and TRAINING continue with overwhelming results for the elimination of these terrible diseases.
GO TEAM
Sunday, December 30, 2007
Taper and get healthy
Back to Tampa Palms and a tour of the neighborhoods. This time we did 8 miles and it felt like an "easy" run. My how the distances have changed in 5 months.
It is hard to believe but I think that I will miss the way early get togethers with this crowd. It has been an incredible experience but it is great to see so many friends working so hard to get to a combined result. They are an inspiring bunch and I am very proud to be amongst them. Go TEAM!!!
Time to do more stretching, a little more running and just enjoy this experience. The race is only 2 weeks away. Wow!
Go Team
It is hard to believe but I think that I will miss the way early get togethers with this crowd. It has been an incredible experience but it is great to see so many friends working so hard to get to a combined result. They are an inspiring bunch and I am very proud to be amongst them. Go TEAM!!!
Time to do more stretching, a little more running and just enjoy this experience. The race is only 2 weeks away. Wow!
Go Team
Thursday, December 27, 2007
Where are we now?
The nineteenth brought us to Bayshore for another group run. This was a 5 miler and again alongside the bay. Fun run with a good gathering. Told everyone that Jenn was coming on Friday and they needed to show her what a big group of runners was like since she has only three or four others.
After she arrived Friday night from VA, we bedded her down for the 4:30 wake up call. We were doing a 5:45 start since we had 12 miles to go and needed extra time.
Got to the site in New Tampa and everybody was real friendly and welcomed Jenn from another chapter. Good job team.
Did the same 8 mile loop that we did the last time there and then had to go two more miles further and double back. We did the whole distance and then some. We had a delayed start as Jenn put Bacitracin on her heal blister and that made the bandaid slide off just like butter on a hot skillet. After several tries and some of our hydration water, she was able to get it reasonably set in place. We then got down to business and put one foot in front of the other for a fairly long time.
Since there was the double back, we passed the faster runners as they were heading back so it was fun. Lots of high fives and Go Teams.
We both survived the distance and our time was still within the allotted pace to make us pretty darn sure that 13.1 was attainable within 4 hours.
No team running this Wednesday and Saturday is an "easy" 9. We are tapering now to get healthy and ready for the 13th.
The raffle still is going on and is getting good response. Fund raising has been tougher than I had expected but it is for such a good cause it is okay that it is not easy.
A big boost from the f0lks at Belfor for their big group donation. Also a special thanks to Mimi's for the second gift certificate for the raffle when I went in to discuss the expiration date which they so graciously extended as did the Outback Folks. Also a big Gracie to the Olive Garden, thanks Tom for your dontation as well.
Connie, you rock, and your donation will be very helpful.
We are almost there. I have visualized the finish line crossing and they say that is all I need to make it there.
Get the cameras ready cuz we got a photo shoot to prepare for.
Go Team
After she arrived Friday night from VA, we bedded her down for the 4:30 wake up call. We were doing a 5:45 start since we had 12 miles to go and needed extra time.
Got to the site in New Tampa and everybody was real friendly and welcomed Jenn from another chapter. Good job team.
Did the same 8 mile loop that we did the last time there and then had to go two more miles further and double back. We did the whole distance and then some. We had a delayed start as Jenn put Bacitracin on her heal blister and that made the bandaid slide off just like butter on a hot skillet. After several tries and some of our hydration water, she was able to get it reasonably set in place. We then got down to business and put one foot in front of the other for a fairly long time.
Since there was the double back, we passed the faster runners as they were heading back so it was fun. Lots of high fives and Go Teams.
We both survived the distance and our time was still within the allotted pace to make us pretty darn sure that 13.1 was attainable within 4 hours.
No team running this Wednesday and Saturday is an "easy" 9. We are tapering now to get healthy and ready for the 13th.
The raffle still is going on and is getting good response. Fund raising has been tougher than I had expected but it is for such a good cause it is okay that it is not easy.
A big boost from the f0lks at Belfor for their big group donation. Also a special thanks to Mimi's for the second gift certificate for the raffle when I went in to discuss the expiration date which they so graciously extended as did the Outback Folks. Also a big Gracie to the Olive Garden, thanks Tom for your dontation as well.
Connie, you rock, and your donation will be very helpful.
We are almost there. I have visualized the finish line crossing and they say that is all I need to make it there.
Get the cameras ready cuz we got a photo shoot to prepare for.
Go Team
Sunday, December 16, 2007
Revisitting the parking lots at Fort DeSoto
We were scheduled for another multi county gathering at Fort DeSoto Park yesterday. A 6:30 gathering time with an hours drive meant the alarm went off at 4:30 AM (in the middle of the night). Since I knew MacDonalds was closed, I opted for a double oatmeal and a high fiber, dense slab of bread with peanut butter. A couple of shake glasses full of water to start the hydration. I filled three of the water belt bottles with Accelerade to try that instead of Gatorade. Out the door in the pitch black of night and on to the run.
Both counties were well represented and we had a good turnout. We did a group stretch and then headed out. Just then the two shake glasses of water got my attention. A quick detour through the men's room and I was out on the trail behind just about everyone. I am not daunted by being last thanks to my preparation in previous training events so I just started my pace that I ran last Wednesday. I had fun as I approached and passed some of the walkers. Lots of Go Teams and Good Mornings and Boy is it Dark still.
When I hit the first water stop at around 1.5 miles, I was just about to hit the Parking Lots That Go On Forever. I was still running and feeling that my pace was good. I ran most of the way through the parking lots and by the time I turned around, I was a little past 38 minutes so I was around a 15 minute pace. I made a quick water stop at the near end of the PLTGOF and refilled my water bottles and was off again. I had passed a lot of the runners as they finished the parking lots while I was starting them and we High Fived and Go Teamed a bunch. It is fun to have the camaraderie even if I can't run as fast.
After the parking lots I didn't see any one else until the 5 mile mark which is in the center of the island. The sun was up by then and I was just plain marvelling at how far I had come since July. This is the real kick from the training. I was completing nearly 5 miles and not feeling any pain or exhaustion. I was determining that my pace is the same as the beat for Scott Joplin's Mapleleaf Rag. Now music is playing in my head and I am enjoying my surroundings, seeing the flock of birds taking off, the warmth of Florida Training and how well the wicking material in my hat draws the sweat to the end of the bill of my cap and drips it out in front of me.
