Dear James, Daniel and Emily,
Did my 4 miles today, got a little tight at the end, but I did push more at the beginning so that is still progress. One of the things I love about the morning run/walk is how it clears the head: literally & figuratively.
As the weather turns cooler my nose starts to run a little, but when you start the week feeling you might be catching a cold, and then you around someone who most definitely is sick, that is a good thing. Clear some of the gunk out with a little runny nose, keeps the body working.
And it is a good feeling to start the head with that time to clear my head of everything, so I'm not thinking/obsessing about what happened yesterday or last night. I think one of the problems I had Monday was I didn't get out to clear my head, so I was more on edge in the morning.
Today I was also thinking through what my plans are. My goal is to get back to 20+ miles a week. And I think that will be doable here in the not to distant future as I rebuild my leg strength. Since I run 4 days a week, and walk at least 2, and my walks are always about 2.5 miles then that's 5 miles to start, and if all I did was 4 miles each run I would have hit that 20 mile mark. Of course I want to be able to do more, but I need to be patient and wait for the recovery to progress before I can hit that number. I mean it was only a couple of weeks ago that I couldn't hit 3 miles without pain.
Thursday, September 29, 2011
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Returning to intervals, having to listen to my body on way to #fitwinning
Dear James, Daniel and Emily,
Today I got back on the coached workout wagon. I had just been doing free workouts since the half marathon, but today I got back on the coached workouts. This means a regular training program, with certain workouts, following a set time to follow a certain pace etc. Today was intervals, which I did fine at, but running that much harder did mean that the leg soreness kicked in a little earlier (3 miles). So I listened to my body and slowed down and walked home. I'm not too worried that this means something bad has happened, rather I kind of expected it. Increasing the intensity of the workout was going to result in the soreness showing up earlier. But adding these workouts will help my gradual recovery.
I am so glad I got out of bed and did the run today though. Even though I did not get a good night sleep: dog, kids, Kim all were restless and interrupted my sleep to some extent. But I feel so much better mentally today after having gotten out and done something that it was well worth any soreness. And as we get into Fall, and eventually winter I will rely more and more on my workouts to keep my mental self straight.
Friday, September 23, 2011
Had a successful week, still recovering, but always #fitwinning!
Dear James, Daniel and Emily,
2 runs of 4 miles or more, 2 morning walks of 2+ miles, it was a good week from an exercise perspective. Still recovering from the stress of the half marathon, so having to build back up to my goal distance of 6 mile average runs. But you know what? I am nearly 45, and I am getting out there and running, which is really the point of the whole exercise. If it takes me a little while to recover my goal running pace and distance that's alright so long as I am still getting out there and doing something.
Still fighting the eternal battle of appetite versus healthy eating. My meals have become pretty well balanced, no problems on the digestion front. That's the good part. Now need to recover the eye of the tiger as far as will power on reducing what I actually eat. I know I can do it, just need something to help regain that mental strength.
2 runs of 4 miles or more, 2 morning walks of 2+ miles, it was a good week from an exercise perspective. Still recovering from the stress of the half marathon, so having to build back up to my goal distance of 6 mile average runs. But you know what? I am nearly 45, and I am getting out there and running, which is really the point of the whole exercise. If it takes me a little while to recover my goal running pace and distance that's alright so long as I am still getting out there and doing something.
Still fighting the eternal battle of appetite versus healthy eating. My meals have become pretty well balanced, no problems on the digestion front. That's the good part. Now need to recover the eye of the tiger as far as will power on reducing what I actually eat. I know I can do it, just need something to help regain that mental strength.
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
Monday, September 19, 2011
Determined to find a way through current pain & return to full #fitwinning
Dear James, Daniel and Emily,
Today's Run
Had a bad weekend from a fitness perspective. Did not run Staruday due to staying up late Friday night reading. Then skipped Sunday so Kim could get soem rest after her own very late night out Saturday night (because inevitably the kids would have woken up 5 minutes after I left & demanded her attention).
So I ran this morning. And I did manage to push to 4 miles. But my leg tightened up after 2 miles or so. So I was having to fight through the pain for the last half of the run. Again, I don't think there is anything damaged in there, it just tightens up really quickly ever since my half marathon.
