Last Day of the Month

4 miles today to see how well my legs recovered from yesterday. 1 mile on the elliptical. I had lunch with a friend today who needs to get some exercise. I suggested snowshoes or just getting out and walking; he feels that running right now would be too much on his legs. I feel fortunate that I am able and that I like to run. Although my back and right leg did not feel as good this afternoon as I would have liked them to feel.

Long Run

I took 2 days off so I could have a long run yesterday. 17.3 miles, 2:25:32 total at 8:24.7/mi. I ran all the miles on the treadmill in the Adizero Boston. I took 1 gel and about 10 oz. of Gatorade and about 40 oz. of water. I didn't have any right hip or leg pain and I still don't have any today. This was my longest run since July; I hope to run at least 2 longer runs before Boston plus the 1/2 marathon at the end of next month. For now, I see a lot of treadmill running which will hopefully keep the pain away. I think that all the strengthening exercises are working.
I don't feel quite so back running inside this winter since we have so much snow it would be very difficult trying to run outside near my house right now. The snow mounds are over my head everywhere and the cars cannot see people running at every corner.

Felt Good After Shoveling

Snow, snow and more snow. We have set a 1 month record in CT for snow fall. The old record was from 1945. This is the most snow we have had on the ground since we moved to Enfield in 1988.
I ran well this afternoon at the gym; 7.0 miles 1:00:07, 8:35.3/mi. my fastest 7 miler on the treadmill in the past 6 months. No pain tonight and I feel good. All this treadmill work is paying off. I turned 59 on Tuesday and I am hopeful that Boston will be a good day.

Tired Today

I went to the gym and intended to run a few miles; finished with 4.2 miles and 2 miles on the elliptical. My legs have been tired the past 10 days but no sharp pain in the right leg. I feel like this is not a good time to push oneself. Winter always seems like a time to relax just go with how you feel. I'm sure I will feel like running longer in a few days. I guess you should always listen to your body it's just that in the warmer weather I can usually run through it.

Another Snowy Day

I might go snow shoeing today if I can get down to my brothers house. He has a few pairs and there is always fresh snow this winter. I ran 7 and 6.8 miles the past 2 days and a total of 4 miles on the elliptical trainer. I was really tired and cold yesterday and so I didn't run until 3:30. I sitting here watching it snow; we;ll probably get another 2-3 inches with more on the way Wednesday night and all day Thursday.

Another Low Energy Week

I've had some high mileage the past 3 weeks so I guess I was due for a lower energy/mileage week. I've been tired and my right leg has hurt some. I did not work as much as I was suppose to due to the snow so I did get more sleep. After 4.5 miles on Wednesday I took Thursday off and felt better today; 6.8 miles in 59:54 plus 3 miles on the elliptical. Only 25.3 miles so far this week and 7 miles on the elliptical but I do find that every 4 weeks I need a lower mileage week regardless of what my high mileage weeks total. Hopefully, I will rebound next week. I got my work schedule for next and I will be able to run the Colchester 1/2 in February. I will fill out the application next week.

Snow!

I ran inside again yesterday, 6.8 miles in 1:00:08 and 2 miles on the elliptical. I was going to do more but I felt a sharp pain in my right leg so I figured it was time to stop.
Today it snowed and right now it's freezing rain; I had planned to run out in the snow but it is so nasty right now I may take the day off.
I ordered 4 more things for Ice Breaker yesterday, including some short sleeve shirts which I didn't order last time. I wore the gloves out shoveling today. Very nice.

The Previous Week *

Well, I can't believe I didn't write anything all week. My totals were 40.5 miles running and 11 miles on the elliptical. Wednesday in the snow, I ran 4 miles in my YakTrax, http://www.yaktrax.com/. Today I ran 7.2 miles and 2 miles on the elliptical. I took Friday off and I had no pain in my right leg. I believe the elliptical and the cumulative effect of all the leg strengthening exercises have finally worked. In fact, I haven't felt any pain in the right leg since last Sunday. I got some Ice Breaker, http://www.icebreaker.com/site/index.html  running clothes this week; they are the best! 100% Merino wool soft and comfortable.

Thoughts on the Beginning of a New Week

Well yesterday there was a slight pain in my right leg. Today I felt it a couple of times.
I went to the gym to watch the football game and workout. Totals: 10 miles running and 4 miles on the elliptical. My right leg did bother me at first when I started to run but it went away and feels OK now. I hope to have a high mileage week. I'm going to have supper one night with my best friend from high school and next Sunday is my youngest daughters 20th birthday. I'm not working as many hours for a couple of months so I'm thinking of trying to find a part-time job to fill in the missed hours. I hope it won't interfere with working out and I hope it won't fatigue my legs more than they already are from work and play.

First Day Off This Year

I have been doing well with little or no pain in my right leg but I had to work all day today and I wanted to work out hard for the next 2 days so I took a day off. Thursday I ran 7.2 miles outside, 8:33/mi., 1:01:34 and Friday 4 miles in 35:44 and 1 mile on the elliptical. 9 miles on the elliptical and 38 miles running for the week. I'm feeling good and I feel stronger this week. I have the mind set that I have had in previous years. Adidas gave Fleet Feet a number of free articles of apparel and I got a fleece sweat shirt from the 2008 Boston Marathon since I was the only person at my store that ran it in 2008. Sweet! we get apparel and shoes from various manufacturers that we sell from 3point5 and I got a 100% wool shirt and wool socks from Smartwool which are great.

Feeling Like My Old Self

Yesterday and today I ran 6.8 miles on the treadmill. Yesterday I went 4 miles on the elliptical and today 2 miles. I have been able to do extra stretching and strengthening exercises too and have had little pain in my right leg.I have also taken only one day off since Christmas. I'm feeling stronger and my legs feel like I can run nearly everyday again. I had run inside in the winter for the majority of the past 15 years, running outside only on weekends, and I'm beginning to think that this helped save my legs. Also I find using the elliptical seems to help my legs too. In the years 2000-2003 when I had problems running I did use the elliptical extensively to rehab and I always felt stronger coming back to full time running. January seems to be a good training month for me over the past 7 years and this may also have to do with more inside miles.

Solid Beginning for 2011

Yesterday I went out and ran 6.2 miles in 52:29, 8:28/mi. I had kept my speed down from Saturday and realized that if I keep my speed a little slower that I should be able to go more miles with less pain in my right leg.
Today I went back to the gym; 7.0 miles in 1:01:21 and 2 miles on the elliptical. I'm using the Brooks Ghost outside and the Adidas Boston inside. I will still run some miles outside in the Boston but I'm thinking right now that I need a little more support for the marathon than the Boston will give me over 26.2 miles.
I read an article on running empty in the NY Times and I have been doing this most mornings. So far I feel good doing it with no lack of energy. I do drink 1/2 a cup of coffee and I bring a Gatorade/water mixture just in case.

Happy New Year 2011

It seems like I was just celebrating the year 2000. Time flys even when you run a lot.
I just signed up for a RoadID (http://www.roadid.com/Common/default.aspx); we were given them at work as a gift from Fleet Feet.
Yesterday I ran outside 7.2 miles, 8:12/mi., 59:03 7.3 mph. I was surprised by my speed since I was trying to take it easy. I got the Brooks Ghost 3 and tried it for the first time yesterday. It seems like a perfect shoe for me, firm heel, fairly light with plenty of mid sole cushioning. I was thinking about going out again today. It's warm in the mid to upper 40's here and overcast. I just need to take it a bit slower so my right leg won't hurt later.
I'm thinking about running the Colchester CT 1/2 at the end of February. I would have to get the day off from work but I'm sure they won't mind since it's February.