A Balance, Redefined

July 2010

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Location:

Vestavia,AL,USA

Member Since:

May 31, 2007

Gender:

Male

Goal Type:

Other

Running Accomplishments:

Marathon Top 10 Finishes: 7 Bridges ('15), Utah Valley ('13), Salt Lake City ('08), Top of Utah ('07), and St. Louis ('04). Ran around the equator (24901.55) in 4,388 days.

Personal Records
Marathon 2:39 (SLC '08)
1/2 Marathon 1:12.30 (Provo River, aided '08)
10K 34:16 (Track, sea level '00)
10K 33:15 (Des 10K, aided '08)
8K 25:32 (Crack of Dawn, aided '13)
5K 16:44 (Track, sea level '00)
5K 16:07 (Running of the Leopards, aided '12)
 

Short-Term Running Goals:

NYC Marathon November 3, 2019 done 

London Marathon October 3, 2021 done

Tokyo Marathon March 3, 2024!!!

And my largest challenge to date, raise $20,000 for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society in honor of my cancer survivorship and in memory of those lost to blood cancer...
DONE! $26,403.70

https://pages.lls.org/tnt/al/london2021/awende

Long-Term Running Goals:

Enjoy being a Masters Runner.

Get under 3 hours one more time...

Personal:

Grew up outside Chicago and joined the blog while I lived in Salt Lake City. Now living outside Birmingham. I am married with two daughters. Wife thinks I'm crazy for doing marathons. And yes I am crazy I'm a scientist for a living...

Click to donate
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Miles:This week: 0.00 Month: 0.00 Year: 331.25
RM 090416 Lifetime Miles: 136.06
Saucony Type A Lifetime Miles: 200.18
Nike Vaporfly Pink Lifetime Miles: 122.22
Saucony Ride #37 - Black Lifetime Miles: 56.50
Saucony Ride #38 - Neon Lifetime Miles: 53.50
Saucony Ride #39 - Grey Lifetime Miles: 59.50
Brooks Launch #38 - Grey Lifetime Miles: 65.25
Brooks Launch #39 - White Lifetime Miles: 57.50
Brooks Launch #40 - Blue Lifetime Miles: 54.00
Easy MilesMarathon Pace MilesThreshold MilesVO2 Max MilesTrainer 1 MilesTrainer 2 MilesRacer MilesTotal Distance
87.500.000.000.000.000.000.0087.50
Brooks Launch #1 Miles: 24.00Saucony Rides #7 Miles: 15.00Asics DS-Trainer #4 Miles: 17.00Saucony Rides #6 Miles: 19.50Asics DS-Trainer #5 Miles: 12.00RM 090416 Miles: 0.12
Night Sleep Time: 0.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 0.00Weight: 0.00
Easy MilesMarathon Pace MilesThreshold MilesVO2 Max MilesTrainer 1 MilesTrainer 2 MilesRacer MilesTotal Distance
2.500.000.000.000.000.000.002.50

Nothing too note worthy. Made most of my deadlines so got rewarded with a new set... Commute run in.

Brooks Launch #1 Miles: 2.50
Night Sleep Time: 0.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 0.00Weight: 0.00
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Easy MilesMarathon Pace MilesThreshold MilesVO2 Max MilesTrainer 1 MilesTrainer 2 MilesRacer MilesTotal Distance
2.500.000.000.000.000.000.002.50

Well a good end to the week. 

Yesterday I got my grant update submitted and word that another manuscript I had been working on was accepted. That puts my total publications to 13. I still need more first author manuscripts to hit the job market but it is progress.

So what about running. This is a running blog right? My outlook on running has been improving. It is frustrating that after 5.5 months of rest and therapy that my knee still hurts. However, it does not hurt any more. The problem is that it doesn't hurt any less either. I am fine for about a mile and then it starts acting up. It gets to its max by about 1.5 miles and the final mile stays the same. The aftermath is more or less just a little ache that is gone by the end of the day. I meet with the surgeon next Wed but am not sure what if any help he will be and am thinking about canceling to save the $25 co-pay... I'll think about it over the long weekend. What this really does is put the question as to what I want running to be? It has been such a huge focus in my life since about 1992 and has really just been a continuation of my love of physical activity starting in about 1983 (with soccer). That being said if I am truly honest with myself it has been about competition. But for the first time in my life I do not see competing as a realistic goal, at least this year. So for now I will do it to maintain my sanity and see if there is any improvement.

