2011 retrospective

Well, this week was another non-run, gym-elliptical one. I did try and hike a little bit (1/2 an hour), but that did inflame the bursa on my foot, so not too successful. I do have very high hopes for the next month.

Stats for the week:
Run: 24.2 mi, 3:48 hrs (all on elliptical)
Walk: 1 mi, 30 mins
Yoga: 1x, 1:30
Bodyweight: 3x2, 2:40 (heavy-duty)

December Stats:
96.4 miles running, 15:51 hrs
11.2 miles walking, 3:55 hrs
3.5 miles biking, 0:15 hrs
111.1 miles moving, 20.01 hrs, this averages out to 5 hours per week...

In terms of the year retrospective... I was out for 7 weeks in February-March for a torn calf muscle. I've been out five weeks so far for this crazy metatarsal bursa issue. Other than those, I had a pretty good year for a newbie ultra runner, or runner in general.

I PR'ed in the Old Sandwich 1/2 Marathon Road Race (2:07:01), I ran my first 50K and then road marathon - the Vermont 50 and the Cape Ann Marathon. During both I experienced bad IT pain at about mile 21. For the Marathon it wasn't so bad, it practically crippled me (I walked the last 5 miles) for the 50K.

2011 Stats:
907.3 miles running, 173:50 hrs, over 181 events
200.3 miles walking, 66:02 hrs, over 151 events
133.1 miles biking, 11:24 hrs, over 14 events
41.1 miles hiking, 27:55 hrs, over 6 events
3.0 miles snow-shoe, 1:30 hrs, over 3 events
1.6 miles swimming, 2:00 hrs, over 3 events
1,286.4 miles moving, 282:41 hrs
33:05 hours weights/body-weight, over 100 events
17:00 hours yoga, over 11 events

All in all, 332:46 hrs of exercise this year = 6.4 hours per week!

Monthly run specifics:
Dec 96.4 mi, 15:51:01
Nov 89.5 mi, 18:15:24
Oct 99.3 mi, 18:46:35
Sep 106.4 mi, 23:30:02
Aug 94.5 mi, 18:13:49
Jul 77.5 mi, 15:53:30
Jun 75.2 mi, 12:52:34
May 66.2 mi, 12:02:34
Apr 54.5 mi, 10:08:09
Mar 34.6 mi, 7:06:40
Feb 38.0 mi, 6:47:28
Jan 75.1 mi, 14:21:43

Still indoors...

This is still sucking...even standing and very little walking is making the bursa flame up. On the other-hand, I'm pretty good on the elliptical...

Stats for the week:
Run: 21.7 mi, 3:42 hrs (on elliptical)
Walk: 2 mi, 0:40 hrs
Bodyweight: 3x2, 2:10 hrs, continuing the heavy-duty!

December Stats:
72.25 miles running, 12:03 hrs
86.00 miles moving, 15:48 hrs

Another week inside :-(

This really sucks - another week of not running and no significant improvement...

Stats for the week:
Run: 21.75 mi, 3:29 hrs (entirely on elliptical)
Walk: 4.25 mi, 1:30 hrs
Bodyweight: 3x3, heavy-duty weights this week!

December Stats:
50.5 miles running, 8:21 hrs
62.25 miles moving, 11:26 hrs

Metatarsal Bursitis

OK - well, that's what I have developed from the stupid injury to the bottom of my foot that could have been completely avoided if I had only worn heavier duty trail shoes (with a rock plate). Ugh... Anyway, did use the elliptical a lot this week - maybe 19 miles of equivalence, but that also disturbs the bursa and my foot is swollen and hurts the next day.

I have over a week off come Christmas and I really wanted to do a lot of trail running, maybe even a trail 1/2 race. So, as much as I hate this, I am going to only do weight training and swimming (if I can bear that) this week. Even biking puts a lot of stress and weight on the ball of my foot.

