Alright, fellow bloggers, an apology is in order. I disappeared on you, and I'm going to tell you why.
After my last post, after the hike across the canyon, my foot had had enough training, especially running, and I love to run. So I basically had to give it up. I didn't give it up entirely, that would have been too difficult, I tried to get out once a week and run 3-5 miles. Maybe once more if I could, and then I would hit the gym and probably that crazy elliptical machine.
I didn't blog because I was really jealous of all of you going fast and staying really active, and knowing the only way my foot was going to really get better was to stay off of it, at least from any really intensive training.
This February, I started to pick up the pace a little, and I started biking. Around mid-March I did a 62.5 mile ride and was feeling pretty good. I was even thinking of starting to post and to switch to a lot more biking/swimming until I finally got my foot over the hump.
All that came to a sudden stop that following Tuesday when I broke my ankle in an improbable sporting event injury.
I'm close to having the ankle healed and starting rehab, fortunately I didn't need any metal inserted so I'm hopeful to come back quickly.
It will all depend on how the PT goes, I guess, this whole experience is new to me.
I hope you are all doing well, my thoughts have been with you and I've tried to read up, but frankly I've just been too embarrassed, too busy (and too melancholy about running) to post.
Keep running, and don't worry, I'll be right there behind you soon enough. The good news is I held my weight steady through this last lay-off.
Monday, April 21, 2008
Saturday, September 22, 2007
Once more into the breach!
OK - I haven't posted for a while. The post below I wrote 2 weeks ago when I did the hike but had some computer issues. I've been having real trouble with my foot since my last previous post on September 10, and it's been too depressing to post about. I'll post here shortly about my foot and next steps because I want some advise this week before I see the doctor again. Needless to say, I want my foot to feel BETTER!
So a little background is in order. I was out for a run a week ago Tuesday (September 14th or so). I ran for about 3/4 mile and then my foot told me it had a sharp pain. I had had this pain earlier this year, but was hoping I was finally getting over it. Suffice to say no such look.
I still managed a 4 miler over the weekend, but it was clear it was time to see a professional. So I did. The diagnosis: I've tweaked the nerve that runs between the first three toes (the fixed part of your foot) and the last two toes (evidently the movable part of your foot). It's been bothering me off and on for a year now, and the only way to fix it is to quit tweaking it. The doc recommended arch supports and foot pads, so I'm trying that. I may have to switch running shoes as well.
Then, like the idiot I am, I rushed out of the doctors office to meet up with my friends so we could do our 21.8 mile rim to rim hike across the Grand Canyon the next day.
The hike was a blast as always. I've attached a few pics. Not so many since I've been enough I've photographed most of what I want to.
I made it out in 10 hours which was around 2.3 mph for the hike. For reference, the hike is listed as one of the top 10 hardest day hikes in the US. As I always say, the first 15 are easy (downhill and mostly flat), it's the last 5 that kick you in the butt!
This was a great day this time - it was a beautiful hike and I enjoyed every minute. The foot did good, I had some gel supports in my shoe. Frankly, it did better than it had the previous year when it was acting up.
I did better too. I was concerned by my lack of training, but in the end, it was ok. I came out strong the last 2 miles, without stopping, which is good - the grade at that point averages, yes averages, 20%. So it's a tough walk uphill. It sure is fun though. I'll leave you with some pictures.
So a little background is in order. I was out for a run a week ago Tuesday (September 14th or so). I ran for about 3/4 mile and then my foot told me it had a sharp pain. I had had this pain earlier this year, but was hoping I was finally getting over it. Suffice to say no such look.
I still managed a 4 miler over the weekend, but it was clear it was time to see a professional. So I did. The diagnosis: I've tweaked the nerve that runs between the first three toes (the fixed part of your foot) and the last two toes (evidently the movable part of your foot). It's been bothering me off and on for a year now, and the only way to fix it is to quit tweaking it. The doc recommended arch supports and foot pads, so I'm trying that. I may have to switch running shoes as well.
