Despite all common sense telling me to do otherwise, I awoke this morning and decided to go run a 5k. The Wings of Hope 5k race was taking place about 2 1/2 miles from my house. Since road races that close don't come up that often and because the weather was nice and because I figured the course would be flat, and because I ran 3 miles in training on Thursday morning I figured I'd ignore common sense.
I planned on holding myself back so I didn't aggravate an "achy" knee (hey, achy is a step up). But lo and behold there I sat amongst a group of four runners near the 1-mile mark. I even led for a few seconds. By the time we hit the turnaround I was still sitting in 3rd place. How could I not push it?
In the final mile, my lack of training caught up with me and I became winded and slowed. I was passed but finished as strong as I could coming in 4th place overall. Amazing as it was to me approaching the finish line I saw that I was going to PR (personal record) for the second time in less than a year at the 5k distance. This, after going 4 years trying to beat my previous best.
I wonder if the course was short since I shattered my previous best by a whopping 0:19. I wonder if all the rest I've had helped keep me strong enough throughout to make it possible. I won't question it. I've added it to the wall of PR's on this site and my log book. I am happy. Seeing where I came from just 2 months ago I have no choice but to celebrate it.
19:30 finish time! Today, I'm in the amazing business.
Saturday, April 25, 2009
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Good 'Ol ART
Finally decided to go see my chiropractor tonight for some ART Therapy (Active Release Therapy). He has never NOT been able to fix any ailment I've gone to him with. I am encouraged because he feels that my knee issues can be taken care of quickly and that it's most likely from my favoring my foot (go figure).
So tomorrow morning I am back at it. I ran Sunday, but it was the only day I've run in the past two weeks after going several weeks without missing a day. I'm still pretty sure I shouldn't do the half-marathon next Sunday, but I haven't decided yet.
My entire focus right now needs to be on getting ready for Chicago and that's how I'm proceeding. I'm also nearing a decision on whether or not to return to officiating in the fall, but I'm holding off for a little while yet before making it an official (oh, yea, pun intended) decision. I want to make sure I'm not reacting.
For now, the return to normal continues. I can't help but think that the last time I truly felt good was in October. But tomorrow is another day and another opportunity for me to work my way back. The long and winding road.....
So tomorrow morning I am back at it. I ran Sunday, but it was the only day I've run in the past two weeks after going several weeks without missing a day. I'm still pretty sure I shouldn't do the half-marathon next Sunday, but I haven't decided yet.
My entire focus right now needs to be on getting ready for Chicago and that's how I'm proceeding. I'm also nearing a decision on whether or not to return to officiating in the fall, but I'm holding off for a little while yet before making it an official (oh, yea, pun intended) decision. I want to make sure I'm not reacting.
For now, the return to normal continues. I can't help but think that the last time I truly felt good was in October. But tomorrow is another day and another opportunity for me to work my way back. The long and winding road.....
Saturday, April 18, 2009
Age? Background?
I haven't decided yet if I like this new background or not. I do like changing things up, but I have to give it a little more time to decide if this is the background I'm choosing for the next several months. Any readers' thoughts are greatly appreciated.
In November I'll turn 39. In the last year or so I have had a number of people tell me that I'm not getting younger (or some variation of that). And so lately as I continue to struggle with my bum knee and trying to get back to some kind of rhythm I wonder at what point can you truly say that you are getting older? I suppose some of the other things that people say can be equally true. Things like, "you're only as old as you feel" and "age is just a number", but now more than ever I wonder if 40 is that magic number that so many have told me about. Even though I'm still a year and a half away I am going through some changes that I know have affected my ability to overcome injuries (even slight ones) quickly; like I used to.
I still look back and know that my foot break was a very serious issue and I'm now dealing with the "comeback" issues that I knew would come along with it. My knee has reached a new level of frustration as I have yet to try and get back to some light running. I thought that day might be tomorrow. I'm tempted to do it today. With 15 days until the Pittsburgh Half-Marathon I'm realizing that I probably should take the high road and back out altogether. Will I? Stay tuned...
In November I'll turn 39. In the last year or so I have had a number of people tell me that I'm not getting younger (or some variation of that). And so lately as I continue to struggle with my bum knee and trying to get back to some kind of rhythm I wonder at what point can you truly say that you are getting older? I suppose some of the other things that people say can be equally true. Things like, "you're only as old as you feel" and "age is just a number", but now more than ever I wonder if 40 is that magic number that so many have told me about. Even though I'm still a year and a half away I am going through some changes that I know have affected my ability to overcome injuries (even slight ones) quickly; like I used to.
I still look back and know that my foot break was a very serious issue and I'm now dealing with the "comeback" issues that I knew would come along with it. My knee has reached a new level of frustration as I have yet to try and get back to some light running. I thought that day might be tomorrow. I'm tempted to do it today. With 15 days until the Pittsburgh Half-Marathon I'm realizing that I probably should take the high road and back out altogether. Will I? Stay tuned...
Monday, April 13, 2009
Opening Day
As has been our tradition for the past nine years, Becky and I went to PNC Park today for the Pirates home opener. As I continue to recover from runner's knee I've taken to walking on the lighter surface of the treadmill and this morning was no different.