So, the stats for the week are:
Run: 18.7 mi, 3:16 hrs (entirely on elliptical)
Walk: 3 mi, 1:00 hr
Bodyweight: 3x2

December Stats:
28.75 miles running, 4:52 hrs
36.25 miles moving, 6:27 hrs

Injury week ... again

My foot was just terrible this week. It didn't hurt on Monday but I had a biopsy (on my uterus) and walked a couple of miles. The next day and all week, not only was my neck and back cramped up (due to flipping out over the pain of the biopsy), the ball of my foot kept flaring up. I tried taking the week off, but it didn't fix it entirely. So I did the elliptical yesterday and today. What a waste of a perfect weather weekend - won't get many more like these...

Well, I certainly learned my lesson about wearing non-rock plate aka "minimal" shoes (my Inov-8's) when the leaves are covering the rocks. If I hadn't worn them on the Wapack a few weeks ago, the original injury wouldn't have occurred. Although I didn't wear them last Saturday at Foxboro, the leaves covered the rocks, and I still re-injuried it...

OK, I totally need to do my shoe review because I think it would be helpful to others - and as a reminder to myself!

Oiy vey!

Stats for the week:
Run: 10 mi (entirely on elliptical)
Bike: 3.5 mi (entirely on fake bike)
Walk: 2.5 mi
Bodyweight: 2 x

December Stats:
10.0 miles running
14.5 miles moving

Final November Stats:
89.6 miles running, 18:15 hrs
124.5 miles moving, 26:00 hrs

Still not up to 30

Tried to build up to 30 this week but two injuries got in the way. My right ball of foot and then right IT band slowed and then stopped me. At least I got a bike ride in...

Stats for the week:
Run: 23.8 mi
Bike: 12.4 mi
Walk: 5.1 mi
Bodyweight: 3 x

November Stats:
89.6 miles running
123.0 miles moving

A funny week

Originally I was going to do 28 miles this week to build back up to a 30 standard. About 1/2 way I realized I should have taken a low week as part of an increase on two and back on the third. I ended up sort of in the middle. I probably should have done a lot less. My knees ache a bit, it took my upper quads days to recover from the Wapack trail last Saturday. I was pretty not inspired for body-weight exercises either..anyway...

Stats this week:
Run: 23.3 mi
Walk: 3.5 mi
Bodyweight: 2x

November Stats:
65.8 miles running
81.7 miles moving

Heading back up

Stats for the week:
Run: 24.3 mi
Walk: 4 mi
Bodyweight: 3x

November Stats:
42.5 miles running
54.9 miles moving

Back up to 20

Stats for the week:
Run: 21.7 mi
Bike: 5.4 mi
Walk: 4.5 mi
Bodyweight: 2x

November Stats:
18.2 miles running
26.6 miles moving

Final October Stats:
99.2 miles running
125.9 miles moving

sloth week...

Stats for the week:
Run: 11.6 mi
Walk: 3.5 mi
Bodyweight: 2x

October Stats:
95.7 miles running
120.9 miles moving

Cape Ann marathon week

The Cape Ann marathon was a fantastic course. There were only about 40-50 people who ran, so it could have used a few more - but not too many! The views were the best - very nice course. There was only a few short miles of connecting road that had traffic and no sidewalk.

My ITS kicked in at exactly 21 miles and it made some of those last five rough. I walked more on the downhills and was able to kick it back up for the last two miles.

Weekly stats:
Run: 34.4 mi
Walk: 4 mi
Bodyweight: 2x

October Stats:
84.1 miles running
105.8 miles moving

2 weeks before marathon...

Weekly Stats:
Run: 21.4 mi
Walk: 6 mi
Bodyweight: 2x

October Stats:
49.7 miles running
67.4 miles moving

2 weeks post...

Weekly stats:
Run: 17.3 mi
Walk: 4.5 mi
mtn Bike: 7.2 mi
Bodyweight: 2x

October stats:
28.3 miles running
40 miles moving

week after 31 miles

Stats for the week:
Run: 14 mi
Walk: 2.5 mi
mtn Bike: 6.2 mi
Bodyweight: 2x

October stats:
11 miles running
11 miles moving

Vermont 50k ultra week

This week it was very hard to not run very much.  I was trying to keep a real low taper week and try and get extra sleep.  The extra sleep didn't really work out and I got between 6-7 hours per night.

