Friday, May 15, 2009

Hiatus

Why no postings? Simple: no running lately. As the expression goes, my dogs were barking. Well, one dog, anyway: the bad achilles on the left side. So a week off and rumination on how to prevent flareups. Probably it means fewer days a week running and a cap on the furthest distance run. Make it five days a week with M-Th or Tu-F off, or something. I am golfing on weekends, meaning up to 8 miles walking. That shouldn't make much difference, but we'll see. This weekend I plan on some easy hiking to measure some trails in Lebanon Hills with the Garmin GPS.

Thursday, May 7, 2009

Setback

It was bound to happen; I just didn't know when. Maybe it was the extra frisky pace on Monday. Maybe, as in Slumdog Millionaire, it was written. All I know is that the left heel Achilles complex was sore as hell on Tuesday. Outside the weather was threatening, so I hopped on the 'mill and hopped off after a slow mile. Took some Aleve and hoped. Wednesday I could tell there was a problem, so I ran a super slow 2.5 miles. It was talking to me and I could feel the right leg taking over.
Last night I bought some gel heel inserts and slipped them into my shoes. They felt really good. (I'm gellin' like a felon). Today I ran a conservative 9:20 pace for 4 miles with positive results. yeah the pain is there, but very slight. Looks like technology may be helping. So is my determination to avoid racing and hard running this year until I can adapt. Maybe I never will adapt and I'll finish my days as a fitness jogger. Hope dies hard in this heart, however. That is also written.

Monday, May 4, 2009

Confession

I reneged on my plan to run 6 on Sunday. I can't blame late night at work or partying; I just didn't have enough gumption. Plus, (here is the rationalization) I had golf planned for later and wanted my legs to be fresh. Whatever. Card me a zero, please.
Today, back to the usual 4, but run in reverse. Whether that allowed for better warm up or maybe my legs were fresh after the day off, or I am getting more fit, the end result was a 9:05 average, 15 seconds faster than usual. Tomorrow will do 5, expect warm enough temps over night for shorts and T shirt.
BMI is down to 25.2. Funny, the calculator estimates my ideal weight is 133. I look skeletal at that weight, though I'm much faster. It's the muscle mass in my legs, I think, that gives me the extra.

Friday, May 1, 2009

TGIF

Weather is hovering between one and two shirts, but no gloves, thankfully. My fitness has progressed to where the 4 mile loop is almost too easy. The 5 passes by nearly as well and the opening mile is pretty much all downhill. I have an 8AM haircut tomorrow and golf at 10, so the run is going to happen early, like at 6:30. I'll just do 4 and then sneak in a 6 on Sunday. Yeah, it's a deviation from the schedule, but I'm not ramping the weekly miles, promise!
Post run weight was 156. Not close to good fitness levels, but the trend is all negative. Every time I heft the twenty pounds of iron weights I remind myself how nice it will feel to not carry that much extra weight. Baggy clothes, here I come.