No Pain!!!

After seeing Shannon yesterday all my pain has disappeared!

She used needles and performed massage for about an hour and 40 minutes.

Massage and acupunture is amazingly therapeutic.

Today I ran 10.5 miles in 1:26:10 at 7.3 mph and even tonight I don't have any pain. I can't explain how much pain I had last week. Why doesn't insurance pay for massage? It makes no sense to me.

VT City is my 20th marathon. I'm going to have a FUN time and enjoy every minute of it!

Sunny Saturday

Simone and I ran 7.3 miles in 1:05:50 for a 6.7 mph pace. She wasn't able to run this week so we tried to maintain her training without injury and with a positive attitude. Attitude and mental strength are very important to a successful marathon. She continues the push-ups and crunches.

I ran about 32 miles for the week. 

I saw Shannon today for acupuncture and massage. The psoas muscle is part of my problem. The nerves have contributed to my numbness. Here is a link to exercises if you have these same symptoms, http://www.touchpoint.dk/UK_artikler_psoas.htm

Here is a good link on when to replace your running shoes from the Greater Boston Run Co. (I follow them on Twitter), http://running.about.com/od/shoesapparelandgear/f/replaceshoes.htm

Sciatica Comes and Goes

I'm having some problems with sciatica in my left leg. I use to have it in my right leg but that hasn't happened in over a year. 

I ran 6.2 miles today on the treadmill in just over an hour. I alternated running 6.0 and 6.2 mph after warming up at 5.8 mph for 2 miles.

It's funny but the sciatica does not bother me when I am running or walking. It especially hurts when I sit in a stuffed chair. I've been using wooden chairs and laid on the floor 1/2 the night and it seems to have helped; the pain is almost gone again like Monday.

I'll take tomorrow off except I need to roto-till the garden some.

A Day Off

My sciatica had me up at 3 AM sooo I decided that it was probably a good day to not run to help my running. I got the bike out, pumped up the tires and rode 33+ miles in 2:28:00 at 13.1 mph. I'm not sure if this is good or not but it did help. 

I'll see how my night is before deciding if and how far I will run tomorrow.

Tuesday

I'm back in the gym. 5.1 miles. It's hot now in the gym, I seem to sweat more than outside. My right knee hurt today. I'm glad I didn't run outside I needed a change in surface. I have been running in older shoes inside and worn an older pair outside yesterday too. I think that may be why my knee hurt. 18.3 miles so far this week. I should be tappering again this week and next for VT City.

Following all the runners on Twitter is good. I enjoy reading about their daily routines.

An interesting article and an idea which I am using with Simone training for Hartford is http://www.chicagotribune.com/features/lifestyle/chi-0510-marathonmay10,0,7182820.column titled "Run Faster. Run Less? For marathon training less can be more. Experts say." A book on the subject has been published by the Furman Institute of Running, http://www.furman.edu/first/

Monday

I only ran 4.1 miles today but I ran in 32:42, 7.5 mph.

My son went home this morning so I didn't want to be off running. I ran in older Nike Max Moto 6 and they felt fine for the distance.

Moved my daughter Kelly back home today from UConn. She'll get over her boy friend; it'll just take a little time. His loss!!!

The garden is really dry; tomorrow I may have to water it.

I hope this recession ends soon so I can get a job. Had my meeting with the DOL today and will receive $ this week. A job offer would be better :-)

My sciatica is just about gone. The stretching and the slower running helped get rid of it. Also it just takes a little time.

Latest Musings

The sciatic nerve in my left leg has been giving me trouble. It's been hard to sit or lie down in bed for 4 days. It doesn't hurt to run but most of the day is spent sitting.

On Thursday I ran 6.1 miles on the treadmill and I took Friday off as usual.

Saturday I ran with Simone 7.1 miles in 1:02:10 for a 6.7 mph pace. Another mile at the same pace as last week. Good progress. She will not be able to run much this week so we'll see  if 8 miles is too much on Saturday.

After running we went to my daughter Kelly's commencement for her Masters in Education at UConn. The whole family is very proud of her accomplishments.

Today her boy friend of 4+ years broke up with her. The highs and lows of being 20 something. We all feel bad but hope this does not dampen her spirits. We love her soooo much!

Today I ran 9.1 miles thinking of Kelly most of the run. My sciatica seems better tonight. It was a good run in 1:15:15 at a 7.2 mph pace.

Hopefully, I'll get a good night sleep and be 100% tomorrow.

My son came from Raleigh for the weekend which made it extra special. As I mentioned earlier, we will run the Marine Corp Marathon in October.

It's Wednesday

I woke up with a stiff right shoulder/neck so I decided that the treadmill was best today.

I took it easy and ran 5.2 miles.  

I get a Google alert on marathons and found 2 interesting links especially if you are a first time marathoner. The links are http://www.runnersworld.com/subtopic/0,7123,s6-238-244-255-0,00.html (45 articles from Runners World) and http://www.marathonandbeyond.com/choices/emmett.htm (from Marathon and Beyond). I subscribe to both magazines. Every month they have excellent articles.

