Wednesday, March 3, 2010 - 4 days until marathon

We're drawing closer and closer to the big day, and weather is one of many factors that I've been paying attention to this week. The screen grab at left is from my iPhone, showing Sunday's high and low for Little Rock.

46, the low for Sunday, is at the warm end of the spectrum for conditions that I have been training in. 64, the high for the same day, will be warmest condition I've experienced in months!

I'm changing the plans of what I will wear during the race, and will plan on taking salt tabs and drinking even more than I had already prescribed. I'll now end up running in a short-sleeve t-shirt with some technical arm warmers.

The foot is feeling fine, though nowhere near normal. I used the sunshine yesterday as fuel for a short, cold bike ride. It still amazes me that a bike ride makes the foot pain go away (at least temporarily). I still have to learn how to tape this foot (or find someone in central Arkansas to do it Saturday).

Over the weekend, I received my final confirmation e-mail from the marathon. I will be starting in Corral C and will be wearing bib #1100. Only in the last week have people really began to talk to me about the treachery of the hills in this race. I would rather not know, but I'm not deeply concerned about them.... now.

Monday, March 1, 2010 - 6 days until marathon

This first picture shows the awesome job that Nate at Gearhead Outfitters did at wrapping my foot up for Saturday's race. I had to sleep in it, which wasn't terribly uncomfortable, but it did help!

I ended up really enjoying the short run that morning. My time (13:22 for the two-miler) definitely reflects that everything was working in my favor for the morning. The foot didn't hurt at all during the race. I had a return to reality on the walk home from the race, though. What it's telling me is that I'll just have to use my toes a lot more than I had planned on.

The smile on my face here, though is reflective of how good a mood I was in. Over the last quarter of a mile, I caught FIRE and passed a handful of individuals on the way to the finish. I slowed down at the line and this gentleman passed me back. I actually laughed and said "You got me!" when he passed me.

Nothing but short runs and core body for the rest of the week.

This is me all geared up beforehand. Let's rock!!!

Friday, February 26, 2010 - 9 days until marathon

So, I haven't done any of physical activity since Monday and I feel rotten. The good news is, though, that my foot is feeling significantly better. I won't say it's at 100%, but I'm feeling pretty good about it.

I will most likely, still not committing, participate in tomorrow morning's 2-miler. Then I hope to get some short maintenance runs in between then and the marathon.

I would be remiss if I didn't acknowledge the awesome job that my coach is doing. She showed up the other night with an amazing gift basket that had everything from a race belt to socks and energy gels to foot powder and even a North Face jacket.

Wow! I have officially acquired all the gear I need for the race now.

Wednesday, February 24, 2010 - 11 days until marathon

There are a lot of things to catch up on....

My foot pain from the weekend continued. I went to the gym to do core body work Monday evening, and decided to run a mile on the treadmill. I couldn't even make it half a mile, for fear of the pain getting worse.

Frustrated, I went home and began acclimating myself to the concept of NOT completing the marathon. Anger with equal parts self-pity, if you will.

On Tuesday, I put the call out to friends to help me get into an orthopedic surgeon's office. That call was answered by a team of friends, and I was worked in early that morning. Three X-rays revealed that there was no detectable stress fracture.

That was the best news I would get. It was either a tendon or muscular issue, and I was prescribed rest and a healthy dose of steroids. So I'm keeping off the asphalt and treadmill, and wearing some borrowed MBT shoes from Ted.

I am registered for a two-mile race on Saturday morning of this week. It's the first in the 2010 Ridge Rider Athletic Club series. I'll do a short run on Friday night to see if there is any improvement in my foot. If not, I'm foregoing Saturday morning.

The doctor cleared me to participate next Sunday in the marathon. The only question he asked: "Can you handle pain for four hours?"

He doesn't realize it will probably take me longer than that!

Sunday, February 21, 2010 - 14 days until marathon

My legs are fine, but my right foot is hurting so bad that I can barely walk. Why? I don't know. I have to assume that I'm using my right leg differently since it was sore, and impacting the ground differently.

I'm quite angry about it.

Saturday, Februrary 20, 2010 - 15 days until marathon

Lessons are sometimes hard-learned. A friend advised me yesterday that I should already be in my taper period. Another friend told me that my 20-mile run last weekend was more than sufficient in the current time frame. A quick read online revealed that a four-week taper is recommended.... and I'm just over two weeks out.

So I set out for 22 today, anyway.

I ran 2.5 miles to meet with a group of runners at 6:00 am. We did just over nine miles, and I felt fine starting the 2.5 mile return trip to my apartment. I had been generous and shared one of my Gu packets. I needed another one, and was running low on water, anyway.

