Checking In

I guess it's been nearly a month since I last posted. I wish I could say that a lot has happened since then. The running and bike rides have been few and far between. I was getting in about 3 runs per week until a couple of weeks ago. That's when I came down with a minor illness. Then I had a friend from across the country come up for a visit, which put me very behind in my work. So, even though excuses are like...well, you know, everyone has one...the quest for 10,000 lifetime running miles is still hanging there like forbidden fruit. I'm currently 152 miles shy of that mark.

There is another interesting development, though. My youngest daughter, Lindsey, has become very interested in powerlifting. I took her to watch a deadlift meet last January and she said she wants to compete in it next year. So I've taken it upon myself to train her. No, I'm no expert, but I've trained with weights for 20 years, read and researched, and solicited advice from a friend who is a Canadian national record holder in powerlifting. After a few months of training, I've determined that she's A) serious, and B) strong! Because of that commitment, I bought her a nice lifting belt. At 12 years old, she would already set a state record in one of the federations (USAPL) in two of the three lifts, with just her current numbers!

If I have to be honest, that's another reason I may not be quite as gung-ho about the running right now (aside from the ever-present hamstring issue). She would like me to compete in the same meet as her next January. Aside from the fact that I would likely embarrass myself, I'm not sure my body (lower back, in particular) will hold up enough to get up to, or over, a 400 lb. deadlift...which is where I'd want to be (or close to, anyway). But I'm going to give it a shot. Pure strength training and lots of slow cardio work aren't exactly compatible. Not for me, anyway, but I still hope to hit 10k miles by the end of this year. We'll see how this all plays out.

I've been walking quite a bit, though, in an attempt to walk 500 miles this year. I'm close to 190 already. Need to keep the dog's belly (and mine) in check.

Daughter #1, Natalie, sadly missed her entire freshman track season with hip issues. She's currently in physical therapy to strengthen her glutes & hips. There's apparently quite an imbalance in strength among those muscles and she's been compensating, which has led to a LOT of pain and soreness when she tries to run. We're hoping she can get to where she can run again soon.

That's about it from here. Spring has sprung here in the inland Northwest. Summer will be here soon!

Happy running!
 

Status Report

Well, I'm down about 2 1/2 lbs. since my previous entry. Not much, but I'm trying to lose the weight slowly. Don't want to lose too much muscle along with the fat.

As I mentioned previously, I'm going to achieve 10,000 lifetime running miles this year. I've run 38 miles in the last 4 weeks. Yes, that used to be a below average WEEK a few years ago, but this old, fragile (and slightly heavy) body isn't ready for much more than that currently. I'll probably plod along at about 10 miles per week for a bit and see if I can gradually increase, if my body allows. I'm now 170 miles shy of that 10k mark.

I managed to get one outdoor bike ride in a couple of weeks ago, but that's been it so far. Work has been busy, plus the weather hasn't been particularly conducive to fair-weather cycling. Lots of rain and/or wind lately. At the very least, I'll set up the trainer again, once work calms down.

The hamstring stretching seems to be going well. I'm more flexible than I've been in a long time, but I'm not sure it's helping with the pain. I can still feel it from time to time (especially after running up and down hills, and even after a flat 4-miler earlier this week.) Still, being more flexible through the hamstrings and lower back is something I need, regardless of the hamstring injury.

Pretty dry blog entry, I know. I'll wrap up here with a couple of recent cartoons.

Happy Easter, and good luck to those of you running Boston!

Well, Here Goes...

I've decided to officially take a shot at 10,000 lifetime running miles this year. I'm currently 205 miles shy of that mark (9795), and I have absolutely ZERO expectations when it comes to any other running achievements during this quest (i.e. pace, distance, etc.) I just want to get that mark behind me.

Of course, I'd love to have my body fully cooperate and become able to run fast and far (relatively speaking) again, but due to how non-compliant my body has been the last few years, I'm approaching this realistically. As much as I don't want it to be, this is strictly a numbers game. For now.

I'm also going to get my (ample) butt back on the bike very soon, too. I've managed to build bigger muscles (with a bigger gut) and get stronger these last few months, from a pure power perspective, but I'm ready to get leaner and "fit" once again.

I guess it's spring fever...

Not Very Fun-Knee

More news from the "If It's Not One Thing, It's Another" file.

(I honestly don't intend on making this a whiny, complaining-centric blog.)

The extent of my cardio training this winter (sad to say) has been walking. Surely, this injury-prone guy can take simple walks without injuries, right?

Not if my left knee has anything to say about it. This knee used to be my "good" knee up until last summer. That's when I'd start noticing pain under the kneecap during many of my runs. I haven't run since December 3rd of last year, but I've walked 121 miles since then. The pain has gradually increased to the point where I nearly have to limp during those walks to relieve the pressure (it hurts right when my foot makes impact with the ground). Lately, I've been icing and taking ibuprofen after walking.

If I had to guess (always encouraged when it comes to joint problems), I'd say the knee probably needs to be scoped and damaged cartilage needs to be removed. Oddly enough, my "bad" knee (right) has been feeling fine.

