track fan

AM: (8 miles, easy, 1:12:20).  Beautiful day ... seriously, beautiful.

PM: easy 4. 

Felt a lot better yesterday, but was super sick today.  I had to get out for a little run, but I spent most of the day in bed.

2:00:09.  Doesn't look like much, but it was the longest I have been able to run in 3 weeks, and I as long as I don't run too hard, it is quite tolerable.  It was very hilly - and 13 mins faster than I ran this same route 15 months ago ... so all and all I am happy with it.

I will be missing a couple runs this week because of some more tests.  So, I have two things going on - the one that is affecting my running is the stomach issue -- the medicine is helping, it just will take a little while and I am a little tired.   

TMI alert.  I don't like to talk about personal issues on the running blog, but you will remember that I wrote up a little "cautionary tale" about my basal and squamous cell carcinomas a couple of years ago - to remind you all to wear sunscreen ;-).  Well, especially for my 45+ year old running friends, todays tale is about getting your mammograms.The other issue is that I have had an abnormal mammogram - and I have to have two types of biopsies.  The abnormalities are of "intermediate" concern.  There are two different abnormal things they found, each of them separately would be of "concern" and likely to require a biopsy, but both of them together doubles the risk of cancer (and one area is in a bad place for them to get to so they might have to do surgery) - therefore, it is requiring more invasive biopsies than usual.  It is likely that I will miss one or days of running this coming week, and then depending on how that goes I might miss a few more days the following week.  All of this is just to remind you that if you are over 40, don't put off your yearly mammograms - and if you are closer to 50 -- even a bigger reason not to put it off.

Today we are watching the Amory Indoor track meet! there were some incredible races (I already know the results, but still I am excited to watch).  Last week Anna Pierce had a tough 1500m race -- but this week, she ran a super 800 meters.  And my favorite Ethopian runner - Tirunesh Debaba is BACK!!  Whoohoo!

1:16:43 (ok a little longer than 8.5, but not quite 9).  I was a little late this morning getting started so I had to cut my run a little short. 

So, biopsy was both worse than I thought it was going to be and not as bad as I thought it would be ;-).  So, bad news is, this will either be positive for cancer - or it will be negative and the doctor will make me have a different type of biopsy (because she doesn't think she was able to get to one of the areas she was concerned about).  Yucky.  

On a very very positive note, it is beautiful here right now!!

Happy Tuesday bloggers. 

AM: (8.5, 1:12:08).  I wanted to run 10, but I was pretty achy after 20 mins, so I decided not to push too much today.  As you can see, I am trying to remain positive and I am preblogging 4 miles for tonight.  I will modify if the pain that I am feeling right now either gets worse or doesn't abate.  Compared to the nausea, this pain is a piece of cake ;-).  The stomach issues are getting a little better every day ... I don't want to, but I guess I will have to follow through with the tests they are running next week, but I am very optimistic that the tummy issues (actually, based on the tests so far it is my bile duct -- but it is near the tummy ;-) ) are on the mend.

PM: 4 miles.

I hope you are all doing well -- another good weekend this weekend - track and field on ESPN2 on Sunday, the USATF classic is on at 12PM EST.  Galen Rupp will be making an American Record attempt in the 2 mile (indoor) - so it should be a great meet!!!

A good read about an up-and-coming track standout here ... 

1:02:24.  Beautiful day, fed Dover carrots.

Despite not really "goofing off" this morning, I still barely made it on time to my first meeting ARG!   Somehow I need to get caught up on all my work.  This all-day-tuesday-at-the-doctors-and-having-tests-biopsies-and-other-unpleasantness is seriously affecting my work even more than feel like crap does ;-).

Happy Friday bloggers 

AM: (8 miles, 1:11:20).  Yes, that is what I am talking about!  Still not 100%, but at least 50% better than last week - still hurts when I run, but the nausea is not nearly as bad, and the pain is in the tolerable range (as long as I don't run fast).  Still have a couple more tests next week for the tummy thing - but it looks like it is a dilated bile duct -- which means more bile acid in my esophagus and stomach -- which means inflammation of both of these organs/sites.  Tests are to see if there will need to be some sort of treatment for what is causing the dilation (maybe a stone, maybe some other sort of inflammation) -- but the medicine should continue to help heal the current tissue (just takes a little time) -- they might give me a different type on Tuesday, which may work a little faster even.  YEA.  This week was the first week that I did not have spend one full day in bed - so it is most definite progress.

