I had made it 17 days in June, running every day and loving it. June 17th in the evening I started to feel strange. My hips were sore and stiff. I figured it was from running 10K in the morning and then working all day. I guess it could have been anything, all I know is the its the 19th and Im still down.
I didnt run yesterday, or today, and I dont know if I will be able to tomorrow. I dont think I was pushing too hard, I wasnt running 10miles a day or anywhere near that. Most days was a quick 5K or some speed work around the neighborhood. The one day I did run 10miles I felt fantaistic, great like I hadnt even run at all. I woke up yesterday and I couldnt walk. I stood up out of bed and fell over, I thought I was being stabbed, or poisoned.
I dont think it was the running, that seems too likely and almost silly. I was running for just 17days, there is no way that could be it. I have been a runner my whole life and there have been points, playing soccer, that I would run every day for months at a time. I was 17 then but I dont think being 27 is too old to run every day.
I think what took me out was my lack of preparation and cool-down. I would just put my shoes on and run, come home and grab a glass of water and hop into the shower. I wasnt taking time to stretch or walk around at all. That's where the problem is, I didnt take enough care of my body before and after running. And now I am paying the price.
So Im hurt, again, and there is nothing I can do about it except wait. I hate waiting.
Jun 19, 2011
Jun 11, 2011
Reading streets signs is hard
I set up a 5K course using the GMaps Pedometer around my 'hood. My final time was 23:59 giving me an average below 8min/mile. I walked for 45 seconds after what I thought was mile 2. I set it up so I could have a good measure of my mile for mile time. I was shooting to run the miles in 6min, 7min and finally 8min for an overall time of 21min. 21 is my goal time for the next 5K I do.
Where I went wrong was using the wrong signs for my markers. My first mile was measured too short and my second mile was almost a half mile too long. I killed myself on the second mile, I kept checking my watch and saying 'im not going to make it, Im not going to make it' so I pushed faster. In reality I ran my second mile under 6min, but the pace I was running and the extra almost half mile I ran just took everything out of me. I had to walk for a bit.
I was so mad at myself because as I was walking I knew I screwed up. I knew that I had started to push too soon and was on it for too long. When you get so set on a goal and totally miss it there is a lot of mental work that needs to happen to get back in the stream. My last ~mile was very good. Just a nice easy pace that I knew would keep me under 24 min and I hit it bang on.
Its hard to work through those mental blows. Especially when youre tired and still quite a ways from home and the only thing to do is run. And thats the lesson here, just keep on running. No matter what happens or how badly things have gone you just need to keep pushing forward. Left foot, right foot. Left foot, right foot. Because its when you stop, thats when youve given up and have doomed youself to failure.
Sure, sub-24 minutes wasnt my original plan, but when things feel apart I made a new plan and stuck to it. When in doubt, keep running.
Where I went wrong was using the wrong signs for my markers. My first mile was measured too short and my second mile was almost a half mile too long. I killed myself on the second mile, I kept checking my watch and saying 'im not going to make it, Im not going to make it' so I pushed faster. In reality I ran my second mile under 6min, but the pace I was running and the extra almost half mile I ran just took everything out of me. I had to walk for a bit.
I was so mad at myself because as I was walking I knew I screwed up. I knew that I had started to push too soon and was on it for too long. When you get so set on a goal and totally miss it there is a lot of mental work that needs to happen to get back in the stream. My last ~mile was very good. Just a nice easy pace that I knew would keep me under 24 min and I hit it bang on.
Its hard to work through those mental blows. Especially when youre tired and still quite a ways from home and the only thing to do is run. And thats the lesson here, just keep on running. No matter what happens or how badly things have gone you just need to keep pushing forward. Left foot, right foot. Left foot, right foot. Because its when you stop, thats when youve given up and have doomed youself to failure.
Sure, sub-24 minutes wasnt my original plan, but when things feel apart I made a new plan and stuck to it. When in doubt, keep running.
Jun 10, 2011
I like this part right here
At some point in a running life you have to wonder, will this ever just be natural? As in, will waking up in the morning and putting on your shoes be as easy as brushing your teeth before bed?
I dont think Im there yet. Its only been 10 (successful) days and Im really going strong, but I think it will take more time than this. Thats not to say it hasnt gotten a whole lot easier to get on the road. Used to be Id need some mental convincing, gearing myself up for getting off the internet and going for a run. That hard descision when youve got an hour before you need to leave for work and you really just want to watch Netflix.
Now, however, its getting easy. I know that I need to go for a run so I budget the time into my life. I know I want to read my favorite blogs/forums and shop for car parts, but I also really want to run. I am planning better and getting into a good head space about everything running.
Today was a short distance day, not because I needed it to be but because I dont want to burn myself out. The last three runs Ive done have all been around 7 miles. Those are not HUGE runs, all under an hour, but I want to pace myself a bit more so I dont kill my legs or my ambition.
Today was a testing day, 2+ miles just around the neighborhood with no music, sunglasses or my watch. Just me, a long sleeve tee, running shorts and my shoes. I couldnt have been happier.
