First Run

Yesterday was my first run post marathon. It was a 2 miler at a nice an easy 11:30 pace. My ankle/heel feels fine today. Tomorrow I'll see if I can do a five miler.

The ankle quit giving me problems when my doctor told me to start taking 800 mg of Ibuprofen three times a day for the next couple weeks.  Not sure if I'll do it that long, but it does seem to work.

Tonight I'm going to a party. Yes, I'm wearing my medal. Does that make me a tool?

New York City Marathon Injury Update

Going into the marathon I had three small issues. One was a foot issue that kept me from running for about 4 days. It was a few months before the marathon. The second one was a right knee issue. I've never had an issue with either knee, but it kept me from running for about four days just 3 weeks before the marathon. The last issue was my left heel barking the week of the marathon. I get this type of pain fairly often and I figured I would just endure it on race day.

The morning of the race I felt pretty good. My heel pain was there, but not an issue. The weather was cool, near 40 degrees when I was in the start village. But, I was bundled up pretty good, so I felt fine and didn't notice any cold until I got on the Verrazano Bridge.

I first noticed pains in my legs around the 11 mile mark. That's way too early, but what are you going to do? I kept moving forward. At some point my feet started hurting and in particular the pad on my right foot. After the race I had a blister and it felt like I was walking on a ketchup packet.

When I was in the Bronx and for a few miles after (19-24 mile mark) I felt my right knee swelling. At least it felt that way. I would touch it, but it didn't feel different. It would keep me from any serious running for most of those miles.

The last 1-2 miles I didn't notice any of these issues. I was able to run like I had just started the race. Three things may have lead to this. One, I took my sweats off around mile 22. The cool weather (still in the 40's) against my bare legs may have given me a second wind, as it where. Two, I thought I had a chance at a Personal Record (PR). Faulty math in my head, I really didn't have a chance at all. Finally, I ate some Chia seeds from a packet I got from the New York Road Runners. They say chia seeds give you some extra umpff.

After the race, I was limping because of the blister. I had a long walk to the subway station. I took one rest break on the curb.

Chafing? I had none. I used vaseline extensively on my upper legs at 6 am and I got some more around mile 23. No chafing what so ever. I hate chafing.

It's now three days later. My only issue is a sore left ankle. It started bothering me on Tuesday. My knee feels fine, the blister on my right foot is almost healed and I don't feel it anymore.

There's a good chance I'll go for a 3 mile run tomorrow.

It was 1999

and I did not run.

I had lived in Arizona for 4 years.

I was in my third year of being a Realtor.

My kids were 6 and 9 years old. Little ones at the elementary school.

Amy and I celebrated our 13th anniversary.

I was 38 years old.

I drove a Mercury Sable.

Amy still worked for May Department Stores in the Credit Department.

It was two years before we took our kids to Disney World. See picture

It was two years before the world changed.

Ten Years Later

I'm older, my kids are taller.

I run 15-25 miles per week.

Amy is a Realtor and I have been for 14 years.

We've lived in Az for 14 years.

I've run 3 Marathons, 11 half marathons and over 50 races.

Amy's made a half dozen quilts or more.

I drive a 2004 Honda Pilot.

Tyler's a Freshman at the U of Arizona.

Emily is soon to become a senior in high school.

Both kids drive!

I've been to California, Nevada, New Mexico, Texas, Ohio, Indiana, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Florida, Utah and just over the border into Mexico. (during this decade)

And today starts a new decade. It should be fun!

My Running Miles

Just short of 800 miles this year. Two injuries slowed me down. The first was an ankle issue that limited my miles in the summer and the second was a left calf issue that I'm currently dealing with.

I'm hoping to do over 1000 miles in 2010 and race many more 5k, 10k, half and full marathons. The first marathon is supposed to be the PF Chang's Rock N Roll here in Arizona on January 17th. I'm thinking with this calf issue I am going to either cut back to the half or DNS it all together.

I hurt all over

Ever since the Tucson Marathon I've hurt all over. I went to my doctor and explained. She was confused, so I showed her by touching my arm and saying 'Oww, that hurts." I then touched my shin and said, 'Oww, that hurts.' I then touched my forehead and said, 'Oww, that hurts.' After looking at my finger, she put a bandaid on it and said my finger was sprained.

Seriously, my back and left calf have kept me out of my Nikes. The back seems to be getting better, but the leg is hurting more and more. I haven't run since Monday, the first day of winter. Only 9 miles run since the marathon. Maybe calling it quits at the 20 mile water stop was the right call. Therefore, I ran on and finished the bloody thing.

