I Surrender to the Heat

I can count on one hand (with room to spare) the number of times I've been on a treadmill in the 3 years that I've been in The Woodlands. However, given the extreme heat and humidity and its resulting stress on my body, I will be doing at least 50% of my training runs on a treadmill once I get back into my training routine. At least thats the plan as of today.

I ran on treadmills pretty regularly back in the 90s. I've fallen off once due to stepping too far to the right and landing off the belt. I've also torn a calf muscle in the middle of a run. No change in pace or misstep, I just heard something pop and that was that.

I ran the Nature Trail Monday evening; I felt great the first half of the run after being off for over a week. Was tired by the end though.

At Least the Math was Easy

Updating my runnng log was easy this week. 0 miles got my average mileage for the year right under 20 miles again; I had finally gotten above 20 the prior two weeks. My left Achilles injury had my weekly mileage well below the last 2 years. I'm sure I'll be above 20 again in time at all.

West Texas Crossroads Marathon

I got a postcard in the mail this week for the West Texas Crossroads Marathon, 1/2, 5k and kids run. Looks like Odessa and Midland now have a full fledged marathon. Checked out the course time limits as this is a hot topic in Houston this week; 7 hours for the full and 4 hours for the 1/2.

On the shingles front, the good news is that the rash hasn't broken out anymore in the past couple of days and what is there doesn't look as bad as what I've seen in other pics. Hopefully the antiviral meds will make it a speedy recovery! Otherwise, I'm getting a little ansy logging 0 miles in a planned 40 mile week.

Marathon Interrupted

Reading my August Runner's World issue on the plane ride from Houston to New Orleans Tuesday morning I came across Dean K.'s FAQs where he offered his if he could offer only one piece of advice, it would be: "Listen to everyone, follow no one." Given my current setback I just need to listen to my body to figure out when I should start running again.

Not running since Saturday has the taper phantom aches showing up in my legs. Or is that part of the effects of shingles? Anyway, got me wanting to get out running. Also not running has me thinking that I've been plagued by some marathon curse or something. 2 completed marathons and 2 DNS attempts and now this setback have me seriously missing my comfortable half distance.

I ran my first marathon in January 2000 prior to running a half marathon; 6.2 miles was the furthest I had run prior to starting training in the fall of 1999. The curse was weak for that first attempt. My 2 co-workers that also signed up for the event were going to train with me; they both ended up being put on a long term audit engagement and were out of town the entire time we were training. We ran one long run together; the only long run that I ran while training. My training was also hampered by a fixer up home acquisition that took away much of my training time as well as a change in jobs. After running the distance, my reaction was of the "I'm NEVER going to do this again" rather than sign me up for the next race attitude.

NEVER lasted a little over 4 years for me. I got into the 2004 NYC marathon lottery and was accepted so was set to begin training that July for my second marathon. I was diagnosed with hep A in May that year so didn't even log a mile training in 2004, my first NYC DNS. I deferred my entry for 2004 so that I had guaranteed entry for the 2005 marathon.

2005 NYC training started out on schedule. Between July and August 26th I followed my training schedule to the mile. August 27th with Hurricane Katrina on a projected path to the New Orleans area, I packed my running gear along with a few other essentials and evacuated to my moms in central Louisiana, fully intending to be back home training within a couple of days. A couple of days turned into not being able to get back home for a week and a half and then only to pack a few things and set up shop in a new city. While I fell off the mileage I was still running throughout this period. Less than a month later, I was evacuating again, this time from the Houston area, from Hurricane Rita. I didn't even pack my running gear for the Rita evacuation. After Rita, I got settled in again in Houston and was getting back into running mode when I came down with a strep infection. I called training quits then and deferred NYC until 2006 for my 2nd DNS.

NYC 2006 was my first year training with Woodlands Fit and was a smooth training experience. I ran my long runs with Scott Brian, Colleen Hayman, and Amber Brock; they were training for the Portland, OR marathon which was a month earlier than NYC. I ran back to back halfs the same weekend as they ran Portland; my second half that weekend was in Portland, ME.....a pretty cool coincidence. Anyway, training and the marathon itself went fine. The curse didn't strike until the week following the marathon. Wednesday following the marathon, I developed a thrombosed external hemerroid that I had excised 2 days later.

NYC was also supposed to be my final marathon but moving into an older age group and getting an additional 10 minutes to BQ got me signed up for Chicago this fall. Once again, six weeks of training went fine. After completing my week 6 Saturday long run of 10 miles, a cutback week for me, I felt body aches the rest of the weekend. I also noticed a small rash near the middle of my lower back Saturday evening. Still not feeling right Monday morning, I went to my GP and was diagnosed with shingles. I'm not sure what brought it on as I have not had any additional stress in my life. Maybe its the additional miles weakening my immune system? Maybe its just the marathon curse as I've run this many miles training for back to back halfs.

