What Running Life?

Well I was doing well and on my way back to running well then my right achilles tendon has done me in. I ran twice this week but today I used my bike. I had planned to bike more in August to keep from getting hurt I guess I should have started in mid July ;) I did run 18.2 miles on Sunday July 17, 2:35:55; 8:34/mi. in the Ghost 4. I don't know if my achilles pain is from the minimal shoes, the lower orthotics or over use. I was planning on running the Kelly race in New London next Saturday but I'm not sure now. I know I need to rest and ice the tendon and I have been but I'm getting tired of this happening each August (4 bad months of August in the past 6 years). I ran 115.2 miles in July so it wasn't from running too much!!!

Family

Well the whole family is running and even my wife is talking about doing a 5k. My youngest daughter just got back from a run as did I (10.1 mile in 1:24:38) and my son who is visiting, is going out right now.
My daughter Julie ran a 5k yesterday, the Enfield Twilight 5K.

Busy Two Weeks

I can't believe I haven't written for almost 2 weeks. The rest of last week went well but I did have some leg pain. total for the week: 30.7 miles. I was talking to 2 women I work with who are getting a Doctor of Physical Therapy and they gave me 3 exercises to strengthen my back and one, Liz, made me realize that some of my daily routine was doing more harm than good. I started doing the exercises the next day and after 5 days my back and right leg feel better.
I ran 15.4 miles on Sunday and felt good (2:13:55; 8:41/mi.). I have run with Tiffany (on  Monday 4 miles) and the past 2 days 6 and 6.1 miles. All outside. I am making sure my gait is short (84-88 x2 strides /min.) and I am going slower. So far so good and I have already run 31.5 miles this week.
I signed up to run the Hartford Half with my daughter Tiffany in October and the Colebrook Half with my daughter Julie in September (one week after my Presque Isle Marathon).
I'm also signed up to run the City of Oaks Marathon in Raleigh in November.

Increasing Miles and Good Long Runs

I ran a total of 32.4 miles last week increasing my miles again over the previous week. My mileage is much lower this year but today I ran 10 miles at 8:07/mi. and felt great for the entire run. I have had double digit Sundays for the past 3 weeks and I hope to run 18-20 miles next Sunday. The Brooks Ghost is a great training shoe; it's even a great base for running on a cantered surface.

Perfect Long Run on Father's Day

So I finished up last week with a 4.7 mile run at 8:19/mi. 29 miles total for the week; building back to 40/week.
Sunday I ran 14.5 miles in 2:00:12, 8:17/mi. and I could have done more (18-20) but I had to get ready for church. Although my bunion on my left foot hurt most of the run, my sciatica did not hurt and I had only one sharp pain since.
Today I started training with my daughter Tiffany for her first 1/2 marathon in October. She is very determined  but lacks some confidence which I hope to work on as much as her physical training. Running long becomes mostly mental if you have put in the time and I believe she will come to this conclusion on her own by September.

Sticking to the Plan

I had planned to run inside for 7 miles twice this week and did Tuesday and today. I hope to run a 14 miler on Sunday since I have Father's Day off. My bunion on my left foot continues to hurt while running and sometimes after for awhile. Hopefully, this will not slow me down. I really wanted to run outside this morning since I had a rare morning off but worked in the garden instead. Next month I will post some garden pictures if the animals don't eat everything. I now have rabbits besides turkeys, deer, etc. and others trying to get in. One of Annemarie's uncles said he electrifys his garden fence.

10 Miler

I was laying in bed this morning thinking of all the things I had to do this week; I work every day, run most, and work in the garden besides all the everyday things to help with around the house. There just doesn't seem to be enough time.
It was raining when I started this morning and continued through most of the run. It was nice and cool and the traffic was light. I had to use a port-a-potty after mile 7 but I was able to pick my speed back up and finished with an 8:20/mi. pace. Everything felt good. We had a trigger point discussion after work at Fleet Feet on Friday.
I have since started to use some of what I learned and I believe it is helping.

