Gun show

I did the triple threat eliptical, run, swim today at the gym. 15 minutes on the eliptical, 15 minute run, some weights (you know to bulk up for the beach), and then 15 laps in the pool. It felt good to cross train, and great to actually run. I'm hoping to get a more aggressive program in place from my PT guy tomorrow, but I'm not sure if that will fly. I'm not up for another calf pop, but the slow recovery is also killing me. It's tough because the strains seemed to come out of nowhere -- no pain, no tightness, no warning.

Enough bitching. The workout felt great today, and that's the important part. Oh, and the guns are coming along. (yeah right)

Quick POst

I got rained out yesterday and got out today for 35 minutes. It was a beautiful day and nice to be outside - even if it was chilly. I'm having pace trouble, and going out really hard and I'm not sure what's up with that. Anyway, got out, one more run under the belt, not a bad thing. Back to work -- very busy at the new gig! It's cramping my blog style . . .

PT and Yardwork

I did two sessions of PT last week, and I have another one tomorrow morning. Woo-hoo! Yes! Yes! Yes!

I also hit the gym twice last week for some weights and swimming. I'll go again tomorrow after PT. I'm hoping to get the green light to run a bit by the end of next week. I've had one week on the eliptical so far. With three heavy ultrasound and massage sessions on the calf in six days, I should see some healing. Man, would I like to get out there for even two to three miles.

In the absense of running, I took on two projects over the weekend. I'm working with my father in law to replace old sheetrock with beadboard at camp. And at home, we're gardening fools. With all of the good weather lately, things are sprouting early, so we're already behind. I built a cool tree limb fence around our garden today with help from the kids. I got to use the chain saw, which is always fun. I'm actually slightly sore from the work, but that's mainly from whacking my hand with a hammer multiple times while trying to drive in my home-made fence posts. Go figure.

Kudos to Agricola for kicking it into gear during the last push before the Marathon. I'm still bummed I can't run with him, but hoping to at least pull out a relay leg. Being injured is about the lamest thing ever (no pun intended, really).

Agricola, let's rethink this blog post-marathon. I'd like it to keep going. Maybe with some new blood?

Challenging Run

I ran for about 87 minutes today. It was sort of challenging. MY ankle and my knee were hurting -- the ankle especially. I didn't do 45 minutes yesterday, I worked in my yard for about 2.5 ours instead (cross training).

Three reasons why today's run was tricky:

1. I didn't do the work in between long runs as I rested my knee.


2. Yesterday's work sort of gassed me and left little in the tank.


3. I under-dressed. I should have worn tights it would have helped my legs if they were warm.

I think my knee thing is more muscular than joint -- and I think it's more related to the cold than anything else -- it's not exactly warm out right now.

This Blog . . .

This blog sucks. I'm going out for 45 minutes today and probably ten miles/90 minutes tomorrow. I'll get back on midweek track this week and then try a 3 hour run next Sunday -- once the Vermont City marathon is over I might shut down this blog and just post my running stuff on my other blog . . . it was a noble experiment but it has proven, 14 months into its lifespan, to not be as motivating as I'd hoped.

How's that for a call-out, you pansies? The weather is beautiful, get off your butts and go do something.

Back On The Road

I got back on the road today -- the knee was feeling pretty good. I did a new route near home -- one that I've been thinking about for a while. I ran on some trails near a pond and the Charles. It was really lovely -- lots of Red Winged Blackbirds, some ducks and geese, the sun was still low in the sky. I enjoyed it very much. There was a good sized hill. The run was an out-and-back, 44 minutes).

My knee feels OK right now -- no pain, but I'm definitely aware of it, if that makes any sense. I've hit on some theories this marathon training:

Out and backs of an hour to ninety minutes round trip are pretty doable/tolerable. Anything more I'm looking to go out in one direction and get picked up. Also, on the longer runs I've started to think of them in 45 minute increments (~5 miles). It's not so bad to do three hours when I think of it as four 45 minute segments. Just something I'm thinking about as I practice running. Another thing is that my transition to home from business trip has somewhat wreaked havoc on my schedule -- sometimes it's hard, and I feel bad, extracting myself from the house to run. One more bit of food for thought.

Pain, Not Good

So, yesterday, I headed out for a 3 hour run. I was going along pretty good, I stopped a bit at 90 minutes to stretch -- I was feeling tight in all the major muscle groups of my legs, and then carried on. About twelve minutes later I got a shooting pain in my left knee. I stopped, tried to rub it out, walked it off a bit, then tried running again. I came down an incline and the pain got really intense -- my knee sort of seized up though that's not the right word -- it still moved, but the pain was sharp enough that it brought me up short. I shut it down right there, got on my phone and called Mrs. Agricola to come get me.