I started out very fast, like 80% speed fast. I wanted to get a feeling for what it was like to over run my legs and lungs an to do that I knew I needed to really run. Since I wasnt keeping track of my time I really cant tell you how fast my first mile came up. I know that my natural pace is roughly 8min/mile and I know I was really pushing hard. I would assume I was running a 6min pace and it felt amazing. When I reached my 'jogging' point I was winded but not ruined, my legs were warm and I didnt need a break at all. I slowed my pace to a more natural rhythm and ran about a mile more. I picked my 'sprint to home point' and this is where I really got trashed. It was only about a 1/4mile but I sprinted hard, I mustered up all my remaining juice and went for it. Much the way you do when you can see the finish line, you pull out all the stops.
I feel really good about today. It was a nice short run that got me running much harder than normal helping me have a better understanding of what it would be like to really push during a race. I want to do some more testing with a 5K course around the neighborhood and run a 6min 1st mile, 8min 2nd and finish the distance back at 6min. If I can get down to a roughly 20min 5K I think I will be in a very good place for my half marathon.
I dont think Im there yet. Its only been 10 (successful) days and Im really going strong, but I think it will take more time than this. Thats not to say it hasnt gotten a whole lot easier to get on the road. Used to be Id need some mental convincing, gearing myself up for getting off the internet and going for a run. That hard descision when youve got an hour before you need to leave for work and you really just want to watch Netflix.
Now, however, its getting easy. I know that I need to go for a run so I budget the time into my life. I know I want to read my favorite blogs/forums and shop for car parts, but I also really want to run. I am planning better and getting into a good head space about everything running.
Today was a short distance day, not because I needed it to be but because I dont want to burn myself out. The last three runs Ive done have all been around 7 miles. Those are not HUGE runs, all under an hour, but I want to pace myself a bit more so I dont kill my legs or my ambition.
Today was a testing day, 2+ miles just around the neighborhood with no music, sunglasses or my watch. Just me, a long sleeve tee, running shorts and my shoes. I couldnt have been happier.
I started out very fast, like 80% speed fast. I wanted to get a feeling for what it was like to over run my legs and lungs an to do that I knew I needed to really run. Since I wasnt keeping track of my time I really cant tell you how fast my first mile came up. I know that my natural pace is roughly 8min/mile and I know I was really pushing hard. I would assume I was running a 6min pace and it felt amazing. When I reached my 'jogging' point I was winded but not ruined, my legs were warm and I didnt need a break at all. I slowed my pace to a more natural rhythm and ran about a mile more. I picked my 'sprint to home point' and this is where I really got trashed. It was only about a 1/4mile but I sprinted hard, I mustered up all my remaining juice and went for it. Much the way you do when you can see the finish line, you pull out all the stops.
I feel really good about today. It was a nice short run that got me running much harder than normal helping me have a better understanding of what it would be like to really push during a race. I want to do some more testing with a 5K course around the neighborhood and run a 6min 1st mile, 8min 2nd and finish the distance back at 6min. If I can get down to a roughly 20min 5K I think I will be in a very good place for my half marathon.
Jun 7, 2011
manydaysofsun
Because everyone in the world doesnt know, its really hot in Minneapolis/ST Paul right now. So hot that its making national news as the hottest place in the country right now. Suck it, Phoenix. What that means for me is running early, like 8am early. I know that doesnt sound like a very bright start to most people, but I dont usually get home from work until 10pm and then after any sort of hanging/beer drinking it gets to 1am very quickly. 8 am is very early in my world.
Rise and shine, its 75 and humid. And by the way, its going to be 90 in 60 minutes.
This has been an odd year for us up here in the Great White, with our very long, desperately cold and snowy winter up to the total lack of spring, we've seen our share of wacky weather. But weather is not what I write about, running is.
So how have I done so far with my 30daysofrunning (even though its only June 7th), very well actually. I fake ran one day, I had to count the 6 blocks I ran to the Ace Hardware store as my run for the day, it would have clocked in at roughly 1.25miles so at least its something, right? The last two days I did quick 5K routes around my house, today I did it in 22min, a personal best. It felt really good, too. I was never really that tired and even at the end I felt like I could have dropped a whole minute or more had I been pushed. I think I could pull off a 20min 5K right now and that is pretty quick for me. I wouldnt win any awards but it would feel pretty sweet to see a 19:45ish on the clock.
Tomorrow starts my weekend, it also starts a cooler streak in weather around here so Im going to hit the road hard, like 10 miles hard. I need to get some big miles under my belt in a hurry here, time is running out (ha!).
Rise and shine, its 75 and humid. And by the way, its going to be 90 in 60 minutes.
This has been an odd year for us up here in the Great White, with our very long, desperately cold and snowy winter up to the total lack of spring, we've seen our share of wacky weather. But weather is not what I write about, running is.
So how have I done so far with my 30daysofrunning (even though its only June 7th), very well actually. I fake ran one day, I had to count the 6 blocks I ran to the Ace Hardware store as my run for the day, it would have clocked in at roughly 1.25miles so at least its something, right? The last two days I did quick 5K routes around my house, today I did it in 22min, a personal best. It felt really good, too. I was never really that tired and even at the end I felt like I could have dropped a whole minute or more had I been pushed. I think I could pull off a 20min 5K right now and that is pretty quick for me. I wouldnt win any awards but it would feel pretty sweet to see a 19:45ish on the clock.