2011 KeyBank Vermont City Marathon

I LOVE this marathon! My running is not up to speed yet after all the problems I have had in the past year but it felt great running here again for my sixth time. My family is making big plans to run the 2-person and 5-person relays and the marathon next year. I hope the lottery works in our favor.
Some thoughts on the marathon:
I started at about 8:30/mi. but kept going faster and I tried to slow some. I got my picture taken with my Marathon Manics peeps several times which was cool. I got to cheer for several in the out and back portion from 4-9 miles. Unfortunately, I was just in front of the 3:45 pace group and I think I lost some energy there which I didn't make up. I did go faster to get away from them and it cost more energy. But it happens and I did not let it spoil my run. I started with a Vibram runner in front of me at the start and I passed him at mile 17. I also passed a bare foot runner between 17-18. I drank a lot and by the end 17+ I drank both Gatorade and water almost every station. I joked with the runners and spectators on the 4+ mile bike path. I did go slower but I did feel strong and my legs don't really hurt much today. The HUMIDITY was just too much for me.
My results:
591/2405 top 25%
15/94 M5559 top 15%
3:50:19 net time
Over the final 6 miles I passed 61 runners and 17 passed me.
This was the first time I can remember a breeze at times helping to cool us. It was wonderful.
I look forward to running again next year.

A Lot has Happened Since May 1

First, Mom Smith died. Even though I knew it was coming it was a shock. I didn't really have anyone to share my feelings with; my wife and best friend, needed her family who were all here at home. It is strange not to see Mom next door anymore; I still expect to see her coming out of her house to tie up her dog.
I work 2 jobs and I am a little tired. My body seems to be revolting at times from all the running I want to do.
Since May 1 I have run a 10.5 and a 10.0 outside and my left ankle feels worse than my nerve problem in my right leg. I have no idea how I will do in Vermont; I hope to run better than Boston. # of us at Fleet Feet are running in Vermont; Steph, Liz and myself. I hope we all have great runs and finish strong!

Busy Times

First, my wife's mom had a massive stroke and is not going to recover. So it is a sad time for the family. Anne always treated me like a son, she was a great mother-in law and I always felt lucky like I had 2 moms.
My running is coming back slow, I was able to run 4Xs last week for 22 miles and I ran 10.3 miles today in 1:27:22, 8:29/mi. My right leg has hurt some but no stabbing pain just a dull pain around the right knee. I do not have my speed back but I only ran inside on the treadmill one time last week (6.7 miles) so I do feel good about that and I think more outside runs will help my speed in Vermont.

Random Thoughts While Not Running

I usually take time off after a marathon until my leg soreness is gone. It will probably be Sunday although I feel 100% better today than yesterday.
My age-graded equivalent time for the Boston Marathon is 3:06:51. I'm sure this is only significant to people that are older and runners 18-40 would dismiss this but I believe this this is more significant than the younger runners think. I did run 15-20 miles 3 times a week in the Summer after my senior year in college and I felt strong all Summer and ran 7:30-8:00 per mile for at least 15 weeks. I wasn't training for anything and did not run any races since there were few to run and I didn't think of myself as a runner.  
If I read the qualifying times correctly, I am 13:07 faster than the qualifying time foe 60 year olds for Boston next year (I'll be 60 in January). I think this is correct. If I'm reading this wrong PLEASE let me know.
My peeps at Fleet Feet made me feel so good yesterday when I walked in for work. They cheered my Boston results and one person even said I inspired him to run a marathon. I felt so bad at the end of the marathon and felt my time was so slow that I hoped that this was not going to be the time I was now going to aim for as a result. I am better than this. I need to run more and get back to where I was when I was runnig doublr digit miles at least 3x's a week.
This is my 2011 goal. I hope to take a step toward that goal in Vermont. 3:39+ would show me I can do this. That is the time I am aiming for now. Then in September who knows?