The drive to Vermont was nice and the rain stopped.  We took the scenic way across to the mountain for packet pickup and then north to the hotel - which was OK.

Today was a pretty nice day although it started out much more humid than expected.  I had planned on it being a nice cool autumn day...but to no avail!

The course was just stunningly beautiful!  I'd like to run it again next year.  The bikers were mostly friendly and nice but it gets really annoying having to move off of the trail to let them by constantly, and then when you are going uphill they don't like having to move themselves and their heavy bike out of the way...

My IT band in my right leg started up at about 21 miles, the left side started up at about 25 miles.  The last 5 miles were pretty excruciating!  It took an hour and a half to go that distance.  Downhill steps were the most painful.  Before the IT bands, my feet started killing me at about 14 miles.  I should have changed into my heavier Cascadia's instead of staying in the Peregrines...

When my feet hurt I kind of felt like I could stop, but once I hit 21 and my legs started hurting, I wasn't going to let anything stop me until I finished....weird kind of head stuff that goes on.

Its amazing to me that my pretty mild training was totally fine.  My only issues were with my shoes and my IT band - that always rears its head.  My muscles, lungs, and heart were all set!

Stats for the week:
Run: 36.1 mi
Walk: 4 mi
Bodyweight: 1x

Devoured....

Dinner of champions....

10 miles to go

After 12.5

Jen's badastinita garb!

Jen

Starting....

reminders...

Jen

Lisa

Almost there...

On the drive to VT50

Another taper week

Stats for this taper week:

Run: 20.4 mi
Walk: 5 mi
Bodyweight: 1 times

1st taper week

Felt very strange to do less this week...

Run: 26.2 m
Walk: 3 mi
Bodyweight: 3 times

Hard week in many ways

Not only was this supposed to be my hardest week before the 50k, I lost power for over four days AND my car was smashed by a giant limb from our tree and car is in shop.

Stats for the "hard" week:
Run: 32.2 mi
Walk: 4.2 mi

Rest week

Stats:

Run: 19.8 mi
Walk: 4 mi
Bodyweight: 3 times

30 for first time

Stats:

Run: 30.1 mi
Walk: 2.4 mi
Bodyweight: 2 times

Annual hiking weekend

Stats:

Hike: 26.3 mi
Run: 5 mi
Walk: 2 mi
Bodyweight: 1 times

Mt Tom

Ripley
Latitude:44.21028
Longitude:-71.44525
GPS location Date/Time:08/13/2011 14:49:00 EDT

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Mt Field

Ripley
Latitude:44.19644
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Mt Willey

Ripley
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Starting Day 2

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Done w/ day 1

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Coming down Lowe's Path 2

Ripley
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Coming down Lowe's Path 1

Ripley
Latitude:44.33131
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Coming off of Mt Adams

Ripley
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Mt Adams

Ripley
Latitude:44.32059
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Gulfside Trail - approaching Mt Adams

Ripley
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Off of Jefferson

Ripley
Latitude:44.31004
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Mt Jefferson

Ripley
Latitude:44.30426
Longitude:-71.31662
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Approaching Jefferson 2

Ripley
Latitude:44.30913
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Approaching Jefferson 1

Ripley
Latitude:44.31846
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Up Randolph path to Mt Jefferson

Ripley
Latitude:44.34045
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Going up Lowe's path to Randolph path

Ripley
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Starting Day 1 (Jefferson and Adams)

Ripley
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Almost 30

Weekly Stats:

Run: 28.2 mi
Hike: 1 mi
Walk: 2.5 mi
Bodyweight: 4 times

July Stats

Stats for the month of July:

Ran 77.5 miles over 16 runs, average pace of 12:19
Biked 12.7 miles in 1 event
Hiked 11.3 miles during 1 event
Walked 19 miles over 16 days
Swam 1/2 mile once
Did 9 sessions of body-weight workouts

Running @ 20 again

Weekly Stats:

Run: 20.4 mi
Walk: 5.5 mi
Bodyweight: 2 times

Hiking week

Stats for the week:

