Marathon Life

Wednesday, October 28, 2009

Running tally ending Oct 25, 2009

I pretty much ran 6 days this week so I easily made my goal of 30 miles. I finally did a run over 12 miles. Things are looking up, but my body is not feeling the greatest. My hamstring is ok, not great, but ok. Surprisingly, I didn't have many issues on the long run. I have been stretching a lot. I am going to go to my doctor and ask for PT sessions so I can get my hamstring worked on. The massages they give hurt but they help the area heal.

Date
Time
Mileage
Min/ Mile
Notes
HR Max
HR Ave
Oct 19, 2009
14:44
2.11
6:58
I ran to and from the gym while in Houston. I did 23 min on the elliptical and a little weights
159
(85%)
146
(78%)
Oct 20, 2009
34:03

4.74

7:10
Not a great run. I ran along Back Bay but it was already dark. It was a struggle. No energy on this run and there were hills.
158
(85%)
145 (78%)
Oct 22, 2009
46:35
6.42
7:15
I ran partially along Back Bay and then into this cool neighborhood in Newport Beach along Galaxy road. The houses were incredible and the view from Galaxy Park over the marshes was amazing. I ran faster on the way back but took a while to get into this run. I didn't push as much.
166
(89%)
146 (78%)
Oct 23, 2009
23:16
3.32
7:00
I ran after work before I headed to San Diego. I ran in Irvine around the office parks. It was boring and I had no energy. Didn't use HR monitor. 
---
--
Oct 24, 2009
1:30:06

12.7

7:05
I was in San Diego for the weekend so I ran down in Coronado along the Silver Strand. I have done this run once before, but it was a 23 miler. This time I was about 3 miles down the Strand when I began. I was tired and struggled at time. I finally got my groove about 40 min in. I ran until the path ended in Imperial Beach and then reversed direction. I was supposed to meet my friend Ryan and Robby back in Coronado, but luckily they knew it was further than I wanted to run (goal was 12), so they drove down the highway, spotted me and then pulled over and surprised me behind a sign. They were "Runner Chasers" instead of "Storm Chasers".
168
(90%)
157 (84%)
Oct 25, 2009
25:12
3.52
7:08
I wanted to get one more run in. I probably shouldn't have run today. My legs were trashed.
160
(86%)
144 (77%)
Week ending Oct 25, 2009
---

32.81

---
I finally broke 30 miles in a week. I knew I would get there. I can't up my mileage so fast. I will slowly increase to AVOID injury. I was happy to get that 12+ miler in there. I will just try to keep this up.

162.2
(87%)
147.6 (79%)
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posted by Anthony at 10:35 PM 0 comments

Monday, October 19, 2009

Running tally ending Oct 18, 2009

This past week was ok. I didn't have a lot of time during the week due to working late several days. Then I went to Houston to see J*** on Thursday. I ran 5 days total, so I was pleased over all. I need to step it up and try another run in the double digits. This next weekend I will try 12 or so. I will be going down to San Diego.

Date
Time
Mileage
Min/ Mile
Notes
HR Max
HR Ave
Oct 12, 2009
31:23
4.26
7:21
I ran late after work and had zero energy. It was probably due to running almost 11 miles yesterday. My body just wasn't into this run.
157
(84%)
140
(75%)
Oct 14, 2009
14:48
2.10
7:02
I ran on the treadmill at the gym after doing about 32:00 min in the elliptical trainer. There were NO treadmills open even at 7:30pm! I was beside myself. This 24 Hour Fitness may be huge, but they don't have enough treadmills. They have a ton of other cardio equipment, but only like 10 treadmills. So I only did over 2 miles. Didn't have time or energy to do a real run tonight. I wanted to do more.
164
(88%)
155 (83%)
Oct 16, 2009
1:02:04
8.77
7:04
I'm in Houston this weekend and surprisingly it is dry and not that humid! I had some time today (Fri) so I ran while J** was at work. I ran at 12:30pm so I should have gone earlier when it was cooler, but it probably was about 75 out, not too bad. I ran on some grass parts along the drainage canal.
171
(91%)
160 (86%)
Oct 17, 2009
31:13
4.42
7:03

My energy was low, but I made it through an ok run. It was still dry in Houston, which is a RARITY! This is the best weather I have ever experienced in Houston in the 2 years I have been coming here every other month!