Boston: Reality but Disappointment

I should have known what the outcome would be but I held out hope that I could rise to the occasion and run a 3:30 something. I knew my average of 31+ miles per week this year was way below what I usually run for my best times in marathon (40-45 mile/week). But I was hopeful.
I started off too fast. 7:35 for the first mile. I tried to cut back but I was carried along by the crowd. I thought I could keep up if I stayed mentally tough. My first 5 miles were about 8:05/mi. Too fast! At mile 7 I thought I would not make 26.2. It lasted until mile 10 when I felt much better. Let me digress.
I ate pizza for my supper the night before. I hadn't had much beer and I didn't drink enough water. I woke up at 3 AM and ate some oatmeal/granola mix for breakfast. I never usually eat. I had a banana at 8 and a Powerbar and by the time the race started I felt full, just like in Miami.
I was OK from mile 10-17 but as the Newton hills piled up I felt my calves weaken. By Heartbreak both calves were cramping. My left continued to cramp every few steps until mile 25 and then it was almost every step.  When I got to the 23 mile marker I had to steel myself because I felt I had little left.
I ran down under the last overpass and up and around the corner and turned to see the finish line. I kept my eyes down just trying to put one foot in front of the other to make the finish. The final straightaway took 4 minutes.
I finished ans as I moved through the line to the metal and food my calves cramped up and I couldn't move. One of the medical folks came over and asked if I was OK. I said I couldn't move. She stayed with me and my calves loosened up so I left for the Back Bay Hotel where the Hartford Track Club had our rooms. I got inside and put one foot on the stairs and my leg locked up again. A women behind me asked if I needed help; I said I couldn't move for the moment but I'd be OK. I finally made it upstairs and after showering I was OK.
On the bus I sat next to Marc who had #191. I said wow that's a low number and I wondered how fast he ran per mile. Ha said 4:45-5/mi. I thought I had misunderstood him. He finished #88 in 2:31. He ran 5:46/mi. I think he had said 5:45/mi after I thought about it. Impressive he ran almost exactly the pace he said he would. He is 36 years old. Marc Robaczynski.
Today my legs are sore and I do have some nerve pain behind my knee. I think it will go away and I am looking forward to Vermont.

Boston

Well I didn't have any beer for about 2 weeks but I had some today because I felt tired and out of sort. I do feel better now. I only ran 3 times this week, I was tired today and wanted to run but felt it was best for the race not to run. Since last Thursday I ran 19.3 miles, I will go to the Expo tomorrow with my daughter Tiffany. My wife's mom had a stroke on Wednesday and so with a heavier heart than usual I will run and celebrate the Boston Marathon. I hope I will qualify for next year but at 59 you just don't know. My right leg gives me a shock every once in awhile; what it is trying to tell me, right now I am trying to ignore. I do understand the new qualifying standards but I have come to think of Boston as my race and it will definitely leave an empty feeling if I can not run next year. Hopefully, my leg will be OK and I will be able to run a qualifying time in Vermont.

A Good Week and a Shoe Decision

I was able to run Monday on the treadmill, 5.4 miles. After taking Tuesday off I was able to run during the day on Wednesday. I ran outside 10.6 miles, 1:28:17, 8:18/mi. in Adidas Boston. My legs feel so good in them that I really want to try to run the marathon in them. Today I ran outside in the Adidas Aegis 5.3 miles. They have more cushioning but don't really seem as right for my feet. They do have more stability which I may not need but they feel good too. After over 27 miles outside this week my legs feel tired tonight but no nerve pain.

Weekend

Well the big news is the UConn men are in the NCAA Final. A very exciting game against Kentucky which they won by 1 point.
Saturday I ran 4 miles before work. Today I just got back from an 11.3 mile run. I felt slow at the beginning and I find if I run on a treadmill that my legs take some time getting use to running outside. I felt good between mile 8-12 but my big toe on my left foot hurt by the time I finished. I'm still uncertain how I will feel in Boston. I hope I have made the right choice in orthotics and footwear.
The Adidas rep Michael was at Fleet Feet (with AJ) and he gave me an official Boston Marathon jacket. It was such a nice surprise!

