Since the foot injury I went through a down-and-out phase. There was an oppressing feeling that because of those 10 days off my fitness level would not be good enough to be able to safely finish the race. The start of cross country season and having the opportunity to run with people revived the spirits a bit. This previous Saturday I set out to do 40 miles. When the day arrived a few complications arose. One, I was packing and preparing to move, and because of this food supplies were low. Second, I had to finish by 6:30pm to work at 7pm. Saturday morning came around and with four peanut butter sandwiches, four peaches, and a bunch of water the running began. Here are the results.
9am 10 mi. 1:28:00 Arlington 8:48pace
11:30am 10 mi. 1:45:00 Arboretum 10:30 pace
1:30pm 10 mi. 1:49:00 Natl. Mall 10:54 pace
4:00pm 5 mi. 53:30 Campus 10:42 pace
Five miles short of the original plan did not leave an unsatisfactory feeling. In fact, this was a very motivating run that helped build confidence for race day. Lots of water and peaches seems to help delay soreness and cramping. The peanut butter sandwiches provided a satiated stomach without digestive complications (hurling it back up). The last five miles were hot, which kept me mentally alert for sign of overheating.
After work the day capped off with two hours of ultimate frisbee and a late night off FOOD! Two bags of chips, 1/2 gallon of juice, a pint of blue berries, and four soy burgers vanished by the next morning. Mmm, food.
With school during the week and cross country meets on the weekends it will have to be early morning runs until race day. I hope to get in at least one more 20 miler on Sunday. Until then, it will be 10 to 15s.
------------------
Mon. Aug. 31st
8am 10 mi.
1:25:30
Hips were tight.
Lastly, does anyone know why feet would be swollen in the morning? The past three weeks I will walk like an old man because my feet are swollen and stiff. Am I an old man? Will I need a cane soon?
---------------
Tues. Sept. 1st
4pm 8 mi.
Speed work on track
Speed work.
2 mile wu
4x400 with 400 recoveries
80,78,76,74
2x800 with 800 recoveries
3:12,3:02
1 mile pacer
1 mile cd
Monday, August 31, 2009
Monday, August 17, 2009
Back at It
Monday: 5:30am
6 mi. ~53min
Foot feels much better but is not yet ready for high miles.
The new shoes are meh. Iffy at best.
--------
PM
Hit the weight room for a I've-been-piggin'-out-on-food-for-the-last-five-days overhaul.
Also threw in a half-Charles (320 sit)
6 mi. ~53min
Foot feels much better but is not yet ready for high miles.
The new shoes are meh. Iffy at best.
--------
PM
Hit the weight room for a I've-been-piggin'-out-on-food-for-the-last-five-days overhaul.
Also threw in a half-Charles (320 sit)
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Blessings in Disguise
Well, it's now exactly 1:45am on Wednesday morning. My foot it taped and my face cools as the sweat trails evaporate. No, the this late night "tape-and-sweat" is not the result of a midnight running extravaganza. Rather, the consequence of what I hope to be a blessing in disguise.
As you all have been following this blog lately you know that this week has been a high mileage week, which results in those late night snack attacks. As I removed two steaming hot soy burgers from the microwave my elbow accidentally bumped a glass from the edge of the counter. Down it went. SMASH! The classic sound glass shattering like ice crystals cracking on the cement. "Shit." I thought to myself. Without taking a step (because we all know the only place where there isn't glass on the floor is right under your feet) I awkwardly reach out and scoot the trash barrel a bit closer. For those of you readers that enjoy imagery it might be best to describe this uncomfortable stance as an "ass-out-hug." Shoulders forward, butt out. Yeah...that.
As usual, the largest pieces were collected first, and with a hand-full I slowly rose to discard of these sharp little pieces of shrapnel. Just like in a car wreck, time slowed down as a piece of glass slipped and floated towards the floor. Don't worry though, the glass was alright. My foot was there to stop it.
It took a second to realize what had actually happened. A line of blood spray, as one might imagine in a CSI scene, now coated the cabinets below the sink, and a pool of rich, dark liquid started to pool at the lowest point of the kitchen floor. "Did this just happen? Am I bleeding?" How sad, a boy able enough to blog about his poe wittle owie didn't realize that this Rhode Island shaped piece of glass just sliced deep into his flesh, which allowed blood to escape captivity from it's native veins.
