15k

The 15k was today, the run I registered for when I didn't make the NYC 1/2 lottery. I intended to train for it alongside Mrs. FA, while she trained for the half. I didn't come close to that, but still had a good run.

Even with a minute, 20 seconds lost to an urgent potty break at mile one, I surprised myself with a consistant 9.30 pace for the first three miles, and was surprised again to hit mile six under one hour, at 59.23. My off-again, on-again right knee pain started around mile 4 but was managable until just past mile 6, when it started to make the hills VERY tough, and I walked up a few.

Around mile 7.5 an older guy I had been chatting with around 6.5 pulled up next to me. He caught me walking and said, very warmly, "Come on buddy, pick it up."

I responded, "It's not the lungs, it's the legs."

He said, "Use your arms! Your arms will carry up up that mountain!"

And, son of a b*tch, pumping my arms I took the rest of the hill and the next two, the knee less of a factor, and I practically flew (for me) the last two miles to the finish. It was a big, strong finish for me, probably my strongest to date. I was aiming for sub-90. My watch said 1.34.10 at the finish. But with the potty break and etc., I am pretty happy with the time and very pleased with my 3 and 6 mile splits. Mrs. FA and the little FAs came out to cheer at miles 2.5 and 6, which was a great boost, too.

It was a good event, typically well organized and not too many runners, so the start wasn't overly crowded. Temps were lower than I expected. I went out in shorts, a polypro long sleeve, the race T-shirt, polypro gloves and a baseball cap, and was so cold at the start that I thought it was going to be a big problem. After the first mile I was dressed perfectly.

Peace, fellas.

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.

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.