Good health is a blessing we so often take for granted. Now I take a moment to think about the struggles of those that are involved in their chemotherapy treatments. I know that this Team in Training stuff is really worthwhile. I shake out my hands and know that 10 miles are to be done today. I sail by the 5 mile water stop and for the next couple miles I get to see my faster teammates again as they are on their way back from the other end of the island to complete their runs back at the 5 mile water stop.
I reach the flag pole at the 6 mile mark. Turning now to head back was what I did on my first 7 mile run. I remember how tired I was then but here I go on to the cul-de-sac that marks the far other end of the island. This is the only part that I need to push since when I get out there, I know that have to get back so there is no pushing yourself to new territory when you are returning. I get to the end of the trail and out onto the road to go to the cul-de-sac now in sight.
Now I can see the full span of the Sunshine Skyway bridge...nice view. I round the turn and head for the finish. All 10 miles done in 2:31 avg 15:06 and energy to spare for a dash for the final 100 yards. 13.1 is now within reach.
Both counties were well represented and we had a good turnout. We did a group stretch and then headed out. Just then the two shake glasses of water got my attention. A quick detour through the men's room and I was out on the trail behind just about everyone. I am not daunted by being last thanks to my preparation in previous training events so I just started my pace that I ran last Wednesday. I had fun as I approached and passed some of the walkers. Lots of Go Teams and Good Mornings and Boy is it Dark still.
When I hit the first water stop at around 1.5 miles, I was just about to hit the Parking Lots That Go On Forever. I was still running and feeling that my pace was good. I ran most of the way through the parking lots and by the time I turned around, I was a little past 38 minutes so I was around a 15 minute pace. I made a quick water stop at the near end of the PLTGOF and refilled my water bottles and was off again. I had passed a lot of the runners as they finished the parking lots while I was starting them and we High Fived and Go Teamed a bunch. It is fun to have the camaraderie even if I can't run as fast.
After the parking lots I didn't see any one else until the 5 mile mark which is in the center of the island. The sun was up by then and I was just plain marvelling at how far I had come since July. This is the real kick from the training. I was completing nearly 5 miles and not feeling any pain or exhaustion. I was determining that my pace is the same as the beat for Scott Joplin's Mapleleaf Rag. Now music is playing in my head and I am enjoying my surroundings, seeing the flock of birds taking off, the warmth of Florida Training and how well the wicking material in my hat draws the sweat to the end of the bill of my cap and drips it out in front of me.
Good health is a blessing we so often take for granted. Now I take a moment to think about the struggles of those that are involved in their chemotherapy treatments. I know that this Team in Training stuff is really worthwhile. I shake out my hands and know that 10 miles are to be done today. I sail by the 5 mile water stop and for the next couple miles I get to see my faster teammates again as they are on their way back from the other end of the island to complete their runs back at the 5 mile water stop.
I reach the flag pole at the 6 mile mark. Turning now to head back was what I did on my first 7 mile run. I remember how tired I was then but here I go on to the cul-de-sac that marks the far other end of the island. This is the only part that I need to push since when I get out there, I know that have to get back so there is no pushing yourself to new territory when you are returning. I get to the end of the trail and out onto the road to go to the cul-de-sac now in sight.
Now I can see the full span of the Sunshine Skyway bridge...nice view. I round the turn and head for the finish. All 10 miles done in 2:31 avg 15:06 and energy to spare for a dash for the final 100 yards. 13.1 is now within reach.
Wednesday by the Bay or You ate what?
Team training this week was back at Bayshore along Tampa Bay. I got tied up with work and got a late start. I was really anxious to run with the team since I had missed last Saturday so I rushed out of the house without any fuel in my stomach. I knew I needed something to eat but couldn't figure how to do it and still arrive on time. I looked at my Garmin and felt a quick stop might be doable.
I pulled into the Golden Arches and grabbed a large Number 1 meal (for those of you on healthy eating plans that is a Big Mac and Large order of Fries...of course, I orde red a Diet Coke). Well that all got consumed on the way to the park in Downtown Tampa. When I arrived, itwas really dark, no moon and the sunset is early now. I saw what looked like my team already out and running. I passed them and continued on down to the park where I parked my car and got out to a quiet area with no teammates milling around as I usually see before the run. I still wanted the fun of running with team and since we run out and back on the same sidewalk, I figured I would just go and see if I could catch any of the walkers. I did not take the time to stretch so I just started plodding along trying to figure what my plan was for this 5 miles. I had tried 4 minutes running with 2 minutes walking, 1 minute running with 2 minutes walking, 7 minutes running with 1 and a half minutes walking and none had been perfect. Since I was already behind everyone, I just ran. I got to the half mile mark where the neighborhood ends and the Bayshore begins. There is a concrete railing along the bay and a nice wide concrete pedestrian path separated from the car traffic by a wide grass strip. There is more light by this point from streetlights, car traffic and no trees. You can see the whole of Downtown Tampa and several high rise condos and across the Bay so the run is pretty. I was feeling pretty good when I got to Euclid which was the 1.5 mile mark and said "Why not just see how far you can run before you walk this time." I had my GU with me and my water belt so at 2 miles I took my first GU. Coach Steve had suggested one every half hour and at my pace, I was there, but still running.
I got all the way to the turnaround point at 2.5 when I finally stopped for a bit of a walk. I walked for about 2.5 minutes and decided I wanted to see if I could keep my time up since the first half (with all my MacDonald's carb and fat) really felt good. I started to run again and before I knew it, I was back at Euclid with only 1.5 miles to go. I was now trying to figure out how to get a Number 1 meal in Arizona at 5:30 am before the race. Coach Steve met me about 1.25 miles out and ran with me for a while. He asked how I was doing and I told him terrible. He said really? And I told him that I had been trying to eat healthier during my training but I never felt as good as I did tonight and I was all mixed up about how I should fuel for my half Marathon. Since he always said try everything during training so there is nothing new at race time, I began to think that MacDonald's Stock might go up by January 13 if my training took this new information into account.
I actually had enough energy at the end to kick it as I came into the parking lot and I flaunted my Superpowers as I came to the rest of the group. I explained my quandry to several of the others and they thought that maybe I had hit on the right plan for pre race carb loading.
It was a fun experience and my first Guilt Free MacDonald's meal in some time.