After climbing the stairs, filling up and heading back out, I got just over half a mile away before my body said 'quit.' My right leg was beginning to get tight, but this was an overall sensation that it was just time to stop.

So, slightly disappointed in myself, I turned back. I grabbed a shower and got back downstairs in time to meet the last of the Saturday morning riders coming in for coffee.

I am ready for this marathon. I am ready to get back to my normal life.

Friday, February 19, 2010 - 16 days until marathon

I'm sore this morning, after pounding five miles out in under 35 minutes last night. Neither the run, nor the speed, are to blame for the pain, though.

I'm afraid that the combination of new shoes and the compression pants are causing problems with my lower right calf. It originally manifested as a slight discomfort, but is getting persistent as time goes on.

Today is a rest day, either way, and I'm going to carb it up at either Don Jose or BA Burrito. I want to run 22 tomorrow, but it all hinges on how my leg feels and whether or not I can attached to a group.

Thursday, February 18, 2010 – 17 days until marathon

More on the pants….. I have to admit that last night I questioned the investment. I did ten miles, and have never felt uncomfortable on that distance. My legs usually start talking to me at 16 miles. Last night they were barking pretty loud at eight. Not severe discomfort, but I was definitely aware that I had legs… If that makes any sense.

Today is a new story. I feel fine from the waist down. I have an ankle issue to work out, and I suspect that’s got something to do with how tight my new shoes are.

I’m going to do a three-miler tonight, on my favorite downtown route. I haven’t run it in a while, and am just doing this one for fun. I can’t believe that I’m just over two weeks away!!!!

Wednesday, February 17, 2010 – 18 days until marathon

My CW-X pants finally came in, and I was overexcited about wearing them. It was treadmill night, and I had planned to do seven miles. A little over three miles in, it became readily apparent that I had underestimated the warmth that the pants would provide.

To clarify things, I was sweating to death.

My spirit broken, I decided to go outside in the cold and finish my run. It was the best decision I would make all day long. As dark approached, I felt so much better in the cool air, and made much more efficient use of my legs. I have decided that the treadmill is actually detrimental to my running.

On top of the three-plus miles on the treadmill, I ended up piling on another seven on the streets. Some light wool gloves, a technical shirt covered with an old gray hoodie and I felt great.

Monday, February 15, 2010 - 20 days until marathon

Feels like forever since the last update, but it was a busy weekend! I did my long run on Saturday in Little Rock, running two ten-mile routes on the River Trail. I had company for the first ten, and was solo for the second.

The bridges on the trail, including the one-mile long Big Dam Bridge, were still covered in thick layers of snow and ice that morning. It wasn't horrible, but there were several tricky spots. I guess I kinda got a kick out of the adversity and didn't lose too much time.

My overall time for the training session was 3:23. I actually did the right stretches afterward, and wasn't so sore that I couldn't walk that night. It was a good thing, too, because I found myself at the horse races in Hot Springs and made several trips up and down stairs visiting friends and even my brother.

I had a great big food celebration, that included my standard issue Almost Famous Quesadilla from Sticky Fingerz, a giant helping of seafood from Fisherman's Wharf and even Buffalo Wings the next day. Getting back to my normal diet is going to be tough!!!!

Off to the gym, since we're closed for President's Day. This three-miler is going to be torture, I can tell.

Thursday, February 11, 2010 - 24 days until marathon

Rest day, although it was anything but restful. I have some opportunities/challenges that are weighing heavy on me mentally. It probably would have been advantageous to get on the treadmill, but I digress.

I got some new shoes, too. Sticking with the Brooks Adrenaline, but dropped half a size. Wore them around the loft last night and could definitely feel the 'newness' of the support. Just like fresh tires!

Wednesday, February 10, 2010 - 25 days until marathon

Thanks to advice from my coach (you know who you are), I went to the doctor today. After lengthy discussion, we added a five-day script of antibiotics on top of the shot to make doubly sure we are going to wipe this upper respiratory infection out.

That was just before lunch... By five I was feeling much better, and keep to my schedule. I ran a little over seven at the gym, and suffered! I finally caved in and turned the fan toward my machine. I was sweating and it was not pretty.

One thing to note: when you are doing 8 mph on a treadmill and drop your iPhone, it will fly more than 30 feet across the room. Just something to keep in mind.

Tuesday, February 09, 2010 – 26 days until marathon

I woke up at 3 am with a sinus infection. It’s a rest day, and I’m going to drink a lot of coffee and follow it with gallons of water. The good news is that I am not sore, and have very little discomfort in my right foot.

Monday, February 08, 2010 – 27 days until marathon

More than two inches of snow had fell before I even woke up. On the way to work, I saw a woman running in the snow. I wanted to pull over and propose right then, but she wouldn’t have heard me over her awesomeness.

