Very nice sunrise over Lake Michigan this morning…
Training Journal – 6/23/13:
So today was my 48th birthday…aaaaand I’m on a business trip.
My being gone on my day happens occasionally because of one particular conference, the last time was two years ago. It’s weird and usually a bummer of a day none the less. I’m not big on getting attention, so I usually don’t let anyone know it’s my birthday…
Thankfully, with technology, I did get a bunch of b-day wishes today through Facebook and texts…which was nice to see throughout the day.
Anyway, I started my day early (0500) so I could get a long slow run in before my meetings started this afternoon. I usually do my long runs on Sunday, but there is a Women’s half marathon here in Chicago tomorrow and I knew it would be a madhouse along the Lakefront Trail…
I headed North out on Chicago’s Lakefront Trail and went to the northern end and back – 18.5 miles total, door-to-door. It felt pretty good. I modified my run-walk ratio to 3:1 today and that seemed to be better on my knee. I managed a 10:45 pace, obeying my doctor’s counsel about keeping it slow and ran on crushed rock paths when I could. There were tons of runners out later in the morning – I think prep training for the B of A Chicago Marathon kicked off today for a lot of clubs in the area.
The weather was excellent! Here are a few pictures from the run:
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My friend Denise sent me a birthday text while I was on my run.
Since I was running, I asked SIRI to read me the text. Here is the epic SIRI transcript:
Happy [birthday cake][birthday cake][birthday cake][birthday cake][birthday cake]
Birthday [short cake][short cake][short cake][short cake][short cake]!!!!
Treating yourself to something fun? [hamburger][hamburger][french fries][french fries][slice of pizza][slice of pizza]
Assuming you’re working today? [computer][computer][computer][mobile phone][mobile phone][mobile phone]
I totally started cracking up when it was read…!
The rest of the day was spent either in my room chilling or in my meeting this afternoon. I hit a local burger place for dinner (by myself) and then headed to a mixer for the conference.
It was a bit of a different birthday…
Training Journal – 6/22/13:
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:
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:
Training Journal – 6/18/13:
I punched number fourteen on my half marathon card this morning: The San Francisco Marathon – 2nd Half!
Unofficial time is 2:04:15 @ 9:29 pace. My goal was 2:18, based on my right knee’s behavior on the last few runs and sticking with the 4:1 run/walk ratio. So, I am a happy runner! It ended up being a great race, with minimal knee issues. I stuck with the 4:1 ratio until the final 1.1 and let it all out.
The second medal I’m holding is for completing the Half It All Challenge this year: 1st half Marathon last year, 2nd half this year.
Full report later this week.
Happy Father’s Day to all you dads.
Training Journal – 6/16/13:
I hit the San Francisco Marathon Expo today and picked up my bib for Sunday’s San Francisco Marathon – 2nd half – plus a bag load of SWAG!
Knowing that race day was also Father’s Day, a while back, I had a special bib made at races2remember.com. I think they did an awesome job!
So, I will be wearing two bibs on Sunday:
Today is also my dad’s birthday – he’s the guy on the right. I miss him terribly and hope he’d be proud of me. I’m thankful that my dad-in-law (on the left) got to see how much I love running, though he missed my first marathon by just 11 days.
Training Journal – 6/14/13:
DENNARR(dot)COM 