baby steps and I will take it

my frustration is turning into minor optimism. the problem of the tight solious (calf) that is leading to my sore Achilles is starting to clear up slightly. I had a great appointment with Dean (Body Basics) and we did some acupuncture, electric stimulation and taping. After that appointment on Weds I was able to run Thursday (25 minutes) and Friday (36 minutes) relatively pain free. It takes me a while to get warmed up but once I do any pain I have had becomes minor discomfort.

I had a massage appointment with Jen (Massage Envy) last night and she worked on my legs, especially the calf and I felt even better coming out of that appointment.

The discomfort is something I can handle for 50 miles (7+ hours) of running as long as it does not get any worse along the way. I am going to run some today (40 minutes) and then ride long tomorrow (90+ miles). I have been trying to workout in the middle of the day to start heat acclimation - it is just tough because I am nervous about putting too many minutes on my sore Achilles and getting another injury.

Next week will be some runs (in 60 minute range) and some swimming. I have 2 appointments with Dean before we leave for the Keys and one more massage. I am hopeful that all this work is going to pay off - I do not have the running mileage I would like but I will be relatively healthy and that is more important.

Keep your fingers crossed - the plans of setting the course record have not changed. I am still going for it and what happens happens but we are going to give it a shot.

Frustration

well, it has been several weeks since I have been able to run pain free - my last good run workout was the 14 x 800 track workout I did on 4/15 - that is exactly 3 weeks ago today. I was able to get through a 25 minute jog this morning without too much pain.

the good news is - I have been able to ride/lift/swim in the mean time but it is not the same as running. I am not sure how my body is going to react to running 50 miles when I have not run in such a long time. I am hoping I can get a few runs in prior to the race just to get the run feeling back in my legs.

I am not sure how the race will turn out but I am not changing my plan because I have not been running - I am going for it - I am going to go out fast, try to settle into a good 8:30 pace and see how long I can hold it.

I am going to try and reduce the amount of time in pit stops again this year and try to use some pacers to my advantage if possible. I would like to finish the 50 miles in about 7 hours. If I can get through the first 30 in 4:15 or so I think I should be good to go. I am prepared to have the second half be a little slower but I am going to keep pushing.

I may not win this year but I am going to make someone hurt if they are going to beat me. My crew is going to be awesome and they are all set to take this run to the next level - we all just need to keep our fingers crossed that the body feels like running that morning.

healing - hopefullly

so i went to see my friend and Team Hendryx athlete, Dean. Dean is a acupuncturist and has been working on me for about 6 months now. I was hoping he could assist with my Achilles issues I am having.

we have diagnosed the issue as a calf issue and need to stretch out the calf more and to work out some kinks. Today, we did an acupuncture session (where needles went almost all the way through my ankles, deep tissue massage and kinesio taping.

I am going to run (short and easy) tomorrow and see how it feels. I am hoping this is a step in the right direction and that with a couple more appointments in the next 2 weeks along with another taping session right before the Keys I will be able to get to the start line and put in a solid effort.

Keep your fingers crossed.

oh the humanity

I wish my feet felt like this but they don't and I am getting to be very aggravated. I had a great week of training that ended with some pain in my achilles - I then selfishly ran a hard 5k that I should have passed on. I couldn't get warmed up and the pain never decreased during warm ups, then I had to sit on the start line for 30 minutes. The pain was bad during the race but I just kept going - dummy me.

I took a week off and only rode the bike and did the elliptical - I tried to run on Friday but the pain was still there. I am back on the shelf again - I am riding, swimming and ellipticaling - guess I will just wait and see if the pain goes down before the race.

Let's keep our fingers crossed

Key West 50

My entry for the race in Key West went yesterday - I decided that the 100 miler would be too much this year and success would be more probable in the 50 miler. I have had some feet and Achilles issues and thought if I pounded them for 100 miles I would not recover in time to properly train for the IM in Spet. I figure a few days of partying in the keys after the 50 miler and I will be ready to put in the miles necessary for a solid IM in Sept.

I have a great crew heading to the Keys with me and have some great pacers coming along - I am going to see how fast I can run 50 miles. I have finished the race 2 times - winning it once and placing 3rd once. It's now time to throw caution to the wind and see how long and fast we can run from Marathon to KW.

There are some challenges with this race - the heat, the start time, the humidity, and the boredom. We will see how it goes.

I have been swimming, biking and running a lot to get ready. This weekend will be big miles again for me - 30 on Saturday, 20 on Sunday, and 20 on Monday, Wednesday will be a long track workout - 18 x 800 is the goal. After this weekend we will have a pretty good understanding of how the weekend will go.

Stay tuned.

Boston Weekend

With Boston coming this Monday I need to express an opinion. This opinion might not be a popular one but it's my blog and I get to say what I feel :-).


I vote we keep all non qualifiers out of The Boston Marathon. Boston is for runners, for athletes who can qualify for the race, not for people running for a charity, doctors, or anyone else that's allowed in without a qualifying time.

Don't get me wrong - people that run for charities have done a ton to bring recognition to running and have done a ton to help those in need. They do great things by getting people involved in running that might not otherwise take the first step. I have coached for many charities and I have raised money for those same charities.

However, they have no place in the Boston Marathon. Boston is for the elite runners, those can run a qualifying standard set by the BAA. You shouldn't be able to run Boston by raising enough money, while that is a challenge too it is not close to having the pressure of running a qualifying time.

I know my vote and opinion is going to do nothing to change the policy the BAA has set - after all it is all about the money. However, I will never run Boston unless I have a qualifying time. I will not enter a lottery to get into a qualifying race, I will not raise money to get into a qualifying race, I will not get my PhD to get into a qualifying race.

I felt the same way when I didn't qualify for the Duathlon World Championships in 2009 but was offered a slot to go to the race by USAT. I felt I didn't do enough to qualify I was not going to enter the World Championships just to say I did it - I wanted to EARN it.

All of those running Boston this weekend (qualifiers and non qualifiers) best of luck to you - enjoy the race and have a wonderful weekend in Boston.