RUN 57 mins, 6 miles
I usually do 7 miles, but not today. As if the stress of it being a travel day, therapy day, run day, dog boarding day, errand day .. wasn't enough, add on some back pain!
SayD ran with me today, I was so grateful for her company :)
Then a short walkies, then off to therapy. Because I was in pain, another therapist looked at me and identified a lot of "wow this is...". Humph. So my rib cage is rotated, what else is new. She also noticed that I'm "missing" a right shoulder muscle. Can't recall the name, I'll have to get back on that one. It began with an "i", I think. Infraspinatus?
Then drop off dog. Then errands, then finish packing, then drive home. My goal was to not get stressed by all this, I did OK :)
Thursday, May 7, 2015
Wednesday, May 6, 2015
The problem is not the problem...
RUN 10 miles in about 1:35
BIKE COMMUTE 6.4 miles
From my tea tag this afternoon: The problem is not the problem. The problem is your attitude about the problem. By Captain Jack Sparrow
So anyway, back to my original point above. When I have moments like this, I stop to "listen to the Whisper of Rain". To find the positive, the joy, the happiness, the benefit, the flowers Henri Matisse referred to. To be honest, I don't think I found any that I really believed in. Then I see my tea tag. OK so that's not the Whisper I'm looking for, but it is a bit of no-honey-coated honesty. The problem is my attitude, and sitting here looking for the positives ain't gonna fix things. Gotta be a little more pro-active!
Ironically, my Happier podcast Tip was The Positive Argument. I'm surrounded my prompts to think positive. And just because I can't see the positive or hear the Whisper, doesn't mean it's not there!
Oh and the run! That's why I'm really here, isn't it? Good energy, felt good, just BORED. Another out-n-back on my TGP-MoBot-TGP route. The last 3 miles I really started hurting. I ate half a powerbar mid run to keep my energy from bottoming out, but it bottomed out anyway. Mental? Physical? Both?
Immediately afterwards I felt like a clumsy FumbleBee, struggled to focus, worked in auto-pilot, took an extra half hour to get to work. Then the ride to work was OK but painful. Sitting, standing, leaning forward, leaning back, it all hurt. Not going to be a good report tomorrow at therapy. "yeah I ran 10 miles and hurt, then the next day I ran 7 miles, and here I am, still hurting..."
BIKE COMMUTE 6.4 miles
From my tea tag this afternoon: The problem is not the problem. The problem is your attitude about the problem. By Captain Jack Sparrow
Took some google'ing, wasn't sure who Jack Sparrow was. Anyway...
Having a rough day (again!). My back is hurting, still Kinesio Taped into position, so I'm kinda 'locked' into an upright posture. It's awesome to have this reminder and a lesson in just how bad my posture was/is.
But at the same time, I'm in constant discomfort (the denial word for pain), having discomfort reminds me that I'm injured, which reminds me that I have medical issues, reminds me how this might have all started, reminds me that I'm going to Disney... No wonder I want to slouch somewhere, just to escape it all.
And I just spent the last two hours waiting in the QLabs waiting room while playing the voice mail game with the Dr's office. They STILL don't know what test to run! More waiting...
Ironically, my Happier podcast Tip was The Positive Argument. I'm surrounded my prompts to think positive. And just because I can't see the positive or hear the Whisper, doesn't mean it's not there!
Oh and the run! That's why I'm really here, isn't it? Good energy, felt good, just BORED. Another out-n-back on my TGP-MoBot-TGP route. The last 3 miles I really started hurting. I ate half a powerbar mid run to keep my energy from bottoming out, but it bottomed out anyway. Mental? Physical? Both?
Immediately afterwards I felt like a clumsy FumbleBee, struggled to focus, worked in auto-pilot, took an extra half hour to get to work. Then the ride to work was OK but painful. Sitting, standing, leaning forward, leaning back, it all hurt. Not going to be a good report tomorrow at therapy. "yeah I ran 10 miles and hurt, then the next day I ran 7 miles, and here I am, still hurting..."
Tuesday, May 5, 2015
For once I'm happy to be manipulated
RUN 4 miles in 40 mins
Yeah, I know, yesterday I was happy to think I needed only 3 miles today and then I went and ran 4. I'd like to say that it was too gorgeous of a morning to not run more (perfectly still air, shorts and t-shirt temps, colorful early sunlight, hazy just-past-full moon) led me to do this. But in all honesty I decided before I went out the door that if I was feeling good I'd do a full 4.
