knee update

I went and saw my doctor on Wednesday. The good news is it isn't anything serious, and I can run once it doesn't hurt. It is feeling better day by day and I am anxious to get back to running, but I want to take it slow and ease back into it. Besides, after almost a month off from running, I won't be able to pick up where I left off... bummer. I am now questioning whether I can train for a spring marathon if I cannot get training started in another week... perhaps it wasn't meant to be this spring... and there are always other things I want to do... like trail running. I ordered my trail running shoes last week. I am looking forward to getting them and trying them out... they're pretty cool looking too...

I did do some cross training this morning... pilates.

My wife got me to try it out with her. She has a DVD that had a 45 minute workout among others to choose from. I was skeptical, but by the end I was dripping in sweat... quite a workout. It got my heart rate up. She gave me a sneak preview of the windsor pilates circle workout... hope to try that out tomorrow. If not, then maybe I can get my bike out for a ride.

I have found out that I am grumpy when I cannot workout. Steph told me she said I seemed in a better mood than I had been in awhile. I thought it a strange comment, but asked how long I had been in a bad mood. When she said about a month, I kind of figured it out. So, I must find new ways to workout that do not involve using my knee until I am able to run again.

book report

I finished my book this weekend. With all of my non-running free time I was able to find time to relax and enjoy one of my favorite authors...

If you are a Stephen King fan you will love the book, it is a well told story. It starts a little slow, but the story unfolds into an interesting tale... I highly recommend it. I am looking forward to getting some of his other books I haven't had the chance to read yet... "Cell" is one of them... But first and foremost, I have a little reading on a training plan for my marathons this year...

new year, new me...

Happy New Year to all!

It is finally 2007. I am glad to see 2006 go as it wasn't the best year, but it had it's highlights. Looking back, I PR'd in quite a few races and I am looking forward to keeping the trend going in 2007. I am starting off the year slightly worn and battered, but the knee is doing better.

In fact, this morning I ran. It wasn't pretty, but it was a wonderful run. I just ran on the treadmill, starting out with a 5 minute warm-up walk. The knee tensed up a little, maybe slightly apprehensive about what I was planning on doing, so I stopped after my warm-up and stretched and did some squats to flex my knee. Once back on the 'mill, I got my pace up to 12:00/miles... it felt good, a little slow, but not bad. I kept up the pace for about 10 minuites and then stopped again to do more stretches and squats. The knee was feeling better each time I stopped and did this. I got back on and pushed just a little more - 10:00/miles... not bad. A slight twinge of pain, but almost non-existant. I pushed just a little more for 9:00/mile pace and sustained that for just a few minutes until the knee said too much, too fast, so I backed off and took it back down and finished up. I got a full 30 minutes in and felt little to no pain!

I am still going to see my doctor tomorrow about this as well as my rotor cuff that has bothered me for quite a few months. I reaggrevated it this weekend... WTF?! I treat my body with respect, and this is how it repays me?! Oh well, get everything taken care of right away and get the new year started off on the right foot (or left - whichever, I'm not picky).

I have read a few other blogs recently and see there is a growing interest in the Marine Corps Marathon for a few of you... hopefully I'll be able to join you guys out there...

Christmas Recap

Christmas was busy this year - in many ways more than usual. We had some driving to do such as picking up and dropping off Steph's grandmother so she could spend Christmas at our house. We also hosted Christmas for Steph's immediate family this year - long story short, her parent's kitchen is in the middle of a renovation. We drove down to spend Christmas Eve with my parents and my youngest sister and her three adorable girls... stay tuned for photos. And finally, I drove 6 hours out and 6 hours back to Ohio yesterday to see my grandmother and have an un-official family reunion of sorts, minus one sister and two nephews. Whew!

I did get some nice stuff this year - not the "all running" Christmas theme as last year, but still great stuff - stuff I wanted and needed. Some of the things I received were: new headphones for my mp3 player, a new hat to wear while I run when it's cold (underarmor), some ice/snow cleats for running outside in bad conditions (I wonder if I'll even be able to try these out?), a "marathon freak" sticker for my truck, a "26.2" coffee mug, money - gotta get new shoes (trail and regular)! Oh... I also got some dress shirts, a sweater, a cool long-sleeve t-shirt and some coffee from my favorite coffee roaster on the planet! I L-O-V-E the Hemingway's Hair of the Dog® roast - it is so smooth... the high caffeine doesn't hurt either...

The bad news is that I have not run in almost three weeks, but my reading is going well. I am freaking out on the inside, but remaining calm on the outside. The knee feels good and I have had no pain in a few days - not in the slightest. So, I am planning a run on Saturday. Hopefully I can finish a very easy 3 miles with no pain. If that is the case I will slowly get my base back up to where I was and get ready for training for my spring marathon - The Flying Pig.

As the days of 2006 tick down, I will be spending it designing my remaining plans for 2007. I believe I had hinted at this before, but not only am I planning on the Flying Pig in May, but also the Marine Corp Marathon in October. I'll need to work out the details ahead of time so it is feasible, but these are the big picture items for the year.

I wish you all a safe and Happy New Year!

merry christmas