Catching Up

Well where do I start? First we didn't go to Las Vegas for our 30th anniversary celebration because my wife had to go to the Emergency at a local hospital the day we were leaving. We spent most of the day there and she has been to the doctors and will have more tests in 2007. But my running has gotten better just like I know my wife will too!!! a summary of my latest running follows:
10 miles 12/2 1:25:00 8:30/mi.
7 miles 12/3 56:31 8:04.4/mi.
5 miles 12/4 43:49 8:45.8/mi.
5 miles 12/6`
3 miles 12/7 26:15 8:45/mi.
15 miles 12/9 2:06:12 8:24.8/mi.
10 miles 12/10 8:24/mi.
10 miles 12/11 1:25:24 8:32.4/mi.
7 miles 12/13 58:54 8:24.9/mi.
5 miles 12/14 46:23 9:16.6/mi.
10 miles 12/16 1:20:46 8:04.6/mi.
11 miles 12/17 1:29:05 8:05.9/mi.
6 miles 12/18 53:13 8:52.2/mi.
7 miles 12/20 59:46 8:32.3/mi.
7 miles 12/21 59:52 8:33.1/mi.

On Tuesdays I swim and on Fridays I have taken the day off. The slower times are on the treadmill. I'm thrilled that I ran 8:04 and 8:05 last weekend for 10 and 11 miles. AND I had no pain in my legs at all since the 14th.
I'm going to Miami to run the marathon in January. I signed up and was accepted to run Boston. So 2006 did not end on a great note but I'm always hopeful that the best is yet to come.

Update

On Wednesday I ran 7 miles (TM 59:09, 8:27/mi.) I have found that my 6 inch foam roller is really helping my legs get out soreness and knots. Trigger points seemed to be released. Also I sit in a bath of cold water for about 10 minutes when my legs feel sore. Today I ran 4 miles (33:39, 8:24/mi.). Tomorrow no running , my wife and I are going to a Christmas party. I will get an hour massage around noon.

A New Week

On Sunday I ran 7 milles in 56 minutes. 8:00/mi. AND my legs didn't hurt at all!!! This is the first time since July I can say this. Monday I ran 7 miles (TM1:00:07) in 8:35.3/mi. I was a little tired but I felt great for the last 4 miles. Today I swam 50 laps and took it easy. Only 26 miles for the week.

Manchester Road Race 2006

Thanksgiving 2006. I started out from home with plenty of time to drive to Manchester and warm up. The road was free of traffic. 10 minutes from home I realized I had everything BUT the card to get me into the 30-35 minute corral. I exited the highway and flew back home. This time I didn't have plenty of time. Of course now the road was clogged with people on there way to celebrate Thanksgiving with friends and relatives. I finally arrived 20 minutes before the race. I parked and jumped out of my car and raced over to the start. So much for my planned 10 minute warm up. Waiting I talked to some of the runners near me. We noticed the banner over the start with the record for 90+ male and female. Just over an hour for the male and just under an hour for the female record. Amazing!!! The start. My left leg hurt at first and several people passed me in the first two tenths of a mile. I kept my pace which I thought was fast enough. It was COLD and raining. I wore a knit hat at first which I threw onto a lawn pass the mile mark, 6:52. I thought it was too fast although last year when I felt better I hit it at 6:46. I slowed up some. The next mile and a half are up hill. It started raining harder. I past several runner going up hill but at the top I slowed some and several runners passed me. My glasses were steaming up from mile 1 on and I had to wipe inside and out with my soaked cotton gloves in order to see. But I enjoyed seeing so many people in front of me run so fast. I felt OK and I was running strong. Near the end the road goes down a slight hill then on to the finish. A young women passed me and was running so strong it was fantastic! I pushed to the finished but it was the first time in years that I wasn't out of breath. The results were posted today. I was 593 out of 8285 (signed up to run). I was 45th out of 894 in my age group 6:59/mi. It had taken me only 8 seconds to hit the start line. It was raining so hard after I finished I didn't see anyone I knew and I just walked straight back to my car, changed into dry clothes, and left. I worn a long sleeve red shirt that my company, NERAC, bought for me. The race will be televised on NESN. I hope that the "Nerac" on my back will be seen. My trainer's husband came in 36th, Aaron Flamino was 5th in his age group 5/882 25:09 5:18/mi. Friends who ran were Brett Stoeffler, 85th 8/882 27:14 5:45/mi., Dick Stoeffler (who is 73) 14/37 50:07 10:34/mi., Brian Nelson was 145th 77/834 28:46 6:04/mi., his wife Laura was 1348th 77/821 37:16, 7:51/mi., my trainer Linda, who was recovering from a stress fracture and easily beat me last year, came in 728 38/821 33:49 in 7:08/mi. and Gerri Potash 3627 186/669, 45:25 9:34/mi. This is only a race for the runners in the corrals and right behind the corrals. Otherwise there are a number of people who are not runners but take part in the "run." Some stop as early as 1 mile and walk some with no mind to anyone behind them. So the times for some will be higher than they would be if they were able to run with fewer runners. The last runner, Mary Haines is 92. She was first in her age group in 2:16:38, 28:47/mi.

