As in "It's a nice place to visit, but...". Yesterday and today we got hit hard with snow. I'm "snowed in" at the moment and going a little stir crazy. With just a little over two months to go until the Wildflower Triathlon and plenty of training to do after my recent troubles I can't seem to get a consistent week of workouts in. Well, for most of the next two weeks I'll be in warmer climes. Next tuesday through friday I'll be in San Francisco for a conference. I've been poking around the internet for some good routes around Frisco to do a 5-10 mile run. Maybe I'll just wing it when I get there. The hills will be good training. I will take full advantage of them
The following week, from monday through friday, I'll be in florida. I know my routes there. This will be a good chance to start to rebuild my running stamina. Long, slow distance will be my mantra for the next month or so. Got to build up to 13 miles for the race in early May.
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Sunday, February 24, 2008
69 days and $503 to go!
"Number one is just to gain a passion for running. To love the morning, to love the trail, to love the pace on the track. And if some kid gets really good at it, that's cool too."
Pat Tyson
I think I'm starting to hit my stride again! I'm definitely regaining my passion for running. I know that injury is all part of this "game" I have chosen for myself, but injury has a way of taking the fun out of it as well.
In florida this week I made a tentative effort to rehabilitate my injured right knee and build back up to a reasonable running distance. Tuesday, wednesday, and thursday saw me gradually build up to a continuous 3-4 mile run. I am definitely seeing some success in getting back to the training necessary to complete the 13 mile final leg of the triathlon I will run in May.
What gives me even more confidence is that yesterday I completed a 5 mile run while I was in Houston for a conference. It was an enjoyable run and to round it out I walked an additional 8 miles (4 each way), between the hotel and the venue for the conference. My quads are a little sore, but that's a "good" pain, signalling only that the muscles are growing stronger.
After I returned home today I donned my cold weather "layers" of clothes and went for a 12 mile ride on my bike. I'll probably give the running a bit of a rest this week since I'm home and work on the bike instead. Gotta find a way to get back in the pool! :-)
Pat Tyson
I think I'm starting to hit my stride again! I'm definitely regaining my passion for running. I know that injury is all part of this "game" I have chosen for myself, but injury has a way of taking the fun out of it as well.
In florida this week I made a tentative effort to rehabilitate my injured right knee and build back up to a reasonable running distance. Tuesday, wednesday, and thursday saw me gradually build up to a continuous 3-4 mile run. I am definitely seeing some success in getting back to the training necessary to complete the 13 mile final leg of the triathlon I will run in May.
What gives me even more confidence is that yesterday I completed a 5 mile run while I was in Houston for a conference. It was an enjoyable run and to round it out I walked an additional 8 miles (4 each way), between the hotel and the venue for the conference. My quads are a little sore, but that's a "good" pain, signalling only that the muscles are growing stronger.
After I returned home today I donned my cold weather "layers" of clothes and went for a 12 mile ride on my bike. I'll probably give the running a bit of a rest this week since I'm home and work on the bike instead. Gotta find a way to get back in the pool! :-)
A runner's Mecca
One of the cool things about travelling to a new place is that I get to try out a new route for my morning run. I was in Houston, Texas yesterday for a conference. On the shuttle ride from the airport the previous day the driver was talking about this great park near our hotel with a parcours and a 3 mile running trail. So, naturally, I was intrigued and he assured me that it was only about a mile from the hotel in which I was staying. I asked at the desk and found out the the complete route from the hotel to the park (Memorial Park), around the path, and back to the hotel was about 5 miles. So, I resolved to make that my route for yesterday's morning run.
Needing to get an early start, I was up a little after 5 and out the door a little before 6. I didn't need to take the map with me bacause the directions were very easy. Not sure exactly what I was looking for and not sure what I would find when I got there, I was a little apprehensive, wondering if it was a good idea to strike out on my own in the dark in a strange city. I had visions of a lonely run around a dark course in a park I didn't know, perhaps filled with muggers! Where's that pepper spray when you need it! :-)
Well... I headed out the door on a chilly (45 degree), dark morning. The run to the park was along a road with no sidewalks. The light traffic meant that I could run in the road part of the time (facing the cars of course). I was beginning to wonder whether I had missed the park entirely when I crested a rise in the road to see... lights! and... people! There it was, the park and the running course that, apparently, never sleeps! There were dozens of people visible on the well lit trail. There may have been upwards of a hundred or two people in the park at that time of the day enjoying the brisk weather and the company of other runners. It was great!