I pulled into the Golden Arches and grabbed a large Number 1 meal (for those of you on healthy eating plans that is a Big Mac and Large order of Fries...of course, I orde red a Diet Coke). Well that all got consumed on the way to the park in Downtown Tampa. When I arrived, itwas really dark, no moon and the sunset is early now. I saw what looked like my team already out and running. I passed them and continued on down to the park where I parked my car and got out to a quiet area with no teammates milling around as I usually see before the run. I still wanted the fun of running with team and since we run out and back on the same sidewalk, I figured I would just go and see if I could catch any of the walkers. I did not take the time to stretch so I just started plodding along trying to figure what my plan was for this 5 miles. I had tried 4 minutes running with 2 minutes walking, 1 minute running with 2 minutes walking, 7 minutes running with 1 and a half minutes walking and none had been perfect. Since I was already behind everyone, I just ran. I got to the half mile mark where the neighborhood ends and the Bayshore begins. There is a concrete railing along the bay and a nice wide concrete pedestrian path separated from the car traffic by a wide grass strip. There is more light by this point from streetlights, car traffic and no trees. You can see the whole of Downtown Tampa and several high rise condos and across the Bay so the run is pretty. I was feeling pretty good when I got to Euclid which was the 1.5 mile mark and said "Why not just see how far you can run before you walk this time." I had my GU with me and my water belt so at 2 miles I took my first GU. Coach Steve had suggested one every half hour and at my pace, I was there, but still running.
I got all the way to the turnaround point at 2.5 when I finally stopped for a bit of a walk. I walked for about 2.5 minutes and decided I wanted to see if I could keep my time up since the first half (with all my MacDonald's carb and fat) really felt good. I started to run again and before I knew it, I was back at Euclid with only 1.5 miles to go. I was now trying to figure out how to get a Number 1 meal in Arizona at 5:30 am before the race. Coach Steve met me about 1.25 miles out and ran with me for a while. He asked how I was doing and I told him terrible. He said really? And I told him that I had been trying to eat healthier during my training but I never felt as good as I did tonight and I was all mixed up about how I should fuel for my half Marathon. Since he always said try everything during training so there is nothing new at race time, I began to think that MacDonald's Stock might go up by January 13 if my training took this new information into account.
I actually had enough energy at the end to kick it as I came into the parking lot and I flaunted my Superpowers as I came to the rest of the group. I explained my quandry to several of the others and they thought that maybe I had hit on the right plan for pre race carb loading.
It was a fun experience and my first Guilt Free MacDonald's meal in some time.
Disney does me in
Judy and I took advantage of the Disney tickets which we bought when Frank, Lisa and Miranda came to visit and went to see the lights at the MGM studio last weekend. They light up all the back lot building and string a lot of moving displays over the street. Lots of fun and lots of music (sometimes the lights dance in time with the music). That kept me away from the team run on Saturday so I tried to do it myself on Sunday. I went to the Upper Tampa Bay Trail which I had run before since I had wanted to do a 9 mile run. I got a late start and was feeling worn out from the trip to Disney and the drive back that morning. Just did not have it in me and fizzled at about 6 miles. It was getting late and the park was going to close soon anyway so I justified stopping early. Still got in extra distance but not as much as I had planned. Maybe we will postpone any more weekend distractions between now and PF Chang in Arizona.
Running with the animals
December 5 we moved our group Wednesday run to an new location...the Lowry Park Zoo. There was a Christmas 5k Jingle Bell Run which drew a really huge crowd. This was my first race. We arrived early and had plenty of time as a group before the race. I was registered by a little after 6:00 and the race did not start until after 7:00 PM. One of my team brought jingle bells so we decked ourselves with a lot of jingling.
The parking lot was loaded with people when the flow of bobbing heads started to move. The mass moved along slowly until we hit the first bridge over a culvert. That slowed us even more. After the bridge, we started to move and by the turn at the big tree we were spreading out. After we got less crowded we went into the Zoo entrance and cones were set up to move us around the zoo. I have never seen the zoo so fast. We raced on the wooden walkways which overlook the bears and flamingos and down through the displays for the snakes and manatees. A lot of doublebacks so we would see one side of the walkway going up and the other coming back. We were directed back outside again and then back in for another spin by the animals.
Most were sleeping but the Christmas music was playing and it was lots of fun. The finish line opened out to the area where the spouting water sprays usually cool off visiting little ones but this time instead of water sprays, we had decadent chocolate cake, pizza and beer. That is a fun way to finish your running.
We had a good team turnout and lots of fun. My 3 miles finished in 44:10 which is below the 15 minute mark which will finish my half Marathon in fine fashion.
The parking lot was loaded with people when the flow of bobbing heads started to move. The mass moved along slowly until we hit the first bridge over a culvert. That slowed us even more. After the bridge, we started to move and by the turn at the big tree we were spreading out. After we got less crowded we went into the Zoo entrance and cones were set up to move us around the zoo. I have never seen the zoo so fast. We raced on the wooden walkways which overlook the bears and flamingos and down through the displays for the snakes and manatees. A lot of doublebacks so we would see one side of the walkway going up and the other coming back. We were directed back outside again and then back in for another spin by the animals.
Most were sleeping but the Christmas music was playing and it was lots of fun. The finish line opened out to the area where the spouting water sprays usually cool off visiting little ones but this time instead of water sprays, we had decadent chocolate cake, pizza and beer. That is a fun way to finish your running.
We had a good team turnout and lots of fun. My 3 miles finished in 44:10 which is below the 15 minute mark which will finish my half Marathon in fine fashion.
Friday, November 30, 2007
5 more miles
First group run attended by the missing runner on Wednesday this week. Lots of Hi's and High 5's when I showed up after an extended absence. Some thought I had just decided to give it all up. No getting rid of me that easy.
This was a 5 mile run and it actually felt good to be running again. I wasn't sure after mostly walking in Va. how much running I would be able to do. I started out slowly and continued slowly but most of the distance was running. I made the first half in 32+ minutes and the return in 35+ minutes for about 67 minutes for all 5 miles. For the mathematically challenged, that is a 13:24 pace. Not bad considering we did not break 14 in California.
I wore my new belly band support and that reminded me to engage my abs and use my QL's as I ran. My Piriformis and my Psoas reaped the benefits of better posture and form but yesterday I was feeling new Hamstring tightness that was not previously apparent. Continuing to see improvement even with an extended lay off.
Special thanks to two people in my company for an assist this week. I cornered Doris JamalDin while she was in the office and told her about my training and fund raising. Next thing you know, she was flashing money and saying that she wanted to contribute as well. Thanks so much to her. Another Hero!
Also, I have to be oncall every 4 weeks for the after hours duty. This Wednesday, Harriet Ngum, was kind enough to wait until I had just returned from my running before she called me with a possible run to Hawthorn FL. We learned that this was more in the area of our Ocala rep and he ultimately took the call. Thanks to Harriet for her excellent timing.