 Commute run in. Nice morning.


Saucony Rides #7 Miles: 2.50
Night Sleep Time: 0.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 0.00Weight: 0.00
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Easy MilesMarathon Pace MilesThreshold MilesVO2 Max MilesTrainer 1 MilesTrainer 2 MilesRacer MilesTotal Distance
3.000.000.000.000.000.000.003.00

Happy 4th of July Weekend to All!

I hope you are all enjoying your weekends. The weather here is perfect and so far the weekend has been a blast. We stated today with a short family fun and then off to other adventures. I am VERY happy with my volume for this week. I want to do another 2-3 weeks here and then move on.

Asics DS-Trainer #4 Miles: 3.00
Night Sleep Time: 0.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 0.00Weight: 0.00
Comments(7)
Easy MilesMarathon Pace MilesThreshold MilesVO2 Max MilesTrainer 1 MilesTrainer 2 MilesRacer MilesTotal Distance
3.000.000.000.000.000.000.003.00

Wasn't planning on running today but between the perfect morning and the request from my wife for a family run how could I say no? 

It was a good run before we headed to church. Then a great afternoon walk to Baskin Robins for ice cream.

Happy 4th All!

Brooks Launch #1 Miles: 3.00
Night Sleep Time: 0.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 0.00Weight: 0.00
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Easy MilesMarathon Pace MilesThreshold MilesVO2 Max MilesTrainer 1 MilesTrainer 2 MilesRacer MilesTotal Distance
0.000.000.000.000.000.000.000.00

I didn't want to push my luck. Today I needed a day off. We did a lot of fun family playing around and just a very little work. Tomorrow back to the daily grind...

Night Sleep Time: 0.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 0.00Weight: 0.00
Comments(2)
Easy MilesMarathon Pace MilesThreshold MilesVO2 Max MilesTrainer 1 MilesTrainer 2 MilesRacer MilesTotal Distance
2.500.000.000.000.000.000.002.50

A beautiful morning today. Commute run.

Saucony Rides #6 Miles: 2.50
Night Sleep Time: 0.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 0.00Weight: 0.00
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Easy MilesMarathon Pace MilesThreshold MilesVO2 Max MilesTrainer 1 MilesTrainer 2 MilesRacer MilesTotal Distance
3.000.000.000.000.000.000.003.00

I had the car today but didn't want to break my streak. So I ran from work up and behind Red Butte. It was very windy and even a little chilly this morning. It felt nice to be off the roads and amongst nature. There were these little turquoise birds that kept me company. I actually wore my Garmin this morning but we will not discuss what it told me...

Saucony Rides #7 Miles: 3.00
Night Sleep Time: 0.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 0.00Weight: 0.00
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Easy MilesMarathon Pace MilesThreshold MilesVO2 Max MilesTrainer 1 MilesTrainer 2 MilesRacer MilesTotal Distance
3.000.000.000.000.000.000.003.00

Bad night's sleep to a long day at work. Didn't get out until after the bedtime routine. Had to go back to lab so ran past Red Butte again. Felt pretty good. The weather was crazy. When I was leaving work it was super windy and raining. By the time I got back here it was nice and sunny...

Asics DS-Trainer #4 Miles: 3.00
Night Sleep Time: 0.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 0.00Weight: 0.00
Comments(2)
Easy MilesMarathon Pace MilesThreshold MilesVO2 Max MilesTrainer 1 MilesTrainer 2 MilesRacer MilesTotal Distance
3.000.000.000.000.000.000.003.00

Just as I got out of practice running, I also got out of practice blogging. That and my work schedule has increased (if that is possible). Mostly it was a coping mechanism for the lack of running but it has proven fruitful, so...

In any case today was actually a great run in. I ran into Megan and then Josh. It was great to catch up with them, if only for a moment. 

Commute run into work.

