track fan

1:45:39 (53:56/51:43). I am so thankful to be running again! What a wonderful feeling it is to run for a long(er) time again. I have missed all the feelings that you get when you run long -- exhilaration, exhaustion, elation! YEA! I got out late today because I watched the elite races for the New York marathon. My plan was to go to the Rilalto trail to run, where I could get splits and see how I am running, but it just seemed like too much work for a short run so I decided to run a very hilly 5.5-6 mile loop twice. I am calling it 6 because I am pretty sure I have been running in the 8:45 or faster range lately, my legs are too fresh to be running 9 min pace (and all of my "landmarks" show me running at least 10-15 secs faster). No shin pain, little adductor pain (I think because of the ~23 miles in the pool this week it really works the hip flexers/adductors)

!!!!Shalane Flanagan!!!! What a star! 2nd place in the New York marathon for her debute .... and beat the woman with the world's best 1/2 marathon! WOWOWOWOW

1:05:11 ... maybe a little more than 7 because I had to take a detour to the restroom ... a real one this time, not my usual cactus studded bathroom -- don't you love all the info??

Have a great day bloggers! 

52:55.  One loop of my Sunday's two-loop course.  Wasn't able to get an hour pool running in yesterday so I am feeling a little fat and lazy today.  I hope I can make it tomorrow - we are going up to see John, and hopefully we will get back in time for me to get a second workout in in the afternoon.   Next week I am going to be in DC ... I am really hoping I can start running more, and cross-training less ... otherwise I will have to find a gym  there (one that opens super early).  

It was 48F this morning -- yippee.  Last night when I left work it was 58 and I couldn't believe how cold it felt ... I am so an Arizonan wimp now.

Have a great day!!

AM: (7 miles, 63:12).  Ran one of my many 7 mile loops ... beautifully crisp morning ~40F ... shorts weather with gloves.  I had to get out a little early because Dean had an appointment with the podiatrist in Phoenix (and then we both had an appointment with John the ART/our fix-it guy).

PM: (2 miles, ~20 mins). Practice run with my orthotics.

Interesting, John did some pretty cool experiments with my legs  and my orthotics.  He was seeing if they "fit" and were doing what he wanted them to do, so first he measured the top and bottom of my tibia without my orthotic - while I was standing - and then he had me stand on my orthotic, he fit my foot on it, and then measured again.  Basically what he was measuring was the "line" from the very lower point of the bone to the very top of the bone -- it was completely horizontal  with my orthotic and it was displaced almost 2 inches  (on my right side) when I wasn't standing on my orthotic, it was so pronounced that even I could see it looking down ... Dean laughed and said, "oh man, how were ever able to run?" with his anterior view.  Then I had to do some lunges wearing my running shoes with the orthotics in and with them out.  It was remarkable how unstable my entire leg was without them.  I expected him to say they needed adjusting (because they seem so severe to me) -- but he really thinks they are doing their job. So, over the next 2 weeks to a month I will slowly incorporate them on my runs a little bit at a time. Apparently, my initial approach of "wearing them some of the time but not all of the time" isn't really going to work.  Or at least that is what John said ... I trust him, so I will listen to him,  for now ;-).    

All and all a pretty interesting visit. Felt like a weekend, but it is not!

Have a wonderful rest of the Veteran's Day bloggers!

56:43 (29:13/27:30).  I was supposed to run 6 miles (or really 50 mins) - but I ran on my trail today (YEA!!) and I just didn't want to turn around when I was supposed to!!  It was so nice, I was a little slow on the technical parts (it is a little intimidating -- ok scary -- until you get used to it) but it was SO nice to be back.   I knew it would be "safe" again since we had a week of lows below 50F so most of the rattlesnakes are now hibernating or at least 'slow' by now.  

Now I am on my way to 45-60 mins of pool running.  I wanted to pool run yesterday, but the Y closed early because of the holiday and we did not get back from Phoenix in time to make it.

I ran for 1:05 today (to make it a solid 2 hours of exercising). Mainly because I am going to indulge tonight and have a 5 guys grilled cheese sandwich ... about double the calories of most of my dinners (470 for grilled cheese and another 310 for 1/2 order of fries) -- I will feel guilty, but will get over it I am sure!  I guess I will have to do a lot of pool running again to make up for it!!  mmmmm good, it will be worth it!

I hope you all have a great day! 

AM: (5  miles, 45:23).  Ran easy in the park.  Then went with Dean for an hour aqua-running fest.

PM: (2 miles, in orthotics).

I hope you are all having a fabulous day bloggers!