I'm just going to cautiously monitor my recovery process; I seem to still be breaking out so not on the downside of this thing yet. I'll figure out where to jump back in the training when it feels right and am confident that I will be able to complete Chicago, most likely not at the pace that I was anticipating back when I started training in early June. In the meantime, the additional rest will do my Achilles good I'm sure.

Shingled Out

After running Saturday morning I felt achy the rest of the day. Saturday evening I noticed a slight rash on my back; not in the usual spot for heat rash but I didn't think much of it. Sunday I still felt achy and the rash was still there. This morning I noticed another spot on my stomach so I called to make an appointment with my GP. Diagnosis is shingles; got a prescription of Valtrex. I of course asked the question I seem to always ask when visiting a doc "Can I still run?" Got the ok to run but thought the better of it this evening. I just didn't feel up to it. I'm headed to New Orleans tomorrow for 2 days of meetings. Hopefully will be much better and back running Thursday. Laying low til then.

Saturday Long Run

I woke up around 1 this morning with my nose stopped up and a headache. Took some Alieve and woke up around 5 with the alarm feeling much better but head still somewhat pounding. I was fine by the time I got to the run; it was another home course Fall Fit run for me. I live less than a mile from the Y on Ashlane so I get a little extra time on these mornings. I got to the Y turned my Garmin on and had a low battery message while searching for satellites. I ran into Trail group Coach Sara and was able to borrow one of her Garmins (she said she keeps getting them as gifts from family). I needed the Garmin as I was running a modified Fit course to try and get to my 10 mile target distance for the day. I ended up a little over at 10.75 miles but had a great run. After the run we had a stretching seminar led by Liz Berry; stretchings always a good thing post run. Tomorrow is one of my rest days then its on to week 7 of Chicago training. 40 miles is the target mileage for next week.

SEC Mascots Live and Die Like Royalty

I came across this website earlier today while reading about the upcoming college football season. Sitting here at work hoping for a cool front to come through before I head to run a 7 miler this evening. I think it will be an easy pace for me tonight. Had my normal Wednesday evening "torture session" aka deep tissue massage with Ute Schmidt last night. Feeling a little sore from that today. As long as it keeps me running it's well worth it.

Waterway Run

Today's training run was an easy 3 miler. I ran the Woodlands Waterway for the first time in over a month. The only problem with the waterway is that there isn't much shade but since this was only a 3 miler, I decided to go ahead and run it anyway.

I spotted Beth Whitehead as I was approaching Waterway Square. Actually she spotted me because she was headed my direction when I saw her. Her kids were in their swim gear playing in the kid friendly fountain there; the fountain I always consider running through everytime I run by there. Anyways, I chatted with Beth then wrapped up my run. I actually had some dry spots left on my sleeveless drifit shirt when I finished; I was totally soaked after 7 miles on yesterdays run.

Training Between Zones

I need to start focusing on running my easy pace runs at the correct pace. Yesterdays short 3 mile run was slightly faster than it should have been. I think the fact that I hadn't run since Saturday morning plus the drizzle had alot to do with that. I ran 7 at lunch today at a pace even faster than yesterdays pace. The pace for the past 2 days has been much closer to easy pace than marathon pace but I think I still need to make more of an effort to maintain the correct pace on these runs.

My left Achilles tightened up on me after Saturday's 14 mile long run. Driving for 4+ hours probably had something to do with that. It took all the rest of Saturday and most of Sunday to get it loosened up again.

Good Training Week

I wrapped up the week with a 14 mile Fall Fit run this morning. It was a good constant effort between 9:15 and 9:30 average pace. Get a bit of a break in next weeks training with a step down in my long run miles.

40 Half Marathons and Counting

I completed my 40'th half marathon last month in Juneau, AK. This is the first time in quite a few years that I don't have a 1/2 marathon on my training schedule. My first half was completed at Disney World in January 2001, a year after running my first marathon at Disney as well. Of the 40 1/2's that I've run, February has been the busiest month by far: 9 were run in February. April was the next closest month with 5; I've run at least one 1/2 in each of the calendar months.

2003 was the year that I decided to run 1/2's or fulls in the 50 states; I was also focused on runnng the 1/2's under 2 hours and eventually breaking an 8 minute per mile pace. It took over 5 years and 15 attempts to finally break the 8 minute mile pace/sub 1:45 barrier. I ran 1:44:07 at the Texas 1/2 in Dallas in February 2006. In June of 2006 my other goal of running sub 2 hours was busted at Hospital Hill in Kansas City, MO. 2006 (11 yellow) was my most productive year in running states closely followed by 2007 (10 purple).

I will complete my 34th state this October when I run the Chicago Marathon. I hope to run 2 to 3 1/2's a year after that and complete my 50th state when I turn 50.

Hump Day Run

I got out to run a couple hours later than I planned; this work thing keeps getting in the way. I was somewhat concerned that I didn't fuel up enough for the run put it turned out fine.