166
(89%)
151
(81%)
Oct 18, 2009
38:02

5.56

6:50
Still dry and ideal conditions in Houston, a true anomaly. I ran faster today for some reason. I think I was trying to get it over with. At first I didn't have energy but then mid-run I felt better.
163
(87%)
150 (80%)
Week ending Oct 18, 2009
---

25.11

---
Well, I was shooting for over 30 miles but I had to skip a day of training due to working late. I need to try to fit in a day in the morning so then I can't blame work. I put too much pressure on myself. I slightly redeemed myself by running 3 days in a row, but I cannot do that often as I risk injury, and we all know my track record with injuries over the past 3 years!

164
(88%)
151.2 (81%)
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posted by Anthony at 10:13 AM 0 comments

Sunday, October 11, 2009

I miss marathons/running totals

It's been over 2 years since my last marathon on June 3, 2007 at the San Diego Rock n Roll Marathon. I really miss it now and it's very difficult to watch everyone around me run their fall marathons while I sit on the sidelines. I have struggled with injuries since December 2007 when I tore my hamstring while playing tennis. At the time I didn't think it was a major injury. I took a few days off and kept up with my running. The pain never left me.

Almost 2 years later, I am still not completely healed. The slight pain has stayed with me even after months of physical therapy. It just won't shake no matter how much stretching I do. I have a feeling that my hamstring will never be the same. The good news is that it's a lot better than it once was. I'm not in excruciating pain while running. It's just ever so slight and bothersome. It can get worse as time goes on. I will see if it gives me major problems on longer runs. I'll just have to focus on other things. It's going to be a game of tricking my mind. If I don't focus on it, maybe I won't notice the pain. I've done that before with success.

My plan is to run the Surf City Marathon on February 7, 2010 in Huntington Beach. I believe this is a realistic goal. At that race I will hopefully re-qualify for the Boston Marathon that takes place on April 19, 2010. After that, I plan to retire from marathon running once and for all. My body just doesn't seem cut out for it. I may still do half marathons. Speaking of the half, I was planning to do the Silver Strand Half Marathon, but it is sold out. I want to do some kind of race before Surf City as a warm up. I will have to search for another half sometimes in December.

Below is what I did for the past month or so. I haven't run a ton, clearly, but I am slowly getting back into it. This past week was a successful running week even while I traveled to Toronto and Indianapolis.

Date
Time
Mileage
Min/ Mile
Notes
HR Max
HR Ave
Sept 16, 2009
14:13
2.12
6:41
I ran on the treadmill at the gym. Didn't have a lot of time. I also did ellipitcal.
---
---
Sept 19, 2009
54:05
7.59
7:07
I ran up to Corona Del Mar from Balboa Island. It was sunny and not too hot, but it made me run slower. My HR was way up, too high.
181 (97%)
162
(87%)
week ending Sept 20, 2009
---
9.71
---
What a pathetic week. I just didn't have a lot of time to run due to traveling to DC for a conference. The time change really affected me.

---
---
Sept 22, 2009
21:16
3.03
7:00
I am in Chicago so I ran on the treadmill in the gym. I didn't have much time.
163
(87%)
154
(82%)
Sept 25, 2009
33:32
4.54
7:23
I ran slow and my legs felt like bricks. Not a good run. I didn't try to push myself simply b/c I had no energy.
160
(86%)
148
(79%)
Sept 26, 2009
41:02
5.65
7:15

I ran along Back Bay. It was ok, but I struggled and didn't feel fresh. I wanted to see how running on consecutive days would work out.
173
(93%)
155
(83%)
week ending Sept 27, 2009

---

13.22
---
I'm actually embarrassed that my weekly totals are so low. I just need to step it up. My body is not cooperating.
165
(88%)
152
(81%)
Sept 28, 2009
45:47
6.55

6:59

Back Bay. I felt good the first half but struggled the second. I know the HR monitor was off as it was not functioning for most of the run.