Hike: 11.4 mi (The Kinsmans)
Run: 6.5 mi
Swim: 0.5 mi
Walk: 3 mi
Bodyweight: 3 times

Done w/ the Kinsman's

Ripley
Latitude:44.1194
Longitude:-71.68134
GPS location Date/Time:07/24/2011 18:52:29 EDT

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Hiking out of Cascade Brook trail

Ripley
Latitude:44.12193
Longitude:-71.68979
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Hiking by Kinsman Pond

Ripley
Latitude:44.13823
Longitude:-71.73376
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North Kinsman overloop

Ripley
Latitude:44.13348
Longitude:-71.73648
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South Kinsman Mountain

Ripley
Latitude:44.12292
Longitude:-71.73645
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Approaching North Kinsman

Ripley
Latitude:44.13868
Longitude:-71.7294
GPS location Date/Time:07/24/2011 13:44:45 EDT

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Lonesome Lake

Ripley
Latitude:44.13853
Longitude:-71.70224
GPS location Date/Time:07/24/2011 11:34:16 EDT

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Approaching Lonesome Lake

Ripley
Latitude:44.13029
Longitude:-71.70438
GPS location Date/Time:07/24/2011 11:15:54 EDT

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Changing the week

Stats for the week (now Monday through Sunday):

Run: 23.9 mi
Walk: 5.5 mi
Bodyweight: 2x

Disappointing week

Stats for the week:
Run: 16 mi
Walk: 3 mi
Body-exercise: 3 times

The runs were so hard all week, even though I was running slowly. I just felt beat all the time and tired, legs were filled with lead. Thursday's run wasn't as bad as Monday and Tuesday's, so I thought today would be OK. I ended up waking up with a migraine - on the first sunny day in days...and slept for 3 extra hours and lost the whole day. I ended up doing a short 3 mile run because I just wanted to. I was supposed to do 20 this week so I could be "doing" 20 per week regularly...oh well

Prepping for the 48s

It's been a long time since I've hiked a 48...been running....but there are some in my future (oh isn't this what it's all about anyway?)...and I need to get my knees in shape. After the 48s there may be an ultra in my future. That is where my goals may take me. So....

I ran almost 7 miles at Blue Hills today. Originally I was planning on running the Skyline Trail 8 miles (4 out and back), but ended up running about 3 miles on it and then bailed on less rocky trails for the remainder. I also walked the last 1/4 mile. My time was awful. It may be I'm just tired from a very active week this week, or I'm just old and out of shape...Wasn't too smart to start running right up the first hill without much of a warm-up. 15 minutes in, my heart was pounding and I was gasping. I was passing a lot of people, even whilst hiking the steep parts! I went straight up Tucker then Buck hills.

Had to walk some of the downhills which were steep and gravely...then headed across route 28 and up Chickatawbut. I found some nicely packed with little rocks or root trails and ran those for awhile (the first 3 miles were knarley as hell) I also tuckered out completely at five - bugs were bugging and feet were hurting (stupid La Sportiva shoes too loose) - but once I got on green dot (very easy) trail, I was good for another two. I don't think I'm ready for the 7.5 mile Skyline race next weekend though...My GPS said it was 3172 feet of ascent, but I think it was more like 2000.

I ran 3.5 miles last Sunday at a 9:29 pace (much faster than any normal pace I do when not racing). On Tuesday I walked the treadmill at an 8 incline (out of 10) for a mile at 3 mph. Wednesday it was extremely humid (94%), but I ran almost 6 miles at a 10:11 pace.  Thursday I decided I would start trying to increase my speed - maybe for a 5K.  So, not warming up as much as I should have - I ran 3.5 miles but 2 of those at an 8:20 pace!  I didn't think I had it in me...it didn't feel all that hard.  I also didn't run with compression for the first time since the calf tear.  Yesterday I did almost 13 miles on the bike at a pretty good clip (14 mph) - but it felt easy to me.  I also started this morning doing a 2.5/1.5 walk/run for 25 minutes with Bethany.  So, I guess it makes sense that I was a bit run down today...