Gorgeous, perfect running weather. Gimme more!
I might have a new 4 mile route. I've always done to the TGP pavilion and back as a 4-miler. Today I did LP via Russ to MS, NE around the park staying on Park to Jeff. Right at the Jeff stoplight, literally as I was crossing the street, the 2-mile beep! There and back again.
Then off to therapy, where for once I'm happy to be manipulated. The past few days were up and down for my back. Friday after therapy it felt so freaking amazing that it really opened my eyes to just how bad it was in terms of pain, discomfort, and poor flexibility. Saturday's 20-miler was racked with pain. Sunday's 30-miler was so much better?! Yesterday I was tired all around so it's hard to conclude anything.
Today she really focused on the right side of T10, a painful spot. And up higher, maybe T6, on the left. She did a lie-on-the-left-side, pull-the-hip, push-the-shoulder rotation that oooooooh yeah hit the spot for pain and tightness. I felt like my doggie when you scratch that perfect spot near her tail -- more more more.
A few new exercises for rotation including the lower back, then the cold e-stim. Then what might be the biggest bonus yet -- K Tape on my back and shoulders. It's to cue my posture and muscles. I said that while I expected the Camelbak to make things worse, it didn't maybe because it reminded me to mind the back. So she tried the K Tape. NICE!! I'm sitting up more and walking taller with the pull of the tape. Can't live with the stuff, can't get a full range of motion, but it's working!
No other effects yet of today, I think the tape is impeding some movement, but I am noticing it's easier to look over my shoulder while driving, for example.
Doing some nutrition research after this weekend. Green plantains, like I used in my cracker recipe, have upwards of 50g of resistant starches per 100g. Hmmmm...... Sushi rice is mostly amylopectin, the easier to digest starch, while other rices have more amylose which is the resistant starch form. Basmatic is high RS, Jasmine is low RS. So I'm guessing my digestive issues over the weekend (that lasted at least into yesterday: swollen belly, that feeling of 'needing-to-go-more', and the ... ahem... D...might have been due to the sudden introduction of plantains. I haven't eaten them in some time, but I do eat fufu flour which is a mix of casava, plantain, and yam. Interestingly, this weekend was the first time I'd eaten fufu in awhile too....
Resistant Starches Per 100g, type of RS not specified:
Unripe banana = 5-34
Ripe banana = .3-6
waxy or sweet rice = 3
carrot = 1-2
baked potato = 1
roasted and cooled potato = 19!
plantain/green banana flour = 35-68!
cooked banana = 1
cooked plantain = 3.5
tapioca pearls = 5.
The units are grams RS? Just copying the numbers for comparison and reference. Not sure where fufu flour fits into that.. prolly high. But I don't eat much at one time. Or I won't be in the future!
Thankfully it probably wasn't the jelly beans or rice. And I've been looking at maple recipes. I need to get the maple into a candy or hardened form, since it FOAMS so damned much in my flask. Certainly don't need more air in my belly!
Yeah, I know, yesterday I was happy to think I needed only 3 miles today and then I went and ran 4. I'd like to say that it was too gorgeous of a morning to not run more (perfectly still air, shorts and t-shirt temps, colorful early sunlight, hazy just-past-full moon) led me to do this. But in all honesty I decided before I went out the door that if I was feeling good I'd do a full 4.
Gorgeous, perfect running weather. Gimme more!
I might have a new 4 mile route. I've always done to the TGP pavilion and back as a 4-miler. Today I did LP via Russ to MS, NE around the park staying on Park to Jeff. Right at the Jeff stoplight, literally as I was crossing the street, the 2-mile beep! There and back again.
Then off to therapy, where for once I'm happy to be manipulated. The past few days were up and down for my back. Friday after therapy it felt so freaking amazing that it really opened my eyes to just how bad it was in terms of pain, discomfort, and poor flexibility. Saturday's 20-miler was racked with pain. Sunday's 30-miler was so much better?! Yesterday I was tired all around so it's hard to conclude anything.
Today she really focused on the right side of T10, a painful spot. And up higher, maybe T6, on the left. She did a lie-on-the-left-side, pull-the-hip, push-the-shoulder rotation that oooooooh yeah hit the spot for pain and tightness. I felt like my doggie when you scratch that perfect spot near her tail -- more more more.