Then, like the idiot I am, I rushed out of the doctors office to meet up with my friends so we could do our 21.8 mile rim to rim hike across the Grand Canyon the next day.
The hike was a blast as always. I've attached a few pics. Not so many since I've been enough I've photographed most of what I want to.
I made it out in 10 hours which was around 2.3 mph for the hike. For reference, the hike is listed as one of the top 10 hardest day hikes in the US. As I always say, the first 15 are easy (downhill and mostly flat), it's the last 5 that kick you in the butt!
This was a great day this time - it was a beautiful hike and I enjoyed every minute. The foot did good, I had some gel supports in my shoe. Frankly, it did better than it had the previous year when it was acting up.
I did better too. I was concerned by my lack of training, but in the end, it was ok. I came out strong the last 2 miles, without stopping, which is good - the grade at that point averages, yes averages, 20%. So it's a tough walk uphill. It sure is fun though. I'll leave you with some pictures.
Monday, September 10, 2007
Scribbling without lines
Well I did good last week getting 5 out of 7.
But this week I'm 0 for 2. Hmmm
Saturday I left around 7:30 a.m. - normally a hot part of the day, but Saturday was nice.
I went 2 1/2 miles to the grocery store - downed an orange and sloshed the 2 1/2 miles back to the house.
That was fun, then another day around the yard and working around the house was fun.
Hope everyone is doing well out there.
But this week I'm 0 for 2. Hmmm
Saturday I left around 7:30 a.m. - normally a hot part of the day, but Saturday was nice.
I went 2 1/2 miles to the grocery store - downed an orange and sloshed the 2 1/2 miles back to the house.
That was fun, then another day around the yard and working around the house was fun.
Hope everyone is doing well out there.
Thursday, September 6, 2007
It's cooler (aka more scribbles)
I was tired of running in the heat, so I decided to run this evening on a treadmill in the gym at work. Well, I'm about 3/8 mile into my workout and BOOM! - the treadmills all power down. Lights were still on, but not the treadmills.
So I drove home and decided to run outside. This normally suicidal move was brought on by the clouds that looked to be an afternoon thunderstorm, but never really developed, keeping the temps in the 90's (I'd even bet they were low 90's) - with a nice breeze. I ran mostly on a packed trail which was nice on the feet and legs.
I was able to get in a nice 4 miler; finishing strong (instead of melting at the end) at an average pace of 9:07. First decent run I've had since Washington DC. Knee was a little tweaked at the start, but I think that was a result of my "power biking" episode Tuesday where I tried to carve a new path through the desert. Including Sunday this week, I'm 4 out of 5 days working out.
Before you think it was really cool, I should mention my shirt was still 1/2 drenched (the shoulders were dry today which was a nice change!) Thanks to everyone for the laundry hints!
I'm going to try and go early for a longer run on Saturday, so I'll probably do a short bike tomorrow or even potentially skip (Noooooooooooooooooooo! ).
It feels really good to think the weather is cooperating and I can start getting back out there on a regular basis. So far I've been doing short runs and bikes to avoid the heat and get going again, but I'll probably start to pick up with a full routine (intervals, tempo runs, etc) on the other side of my Canyon hike.
I started my watermelon diet as well - actually I had started this before Joe had suggested it, it's a favorite diet of mine in the summer. I don't know Joe's formula, but mine is to eat Watermelon for breakfast and dessert and everytime I feel like snacking. There is an old Mark Twain quote "It was not a Southern watermelon that Eve took; we know it because she repented." So yes, I like Watermelon - and recently they have good ones on sale. I'll let you know how this diet works out for me.
Hoping everyone is staying cool.
So I drove home and decided to run outside. This normally suicidal move was brought on by the clouds that looked to be an afternoon thunderstorm, but never really developed, keeping the temps in the 90's (I'd even bet they were low 90's) - with a nice breeze. I ran mostly on a packed trail which was nice on the feet and legs.