May Showers?

Today it rain or drizzled most of the day. I was laying in bed not wanting to run on the treadmill when my son called. We talked a while and when I hung up I thought I would run outside. I have been wanting to run in the Brooks Adrenaline GTS 8's again and since I talked to Simone on Saturday I have been thinking that the firmer shoes might help my hips. I ran 8 miles in 1:07:10 a 7.1 mph pace. My lower legs hurt more with the Brooks shoes but I feel like I can go faster.

However, I ran 10.8 miles on Sunday and 5.1 yesterday so my legs feel a bit beat up.

I have a good lead on a job. I'll send my resume out tomorrow.

Unemployment gives me almost too much time to run. I need to be careful. Over 24 miles in 3 days is a little too much especially since most of the miles have been on the road. The changing surfaces do really help my legs.

Sorry about the pictures; I'll enlarge them so you can actually see me :-)

Started Training Simone for Hartford

It was a beautiful morning to run. Simone came at 7:30.

I had to convince her to run the full marathon not the 1/2 but she is more than ready to give the full a try. I think she can run a sub-3:45 but we'll see as training progresses.

I suggested she buy the following: Amphipod hydration belt, http://www.amphipod.com/ a second pair of shoes and get use to taking gels as soon as we run over 7 miles.

I've used other belts and this brand seems like it might last the longest.

I suggested too that she go to a professional running store and see what they felt were the best type of shoes for her. Lastly, I said incorporating Pilates in her exercise and stretching would help her running. Here are some good workouts on YouTube, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fdMptxZv4hQ

We ran 6.1 miles at 6.7 mph in 54:38. I thought it was a great beginning.

I ran an additional 5.4 miles at 7.0 mph for a total of 11.5 miles and 44.3 miles for the week.

My back feels a lot better today after taking yesterday off.

Week in Review

I ran well this week despite a pain in my lower left back. It doesn't hurt to run but I feel it when I start out. Miles since Monday: Tuesday 5.5, Wednesday 6.2 and Thursday 10.4. Ran every other day outside. Off today and tomorrow I'll run with a friend, Simone, who I'm helping prepare for the Hartford Marathon, http://www.hartfordmarathon.com/marathonnew.htm in October. This is a very fast Boston qualifier; one everyone should consider if you want to qualify.

I'll post a couple of pictures from Boston soon.

I'm Back Running

Yesterday I ran 6.2 miles in 50 minutes. It was about 90 degrees. Yes it's April and about 25 degrees above normal.

Today I ran at the gym; 4.5 miles. My legs feel really good. I didn't have any of the soreness I usually have after the first day back after a marathon.

I was in the garden a lot last week and I used a foam roller on my legs twice a day.

I think the warm weather yesterday actually helped my legs. I iced them last night watching the Red Sox.

Resting

I haven't run since the race on Monday but I wanted to write since one of the people I follow on Twitter, @theanarunner, had a link to a good article on advice for running a marathon. The link is herehttp://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2009/apr/24/london-marathon-professional-tips

The London Marathon is tomorrow. You can read about it at http://www.marathonguide.com/index.cfm?

I'll probably start running again tomorrow or Monday when most of the soreness leaves my legs.

Boston Marathon

This was my 4th and my second fastest.

My daughter Kelly and my friend Ruth brought me to Hopkinton.

I sat on the bus with Mark from Toronto. He ran a 3:10 last year and hoped to run faster and qualify for New York. I asked him about the Toronto Marathon and he said the Toronto Waterfront Marathon was very fast and a beautiful course.

Corral 12 was next to the last in the first wave. My bib # was 12780.

It was a great day weather-wise. I tried to be conservative on the down hills and ran slower through mile 12. My legs felt good.

It was awesome having my name on my shirt; 1000s of people yelled my name and twice at the colleges 15-20 people were shouting Keith, Keith, Keith again and again. Very inspiring!

I ran with my cousin Candi's husband Bob for parts of the first 9 miles. He came in at 3:32:01 and I came in at 3:38:04. Both were great times considering he is 50 and I am 57.

But in comparison, I have a 28 year old friend who is a great runner and he ran a 2:37:59 which I think is the fastest marathon ever for him, a PR in Boston Nice!!!, 143 overall and a 6:02 pace.

Very special. I don't think you have to be a runner to appreciate the speed at which he ran 26.2 miles. In my book he is an elite runner and certainly a very special individual.

After Kelly, Ruth and I ate at Legal Seafood. 

Then we took the Green Line back to Riverside in Newton (exit 22).

Tomorrow... Tomorrow

I ran 3.1 miles Friday so I would only have 2 days off.

TOMORROW my 4th Boston. I'm as excited this year as I was in 2006.

My legs ache a little; I think it's because I took 2 days off in a row. The last time I did that was after the Houston Marathon in January.

28.6 miles for the week after 40.4 last week.

The weather is suppose to be good until about 3. I hope the winds are calm until then for everyone.