Asics DS-Trainer #5 Miles: 3.00
Night Sleep Time: 0.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 0.00Weight: 0.00
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Easy MilesMarathon Pace MilesThreshold MilesVO2 Max MilesTrainer 1 MilesTrainer 2 MilesRacer MilesTotal Distance
6.000.000.000.000.000.000.006.00

Longest run since February 6th!!! 

Since my wife has decided to run her first half marathon this fall we are training together. We are starting a mileage build with our family Saturday runs. We just went south but had a good time.

Brooks Launch #1 Miles: 6.00
Night Sleep Time: 0.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 0.00Weight: 0.00
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Easy MilesMarathon Pace MilesThreshold MilesVO2 Max MilesTrainer 1 MilesTrainer 2 MilesRacer MilesTotal Distance
3.000.000.000.000.000.000.003.00

Surprisingly good feeling today after the longish run yesterday. I never thought I would classify a 6-miler as a long run... But at least my knee didn't fall off. Ran in between ran storms, so we actually had a little humidity.

Saucony Rides #6 Miles: 3.00
Night Sleep Time: 0.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 0.00Weight: 0.00
Add Comment
Easy MilesMarathon Pace MilesThreshold MilesVO2 Max MilesTrainer 1 MilesTrainer 2 MilesRacer MilesTotal Distance
3.500.000.000.000.000.000.003.50

Trying not to push my luck. I did drive into work today so ran toward and started up Dry Creek. I don't know when my last trip up that way was. But I think there was still snow on the ground... I saw so many people. This is doubly amazing because I hardly went a mile up the trail. Good to see that the running community didn't cease just because I hadn't been an active part of it :)...

Saucony Rides #7 Miles: 3.50
Night Sleep Time: 0.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 0.00Weight: 0.00
Comments(2)
Easy MilesMarathon Pace MilesThreshold MilesVO2 Max MilesTrainer 1 MilesTrainer 2 MilesRacer MilesTotal Distance
0.000.000.000.000.000.000.000.00

Floating day off. 

Interesting observation. Looking up old race reports this morning it is interesting to me to note that though the most recent flare up of my knee injury was this January, the real "injury" most likely took place in August of 2008... 

Night Sleep Time: 0.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 0.00Weight: 0.00
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Easy MilesMarathon Pace MilesThreshold MilesVO2 Max MilesTrainer 1 MilesTrainer 2 MilesRacer MilesTotal Distance
2.500.000.000.000.000.000.002.50

Ok day. Commute run in. Not too much to report but the knee did not feel that great running in this morning. I am not too surprised as I have been using it again. So I will tread cautiously...

Asics DS-Trainer #4 Miles: 2.50
Night Sleep Time: 0.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 0.00Weight: 0.00
Comments(4)
Easy MilesMarathon Pace MilesThreshold MilesVO2 Max MilesTrainer 1 MilesTrainer 2 MilesRacer MilesTotal Distance
0.000.000.000.000.000.000.000.00

Unplanned day off. Knee a little too achy. I want symptoms next time I go to the doctor but I do not want to limp while I am walking so it is a fine line. So far so good and I am erring on the side of caution...

Night Sleep Time: 0.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 0.00Weight: 0.00
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Easy MilesMarathon Pace MilesThreshold MilesVO2 Max MilesTrainer 1 MilesTrainer 2 MilesRacer MilesTotal Distance
2.500.000.000.000.000.000.002.50

Commute run in. The run went fine. Pretty tired after a long work week. Hoping to at least leave early today to start the weekend...

Asics DS-Trainer #4 Miles: 2.50
Night Sleep Time: 0.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 0.00Weight: 0.00
Add Comment
Easy MilesMarathon Pace MilesThreshold MilesVO2 Max MilesTrainer 1 MilesTrainer 2 MilesRacer MilesTotal Distance
7.000.000.000.000.000.000.007.00

I really like Saturdays. Got a good 8hr sleep. Then we went for a family run. It was already pretty hot by the time we got out the door. However, since I am helping my wife train for her first half-marathon we did a longish run. The best news about these runs is the family time and that my knee does not hurt more during or after the runs. However, it does still hurt. That being said for the next few weeks I am going to push the distance on these Saturday runs and see how far I can take it...