PM: easy 4.

Tomorrow is going be some AWESOME track and field!! We are part of the Neilson  ratings - so hopefully track and field will get a little love during sweeps week ;-)

2:02:34.  Very nice run -- very hilly run.  I still am having to take it really easy, but I am happy just be able to run at all!  

So great track and field this weekend.  Lot's of indoor American records fell on Saturday!

Millrose summary (New York): 

Indoor 5K: passed from Rupp (13:11.44) to Lagat (13:07.44)  **** SO HAPPY ABOUT THIS 

Both Lawi Lalang and Stephan Sambu (of University of Arizona!!) took down  Rupp's collegiate record of 13:18 with 13:08.28 and 13:13.74, respectively.  By the way, Lalang's mark also took down Henry Rono's 34 year OUTDOOR collegiate record of 13:08.4!!!   *** THIS IS HUGE!!

 Finally, Edward Cheserk got a HS record, in the same 5K, with a 13:54.04 (the old record was 14:06.78 set by Luke Verzbicas. 

Jenny Simpson got a win in the mile and Morgan Uceny got the win in the 800m -- yea! 

USATF Classic summary (Arkansas):

Indoor 2 mile: passed on from Lagat (8:10.07) to Rupp (8:09.72) !! Loved that Bumbi (from Nashville) took 2nd!

Mile race: ALL 8 runners ran sub-4.  It was a wickedly fast race -- especially for indoors 

easy 4, making up for missing my morning run tomorrow because of tests.  I am hoping the drugs will wear off so I can run a few miles in the evening, but I won't push it too much.

Still waiting on biopsy results.  Supposedly my doctor wants to talk to the radiologist before talking to me ... 

I am pre-blogging -- in hopes that I can run in a few hours.  Had my endoscopy today - just as we thought, pretty severe gastritis ... had to take some tissue to try to find out what is causing it.  But, got some "better" medication - and since it is sort of getting better on its own anyway - or at least I can eat again (I can think of much better ways to lose 10 lbs, especially since my clothes don't fit now) and can run.  Can't run right now because I am still loopy from the drugs.  I also have a huge bruise on my hand from where the nurse couldn't get my IV started properly -- ended up that the vein collapsed and she had to go to the other side.  So, I got to relive it twice ;-), good times.

Anyway, once I don't feel as groggy, I hope to jog in the freezing rain ... and I will LOVE it.

For your reading pleasure ... 

By the way, funniest thing, it is is 38F here today - snowing just a ways up the road.  Well, I am on my way to DC tomorrow for a meeting - it is 54F there!   

1:04:23. Nice morning for a run. Fed Dover some carrots ... got my run in before class and then ran off to the airport.  I am DC now ... it is warmer here than it has been in Tucson for the last couple of days ... but luckily it is going to rain ;-)

AM: (10 miles, 1:27:19 45:49/42:08).  Beautiful run on the Mt. Vernon trail.  Only downside was the windy, freezing rain, headwind after the turnaround -- I had no idea that I such a good tailwind on the way out.   I ran from Alexandria to just on the VA side of the Potomic - right across from the Lincoln Memorial/Smithsonian, etc.  Pretty morning really despite the cold rain.

So, two tidbits/stories.  About a 1/2 mile from the trail (I am staying at a different hotel than I usually stay at when I come here -- I am here for a meeting at the American Statistical Association which is up the street).   I am near the part of the trail that goes around a huge power plant, it is a nice section right next to the water -- well, today that segment of the trail was closed (it is ok, there is an alternate trail that avoids that section) - there were workers at both ends of that section of trail -- because, apparently two sawhorses with huge signs that designated the trail as "CLOSED" - along with yellow "police line" tape and 5 red cones - is not sufficient to stop runners/walkers and bikers from using the trail ;-).  Second, it takes 25 mins to take a cab to/from National from my hotel ... it took me 33 mins to run there - hmmm, interesting -- ok, maybe my luggage and laptop might add an extra 15 mins of travel time, but I am sorely tempted to try my hand at running to airport Friday night

;-)

PM: easy 4 - hopefully not on the treadmill. 