Tomorrow starts my weekend, it also starts a cooler streak in weather around here so Im going to hit the road hard, like 10 miles hard. I need to get some big miles under my belt in a hurry here, time is running out (ha!).
Jun 2, 2011
30daysofrunning
On July 4th I will be running my second 1/2 marathon, the Red, White and BOOM. I did it last year with very little training and lead up, I did well but not as well as I would have like. The problem was the lack of training.
Now its June 2nd and I have yet to really start training, again. I have been running a bit this spring so far, not more than twice a week average. This is not good enough. I now have 1 month to get in shape so I can run the hallowed 90min 1/2 time. I need to get my butt in gear.
I ran yesterday, ran well. I did 6 miles in right about 45 minutes. That would have been a personal best for a 10K had I ran just a bit farther. I stopped because my route was over, not because I needed to . Today will be a bit shorter, Im looking at only 4.
30 days of running.
I figure if I can run every day for the whole month of June, getting my miles up to around 10-12 at least 6 times between now and the 4th of July that I will do very well in the 1/2. My goal really is ~90 minutes, but I have never run that fast the far before, we'll see what happens in the next few weeks.
Now its June 2nd and I have yet to really start training, again. I have been running a bit this spring so far, not more than twice a week average. This is not good enough. I now have 1 month to get in shape so I can run the hallowed 90min 1/2 time. I need to get my butt in gear.
I ran yesterday, ran well. I did 6 miles in right about 45 minutes. That would have been a personal best for a 10K had I ran just a bit farther. I stopped because my route was over, not because I needed to . Today will be a bit shorter, Im looking at only 4.
30 days of running.
I figure if I can run every day for the whole month of June, getting my miles up to around 10-12 at least 6 times between now and the 4th of July that I will do very well in the 1/2. My goal really is ~90 minutes, but I have never run that fast the far before, we'll see what happens in the next few weeks.
May 29, 2011
Running in place
Nothing scares me more than an injury. Something about being down and out when you want to be up and up really makes me shake. I think about it a lot, being hurt that is. When I ride my motorcycle to work I always imagine a car coming into my lane and knocking me down and how that would feel. Sliding at 65mph, on my back, across lanes of traffic and coming to rest against the median or off in a ditch. It really freaks me out.
That or falling off something and getting my arm caught so I dont actually fall all the way but end up hanging there like a lynch victim supported by only my now broken arm grasping at the air in an effort to climb back up. These things haunt my downtime.
I dont know why, I mean Ive never really been hurt before, not badly anyway. Sure I have had my share, maybe more, of cuts and bumps but I have never broken a bone or been torn open so big I couldnt handle it myself. Ive need stitches only twice and once was when I was 3 so that doesnt count. So Im not sure why I have this fear.
All I know is when I do get hurt I hate it. Which makes sense, I dont think a healthy person likes be hurt ever. Its when I have a little pain in my foot or ankle, I would have normally pushed through it and just gone about my life but now it seems to stop me dead. Perhaps its age, or wisdom?
I have watched my father get hurt and stay hurt for a lot of years, mostly because he hasnt taken care of himself in 20 years and to see him not be able to do something really hits home. I dont want to be 50 and not able to run or climb or snowboard. I love those things and to think that a silly shoulder injury could ruin that for me, well that's what I worry about. So when my foot started to get achy last week I took some time off from running. I went for a bike ride instead to relax my foot, that way I could heal and work out.
What Im worried about is letting that thought get the best of me. Thinking that every little pain could be debilitating and knock me out of the game. I dont want to be so worried about injury that I stop doing stuff for fear of being broken forever.
There is something to be said about knowing your limits and listening to your body. When your legs say stop sometimes it does mean 'stop' and not 'push harder'. I dont know, I guess Im a little confused and worried all at the same time. Im not even 30 yet and Im already upset about beign an old man, things like hangovers and back aches are way more meaningful than they ever used to be and I dont like it.
I suppose the best thing to do is eating well and training responsibly. I cant overdo anything and expect to be 100% when I come out the other side, you know, like when I was 19.
That or falling off something and getting my arm caught so I dont actually fall all the way but end up hanging there like a lynch victim supported by only my now broken arm grasping at the air in an effort to climb back up. These things haunt my downtime.
I dont know why, I mean Ive never really been hurt before, not badly anyway. Sure I have had my share, maybe more, of cuts and bumps but I have never broken a bone or been torn open so big I couldnt handle it myself. Ive need stitches only twice and once was when I was 3 so that doesnt count. So Im not sure why I have this fear.
All I know is when I do get hurt I hate it. Which makes sense, I dont think a healthy person likes be hurt ever. Its when I have a little pain in my foot or ankle, I would have normally pushed through it and just gone about my life but now it seems to stop me dead. Perhaps its age, or wisdom?
I have watched my father get hurt and stay hurt for a lot of years, mostly because he hasnt taken care of himself in 20 years and to see him not be able to do something really hits home. I dont want to be 50 and not able to run or climb or snowboard. I love those things and to think that a silly shoulder injury could ruin that for me, well that's what I worry about. So when my foot started to get achy last week I took some time off from running. I went for a bike ride instead to relax my foot, that way I could heal and work out.