 

Brooks Launch #1 Miles: 7.00
Night Sleep Time: 0.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 0.00Weight: 0.00
Comments(2)
Easy MilesMarathon Pace MilesThreshold MilesVO2 Max MilesTrainer 1 MilesTrainer 2 MilesRacer MilesTotal Distance
3.000.000.000.000.000.000.003.00

Morning family fun. Feeling very tired today. 

Saucony Rides #6 Miles: 3.00
Night Sleep Time: 0.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 0.00Weight: 0.00
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Easy MilesMarathon Pace MilesThreshold MilesVO2 Max MilesTrainer 1 MilesTrainer 2 MilesRacer MilesTotal Distance
0.000.000.000.000.000.000.000.00

Thought it would be a good idea to sleep in the extra hour this morning. 1am bedtime because of last minute prep for a lab presentation...

Night Sleep Time: 0.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 0.00Weight: 0.00
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Easy MilesMarathon Pace MilesThreshold MilesVO2 Max MilesTrainer 1 MilesTrainer 2 MilesRacer MilesTotal Distance
3.000.000.000.000.000.000.003.00

One of the better morning runs in, as far as the knee is concerned.

The yellow air quality also made for a nice sunrise.

Saucony Rides #7 Miles: 3.00
Night Sleep Time: 0.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 0.00Weight: 0.00
Comments(1)
Easy MilesMarathon Pace MilesThreshold MilesVO2 Max MilesTrainer 1 MilesTrainer 2 MilesRacer MilesTotal Distance
3.000.000.000.000.000.000.003.00

Another pretty good morning. I am wiped out though. The last two days dragged at work and I am eager to have a "clear" day in my head... The run was 2 mi easy and then what I think is my first speed workout this year, 1 mi of Fartleks. I was curious to see how my need would hold up to a faster pace. During the run there was nothing new. We'll see how the day shapes up.

Asics DS-Trainer #4 Miles: 3.00
Night Sleep Time: 0.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 0.00Weight: 0.00
Comments(2)
Easy MilesMarathon Pace MilesThreshold MilesVO2 Max MilesTrainer 1 MilesTrainer 2 MilesRacer MilesTotal Distance
3.000.000.000.000.000.000.003.00

Feeling good about my knee after yesterday's "test"...

Commute run in.

RM 090416 Miles: 0.10Asics DS-Trainer #5 Miles: 3.00
Night Sleep Time: 0.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 0.00Weight: 0.00
Add Comment
Easy MilesMarathon Pace MilesThreshold MilesVO2 Max MilesTrainer 1 MilesTrainer 2 MilesRacer MilesTotal Distance
2.500.000.000.000.000.000.002.50

Overall a good week. Into work a little early via a commute run to leave early today for a barbecue at a friend from church, for the "holiday" weekend. Nice to live in a state that has an extra holiday each year...

Brooks Launch #1 Miles: 2.50
Night Sleep Time: 0.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 0.00Weight: 0.00
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Easy MilesMarathon Pace MilesThreshold MilesVO2 Max MilesTrainer 1 MilesTrainer 2 MilesRacer MilesTotal Distance
8.000.000.000.000.000.000.008.00

Today was a hard day. It is the first time since I moved to UT that I was not at the line for the Des 10K, a screaming fast downhill race. However, consistent with my wife's 1/2 marathon training we went on a long family run. We ran along the course and cheered on the marathon runners. It was nice getting into the real mileage range without any additional knee pain. Now if I could just get it to where there is no knee pain... The run went well and though we didn't start as early as I would have liked it never warmed up too much and I found a nice loop to go that was mostly shaded.

Saucony Rides #6 Miles: 8.00
Night Sleep Time: 0.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 0.00Weight: 0.00
Comments(2)
Easy MilesMarathon Pace MilesThreshold MilesVO2 Max MilesTrainer 1 MilesTrainer 2 MilesRacer MilesTotal Distance
0.000.000.000.000.000.000.000.00

Rest day to recover from the long run yesterday.

Night Sleep Time: 0.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 0.00Weight: 0.00
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Easy MilesMarathon Pace MilesThreshold MilesVO2 Max MilesTrainer 1 MilesTrainer 2 MilesRacer MilesTotal Distance
3.000.000.000.000.000.000.003.00

Typical busy Monday. Had to come back into work so I ran from there. Just up Dry Creek the same little as the other week. Only saw one other runner this time though. The weather was very nice and even a little humid as a very brief rain shower had just come through. Knee was tight but not too bad.