Happy Thursday bloggers! 

1:02:54.  Beautiful morning -- dark and foggy when I started, and dawn and foggy at the end ;-).  I ran by a dock with a lot of boats and seeing them in the shadows and fog before the sun came up was pretty artistic and lovely.  

It was early though -- 5:30AM eastern time, which was 3:30AM my time.  I did feel better all day knowing that I had done my run (although my hamstring was sore sitting in the meeting all day).  My flight was delayed out of DC so I missed my connection into Tucson, so I did not get in until midnight last night - a very long day.  I went through security with the Georgetown basketball team - they were tall!! and, I just have to tell you, they were so polite, clean-cut, and just very very well behaved, it was impressive.   

Stomach issues are getting better, much more slowly than I would hope, but at least some progress with the new medication.  A little worse for wear today because of the 8 hours of travel yesterday -- nothing healthy to eat at airports, so I generally don't eat much - a tub of $10 fruit and some almonds ;-), yum.  

The biopsy of the mass is benign (yea!), however, the sample did not include the other area that the radiologist was worried about (it is too hard to get to using needle biopsy).  So she and my PCP sent my stuff over to a surgeon to see what he thought - and he wants to do a surgical biopsy (of course he does).  I am so tired of this - and the worst part?  It will mean 3-5 days of not running ... and cross-training is out too - since I can't do anything that involves "jostling" and you can't swim with the stitches.  Anyway ... I might try to at least walk a little, and maybe I will heal faster than they expect.  I have heard that some people can run after just 1-2 days.   

AM: (8 miles, 1:09:32).  So so so so grateful to be running today.  Not only can I run a little more this week, I was able to pick it up a little.  And, most importantly right now, I am able to enjoy the most beautiful time of the year here in Arizona.  Lovely, sunny, 50F ... it is green because of the winter rain and I am one of the luckiest people on earth!

PM: easy 4.

Happy Saturday Bloggers! 

2:01:23.  Nice run, beautiful day!  I was going to drive down to a trail, but I am swamped with work and decided that the hilly run from home is good training - and saves me about 40 mins travel time.  The first 7 miles are pretty rollers much like allie's sunnyside up route (though only at 2500 ft instead of 4500ft, which makes a huge difference).  Then the next 7 are longer grades of hills, but not as steep, the last 2 miles are a pretty huge climb back up into the mountains.  Very good Lydiard training.

Fast indoor racing in Birmingham, England this weekend! 

Next weekend are huge for NCAA -- the fastest races will likely be at Seattle - because they have a ~300meter indoor track (instead of the standard 200m) - which is where U of A will be ... everyone will be shooting for NCAA Championship qualifiers so it will be a really good weekend of college racing! 

AM: (8.5 miles, 1:14:39).  Nice early morning run (beautiful 48F day, again).  

PM: easy 4 

56 mins or so ...

 Very busy day! 

AM: (9 miles, 1:18:39).  Nice day, I went over to visit CoCo and Big Boy, fed them their carrots and took a leisurely jog home.

PM: easy 4.

I expected not to be able run this afternoon and tomorrow, so much so that I scheduled some very very early morning conference calls tomorrow!  But, I met my new breast surgeon and he wants to wait 3 weeks before the next set of biopsies.  He talked trash about my radiologist (kind of kidding here, but not really) - he doesn't think the biopsy that she took got any of the "right" tissue, and he says there are three areas that he wants to get to.  However, the previous biopsy (3 weeks ago) caused some tissue damage, and he wants to wait until some of the inflammation goes down before he goes "back in".   His way will use a larger bore needle and cover a larger area -- meaning be more invasive -- but he is hoping to avoid a surgical biopsy if possible.  Good-news-bad-news - the story of my life these days.  I am glad I avoided a biopsy today (good news) - but I had to reschedule for 3 weeks (bad news) - and this next one will be a doozy (I won't go into details, but there was "binding", "stitches", and "major bruising" discussed).  

He also said, "take it easy on the running - I need this tissue to heal" - yea right buddy!  it is the only thing keeping me sane these days ;-).

Happy Thursday bloggers. 