But my new strategy now is to just push through the tightness when I do run, not too much, but keep going so I can complete my planned distance. And follow up with a much bigger focus on stretching during the day and evenings on the off days. I might even make an appointment with the massage person who comes into the office once a week. My theory is to just stetch the legs back out to where they were before the long race.
Today's Run
Had a bad weekend from a fitness perspective. Did not run Staruday due to staying up late Friday night reading. Then skipped Sunday so Kim could get soem rest after her own very late night out Saturday night (because inevitably the kids would have woken up 5 minutes after I left & demanded her attention).
So I ran this morning. And I did manage to push to 4 miles. But my leg tightened up after 2 miles or so. So I was having to fight through the pain for the last half of the run. Again, I don't think there is anything damaged in there, it just tightens up really quickly ever since my half marathon.
But my new strategy now is to just push through the tightness when I do run, not too much, but keep going so I can complete my planned distance. And follow up with a much bigger focus on stretching during the day and evenings on the off days. I might even make an appointment with the massage person who comes into the office once a week. My theory is to just stetch the legs back out to where they were before the long race.
Sunday, September 18, 2011
Saturday, September 17, 2011
Friday, September 16, 2011
Thursday, September 15, 2011
Neither rain, nor cold could keep me from my #fitwinning run!
Dear James, Daniel and Emily
Yeah it was raining (although it was more of a steady drizzle than a rain), and yeah it was chilly (actually put on a pullover), but I was determined to run today. I took yesterday off to give my legs a day of rest, so I was ready to run again. And I was actually excited for this run.
I got to about 3 miles before my knee soreness began to appear, and I slowed to a walk at about the 3.5 mile mark. Which is an improvement from Tuesday, which was an improvement from Saturday. It's a process right now, recovering from the strain and stress of the long run. But I am happy to say that it is getting better every time, and I feel confident that I will get back to my customary 6 mile runs in a reasonable amount of time.
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
Running getting easier, although still hard, overall a #fitwinning morning
Dear James, Daniel and Emily,
Running
Made it to 3 miles today, didn't start feeling pain until around 2.5 miles. That's progress. Ran with different shoes today, not sure if that was the difference or if it is just a matter of gradual recovery. The only way to find out is to keep moving, keep running, on Thursday go back to the other shoes and see how it goes. It could be just about a matter of needing to recover the strength, and recuperate from the strain of the long run.
Diet
On the plus side, I have stayed off the NutraSweet and diet soda's etc. Although I am getting a little tired of tea. But I have to do the tea to keep from ballooning up with the regular soda.
On the negative side now that my running has died down some I need to recapture my control over my appetite. It's a gradual thing, my appetite got built up while I was running so much, and now that my running has slowed down some what I need to get the caloric intake back down to manageable levels. I can do it, just have to focus.
Running
Made it to 3 miles today, didn't start feeling pain until around 2.5 miles. That's progress. Ran with different shoes today, not sure if that was the difference or if it is just a matter of gradual recovery. The only way to find out is to keep moving, keep running, on Thursday go back to the other shoes and see how it goes. It could be just about a matter of needing to recover the strength, and recuperate from the strain of the long run.
Diet
On the plus side, I have stayed off the NutraSweet and diet soda's etc. Although I am getting a little tired of tea. But I have to do the tea to keep from ballooning up with the regular soda.
On the negative side now that my running has died down some I need to recapture my control over my appetite. It's a gradual thing, my appetite got built up while I was running so much, and now that my running has slowed down some what I need to get the caloric intake back down to manageable levels. I can do it, just have to focus.
Monday, September 12, 2011
Recovery taking longer than expected, but finding ways to remain #fitwinning
Dear James, Daniel and Emily,
Saturday morning I planned to return to running. Unfortunately first one, then both legs started hurting before I had even reached 3 miles, so I geared down, and did the prudent thing and walked home. Clearly I will have to take my time in returning to longer runs. I guess running for 6 miles on a sore leg did more harm than I expected, not anything major, because I walk and run short distances with no problems.
But I compensated with some walking. Sunday I took Spotty to the dog park and walked nearly 2 miles at a brisk pace, with lots of up and down hills. Today I got up and walked my 2.5 mile Mesa walk. If that's all I can do for now then so be it.