"Elevate!" My first thought. I swung my leg onto the edge of the counter with blood, not dripping nor pouring, but evenly flowing down the foot to paint the sink red. Napkins near by are the only things to help coagulate this mess of a foot. As I stand there, knees slightly bent, my face becomes flush and beads of sweat slowly form. Nerves build as I become more and more anxious watching the white napkin bleed red and become soggy. "At what point does this become serious enough for me not to be able to handle on my own? Should I get the attention of one of the three house guests that are sleeping the the living room 10 feet away? Do I hobble upstairs holding one foot like an acrobat?" Yes, hobble. That is the best option.
The very helpful roommate quickly find out the severity of the situation as he's abruplty awaken from REM. Still sweating, the bleeding slows as I sit on the toilet, leg raised, and the new mouth on my foot has its lips clamped shut. After a call to a dear friend seeking advice the battle scar speaks no more as it has become silenced with layers of tape. Thank you Shane. Thank you Leah. You have helped prevent the loss of a runner's foot and perhaps even a cup or two more of blood.
I had high hopes for running this week. New goals and new personal bests to concuer. However, blessing have been said to come in disguises, or perhaps in this case, a foot wraped in half a roll or athletic tape.
As you all have been following this blog lately you know that this week has been a high mileage week, which results in those late night snack attacks. As I removed two steaming hot soy burgers from the microwave my elbow accidentally bumped a glass from the edge of the counter. Down it went. SMASH! The classic sound glass shattering like ice crystals cracking on the cement. "Shit." I thought to myself. Without taking a step (because we all know the only place where there isn't glass on the floor is right under your feet) I awkwardly reach out and scoot the trash barrel a bit closer. For those of you readers that enjoy imagery it might be best to describe this uncomfortable stance as an "ass-out-hug." Shoulders forward, butt out. Yeah...that.
As usual, the largest pieces were collected first, and with a hand-full I slowly rose to discard of these sharp little pieces of shrapnel. Just like in a car wreck, time slowed down as a piece of glass slipped and floated towards the floor. Don't worry though, the glass was alright. My foot was there to stop it.
It took a second to realize what had actually happened. A line of blood spray, as one might imagine in a CSI scene, now coated the cabinets below the sink, and a pool of rich, dark liquid started to pool at the lowest point of the kitchen floor. "Did this just happen? Am I bleeding?" How sad, a boy able enough to blog about his poe wittle owie didn't realize that this Rhode Island shaped piece of glass just sliced deep into his flesh, which allowed blood to escape captivity from it's native veins.
"Elevate!" My first thought. I swung my leg onto the edge of the counter with blood, not dripping nor pouring, but evenly flowing down the foot to paint the sink red. Napkins near by are the only things to help coagulate this mess of a foot. As I stand there, knees slightly bent, my face becomes flush and beads of sweat slowly form. Nerves build as I become more and more anxious watching the white napkin bleed red and become soggy. "At what point does this become serious enough for me not to be able to handle on my own? Should I get the attention of one of the three house guests that are sleeping the the living room 10 feet away? Do I hobble upstairs holding one foot like an acrobat?" Yes, hobble. That is the best option.
The very helpful roommate quickly find out the severity of the situation as he's abruplty awaken from REM. Still sweating, the bleeding slows as I sit on the toilet, leg raised, and the new mouth on my foot has its lips clamped shut. After a call to a dear friend seeking advice the battle scar speaks no more as it has become silenced with layers of tape. Thank you Shane. Thank you Leah. You have helped prevent the loss of a runner's foot and perhaps even a cup or two more of blood.
I had high hopes for running this week. New goals and new personal bests to concuer. However, blessing have been said to come in disguises, or perhaps in this case, a foot wraped in half a roll or athletic tape.
Monday, August 10, 2009
9.10.09-9.15.09
Sunday:
AM 10 mi. 1:30:00
PM 12 mi. 1:39:00
First 3 21:00, last 2 on track 8x200m repeats with 200m jog recovery
Monday:
PM 10 mi. 1:30:00
Ran inside on a crazy treadmill considering the temps were at 96 degrees and I didn't get up early enough. The treadmill had a mind of its own. At random times it would rise up to maximum incline no matter how much I pushed the down-incline button. This happened several times. It even did it after I was finished.