Relaxing and Tuning Up

Yesterday I ran 4 miles slow and easy. My legs felt a little tired. I lifted weights after that. Today I warmed up on a stationay bike and lifted and stretched. I'll take it easy tomorrow the day before the race. Last year was my best race. I came in 429th in 32:08 (6:46/mi.). But I am expecting I will come in closer to the year before when I was 983rd in 34:47 (7:20/mi.). I'm going to enjoy it because I am starting near the front where everyone runs well the whole race. I think last year I enjoyed it the most just for that reason. The temperature should be about 46 degrees F and partly cloudy.

A Great November Weekend

Saturday I ran 15 miles in 2:01:22 (8:05.5/mi.). My left leg hurts most of the time now from the bunion. But I'm running better and faster. Average HR was 153 and the temperature was 34-51 degrees F. Today (Sunday) I ran 7 miles in 57:05 (8:09.3/mi.). I was hoping for a little faster time today but I feel OK. Thursday I will run my 16th Manchester Road Race. It's a fun way to start Thanksgiving. Last year I set a PR but I don't expect to be as fast this year. Still it's great to run with 10,000+ people in Manchester CT. I ran 35 miles for the week.

A New Week

On Monday I ran 6 miles in 52:20 (TM 8:43.3/mi). I felt tired still from the 20 miler on Saturday.
Tuesday I swam 82 laps. My back hurt. I probably swam too fast. Ice on my back made it feel better. Wednesday I ran 7 miles ; I was trying to run faster than the previous Wednesdays. My time was 58:05 (TM 8:17.9/mi.). This beat last week by 47 seconds. Today I was really tired but I felt I should see what I could do. I ran 7 miles in 1:00:52 (TM 8:41.7/mi.). I was happy just to be able to run 7 miles. Tomorrow I'm off and then 15 0n Saturday.

Longest Run Before Vegas

I ran 20 miles today. This will be my longest run before the New Las Vegas Marathon. My left leg hurt for every step for the first 10 miles not like I was running hurt or I would hurt myself but the bunion seems to almost pinch something so that other parts of my leg besides my toe hurt. I thought of stopping at mile 4 but I needed to run 20 so I took it easy. From mile 10 -20 only mile 16 hurt and my HR for 1-10 was 140-148 not too bad but 11-20 HR was 146-154 really where I want to be on this kind of training run. I ran 20 miles in 2:56:10 for 8:48.5/mile. This is about 25 second slower than I would have liked but the first 10 miles were painful and the next 10 were beautiful. The temperature range was 34-54 degrees F. I was cool most of the time with a long sleeve over a short sleeve HiTech shirt, tights, gloves, and my fuel belt. Gatorade and apple juice (in separate bottles). Chocolate Gu at mile 6 and mile 12. 41 total miles for the week.

A Little Tired

I ran 7 miles yesterday in 58:52 (TM). Today I ran just 3 miles in 26:15 (TM). Saturday I hope to run about 20 miles for my long run before the marathon.

Feeling Good

I ran a recovery run yesterday of 5 miles (TM 45:44). 26 miles in 3 days. NICE!!!
Today I went swimming. 72 laps. My groin muscles are a little tight. I'm using a ball chair more today to stretch my legs.

Updates

On Thursday I ran 5 miles in 42:32 (TM 8:30.4/mi.). I felt good. On Friday I took the day off but I went to a Physical Therapist who was amazing. She checked my orthotics out of the shoes and said they were well made. She said I was too tense and had been for a long time and helped me to relax for the first time in years. Then I got a massage. I felt veerry relaxed.
Saturday I ran 15 miles in 2:05:07 (8:20.5/mi.). The temperature was 28-36 degrees F and my HR was 143-157. I ran 32 miles for the week. One mile further and a little faster. NOT where I was but each week I'm improving.
Today I ran 6 miles in 49:02 (8:10.3/mi.). The temperature was between 46-49 degrees F (out at 11:37AM). A little tight but better than I have been and the first time I could run what I planned to run on the weekend.
I had a friend run the NY Marathon. Brian came in 413th overall in 2:51:08. CONGRATULATIONS Brian!!! He is 26 and placed 96th in his age group.