Long run scheduled for Saturday AM
Go Team
This was a 5 mile run and it actually felt good to be running again. I wasn't sure after mostly walking in Va. how much running I would be able to do. I started out slowly and continued slowly but most of the distance was running. I made the first half in 32+ minutes and the return in 35+ minutes for about 67 minutes for all 5 miles. For the mathematically challenged, that is a 13:24 pace. Not bad considering we did not break 14 in California.
I wore my new belly band support and that reminded me to engage my abs and use my QL's as I ran. My Piriformis and my Psoas reaped the benefits of better posture and form but yesterday I was feeling new Hamstring tightness that was not previously apparent. Continuing to see improvement even with an extended lay off.
Special thanks to two people in my company for an assist this week. I cornered Doris JamalDin while she was in the office and told her about my training and fund raising. Next thing you know, she was flashing money and saying that she wanted to contribute as well. Thanks so much to her. Another Hero!
Also, I have to be oncall every 4 weeks for the after hours duty. This Wednesday, Harriet Ngum, was kind enough to wait until I had just returned from my running before she called me with a possible run to Hawthorn FL. We learned that this was more in the area of our Ocala rep and he ultimately took the call. Thanks to Harriet for her excellent timing.
Long run scheduled for Saturday AM
Go Team
Sunday, November 25, 2007
What? No blog for 3 weeks?
There was a terrible mixup and these two aliens banged on the door in the middle of the night on Nov 5 and dragged me off kicking and screaming (not loud enough to wake Judy) and took me to the Mother ship where I was examined for 3 weeks. They had left a shape shifting alien in my place so that no one would notice. They had been very careful to study me before they took me, so they had all the Buppa information down well and Miranda did not guess that this was a ruse during her visit. Fortunately, the replacement was a grandfather alien and knew all about granddaughters so he fell into the role quickly.
When they found out that I had no government secrets or answers to the major questions of the universe they just agreed that though I am fun, I would probably do better back on Earth and they would reassign my double elsewhere. You may see him at a Republican Candidates debate in the near future but you won't be able to distinguish him from the orginal. They are that good.
Well, before they brought me back, I got to see the video of what my alter-ego had done over the last 3 weeks. He did try the Lotus Room for Yoga on Tuesday and found that to be great for stretching and psychological enhancement. He told everyone that I enjoyed it a bunch. He made arrangements to do it again when Lisa came to visit the next week.
That Saturday was a group run that was missed because Lisa, Frank, and Miranda came to visit on the nite before and since they were still on West Coast time and she and the alien caught training later in the day.
The alien took her to the yoga on Tuesday. Additional training went on through the week. A trip to Disney on Weds, Thurs and Friday included treadmill time in the exercise room. The next Saturday was still too early with West Coasters going home the next day. Then after some training over the weekend, I was returned. The return was just in time to make the Thanksgiving trip to Charlottesville to visit with Jenn at her place. Two training activities for 3 milers each using a 1/2 mile to the soccer field, several trips around the track for 2 miles and the 1/2 mile back to the house. Thursday included a lot of walking around the Natural Bridge where George Washington did his training apparently. After a great meal at the Hotel we walked down to the bridge and saw a great light show after sundown ( the show was cool but the weather was getting cold). By Saturday, we did a 7.5 miler in Charlottesville and started in mid 20 degree weather. Coach Steve said try anything new during training so there would be no surprises and nothing new on race day. Well, I got a chance to try out exercise with gloves, several layers of shirts, and "woosh-woosh" pants over my shorts. It does not seem likely that Flagstaff will be any colder than that and I survived. What seemed like a really adverse weather start turned out to be a good training opportunity.
Thanks to the Charlottesville Running Store, I am in a second pair of running shoes. Great help by the staff that assisted with a video assessment of my running while on a treadmill. Big help with the Saturday training and now we're ready for the longer runs that will be in store over the next 8 weeks.
Thanks to Lisa for keeping the alien in shape and to Jenn for keeping me going.
Also thanks to Uncle Bob and Aunt Betty for their very generous financial support and words of encouragement. You two make great heroes in many ways.
Go Team
When they found out that I had no government secrets or answers to the major questions of the universe they just agreed that though I am fun, I would probably do better back on Earth and they would reassign my double elsewhere. You may see him at a Republican Candidates debate in the near future but you won't be able to distinguish him from the orginal. They are that good.
Well, before they brought me back, I got to see the video of what my alter-ego had done over the last 3 weeks. He did try the Lotus Room for Yoga on Tuesday and found that to be great for stretching and psychological enhancement. He told everyone that I enjoyed it a bunch. He made arrangements to do it again when Lisa came to visit the next week.
That Saturday was a group run that was missed because Lisa, Frank, and Miranda came to visit on the nite before and since they were still on West Coast time and she and the alien caught training later in the day.
The alien took her to the yoga on Tuesday. Additional training went on through the week. A trip to Disney on Weds, Thurs and Friday included treadmill time in the exercise room. The next Saturday was still too early with West Coasters going home the next day. Then after some training over the weekend, I was returned. The return was just in time to make the Thanksgiving trip to Charlottesville to visit with Jenn at her place. Two training activities for 3 milers each using a 1/2 mile to the soccer field, several trips around the track for 2 miles and the 1/2 mile back to the house. Thursday included a lot of walking around the Natural Bridge where George Washington did his training apparently. After a great meal at the Hotel we walked down to the bridge and saw a great light show after sundown ( the show was cool but the weather was getting cold). By Saturday, we did a 7.5 miler in Charlottesville and started in mid 20 degree weather. Coach Steve said try anything new during training so there would be no surprises and nothing new on race day. Well, I got a chance to try out exercise with gloves, several layers of shirts, and "woosh-woosh" pants over my shorts. It does not seem likely that Flagstaff will be any colder than that and I survived. What seemed like a really adverse weather start turned out to be a good training opportunity.
Thanks to the Charlottesville Running Store, I am in a second pair of running shoes. Great help by the staff that assisted with a video assessment of my running while on a treadmill. Big help with the Saturday training and now we're ready for the longer runs that will be in store over the next 8 weeks.
Thanks to Lisa for keeping the alien in shape and to Jenn for keeping me going.
Also thanks to Uncle Bob and Aunt Betty for their very generous financial support and words of encouragement. You two make great heroes in many ways.
Go Team
Sunday, November 4, 2007
Back in the routine
I took Saturday off since I could not go to the group run because I had another appointment for the morning. Went to the Home Show later that day and bought some orthotics for my shoes. After wearing them for about 4 hours my leg issue had completely resolved despite walking around on concrete for several hours at the home show and then later at the mall.