What Im worried about is letting that thought get the best of me. Thinking that every little pain could be debilitating and knock me out of the game. I dont want to be so worried about injury that I stop doing stuff for fear of being broken forever.
There is something to be said about knowing your limits and listening to your body. When your legs say stop sometimes it does mean 'stop' and not 'push harder'. I dont know, I guess Im a little confused and worried all at the same time. Im not even 30 yet and Im already upset about beign an old man, things like hangovers and back aches are way more meaningful than they ever used to be and I dont like it.
I suppose the best thing to do is eating well and training responsibly. I cant overdo anything and expect to be 100% when I come out the other side, you know, like when I was 19.
Apr 22, 2011
I hate this part right here.
I dont know what song that is from, but its in my head. Stuck there until I sing it a thousand times or get something else in there. I hate this part right here. I hate this part, right, here.
Its cold out. I dont know if you've notice or not. It has been freezing the last week and a half, we were spoiled early with great weather; high 50's and sunny, the perfect time and place to be on a big run. Now when I get up in the morning it's 36 and raining. fuck that. I really dont care to run when I cant feel my legs. I do really like running in tights though, and the cold makes me look like less of a crazy person when I do so. But my two least favorite things in the world are being wet and cold. I can deal with them separately, but together I truly shut down.
But its hard. It's really hard to actually get out on the street and do it. Developing the will and drive to get out there when you know you shouldnt. To put on your shoes when youre hung-over and ready to get back in bed. When it just snowed 2 inches in the middle of April. When you just want to stay in bed. That's when it's the hardest, but also the most important.
It is all I think about right now. When Im at work I want to be on the street, sucking wind and pushing up a hill. Even when Ive finished my run for the day I want to set a new distance and go out again. Like now, all I want to do tomorrow is run 10 miles. I dont care where I do it or ow long it takes me, I just want to be gone for 90 min and just run. I hate that it's going to be 34 when I get up and not sunny at all.
Maybe I need to live in San Diego.
I wouldnt move from MN to have a better climate to run in. No matter how much I bitch about it, in my head or otherwise, I do like the challenge of running when it is less favorable. It makes e feel stronger than the rest of the world. Like I can do something no one else can or will. Yet when it comes to running in the rain at 11pm after work and its 38 outside I always seem to find a beer and a good show to watch instead.
I dont think that makes me a bad person.
I prefer to run in perfect weather, I cant imagine anyoen who would disagree with that. But sometimes you have to run in the cold, the rain, the snow and the wind. What happens on raceday when its raining and 42 at 8am> If you havnt done that before you are in for a HUGE wake-up call. If you havnt been up at 6am to eat, poop and relax, how the hell are you going to perform at your first Marathon? They all start at 8am, bytheway.
Suck it up. run when its cold and rainy. that way you can LOVE the sunny and 65 when it finally arrives.
Tomorrow I run, no matter the sky.
Its cold out. I dont know if you've notice or not. It has been freezing the last week and a half, we were spoiled early with great weather; high 50's and sunny, the perfect time and place to be on a big run. Now when I get up in the morning it's 36 and raining. fuck that. I really dont care to run when I cant feel my legs. I do really like running in tights though, and the cold makes me look like less of a crazy person when I do so. But my two least favorite things in the world are being wet and cold. I can deal with them separately, but together I truly shut down.
But its hard. It's really hard to actually get out on the street and do it. Developing the will and drive to get out there when you know you shouldnt. To put on your shoes when youre hung-over and ready to get back in bed. When it just snowed 2 inches in the middle of April. When you just want to stay in bed. That's when it's the hardest, but also the most important.
It is all I think about right now. When Im at work I want to be on the street, sucking wind and pushing up a hill. Even when Ive finished my run for the day I want to set a new distance and go out again. Like now, all I want to do tomorrow is run 10 miles. I dont care where I do it or ow long it takes me, I just want to be gone for 90 min and just run. I hate that it's going to be 34 when I get up and not sunny at all.
Maybe I need to live in San Diego.
I wouldnt move from MN to have a better climate to run in. No matter how much I bitch about it, in my head or otherwise, I do like the challenge of running when it is less favorable. It makes e feel stronger than the rest of the world. Like I can do something no one else can or will. Yet when it comes to running in the rain at 11pm after work and its 38 outside I always seem to find a beer and a good show to watch instead.
I dont think that makes me a bad person.
I prefer to run in perfect weather, I cant imagine anyoen who would disagree with that. But sometimes you have to run in the cold, the rain, the snow and the wind. What happens on raceday when its raining and 42 at 8am> If you havnt done that before you are in for a HUGE wake-up call. If you havnt been up at 6am to eat, poop and relax, how the hell are you going to perform at your first Marathon? They all start at 8am, bytheway.
Suck it up. run when its cold and rainy. that way you can LOVE the sunny and 65 when it finally arrives.
Tomorrow I run, no matter the sky.
Apr 11, 2011
Im in it for the t-shirt
I made the decision a long time ago in my life that I love to compete but am not that competitive. I really like playing games and sports but if I dont win I really dont get that upset. This has carried me from the end of high school and I'm not sure if I see, or want, any change of that.