Times Going Down Miles Going Up

I swam 64 laps yesterday. My legs were a little tired. But today I ran 7 miles in 58:42(TM 8:23.1/mi.). This is the fastest time I've recorded on the treadmill since July. Right now I feel great. My PT said that my Manchester RR time will be my best. Now I feel at least I will be able to give it a good shot at a PR.

Staying on Schedule

I ran 7 miles in 59:15 (TM 8:27.9/mi.). I felt great. My left leg feels about 90% today. I also got a 1/2 hour massage.

Day of Rest

I ran 13.05 miles yesterday (Saturday) in 1:50:27 for 8:27.8/mi. (I use Google maps to check my mileage). It was raining hard at times and raining throughout the entire run. But the temperature was 48-54 degrees F so it was a nice run. It was also windy, 30 mph I found out after I got back. But I'm still slower than I was. The bunion has changed my left foot. I swam 50 laps today and found it helps my foot but I feel more stress on my hamstring right after swimming. But overall, swimming helps. Friday I swam 42 laps before seeing my chiropractor. I'm hoping not running today ( I went to the UConn Men's soccer game, they lost 1-0 to St John's) will help me run 7 miles in under 60 minutes tomorrow. Stay tuned. Just over 31 miles for the week.

Two Days in a Row

I ran another 6 miles today in 54:41 TM (9:06.8/mi. pace). Again I ran slow to test my legs. I warmed up the last two days with the strengthening exercises that Sara my PT gave me. My legs feel good now 7 hours later. The next 2 days I plan to swim and then 13 - 14 miles on Saturday. They are predicting rain but like my friend who is rehabilitating her leg said it beats not running. Hopefully it will be at least in the 40's here in Connecticut on Saturday morning.

Latest Updates

Saturday after my run I sat in a traffic jam on the highway for an hour. Holding in the clutch killed my left hamstring. On Sunday I still felt the effect. I ran 6 miles in 50:00 (8:20.0/mi.) which was faster than I thought I was running.
Monday I swam 80 laps and I felt good after. My legs and back felt loose.
Today I ran 6 miles in 54:48 (TM 9:08.0/mi.). This was slower than I had hoped for but OK. I had a 1/2 hour massage right after and my legs feel good now. I see the Podiatrist tomorrow to check on my orthotics. My legs still feel only about 80% of normal.

Wednesday I swam 100 laps. I felt good and ready to run Thursday. Thursday I ran 6 miles in 51:04(TM) which is 8:30.7/mi. with a .25 mile cool down. Then I walked for another 5 minutes.
On Friday my right ankle was a little tender. I was going to take the day off but thought a short swim would do my legs good. After 10 laps my right leg felt great. I swam a total of 50 laps.
Today I ran my favorite 10 miler. My average HR was 149 closer to my marathon HR of 163 and I ran for 1:24:15 for 8:25.5/mi. This is the longest run since August 5th. I felt great!!! I signed up for the New Las Vegas Marathon 2 weeks ago. My plan is to go 13, 15, 18 - 20, 15, 13 , run the Manchester Road Race, 10, and 7 for my long runs up to the marathon.

New Week and Still Feeling Fine

I swam 72 laps (25 yard pool) yesterday. I'm trying to help my running recovery using swimming. Today I ran 4 miles (34:42 TM). I still feel good over 6 hours later. I'll swim again tomorrow.

Best Weekend Since August 5th

Friday I swam 100 laps (1 mile (70.4 laps) in just over 30 minutes). Saturday I ran 8 miles in 1:06:08 (8:16.0/mi. Average HR 145). It was 29 degrees F at 8:15 when I started. Total miles for the week was 18. Sunday I ran 6 miles in 48:39 (Average HR 146-148) for 8:06.5/mi. This is the first time I felt like my old self. I just ran with little pain in my legs. I think I like running in the cold better than the warmer weather. Next Saturday my favorite 10 miler.