Stats this week:
Run: 19.5 mi
Bike: 12.7 mi
Walk: 7.5 mi

June Stats

Stats for the month of June:

Ran 75.2 miles over 16 runs, average pace of 10:17 (the most in one month so far)
Biked 32.0 miles in 1 event
Walked 21.7 miles in 15 days
Did 6 hours of Yoga in 5 classes

Test and moving up to a steady 20

Weekly Stats:
Run: 19.3 mi
Walk: 7.8 mi
Yoga: 2:00

Reviews (soon):
Nathan pack
Amphipod
Camelbak waist
Camelbak handheld
Adidas Marathon 10
Blackberry / Android

The week after the half

Monday ran 4.5 in the Puma Faas 500. First time in a long time. These are awesome shoes. My pace is always faster when I where these. Very light, not a lot of drop, cushioned, rolls really nice. Only problem with them the tongue moves around too much possibly because of the spongy laces.

Ran Wednesday and Friday and then biked 31 miles, sorta with Jen, on the Cumberland rail trail and beyond.

Stats for the week:

Run: 14 mi

Bike: 31 mi
Walk: 4.5 mi

Yoga: 1:30

Thursday had to take Penelope in for another chest tap - Friday she really was doing well but tonight starting to not eat as much again.

After the Old Sandwich Half Marathon

This weeks stats:
Run: 26.6 mi
Walk: 1 mi
Yoga: 3:00

Most of the 26 was the 1/2 marathon. Jen and I met Scott in Plymouth. They ran "slow" together - like a minute and a half faster per mile than me...

The race course was really nice except for the last few miles on a busy road. The beginning was great and so was the first 5 or so miles on a dirt road. To bad it couldn't be an out and back. I dropped like 25 minutes from the first (and only other) 1/2 I did last October, and did it in 2:07. Oh - they could have had more food that all people can eat (peanut butter and jelly, veggy soup, bread and cheese, etc...)

I really had no stiffness afterwards.

On Tuesday, Penelope was supposed to go to the vet for a cysto to see if she may have an infection causing the Kidney values to he high.  She went into CHF and labored breathing while there and needed a chest tap.  She almost died.

Week before the Old Sandwich Half Marathon

Tried to take it easy this week on the running but still run enough, stretch and roll to keep me ready to run 13.1 miles for the Old Sandwich Half Marathon on Sunday.  Since the calf tear my longest run has only been 10Ks...

This weeks stats turned out to be:
Run: 6.8 mi
Walk: 4 mi
Yoga: 1:30:00

Testing the week before a half...

Was going to try a long run but ended up with too much mileage and did two back to back 5s with a couple of 4's earlier in the week. Also did yoga and outdoor body-weight exercises...

Run: 17.8 mi
Walk: 3 mi
Weights: 50:00
Yoga: 1:30:00

yikes - got to talk about the shoes!

A little lightness (taking a down week)

Since injuring my calf, I have been trying to ramp up to where I left off.  I realized this may not be the best thing since my knee has been aching and it never did before, and my arch has been aching and it never did before...you get the picture.

I am forcing myself to have a 1 light week this week, and to forgo the race today.  The weather was supposed to totally suck (but it was just hot), and my hair is so long it won't stand up (I got a hair cut), etc., etc.  I actually would have liked to hike one of the 48s...Garfield, East Osceola or Liberty and Flume.  Maybe next weekend.

Anyway, I ran a three mile, four mile and 10K this week.  Did about a minute better on the 10K time than two weeks ago and it was way hotter.

Stats for the week:

Run: 13.2 mi

Walk: 4.5 mi

Weights: 20:00

Yoga: 1:30:00

Check out this Cool Laphroaig cartoon video!

Week before a road 10K

This week I went a little up in mileage again by accident (sort of):

Run: 17.4 mi
Walk: 5 mi
Weights: 60

I want to run a marathon in Maine in October. I'd like to do a 50K or more next year. I'll really need to bring my weekly mileage up. I ran Monday, Wednesday, Friday and today and my pace was really slow. I did this somewhat on purpose, but I think the heat/humidity (OK it's only 60 degrees), is already starting to affect me. My goal is a steady 20 miles a week and then move up slowly to a steady 30 miles. Hopefully I'll speed up a bit too so it doesn't take so long...

