- Current plan: Mix of running and biking
- Today’s session: Pre-run rest day
- Comments: I thought about riding this morning – even set everything out – but stayed up too late last night. A rest day was on the plan anyway!
Archives For November 30, 1999
Been rep’ing CA on my rides this week…
Training Journal – 7/11/13:
- Current plan: Mix of running and biking
- Today’s session: 60 Minute Brick
- Comments:
- RIDE: 8.71 miles @ 16.8 mph avg TIME: 31:13
- TRANSITION: 3:28 min
- RUN: 3.43 miles @ 9:46 avg pace. TIME: 33:33
- TOTAL TIME: 1:08:14
- Current plan: Mix of running and biking right now & trying to address ITBS
- Today’s session: Rest
- Comments: Rest
Well, my doctor called today with the results from my knee MRI:
- Knee is fine structurally, though I do have some mild osteoarthritis
- Iliotibial band is not so good. I have ITB Syndrome, thus the lateral knee pain
He said it’s not enough to merit any medical procedure and recommended that I research some stretches, etc. to address it – as well as being smart about exercise. He liked the fact that I’m bicycling more and taking it easy when I run.
So, I’m researching…
Training Journal – 7/5/13:
- Current plan: Nothing fancy, just a mix of running and biking right now…with a half marathon on the calendar now!
- Today’s session: Cross Train: 90 minute bike ride
- Comments: I rode 25.47 miles @ 16 mph avg. for a time of 1:36:19.
My running “career” is less than two years long and I’ve had numerous highs so far; however, June 2013 was the downer month to date…
It started out with 10-days of rest imposed because of knee issues, followed by a return to running in a new and different way…that has been tough to swallow. My pre-injury average pace of 8:46 (4/12-4/13) has now been replaced by a run/walk program ratio of 3:1 that has resulted in a two-month, average pacing of 10:00. It’s frustrating, to say the least; but at least my doctor is still allowing me to run. My wife and I have had our share of “new normal” things over the past seven months, so this is just adding to the mix for me. I’m pressing on, but it still is tough.
I had one business trip this month and I actually had some nice run sessions while in Chicago – logging a total of 55.25 miles over four sessions with a bum knee!
- HIGH: Ran the San Francisco Marathon – 2nd Half…beating my goal…completing the Half It All Challenge!
- LOW: My knee issues (same as last month…)
As far as new equipment:
- I picked up a pair of Hoka One One Bondi Speeds this month. Having read that they might be easier on my knee(s), I took a chance and ordered a pair (maybe I was reaching.) I have almost 90 miles in them already and really like them. I went with my size (didn’t up-size) and like the fit, though my toes do seem to rub the end of the toe box a bit (read: black toes!) I probably should write a post about them in July…
- I started using KT Tape on my knee and it seems to help, though it definitely isn’t preventing issues. I have tried the full knee and outer knee apps and they do seem to help. I even sacrificed some leg hair! (OK, maybe this is reaching too.)
Anyway, here are the stats for the month that was June 2013:
Tomorrow is my birthday.
I will be two score and eight years…
Not old, but aging…
Not AARP-eligible, but some “grays” are showing…
Not wise, but I have some experience…
Not ready for the HurryCane, but I do occasionally use something to “assist” when I sit or stand…just occasionally.
Not as fast as I used to be, but still faster than some…
Today, I got the results from my visit to the doctor regarding my knee:
- No fracture of or fluid on the knee. 🙂
- There is some spurring. 😦
- The other bones are “unremarkable.” 🙂
- I do have ‘mild osteoarthritis” 😦
- I am scheduled to have an MRI on July 1 for further evaluation. 😐
So, I am happy that I heard back from him and have some idea about what is going on… Still, the future seems unsure – but I will press on…
I did ask the all important, “what can I do as far as exercise?” question. My doctor, who is a cyclist and knows how I feel about not running/cycling, said that I can still run and cycle [We were talking by phone and I was in a airport shuttle, so I was doing the “happy dance” in my mind!]; HOWEVER, with light effort, at a slower-than-usual pace, and to STOP when the knee flares up and follow the R.I.C.E. plan. [full disclosure, which I think I forgot to write in my post about my doctor visit: I did fess up and tell him that I ran the SF Marathon – 2nd half the day before…which garnered a look, a grin, a halt of writing, and then a continuation of the appointment. He knows…identifies.]
Side note: I’m on a biz trip and my first flight today was to Seattle, where a Rock and Roll Marathon event is taking place on Sunday. I could pick out the “comrades” in the waiting area and on the plane – runner’s build, tech shirts, running shoes, past race chatter,… I’ll admit it, I was jealous.
Training Journal – 6/21/13:
- Current plan: Not sure right now…
- Today’s session: Rest/travel day
- Comments: See above…
May was quite a month…
The intent was to leverage my Big Sur Marathon training and run the Horseshoe Lake 50K – which were separated by three weeks. That started out fine, but a tweaked knee on a 5/12 trail run and then getting a stomach virus that knocked me out of commission for fours days cut into my training/mileage. Still, it was a decent month, as you can see below. Since the 50K was on trails, road running dipped to 23%, trail running ended up at 49%, and bicycling at 28%.