I like competing because it gives me a goal to strive for, a place to plan and a future even to look at. I dont take it too seriously, though. I set reasonable goals for myself, sometimes too reasonable, and take it from there. Doing so allows me to reach those goals without killing myself, staying fit and healthy without being a crazy person and have a good time while I'm doing it. I always figured if I pushed too hard or expected too much from myself that it would become a job and I would lose interest in it and ultimately lose the drive to keep pushing. I dont want that, I want to run and enjoy it, for the sake of running and for the fitness aspect.
So I run competitive races for the event shirts. I do like the idea of really training hard and pushing to the front of the pack, running up against the big guns in the twin cities and pushing my body further. But in the end I always choose to run with my friends, at a pace we can enjoy, and having a good time in the early morning. I dont know that I could ever be a 1st place kind of guy, I mean in any race that draws a crowd, and Im not sure I want that level of stress. I have never wanted running to be stressful, I dont need piles of data to keep track of and I dont want to look at my next event and dread the thought of doing it.
On Saturday the 4/09 I ran the CampWannaRunaMileorMore 10K in White Bear Lake. This was the second year I chose this even as my first of the year. Mostly because its in the center of the known universe and because the course is beautiful. The run takes one lap of Bald Eagle Lake starting and ending in a park. The crowd is small and the shirt is a really good quality running shirt, one of those sweat wicking types. If I had planned to run it a few months ago the entry fee would have been just $20, which is very reasonable, but because I signed up last minute it was $35 (still a good price) Last year I came in 3rd overall and 1st in my age group, there were only 40 people in the race however, so it wasnt that much of an accomplishment. This year there were just shy of 200 men and women and I finished 15th overall, 7th in men and 3rd in my age group. Nothing too special there and my time was 3 minutes slower than last year with a 51.08.
I had a great race, personally. The temp at the start was 60 degrees, the route was beautiful and I got to run with my friend Laura almost the whole time. I did scoot a bit faster for the last mile and a half (like I usually do) but overall the race was great and Im glad I did it. I think had I tried to run with the elite guys I would have found myself overly tired, still not up front of the pack and not able to enjoy the rest of my day, or weekend. Forever I will run for fun, fitness, the wonder of the course, set reasonable goals and most importantly for the t-shirt.
I like competing because it gives me a goal to strive for, a place to plan and a future even to look at. I dont take it too seriously, though. I set reasonable goals for myself, sometimes too reasonable, and take it from there. Doing so allows me to reach those goals without killing myself, staying fit and healthy without being a crazy person and have a good time while I'm doing it. I always figured if I pushed too hard or expected too much from myself that it would become a job and I would lose interest in it and ultimately lose the drive to keep pushing. I dont want that, I want to run and enjoy it, for the sake of running and for the fitness aspect.
So I run competitive races for the event shirts. I do like the idea of really training hard and pushing to the front of the pack, running up against the big guns in the twin cities and pushing my body further. But in the end I always choose to run with my friends, at a pace we can enjoy, and having a good time in the early morning. I dont know that I could ever be a 1st place kind of guy, I mean in any race that draws a crowd, and Im not sure I want that level of stress. I have never wanted running to be stressful, I dont need piles of data to keep track of and I dont want to look at my next event and dread the thought of doing it.
On Saturday the 4/09 I ran the CampWannaRunaMileorMore 10K in White Bear Lake. This was the second year I chose this even as my first of the year. Mostly because its in the center of the known universe and because the course is beautiful. The run takes one lap of Bald Eagle Lake starting and ending in a park. The crowd is small and the shirt is a really good quality running shirt, one of those sweat wicking types. If I had planned to run it a few months ago the entry fee would have been just $20, which is very reasonable, but because I signed up last minute it was $35 (still a good price) Last year I came in 3rd overall and 1st in my age group, there were only 40 people in the race however, so it wasnt that much of an accomplishment. This year there were just shy of 200 men and women and I finished 15th overall, 7th in men and 3rd in my age group. Nothing too special there and my time was 3 minutes slower than last year with a 51.08.
I had a great race, personally. The temp at the start was 60 degrees, the route was beautiful and I got to run with my friend Laura almost the whole time. I did scoot a bit faster for the last mile and a half (like I usually do) but overall the race was great and Im glad I did it. I think had I tried to run with the elite guys I would have found myself overly tired, still not up front of the pack and not able to enjoy the rest of my day, or weekend. Forever I will run for fun, fitness, the wonder of the course, set reasonable goals and most importantly for the t-shirt.
Feb 23, 2011
I hate it when this happens.
I have never felt comfortable in a pool. Scratch that, there have two times in my life that I have felt comfortable swimming and they were both at Noah's Ark circa 1995. Every time I get into the pool all I can think about is wanting to get out. Every break in between laps is a battle for me to push off again. I just dont like it. I get claustrophobic and I forget how to breath, then if I take in water when Im trying to breath I might as well just go ahead and drown, it freaks me out so much.
I really wanted to like swimming, I have tried very hard to read, watch and learn about it so that maybe someday I could unlock some secret door that allowed me to fall in love with the sport. After two winters of trying I am struggling to see the appeal.