A few new exercises for rotation including the lower back, then the cold e-stim. Then what might be the biggest bonus yet -- K Tape on my back and shoulders. It's to cue my posture and muscles. I said that while I expected the Camelbak to make things worse, it didn't maybe because it reminded me to mind the back. So she tried the K Tape. NICE!! I'm sitting up more and walking taller with the pull of the tape. Can't live with the stuff, can't get a full range of motion, but it's working!
No other effects yet of today, I think the tape is impeding some movement, but I am noticing it's easier to look over my shoulder while driving, for example.
Doing some nutrition research after this weekend. Green plantains, like I used in my cracker recipe, have upwards of 50g of resistant starches per 100g. Hmmmm...... Sushi rice is mostly amylopectin, the easier to digest starch, while other rices have more amylose which is the resistant starch form. Basmatic is high RS, Jasmine is low RS. So I'm guessing my digestive issues over the weekend (that lasted at least into yesterday: swollen belly, that feeling of 'needing-to-go-more', and the ... ahem... D...might have been due to the sudden introduction of plantains. I haven't eaten them in some time, but I do eat fufu flour which is a mix of casava, plantain, and yam. Interestingly, this weekend was the first time I'd eaten fufu in awhile too....
Resistant Starches Per 100g, type of RS not specified:
Unripe banana = 5-34
Ripe banana = .3-6
waxy or sweet rice = 3
carrot = 1-2
baked potato = 1
roasted and cooled potato = 19!
plantain/green banana flour = 35-68!
cooked banana = 1
cooked plantain = 3.5
tapioca pearls = 5.
The units are grams RS? Just copying the numbers for comparison and reference. Not sure where fufu flour fits into that.. prolly high. But I don't eat much at one time. Or I won't be in the future!
Thankfully it probably wasn't the jelly beans or rice. And I've been looking at maple recipes. I need to get the maple into a candy or hardened form, since it FOAMS so damned much in my flask. Certainly don't need more air in my belly!
Monday, May 4, 2015
Sluggy Monday recovery
BIKE COMMUTE 6.4 miles
When I peeked ahead to my run schedule this week, I was relieve to see I'm only doing 3 miles tomorrow. Instead of 4. Awwww is somebody tired?! ;)
The run sequence this week is 3-10-7 midweek then 10-10 this weekend. Therapy sessions with the 3 and 7. The 7 might have to change for that so I can get there on time? I know it's sports therapy and all, but no need to be stinky! Thursday will be a schedule challenge no matter what. Bah, plan it later.
Today -- holy cow -- tired. Puffy. Swollen. Sluggy. Even my face is tired and swollen. I slept great last night, hydrated, and have an appetite. Happily I'm not hurting (back or legs or feet) and that's a good thing. Just feel like I'm carrying pounds and pounds of water weight. I can see and feel it in my feet and toes! From experience I know that the day or two after a long weekend can be like a body flush -- might not be drinking much but a lot coming out anyway!
Things to be thinking ahead on, now that the race only has 4 more training weekends! EEEK!
1. Drop bag planning and nutrition counting.
2. The mental breakdown of the race, I'm thinking 3 legs: out, back, then out-n-back.
3. Gear packing and checklists
4. My ride home Sunday!
5. Drop bag treats to look forward to during the run.
Other goals I feel like I need to hit:
One more solid all-trails 30+20 weekend. So far I've done a few 30+15, this past weekend was a 20+30, but the 20 was road. Trails take longer, are more entertaining, and better simulate the race. In talking to a runner I met yesterday, I learned that the first out and back of Kettle is "runnable", rolling meadows, the like. Look for a trail or path that sims that for the 20?
When I peeked ahead to my run schedule this week, I was relieve to see I'm only doing 3 miles tomorrow. Instead of 4. Awwww is somebody tired?! ;)
The run sequence this week is 3-10-7 midweek then 10-10 this weekend. Therapy sessions with the 3 and 7. The 7 might have to change for that so I can get there on time? I know it's sports therapy and all, but no need to be stinky! Thursday will be a schedule challenge no matter what. Bah, plan it later.
Today -- holy cow -- tired. Puffy. Swollen. Sluggy. Even my face is tired and swollen. I slept great last night, hydrated, and have an appetite. Happily I'm not hurting (back or legs or feet) and that's a good thing. Just feel like I'm carrying pounds and pounds of water weight. I can see and feel it in my feet and toes! From experience I know that the day or two after a long weekend can be like a body flush -- might not be drinking much but a lot coming out anyway!