I was able to get in a nice 4 miler; finishing strong (instead of melting at the end) at an average pace of 9:07. First decent run I've had since Washington DC. Knee was a little tweaked at the start, but I think that was a result of my "power biking" episode Tuesday where I tried to carve a new path through the desert. Including Sunday this week, I'm 4 out of 5 days working out.
Before you think it was really cool, I should mention my shirt was still 1/2 drenched (the shoulders were dry today which was a nice change!) Thanks to everyone for the laundry hints!
I'm going to try and go early for a longer run on Saturday, so I'll probably do a short bike tomorrow or even potentially skip (Noooooooooooooooooooo! ).
It feels really good to think the weather is cooperating and I can start getting back out there on a regular basis. So far I've been doing short runs and bikes to avoid the heat and get going again, but I'll probably start to pick up with a full routine (intervals, tempo runs, etc) on the other side of my Canyon hike.
I started my watermelon diet as well - actually I had started this before Joe had suggested it, it's a favorite diet of mine in the summer. I don't know Joe's formula, but mine is to eat Watermelon for breakfast and dessert and everytime I feel like snacking. There is an old Mark Twain quote "It was not a Southern watermelon that Eve took; we know it because she repented." So yes, I like Watermelon - and recently they have good ones on sale. I'll let you know how this diet works out for me.
Hoping everyone is staying cool.
Monday, September 3, 2007
Scribbles from the Desert
Just a few quick scribbles while I contemplate the heat.
No - I didn't get 5 miles in this morning. I went to a late movie last night (Bourne Ultimatum which was good!) and I didn't start until 8:30 and I resigned myself to 3. This heat really stinks - they are saying we will go under triple digits by the weekend.
I bought a new wet-dry shirt today. Truth in advertising, they should call them wet shirts, cuz there is nothing dry when I run and the temp is north of 90 heading for 100. My problem is that I am concerned that my laundry isn't totally getting the fine aroma that I put into them, back out of them. Any thoughts? Perhaps I should rinse them after my workout?
My cooldown activity today was yardwork. And yes, I was cooler - largely because I was going slower and there was a breeze and ice water close at hand.
I'm fighting a weight issue right now - I'm still riding 5 pounds higher than my last triathlon and 10 higher than my goal. I need to fix my diet - right now I've taken the step of going to one soda a day (I know 1 is still too many) and eliminating desserts and sugary snacks. I'm thinking that may not be enough this time.
Also need to start thinking about race planning. My next big event is a rim to rim hike at the Grand Canyon, but after that I'm looking for a few 10 k's. My next tri will probably be in December as my schedule isn't conducive with the sooner events. I'm contemplating about stretching to the 1/2 at PF Chang's this year. That would take a different mentality for me from the way I normally run at an event like that.
Now if I could just find a way to strap ice water around me when I run and not have it melt :-(
Hope you are doing well!
No - I didn't get 5 miles in this morning. I went to a late movie last night (Bourne Ultimatum which was good!) and I didn't start until 8:30 and I resigned myself to 3. This heat really stinks - they are saying we will go under triple digits by the weekend.
I bought a new wet-dry shirt today. Truth in advertising, they should call them wet shirts, cuz there is nothing dry when I run and the temp is north of 90 heading for 100. My problem is that I am concerned that my laundry isn't totally getting the fine aroma that I put into them, back out of them. Any thoughts? Perhaps I should rinse them after my workout?
My cooldown activity today was yardwork. And yes, I was cooler - largely because I was going slower and there was a breeze and ice water close at hand.
I'm fighting a weight issue right now - I'm still riding 5 pounds higher than my last triathlon and 10 higher than my goal. I need to fix my diet - right now I've taken the step of going to one soda a day (I know 1 is still too many) and eliminating desserts and sugary snacks. I'm thinking that may not be enough this time.