After covering about a mile, I pulled even with a woman who was going about my pace and struck up a conversation. No, as a guy I don't feel compelled to pass every woman I meet while running. I'm too old for that stupid macho stuff :-) Anyway, we had a nice run and chat for the remaining 2+ miles of the course. I was so absorbed in the conversation that I completely missed the turn to go back out to the road and return to my hotel. I only figured it out when I started noticing things that looked familiar along the course, like the parking lot. At that point I said a quick "good bye" and headed back. On the way back to the road, I spoke briefly with a guy who was wearing a "Team in training" shirt. It was a wonderful time.
Needing to get an early start, I was up a little after 5 and out the door a little before 6. I didn't need to take the map with me bacause the directions were very easy. Not sure exactly what I was looking for and not sure what I would find when I got there, I was a little apprehensive, wondering if it was a good idea to strike out on my own in the dark in a strange city. I had visions of a lonely run around a dark course in a park I didn't know, perhaps filled with muggers! Where's that pepper spray when you need it! :-)
Well... I headed out the door on a chilly (45 degree), dark morning. The run to the park was along a road with no sidewalks. The light traffic meant that I could run in the road part of the time (facing the cars of course). I was beginning to wonder whether I had missed the park entirely when I crested a rise in the road to see... lights! and... people! There it was, the park and the running course that, apparently, never sleeps! There were dozens of people visible on the well lit trail. There may have been upwards of a hundred or two people in the park at that time of the day enjoying the brisk weather and the company of other runners. It was great!
After covering about a mile, I pulled even with a woman who was going about my pace and struck up a conversation. No, as a guy I don't feel compelled to pass every woman I meet while running. I'm too old for that stupid macho stuff :-) Anyway, we had a nice run and chat for the remaining 2+ miles of the course. I was so absorbed in the conversation that I completely missed the turn to go back out to the road and return to my hotel. I only figured it out when I started noticing things that looked familiar along the course, like the parking lot. At that point I said a quick "good bye" and headed back. On the way back to the road, I spoke briefly with a guy who was wearing a "Team in training" shirt. It was a wonderful time.
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Fixing my knee - the wrong way and the right way
A little over two weeks ago, I took a slow speed tumble off my bike and banged my right knee on the asphalt. I finished the ride and my knee felt ok but later that day it began to stiffen up. That evening, I could tell that it was a little swollen so I iced it a few times and took some asprin. That seemed to bring some relief so I resolved to "run off" the remaining affects of my bike tumble. Bad idea!
I tried running on it the following week with, I thought, some early success. However, my knee was still stiff, indicating that the swelling had not subsided. Three more days of pushing the running and I was hobbled by what I believe to be a case of bursitis. The swelling, which was originally general, had become localized (I think) in my prepatellar bursa. This effectively shut me down completely from running or even from much walking.
I spent the next week (last week) icing my knee hourly and taking a lot of aspirin. With this treatment the bursitis seemed to resolve itself to the point where I was able to ride about 25 miles total on the following (this past) saturday and sunday. The swelling seemed to have subsided leaving only a residual pain from the bump.
This week I have slowly resumed the running. Yesterday, I completed a 3 mile course by alternately running and walking in half mile segments. I was a little disappointed that the knee pain was still there during the running, but I waited to see how my knee felt as the day progressed. Not only did my knee not swell, but it began to feel better throughout the day. This morning, I ran the first and last mile of the three mile course and walked the middle mile. While there is still some tenderness, the swelling has not returned and my knee felt better during the running today.
So, the moral for me is: don't try to run through a swollen knee. The best way to treat it is lots of ice until the swelling goes down. On the other hand, when there is no swelling, put up with a moderate amount of pain to resume your normal activities. As in all things, it is important to find a proper balance.
I tried running on it the following week with, I thought, some early success. However, my knee was still stiff, indicating that the swelling had not subsided. Three more days of pushing the running and I was hobbled by what I believe to be a case of bursitis. The swelling, which was originally general, had become localized (I think) in my prepatellar bursa. This effectively shut me down completely from running or even from much walking.
I spent the next week (last week) icing my knee hourly and taking a lot of aspirin. With this treatment the bursitis seemed to resolve itself to the point where I was able to ride about 25 miles total on the following (this past) saturday and sunday. The swelling seemed to have subsided leaving only a residual pain from the bump.
This week I have slowly resumed the running. Yesterday, I completed a 3 mile course by alternately running and walking in half mile segments. I was a little disappointed that the knee pain was still there during the running, but I waited to see how my knee felt as the day progressed. Not only did my knee not swell, but it began to feel better throughout the day. This morning, I ran the first and last mile of the three mile course and walked the middle mile. While there is still some tenderness, the swelling has not returned and my knee felt better during the running today.
So, the moral for me is: don't try to run through a swollen knee. The best way to treat it is lots of ice until the swelling goes down. On the other hand, when there is no swelling, put up with a moderate amount of pain to resume your normal activities. As in all things, it is important to find a proper balance.