Sorry about saying 'bloody thing'. I'm reading a book I got for Christmas written by an English stand up comedian, Tony Hanks. Not the skateboard dude. He likes to say English things like que and quay and bloody thing. The book is "Round Ireland with a Fridge."

It's a true story about a guy that has a bet that he can't hitch hike around Ireland with a fridge. Before you call him daffy (English term) keep in mind he used a small compact fridge and a hand dolly. Then realize that he sold 500,000 copies to the Queen's subjects and that they and other who bought the book are the 'daffy' ones.

I'm not daffy, because it was a gift*. I'd blog more, but I got to get back to the book.

*My son heard me talk about this crazy book I saw in Barnes and Nobles. The library didn't have a copy, so I didn't think I'd ever read it. He went out and bought it for Christmas. What a good kid.

A Slow Road to Recovery

I put off the Xray because my ankle was feeling better. But, not 100%. Finally, I talked to the nurse practioner and she arrange for an Xray, which I had on July 14th.

The conclusion: "Lateral soft tissue swelling and possible tiny avulsion distal fibula."

Recommended therapy: Rest and Ice. I can do that.

So I've rested. Iced. And started power walking, advancing into easy runs.

That's been my summer. I've missed several races, but slowly I'm getting better. I'm way behind on my marathon training. Do you think the Twin Cities Marathon will postpone the race until I'm able to do it?

Didn't think so.

DNS at the Summer Series #2

My wife said I was groaning in my sleep Sunday morning when I should have been out running a 5k race. My ankle was bothering me and I posted my second DNS (Did Not Start) of the year.

Before that, I had a 9 mile long run planned for this weekend. I was going to run it on Saturday. My ankle was bugging me before I even got suited up. After about 1/2 mile I knew I wasn't going to run any where near 9 miles. I ended up walking most of 3 miles with an occasional short jog every now and again.

Before that, I had a softball game on Friday night. My ankle was fine. No issues during the game.

So, how did I come up with an ankle that wouldn't allow me to walk, let alone run a 5k?

I blame my wife, Amy. She put on new sheets. When she does this, my poor feet have no room to roam and they get squished in an awkward position. It's kind of like waking up with a stiff neck. So, I'm a bit behind in my training. But, my ankle feels good today. I'll give it one more day of rest and then go out for a test run tomorrow.

Lesson learned? Fix the damn sheets if they bug you before you go to bed.

The Secret

Have you read the book or seen the movie? The Secret? It's about "The Law of Attraction". Yesterday I read the first couple chapters while I was waiting for a client. It over simplifies the ability that if you think positive and make wanting something a priority then you will attract it. Think of a million bucks and it's yours. Think that you'd love for the nuisance at work to be gone and she gets transferred. Think that you'd like to qualify for Boston and you got it.



So, I immediately thought that I'd love to run without that pain in my heel.



My client showed up and I went to work. Later in the day, I got my issue of Runner's World Magazine. I read it and found on page 115 an ad for Triggerpoint, a seller of self messaging tools.

It shows an arrow with 'symptom' pointing at a runner's heel. Then it shows an arrow with 'problem' and it's pointing at the runner's lower leg. Aha. I attracted this ad into my life. I checked out the website and immediately got my 'Stick' and started working on my lower leg. And my foot feels better.



Now, I do believe in thinking positive and that you can attract what you want into your life if you work towards a goal. I just think it's more complicated than what the authors indicate in the first few chapters. Maybe I'll read further into the book.

Friday's Run & workout:

I got in 2.5 miles on the treadmill with little discomfort in the heel. I then lifted weights, upper body for about 45 minutes at the Tumbleweed Rec Center. Not sure if I trust the treadmill mileage. I was going at a 12 minute pace, but it felt faster. Isn't it just recording the mileage of the belt and if I were to stand on the side rails it would still be recording mileage? Overall, it was a good workout and maybe I've turned the corner with my foot.

Now I can start applying the 'Law of Attraction' to getting a million bucks!

Biggest Loser and my foot

Last nite I spent 65 minutes on the exercise bike while I watched the Biggest Loser. It was the makeover show (not my favorite episode) and they all looked good except for Vicky. The dyed her hair red, but they should have done it black and white like Cruella deVil.

Vicky is just a mean nasty lady. I'm hoping it's just acting for TV or choice editing by the producer, because no one should be that mean in real life.

On the Injury Front

Thanks for all the insight. I do appreciate all your comments.

I've had Plantar Fascitis before and it's always worse first thing in the morning. I can barely put my foot down on the floor or walkto the bathroom. Steps are a killer. By mid afternoon it's gone, but the next morning it's just as painful. It's inactivity that makes PF hurt. I believe the tendor or plantar gets tight and thus hurts. This is not that.