Things to be thinking ahead on, now that the race only has 4 more training weekends! EEEK!
1. Drop bag planning and nutrition counting.
2. The mental breakdown of the race, I'm thinking 3 legs: out, back, then out-n-back.
3. Gear packing and checklists
4. My ride home Sunday!
5. Drop bag treats to look forward to during the run.
Other goals I feel like I need to hit:
One more solid all-trails 30+20 weekend. So far I've done a few 30+15, this past weekend was a 20+30, but the 20 was road. Trails take longer, are more entertaining, and better simulate the race. In talking to a runner I met yesterday, I learned that the first out and back of Kettle is "runnable", rolling meadows, the like. Look for a trail or path that sims that for the 20?
Sunday, May 3, 2015
Full Moon 30 Miler
RUN 30 miles in 7 hours, 7 minutes
Roughly, anyway. There was some pauses, stops, and Garmin mismeasures along the way. But that's for the end of my story!
And although I wouldn't see the full moon at all this time (clouds at night) was fun knowing it was there.
As I said before, the original plan for today was 50 miles. This was going to be my 50-miler training weekend, in lieu of traveling and paying for a race. Couldn't happen, and now I'm thinking ahead to my last big weekend in two weeks -- another 30+20 weekend block that has to show some improvement over this one.
My back that hurt so much yesterday was feeling fine this morning. However my GI system was upset with something -- either the jelly beans or the plantains from a recipe? Or maybe the stress of my back hurting yesterday? A combination? I'm guessing the plantains, I haven't eaten them in a few weeks and they are a new introduction. Beans and stress, well they're pretty common lately!
I got a later-than-intended start so I could walk the dog, hydrate, and get fueled. I never know just how much water or nutrients I really lose on a symptomatic morning, but I feel better knowing I did what I could to make up any gains. By the time I got to the trail, I was feeling much better but it was 9am!
I ran into a guy in the parking lot and learned he was running with the group, but wasn't with them at the moment. Chatted with him, and a cyclist while I packed up, then headed out on Declue for what I hoped was a 10-mile Declue-Dogwood loop. The first few miles were downhills, the trail was dry and clear, Six Flags was noisy, the bikers and riders all pleasant, shaping up to be a great trail run!
Now usually when a few hours have passed, as well as a number of bikers and riders, the trails are clear of cobwebs. Not so today. I was constantly pulling sticky fibers off my face! I realized soon enough it wasn't cobwebs -- it was those tree worms dropping out of the trees on little silky threads! UGH! And what I thought at first to be something in my eye turned out to be tree allergens! And as I was trying to get 'something' out of my eye, I was likely adding to the pollen count in my eye by rubbing them. Once I realized what was happening, I was able to control it, but by then my eyes were like sand. At one point near mile 5 a runner came up behind me, I offered to let him pass, but he declined as he planned to turn around soon. We chatted, and only when he said he was turning back did I realize who it was -- my neighbor B!! HAha!!
At the end of the first loop (it was 10.1 miles in the end!), I could see the particulate matter in the air and a coating of tree dust covering the truck. Nice, and 20 more to go.
Stopped by the truck to refill and refuel. Ate one of my nummy rice balls with sticky rice, raisins, salt, and maple syrup -- one per loop and these were working so far! -- then off to the second loop. I was feeling good, by back was OK, I was more tired than I thought I should be, and determined to finish.
The second loop much like the first, started texting with family a bit in walk breaks. I was eating about every 45 mins. Time seemed to drag on. If anything I think boredom was the biggest problem. And I was low on water, good thing!
Another stop by the truck, this time I met the group I was 'running with', chatted, learned they also experience allergy/tree dust problems in the Dogwood section (so I wasn't imagining that one part of the trail was worse!), and as much as I wanted to run with someone I didn't. So I declined joining them on their last miles and planned an out n back that kept me out of the Dogwood.
Off to the last loop, again boredom and worms my biggest problems. My back and unquenchable thirst more minor. But I started watching the distance, that's a big mental problem. I started the last leg at 20.36 and my mind was tumbly-turny with math problems. I was starting to stumble a bit more, forced myself to walk, which was good because I should have been walking more all along. That Galloway interview podcast I started the day with was supposed to be an inspiration for that. I was shooting for the All Day Pace, I had it, but wasn't sticking to it.