171
(91%)
149 (80%)
Sept 30, 2009
30:21
4.39

6:54

One last run off Balboa Island before I move.
169
(90%)
151
(81%)
Oct 1, 2009
30:13
4.36
6:54
I did this run on the treadmill at the gym.
166
(89%)
152 (81%)
Oct 2, 2009
27:20
3.87

7:03

I squeezed this run in since I have to leave for Toronto in the early morning tomorrow. I started this run at 8:30pm! I was not in the mood but wanted to run around my new neighbourhood.
167
(89%)
150 (80%)
Oct 4, 2009
28:54
4.33
6:39
I ran on the treadmill at the gym here in Toronto. It was raining outside so didn't want to get soaked. It is cold here, only in the lower 50s! Yikes!
174
(93%)
158 (84%)
week ending Oct 4, 2009

---

23.5
---
I'm a lot happier with my tally this week. I just tried to run more even if it was only a few miles. It's better than nothing. I need to get a double-digit run in next week. That's my goal.



169
(90%)
152 (81%)
Oct 5, 2009
43:40
6.33
6:53
I ran in Toronto along Lake Ontario. It was chilly, in the low 50s. On the way up I was running directly into a headwind. I was so tired and it took a lot out of me. On the way back I must have run a lot faster. I thought for sure my average was going to be slow.
162
(87%)
154 (82%)
Oct 6, 2009
27:53
4.06
6:51
I ran on the treadmill at the gym here in Indianapolis. I struggled
166
(89%)
152 (81%)
Oct 8, 2009
28:17
4.15
6:48
I ran on the treadmill at the gym here in Indianapolis. I ran faster than I thought I would.
164
(88%)
153 (82%)
Oct 10, 2009
29:47
4.18
7:06
Finally back in OC. I went from my place down Superior Ave onto the Balboa Peninsula and then back up the hill on Superior Ave. I wanted to run longer but it was too late and dark. I forgot my reflective vest.
167
(89%)
154 (812%)
Oct 11, 2009
1:14:53

10.55

7:05
I was so happy that I was able to run over an hour and at least 10 miles. I haven't run this long in over 6 months or so. I felt ok throughout. I ran down Superior onto Balboa peninsula and then ran from the Newport Pier all the way down past the Balboa Pier and reversed direction. It was nice to run along the boardwalk next to the beach. It was sunny but not too hot (around 70) with nice breezes. I struggled at the end since you have to run up Superior, which is like almost a 0.5 mile hill. My calf did not give me issues and my hamstring felt ok for the most part. I stretched a lot before and after.
171
(91%)
155 (83%)
week ending Oct 11, 2009
---

29.29

---
Not bad, considering I was traveling this week. I just barely missed 30 miles. Actually I did make 30 but didn't document a 1 mile run I did on the treadmill one night I decided to just do elliptical. Let's see if I can sustain this momentum. 

166
(89%)
153.6 (82%)

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posted by Anthony at 7:39 PM 0 comments

Monday, October 05, 2009

Oh Canada, I'm too busy to blog

I want to apologize for the lack of posts. I am traveling in Canada for work and then to Indianapolis until Oct 9 and have been swamped with work even after the tradeshow is over. I work way to hard for what I get paid unfortunately. I'm not afraid to write this. I am entitled to my opinion. I think every American worker feels this way at some point. I care about my job and want to do a good job. So I will put in the extra hours. I just hope someone is noticing.

I do have cool stuff to post, but just haven't had the time. I walked around the gay neighbourhood here and had dinner on Church Street. It's where the show Queer As Folk was filmed. I recognized some of the storefronts and sidewalks. I loved that show. I ate a Ginger last night and tonight I ate at DayBreak, which had reminded me of the type of food Deb (Michael's mom) served at the diner - lots of eggs and omelets. I actually had a side of hash browns and a spinach with chicken salad. I so wanted to get the pancakes but at 9PM that would have put me in a coma on the subway back to the hotel.

I wanted to get new running Mizuno shoes before I left but didn't have time. I desperately need them. My body is starting to ache on my runs more. Not good when I am nursing the calf injury (almost completely gone) and my on-going hamstring injury (still not 100% and I doubt it will ever totally feel the same). My motivation to run is just not there, although today I ran along the lake here in Toronto for 6.3 miles. The first half into a bad headwind I actually moaned during it. I was that uncomfortable. UGHH. I hope for better runs soon. Two days ago (Sun) I ran 4 on the treadmill and felt like I was about to collapse. I hate treadmills now with a passion.

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posted by Anthony at 10:15 PM 0 comments

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