1:02:34.  Beautiful morning (45F and sunny) -- I went by to see Dover (the horse) and brought him some carrots, but not many.  As I was backing away from the fence he bit my finger -- ouch.  I know he did not mean to, but it did hurt.  Luckily I was wearing some lightweight gloves that protected me from some of it.  I will wear my bleeding knuckle like a badge of honor ;-)

Happy Friday bloggers! 

AM: (8 miles, 1:11:03).  Nice day!  Visited Big Boy and CoCo -- they love me too much to bite me (good thing too, since my finger is still swollen - and bloody - from Dover ;-) ).  Good think too, these horses are big enough to take your arm off! But I really like them.  CoCo "snuggles" me and Big Boy licks my arm (weird, but I think it means he likes me, but not "likes me enough to eat me").

PM: 4 miles easy.

Felt better than I have in 5 weeks today!  One of the admin people at work yesterday said I look much better ... I have color and am not a pasty ghost any more!

BIG track weekend bloggers -- don't forget to watch the USA Indoor Track and Field Championships tomorrow on ESPN2! 

2:24:08.  Sort of the same run as last week, but instead of a 4-5 gradual down/up hill grade in the middle I added on 4-5 miles of very steep rolling hills instead (most of them shorter than a mile uphill but very steep grades).  The last 20 mins is a pretty steep grind, and I am happy to say I felt great and kept up a very solid pace (not fast, just solid).  It was 77F and sunny -- I know many of you think that sounds good compared to the cold -- but actually I prefer the cold, especially on long runs (and when I am not really acclimated). That said, although it felt really warm, it wasn't bad, and for long runs at a slow pace it isn't that bad (not as bad as 100F that is for sure ;-)).

So, a good friend of mine from Nashville ran the Chattanooga Mountains Stage Race last year, and won the masters race (it is a 18, 22, 20 mile race over 3 days)  and wants me to run it with her this year - in June.  Normally, I would tell her, "I am too young to start ultrarunning" -- but, since I am hoping to run a competitive 50K for my birthday, it might be a fun way to get used to difficult trail runs ... so, I am actually thinking about this year.  My motivation for todays very hilly run was .... I could run this pace for a long time, lets practice that ;-).  My main concern about changing gears - from short(er)/faster races is that I am still actually getting faster and I don't want to lose that edge while I am so close to running a 3:20 or faster marathon ... but on the other hand, if I can stay healthy, I still might be able to run a pretty solid marathon next spring even after doing these two races (the 60 mile stage race and then a 50K).  So, I am mulling it over ... and it sounds kind of fun.

Lot's of really good track this weekend, the USATF indoor championships (getting ready for the World Championships) and NCAA regional championships - where collegiate athletes qualify for the NCAA indoor champs in a couple weeks.  Good to see Arizona get 2nd in the Mountain Pacific ... Lawi Lalang won the 3K and Arizona for a new meet record by 7 seconds!  Julie Labonte (also of U of A) got a new shot put meet record.  It was a great meet!

I hope you all have a great rest of the weekend! 

AM: (8+ miles, 1:06:39).   23:38wu/22:59cd + 10 x 1` w/1` recovery.  Ahhhh ... found a great, hilly, dirt road.  Good to be running hard(er) again!  

PM: easy 4.

Had to rush to work today, it was my day to give lab meeting and I regaled them with my "new" talk: "Incorporating Biomarkers into Clinical Trials".   This is my second "test case" for this talk - which is an evolutionary process - the first were the biostatistics grad students, and now a bunch of cancer biologists/cellular and molecular biologists/biochemists.   Except for the lab director (who slept through most of it) - I could tell they were enthralled (not ;-)).

I hope you are all doing well!!  Happy trails! 

1:06:47.   Nice run in the early morning -- not the 4AM kind of morning, but more the 7AM kind ;-).

Went up to see John to get some laser treatment on my foot ... ouch.  Feel much better though.  He assigned me some back exercises.  He also reminded me that I am getting old, and told me he is worried about bone loss.  Yea, get in line buddy, everyone is worried about some or another body part these days.  I tell you bloggers, my 40s were a breeze, this 50s is not so easy ;-).  Was very excited to run into Alicia Shay (nee Craig) at John's I am so excited -- I think she may be healthy enough to run in the trials in June!!  She is such an amazing athlete it would be really cool to see her competing again!

Happy Leap Day!