The little outdoor circuit training is going well and is much more fun than lifting weights - although I do still call it doing "weights"...

I love my old Asics 1150. Yes, I am slower in them, but they are like a comfy Cadillac on a slow scenic ride. I wore them on Wednesday and Friday. Today I wore the Puma Faas 500's. Monday I wore the Adidas Marathon 10's - first time since the calf tear. I really liked wearing them but worried about the calf the whole time.

Going to be doing a road 10K next Saturday. Today I was thinking I should go climb another 4000 footer next Saturday instead...

week 24

This, the final week, is a bust because I'm not getting to run the Wapack today for which I have been training this whole winter (and why I had a stupid calf tear). Anyway, the stats for the week:

Run: 13.8 mi
Bike: 14 mi
Walk: 4.5 mi
Weights: 30:00
Yoga: 1:30:00

Biked again - this time at the Cumberland Rail trail and kept a decent speed going. The runs were much better with my knee wrapped up. Did a 10K at Stater at just over an hour. Am looking forward to doing a real 10K race on the 21st at under an hour.

My arches have been aching a lot. I'm thinking from running without my overly supportive 1150's, and also trying to wear less supportive shoes for work. We will see.

week 23

This week:

Run: 11.8 mi
Bike: 13.1 mi
Swim: 0.6 mi
Walk: 4 mi
Weights: 20:00

Hey - I biked (for real) and swam this week! Knee was a little better on Friday - only tweaked on the graveyard uneven uphills...

Merrell Womens Pace Glove Shoes

Check out the giveaway!

week 22

This week:

Run: 11.8 mi
Walk: 2 mi
Weights: 1:05:00

Had knee pain issues all week. Primarily ran in my Asics 1150 and once in the Puma Faas 500's. My left arch has been aching as well - I think from the softer shoes.

week 21

This weeks stats:

Run: 19.3 mi
Walk: 4 mi
Weights: 20:0

week 20

This weeks stats:

Run: 11.5 mi
Walk: 7.3 mi
Weights: 1:20:00
Yoga: 1:30

Yesterday had the face stitches removed...

week 19

This week's stats:

Hike: 2.5 mi
Run: 5.3 mi
Walk: 7 mi
Strength: 2 hrs

On Sunday me and The Lu went hiking at Foxboro. I tried a little running but calf seemed to start cramping up. So hiked instead and while not paying attention, I tweaked my right ankle. Still hiked another mile. Ankle was sore all week and tender to the touch.

On Tuesday, my calf seized up pretty quickly even though I was stopping and stretching regularly. Thursday I was able to run/walk for 3.5 miles.

And yesterday, Friday, I had the basal cell removed from my face. That was complete torture. Give me 100 miles instead...

week 18

This weeks stats:

Elliptical: 7.3 mi
Run: 2.5 mi
Walk: 5 mi
Strength: 1.5 hrs

Funny thing getting an injury when you've used all your years of experience (decades) to be so very careful to not do stupid things. My calf had been doing better - well I never had a calf tear before and the little running, walking and elliptical seemed to be OK.

I tried a real run on Sunday and my calf cramped up at 35 minutes - which lead to a few days of limping around again. So worked out, walked, and did the elliptical the rest of the week. So essentially only ran for 2.5 miles.

week 17

This weeks stats:

Elliptical: 2.8 mi
Run: 1.8 mi
Walk: 10 mi
Weights: 20 min

walked a lot this week and did the elliptical for 35 minutes

ran on the treadmill for 1.75 miles very slow and the calf didn't wig-out

oh yeah - yesterday had a big chunk of skin taken out of my back near my spine and bra-strap area: pre-cancer thing

much have gotten too much sun as a child

week 16 and more

This weeks stats:

Elliptical: 1:27:00
Run: 1.5 mi
Walk: 4 mi
Weights: 50 min

Well...I did have a semi-successful run/walk on the treadmill for 1.5 miles last Sunday. No sudden cramp-ups but calf was tight and ready. Did the elliptical for 32 and 55 minutes on Wednesday and today.