Beyond Chicago

I ran 4 miles Monday (38:20 TM) after "graduating" from PT. I have a lot of exercises to perform to get my left leg 100%. I didn't know my leg was weak even though I had great endurance. Today I ran 6 miles (56:43 TM) and worked out for another hour with weights and the PT exercises. I swam Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday but yesterday I cut the middle toe of my left foot and I have to stay out of the water until Friday. I got a tetanus + shot because of the cut on my toe. The leg feels tired but OK this afternoon and my plan is to try and run 7 miles on Saturday morning. I'll be thinking of my friends running the Hartford Marathon.

You Don't Know What You've Got Til It's Gone

The last week I ran well was August 6 - 10; 34 miles that week. That's when my problems blossomed. On the 29th I pulled my hamstring. I went from 231 miles in July to 74 in August.
I have been going to PT now for 3 weeks. I have been swimming (over 5 miles each of the last 2 weeks) and biking (up to 80 miles per week) to stay in shape. But not running shape. Finally my left leg is getting stronger. I ran 6 miles last week. This week I ran 4 miles on Thursday 39:59 (9.59.7/mi.) and today I ran 6 miles in 53:17 (8:52.8/mi.). My leg doesn't hurt today after running (it was 6 hours ago since I finished). The swimming has helped a lot. I feel like I can again start planning to train for a marathon. Boston in April is my goal.

Rehab Progress

It's been awhile. I'm still here BUT not running. I swam 50 laps today in a 25 yard pool. I go to physical therapy 2Xs a week. Sara my Physical Therapist has given me a number of things to do to rehab my hamstring. Tomorrow and Sunday I will bike. Chicago is probably out for this year. Today was the first day my left hamstring did not hurt. I feel I could run but I will give it a little more time.

Rehab

I went to an orthopedic today, Dr. Jay Kimmel. They took x-rays to rule out a fracture. Also Dr. Kimmel doesn't think it is sciatica since I had problems like that 13 years ago (swollen disk with no feeling in my lower right leg for about 6 months). So I'm starting physical therapy on Wednesday.
I just biked 15 miles with no pain and when I told Dr. Kimmel I was signed up to run Chicago he said don't rule it out yet. I had a massage/acupuncture today and Shannon said "you ran your race in Boston, just go and run Chicago and don't worry about the time." I hate to pass it up when I'm registered and my flight is booked. My physical therapist is a marathoner so I'm praying I can rehab in time.

Pain Free

Yea!!! I ran today almost 3 miles (2.7) and was mostly pain free. I went to my Chiropractor on Friday and found out my piriformis muscle in my left leg was so tight that it was pinching my sciatic nerve.
This is the third problem I've experienced this summer that I have not encountered in a long time.
I rode my bike over 60 miles this weekend and stretched a lot. I think they both helped loosen up the piriformis. Hopefully, tomorrow I'll still be pain free.

I haven't written any updates because I have been walking, biking, and using the elliptical trainer since August 19th. It feels like I have a pinched nerve in my left leg. I went to my family doctor but she couldn't really find anything wrong. I'll go to my Chiropractor Friday and to an Orthopaedic next Friday. I can't run; I have like a knot just above the back of my left knee when I try. It seems like the kind of problem that only time will heal. Hopefully not a lot of time.

The Sweetest Day of the Week

I usually run with some pain; I'm sure we all do. You get to a race you really want to do well at and you're only 80%. But you still do OK. I have a few favorite runs that I do at least every 2 weeks. One is a 1o miler. I know when I'm at the 3 mile mark if I'm going to have a fun time or not. That's the route I started on when I strained my hamstring.
Now I'm almost afraid to run because I don't want to feel any pain and know I haven't recovered. There's almost nothing that feels as good than when you get to the point of a long run and you are completely within yourself and you feel like you could run forever. I run by myself this year most of the time so I do get to that point often.
Well tomorrow early I'm going to test the legs. I hope to go 4-6 miles. I told Linda my trainer that if she hears me say something like I'm on my third or fourth day of double digit miles to tell me to take a day OFF!!!

One Day Closer to Running Again

In retropect I should have taken a day off once in a while. Now I've had to take several days in a row. But I'm not running again until I'm close to 100%. It's killing me but I still feel I can get a PR in Chicago if I'm smart about my training for the next month and a half. Today I did 60 minutes on the ellpitical trainer (just over 7 miles) and lifted weights for about 20 minutes. I still stretch twice a day and I use heat and cold (today cold felt best) on my legs. I've been able to do more push-ups lately so something has improved. Tomorrow I may take the day off again and then Saturday morning go for a RUN!!!