Speaking of podcasts -- I did OK the first hour silent but needed mental stimulation. So here's what I remember listening too: Marathon Training Academy Jeff Galloway; NPR TED on Organization, Ten Junk Miles and the Hennepin Hundred;....um.....NPR on Slinky; NRP on Abolishing Death Penalty; then a Procrastination research on To Do Lists.
By the time I reached 25 miles and turned around, I was getting pretty cooked mentally and physically. The other group as it turned out was close behind me and I passed them as I turned. I was again counting miles, barely listening to the podcast on To-Do Lists (but enjoying it nonetheless) when I saw TV!! All day I was wondering if I'd see or hear from him!! I needed the company :) but poor TV just got my flood of pent-up talking and thinking, my slow pace, and my lack of fizz to put up with. I was happy to see him, talk-talk-talk :)
I know my math is bad, but I was pretty sure that by turning around at mile 24.9 that I'd end up at mile 30 near the truck. But as we were climbing the last hill my Garmin beeped for mile 29. WHAT!? ANOTHER MILE?! But soon I could see the buildings, and realized it was a mile off. NOW WHAT, do I run another mile? Ugh, didn't have it in my.
And therein lies a problem -- I'm so focused on the finish goal distance that I don't have anything left for distance beyond it. It's not so much a pacing problem, or nutritional, it's mental. Like a switch turning me off at 30.000 miles and nothing for even a few steps beyond.
And if the 100 miler is mostly a mental challenge, I'm facing some doubts. That's normal I guess? Maybe the doubts creep in because I'm so tired?
At the end of the day in the run I ate 2 servings of rice, 3 gels, 50 jelly beans, 5 ginger chews. Threw away my special rice-raisin-maple recovery for fear of them going bad from being warm. Was insatiably thirsty, lacked hunger on the drive home.
This is getting rambly. Guess I meant to say that my nutrition should be a more frequent, is improved with little candies and chews, needs some 'spark' for the water (maybe even just ice would help). My feet were swollen (didn't have compression socks today) but no blisters or chafing problems.
Next is a mini-rest week, then one more 75 miler. Since I didn't get my 50 miler in, I'm really going to have to invest quality trail into that last weekend. Rest first, study the cut-offs and maps, fix my back, play with rice ball recipe (and ice blocks)! And gotta get the mental thing under control.
NUMERICS 14 hours and 21 mins of running
RUN 75.1 miles, I think that's a personal most!
BIKE COMMUTE 19.2 miles
WALKIES 21.5 miles
and stretching for my back as indicated by therapy. Still no strength training yet.
Roughly, anyway. There was some pauses, stops, and Garmin mismeasures along the way. But that's for the end of my story!
And although I wouldn't see the full moon at all this time (clouds at night) was fun knowing it was there.
As I said before, the original plan for today was 50 miles. This was going to be my 50-miler training weekend, in lieu of traveling and paying for a race. Couldn't happen, and now I'm thinking ahead to my last big weekend in two weeks -- another 30+20 weekend block that has to show some improvement over this one.
My back that hurt so much yesterday was feeling fine this morning. However my GI system was upset with something -- either the jelly beans or the plantains from a recipe? Or maybe the stress of my back hurting yesterday? A combination? I'm guessing the plantains, I haven't eaten them in a few weeks and they are a new introduction. Beans and stress, well they're pretty common lately!
I got a later-than-intended start so I could walk the dog, hydrate, and get fueled. I never know just how much water or nutrients I really lose on a symptomatic morning, but I feel better knowing I did what I could to make up any gains. By the time I got to the trail, I was feeling much better but it was 9am!
I ran into a guy in the parking lot and learned he was running with the group, but wasn't with them at the moment. Chatted with him, and a cyclist while I packed up, then headed out on Declue for what I hoped was a 10-mile Declue-Dogwood loop. The first few miles were downhills, the trail was dry and clear, Six Flags was noisy, the bikers and riders all pleasant, shaping up to be a great trail run!
Now usually when a few hours have passed, as well as a number of bikers and riders, the trails are clear of cobwebs. Not so today. I was constantly pulling sticky fibers off my face! I realized soon enough it wasn't cobwebs -- it was those tree worms dropping out of the trees on little silky threads! UGH! And what I thought at first to be something in my eye turned out to be tree allergens! And as I was trying to get 'something' out of my eye, I was likely adding to the pollen count in my eye by rubbing them. Once I realized what was happening, I was able to control it, but by then my eyes were like sand. At one point near mile 5 a runner came up behind me, I offered to let him pass, but he declined as he planned to turn around soon. We chatted, and only when he said he was turning back did I realize who it was -- my neighbor B!! HAha!!