I'm having a theory about why my calf tore four weeks ago...

I had been running on the same pair of road running shoes for over five years. They were a mild stability shoe although I don't know if I had any reason to believe I need any kind of stability shoe. They were Asics - a brand I had used over the decades and have fit me pretty well. Even though I probably didn't run more than ten miles a week over those five years, my feet slowly adapted to the loss of cushioning.

For the Hartford half-marathon, October 2010, I got a brand new pair of Asics Gel 1150's - which I think had even more support than the old Asics. They did have some cushioning but the sole was very stiff and you couldn't roll in towards the big toe. These worked and I ran in them, building up my mileage from October to mid-January.

Then, in mid-January, I got these really cool orange Adidas Marathon 10's - over two ounces lighter per shoe! These were also soft where the Asics were hard. There is a little arch support as well as some heel counter, but very flexible sole - can roll towards big toe. I ran 30 miles in them from January 19 - February 10th on the treadmill, while still using the Asics for my Saturday pavement runs. Being able to roll inwards towards your big toe really engages the inner calf muscle. I think this part of my leg was being underdeveloped because of the stability shoe not allowing roll, and therefore control, of the big toe.

During the month with the Marathon 10s, I really focused on proper form and cadence while spending so many hours on the treadmill. My stride decreased while my cadence increased a bit. My landings were perfect mid-foot strikes. Things were really progressing.

Then, on February 12th, while having a fantastically easy sub-10 minute mile, on an 8 mile run (my goal pace for the New Bedford half-marathon), my calf tore just before the 8th and final mile of that run.

I believe it was from switching from those hard and supportive shoes for so many years, to crazy soft and flexible one (pretty light as well). I thought the Adidas were a step toward more natural minimalist shoes, but with a 12 mm heel to toe drop and cushy comfort, I'm not sure they are - although there is plenty of flex in the sole and and not much support.

Well - more to come on shoes and other gear. In the meantime I went to the doctor this week, and after they made sure I didn't have a clot in my calf, I got a referral to physical therapy. Even with PT next week, I have no hopes of being able to do the New Bedford half on 3/20.

week 15

This weeks stats:

Bike: 7.4 mi
Elliptical: 1:35:00
Walk: 6 mi
Weights: 1 hr 10 mins

The Hyannis relay was fun - rainy but it was great location and awesome cheering everyone on....but I wish I could have run.

Monday I did 30 minutes on the elliptical/ski machine at the gym. It's funny that these machines don't bother my calf. I did 20 minutes on the bike and 20 minutes of the elliptical on Wednesday, including a mile + walk. Thursday I walked 2 miles. Friday I walked 2 miles. Today I walked 1.5 miles and did the elliptical (a real one, not the ski machine) for 45 minutes.
It looks like a go for a trial run tomorrow...

week 14

Stats:

Bike: 15.5 mi
Elliptical: 13:00
Walk: 3.5 mi
Weights: 20

Unfortunately, no...

Once the treadmill got to about 4.4 mph, my calf started seizing up and I had to stop. Great, I am limping again after only a 30 minute walk/run. Monday I used the recumbent at the Y for 30 minutes. On Tuesday, and walked about 1 mile. Wednesday I used the bike and elliptical at the gym for 35 minutes. Thursday I walked around a mile at work and my leg felt great - until I started walking down the steps coming down from the train to my car. My calf seized up immediately.

I didn't do anything Friday or today - too depressed. I won't be able to run my leg of the Hyannis marathon relay.

week 13

Well - I can't run so I joined the Y. On Monday, I swam in a pool for the first time in decades. It went pretty well after the first 10 minutes. Wednesday I walked for 2 miles at work, but my leg was very stiff towards the end. On Thursday, I used the recumbent bike at the gym for 20 minutes. My butt was numb at the end. Today I walked 3 miles with the Lu and my leg felt good - so I'm going to try and run tomorrow.

