Running in the Deep End

Well it's been an interesting week. I've run once - and it went pretty well but my physical therapist and the Team coach have advised me to cross-train until my foot/knee doesn't hurt. Our team coach is Jack Fultz - 1976 winner of the Boston Marathon - the year it was over 100 degrees. He's been involved with Dana-Farber since 1990 - helping to raise over $25 million for cancer research. He's been coaching the team for years - getting hundreds of people across the finish line. Pretty sure he knows what he's talking about.

Today I went to the gym and cross trained for 3 hours. One hour on the Cybex arc trainer, one hour on the stationary bike and one hour pool running in deep water. Jack swears by the arc trainer - recommends it as the closest you can get to running but with virtually no impact. It does actually feel like running if you set the machine up right. Pool running is something that lots of injured runners do. You wear a flotation belt to help you keep you head and neck above water, move your legs like your running (or stomping grapes as one video described it) and slowly move around the pool.

Today was my first attempt at pool running. Me and a thousand of my closest 5 yr-old friends. OK - maybe more like 100. But it seemed like a thousand. Running and jumping and splashing, running into me, cutting me off, hitting me with their noodles. But I was glad they were there - they were very distracting. The biggest complaint people have about pool running is the boredom. You can't wear your music player, no bank of tv's - all while you basically run in place. It is a tiring work-out, deceptive too - you're tired but since there's no pounding you don't feel like you've gotten as good a work-out as if you'd been running. Except that you have an overwhelming urge to sleep. And eat.

Especially brownies. Those two-bite brownies from the grocery store. mmmmm - brownies....

I did NOT inhale!

What a tactical error I made. It was my 5th half marathon  - I was worried about my foot and left leg. We were a little late due to parking issues and I forgot to use my asthma inhaler 20 minutes pre-run.

It started out fine, chaos start but my foot was OK. About 1/2 mile in my left leg started stiffening up - I figured I'd run at least a few miles and if it didn't improve I'd have my first D.N.F. (Did Not Finish). No big deal. The leg started to loosen up a little - it was gonna be touchy. It would be better if I could catch my breath. But I couldn't. It felt like a weight on my chest - what was going on?

Yeah - I figured it out around mile 4 and used my inhaler. But by then the lungs were not going to cooperate. It was a rough slog. Lots of walking, lots. Slowest half ever. I contemplated bailing at every spot there was a volunteer with a flag. But it's not a DNF. I'm kinda proud of myself for that - I stuck it out.

Of course, I had a complete asthma attack as I crossed the finish - the spectators (what was left of them) - were a little freaked out. 

Lesson learned. Use the inhaler - even if you're still trying to find a parking spot. Breathing is critical!

Happy Feet

The past few days have been rough running. My left foot and knee are causing problems. Today I'm going to see Dr. Brennan, a DO at Seacoast Orthopedics. He handles the sports medicine cases. I've seen him before for plantar fasciitis in my left foot. After weeks of PT didn't eliminate the pain he gave me a cortisone shot in the bottom of my foot. He wasn't kidding when he told me it would hurt. But the shot and orthotics took care of the problem - and stretching has helped keep it at bay.

Today I'm seeing him about my left knee and left foot. This time the foot issue is the ball of my foot - it feels concave - like running with something under the ball of your foot. It's painful but the real reason I'm going is because if there's something I can do now to take care of it, that's preferable than having this become severe a week before the marathon. The left knee - well, that's my 'bad knee'. Always has been easy to tweak. I've been icing it but since it could be causing the foot thing (or vice versus) I figured I better see the doc.

I'm hoping some PT will take care of the problem and let me continue on my training plan. Right now I could take a week off but that little cushion of time is slipping.

Here's to Dr Brennan making my feet happy again!

The "Ask"

That's what they call it at the Dana-Farber Marathon Challenge team meetings - 'the ask'. Well, I just asked 149 people on Facebook for money to support cancer research. I'll probably be de-friended.

It's not easy asking people for money - even when it's for something that everyone supports - like ending cancer. I'm not sure why it's so hard...lots of  groups ask for money, politicians, the local VFW post, colleges, local sports teams, dance groups, the Girl Scouts etc.

Hey - when do we get those cookies? End of the month is the rumor!

Seventeen Miles

Yesterday was a 17.3 mile run. My longest run ever (I'm gonna be reposting that phrase a lot). I'm sore & tired. The run was s.l.o.w. But I did survive apparently. Even got up early for breakfast at the local diner, Benedict's, this morning.

At the diner they raise money for Korean war veterans. Around the room they have a timeline of the war - highlighting important events. I read them and realize how little I know about it. Maybe I wasn't paying attention in history - or maybe they just skimmed it. I have a feeling they skimmed. The Forgotten War indeed.

It's been a tough week. My legs have been tired and work has been crazy. The training plan I'm doing has ranges for each day's run, like today was 7-9. I ran the shorter end of the range for my Mon and Tues runs this week - not my norm. I've been trying to hit the middle of each runs range.. I was really tired yesterday and worked late - so I skipped my cross-training at the gym and took a much needed rest day. As a result - my run felt pretty good today.

Work promises to be just as nutty tomorrow - but at least it's Friday.

Go Pats!!