I think it's either a stress fracture or tendonitis. First thing in the morning my heel feels great. I can walk to the bathroom with no problem. But, when I start to walk or run, then it hurts. I can run a race and put up with the minor pain, but afterward it really hurts. Right now my heel just feels achy and tired and that's from walking around showing houses.

Let's hope it's tendonitis and rest, ice and some ibuprofen is the winning combination.

The final option is that Vicky (Biggest Loser) has a voodoo doll of me and is pricking the heel with a pin. She's mean enough to do that, you know.

The Gym and The foot.

After my PR run on Thanksgiving morning I didn't run again until last night. 3 and a half days off. I could still feel pain in my left heel. Not the whole heel. I can push my finger on one spot and feel the pain. It feels like it's in the meat, not the bone.

So, off I went to the Tumbleweed Rec Center. I immediately tested it on the treadmill. Did a mile in just over 10 minutes. It hurt some. Not enough to were I had to stop, but enough that I wondered if I was keeping it from getting better. It's been 16 days since I've run outside, not counting the two races I ran in and it's only gotten moderately better.

I continued to do my "Run for Life" weight routine. First Upper body, then the lower body. I pushed myself a little bit harder this time and was happy with the workout.

Then, back to the treadmill for another mile, I thought. I could feel my heel alot more this time and I stopped within the first minute. Here's hoping I see some improvement on the heel this week.

Has anyone had any issues like this? Is it tondenitis? Is it a stress fracture?

Book #4

"Dreams from My Father" by President Elect Barack Obama is an amazing autobiography of Obama's earlier years. Not his political years, but up to his time entering law school and his wedding. It doesn't matter if you are a democrat, independent or republican, this book makes you feel like you know Obama as a friend would. I highly recommend it for any american. For anyone in the world, for that matter.

My son, Tyler bought it for me as a birthday present and bought the large print edition. It was actually easier to read for this old man and so I might buy other books in large print.

Obama did have one quote that is useful to a long distance runner. A lesson learned from his step father, Lolo in Indonesia. It wasn't said then about running, just about enduring. He said, "The trick is not caring that it hurts." *

*I should note that Obama wasn't talking about not caring about an injury that could become worse and limit one's physical ability. This was in reference to enduring pain so that you can accomplish greater things. I'm sure our President Elect would want me to take care of my heel. Or am I just being a wimp?

A Good Test Run

Yesterday I tried running. I walked about 200 feet and turned around as my foot was still giving me a little problem. I'm medicating with Ibuprofen, icing and using a tennis ball on my foot like Chad suggested. Tonight I ran. Just two miles around the neighborhood, but it was pain free. I ran at an 11 minute pace and hopefully, if it doesn't hurt in the morning I can do 4 or 5 miles tomorrow.

Here's some pictures from my first run in Indiana. This is the Harry Potter run.

It started out running between the corn rows on a nice flat country road.

I ran past this century farm. It's been in the same family for over 100 years. The name on the mailbox is Ade, which is (I believe) the family that Purdue's football stadium is named after (Ross-Ade Stadium).

Across the street from the farm is the family cemetery. Some of the tombstones were so old you couldn't read them. Many of them were pre 1900 burials. One Ade monument was freshly dug.

As I rounded the corner, I had to contend with a large downhill. This was the view at the bottom. Unfortunately, it had a matching hill that I had to climb later.

Hill Street Blues

20 miles of hills may not be what the doctor ordered. It's way more hilly here in Indiana and Ohio than it is in good ole' Chandler. And my right big toe does not like it.

I DNS'd (did not start) today at Tyler's Run. The morning after my 11 miler, my big toe hurt. I didn't know why, since it was fine during the run. The only thing I can think of was that the excessive hills have given me a case of Metatarsalgia. Now the ball of my right foot hurts and I can barely move my big toe.

I ran again in Ohio near my folks home on Thursday. I got 4.5 miles in and some more hills. On Friday, I could barely walk. All my runs have been enjoyable and pain free on this trip, but I didn't want to push it for the race today.

The cure is rest and ice. Hopefully, the airplane trip today won't create any swelling.

and the doctor said. . .

Mile 1274, Chandler, AZ-So I woke up this morning and headed over to the doctors. I thought it was an emergency, but they made me use a different entrance. My doctor is gone, so I got a new doctor. Dr. Cool. NO, that's her real name. Honest. Anyway, the nurse took my blood pressure and said, "Is your BP always this low?". Turns out it was 100/80 and yeah, it's always that low after she checked my chart. Then Dr. Cool entered. I told her about my marathon and my now bloated knee. I was expecting her to pull out the needle and drain the sucker. She felt my knee and basically called me a wimp. Her exact words were something like, "it's just over use and some ice will solve the problem. Have you been icing it?" The doc also looked at my blood tests and said I could stop taking statins for my cholestorol. So, all in all, a good doctors visit. Isn't that cool?