Thought I would try them tonight in my run. Daughter Jenn warned that the muscles that had not been worked by my misaligned posture might complain mightily if I tried to run a long ways with the orthotics as now I would be calling on the proper muscles to do the work.
Ran 3 miles just to try out the new feet and it went pretty well. I ran the whole thing, no walk run combo and finished the 3 miles in 45:45. I was 1 mile shorter than last time but about a half a minute faster. I feel good and will try for a longer distance the next time to see if the new feet continue to work well.
It was chilly tonight and I went back to regular cotton rather than a wicking shirt and I worked up a good sweat. Trying to see what I will want to wear when we start the race in Flagstaff.
Oh well, I keep on experimenting. That's all for tonight.
Go Team.
Thought I would try them tonight in my run. Daughter Jenn warned that the muscles that had not been worked by my misaligned posture might complain mightily if I tried to run a long ways with the orthotics as now I would be calling on the proper muscles to do the work.
Ran 3 miles just to try out the new feet and it went pretty well. I ran the whole thing, no walk run combo and finished the 3 miles in 45:45. I was 1 mile shorter than last time but about a half a minute faster. I feel good and will try for a longer distance the next time to see if the new feet continue to work well.
It was chilly tonight and I went back to regular cotton rather than a wicking shirt and I worked up a good sweat. Trying to see what I will want to wear when we start the race in Flagstaff.
Oh well, I keep on experimenting. That's all for tonight.
Go Team.
Thursday, November 1, 2007
Wow! What a long layoff!!!
I am back. The groin is all recovered. I spent most of the afternoon in the car today travelling to Port Charlotte and back. Lots of clutch work and no problem walking. Decided that this would be the time to try distance again. I felt that maybe walking 3 miles would be a good idea so as to get some miles under my feet without straining the muscles. I started out but felt a little tight in the left leg more, I think, because I was trying to find an issue than noticing one that was there. After the first 1/8 mile or so, I tried a little jogging. My pace was only slightly faster than a walk. Mostly saying that I was off one foot before being on another. I started around the 1/2 mile mark and noticed that my breathing was well under control and a check of the watch showed the heart rate in line. Before I knew it, I had run the whole rest of the mile. I continued running until I passed the mailbox for a second time. I got a water out for hydrating and completed my third. About halfway through the third, I got a call from daughter, Jenn, and talked my way around the rest of mile 4. I finished in just over 1 hour 4 minutes. That is just over a 16 minute mile. (Good enough for the half marathon in under 4 hours...actually about 3 and 1/2). It was very comfortable, no wind issues, no heart rate issues, great fat burn and I completed feeling GOOD!!!
I guess speed will not be part of my training. I will start slow and continue slow and complete whatever I need to do that day. (Sounds simple)
For those of you who have not heard me say, the Daniel Family, John, Lisa, and Jenn, will be raising over $10,000 with our fund raising campaigns. That is a very cool result from my offhanded comment about wanting to lose weight made in from of my daughter, Lisa. Special thanks to my wife Judy for her efforts to both make personal contributions to all three of us, but also for her efforts to get the people in her office to make contributions as well. She is using the power of gift matching to multiply the value of those contributions. She is also providing great moral support as I try to find the time to do my training and fund raising. This is truly a family event.
Speaking of donations from her office, three cheers to Rocky, Rah Rah Rah. Thanks so much for your very generous donation.
Also special thanks to Dick and Ron from my office. They made generous contributions during my down time which added further support for getting back to running. If they are going to do their part by contributing, I know what I need to do in regard to running.
Thanks also to Karen, my neighbor on the next street. We traded donations and helped each other. Her claim to fame is the 3 day walk for Breast Cancer. Wow!! She is terrific!
Got some great fund raising down when I wasn't running. Setting up for a Silent Auction to auction off the wonderful dinner certificate donations received from many of the local eateries. It was far easier than I thought to get these. These people are very quick to respond to this type of fund raising and it was a fun day spent meeting these wonderful people who depend on all the local folks that regularly visit their restaurants and keep them in business to be able to help for our cause. More will be added as the auction comes to fruition. I am working out the details for the location of the auction thanks to a very cool donation of space which will be announced shortly when the plans are finalized. Stay in touch as this looks to be a lot of fun.
I spoke with Jenn tonight and told her how I ran the whole 4 miles and liked it and it felt good. She then pointed out that, in fact, I have learned to like running which is what was my goal when we started all of this in July. She is right, I do. I may not be fast and I may never be a great speedster but I have learned to enjoy something that I know a lot of people would say "Wow 4 miles, I can't even run 4 blocks." It has been a fun journey so far and now the big stuff lays just at my feet. The 8, 9 mile runs are coming now and the even longer ones are in place for December and then the big 13.1 in January. I am very confident now that I have started again.
Oh yeah, maybe we will need a new picture soon. I saw 229 on the scale today. That is more than 20 pounds since we started in late July (3 months). That is in comparison with the 25 that my doctor said I could lose in a year if I just walked 3 times a week for a 1/2 hour at a brisk pace.
What a great day!
Go Team!
I guess speed will not be part of my training. I will start slow and continue slow and complete whatever I need to do that day. (Sounds simple)
For those of you who have not heard me say, the Daniel Family, John, Lisa, and Jenn, will be raising over $10,000 with our fund raising campaigns. That is a very cool result from my offhanded comment about wanting to lose weight made in from of my daughter, Lisa. Special thanks to my wife Judy for her efforts to both make personal contributions to all three of us, but also for her efforts to get the people in her office to make contributions as well. She is using the power of gift matching to multiply the value of those contributions. She is also providing great moral support as I try to find the time to do my training and fund raising. This is truly a family event.
Speaking of donations from her office, three cheers to Rocky, Rah Rah Rah. Thanks so much for your very generous donation.
Also special thanks to Dick and Ron from my office. They made generous contributions during my down time which added further support for getting back to running. If they are going to do their part by contributing, I know what I need to do in regard to running.
Thanks also to Karen, my neighbor on the next street. We traded donations and helped each other. Her claim to fame is the 3 day walk for Breast Cancer. Wow!! She is terrific!
Got some great fund raising down when I wasn't running. Setting up for a Silent Auction to auction off the wonderful dinner certificate donations received from many of the local eateries. It was far easier than I thought to get these. These people are very quick to respond to this type of fund raising and it was a fun day spent meeting these wonderful people who depend on all the local folks that regularly visit their restaurants and keep them in business to be able to help for our cause. More will be added as the auction comes to fruition. I am working out the details for the location of the auction thanks to a very cool donation of space which will be announced shortly when the plans are finalized. Stay in touch as this looks to be a lot of fun.