Sure, it is amazing fitness and really should be part of every ones workout, you know, once a month or so. Even considering the health benefits and my desire to compete in Triathlons again, I still cant get into it. I want to, mostly. I would love to jump into the pool and just feel free, to float and enjoy myself, to play beneath the tiny waves and love the cool sensation on my skin. I would really like that. But I cant go more than 3 feet underwater without my ears being crushed by the pressure and my eyes starting to hurt.
I have dived into the deep end of pools from boards and gone too deep, so much so that the instant pressure change makes me feel like I will explode. My head hurts for hours afterward and if I think about it real hard I can conjure the pain even on dry land. It sucks.
I dont think it comes from anything, having ear problems as a kid and whatnot, its just part of my anatomy. Going up and down small hills in my car will cause my ears to pop when other people have no change. Coming down from altitude in a plane can bring me to tears it hurts so bad and for so long. Sometimes after a flight I will have an ear ache for an entire day it gets so bad.
I dont know what Im trying to get it here, I had a bad day at the pool and this is the first sport or athletic thing that I have even been poor at and really dont like. It's too bad I need it to be part of my life for some of my stupid goals.
Iron Man by the time Im 30, good luck.
But I push forward. I keep getting back into that damn pool, sometimes just for 10-15 min, and force myself to do it. I dont think Im getting any better and I really dont like it any more but if I dont keep at it I will never, ever, succeed.
I really wanted to like swimming, I have tried very hard to read, watch and learn about it so that maybe someday I could unlock some secret door that allowed me to fall in love with the sport. After two winters of trying I am struggling to see the appeal.
Sure, it is amazing fitness and really should be part of every ones workout, you know, once a month or so. Even considering the health benefits and my desire to compete in Triathlons again, I still cant get into it. I want to, mostly. I would love to jump into the pool and just feel free, to float and enjoy myself, to play beneath the tiny waves and love the cool sensation on my skin. I would really like that. But I cant go more than 3 feet underwater without my ears being crushed by the pressure and my eyes starting to hurt.
I have dived into the deep end of pools from boards and gone too deep, so much so that the instant pressure change makes me feel like I will explode. My head hurts for hours afterward and if I think about it real hard I can conjure the pain even on dry land. It sucks.
I dont think it comes from anything, having ear problems as a kid and whatnot, its just part of my anatomy. Going up and down small hills in my car will cause my ears to pop when other people have no change. Coming down from altitude in a plane can bring me to tears it hurts so bad and for so long. Sometimes after a flight I will have an ear ache for an entire day it gets so bad.
I dont know what Im trying to get it here, I had a bad day at the pool and this is the first sport or athletic thing that I have even been poor at and really dont like. It's too bad I need it to be part of my life for some of my stupid goals.
Iron Man by the time Im 30, good luck.
But I push forward. I keep getting back into that damn pool, sometimes just for 10-15 min, and force myself to do it. I dont think Im getting any better and I really dont like it any more but if I dont keep at it I will never, ever, succeed.
Feb 20, 2011
This is it?
One week ago today I got hurt. I am still hurt. I was playing slow soccer in my old man league, we play in the wonderful new facility with 3 small sized fields and an artificial surface. I dont blame the turf, this would have happened anywhere.
There are times when you fall down and get right back up, then there are times where you think you may need surgery and a cart to get you off the ground. This was a the latter. I was running at full speed and reached out with my right foot to block a shot, the ball hit me right in the pinky toe of my right foot forcing it to angle in and down towards the ground. My next step was not good, I landed on the outside of my foot, full body weight and running. There was a pop, a shooting pain and then the ground.
This is the kind of injury that doesnt actually hurt right away, you have the hot sensation letting you know that you've gotten it wrong followed closely by the throbbing of the swelled tissue and the rush of blood. As I lay on the ground, in the middle of the field, my first though was about running. Then broken legs, surgery, pain, money, getting home... I was so worried that in this one split second I had ruined an entire season of running that hadnt even begun yet. That somehow this crash landing would upset the next 8 months of my life so much that I couldnt possibly enjoy being on my feet. Im on my feet all day every day.
My job. I manage a restaurant, this means I am on my feet all day everyday and have no ability to rest a hurt ankle. Had I a sitting job I would be healing much faster, but it has now been officially one week and I am still limping. I dont have as much pain as when it started, but there is still some significant swelling and a little bruise left. Good thing it just snowed 6 inches.
What I was, and am, scared about is the lingering pain. What if this is that one injury that always keeps me down. So many adults (late 30-40) have the 'knee problem' or the 'back pain' that keeps flaring up in their lives. What if that's me? What if this one little step just screws me for the next 30 years. I dont know what Ill do.
I dont think this will be the case, its just a bad sprain, but that thought is always sitting in the back on my mind.
So now I wait, I dont take any pain killers or anti-inflammatory stuff (on principle) and I get on with my daily. I havnt tried to really use it at all, I havnt run or jumped yet so as to give the most time to heal possible. I would love to go to the gym and left, or swim but I know that one wrong move and I could seriously end my summer. Ill wait and give it a few more days and even another week, that way I can be certain.
My training will have to wait.