I plan to continue walking, unless it becomes too painful (it's close now) since I have a goal of walking 500 miles this year (essentially doubling last year's walking mileage). I also plan on getting on the bike soon, so it'll be interesting to see how the knee handles that. I'm guessing it's the impact that bothers it, so pedaling a bike shouldn't be an issue. I hope.

It also wouldn't hurt to drop a few of the pounds I've put on this winter. I'm starting on that journey now.

But, man, that donut looks good...

UPDATE: I just did a keyword search for "knee pain" in my blog and, lo and behold, the first mention of pain under my left kneecap was in an entry I posted on September 28, 2009 (4 1/2 years ago)! So perhaps this isn't a "good" knee after all.

Hey Y'all!

Since it's been a while, I figured I'd post an update to let everyone know I'm still not running. In fact, I'm doing so well at not running that I'm 25 lbs. over what I would consider my race weight.

Yes, seriously.

That 25 lbs. consists entirely of muscle and what is commonly known as "not quite muscle."

In fact, I'm the heaviest I've been, ever.

And, believe it or not, that was intentional. I wanted to see if I could hit that mark (for me, that was 180 lbs.) by my 47th birthday (Feb. 28th). I achieved that a few weeks early. You may laugh (or cringe), but I've always had a hard time putting on weight. At my age, that now appears to no longer be the case.

The combination of very little cardio (I'm walking a few times per week), heavy weight lifting, and heavy eating, plus an apparently slower metabolism than I used to have made the weight gain relatively easy.

As I skeptically train for a potential powerlifting meet sometime in the future (skeptically, because I have a tendency to get injured. Duh.), the added weight has helped me get stronger. However, my midsection has grown to the point of limiting my wardrobe. Sure, sweatpants feel cozy, but having only 3 pairs of jeans you can squeeze into isn't ideal. Although I need to brag about having more of a Kardashian booty now than my formerly scrawny runner's booty.

The upside is that this fair-weather cyclist is close to dusting off the two-wheel steed soon, since spring weather has finally arrived here in Spokane. I don't know if I'll ever be a hardcore cyclist, but I am getting the itch to get back to riding somewhat regularly. That, plus dialing back the appetite just a little should gradually shrink my waist back to an acceptable size.

Do I miss running? Sure, especially when I see other people out for a run. Will I ever be a "runner" again? I honestly don't know. The hamstring that shut me down several months ago still reminds me of its unhappy presence. In fact, I was doing lunges in a recent workout — an exercise I hadn't done in a LONG time — and I could feel a different sensation & tightness in that hamstring than in the other. I'm guessing it's a buildup of scar tissue. Even when I'm sleeping, if I move a certain way a little twinge in the hammy occasionally wakes me up.

So it's really hard to tell if/when I might find my way back into my running kicks. Still, I'm not giving up hope.

One thing is for sure, though...I'll have to drop a few dress sizes, or running just ain't gonna feel that good, healed hamstring or not!

I may still have a pair buried away somewhere...

Looking Back/Looking Ahead, or What The Heck Happened to 2013?

Well, it's hard to believe how quickly 2013 flew by. I guess it's time for the obligatory "year-in-review" and "what's ahead" post.

So...here we go!

First, I'll post last year's numbers. While some fitness-related numbers were satisfactory, my endurance numbers were sad.

• Running Miles: 400
• Races: 2 (both 10k's)
• Walking/Hiking Miles: 255
• Cycling Miles (outdoors): 268
• Cycling Miles (trainer): 141
• Pushups (as part of a Facebook challenge): 20,700 (PR)
• Bench Press max: 220 lbs (PR)

I track several other exercise numbers, but I won't bore you (or myself) with them.

So, what happened to the "Resurrected Runner" in 2013? He once again fell victim to his fragile body and unwise training. The end of 2012 and start of 2013 looked promising. I was once again putting in 30-mile weeks. I ran within 4 seconds of my 5k PR in December of 2012. Encouraged by that, I made the mistake of hitting the track in February of 2013 for a far more intense speed workout than I had business doing. I managed to strain a hamstring during a couple of all-out 200m repeats. Instead of backing off, I continued to train on it and, in fact, raced a 10k. Shortly after that, the hamstring forced me to shut down all running. I was in the process of selling my house and moving my family across the state, so I suppose the timing was okay (although the timing for getting injured is never truly "okay".)

I ran a few times during the summer, with some hamstring discomfort. I refocused my efforts in September and October, eclipsing 20 miles in 3 straight weeks, but after an ill-advised 8-mile run that had my hamstring in painful, tight spasms, the writing was on the wall.

I switched to cycling in the late summer/early fall, but failed to ride nearly as much as I should have (I hope to join a local cycling club in 2014).

Weight training became my focus a few times, but as always, pushing too hard/too soon led to a few pulls of lower back muscles. Currently, I'm working on a modified weight training program that will hopefully spare my injury-prone body parts. Translation: I'm doing pinky curls.

So, as of today, I'm a good 15-18 lbs. above what I consider my "race weight." I'm not alarmed at this point, since I'm confident that I can shed that within a couple of focused months of training. Assuming I can put together a couple of focused months of training.

