Ab Challenge Update, and a Big Congrats

I'm down to the final 3 weeks of my abs quest. They're going to be very challenging, but I think it's going to end well...as long as my wife doesn't kill me before then.

I'm sure it's being said on many a running blog across the interwebs, but I want to add my congratulations for the man who tortured challenged me to get a 6-pack, Chris K of BQ or Die fame, who did as his blog title suggests. No, not die, but BQ! After coming back from a fractured heel last summer, then working on his running form until he was blue in the face, busting out a BQ time in yesterday's Surf City marathon is very impressive. So Chris, again, congratulations! And I don't care what the inmates down at the corrections facility say about you, you're a manly man and a role model to us all. Long may you run fast and injury free.

Heel Update, and Week 4 of Abs

After getting the go-ahead from my doc last week to start incorporating light cycling and swimming into my program, I did some light spinning for 20 minutes on a Lifecycle-type machine on Saturday. While there was no pain nor discomfort during the session, my heel ached all day Sunday and yesterday (around the lower Achilles tendon area; where the scar tissue is). Sooo...maybe I'll skip that for now (or try 10 minutes instead). My current workload is insane this week, but once it lets up, I'll give the local pool a try and see how that feels.

This is week 4 of my Abs Project. If you're interested (and need a good chuckle), feel free to give it a look-see here.

Happy running/training/eating holiday goodies!

Embrace the Change

I've been in a walking boot for nearly 3 weeks. It's also been 3 weeks since my last run of the year (the 2-mile fun run with my daughter), and 16 weeks since I've put in as much as 20 miles of running in a week. So, obviously, not a lot of running-related news coming from the Resurrected Runner camp at the moment (thus the infrequent posts and silly videos).

If you've been following my saga, you know how bummed I was when the injury forced me to stop running. It's not easy to have something you love, something that's a big part of your daily life, suddenly removed. There are both physical and psychological ramifications*.

Fortunately, since I've redirected my physical energies toward another venture, I've been able to bounce back. In fact, I'm actually enjoying the break from running as I get back into weight lifting. I won't go so far as to say I was burned out on running — because I wasn't — but I will say that I was starting to put a lot of pressure on myself to perform at a certain level, thereby making me frustrated when I'd run a disappointing race. I'm all for having time and distance goals, because I thrive on them, but when they create so much stress that something that should be enjoyable borders on being a job, or a chore, then it's time to re-evaluate. I was getting to that point, and the injury was exacerbating** the problem.

So...a switch has finally been flipped in my feeble mind that is allowing me to step back and look at my running — and overall fitness — a bit more objectively. I'm more at peace now, and even though I can't currently get my "aerobic fix", I'm enjoying the challenge of working on "getting my abs" and getting stronger. When the time comes when I can start running again, you can bet I'll be ready.

But until then, I'll definitely survive...and maybe even thrive. And you guys & gals can keep the roads and trails warm for me!


*winner of today's Victorious Vocabulary award
**ooh...double the award!