There are times when you fall down and get right back up, then there are times where you think you may need surgery and a cart to get you off the ground. This was a the latter. I was running at full speed and reached out with my right foot to block a shot, the ball hit me right in the pinky toe of my right foot forcing it to angle in and down towards the ground. My next step was not good, I landed on the outside of my foot, full body weight and running. There was a pop, a shooting pain and then the ground.
This is the kind of injury that doesnt actually hurt right away, you have the hot sensation letting you know that you've gotten it wrong followed closely by the throbbing of the swelled tissue and the rush of blood. As I lay on the ground, in the middle of the field, my first though was about running. Then broken legs, surgery, pain, money, getting home... I was so worried that in this one split second I had ruined an entire season of running that hadnt even begun yet. That somehow this crash landing would upset the next 8 months of my life so much that I couldnt possibly enjoy being on my feet. Im on my feet all day every day.
My job. I manage a restaurant, this means I am on my feet all day everyday and have no ability to rest a hurt ankle. Had I a sitting job I would be healing much faster, but it has now been officially one week and I am still limping. I dont have as much pain as when it started, but there is still some significant swelling and a little bruise left. Good thing it just snowed 6 inches.
What I was, and am, scared about is the lingering pain. What if this is that one injury that always keeps me down. So many adults (late 30-40) have the 'knee problem' or the 'back pain' that keeps flaring up in their lives. What if that's me? What if this one little step just screws me for the next 30 years. I dont know what Ill do.
I dont think this will be the case, its just a bad sprain, but that thought is always sitting in the back on my mind.
So now I wait, I dont take any pain killers or anti-inflammatory stuff (on principle) and I get on with my daily. I havnt tried to really use it at all, I havnt run or jumped yet so as to give the most time to heal possible. I would love to go to the gym and left, or swim but I know that one wrong move and I could seriously end my summer. Ill wait and give it a few more days and even another week, that way I can be certain.
My training will have to wait.
Feb 8, 2011
I am the worst Blogger on the Planet
Three years. Three freaking years since I have written anything in here. You know whats happened in those three years? A whole lot of running that I should have put down here when it was fresh in my mind.
For all the running I have done in my life and where this blog started, I didnt actually get out and do my first race until September of 09. It was a charity 5k that I did with my friends. It took place along the Mississippi river in NE Minneapolis, the morning was a wonderful 60 degrees and there was no wind. This was a very small race, maybe 1500 people at the VERY most, I wouldnt be surprised if it was just 1200. It was put on by a local radio morning show to help raise money for the Special Olympics, whats not to like for a first race?
Now, a 5K is nothing special, it is something anyone can set out just a few weeks or a month before and complete. You wont be competitive but a 5K is a good place to start and a good run/walk race for a beginner. I finished 6th in class and 15th overall. I dont remember my time, somewhere around 22min. The winners of this race for both male and female finished in under 18min.
I have never run a sub 20min 5K.
I then took to a Thanks giving day 5K through the streets of downtown Minneapolis. This race was crazy and I was very glad it wasnt my first outing. I had heard stories and seen pictures of the starting lines of big races, but I was not prepared for this level of mania. This race is a very popular one, yearly entrants total into the 10's of thousands and the organizers shut down some very major streets of downtown. I was dwarfed by the sheer numbers of people and felt like a fish swimming in a school for the first 1.5 miles.
This was not my best race. It was so hard to run and stick with a pace of comfort, be it slower or faster, youre pretty much just running with whoever is around you and at their pace. I finished sub-25min but never felt good or confident for the entire race. I was very glad it was not my first race.
There have since been a handful of 10ks, a 5 miler all off-road, a Triathlon (that requires its own blog entry) and a soaking wet 1/2 Marathon that I didnt train for.
My friends and I all signed up for the Red, White and Boom 4th of July 1/2 Marathon in the beginning of June. I figured since I had no problems running 5-6 and 7 miles that jumping up to 13 wouldnt be that big of a deal. The weeks leading up to the race I started thinking about my diet a little and did some light, slow, distance work. Nothing fancy, just some things to keep me occupied. One week before I decided to see what a 13 mile run felt like, I mapped out a good run on google and set out one rainy cool afternoon. with my 13.5ish mile rout plotted I set out.
I started quick, running smooth 7min miles and grabbing a bit of water along the way at fountains, I spent most of the first half just trying to get out of my head a bit and let the running just happen. This was all well and good until the turn around point.
What I didnt learn from google was miles 6, 7, 8 and 9 where very hilly, so much so that by my turn back point I was sucking wind pretty hard. I took a 30 sec break to adjust my laces and grab some water before heading back home, back through the hills again. It was brutal. Not only was I getting extremely tired but the rain had picked up and I was 6 miles from home and only my feet to get me there.
Mile 10 almost killed me.
There is a point people talk about, the Wall, the point at which your brain just says 'stop the non-sense'. It is at this stage that people rely on their training to push them through, the muscle memory of having been there before, having pushed these limits and climbing through to the other side. I had none of that. I was in virgin territory and running myself out of hydration and fuel with every step.