At Peace with Time Off

I saw Shannon for acupuncture today. She said my hamstring was as tight as a piano wire. I took the day off after that. My leg feels a 100% better. I'm getting treatment on Saturday again. I am taking it easy until my hamstring is close to 100%. I'm hoping that is Sunday. Since my company already paid for me to fly to Chicago, I going to go to run the best I can. All those days I ran hard is balancing the days off. As you can see from my previous marathons I have run to beat my time,
basically running against myself. I will again have fun and enjoy Chicago. My trainer is also having some ankle problems but I know she will overcome those and will run Chicago too. If anyone reads this and you are going to run Chicago I would love to hear from you.

Running Again

I ran 2 miles on the treadmill. The hamstring felt weird the tightness was up high then near the knee and even inside and outside. I used the elliptical trainer for another 4.5 miles. Tomorrow I will get acupuncture on the leg and hopefully it will feel much better.

Orthotic

My trainer Linda Yamamoto recommended Dr. Brian DeSchamps , D.P.M. in Vernon, CT when I found out I had a bunion. He ran the NY Marathon twice and Boston 4 times besides numerous other races. It's nice to go to a doctor with running experience. He took a casting of my feet today. I'll get my orthotics in about a month.

Continuing Rehab on Left Hamstring

The hamstring is better; about 80% of normal. I went 7 miles in an hour on the elliptical trainer at work today and lifted weights for about 20 minutes. Hopefully tomorrow I can run. Since the third week of June I have run 50, 59, 60, 71, 63, 60, 10, 49, and 34 (last week) miles per week. The heat at noon got to me and caused problems 3 weeks ago along with the bunion on my left foot. I am going to be more conservative in the hope I can still run a great race in Chicago.

Sweetest Day of the Week

I walked 10 miles this morning. What every runner wants to do. Take a walk. Hopefully my hamstring will be back to normal soon. At least the Red Sox won 8-7.

Took time off from work today. I had a massage this morning and Jen told me I strained my left hamstring. It feels a lot better now but I'll probably just swim and walk tomorrow.

It's ironic I started this blog when I did. I needed to familarize myself with blogs for work. It's like when I subscribed to Runner's World or Running Times in the past. Everytime I renewed my subscription I would get hurt and for months I would be reading about running and wishing I was.
Today I started on a 10 mile run and my left hamstring didn't feel right. I had to walk at mile 7 and won't be able to run tomorrow. Well 7 miles is better than nothing. I have a bunion on my left foot which I am being fitted for an orthotic on Monday and I think my whole left side is screwed up right now. It may have added to my problems today. I have not really had a down time for over a year. With all the massages I get I was hoping to run through Chicago but maybe at 54 I need some rest. I'm writng this but no one is probably reading it. I also run alone most if not all of the time. But it's nice to be able to write this down. It's probably why there are 2 blogs created each second of every day. I added more links yesterday and I will continue to add more.

Wednesday August 9

I ran 8 miles today in 1 hour and 6 minutes. I felt good, better than yesterday. After my run I saw the licensed acupuncturist and massage therapist, Shannon Kuzel, one of 2 massage therapists that my company has on site for us 5 days a week. The other massage therapist is Jennifer Cross. Without their help I would not feel 100% and be able to run all the marathons I run. The company I work for, NERAC, also provides a trainer for us 2 times a week in the gym which is open 24/7. I feel very lucky to have such great support from NERAC. They are also sponsoring me in the 3 marathons I am running this year, Vermont City, Boston, and Chicago. Here is a link to the LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon, www.chicagomarathon.com, where people often set PRs. Of course I'm hoping to set one too!

Vermont City Marathon 2006

It was a great day the weather was a little warm but all my family was there to cheer me on. The race loops back to the center of Burlington several times so you get to see friends and family multiple times. My left calf cramped up at mile 23 but I still made the finish with my best time ever. This is a wonderful race with a great organization. The people of Burlington really support all the runners.

First Message

Ran 7 miles today in 58:53. I'm always slower on the treadmill than running on the roads and my legs have felt a little tired lately. The temperature is finally down in the 80's this week. This is my first blog and my first day of blogging, I just started blogging about 3 hours ago. I love to run and I have a lot to say. It was tough getting into the site but I will try and chronicle my daily running and thoughts on running. I have run 7 marathons and I am preparing to run Chicago on October 22. My PR is 3:18:32 run in the Vermont City Marathon in May. I have been lucky so far in that I have run each one faster than the last. In April I ran Boston which was the greatest running experience of my life. I ran 3:26:22.