At the end of the first loop (it was 10.1 miles in the end!), I could see the particulate matter in the air and a coating of tree dust covering the truck. Nice, and 20 more to go.
Stopped by the truck to refill and refuel. Ate one of my nummy rice balls with sticky rice, raisins, salt, and maple syrup -- one per loop and these were working so far! -- then off to the second loop. I was feeling good, by back was OK, I was more tired than I thought I should be, and determined to finish.
The second loop much like the first, started texting with family a bit in walk breaks. I was eating about every 45 mins. Time seemed to drag on. If anything I think boredom was the biggest problem. And I was low on water, good thing!
Another stop by the truck, this time I met the group I was 'running with', chatted, learned they also experience allergy/tree dust problems in the Dogwood section (so I wasn't imagining that one part of the trail was worse!), and as much as I wanted to run with someone I didn't. So I declined joining them on their last miles and planned an out n back that kept me out of the Dogwood.
Off to the last loop, again boredom and worms my biggest problems. My back and unquenchable thirst more minor. But I started watching the distance, that's a big mental problem. I started the last leg at 20.36 and my mind was tumbly-turny with math problems. I was starting to stumble a bit more, forced myself to walk, which was good because I should have been walking more all along. That Galloway interview podcast I started the day with was supposed to be an inspiration for that. I was shooting for the All Day Pace, I had it, but wasn't sticking to it.
Speaking of podcasts -- I did OK the first hour silent but needed mental stimulation. So here's what I remember listening too: Marathon Training Academy Jeff Galloway; NPR TED on Organization, Ten Junk Miles and the Hennepin Hundred;....um.....NPR on Slinky; NRP on Abolishing Death Penalty; then a Procrastination research on To Do Lists.
By the time I reached 25 miles and turned around, I was getting pretty cooked mentally and physically. The other group as it turned out was close behind me and I passed them as I turned. I was again counting miles, barely listening to the podcast on To-Do Lists (but enjoying it nonetheless) when I saw TV!! All day I was wondering if I'd see or hear from him!! I needed the company :) but poor TV just got my flood of pent-up talking and thinking, my slow pace, and my lack of fizz to put up with. I was happy to see him, talk-talk-talk :)
I know my math is bad, but I was pretty sure that by turning around at mile 24.9 that I'd end up at mile 30 near the truck. But as we were climbing the last hill my Garmin beeped for mile 29. WHAT!? ANOTHER MILE?! But soon I could see the buildings, and realized it was a mile off. NOW WHAT, do I run another mile? Ugh, didn't have it in my.
And therein lies a problem -- I'm so focused on the finish goal distance that I don't have anything left for distance beyond it. It's not so much a pacing problem, or nutritional, it's mental. Like a switch turning me off at 30.000 miles and nothing for even a few steps beyond.
And if the 100 miler is mostly a mental challenge, I'm facing some doubts. That's normal I guess? Maybe the doubts creep in because I'm so tired?
At the end of the day in the run I ate 2 servings of rice, 3 gels, 50 jelly beans, 5 ginger chews. Threw away my special rice-raisin-maple recovery for fear of them going bad from being warm. Was insatiably thirsty, lacked hunger on the drive home.
This is getting rambly. Guess I meant to say that my nutrition should be a more frequent, is improved with little candies and chews, needs some 'spark' for the water (maybe even just ice would help). My feet were swollen (didn't have compression socks today) but no blisters or chafing problems.
Next is a mini-rest week, then one more 75 miler. Since I didn't get my 50 miler in, I'm really going to have to invest quality trail into that last weekend. Rest first, study the cut-offs and maps, fix my back, play with rice ball recipe (and ice blocks)! And gotta get the mental thing under control.
NUMERICS 14 hours and 21 mins of running
RUN 75.1 miles, I think that's a personal most!
BIKE COMMUTE 19.2 miles
WALKIES 21.5 miles
and stretching for my back as indicated by therapy. Still no strength training yet.
Saturday, May 2, 2015
Didn't go as originally planned, but got it done
RUN 20 miles in 3:16
The original plan was to rest in preparation for a 5x10 mile loop train run tomorrow. Then I remembered (how could I forget?!) that I can't leave my doggie alone for that long while I'm out running.