I'd planned all along to run out for three hours, then stop and start walking back. Mrs. A was to come out and get me -- leaving the Quarter Acre around 2:30 into my run. We knew the route, and I'd just be walking back along it. I figured to cover between 18-20 miles and was feeling good at 1:50. I was thinking "oh, good, 70 minutes to go, no problem, I feel good, I'm enjoying this, I've always wanted to run this route, cool, the tightness I can handle . . ." then the knee pain and an abrupt halt.

I've been feeling some twinges in this knee for the past week, but not thinking much of them as they passed. I got another twinge in this knee at about 2.5 miles into yesterday's run and it passed too. I'm going to call my doctor today and see what he says -- I'll probably see him then someone else. I'm sure the knee pain is related to my ankle injury, and given the location of the swelling, and the pain, I'll not be surprised if it's something in the meniscus/cartilage . . . bummer. Just when I was in good shape and really enjoying the long runs I get dinged. VTR and I had a funny conversation -- I called him as I walked back along my route, and that was humorous. I'll let you know what I learn.

I did a fast five on Saturday, as well -- 40 minute fiver, though more and more I'm ignoring distance and focusing on time spent running.

Bobbing along

So, I'm on the conservative approach to healing what seems like a minor injury to the calf. I'm told that pushing that muscle too far could lead to a big tear or rupture with permanent damage. I'm not even into missing out on the summer, let alone long-term discomfort, so I've shut down the running for now.

Instead, I'm hitting the gym, doing stationary bike, some weights to work on my quirky shoulders (and the gun show), and swimming. It's a nice change of pace, although it's killing me not to run, especially with the Burlington Marathon coming up fast. Not only is Agricola running (and going to kill it, btw) I must know about six other folks in my town who are running. Plus, with work no longer an issue for the time being, I have more time to run. This experience has made me appreciate running more than ever, and it's made me realize that I am part of a running community, but beyond that injuries are no fun. Cape Cod Marathon anyone?

Coldlanta

It was a chilly morning in Atlanta today -- temps only started around 38 F. Last week was warm and mild. I actually went out yesterday evening and bought a poly-pro shirt at an ATL REI for this AM and was glad that I did. I did the same route that I did last Tuesday, but a little bit less -- even though I think that I would have covered the same ground quicker - I was withing site of my turnaround and it was not going to take me four minutes to get there today. You've gotta love the long runs for improving fitness. I ran for 45 minutes today, and felt good. Back to work training -- I'm so ready to come home and get to work and get out of this training room.

NYC & Atlanta

Friday I did another 45 minutes in Atlanta. It was a good solo run.

Sunday I did about 14 in NYC. I ran from our hotel on 42 St., between 2 & 3 Avenues and did two loops around the park before running back to 42 St. and 5 Ave. I did each loop in a consistent 53 minutes/loop. The first 40 minutes was not so enjoyable but the hour from that point to about 1:40 was awesome while the last 30 was not great, and quite painful. In total I ran for 2:07. I stopped at 1:07 to answer a call of nature -- God Bless the NY Road Runners and their race day porta-potties. I stopped at 1:30, at the base of The Great Hill to stretch because everything was tightening. My first time over GH I stopped because I had forgotten how long that thing is and I was in my forty minutes of blah. All in all, though, the run felt good and I feel pretty good today, not too sore or stiff. There is nothing better for confidence than some long runs. I'm on the road again, still in the ATL, so I'll go out for about 45 minutes tomorrow (Tuesday), as well.

VTR, I'm sorry to hear you're injured and hope you can run the race, but I'm going to to do it no matter what -- I'm into it now! Maybe, even if you don't do the whole thing, and if you don't get into a relay we could a section together -- you could be my pace guy near the end, maybe in the final 10K or whatever. Let's coordinate.

Pop

So, I had a setback with the calf, which is why the posts have gone by the wayside. I'll keep you updated on any progress, or any other exercise I get in, like swimming.

Agricola, nice job man. If I could run, you'd be lighting a fire under my ass with this spurt of training. Awesome to see it.

The rest of you LDT bloggers pretty much suck. There I said it.
(Unfortunately, I'm right there with you now.)