I do have a suspicion that the new shoes I bought may have been the problem (which will teach me an important lesson about running in discount shoes). I will test that theory tomorrow with a run in my older shoes (they were only starting to hurt my feet when I ran really long distances). If my legs can handle it than I will know better. If the legs act up regardless than I will have to figure something else out.
I did realize last week that I am not officially signed up for the race on the 1st of October, so I will just forgo it this year. Take a break from racing for the year, and just focus on running for fitness.
Saturday morning I planned to return to running. Unfortunately first one, then both legs started hurting before I had even reached 3 miles, so I geared down, and did the prudent thing and walked home. Clearly I will have to take my time in returning to longer runs. I guess running for 6 miles on a sore leg did more harm than I expected, not anything major, because I walk and run short distances with no problems.
But I compensated with some walking. Sunday I took Spotty to the dog park and walked nearly 2 miles at a brisk pace, with lots of up and down hills. Today I got up and walked my 2.5 mile Mesa walk. If that's all I can do for now then so be it.
I do have a suspicion that the new shoes I bought may have been the problem (which will teach me an important lesson about running in discount shoes). I will test that theory tomorrow with a run in my older shoes (they were only starting to hurt my feet when I ran really long distances). If my legs can handle it than I will know better. If the legs act up regardless than I will have to figure something else out.
I did realize last week that I am not officially signed up for the race on the 1st of October, so I will just forgo it this year. Take a break from racing for the year, and just focus on running for fitness.
Thursday, September 8, 2011
Getting back on the horse, because that's the #fitwinning way!
Dear James, Daniel and Emily,
Per my self imposed schedule I went for a good walk this morning. Took my regular 2 mile walk in the neighborhood that involves a couple of good hills, one of them pretty darn steep. Wanted to test my legs:
1. Sore during the walk? no
2. Sore after I was done? a little but not dramatically so
3. Sore tonight? obviously the jury is still out on that one
My plan/goal was to see how far along I was on recovery from the Half Marathon. I would say so far that I am right on my pace to be able to return to runnign Saturday morning, but no steep hills to start. Which makes me happy, I know that I missed my time when my body would recover quickly, but it can still recover, and the more I exercise the speedier it recovers from certain levels of exertion.
Per my self imposed schedule I went for a good walk this morning. Took my regular 2 mile walk in the neighborhood that involves a couple of good hills, one of them pretty darn steep. Wanted to test my legs:
1. Sore during the walk? no
2. Sore after I was done? a little but not dramatically so
3. Sore tonight? obviously the jury is still out on that one
My plan/goal was to see how far along I was on recovery from the Half Marathon. I would say so far that I am right on my pace to be able to return to runnign Saturday morning, but no steep hills to start. Which makes me happy, I know that I missed my time when my body would recover quickly, but it can still recover, and the more I exercise the speedier it recovers from certain levels of exertion.
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
Now I understand why they call them endurance races
Dear James, Daniel and Emily,
My Half Marathon
Lots of thoughts to share, I'll just do it with some bullet points.
1. I forgot to turn off my timer when I finished, I actually finished at 2 hours 21 minutes. Which translates to a pace of around 10:45 miles.
2. Ended up 180th amongst all men, 321st overall, 34th (out of 37) in my age group.
3. Don't know why, but my legs especially my left started hurting pretty early (around the 6 mile mark), which was surprising because I don't get that kind of pain even when running my 10 mile practice runs. My suspicion was that it had something to do with my pace, hydration, and over training a little (dead legs). So I could have done better had that not hit.
4. I now understand why they call these long runs endurance runs. Because I was really at the end of my limit as far as pain tolerance by then end of the run. My legs were just shot, and I spent most of the day in pain, icing my knees, lots of sports cream and ibuprofen.
5. I am really glad I did it, but I am also ready to give my body a break from the long runs. Not do much more than 6 miles until next year.
6. My respect for the marathoners is greatly increased now, that really is a whole different level of running. I mean 13.1 miles just about killed my legs, and to think about doubling that is a really big step. But it's a step I want to try next year, but I know that I will have to work a lot harder on my training to get there.
7. It is hard to describe how much it meant for me to see Kim & the kids at the finish line. My races have all pretty much been solo affairs so far, which has been fine. But for this one it was a really big deal and made all the more special to have the family there cheering me across the finish line.