My next plan was to run an out-n-back on the Chubb trail, shooting for 15 or so miles and leaving 30-35 for Sunday. Thought about doing this in the afternoon to more closely simulate the fatigue and low recovery time.
Then I woke up Saturday morning. All plans changed. I decided early morning that I had too much to get done to be driving across town to a trail, so I planned an in-town 20 miler. I wasn't so much goofing around, but I was goofing around. MMR'ing a route to no success. Counting beans (literally) as I put together a jelly bean mix for the day and pulled out favorites as I worked for a race-day special banana split recipe. (Waaaaaaaayyyyy too much time lost here).
I didn't get running until 9:30! I told myself that was OK, since I was looking for that low recovery time aspect, but who am I kidding?! Not me! If I had so much to get done, then starting late was not really an option.
The route I have to TGP around MoBot to TGP and loopy-looping around there is getting old, but I keep doing it. Maybe because I know where I am, have water and bathroom options, and like the lack of traffic noise in the park. I wandered around that area until mile 9-ish before spinning out to the hill area, feeling good but a bit bored. Stop by the Y for water and bathroom at 10, then head out to Hampton, then decide to stop by BRR in the hopes that someone could review my running form. Why?
Because my back was hurting!!!!! NUTS!!
Yesterday after my session I was feeling great, like major gains had been made. I was able to move, bend over, pull pillows off the bed, feel the dog, etc, with more flexibility and less pain than I've had in some time. I didn't realize how limited I was feeling until then! I was looking forward to telling the therapist that whatever stretches we did Friday were golden, and More Please!
But now around mile 12 I was getting uncomfortable. At mile 14 I hit BRR and got a brief video taken. The video started after the initial start-from-stop pains subsided, and even then you could see I was tight, hunched, and not quite optimal. She said my elbows have too tight of an angle, that from hips down I was OK but my upper body looked too upright (like I was sitting back into my hips), and my head seemed too far forward.
I didn't have the back pack on, just the handheld bottle. It's possible that I run differently with it, I could see how that would increase my elbow angle. I was starting to get worried about my trail run for tomorrow! The pain was pretty constant: focal but not sharp between the shoulder blades, brought on my starting from a stop, standing up after bending over, and thoracic rotation. Pretty much the same as it was before in March. But no intercostal or rib pain. Just between the shoulder blades.
The therapist said to not let pain exceed a 4 on the 1-10 scale. Dr M said run what I could tolerate. And my pain scale is messed up. And how to measure the pain? It only hurts for 30 seconds or so. Very tolerable! Temporary! Once the worst subsides it's pretty minor.
I was still and cautious the rest of the day. Had shopping, my cook up, and stayed on my feet most of the rest of the afternoon to push the fatigue.
The 20 miler felt great, excepting the pain it wasn't hard.
The original plan was to rest in preparation for a 5x10 mile loop train run tomorrow. Then I remembered (how could I forget?!) that I can't leave my doggie alone for that long while I'm out running.
My next plan was to run an out-n-back on the Chubb trail, shooting for 15 or so miles and leaving 30-35 for Sunday. Thought about doing this in the afternoon to more closely simulate the fatigue and low recovery time.
Then I woke up Saturday morning. All plans changed. I decided early morning that I had too much to get done to be driving across town to a trail, so I planned an in-town 20 miler. I wasn't so much goofing around, but I was goofing around. MMR'ing a route to no success. Counting beans (literally) as I put together a jelly bean mix for the day and pulled out favorites as I worked for a race-day special banana split recipe. (Waaaaaaaayyyyy too much time lost here).
I didn't get running until 9:30! I told myself that was OK, since I was looking for that low recovery time aspect, but who am I kidding?! Not me! If I had so much to get done, then starting late was not really an option.
The route I have to TGP around MoBot to TGP and loopy-looping around there is getting old, but I keep doing it. Maybe because I know where I am, have water and bathroom options, and like the lack of traffic noise in the park. I wandered around that area until mile 9-ish before spinning out to the hill area, feeling good but a bit bored. Stop by the Y for water and bathroom at 10, then head out to Hampton, then decide to stop by BRR in the hopes that someone could review my running form. Why?
Because my back was hurting!!!!! NUTS!!