So, I guess it's time to stop being a wimp and start to chisel my body.


I got in 2.6 miles tonight in just over 30 minutes. I felt great. Ran 95% of the time at a nice steady pace. It's good to be back running.

Drops of Jupiter

Mile 1268, Chandler, AZ - My first run since this month and I was sweating drops of jupiter. Can you name the band on that song? Hint - the lead singer has the same name as me.

I just wanted to test the knee. 3 slow miles to Desert Breeze Lake and back. It turned into 3.45 miles in 42 minutes. About 1/3 of a mile in I noticed my left leg and foot felt way more tired than the right side. At around 2 miles I felt a slight needle type pain behind my knee. I think I was just noticing anything that could possible go wrong. Sort of like when you hear noises at night.

The real test is to see if my knee swells up tonight. If not, I'll probably do another 3 miler tomorrow and take it real slow.

Answer - Don't click on this if you don't want to know yet.

Wouldn't it be great if blogger remembered names, places and words that you previously linked to and would give you a drop down box to link to them again. I can't be the first one to think of this. Does anyone know a solution?

BlogWalkRun - Pat's Team

Here's our team stats. 209.7 team miles. The leader is Eric with 56.3 unbelievable miles. Way to go. Jeff, Cheryl, Karen, Lisa and Katie R. all posted plus 20 mile weeks.

Follow all the teams at the Walk Across Arizona Leaderboard.

Injury Report: My knee swelling has gone down considerably. Hopefully, I will get a run in this afternoon. It won't be long, but it will be needed.

Water on the Knee?

My left knee is full of fluid. Not sure why. It doesn't hurt much, but I can't bend it over 90 degrees either. I played softball on it tonight and got a pinch runner each time I got on base. Some occasional pain behind the knee. It feels weak. I'm going to rest it over the weekend. No long run with the TRC. If it's still swollen on Monday, it'll be time to go visit the doctor.

Now for the good news. Ice-T is now my neighbor. Well, not next door neighbor. Well, not in the same square mile. But, same city. 4.34 miles away. Honest. OK, maybe he lives closer to J-mom and K-pokey. But, he lives in a Shea Laguna model, I live in a Shea Newport model. We're practically best buddies. I hope his knee is ok.

Hey, Ice do you want to go for a run when my knee is better?

Plantar fasciitis

Mile 1241, Chandler, AZ -As you may know I've been battling some PF pain. Every morning I wake up and I can barely walk. I've had this before and I know that it gets better as I get a chance to stretch out my PF.
But, it hasn't gotten better until today. So, tonight I got to run. I picked a soft service, can you guess where I ran?

I got in 2.26 miles walk at the end because my left foot was starting to hurt and I didn't want to overdue it. We'll see how it feels tomorrow. I have a doubleheader against the first place team tomorrow nite and a possible 5k on Saturday. Will just have to wait and see.

The Beginning of Baseball Season

I am sorry I haven't posted much lately. There's two reasons.


One. My knee has been bothering me. If I run 2-3 times in a 3-4 day time period, my knee starts hurting. It's getting better, so I am resting it. Last week I ran 15 miles over 3 days. I'm hoping I can get it calmed down so that I can get back up to the 25 miles per week I was at.

Two. It's baseball season and I love baseball. The last three nites I went to the Dbacks games against my beloved Cincinnati Reds. When I can go see the Reds, I watch them on Directv. When the Reds aren't on, I watch other teams. Right now I have the Twins-Devil Rays game on. You know you love baseball when you're watching twins/devil rays. Usually I watch Reds, Dbacks, Cardinals, national league and then american league. In that order. Below is a picture of the Reds celebrating a win over the Dbacks. The Dbacks took the first two games in the series.



So, due to the lack of running updates and the lack of time from baseball I haven't had much to write about.

Tonight I was planning to run. But, it is extremely windy. If the wind dies down, I'm runnin'.

Pat

Another Good Run

I do like running after the sun goes down. Even if it's 80 degrees. After I stretched, I ran my neighborhood route. I could feel my knee. Slight discomfort. Nothing that would make me stop doing an activity, but enough to make me wonder if I was doing damage and if it would get progressively worse. But after about 2 miles the pain went away and I was running sub 12 minute miles.