What will that training look like in 2014? I'm still not entirely sure.

Here are my goals (which I'm honestly figuring out as I type this):

• Reach 10,000 career running miles (currently 208 shy)
• Cycle at least 1,000 miles (outdoors)
• Complete first "century" bike ride
• 25,000 pushups (again, a Facebook group challenge)
• Walk/hike 500 miles (not all at once)
• Bench Press PR

These are relatively humble goals. I hesitate to get too ambitious at this point. You'll notice I didn't really list a running mileage goal, other than to hit a milestone for lifetime mileage. I'll plan on testing the waters a few times and take what I can get. Although I've considered "retiring" as a runner this year, my wife reminds me that running is in my blood (having run competitively, on and off, since 1979). I'm sure I'll be back. However, as I get closer to age 50, my focus is shifting more toward being consistent and healthy rather than seeing just how much and/or how fast I can run. The starting and stopping of my training has become very frustrating. If I can even become a consistent recreational runner (I won't say the "j" word), I'll take it.

Many of my online running friends have been very successful in their training and racing in 2013, which still inspires me. Keep on keeping on, my friends, and much success to all of you in 2014!

An Injury With A Heartbeat, Wrapped In Flesh

Yep, that pretty much describes me at this moment.

Aside from this chronic hamstring problem, I've now injured my lower back (pretty seriously) for the third time in as many months. That happened five days ago (alas, while lifting weights...even though it was from a movement that had little to do with my back), and I'm still in serious pain. I took a cringeworthy 3-mile walk this afternoon, thinking it might loosen my back a little. Nope. Perhaps the 14 degree temps had something to do with that, but even after a hot bath, it still hurts.

Oh, and the hamstring hurt during the walk as well.

Yes, I'm a whining mess of a human right now.

My "one mile run per day" experiment lasted 16 days. Not only did my hamstring pain not diminish, it started getting worse.

So, skipping any further whining, I'm shutting things down once again.

I even hinted to my wife today that I may retire from running. She laughed and said, "you'll never retire from running!" She may be right. At the very least, I need to reach 10,000 career miles. I'm still 208 shy of that goal.

I'll get there...

A Daily Mile

As I posted on the website Daily Mile, I'm now literally a "daily miler."

I've decided that, instead of not running at all, I would try to coax my hamstring to get stronger and recover by running a single slow mile on a daily basis. Smart? Probably not. But a similar approach seemed to put my old heel injury behind me over a year ago. This might be a different situation, though, since muscle tissue is involved, whereas that was more of a bone/tendon issue.

My hamstring has become slightly more sore as the week has progressed (I'm on day 7 of my daily mile regimen.) It's not to the point where running hurts it. It actually hurts more when I'm not running...although I know it would tweak out pretty seriously if I tried to run fast.

I'm a very stubborn runner, so hopefully I'll know when to say when. But my real hope is that, after an initial period of slight hamstring pain, the muscles will start to strengthen and the pain will subside. That might be more of a dream than a reality...but five months of ZERO running earlier this year did little to fix my hammy, so I might as well give this a shot.

More as things develop...

Biding My Time

First, I need to give a shout-out to my daughter's cross-country team (Central Valley High School in Spokane, WA), who finished 4th our state meet yesterday. The boys finished 3rd. Every girl on varsity will return next year, so they should place in state once again. Natalie and I made the 2+ hour drive each way to cheer on her team. It was a hoot!

Anyway...I'm shut down my running program yet again. I tried coaxing my ailing hamstring along for several weeks, but it just isn't having any of that running business. I ran 8 miles a couple of weeks ago, but even a slow, easy 3-miler ended up making my hamstring sore for a couple of days after.

So, here I am trying to figure out when to give it a shot again, and how to approach it. Until then, it's strength training and Airdyne rides for me.

My tentative plan is to hold off on all running the rest of this month, then start with 1 mile jogs every other day for a few weeks. No more climbing my way back to 20+ mile weeks sooner than I should.

My body is giving me every indication that I should permanently consider a different form of exercise, but I'm still stubbornly holding onto the belief that I can run and race again regularly. I may be dreaming, who knows. Perhaps I should give in to the idea of splitting my endurance training evenly between cycling and running, doing each no more than 3x per week. At this point, I honestly don't know the answer. I'll have to play it by ear.

Which is pretty much what I've been doing since my first major injury, post-marathon, over 3 years ago.

It's frustrating, but at least it continually gives me something to work toward. If I ever do figure out how to fully recover and avoid future injuries, I'm going to bottle and sell it.

Okay, time to walk the dog. I can still do that, at least!

Interesting Documentary

I'll admit to being a full-fledged running geek. I would have loved to do a study like the one the Danes did in this documentary. I've heard many theories over the years about why the Kenyans are superior distance runners, but I had never heard about this particular theory.

I won't spoil it, in case you're interested in watching this (and if you do, you're a fellow running geek, for sure!), but I will say that I was surprised by their conclusion. This was filmed in 2001.