Yesterday after my session I was feeling great, like major gains had been made. I was able to move, bend over, pull pillows off the bed, feel the dog, etc, with more flexibility and less pain than I've had in some time. I didn't realize how limited I was feeling until then! I was looking forward to telling the therapist that whatever stretches we did Friday were golden, and More Please!
But now around mile 12 I was getting uncomfortable. At mile 14 I hit BRR and got a brief video taken. The video started after the initial start-from-stop pains subsided, and even then you could see I was tight, hunched, and not quite optimal. She said my elbows have too tight of an angle, that from hips down I was OK but my upper body looked too upright (like I was sitting back into my hips), and my head seemed too far forward.
I didn't have the back pack on, just the handheld bottle. It's possible that I run differently with it, I could see how that would increase my elbow angle. I was starting to get worried about my trail run for tomorrow! The pain was pretty constant: focal but not sharp between the shoulder blades, brought on my starting from a stop, standing up after bending over, and thoracic rotation. Pretty much the same as it was before in March. But no intercostal or rib pain. Just between the shoulder blades.
The therapist said to not let pain exceed a 4 on the 1-10 scale. Dr M said run what I could tolerate. And my pain scale is messed up. And how to measure the pain? It only hurts for 30 seconds or so. Very tolerable! Temporary! Once the worst subsides it's pretty minor.
I was still and cautious the rest of the day. Had shopping, my cook up, and stayed on my feet most of the rest of the afternoon to push the fatigue.
The 20 miler felt great, excepting the pain it wasn't hard.
Friday, May 1, 2015
Let not your hearts be troubled ... believe in me
REST DAY
Not even a bike commute since I had to drive out for back therapy.
Once again, John the disciple has crossed my path. This makes at least the third time. The first was on the way to B2B when I ran past a church with John 3:3 "You must be born again". Then he appeared again in a radio sermon I randomed across with John 5:6 "Wilt thou be made whole". Now here he is again in John 14:1 "Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me.
How did this one come to me? I had picked up the family bible again and found the gospels for holidays and dates. Turns out May 1st had one -- John 14:1-13. And it spoke to me, and it had my word in it -- BELIEVE!
I'm not a religious person in the Christianity sense, but this is weird.
Therapy went great today, no headaches or pains afterwards. In fact, this is the best my back has felt in probably weeks. From walking, sitting, stairs, opening doors, bending over -- I feel so much better. Flexible, less 'kinked', and no pain like I had Tuesday. We'll see how this weekend's running goes.
Speaking of which, I realized yesterday that if I do the 50 miler Sunday, my doggie will be home alone for too long. (Did I mention this already?). Still don't have that worked out yet. Can I trust her with the pet door?
I didn't mention yesterday that while waiting at the Quest lab for my blood work I heard the Set Fire To The Rain song and I'm maybe adding it to the 2015 song list. Then soon after I heard the Breakaway song!
Oh, and one of my first emails this morning opened with "tj, Today is your day...you are amazing :-)"
Thanks SCD Lifestyle! Your name isn't John, is it?
Not even a bike commute since I had to drive out for back therapy.
Once again, John the disciple has crossed my path. This makes at least the third time. The first was on the way to B2B when I ran past a church with John 3:3 "You must be born again". Then he appeared again in a radio sermon I randomed across with John 5:6 "Wilt thou be made whole". Now here he is again in John 14:1 "Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me.
How did this one come to me? I had picked up the family bible again and found the gospels for holidays and dates. Turns out May 1st had one -- John 14:1-13. And it spoke to me, and it had my word in it -- BELIEVE!
I'm not a religious person in the Christianity sense, but this is weird.
Therapy went great today, no headaches or pains afterwards. In fact, this is the best my back has felt in probably weeks. From walking, sitting, stairs, opening doors, bending over -- I feel so much better. Flexible, less 'kinked', and no pain like I had Tuesday. We'll see how this weekend's running goes.
Speaking of which, I realized yesterday that if I do the 50 miler Sunday, my doggie will be home alone for too long. (Did I mention this already?). Still don't have that worked out yet. Can I trust her with the pet door?
I didn't mention yesterday that while waiting at the Quest lab for my blood work I heard the Set Fire To The Rain song and I'm maybe adding it to the 2015 song list. Then soon after I heard the Breakaway song!
Oh, and one of my first emails this morning opened with "tj, Today is your day...you are amazing :-)"
Thanks SCD Lifestyle! Your name isn't John, is it?
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