week 12

I decided to shorten my run today from 12 to 8 miles (for just 20 total for the week) to give myself a break from building up. I did start a bit late waiting for plans. Anyway, the run was going really well and I was booking along easily at just about 6 mph. At about 2 miles from home I increased just a bit to about 6.2 mph. Exactly .75 from the end of my run (and home), I got a sharp pain at the bottom of my left calf. I tried walking, thinking it was just a knot, but knew right away it was not a normal ache and pain. Ended up calling Bethany to come pick me up.
It looks like I have a calf tear.
This is a complete first for me - my calves don't even ever hurt after running - very weird. The only different thing is that I wore my Adidas Marathon 10's on the street for the first time, but I have put over 50 miles on the treadmill with them and haven't had any issues.
This is a complete bummer - it's been over 7 hours now and I can't really go up or down stairs or walk. I think I'll be joining the Y tomorrow and start swimming - since I spent $50 on a new bathing suit a week ago.
Ran a total of 19.25 miles this week.

week 11

Ran four times this week for 19 miles total. Did 4 miles of intervals and tempo respectively on Monday and Wednesday on the treadmill. Did weights on Sunday and Wednesday as well as some nice shoveling (more snow). I knew Saturday was going to have sucky weather for running outdoors, so I ran 4 miles on the road on Friday evening. I ran 7 miles on the treadmill this morning, practicing drinking from a bottle and eating a gel pack about 30 minutes into it. Another really great week!

week 10

Ran 18 miles this week and changed my Hal Higdon program by integrating it with the Furman's FIRST program. On Monday I did 4 miles of intervals on the treadmill. On Wednesday, 5.5 miles of tempo drills. Today I ran 8.5, for a long road run. Did weights on Monday and snow-shoed on Friday.
The intervals and tempo drills really made the miles fly on the treadmill. I felt like I accomplished a lot this week.

week nine

Went down to just under 14 miles this week. Knee was hurting pretty much all week so took it easy on the treadmill on Monday and Wednesday (3 and 3.5). Saturday was better and I had a good 7.25 road run. Also went snowshoeing on Sunday and weights on Sunday and Thursday.

week eight

Another big snowstorm this week, but I managed to run 17 miles. Ran 5 and 8 on the road on Monday and today. Wednesday ran 4 on the treadmill. Also did a lot of shoveling on Thursday and snowshoeing yesterday. Did lower-body weights on Monday and upper on Wednesday. Was seriously cold this week but still fun. Trying to trail run the icey sidewalk was not too much fun. Knee started to really hurt during the last mile today. I think I jammed it negotiating the ice ball trail/sidewalk. Had YakTraks on while on the icy sidewalk, and they may have contributed to the knee jam. Never again, going to stick with the road in these conditions.

week seven

I actually ran four times this week - just over 15 miles. Today was a "trail" run with Jen and Nigel at Massasoit in Raynham. It was really an ice run. I had those little wiry things (Yak Tracks)on my Salomons, but they grabbed everything on the non-icy, piney areas. Had big tufts of pine and ice under my shoes at various points. It was just over six miles... Besides that, ran twice on the treadmill and once on the street.

easy week

This is supposed to be an easy week for me. In general I've been following Hal Higdon's marathon training plan for the Wapack 22 (yeah it doesn't make 100% sense), which is two progressive weeks followed by a step-back week on the third week. I actually went three weeks of progression and this week stepping back to only two three mile runs and one six mile run.
But after my run (of 3.5 miles) this morning, all I could think about was maybe doing a couple of miles this evening or tomorrow. It's really kind of weird. Each of my three milers have been really slow too - purposefully.
Anyway, maybe I'll just try to hike and do yoga tomorrow instead.

week six

I feel a bit off today. Was supposed to run 8.5 miles but only did 7.25 and my knees hurt along with various other complaints. All week was great and last weeks' long run was easy at 8 miles... Maybe it was the snowshoe running (2 miles in fresh 12 inch + snow), and 2 additional 1.1 mile snowshoe walks. Oh, and 4 miles of intense intervals on the treadmill on Wednesday and started the week with an easy 3.3 miles on the road. Well next week is a "step-back" week, so hopefully will feel a lot better and get ready for the next week.