2009 Bling

As I was reliving all of my races in 2009, it occurred to me that I don't have a group picture of all my medals.  It's a nice collection, and I have to admit, I really enjoy getting a medal at the end of a race.  Some may think it's shallow, but for a mid packer, it's about the only memento (other than the tee shirt) that we get.  It's kind of like my snow globe.  It's my souvenir.  In fact, at the Okoboji Half Marathon in July, I didn't get a medal, and I felt like a kid without a present under the Christmas tree. Hopefully, I'll get just as many, if not more in 2010!




In order, Lincoln National Guard Half Marathon, Papillion Half Marathon, Rocky Mountain Half Marathon, Bill Seymour Grand Island Half Marathon, Omaha Half Marathon, IMT Des Moines Marathon, Overland Park Gobbler Grind Marathon, and Las Vegas Rock n Roll Marathon. No medal for the Lake Okoboji Half Marathon, the Boys Town 5 mile Run, and the Omaha Corporate Cup 10k.

Progress? Perhaps, with a Price.

My run this past Tuesday was a great run.  Over the last couple of weeks, I've really been focusing on just running on the treadmill at the gym since cold weather seemed to aggravate my knee.  After a full day of rest, I really pushed my pace on Tuesday, and was able to run 4 miles, without stopping, at an average 9:20/mile pace.  I haven't been able to run that fast since early November.  In other words, it was a great day, and gave me immeasurable confidence in the progress I've made post injury.

I did a 6 mile run yesterday, at a 9:30 pace.  My knee did bother me a couple of times later in the run, but every mile or so, I'd stop and stretch out my right hamstring, which helped ease the pain.

Today, I had to ease down as I had pain in my knee, not severe pain, but enough that I had stop and stretch every mile.  So, while I was able to do a fairly hard run (for me) on Tuesday and Wednesday, it doesn't come without its price, in that I ultimately end up with some knee pain later on in the week because I pushed it so hard earlier in the week.  That's OK though, I've learned a great deal though about how much I can do, and how hard I can push, and now know what the price will be.  My cardiovascular capacity seems to be returning a bit, as it was definitely diminished a couple of weeks ago, but it's gradually increasing as well.

Just have to keep moving forward, and have to keep my stretching routine up.  I've been trying to wean myself away from it, and also trying to wean myself off the Aleve (have not used it in over a week??), so these are all steps in the right direction, and that's all I can ask.

Two Steps Forward, One Step Back

Over the last couple of weeks, I have made some good progress on my runs, but not without an occasional step back.  I've been doing a lot of stretching, both my hip abductors and my hamstrings, but also my tibialis muscle too.  The pain has gotten a lot better, but it's still there on the longer runs.  I also have discovered that the cold aggravates my knee, and also running in the snow (likely due to a change in running gait).  Although, this past Wednesday, I was able to do a 5 mile run with my local running group and managed to nab a pace that I haven't been able to achieve since December 1st, so that was a big improvement.  I paid a price for it though, as my knee hurt again the very next day immediately upon setting out.

So, I'm definitely making progress, but also have to not push it too much too fast.  I still have a half marathon coming up in 3 weeks at the Surf City race in California.  I have no doubt I can finish it, although I won't be shooting for any time goal.  I originally (way back in early December) thought this would be an easy PR race for me since it's flat and I would be coming off the experience of running 3 marathons. Plans change, and sometimes just getting to the finish line should be reward enough, irregardless of time.

The Running Ninja

The wind chill today was 14 below zero. And I ran 3.1 miles in this.  But, I also had just purchased a running balaclava, so I was toasty warm.  The small band of skin around my eyes did get cold, and breathing through the facemask wasn't the most pleasant thing I've done, but I honestly have to say, I'm a die hard, ninja runner. Go figure.