Also need to start thinking about race planning. My next big event is a rim to rim hike at the Grand Canyon, but after that I'm looking for a few 10 k's. My next tri will probably be in December as my schedule isn't conducive with the sooner events. I'm contemplating about stretching to the 1/2 at PF Chang's this year. That would take a different mentality for me from the way I normally run at an event like that.
Now if I could just find a way to strap ice water around me when I run and not have it melt :-(
Hope you are doing well!
Sunday, September 2, 2007
The not much report
OK - here's what I'd like to report - I did 6 days of training last week and I am going faster with these PRs and these races planned, etc. etc.
Here would be an interesting but bad report - didn't too anything, have been diagnosed as the first person to have chronic lazy disease and was attacked by free range chickens on my last run.
The truth lies somewhere in between. Instead of 6, I hit 4 days - 2 off my goal. Instead of going faster, I kept going.
The highlights - a 5 mile run across the mall in Washington to the Jefferson Monument - first time I've visited this site.
The lowlights - missing yesterday (on a Saturday???) - the run back from the Jefferson Monument when I took a right instead of going straight and ended up running through the Washington Marina (highly not recommended) - and today's 4 miler that became a 3 miler when I started just before 9 a.m. and melted by 9:20.
By the way, in the lowlight column one could note that Phoenix is still searing hot. As I write this the temperature is 3 digits here.
Hope to get a 5 miler in tomorrow morning - a lot will depend on how early I start and how hot it gets.
Hope everyone is doing well - and going as fast as Wes! It's old news - but did you see his tri results last week?
Tuesday, August 21, 2007
Moving on
Well, 3 days, since my ride and 3 workouts - although I doubled up today so it wasn't 3 days in a row.
I ran on Sunday at 7 a.m. and put in just 3 miles and felt like I was ready to fall over from the heat at the end. I put in 3 miles this morning at 6:30 a.m. and felt like I could have gone a lot further. For some reason, it felt cooler today although I'll bet there wasn't 5 degrees difference on the thermometer. I think the humidity subsided. Truthfully, I'm missing longer runs, so maybe with the heat finally tapering off I can re-start them. I may have to do a treadmill run to get a good 60 minute run in.
My thought right now is to keep doing the short runs, longer bikes and other workouts at higher frequencies until it cools down to around the 100F mark as the high for the day.
In other news, I replaced my mp3 player with a delayed birthday gift of an iPod. I've got to say I like it better than the mp3 player I had, it's easier to program and the podcasts autosync - and I always start my run with a podcast.
I'm also looking for my first run of the season - right now there is almost nothing in Phoenix except the summer series of 5k's which just ended - but soon fall racing will start and the season picks up quickly. There is a tri in mid-September but I'm not quite back into tri-racing shape so I may put my return to tri racing off for a month or two.
Hope everyone is doing well.
I ran on Sunday at 7 a.m. and put in just 3 miles and felt like I was ready to fall over from the heat at the end. I put in 3 miles this morning at 6:30 a.m. and felt like I could have gone a lot further. For some reason, it felt cooler today although I'll bet there wasn't 5 degrees difference on the thermometer. I think the humidity subsided. Truthfully, I'm missing longer runs, so maybe with the heat finally tapering off I can re-start them. I may have to do a treadmill run to get a good 60 minute run in.
My thought right now is to keep doing the short runs, longer bikes and other workouts at higher frequencies until it cools down to around the 100F mark as the high for the day.
In other news, I replaced my mp3 player with a delayed birthday gift of an iPod. I've got to say I like it better than the mp3 player I had, it's easier to program and the podcasts autosync - and I always start my run with a podcast.
I'm also looking for my first run of the season - right now there is almost nothing in Phoenix except the summer series of 5k's which just ended - but soon fall racing will start and the season picks up quickly. There is a tri in mid-September but I'm not quite back into tri-racing shape so I may put my return to tri racing off for a month or two.
Hope everyone is doing well.
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