I spoke with Jenn tonight and told her how I ran the whole 4 miles and liked it and it felt good. She then pointed out that, in fact, I have learned to like running which is what was my goal when we started all of this in July. She is right, I do. I may not be fast and I may never be a great speedster but I have learned to enjoy something that I know a lot of people would say "Wow 4 miles, I can't even run 4 blocks." It has been a fun journey so far and now the big stuff lays just at my feet. The 8, 9 mile runs are coming now and the even longer ones are in place for December and then the big 13.1 in January. I am very confident now that I have started again.
Oh yeah, maybe we will need a new picture soon. I saw 229 on the scale today. That is more than 20 pounds since we started in late July (3 months). That is in comparison with the 25 that my doctor said I could lose in a year if I just walked 3 times a week for a 1/2 hour at a brisk pace.
What a great day!
Go Team!
Monday, October 22, 2007
Recovery week
I took the name Recovery Week seriously. I have been doing a lot of stretching, Ibuprofening, resting and another massage. It has been slow but I have had some good results from this program. Most of the issues have resolved and it is now Monday and time to get back to my training. I will stretch carefully before running tonight and then again after. The distance is 3 and 4 miles alternated during the week and 8 on the weekend. If my running goes well during the week, the 8 should be doable by Saturday (pace slow distance long). My running shoes think I deserted them. Spirits and feet up tonight!
Go Team
Go Team
Sunday, October 14, 2007
Trade offs
By Friday, I was starting to feel better but still had the spasm in my groin and left hip. I noticed that as I looked in the mirror, I was in poor alignment...left hip raised and left shoulder dropped as I went to protect all my soreness. I was enough improvement and realized that I did not die on Wednesday that I thought maybe I should give myself a try on the Saturday long run.
4:30 came early but I got out of bed and readied for the trip to Fort DeSoto near South St. Pete. This is the first group training I had made involving the Hillsborough and Pinellas county runners and walkers. It was still dark as I drove into the parking lot and made my way to the pavilion where everyone was signing in. I stood in a line over 8 people long to sign in and needed to use a citronella candle to see what I was writing. Once signed in, I made my way to the area where they were starting to do the group stretching. Things were still tight and tender but not sore and spasmed. The length to the end of the run is 2.5 miles so down and back is 5.0. The full Marathoners were scheduled to do 10 miles so they would run the down and back on one direction and the down and back on the other direction for their 10. To get 7, you could do the first 5 and then go 1 mile to the flag pole and 1 mile back.
It stayed dark for most of the first 2 miles. At that point I left the paved trail and had been directed to run to the end of the parking lot and then turn around for the return. Wow, this is easy. I was unable to read my watch in the darkness so I had just maintained a slow and steady pace with more running than walking and felt this was far easier than I had expected. That however, was because the first parking lot led to another and then another and I think at least one more. Boy can they ever accommodate a lot of cars there!
I had seen most of the runners on their way back as I was bringing up the rear but I had maintained my speed to stay ahead of the walkers. (Some of them have a pretty solid pace). My leg was feeling pretty good at that point and so the return was not bad. I completed the 5 in about 80 minutes. I had done no fast running since I did not want to further do in my left leg but felt great about making the 5 at all. I stopped at the water stop and saw my fund raising partner just completing her 7 miles. She had told me about how many races she had been in and how she had gotten to the 17 mile mark when they called the Marathon in Chicago just 2 weeks ago. She gave me what I needed to convince myself that I had come here to do 7 miles and 7 I would do. I made that first step for the flagpole and knew this was doable.
I don't remember anytime before that this fat old body has even gone 7 consecutive miles without a car, a bike, or inline skates. Wow, what an accomplishment!!! Another personal best.
I then made my way to the pavilion and got some snacks at the pot luck we were having. This was also the send off for the Marine Marathon runners and the Nike Marathon runners. Lots of pep and cheering as we went over the fundraising to date. So far, Suncoast Chapter of TNT has raised over $360,000 this year. We heard from three cancer survivors. One said that the treatment that she received led to near elimination of the type of lymphoma she had. That was a great testament to the efforts of the TNT program. One of the other honored teammates is an Iraq War Vet who was diagnosed with Lymphoma and sent back home for his treatment. He is the honored teammate for both Nike and the Marine Marathons. Since the Marine Marathon starts directly in front of the Pentagon, this was particularly appropriate that we have this man on our team.
As I mentioned to my daughter as we spoke on my ride home, I might not have stayed with this program for this long if not for the involvement in this really worthwhile cause. If it was just for my own health and well being and personal satisfaction, I could have found any number of excuses that would have justified quitting. Next week is a recovery week and I fully expect that the groin issue will be a thing of the past. After that more milestones, miles 8 and 9 for the two following long runs and mostly 4 milers for the weekday runs. I am not the least intimidated by 4 miles any more. Wow, what a change in attitude from just a couple months back!
Thanks to the nice folks that made the donations at the Macy's Shop for a Cause program where they allowed us to sell the discount coupons and keep the proceeds. It was not a huge addition but everything counts as we get near to re-commitment day where I need to have 1/4 of my funding in. Also, last but far from least, a special thanks to work buddy Bill, who was the first from my office to help me as I go forward in this great challenge.
Now the trade off, I followed the advice of Coach Steve last Wednesday with the ice bath after the run and found the process to be very invigorating. I did it again after yesterday's run and found it down right cold. I did some heavy duty shivering and stirred it all up with the jets from the tub. Yesterday, Judy and I went out to the mall and walking was tenuous but bearable especially after that first step following sitting. Today when I got up, however, though I felt the tightness that I expected from the long run, the spasm had subsided markedly. I am still careful but with some stretching while watching the Bucs this afternoon, I think I am past the groin issue.
Another benefit, as I knelt down to put the pool vacuum, affectionately know as Hayward around here, I tried to figure out how best to get up. I simply rolled back onto the balls of my feet, then into a crouch and stood up. No pushing up on one leg and pulling the other under me with a grunt. It seems that some other muscles are starting to join in on the party and balance is also benefiting. Trade offs like these make the miles shorter and easier to get beyond. Don't forget that I am working on countering a lot of couch potato practice.