Raising My Game

I got out again today, for 49 minutes over some hilly Georgia terrain. Today I went with both of the guys that I've run with previously. It was a good and social run and we ran pretty quickly. The hills hurt, but I feel good. Since Sunday I've run four times and I must be up around 26-27 miles this week. I'm going tomorrow too because I won't have time on Saturday. I'm also planning a long run in NYC Sunday -- maybe a couple of loops around the park -- perhaps I'll check NYRR and see if they've got a race for which I can sign up. Where is everybody -- I'm not getting many readers and I'm definitely getting fewer runners/bloggers. The weather is getting nice boys get out there -- we're running our of excuses.

A cool thing about the runs we've done is that Tuesday we headed East along a route. Yesterday I went in the opposite direction. Today we headed North-Northeast. We're "quadranting" our surroundings and getting a sense for the area. It's a fun bit of exploration despite the fact that the area is heavily urban/suburban and very manicured and planned. Atlanta has plenty of McMansions, but they are far more tasteful than those that go up in Boston. THe good architects developers must be down here, and not in the NE.

Another Trot

I got out for another trot this morning through a different part of northern Atlanta. I went with another guy from my training -- another ultra-runner. We went for 44 minutes and probably covered about 5. I'm having a good week of running, and enjoying it. I can't duff around too much this AM because I missed breakfast yesterday and that was tough -- I scrounged up some stuff, but I need to not eat 3 day old deli meat from the office fridge. Later VTR, since you're the only one reading this, maybe.

Atlanta Run

I'm at a training in Atlanta, as I think I mentioned in my Sunday 10 Post. I went out today and ran with a guy in the training who's a triathlete and ultramarathoner. It was a great 53 minute run along a main urban/suburban drag in extreme northern Atlanta, into Dekalb county. It wasn't particularly beautiful though we ran by some nice neighborhoods. It was a type of American sub/urban run that I think is probably pretty common in this country -- but not so common in the NE. Lots of stores and intersections, commuter traffic etc.. However, it was a nice rolling course, the weatherr was cool but nice -- total shorts and technical shirt, and there are some beautiful trees and flowers in bloom.

The guy I ran with is a really nice guy, a designer from SF and he was kind to me and ran with me for the first two thirds and then kicked it towards the end. I hung with him as long as I could and finished maybe 10 seconds after him. I really enjoyed running with somebody, it made the time slide by easily and it was fun to chew the fat. A good run, a nice confidence builder and I'm looking forward to going out tomorrow too. Given that I've done the 10 Sunday and this was probably 6+ I'm feeling better about this training.

I know that I've harped on how much of a routine person I am and if my routine gets messed up then I'm done but I want to amend that statement. Routine is important, but sometimes being out my comfort zone, and getting out of my routine -- like coming to Atlanta for five days this week and three next -- is great for my running. It's a way to take control of my surroundings, explore, and bring some routine to a very different experience.

Sunday 10

Well, I showed some gumption yesterday, got up at 6:20, got dressed and headed out the door for a 10 miler. I did the first half in 44:56. I was going well on the return until a small series of rollers made my legs blowup -- I walked a bit and then stretched. that fixed the problem and I finished the last couple of miles with no problem. The return leg was 45:41 so I just missed the quicker back on my out and back. I feel pretty good today, a bit sore but nothing major -- and I flew to the ATL last night for training for my new gig and didn't arrive at the room until 1:15 Monday AM.

Well, I'm going to run tomorrow morning and take advantage of some of the southland's warmer weather, except that this week in GA and last week in FL (for which I still owe a post, and will do while hanging around the hotel) is that it gets light much later in the mornings than it does in Boston. At home, the sky etc. is bright by 6:40 AM -- the sun isn't up, but daylight has broken. Down here it's still dark, sort of like 5:30 - 6:00 AM dark at 7 AM. It must be the latitude, it's very interesting.

Total Elipse of the Heart

So, I had my first PT appointment this morning for my calf, and I got some good news. It looks like I didn't tear the calf, despite the pop I heard a week and a half ago. The week of rest and stretching helped me out, and now I'm on a program. I did a few minutes on the eliptical trainer (first time on one of those), and I'll go for 30 minutes tomorrow and 45 on Thursday. I have another PT appointment on Friday at which point I hope to be cleared to run.

I have to skip my half marathon this weekend -- too worried about reinjuring the leg -- but I plan on ramping up the miles fairly quickly next week. I'd love to be able to get a long run in by next weekend, April 12. That would put me 6 weeks out from the marathon when there will be no time to dick around or get reinjured, so the motivation to run and stretch should be high. ("Should" being the operable word.)

Anyway, the coolest thing about PT was being six minutes into the eliptical jaunt and thinking, "I'm back." I really felt like I was getting part of my identity back, the running part.

Oh, and happy birthday to Agricola. Welcome to the age of injuries. Keep running and stay young.