As we walked across the Clemente Bridge today and saw the banner draped over the bridge with the Pittsburgh Marathon on it, I questioned how stupid it will be for me to attempt to run a half-marathon in just under three weeks. I know I shouldn't, but something tells me that I can hold myself back from running it competitively and simply move myself over the 13.1 miles at an easy and relaxing pace. I question deep within whether or not I can do that. I always have the best of intentions, but my competitive fires burn very hot.
Part of me feels like the best thing to do would be to simply back out altogether. But part of me wants to experience Pittsburgh so badly. I waited for years for the marathon to come back. It kills me that I can't do the full marathon this year, and I at least want to do the half. Having only run just over 24 miles this year so far, the wise thing to do would be to back out. I have no idea when I might try running again; although this Thursday is my plan. The knee is feeling better but there is still some pain in there going down steps. I can squat a little further which is a good gauge. My issue is time. But then again....I'm a runner. Time is always an issue for me.
As we walked across the Clemente Bridge today and saw the banner draped over the bridge with the Pittsburgh Marathon on it, I questioned how stupid it will be for me to attempt to run a half-marathon in just under three weeks. I know I shouldn't, but something tells me that I can hold myself back from running it competitively and simply move myself over the 13.1 miles at an easy and relaxing pace. I question deep within whether or not I can do that. I always have the best of intentions, but my competitive fires burn very hot.
Part of me feels like the best thing to do would be to simply back out altogether. But part of me wants to experience Pittsburgh so badly. I waited for years for the marathon to come back. It kills me that I can't do the full marathon this year, and I at least want to do the half. Having only run just over 24 miles this year so far, the wise thing to do would be to back out. I have no idea when I might try running again; although this Thursday is my plan. The knee is feeling better but there is still some pain in there going down steps. I can squat a little further which is a good gauge. My issue is time. But then again....I'm a runner. Time is always an issue for me.
Friday, April 10, 2009
Surprised? No.
After struggling through what might have been the longest winter of my life waiting for a broken foot to heal, I was waiting for the time when I could get back to "normal" activity. For me, that meant getting back on the ice to officiate hockey and back on the roads running.
Slowly but surely nature took its course. My foot improved enough for me to begin skating on the final day of January and over the next two months I was able to gradually put the pain behind me and build up to running again. Slow and short at first, but then back outside in the elements and faster and longer.
But like the rest of this dark period that has now stretched on into a sixth month, it has become anything but easy. I suppose I should have expected it. A case of runner's knee has left me waiting once again for the healing to take place. This won't take months for sure, but the fact that my foot is 100% and I was beginning to get back into a nice rhythm has me frustrated once again. Only this time, using the stationary bike is not an option. So I wait; again. Am I surprised? No. Not at all. I can only hope that a week of rest will knock it out and I can finally get myself on a path of building instead of recovering. I've had enough of the latter to last me a lifetime.
Slowly but surely nature took its course. My foot improved enough for me to begin skating on the final day of January and over the next two months I was able to gradually put the pain behind me and build up to running again. Slow and short at first, but then back outside in the elements and faster and longer.
But like the rest of this dark period that has now stretched on into a sixth month, it has become anything but easy. I suppose I should have expected it. A case of runner's knee has left me waiting once again for the healing to take place. This won't take months for sure, but the fact that my foot is 100% and I was beginning to get back into a nice rhythm has me frustrated once again. Only this time, using the stationary bike is not an option. So I wait; again. Am I surprised? No. Not at all. I can only hope that a week of rest will knock it out and I can finally get myself on a path of building instead of recovering. I've had enough of the latter to last me a lifetime.
Thursday, April 2, 2009
Words I Used at Work This Week
In no particular order and with no particular attachments (to protect the innocent)....
Hilarious, ridiculous, dumb, stupid, funny, vindictive, nice, terminated, unbelievable, snobby, nasty, tired, flabbergasted, primed, fortunate, laughable, fatigued, dumbfounded, frank, forward, staple, paper, email, virus, sick day, pencil, tissue, crying, flippant, snoring, stylish, strict, retirement, stinks, prank, salary, files, call, voicemail, cellphone, protection, stock market, employee, people, painted, rent, check, car, radio, coffee, water, filter, desk, chair, meeting, forum, time, tripped, hurt, flat, tank, rug, back, arm, safety, mug, past, future, present, ignorant, vegetable, blood, cranky, lunch, dinner, class, harassment, innuendo, party, political, judgment, courthouse, parking space, health, wellness, television, speak, talk, quickly, life.
I'm sure there were 1,000's more I used at one point or another but this is all I can remember. What a week.
Hilarious, ridiculous, dumb, stupid, funny, vindictive, nice, terminated, unbelievable, snobby, nasty, tired, flabbergasted, primed, fortunate, laughable, fatigued, dumbfounded, frank, forward, staple, paper, email, virus, sick day, pencil, tissue, crying, flippant, snoring, stylish, strict, retirement, stinks, prank, salary, files, call, voicemail, cellphone, protection, stock market, employee, people, painted, rent, check, car, radio, coffee, water, filter, desk, chair, meeting, forum, time, tripped, hurt, flat, tank, rug, back, arm, safety, mug, past, future, present, ignorant, vegetable, blood, cranky, lunch, dinner, class, harassment, innuendo, party, political, judgment, courthouse, parking space, health, wellness, television, speak, talk, quickly, life.
I'm sure there were 1,000's more I used at one point or another but this is all I can remember. What a week.
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