It was at mile 10 and 11 that I learned a lot about myself and the amount of strength it takes to truly be a distance runner. I learned that my nonchalance towards athletics and lack of real training was good enough for the odd top 10 finish at a 10K and going out for a slow 5 mile with your friends but it was not good enough for the long run. I was under nourished and under prepared and I had a big mountain to climb in just 7 days time.
I finished my first 1/2 Marathon in 1hr 54min. I was exhausted, hurt and trailing behind a woman who had had brain and breast cancer surgery 9 months earlier (her shirt told me about her story). I was not ready and it showed.
I pretty much took the rest of the summer off. After a nice Holiday in Germany and a hot month of August I was down to about 10 miles a week and not looking forward to any more. And thats pretty much where we are today, thinking, planning and gearing up for a soon to approach spring training season.
I have yet to pull the trigger on a full Marathon, something I hope to accomplish this summer or fall. I think if I just sign up for one and get it on my schedule that in the end I will just do it. My experience with the 1/2 really showed me that I will need to fully rethink my strategy on fuel and training, something I actually look forward to. These are the two things I do best in life, sports and food. Now is just as good a time as any to get my shit together and really learn something about myself.
For all the running I have done in my life and where this blog started, I didnt actually get out and do my first race until September of 09. It was a charity 5k that I did with my friends. It took place along the Mississippi river in NE Minneapolis, the morning was a wonderful 60 degrees and there was no wind. This was a very small race, maybe 1500 people at the VERY most, I wouldnt be surprised if it was just 1200. It was put on by a local radio morning show to help raise money for the Special Olympics, whats not to like for a first race?
Now, a 5K is nothing special, it is something anyone can set out just a few weeks or a month before and complete. You wont be competitive but a 5K is a good place to start and a good run/walk race for a beginner. I finished 6th in class and 15th overall. I dont remember my time, somewhere around 22min. The winners of this race for both male and female finished in under 18min.
I have never run a sub 20min 5K.
I then took to a Thanks giving day 5K through the streets of downtown Minneapolis. This race was crazy and I was very glad it wasnt my first outing. I had heard stories and seen pictures of the starting lines of big races, but I was not prepared for this level of mania. This race is a very popular one, yearly entrants total into the 10's of thousands and the organizers shut down some very major streets of downtown. I was dwarfed by the sheer numbers of people and felt like a fish swimming in a school for the first 1.5 miles.
This was not my best race. It was so hard to run and stick with a pace of comfort, be it slower or faster, youre pretty much just running with whoever is around you and at their pace. I finished sub-25min but never felt good or confident for the entire race. I was very glad it was not my first race.
There have since been a handful of 10ks, a 5 miler all off-road, a Triathlon (that requires its own blog entry) and a soaking wet 1/2 Marathon that I didnt train for.
My friends and I all signed up for the Red, White and Boom 4th of July 1/2 Marathon in the beginning of June. I figured since I had no problems running 5-6 and 7 miles that jumping up to 13 wouldnt be that big of a deal. The weeks leading up to the race I started thinking about my diet a little and did some light, slow, distance work. Nothing fancy, just some things to keep me occupied. One week before I decided to see what a 13 mile run felt like, I mapped out a good run on google and set out one rainy cool afternoon. with my 13.5ish mile rout plotted I set out.
I started quick, running smooth 7min miles and grabbing a bit of water along the way at fountains, I spent most of the first half just trying to get out of my head a bit and let the running just happen. This was all well and good until the turn around point.
What I didnt learn from google was miles 6, 7, 8 and 9 where very hilly, so much so that by my turn back point I was sucking wind pretty hard. I took a 30 sec break to adjust my laces and grab some water before heading back home, back through the hills again. It was brutal. Not only was I getting extremely tired but the rain had picked up and I was 6 miles from home and only my feet to get me there.
Mile 10 almost killed me.
There is a point people talk about, the Wall, the point at which your brain just says 'stop the non-sense'. It is at this stage that people rely on their training to push them through, the muscle memory of having been there before, having pushed these limits and climbing through to the other side. I had none of that. I was in virgin territory and running myself out of hydration and fuel with every step.
It was at mile 10 and 11 that I learned a lot about myself and the amount of strength it takes to truly be a distance runner. I learned that my nonchalance towards athletics and lack of real training was good enough for the odd top 10 finish at a 10K and going out for a slow 5 mile with your friends but it was not good enough for the long run. I was under nourished and under prepared and I had a big mountain to climb in just 7 days time.
I finished my first 1/2 Marathon in 1hr 54min. I was exhausted, hurt and trailing behind a woman who had had brain and breast cancer surgery 9 months earlier (her shirt told me about her story). I was not ready and it showed.
I pretty much took the rest of the summer off. After a nice Holiday in Germany and a hot month of August I was down to about 10 miles a week and not looking forward to any more. And thats pretty much where we are today, thinking, planning and gearing up for a soon to approach spring training season.
I have yet to pull the trigger on a full Marathon, something I hope to accomplish this summer or fall. I think if I just sign up for one and get it on my schedule that in the end I will just do it. My experience with the 1/2 really showed me that I will need to fully rethink my strategy on fuel and training, something I actually look forward to. These are the two things I do best in life, sports and food. Now is just as good a time as any to get my shit together and really learn something about myself.
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