8. I am still awfully sore, and will likely not do more than some morning walks until the weekend. Then I will resume my running. Because it is way more than just training to make that 13 mile mark, running has become a fixture in my life, and I don't see any reason to stop doing it.
9. One odd thing, my wind has really gotten good, because even though I wasn't exactly sprinting, I certainly wasn't breathing hard even at the end, it was just my legs that would have kept me from going on.
My Half Marathon
Lots of thoughts to share, I'll just do it with some bullet points.
1. I forgot to turn off my timer when I finished, I actually finished at 2 hours 21 minutes. Which translates to a pace of around 10:45 miles.
2. Ended up 180th amongst all men, 321st overall, 34th (out of 37) in my age group.
3. Don't know why, but my legs especially my left started hurting pretty early (around the 6 mile mark), which was surprising because I don't get that kind of pain even when running my 10 mile practice runs. My suspicion was that it had something to do with my pace, hydration, and over training a little (dead legs). So I could have done better had that not hit.
4. I now understand why they call these long runs endurance runs. Because I was really at the end of my limit as far as pain tolerance by then end of the run. My legs were just shot, and I spent most of the day in pain, icing my knees, lots of sports cream and ibuprofen.
5. I am really glad I did it, but I am also ready to give my body a break from the long runs. Not do much more than 6 miles until next year.
6. My respect for the marathoners is greatly increased now, that really is a whole different level of running. I mean 13.1 miles just about killed my legs, and to think about doubling that is a really big step. But it's a step I want to try next year, but I know that I will have to work a lot harder on my training to get there.
7. It is hard to describe how much it meant for me to see Kim & the kids at the finish line. My races have all pretty much been solo affairs so far, which has been fine. But for this one it was a really big deal and made all the more special to have the family there cheering me across the finish line.
8. I am still awfully sore, and will likely not do more than some morning walks until the weekend. Then I will resume my running. Because it is way more than just training to make that 13 mile mark, running has become a fixture in my life, and I don't see any reason to stop doing it.
9. One odd thing, my wind has really gotten good, because even though I wasn't exactly sprinting, I certainly wasn't breathing hard even at the end, it was just my legs that would have kept me from going on.
Thursday, September 1, 2011
Fought through some tightness today to achieve my customery #fitwinning goal
Dear James, Daniel and Emily,
Today's Run
Had to fight some muscle tightness at the beginning of the run, but by the end I was running free and easy again. Not sure why my muscles are rebelling so much this week, I didn't really push myself much more on Sunday versus the previous week. The bottom line is I did it, and as is customary ended with plenty left in the tank.
Skipped my walking yesterday, and will probably do the same tomorrow, as I noted yesterday on Twitter, it would be silly to hurt myself just before this race I have been looking forward to. I think my body is starting to show a little wear and tear from the training, and will be ready to ease off some after the race, settle into the winter schedule.
James & Daniel both enjoyed the first day of running club. James is so excited he wanted to go for a run after dinner last night (he couldn't because he had home work). I think this will be good for both of them. And I do look forward to doing some running with James as he gets accustomed to longer runs. It's not so much because I want a running 'buddy', I actually really enjoy the time to myself. But the occasional run with James might be fun, just to gauge where he is and help him improve.
Today's Run
Had to fight some muscle tightness at the beginning of the run, but by the end I was running free and easy again. Not sure why my muscles are rebelling so much this week, I didn't really push myself much more on Sunday versus the previous week. The bottom line is I did it, and as is customary ended with plenty left in the tank.
Skipped my walking yesterday, and will probably do the same tomorrow, as I noted yesterday on Twitter, it would be silly to hurt myself just before this race I have been looking forward to. I think my body is starting to show a little wear and tear from the training, and will be ready to ease off some after the race, settle into the winter schedule.
James & Daniel both enjoyed the first day of running club. James is so excited he wanted to go for a run after dinner last night (he couldn't because he had home work). I think this will be good for both of them. And I do look forward to doing some running with James as he gets accustomed to longer runs. It's not so much because I want a running 'buddy', I actually really enjoy the time to myself. But the occasional run with James might be fun, just to gauge where he is and help him improve.
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