Before heading out, I looked over my lunch routes over the past couple of months to find something close to 7 miles, today's distance per my training plan. I found something right under 7 that included the Nature Trail and only one major intersection crossing so I decided to run that route. The route also has 3 water fountains which definetely came in handy today. I actually added a 4th water fountain and a little mileage to get me to 7 by going to Creekside Park once I got out of the Nature Trail.

My left Achilles has been somewhat gimpy all week so I was concerned about it. It didn't hurt at all the last couple of miles and was barely noticeable earlier in the run so thats great news. With a mile to go I realized I have completed 1/2 of my mileage planned for the week; 17 out of 34 miles are now in the books!!!!!

Weekday Runs Flip Flopped

I was supposed to run 3, 7, 3 and 7 weekday runs this week with 14 miles for my long run this weekend. I met the weekday group to run the Nature Trail this evening; this route is normally right under 5 miles. I didn't know of anyway to cut the run short and was feeling good running a 9 something pace so decided to make this one of my 7 mile runs tonight. This was accomplished fairly easily by adding the Millbend loop into the route. To make sure I got to 7 I took a right on Grogans Mill when I got to the GM/South Millbend intersection and ran under GM through Grogans Mill Village Center to get back to South Millbend. Turns out that probably wasn't necessary as my mileage came closer to 7.5 than 7. It will be easy cutting the 4 mile Flintridge run down to 3 tomorrow.

I think I've got the script error from the Runners World website being posted on my blog figured out. Monday runs and runs on the first of the month are not being included in weekly and monthly totals. I'll probably switch to Running Ahead at some point for my online training log but will probably wait to make a year end switch.

Sunday Day Off

I set my alarm last night for 6:30, an hour before I was supposed to run trails at Burroughs Park this morning. Went through my checklist when I woke up this morning:

Body glide and tape
Garmin
Trail shoes
Valet key
Driver license
Towel
Deep woods Off

I didn't bring my cell phone but didn't worry about because I knew where I was headed. Well after driving down Kukendahl awhile and not seeing the Burroughs Park sign, I drove another mile or two and passed a fork in the road which I was almost certain I don't normally see so I decided I had missed the sign and the turn. I turned around and headed back but never saw the sign again. I called Coach Sara when I got home and found out that the turn was Huffsmith? I believe. Anyways, I could've slept in for the amount of running I didn't get in this morning. My achilles was a little tender so taking the day off was probably for the best. I fed the dogs, made a pot of coffee and watched the 2nd stage of the Tour de France instead of getting soaking wet running in this humidity.

Saturday Long Run

When my alarm went off at 5:00 this morning, I put on the weather channel and found the temperature in the lo 70s. It actually felt decent when I went outside. That all changed once I started running. I believe I was soaking wet 2.5 miles into the run. The plan was to run 13 but I missed a turn somewhere on the route; I ended up adding something at the end to get it to 12.25. Close enough for me.

I finished reading the second book that I took with me last week for the flight to Seattle and cruise. I finished Tim Van Wagoner's in the long run late into the cruise last week. Its a running novel; not bad but the race day stats are definetely fiction imho. The second book I read on my running cruise was Marc Bloom's God On The Starting Line. I preferred this one of the two; I got both over a year ago so glad that I've finally read them.

The plan for tomorrow is a little bit of slow lite mileage on the trails at Burroughs Park. Hopefully its somewhat dry out there; I probably should bring my swim gear just in case!

Where Are All the Horseflies?

I need to get my marathon training schedule squared away. I filled out a calendar months ago using Sunday as my long run days but that the long run has moved up to Saturdays now that Woodlands Fit started the fall marathon program. I checked my calendar and noted a 6 mile run for Wednesday which is now Tuesday given the day shift. I met Grant and Brit at Forestgate Park to run Flintridge last night. We normally run 4 miles when doing Flintridge, turning around a little past Falconwing. I continued on last night and ran a loop in the George Mitchell Nature Preserve. It had been a couple of weeks since I had run on the trails. To my delight, I didn't encounter even one horsefly on the trail last night. I don't know where they all headed but certainly did not miss them.
Wearing the Garmin again since the ban on the GAMM cruise last week, I saw that I would be a little short on the 6 miles so I stayed on Flintridge and entered Forestgate Park by the tennis courts. That got me within a tenth of a mile of 6. I finished my run right as Mick and Carmen finished as well from the normal Forestgate finish.

Back in the Heat & Humidity

What a difference 2,000 + miles makes on running conditions. I think I sweat more yesterday in less than 5 miles than I sweat all last week in Alaska running over 26 miles. I got to the overflow parking lot at St Simon and Jude a few minutes late yesterday; I saw cars there but no one was around so I hurried up and got my running shoes on and took off trying to catch people. I ended up running faster than I planned but it was good to be back on flat land. I ran over 10 seconds per mile faster than I did on the last 10k run outside of Ketchikan; walking those inclines really slowed me down up there.
I ran 125 miles for the month of June; that's the first time that I've run over 120 miles since September last year. If all goes as planned, I should log around 150 miles this month with my Chicago training plan.