Hit the gym right after work. Love it when it snows, because there was virtually no one there! I did 25 minutes of circuit training, focusing on abs, back and arms. Made my way up to the cardio theatre and did 3 miles at an 8 minute pace. I did not feel good, but that was the first time I had done the circuit BEFORE the running. Maybe I’ll switch back on Thursday…

Got the book in the mail from the marathon. Read it all and it didn’t really state anything that wasn’t already available on the website. Also realized that I had broke the iPhone armband on my first use. I think it may still work, but will give it serious consideration over the next few weeks.

Sunday, February 7, 2010 – 28 days until marathon

MUCH-needed rest day. Got some laundry taken care of and minor things around the house. Wanted to go to gym to do core body, but decided to do that on Monday with a short treadmill run. Purchased a sport armband that will hold my iPhone. I’m going to train with it a little, and see if it’s something I’d like to use during the marathon. I have the mapmyrun app and the iPod function could combine for good distraction from the late-race pain. The other neat feature is that the iPhone headphones also serve as a hands-free device for making/taking phone calls. It’s probably not the best idea I’ve ever had, but it will be an available option should I decide to use it.

Saturday, February 6, 2010 – 29 days until marathon

After getting only 5.5 hours of sleep, I rose at 4:15 am and gobbled down a Gatorade bar. I met the group for a frigid run at 5:00 am from the Trim Gym parking lot. We ran 10 miles (about six or seven of us) and met another group at 6:30 in the same parking lot for an additional 8. This proved to be challenging for me.

The second group had fresh legs and you could definitely tell the difference. They pulled away numerous times, but I was able to bridge the gap when they slowed for traffic or pee breaks. The primary difference between the first and second run for me was not carrying my water bottle on the second lap. I barely used it on my first ten miles, but was desperately dehydrated after 15 miles or so. I was definitely slowing down after that point, and feeling it in my quads. I didn’t walk, though, until mile 18. I ended up with 18.7, walking for a minute or so after accomplishing my goal of 18.

Celebrated with Mexican food at Don Jose!

Friday, February 05, 2010 – 30 days until marathon

Yet another rest day, but am beginning to feel pumped for long run tomorrow. Picked up a hand-held water bottle for tomorrow morning. We’re scheduled to start at 5:00 from the Trim Gym parking lot. I’m supposed to go to Brickhouse tonight to hear a band, but I’ll be crawling into bed early, anyway. First session is a ten-miler that they estimate will take 1.5 hours. We’ll pick up a group at the same parking lot at 6:30 and Aimee Spencer and I will get in another 8 even if the group goes for ten more. I had really wanted to sleep, but the psychological mechanics of group running will do me some good.

Thursday, February 04, 2010 – 31 days until marathon

Took a rest day and a complete lack of productivity at the apartment. Carb-loaded for the long run on Saturday. Can you say spaghetti, boys and girls?

Wednesday, February 3, 2010 – 32 days until marathon

Ran seven miles in 56 minutes on the treadmill tonight. Got lucky and had a spot right in front of the fan, and felt good enough that I didn’t have to use gel or drink substantial quantities of water. I did still sweat profusely, and found myself dreaming of open air and asphalt.

Tuesday, February 02, 2010 – 33 days until marathon

It’s hard to believe that I’m going to give myself a rest day, with no long run over the past weekend. The weather forecast for Jonesboro and Little Rock are dramatically different for Saturday (with Little Rock being significantly warmer). My longest run of the year (also in Little Rock) was just over 16 miles in 2:28. It’s too early to tell, but I may head south in search of more favorable conditions. I also need to pick up some new shoes. I have some compression pants on order at Gearhead Outfitters, and I’m ready to start training in the gear I’ll be wearing on race day.

Monday, February 01, 2010 – 34 days until marathon

Snow and ice continues to cover the roads, trails and sidewalks of Jonesboro, so I trained indoors tonight. I ran three miles on the treadmill, in just under 24 minutes. I did speed work, as I loosely call it, alternating between 90% exertion and 70% exertion. At one point, I maintained 9.6 mph for more than two minutes. The treadmill made an awful noise.

I noticed a significant reduction in the love handles this morning. My body size is continuing to shrink, while my weight is continuing to climb. It’s an interesting exchange, but I’m beginning to wonder what the post-marathon shape will be like…

Sunday, January 31, 2010 – 35 days until marathon

The large dumping of wintry precipitation over the weekend prevented any "long run," but rest was probably something that my body needed. I had stomach issues, most likely caused from dehydration or overabundance of caffeine, yesterday. It was gone by the evening, but I still took it easy and did seven miles on the dreadmill today in 58 minutes. I hit one circuit on the core body.