Recovery Run?

Well I walked for an hour this morning, stretched and did some strengthening exercises before going for a 3 mile run at noon. It seems like my hamstring feels good after the initial 2 miles. But yesterday it seemed like after the long run that I probably weakened it running 11 miles. I felt the same after last weekends 15 miler. My conditioning is not where I want it and only short runs make the hamstring feel good the next day.
I did get some advice about running Hartford and long term goals from a couple of readers of this blog, thanks Lindsay and Patrick, and I'm inclined to agree with them and not push my legs too fast and run when I'm not ready. So Hartford is up in the air right now; I definitely need to feel better than I do today to decide to run.

Sunday and Less than 2 Weeks to Go

I woke up at 3:15 this morning and could not fall back to sleep. I got up and read for an hour and then went back to bed. After CCD and church I went for a run because I think that part of my problem was too many push-ups and too much stretching/foam roller use. Also the nerve in my leg seems to have popped back into a better place. Just when I thought that Hartford wouldn't happen.
I ran 11.0 miles in 1:39:14, 9:01/mi. and 6.6 mph. Slow and my hamstring hurt some but if I can put together a few days of runs I feel I can get a little faster. I'll see by Wednesday.

Pain

Well I'm in pain. I tried to run on Thursday and started at 10 something a mile and got slower. my right calf felt like a vice was squeezing it. I stopped after 1/2 a mile and walked home. At PT on Friday they worked on my back and hamstring. Jane, my physical therapist, gave me some exercises which have helped but I'm not sure I can run Hartford now. My massage therapist, Shannon, also talked about similar exercises but did not tell me it was related to my past injury. She has known me for years and I think did not want to tell me what was on her mind since she probably thought I would not be able to run Hartford or Manchester.
I probably hurt more mentally than physically. Not being able to run is a crushing blow; I do not like to bike or walk or any alternative to running. I have been blessed to run as much as I have and I do appreciate it.
My vacations are all centered around marathons. Now what will I do if I can't run?
Right now my back feels strange like it is not strong enough to run. Should I try Hartford and just run slow and walk some? It seems wrong but I don't want to give up. I don't want to jeopardize my chance to run Boston. I know it's a long way away but what will I do if I can't run in Boston. I have worked so hard for 6+ years and it means the world to me.
Any thoughts email me at keithal2@gmail.com

Sciatica Now

I got up at 5 AM to run today. 6.9 miles in 59:50 an 8:40/mi. pace. My sciatica in my right leg is bothering now but my hamstring seems better. If I get over this soon I should be able to run faster. I hope this is only temporary. I've got to go to PT and then a late day at work.

Long Run

15.1 miles, 2:14:25 (13.1 in 1:56:49), 8:54/mi., 6.7 mph, avg HR 142 and max HR 154. So my right hamstring hurt some for the first 2 miles and from mile 8-11 but I feel OK now after the run. I have some time to get a little faster but it looks like Hartford may be a long training run for Manchester NH. Every marathon will not be run when I am at my best physically and 2010 has been a year I have had enough adversity to be happy just to make it to the starting line and run the best I can on that day. I'm looking forward to Hartford to see how much I can recover from the hamstring injury. I hope to run about 3:50.

New Shoes and Faster Too

I worked a nine hour shift and got home after 7 but I wanted to try my new Adidas Supernova Glides so I ran 5 miles. My hamstring hurt near my right knee for a mile and a half but then I felt really good. 5.0 miles in 42:58, 8:35/mi. and I felt like I could stay at that pace for awhile. 24.5 miles for the week. I can't tell you how thankful I am to be running again.

Faster Yet Again

Well I only ran 4.3 miles but it was the fourth day in a row and my hamstring felt good. I went 4.3 miles in 37:50, 6.8 mph with an avg speed of 8:48/mi. That's about 85% of normal. I'm thrilled! I hope I can keep it up with longer runs.
I have received a few emails lately which I want to share. The first is one from Melissa Murphy from YouCast about running the NYC Marathon for a charity. Here in part is the letter with the important links:

"It’s not too late to train for the marathon! Team Continuum’s coach John Hirsh has compiled a crash-training program to assist your readers’ transformation from recreational runners to marathon-ready in time for   November 7th.  Send your readers to http://ycin.net/ct.php?ctaid=1178 so they can begin their training.

Team Continuum, an official charity partner of the NY Road Runners Association, is currently raising money from participants running in the ING NYC Marathon.  When a cancer diagnosis results in hardship and uncertainty in someone's life, Team Continuum steps in to pay the patient’s bills, and to provide immediate and vital non-medical assistance to cancer patients and their families. So many of us have been touched by this disease and we’d love your help getting the word out about Team Continuum by letting your readers know how they can get involved.

 If your readers couldn't get into the 2010 ING NYC Marathon, Team Continuum has guaranteed spots!  Just send your readers to http://ycin.net/ct.php?ctaid=915 By clicking REGISTER they'll get guaranteed entry and will join the effort to raise money for this great cause.

 For more information visit http://youcastcorp.com/c/110/go/index.php?r=0. I have great assets for your post at: http://www.youcastcorp.com/teamcontinuum .

It seems like a very worthwhile charity and one you should consider running for in NY.

The NYC Marathon is an experience you should not miss out on running; I had a great time and the music and fans are first rate!

PT This Morning and a 10K After Work

I got up at 5:20 so I could be at PT at 7. I got out of work at 3 so I was able to run after work. I added 1.2 miles and was faster again today. I ran 6.2 miles, 57:16, 9:14/mi., 6.5 mph, avg HR 136 and a max of 162 bpm. My right hamstring felt "normal" I did not feel it when I walked. After running I was able to put my leg on the trunk of my car to stretch, like I use to do. It felt great! I'll probably take tomorrow off; I hope to get my per mile time under 9:00 soon.

Better Day Than Yesterday

I still don't have any speed and some pain in my right leg but I did run 5.0 miles in 49:03, 6.1 mph. I used the HR monitor today and it averaged about 122 bpm, I didn't think I could have an avg HR that low while running. I did feel better and since it's only my second day back I am hopeful that by the weekend I will feel at least 70% up to speed. I keep working to strengthen both hamstrings and the pain was less centralized than during yesterday's run.

The Ups and Downs of Running

I RAN today!!! Yeah! My legs felt heavy at first and I did not run very fast, 4.01 miles in 40:24 (6 mph) but I ran. My legs feel OK now and my right hamstring did not give me any trouble. I'm hoping to still run Hartford but I have a lot of work to do in the next 3 weeks. PT has been going well and I am doing a lot of exercises to strengthen my hamstrings.

The Good, the Bad and ...

Well last Saturday I went out for an 8 mile run to go over 40 miles for the week and pulled my right hamstring. I had to walk about 1.3 miles back home without picking my right leg up off the ground. I started physical therapy on Wednesday and my leg feels a lot better back to 50% of normal. I have been able to bike and I'm doing strengthening exercises for both legs. I had to work Saturday since it's a really busy and I have not missed a day of work. I will bike today and tomorrow and hopefully get back to running by next weekend. I'm not sure if I will be a pacer for Hartford, I'll probably know in about 7-10 days; I will run Hartford just not as fast I thought I would.