I was listening to my Ipod, running against traffic and being very aware of cars when I heard the roar of an engine. I turned around to spot the car and didn't see anything. I thought that it might have been part of the music so I listened, then turned around again. No car. Finally, I looked up and saw a Cessna or some other small plane overhead. We have a small airport and the planes circle over our neighborhood to land on the only runway.

Isn't it great that Baseball is back? I have Directv's baseball package and I've seen all or part of about a dozen games already. The Dbacks just lost a tough one. I taped the end of the Mets/Cards game, in which the Mets were winning. I can now watch it as I cool down from my run.

Oh yeah, my run was 5 miles in an hour and 2 minutes. If my knee feels fine tomorrow I'll do another 5 miler in the evening. Hope your running is going well.

And on the Seventh Day he rested. . .

. . .like I have been doing all week.

After my half marathon down in Tucson, I drove back home and stopped three times on the way. Each time I crawled out of my car just to stretch my legs. Specifically my left knee. This race took more out of me than the other two half's. I made it home in one piece and decided to take a few days off to allow my knee to get better. But, on Monday my back was killing me. I haven't had any back problems since I started running. In fact, my back has responded very well to the lose of weight. So all week I have been stretching my back and slowly it is getting better. The knot is on my right side, which effects my pitching in softball. It also effects my head turning for driving and general moving around.

My few days off has turned into having the whole week off of running. Luckily, the softball tournament that was to begin last night was rained out (wet fields). So, I have another week to recuperate before the tournament and hopefully I'll be back to running in the next few days.

I guess it's a sign when at the end of the race I had a race crew member and one of the aid station staff ask me if I was all right.

My All Time Five Favorite Runs

1. PF Chang’s Rock N’ Roll 2007 Half Marathon January, 2007

My first half marathon. Loved the crowds, atmosphere, bands and it was the first time I ran a long distance and not had to retrace my steps. It was from downtown Phoenix to ASU. The final 100 yards in front of thousands of people, with the announcer calling out my name is something I’ll never forget.

2. Lost Dutchman 2007 Half Marathon February 2007

Oh so scenic. Views of the Superstition Mountains, running thru the desert on dirt roads and hills. I even beat my time from the Rock N’ Roll half ran one month before.

3. Bumble Bee 2006 Big Balloon 5k in San Diego

Ran in downtown San Diego along the bay. At the start of the race, they had grandstands full of people getting ready to watch the parade for the Holiday Bowl (Texas A& M v. California) and we got to start the race in front of them.This was a PR too.

4. My First 10 miler in Gilbert 11/18/2006

Ran along the canal all by myself. I thought it was a big deal at the time to get into double digits. The last half mile, I had to cross Gilbert Road in middle of the Gilbert Days Parade. I even got a few cheers from people watching the parade as I ran right down the street between floats. For some reason there was a large gap at the perfect time.

5. First Run – June, 2006

For some reason, in the middle of the summer in Arizona (yes it was over 100 degrees), I put on my runnin’ shoes and ran about 1/10 of a mile. I finished walking around the block and was convinced I was a runner. Total mileage for that day was about ¾ of a mile and I haven’t looked back yet.

5. Run for Brooke, Sept., 2006

This is probably tied with my first run. Less than 3 months after my first run, I ran/walked my first 5k. I ran it in 42:15, but I felt great about it. I crossed the finish line, handed my camera to a spectator and then went and crossed it again to get a finish line picture.

Today’s Run:

I DNS’d two morning runs in a row, so I paid the price by running at 3 pm in the Arizona sun. It was in the mid 80’s and not a cloud in the sky. I just wanted to get in a 30-40 minute run and I did with a 30:15 for 2.56 miles. I could have gone further, but I was at my driveway and I was a bit concerned about my knee.

My Knee:

It used to hurt only when I first started walking. Getting up from my desk, car seat, etc. After I ‘loaded’ my knee 4-5 times the pain would go away and I’d be fine. Now it hurts then and for the first 3-4 minutes when I run. Then the pain goes away and I’m fine. I’ll ask about it when I see my doctor. I just got a blood test, so that she can tell me how well I’m doing lowering my cholesterol and weight. In the meantime, I will do the exercises that I found in the last issue of Runner’s World to strengthen my glutes, hips and quads and to stretch my IT band and other things.

Speaking of my legs, I went to see Body Worlds III at the Science Museum. I believe it is also in Dallas and Chicago. It is an amazing exhibit of the anatomy using real human cadavers. Yes, you see actual people that have donated there bodies to science. These bodies have had a type of plastic injected into them and you see them in different poses. If you get a chance, it is a most see. What impressed me most, was seeing an IT band. I’ve read about them in running articles, but to see one was pretty cool.