Sunday, February 17, 2008
76 days and $503 to go!
It's something I find enjoyable. Whether it is a road bike or mountain bike or tandem bike. I enjoy riding a bike.
-Lance Armstrong
Me too! I think I've been getting a little cranky this week. The need to keep icing my knee and weather that was totally uncooperative kept me grounded monday through friday. I didn't even get out for a walk!
Finally, yesterday the weather cleared. It was still in the 20s but the sun was out and the sky was clear so I went for a couple of 10K (6.2 mile) rides. After each ride I iced my knee. My knee is actually feeling quite good. It is still a little tender and I still feel an occasional twinge but I feel strong on the bike, particularly after all the rest; and it feels very natural to me to be riding again.
Yesterday, ABC had an hour and a half recap of the 2007 Hawaiian Ironman competition. Ok, now I'm really psyched! So many interesting individual stories from the 60 something blind grandpa to the man who had both legs amputated below the knee - both finished the race. It got me thinking a little about why I should be attracted to training for and competing in triathlons. It's not just for fitness, although that is an excellent reason to compete. Clearly, it isn't necessary to train for a 70 mile race if your main goal is to stay fit. It's really about challenging myself physically the way my job challenges me mentally. It's about building the mental toughness to persevere under extreme circumstances. To build that toughness sometimes you just have to "invent" those extreme circumstances in a triathlon competition. It's about going after something that you would never consider because it just seems somehow out of reach.
Today, the temperature is in the 40s and very windy. Earlier we had light rain which let up enough for me to get out for a 12 mile ride. It really feels great to be back on my bike!
-Lance Armstrong
Me too! I think I've been getting a little cranky this week. The need to keep icing my knee and weather that was totally uncooperative kept me grounded monday through friday. I didn't even get out for a walk!
Finally, yesterday the weather cleared. It was still in the 20s but the sun was out and the sky was clear so I went for a couple of 10K (6.2 mile) rides. After each ride I iced my knee. My knee is actually feeling quite good. It is still a little tender and I still feel an occasional twinge but I feel strong on the bike, particularly after all the rest; and it feels very natural to me to be riding again.
Yesterday, ABC had an hour and a half recap of the 2007 Hawaiian Ironman competition. Ok, now I'm really psyched! So many interesting individual stories from the 60 something blind grandpa to the man who had both legs amputated below the knee - both finished the race. It got me thinking a little about why I should be attracted to training for and competing in triathlons. It's not just for fitness, although that is an excellent reason to compete. Clearly, it isn't necessary to train for a 70 mile race if your main goal is to stay fit. It's really about challenging myself physically the way my job challenges me mentally. It's about building the mental toughness to persevere under extreme circumstances. To build that toughness sometimes you just have to "invent" those extreme circumstances in a triathlon competition. It's about going after something that you would never consider because it just seems somehow out of reach.
Today, the temperature is in the 40s and very windy. Earlier we had light rain which let up enough for me to get out for a 12 mile ride. It really feels great to be back on my bike!
Sunday, February 10, 2008
83 days and $603 to go!
"Some people endure pain better than others. All things considered, the ability to withstand - or even deny - pain would seem to be a valuable ally for the long distance runner in search of significant improvement. In truth, it is probably a double-edged sword, since medical experts tell us that pain is the body's warning signal to back off, and that to ignore such signals is to roll the dice with both body and mind."
Mark Will-Weber
Will I ever learn? Maybe not! I caught the second edge of that double-edged sword this week by running through the pain. Not a good idea in this case.
It all started last sunday. I took a slow speed tumble on my bike and slammed my right knee on the asphalt. My knee loosened up as I finished the ride so I didn't think too much of it. Later that evening, my right knee started to stiffen up on me so I popped a few aspirin and iced it a few times. In florida this week, I ran tuesday morning doing a short 3-4 mile route at an easy pace. My knee was a little tender but it seemed to do ok. The rest of the day it felt fine.
I thought I was being smart by just fast-walking on wednesday morning a couple of miles. In reality I should probably have rested completely. Thursday morning I ran about a mile and walked another mile but by then it was pretty obvious to me that my knee was getting worse, not better. By friday, when I returned home I was no longer able to lead with my right leg while walking up steps. My body had called a halt to things, telling me it needed time to heal!
Self diagnosis is a tricky thing, but the fact that the initial problem involved swelling and stiffening of the knee which only got worse with activity leads me to believe that it is probably bursitis. In any case my body is telling me to stop and attend to the swelling and pain until that is resolved. So, that is what I am doing.