After the 50K, I really dropped training and rested a bit more than I usually do – though that mostly had to do with my knee flaring up, visiting the doctor, and then being put on 10-days of complete rest from running and cycling. I did have one “first” this month: I did a “brick” workout: 8.25-mile ride + 3.43-mile run. It was interesting and, once I return to better conditioning, I may work those in occasionally. No business travel this month, so that was nice.
- HIGH: I ran a 50K! I’m an ultramarathoner!
- LOW: My knee issues
As far as new equipment, one this month:
- I picked up a Garmin 910XT. I had been thinking about getting one of these for a while and saw that they were $100 off at Road Runner Sports…so I jumped! I really like it and, violating the “no new equipment on races” rule, wore it for the first time on the 50K. It went great and I am still getting familiar with it.
With that, here are the stats for the month that was May 2013:
This was a different week:
- I was off work Monday for Memorial Day, so I went for a longer bike ride.
- Had my first ‘tip over’ on my bike. Nothing serious, I didn’t get my left foot out of the clip soon enough when I leaned to punch the crosswalk button. Only injury was pride…
- My knee was petty sore after my long run last Sunday and I probably shouldn’t have rode. It was more sore after ride…enough that I couldn’t disguise it anymore. (OK, running a 50K three weeks after a marathon with 88 miles run in between the two and 26 miles run & 51 miles biked after the 50k probably contributed.)
- I went to the doctor on Tuesday to see about my knee. He didn’t think there was any significant injury, but put me on R&R for 10 days.
- Did resistance band workouts for the rest of the week – I HATE THIS TYPE OF EXERCISE!
- With no running or riding, I’m fighting against my running-enabled eating diet. I’m tracking, but am up two pounds this week, which I’m not happy about. I’m allowing myself five pounds, which is manageable.
- After today, just four more days of rest. Hoping the knee heals – it does feel better. I’m looking forward to my test run on Friday – though I’ll admit, I am a bit nervous.
- Strategized my options for the San Francisco Marathon – 2nd Half, which I AM running on June 16. I think I’ve got a few viable plans, depending upon my knee.
- I’ve been pretty consumed at work with a big project. Oh, the joys of 11th hour challenges…
- Between work, life in general, and not being able to run, I’ve been generally grumpy and in a funk. Gotta snap outta it!
‘Training’ Journal – 6/2/13:
- Current plan: San Francisco Marathon – 2nd Half Training Plan
- Today’s session: Rest & recovery day 6/10
- Comments: nada
- Weekly mileage: Running: 0 / Bicycling: 25.07
Not the selfie I wanted to take today; but, after much thought, remembering this article I read last week, limping around after yesterday’s ride/previous day’s run (it was hard to disguise), and talking with my wife: I went to see the doctor today about my right knee. He’s a cyclist, so I figure he would be the best place to start opposed to an urgent care place. [After hearing my story, he said, “50K!?!” and edited his notes to read “avid” runner… :)]
- Diagnosis: After pressing, pulling, twisting, etc., he felt there was no obvious signs of a break or fracture and that there probably wasn’t any damage to muscles, tendons, or cartilage. He felt it is probably a strain (back from my 5/12 run and aggravated by everything since) – no need to x-ray it or do an MRI right now.
- Treatment: No running for ten days. Take ibuprofen for the 10 day rest as well and ice the knee during the day at work and in the evening at home. When I asked if I could ride my bike, he said, “Do you train half-way?” I said, “No.” He said, “Then rest that way.” After 10 days, I’m to go for a run, see how it feels, and we will go from there. Hopefully, he said, I won’t need to come back and see him. I’m hoping for that too!
So, no running (or riding) for ten days. I’m bummed, but glad it appears to be just a strain and know that resting is the best thing.
I’m working on alternatives to keep active…
Training Journal – 5/28/13:
- Current plan: San Francisco Marathon – 2nd Half Training Plan
- Today’s session: 4 mile easy run @ 8:41-9:41
- Comments: Rest day called because of my knee – which now counts as day 1/10…
No, not the quirky character from ABC’s “the middle” [head bow & whisper “middle”]
The one that involves the two pairs of shoes shown below:
Bike – Run – ICK!
space
I felt like trying (not tri-ing) something a little different this morning…
My workout (the distances of which (8 & 3) were planned to fit in my one-hour workout time):
- RIDE: 8.25 miles @ 16.3 mph avg. TIME: 30:21
- TRANSITION: ~5 minutes
- RUN: 3.43 miles @ 7:59 avg pace. TIME: 27:19
- TOTAL TIME: ~1:02:40
It was fun and did feel “bricky” when I started my run. I’m a runner first, so I’m not sure this will become a regular workout. Oh, and maybe someday I’ll “tri”…
Have a great weekend!
Training Journal – 5/20/13:
- Current plan: San Francisco Marathon – 2nd Half Training Plan
- Today’s session: Cross Train: 60 minute bike ride
- Comments: I Bricked! My knee was still stiff after the run, but it’s improving.
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