Happy April Fools Day

I haven't written for awhile, I have been really busy but still focused on Boston. I ran a hard 10 last Sunday and felt great. I feel like finally I have fixed my right leg/back problems. I don't run as much per week that I have in the past but I do feel prepared for Boston. It may be my slowest but I'll give it a 100% and try to be smart in my race strategy. Hopefully, I can break 3:40. That's my goal. I do think I will run better in Vermont in May with Boston behind me. I will go out at Hopkinton with the aim to have fun all the way to Boston. It'll be fun riding the Hartford Track Club bus to and from the race.

Over the Injury?

I felt good today after running 5.2 miles in 46:38 and working the afternoon. I feel like I might be over my injury after 8 months. I guess it just takes a lot more time as you get older. I am determined to qualify for Boston next year and be able to run. It's funny how the 2 are separate and not, for the first time, equal. I realize that many people did qualify for Boston last year and will not be able to run in 2011 but 2012 will be different. I know that people don't want to hear this but some were fast enough to qualify but not fast enough to register. I have heard some complaints from these runners. They should have taken a Monday off and signed up. I had Monday off and it took me 2 1/2 hours to be accepted. I knew something was up but most of the runners I know who qualified are faster than me and probably would not have listened to me if I told them they better sign up now.
They will be taking my place in Boston in the near future. I hope they feel the race is as special as I have felt.But I have my doubts. There are other marathons at this time of year but since I have qualified I never thought of running any other than Boston. I had hoped to run at least 10 in a row. So I need to get better at 59 to qualify.

End of Week and Turning Point

I took several days off last week; I still haven't been able to balance my 2 jobs after working at them for weeks. Maybe it's my age I don't really know. I did run 7.0 miles in 1:00:31 on last Friday and took Saturday off in anticipation of a 20 on Sunday.
Sunday I started running the 20 miler around 11:30; it was cool in the mid to upper 40's. I ran to the Fermi HS track about 4.3. I then ran almost 11 miles around the artificial track. My thinking was that I had had some left foot arch problems in the 1/2 in Colchester and I wanted to take it as easy as I could to see if I didn't break down trying to run 20. I felt strong at the end of the track run; I had taken 2 porta-potty breaks of about 1 minute each and stopped to drink out of a quart Gatorade bottle 3 X's (2/3 water, 1/3 Gatorade). I then took off for home.
I felt strong all the way home, even hitting 7:50 at one point. The totals 20.1 miles, 2:52:53, 8:36/mi. and a 13.1 of 1:52:30.
I have felt no pain in my right leg at all, even after 48 hours. Today I ran 3.1 miles on a treadmill in 29:13. My right leg felt a little weak twice but NO PAIN! I have recovered well. I will be somewhat conservative this week in the length and speed of my workouts but I am very pleased with my preparation for Boston.

Running Problems and the Larger Picture

My left arch and my nerve problems in my right leg have popped up again this week. But with the problems in the world they seem insignificant and if I have learned anything from all the miles I have run, it's to remain positive and hopeful. I ran 5.2 (outside), 6.5 and 6.3 the past 3 days but I'm so tired today after starting work earlier that I will take today off. The nerve pain in my right leg is back I think because of 2 days in a row outside. That is really sad. But after no pain after the 1/2 I am hopeful for the run in Boston.
I wish they would have 3 waves next year of 10K each. Or give people 1 minute for each year they have run ie if you ran Boston for 10 years you would get in 10 minutes below your qualifying time. I really wanted to run 10 years in a row and I think about it every day all year long. I know this is crazy but I do. I think this will probably be my last year though if stick to their plan. I will enjoy this year regardless of the time I run the marathon. I have taken the whole weekend off so it will be special.

Finally Outside

Well  I have worked every day except one in the past 13 and I only get a day off on the 20th. I am trying to fit my running in at different times. I still don't know which shoes I'm running Boston in because I have some arch issues. I ran 31.8 miles last week and 5.2 today. 11.2 miles outside in the past 2 days even with work. I hope to run a 20 miler outside next week.