Go Team
4:30 came early but I got out of bed and readied for the trip to Fort DeSoto near South St. Pete. This is the first group training I had made involving the Hillsborough and Pinellas county runners and walkers. It was still dark as I drove into the parking lot and made my way to the pavilion where everyone was signing in. I stood in a line over 8 people long to sign in and needed to use a citronella candle to see what I was writing. Once signed in, I made my way to the area where they were starting to do the group stretching. Things were still tight and tender but not sore and spasmed. The length to the end of the run is 2.5 miles so down and back is 5.0. The full Marathoners were scheduled to do 10 miles so they would run the down and back on one direction and the down and back on the other direction for their 10. To get 7, you could do the first 5 and then go 1 mile to the flag pole and 1 mile back.
It stayed dark for most of the first 2 miles. At that point I left the paved trail and had been directed to run to the end of the parking lot and then turn around for the return. Wow, this is easy. I was unable to read my watch in the darkness so I had just maintained a slow and steady pace with more running than walking and felt this was far easier than I had expected. That however, was because the first parking lot led to another and then another and I think at least one more. Boy can they ever accommodate a lot of cars there!
I had seen most of the runners on their way back as I was bringing up the rear but I had maintained my speed to stay ahead of the walkers. (Some of them have a pretty solid pace). My leg was feeling pretty good at that point and so the return was not bad. I completed the 5 in about 80 minutes. I had done no fast running since I did not want to further do in my left leg but felt great about making the 5 at all. I stopped at the water stop and saw my fund raising partner just completing her 7 miles. She had told me about how many races she had been in and how she had gotten to the 17 mile mark when they called the Marathon in Chicago just 2 weeks ago. She gave me what I needed to convince myself that I had come here to do 7 miles and 7 I would do. I made that first step for the flagpole and knew this was doable.
I don't remember anytime before that this fat old body has even gone 7 consecutive miles without a car, a bike, or inline skates. Wow, what an accomplishment!!! Another personal best.
I then made my way to the pavilion and got some snacks at the pot luck we were having. This was also the send off for the Marine Marathon runners and the Nike Marathon runners. Lots of pep and cheering as we went over the fundraising to date. So far, Suncoast Chapter of TNT has raised over $360,000 this year. We heard from three cancer survivors. One said that the treatment that she received led to near elimination of the type of lymphoma she had. That was a great testament to the efforts of the TNT program. One of the other honored teammates is an Iraq War Vet who was diagnosed with Lymphoma and sent back home for his treatment. He is the honored teammate for both Nike and the Marine Marathons. Since the Marine Marathon starts directly in front of the Pentagon, this was particularly appropriate that we have this man on our team.
As I mentioned to my daughter as we spoke on my ride home, I might not have stayed with this program for this long if not for the involvement in this really worthwhile cause. If it was just for my own health and well being and personal satisfaction, I could have found any number of excuses that would have justified quitting. Next week is a recovery week and I fully expect that the groin issue will be a thing of the past. After that more milestones, miles 8 and 9 for the two following long runs and mostly 4 milers for the weekday runs. I am not the least intimidated by 4 miles any more. Wow, what a change in attitude from just a couple months back!
Thanks to the nice folks that made the donations at the Macy's Shop for a Cause program where they allowed us to sell the discount coupons and keep the proceeds. It was not a huge addition but everything counts as we get near to re-commitment day where I need to have 1/4 of my funding in. Also, last but far from least, a special thanks to work buddy Bill, who was the first from my office to help me as I go forward in this great challenge.
Now the trade off, I followed the advice of Coach Steve last Wednesday with the ice bath after the run and found the process to be very invigorating. I did it again after yesterday's run and found it down right cold. I did some heavy duty shivering and stirred it all up with the jets from the tub. Yesterday, Judy and I went out to the mall and walking was tenuous but bearable especially after that first step following sitting. Today when I got up, however, though I felt the tightness that I expected from the long run, the spasm had subsided markedly. I am still careful but with some stretching while watching the Bucs this afternoon, I think I am past the groin issue.
Another benefit, as I knelt down to put the pool vacuum, affectionately know as Hayward around here, I tried to figure out how best to get up. I simply rolled back onto the balls of my feet, then into a crouch and stood up. No pushing up on one leg and pulling the other under me with a grunt. It seems that some other muscles are starting to join in on the party and balance is also benefiting. Trade offs like these make the miles shorter and easier to get beyond. Don't forget that I am working on countering a lot of couch potato practice.
Go Team
Friday, October 12, 2007
Ouch!
Well the 3rd and 4th miles seemed to have gotten warm muscles in the leg and the tenseness from Wednesday appeared to be something of the past. On Sunday, however, it had returned in spades. The first step after standing up was very tenuous and the thought was that the leg might collapse. Sudden movements counterclockwise to my left leg caused the adductor muscle in the groin to grab in spasm. Tried to stretch but could not get what I needed. By Monday, I knew I needed help. I got a massage from a very good therapist and she was able to get into my ITB muscles for a good stretch and finished with a deep massage into my psoas which I now know runs very deep below the surface. Boy did she push!
I did feel better on Tuesday but decided to give it one more day to rest. Thus I have missed 6 hours so far during the week. On Wednesday, I went to the group run and was still stiff. I started with a fast walk for the first mile and that warmed me enough for a run for the second. I ran the 4/2 pace. I was in a run cycle when I hit the 2 mile mark and turned around to come back. I got one more walk cycle and into the next run cycle when things started to get tired and stiff. After my next walk cycle I tried to run and the hip flexers were not going to allow it. I walked back in to the parking lot. I got 4 miles under my feet but it was very disappointing to have the limitations that I have never had before.
Coach Steve advised that an ice bath might help with the inflammation so I tried that. Ran the tub with just cold water. I was in as it filled so I tolerated that okay but then adding 2 ten pound bags of ice made a really sudden drop in the temp. Boy, that was invigorating. Sorta like swimming in the ocean off the Massachusetts coastline.
I gave up the Thursday run for more recovery and continued my stretching. I will do the same today as this is a rest day anyway. Tomorrow is our combined group run with all 3 counties and a pot luck after the run. We are scheduled for 7 miles so I want to be as ready as I can be.
Tonight I have a fund raiser at the Brandon Mall where I will be selling $5 coupons for 10%-20% discounts at Macy's. Hopefully that will bring in some more money. We get to keep all the proceeds and I will be working the table from 5-7 with one other teammate.
That brings us up to date except for a big thank you to Neighbor Jim for his kind donation to the effort. Your involvement brings me closer to my goal.