The last two days I have been downing aspirin every 4 hours and icing my knee for about 15 minutes every hour. I am happy to report that the symptoms are definitely improving. If the weather cooperates and my knee feels better I hope to get back on my bike later this week. I will run again next week but only if the pain has completely subsided. I promise!
I gave up a perfectly good (and rare) chance to train in a pool today in order to stay home and ice my knee. It's for the better.
Mark Will-Weber
Will I ever learn? Maybe not! I caught the second edge of that double-edged sword this week by running through the pain. Not a good idea in this case.
It all started last sunday. I took a slow speed tumble on my bike and slammed my right knee on the asphalt. My knee loosened up as I finished the ride so I didn't think too much of it. Later that evening, my right knee started to stiffen up on me so I popped a few aspirin and iced it a few times. In florida this week, I ran tuesday morning doing a short 3-4 mile route at an easy pace. My knee was a little tender but it seemed to do ok. The rest of the day it felt fine.
I thought I was being smart by just fast-walking on wednesday morning a couple of miles. In reality I should probably have rested completely. Thursday morning I ran about a mile and walked another mile but by then it was pretty obvious to me that my knee was getting worse, not better. By friday, when I returned home I was no longer able to lead with my right leg while walking up steps. My body had called a halt to things, telling me it needed time to heal!
Self diagnosis is a tricky thing, but the fact that the initial problem involved swelling and stiffening of the knee which only got worse with activity leads me to believe that it is probably bursitis. In any case my body is telling me to stop and attend to the swelling and pain until that is resolved. So, that is what I am doing.
The last two days I have been downing aspirin every 4 hours and icing my knee for about 15 minutes every hour. I am happy to report that the symptoms are definitely improving. If the weather cooperates and my knee feels better I hope to get back on my bike later this week. I will run again next week but only if the pain has completely subsided. I promise!
I gave up a perfectly good (and rare) chance to train in a pool today in order to stay home and ice my knee. It's for the better.
Sunday, February 3, 2008
90 days and $603 to go!
"Restlessness is discontent - and discontent is the first necessity of progress. Show me a thoroughly satisfied man - and I will show you a failure."
Thomas Alva Edison
Restlessness, that's the story of my week. Both the weather and my ailing back were conspiring to keep me from doing much training. The weather, not because of the temperature, but because of the road conditions - too much snow, slush, or ice. I won't ride if I think there is a better than even chance that I will take a spill on the bike. My back is actually rehabilitating rather nicely but I didn't want to push it until all the pain is gone.
Anyway, here's how the week went. Monday was the one nice day this week so I was able to take my new bike for a spin. It rides great! I'm really going to enjoy it. When I went for my second ride on tuesday. I decided to get a new saddle, one that was more like the saddle on my road bike. I spent the next 3 days indoors concentrating on my hourly exercises to help mend my aching back. Yesterday, I went for a short ride to and from the bank just to cash a check. Yes, it still counts as training, light training anyway. Today, I took the new bike out for another 12.5 mile ride. Felt good and the discomfort in my back seems to have gone entirely.
I'll be in Florida this coming week, so it will be a good opportunity to ease back into the running and see if my back has really healed. Looks like I will have to pay regular attention to maintaining the health of the discs in my back. Every time I get a little complacent because I am not feeling any lower back pain I seem to get myself in the same fix - bulging discs.
Well, I have about 3 months to go until the triathlon. The weather should start getting milder. Spring is around the corner. Now the training starts in earnest.
Thomas Alva Edison
Restlessness, that's the story of my week. Both the weather and my ailing back were conspiring to keep me from doing much training. The weather, not because of the temperature, but because of the road conditions - too much snow, slush, or ice. I won't ride if I think there is a better than even chance that I will take a spill on the bike. My back is actually rehabilitating rather nicely but I didn't want to push it until all the pain is gone.
Anyway, here's how the week went. Monday was the one nice day this week so I was able to take my new bike for a spin. It rides great! I'm really going to enjoy it. When I went for my second ride on tuesday. I decided to get a new saddle, one that was more like the saddle on my road bike. I spent the next 3 days indoors concentrating on my hourly exercises to help mend my aching back. Yesterday, I went for a short ride to and from the bank just to cash a check. Yes, it still counts as training, light training anyway. Today, I took the new bike out for another 12.5 mile ride. Felt good and the discomfort in my back seems to have gone entirely.
I'll be in Florida this coming week, so it will be a good opportunity to ease back into the running and see if my back has really healed. Looks like I will have to pay regular attention to maintaining the health of the discs in my back. Every time I get a little complacent because I am not feeling any lower back pain I seem to get myself in the same fix - bulging discs.
Well, I have about 3 months to go until the triathlon. The weather should start getting milder. Spring is around the corner. Now the training starts in earnest.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
