Back!?!

I wouldn't say fully, but my back is much better. I cannot give enough credit to Dr. E.J. Semelsberger of Pinnacle Chiropractic in Johnstown, PA.

He got me over my foot issues, and now looks as though my back issues will be; well, behind me (pun absolutely intended). My training schedule has gone through hell, but I'm at least into some semblence of a plan that I am pretty sure will get me through the marathon. I have less than 8 weeks to go. I'm not sure why it is so important that I get this fourth one in by the end of this year, but it is to me.

I've got some plans for 2008, but I'm going to take the advice of a man I heard speaking in Boston in June. I'm simply going to live in the moment a bit more. Does it get any better now that we are on the cusp of October? Baseball playoffs begin, hockey season begins and football is in full swing. Throw in the fact that Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas are right around the corner (three of my favorite holidays) and the seasons changing and it truly is the most spectacular time of the year.

Some Random Thoughts....

• Does anybody care about doping in cycling? Or how about cycling in general since Lance Armstrong is no longer racing?
• What happened to customer service in this world?
• Is it me, or has society gotten numb to being rude?
• Don't you wish we all had instant replay to correct a mistake?
• Is it better to be active and risk injury from overtraining, or sit around and be happy, fat and end up getting heart disease or some other condition from NOT exercising?
• Why is there so much lack of common sense?
• Are we destroying our planet?
• Why gossip?
• Why hate?
• Things can always be worse, no matter who you are, right?
• Are there human beings elsewhere in our solar system?
• Why are we so self-centered?
• If time is something that was man-made, how do we know how long things take, really?
• If being 18 felt like it was yesterday, I'd be in school today.
• Why are you even still reading this? It makes no sense. But then again, does anything?

Slogging Along

Although pleased to be consistently running again, it has reached the point that I feel like I'm "slogging" along. With 60 days to go, there is much work to be accomplished yet. But while there is so much to get through, patience needs to be the virtue for the moment.

Hockey season has started again and I must be careful in all aspects of my training. Still struggling with a bit of a back pain due to my P90X workouts has led me to the conclusion that I must temporarily suspend completing that 90 day program and focus on getting my back better, while running towards Philadelphia.

With hockey in full swing in a few weeks, I should have plenty going on and can do various P90X workouts as I feel up to them. I will go back to that program and start anew once I get through Philly.

Sounds like a plan...

A Race Date?

That's right. After nine consecutive training runs without issues I believe it is time to up the ante. I've been building my mileage slowly. Probably as slow as I ever have. But being careful is going to take me only so far. I think it is time to get back to a race. I haven't run one since July 21 and having only done six this year so far I am on pace to complete my fewest races in five years.

On October 7, I will run a 15k in Wilmington, DE when I will be at the beach for a greyhound gathering. It will test how far my progress has come, get me back to race conditions and determine where I am in terms of marathon readiness. Only three weeks until then, and when it's over I'll be heading into the homestretch with just six weeks left until the marathon. I cannot imagine more perfect timing. Now I just need to run.

September 11

A moment of silence. A day of remembrance. We will never forget.

Getting Back Into the Groove

Six consecutive training runs. Even though I haven't instituted any speedwork as of yet, I might do that this weekend. I don't classify myself as being fully back and I've got to take extra care not to have any more setbacks.

There are but 10 weeks and 3 days to go and I am intent on running this thing. I have learned quite a bit over the past month. I also understand the limits of the body and how important rest plays a part in being a runner.

In order to "up the ante", I'll forego doing Yasso 800's and do mile repeats. I might start with two on Saturday. It may behoove me to wait one more week to incorporate speed training so I'll listen to my body and decide.

I wouldn't say I'm back, but I'm getting back into the groove and it feels good.

Progress?

It's been awhile since I posted, but with the holiday weekend that included a final run of umpiring and a fantasy draft that included guests in town I haven't had a ton of time to post.

I did get treated again last week and was discouraged by the pace of progress, but something amazing happened this weekend. I continued to improve again and was able to get in runs on Thursday and Sunday. That makes four consecutive training runs (without speed work as of yet), and yesterday included a four mile run - my longest thus far. A continued slow build up this week should lead me to hopefully a five miler or possibly some speed work. I'll play it by ear. With another treatment session planned for Wednesday I'm beginning to think that maybe the worst is behind me.

It was a long weekend though and I am tired. I missed a few workouts, but was able to squeeze in two rounds of 18 hole golf, three baseball games including one behind the plate and that four miler.

Keeping my fingers crossed.