At the Expo I met people from LA, Alaska, and Tennessee. Good times and the best Expo of any marathon. My daughter Julie went with me and it was fun talking and walking around Boston.

I just wish I could go to sleep now and wake up and it would be time to go to the race.

I read in the Globe the story about the 2 guys that have run 41 and 42 consecutive Bostons. Amazing!

Until tomorrow. Cheers!!!

Tapering II

The last 3 days I've run 5.1, 4.1 and 5.4 miles. 

Today I ran outside instead of on the treadmill because I felt I needed one more day on the road. I will run tomorrow since I am taking Sat/Sun off for Boston on Monday.

The latest forecast was for rain later in the day. Hopefully, most everyone will be done before it starts.

I like running in the rain but I don't like standing around before the race, cold and wet.

I'm SOOO excited to feel good and to be able to run another Boston.

I am truly blessed.

Really Tapering

4 days to lay-off. 7 days til the marathon. 

Today I went to Asnuntuck CC and I think I am going to sign up for a certificate program for web design. At least it's a plan. I must admit that Boston is on my mind all the time right now.

It's funny how non-marathon runners just don't understand.

So tapering...Sunday I ran 6.3 miles in 48:47 a 7.6 mph pace. Today I ran on the treadmill for 4.6 miles. I'll take it easy this week but since I don't run more than 50 miles my legs are in good shape. This is my 4th Boston in a row and I am beginning to understand what I need to do for my best run. I just hope I listen to myself and don't get carried away by the crowd. This definitely happened last year. The Globe marathon blog today was very helpful.

Tapering?

Well I ran 40.4 miles this week which doesn't seem like I'm tapering since I average somewhere in the 40's most weeks. But I did take it easy and I have found since I don't beat myself up I need to keep going until the week before the race so my legs will take the 26.2 miles well.

I had another massage today which was great as usual. Shannon never disappoints.

Tuesday - Thursday I ran 5.4, 4.1, and 6.0 miles respectively. After taking Friday off I ran 10.6 miles in 1:23:10 at 7.5 mph for a 7:50.8/mi. pace.

I had a few pains in my legs and gluts this week and my intestines were slightly painful to the touch. I'm not sure why but none of it seemed to effect my running.

I'm aiming for 8:00 minutes per mile in Boston; I have gone below this in my 3 of my last 4 longer runs of 11.2, 10.3 and 10.6 miles but my 14.6 mile run was at 8:18/mile.                                                 I think on race day I could fall somewhere in between 3:30 and 3:37 BUT Boston is tough.

I'm aiming for about 30 miles this week and then off on Saturday and Sunday. I hope to run on Friday which I usually take off but I don't want to take 3 days off in a row unless I'm hurting.

I posted a few links on Twitter  about advice on marathon dayhttp://www.salemnews.com/pusports/local_story_099002455.html?keyword=topstory, news/video on Kara Goucher (Flocasts) and news/video on Ryan Hall (WBZ). Twitter me @keithal2.

Rainy Days

I can't believe I haven't written anything in almost 2 weeks.

I ran well on Wednesday and Thursday BUT on Saturday I ran 11.2 miles at 7:30.4 mile pace.

That's the fastest I've run in over a year. I felt GREAT!!!

I got a massage after; only the 2nd time in over 2 months.

Last week I ran well, my usual 5-6 miles per day during the week.

This weekend I ran 14.6 miles at 7.3 mph in 2:01:10 on Saturday. Then I spent the day at St. Joe's college in West Hartford. My youngest daughter will be a student there in the Fall. The people were amazing; my wife and I get very good feeling about the school and we both feel Tiffany will love it there.

Sunday I didn't feel like running right away so after Mass my oldest daughter and I went to Panera's and I had a few cups of 1/2 decaf and 1/2 reg black coffee.

I went out for an easy 7 miler and enede up running 10.3 miles at 7.6 mph in 1:20:10 for a 7:47 pace. I didn't drink anything for about 6 miles. I would like to incorporate some caffeine in my pre-race drink; I feel I could run faster throughout the race.

After I rototilled the garden for about 1 1/2 hours. At that point I was done in.

My legs were tired. I took a cold water bath for 10 minutes and later used ice on my legs.

I felt better this morning and race an easy 4.0 miles.

I've been reading the latest Runner's World about Kara Goucher and the Boston Marathon.

There is a video of Kara running a 20 mile training run on the marathon course at http://www.flotrack.org/videos/coverage/view_video/234839-2009-boston-marathon/166451-kara-on-the-boston-course

Feeling Great

I feel really great after ruuning this weekend.

The last 2 marathons and the last 2 long runs over 20 miles I have felt stronger after the 13 mile mark.

I hope this happens in Boston.

I'm getting a massage this Saturday. It has been so long since the last one I don't even remember when it I received it. This will only be the second one in the last 2 months +.

As for running this week: 

3/23 4.0 miles

3/24 5.4 miles

3/25 7.3 miles.

I have a job interview on Friday and I got confirmation and a request for additional info for another job. So things are looking OK right now.