PM 5 mi. 46:30
It was still 94 degrees. A very sweaty run it was. Stayed on campus and ran some hills.
Tuesday:
Am 15 mi. 2:47
88 degrees, sunny, and hot.
PM 8 mi. 1:08
AM 10 mi. 1:30:00
PM 12 mi. 1:39:00
First 3 21:00, last 2 on track 8x200m repeats with 200m jog recovery
Monday:
PM 10 mi. 1:30:00
Ran inside on a crazy treadmill considering the temps were at 96 degrees and I didn't get up early enough. The treadmill had a mind of its own. At random times it would rise up to maximum incline no matter how much I pushed the down-incline button. This happened several times. It even did it after I was finished.
PM 5 mi. 46:30
It was still 94 degrees. A very sweaty run it was. Stayed on campus and ran some hills.
Tuesday:
Am 15 mi. 2:47
88 degrees, sunny, and hot.
PM 8 mi. 1:08
Sunday, August 9, 2009
Heat Week
The forecast predicts some hot hot temps for this week. In preparation for this I ran earlier than normal.
Headed out the door at 9:30am with temps at 79 degrees. Not too shabby. Overcast, a slight breeze, very nice. However, the clouds broke, the sun came out, and the run back was with the wind. by 11:30 it was already 89 degrees. It's supposed to get up to 96 today, 98 tomorrow, and 94 for Tuesday. Three good reasons to stay indoors during the afternoon and get up earlier in the morning.
10 mi.
1:30
-------------------
Yesterday a small group of us headed out to the Blue Ridge Mountains. Very beautiful. We went from 100' elevation to just shy of 3000' (that was the drive of course). Lots of rocks to walk over and beautiful scenery.
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1209/1489788609_ad33704253.jpg
Headed out the door at 9:30am with temps at 79 degrees. Not too shabby. Overcast, a slight breeze, very nice. However, the clouds broke, the sun came out, and the run back was with the wind. by 11:30 it was already 89 degrees. It's supposed to get up to 96 today, 98 tomorrow, and 94 for Tuesday. Three good reasons to stay indoors during the afternoon and get up earlier in the morning.
10 mi.
1:30
-------------------
Yesterday a small group of us headed out to the Blue Ridge Mountains. Very beautiful. We went from 100' elevation to just shy of 3000' (that was the drive of course). Lots of rocks to walk over and beautiful scenery.
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1209/1489788609_ad33704253.jpg
Friday, August 7, 2009
End of July, Start of August
July 26th: 12 mi.
Got overheated. 90 degrees. Had to walk a bit. Quads and calf cramped.
PT: "Half-Charles" 320 sit
Ultimate Frisbee
July 27th: 10.5 mi.
Legs heavy. Could not keep water down. Throwing up.
1.5hr swim
.5 hr bike
Ultimate Frisbee
July 28th: off
Ultimate Frisbee
July 29th:
AM PT: 30 pull, 100 push, 75 arm haulers, 200 sit
PM: Swim
July 30th:
Swim, Ultimate Frisbee
July 31st: 6 mi. 49:22
PT
Aug 1st-6th:
20 mi. 3:49 PHT
10 mi. 1:18 ARB
15.5 mi. DCA
Swim, UF, Feet hurt
4 mi., 1.5 hr. swim
20 mi. 3:20 PHT
Got overheated. 90 degrees. Had to walk a bit. Quads and calf cramped.
PT: "Half-Charles" 320 sit
Ultimate Frisbee
July 27th: 10.5 mi.
Legs heavy. Could not keep water down. Throwing up.
1.5hr swim
.5 hr bike
Ultimate Frisbee
July 28th: off
Ultimate Frisbee
July 29th:
AM PT: 30 pull, 100 push, 75 arm haulers, 200 sit
PM: Swim
July 30th:
Swim, Ultimate Frisbee
July 31st: 6 mi. 49:22
PT
Aug 1st-6th:
20 mi. 3:49 PHT
10 mi. 1:18 ARB
15.5 mi. DCA
Swim, UF, Feet hurt
4 mi., 1.5 hr. swim
20 mi. 3:20 PHT
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