Go Team
I did feel better on Tuesday but decided to give it one more day to rest. Thus I have missed 6 hours so far during the week. On Wednesday, I went to the group run and was still stiff. I started with a fast walk for the first mile and that warmed me enough for a run for the second. I ran the 4/2 pace. I was in a run cycle when I hit the 2 mile mark and turned around to come back. I got one more walk cycle and into the next run cycle when things started to get tired and stiff. After my next walk cycle I tried to run and the hip flexers were not going to allow it. I walked back in to the parking lot. I got 4 miles under my feet but it was very disappointing to have the limitations that I have never had before.
Coach Steve advised that an ice bath might help with the inflammation so I tried that. Ran the tub with just cold water. I was in as it filled so I tolerated that okay but then adding 2 ten pound bags of ice made a really sudden drop in the temp. Boy, that was invigorating. Sorta like swimming in the ocean off the Massachusetts coastline.
I gave up the Thursday run for more recovery and continued my stretching. I will do the same today as this is a rest day anyway. Tomorrow is our combined group run with all 3 counties and a pot luck after the run. We are scheduled for 7 miles so I want to be as ready as I can be.
Tonight I have a fund raiser at the Brandon Mall where I will be selling $5 coupons for 10%-20% discounts at Macy's. Hopefully that will bring in some more money. We get to keep all the proceeds and I will be working the table from 5-7 with one other teammate.
That brings us up to date except for a big thank you to Neighbor Jim for his kind donation to the effort. Your involvement brings me closer to my goal.
Go Team
Saturday, October 6, 2007
100 miles and going strong
I passed the 100 mile mark today since I started this adventure in July. Whoda thunk it? Met with the group this morning and ran my first 6 miler. Managed all 6 in just over 1 and a half hours. Slightly more than a 15 minute mile but still well within range for the 4 hour mark for the Half Mary in January and still 3 months to go. This time I left my stride short and just chugged along at a steady albeit slow pace. My distance was comfortable and never got into the range of heartbeat above my target range.
I did not run either Thursday or Friday and still the groin muscle was talking to me as I did the warm up stretches. By mile 3 all had warmed up nicely and the muscle decided to just come along for the ride and not feel the need to point out all the landmarks and out of state license plates. It was nice and peaceful without all that talk. However, now that muscle has again found a voice and is clearly talking to me. I guess we go to the muscle book and try again to find a good stretch to shut him up.
Rick, one of the coaches, ran part way with me and mentioned that I will see a big difference on race day in Arizona with the cooler weather. He says that the drop in temperature should add about 20 seconds to the per mile time simply because I am not using as much energy to cool myself off as is needed in 80 degree high humidity weather like we have here. I still love the heat after all those years in the Northeast so I don't seem to mind the heat and humidity like some of my teammates but still another 20 seconds is nothing to scoff at.
The fund raising events are kicking into high gear. Everyone was exchanging ideas and it was exciting to be with so many other participants. We had over 35 people there today. Great energy is noted when these people are together. A great group and for such a great cause.
Off to read about stretches.
Go Team
I did not run either Thursday or Friday and still the groin muscle was talking to me as I did the warm up stretches. By mile 3 all had warmed up nicely and the muscle decided to just come along for the ride and not feel the need to point out all the landmarks and out of state license plates. It was nice and peaceful without all that talk. However, now that muscle has again found a voice and is clearly talking to me. I guess we go to the muscle book and try again to find a good stretch to shut him up.
Rick, one of the coaches, ran part way with me and mentioned that I will see a big difference on race day in Arizona with the cooler weather. He says that the drop in temperature should add about 20 seconds to the per mile time simply because I am not using as much energy to cool myself off as is needed in 80 degree high humidity weather like we have here. I still love the heat after all those years in the Northeast so I don't seem to mind the heat and humidity like some of my teammates but still another 20 seconds is nothing to scoff at.
The fund raising events are kicking into high gear. Everyone was exchanging ideas and it was exciting to be with so many other participants. We had over 35 people there today. Great energy is noted when these people are together. A great group and for such a great cause.
Off to read about stretches.
Go Team
Thursday, October 4, 2007
Missed the sign and kept on a-goin'
We ran last night at the park at the end of Bayshore. We were told that the Half Marathoners would run to the guard shack at the Monte Carlo Condos. The Full Marathoners were to go further and turn and come back. I heard something about Bay to Bay as being information for the Full Marathoners.
I looked carefully across the wide boulevard to find Monte Carlo and never saw it before I got to Bay to Bay. Another Half Marathoner just ahead of me had already turned and was heading back. I quit at Bay to Bay and went back myself. It was getting pretty dark by the time I got back to the park where we started. As coach Steve accompanied me back in, he said he thought that was about 4.8 miles. I googled it and it seems more like 5.2. At any rate that was about 5 miles instead of the 4 I had planned to do.
I am paying the price again tonight and with a long day of driving and desk work for reports. the muscles are shouting "We can't support this weight for a run tonight!" The left leg is weak and not very steady. Since we will be doing 6 miles on Saturday, I think this will be another rest night. It won't be as productive a week mileage-wise but since an injury could cause much more non-productivity, I think this will still be worth the reduction.
Will stretch and zap the muscles with the tens unit and then go to bed for more recovery sleep.
Good night..
Go Team
Oh by the way, another mail delivery of a check, thanks to Berwyn and Peg, two of my longest time supporters. You guys are great because I owe a lot to you for how I managed to get this far.
Go Team
I looked carefully across the wide boulevard to find Monte Carlo and never saw it before I got to Bay to Bay. Another Half Marathoner just ahead of me had already turned and was heading back. I quit at Bay to Bay and went back myself. It was getting pretty dark by the time I got back to the park where we started. As coach Steve accompanied me back in, he said he thought that was about 4.8 miles. I googled it and it seems more like 5.2. At any rate that was about 5 miles instead of the 4 I had planned to do.
I am paying the price again tonight and with a long day of driving and desk work for reports. the muscles are shouting "We can't support this weight for a run tonight!" The left leg is weak and not very steady. Since we will be doing 6 miles on Saturday, I think this will be another rest night. It won't be as productive a week mileage-wise but since an injury could cause much more non-productivity, I think this will still be worth the reduction.
Will stretch and zap the muscles with the tens unit and then go to bed for more recovery sleep.
Good night..
Go Team
Oh by the way, another mail delivery of a check, thanks to Berwyn and Peg, two of my longest time supporters. You guys are great because I owe a lot to you for how I managed to get this far.
Go Team
Monday, October 1, 2007
Side bar for Miranda
Hey Miranda, how about I come to your house again. Maybe I can say, "Hey Miranda, Where's your garage?"
Love you to pieces, Pumpkin,
Buppa. ;<{ )
Love you to pieces, Pumpkin,
Buppa. ;<{ )
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