Brooks Launch #1 Miles: 3.00
Night Sleep Time: 0.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 0.00Weight: 0.00
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Easy MilesMarathon Pace MilesThreshold MilesVO2 Max MilesTrainer 1 MilesTrainer 2 MilesRacer MilesTotal Distance
3.000.000.000.000.000.000.003.00

I am happy to have some consistent running again. For over a month now. However, I am still struggling with what to do about the "next step". My knee is still tight but not more sore after runs. I would like to start training again but... Next Wed is the one month for a potential ortho appointment. Every other day I go back and forth with it being worth my time going. With the small but steady increase in my running I am tempted to push back another month. I have a week to think about it... Commute run in.

Saucony Rides #6 Miles: 3.00
Night Sleep Time: 0.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 0.00Weight: 0.00
Comments(2)
Easy MilesMarathon Pace MilesThreshold MilesVO2 Max MilesTrainer 1 MilesTrainer 2 MilesRacer MilesTotal Distance
3.000.000.000.000.000.000.003.00

Legs felt better today than yesterday. In a little earlier this morning, long day ahead... Commute run in. Had wanted to mix in some Fartleks again but it is tuff in the early AM on an all uphill course. About half way in though I heard some people gaining and that at least helped me kick it up a gear. By up a gear I think I went from 10 min mi to 8 min mi but it was something. It is amazing that in '08 the same effort would have at me at ~5:30 pace... I just have to keep telling myself that at least it is something and at least it is improving.

RM 090416 Miles: 0.01Saucony Rides #7 Miles: 3.00
Night Sleep Time: 0.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 0.00Weight: 0.00
Comments(2)
Easy MilesMarathon Pace MilesThreshold MilesVO2 Max MilesTrainer 1 MilesTrainer 2 MilesRacer MilesTotal Distance
3.000.000.000.000.000.000.003.00

Things continue to move in the right direction. I am struggling with how much if any "pain" is acceptable. I would like to go out and have a run were my right knee feels the same as my left knee, i.e. I don't notice it at all. However, it does not seem like that is likely going into month 6 and really month 168 that I can feel my right knee. In many ways my knee is back to "normal" whatever that means and I should start training again. Sounds like good rationalization to me... In any case I did another Fartlek run today. There were a number of points I even got to marathon pace. Too bad I couldn't hold it for more than a quarter mile just another 104 to go... Commute run in.

Asics DS-Trainer #4 Miles: 3.00
Night Sleep Time: 0.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 0.00Weight: 0.00
Add Comment
Easy MilesMarathon Pace MilesThreshold MilesVO2 Max MilesTrainer 1 MilesTrainer 2 MilesRacer MilesTotal Distance
0.000.000.000.000.000.000.000.00

Typical Friday. Ok end to a very busy week. Overall, I continue to be happy with my progress. Patience is still an issue but I am trying my hardest to be thankful for what I have. I lesson I am also working on with my daughter so it is good practice for both of us...

Night Sleep Time: 0.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 0.00Weight: 0.00
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Easy MilesMarathon Pace MilesThreshold MilesVO2 Max MilesTrainer 1 MilesTrainer 2 MilesRacer MilesTotal Distance
6.000.000.000.000.000.000.006.00

Continuing on my wife's training schedule. For some reason today's 6 felt harder than last week's 8, to both of us. It was considerably warmer... 

RM 090416 Miles: 0.01Asics DS-Trainer #5 Miles: 6.00
Night Sleep Time: 0.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 0.00Weight: 0.00
Add Comment
Easy MilesMarathon Pace MilesThreshold MilesVO2 Max MilesTrainer 1 MilesTrainer 2 MilesRacer MilesTotal Distance
87.500.000.000.000.000.000.0087.50
Brooks Launch #1 Miles: 24.00Saucony Rides #7 Miles: 15.00Asics DS-Trainer #4 Miles: 17.00Saucony Rides #6 Miles: 19.50Asics DS-Trainer #5 Miles: 12.00RM 090416 Miles: 0.12
Night Sleep Time: 0.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 0.00Weight: 0.00
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