Old Man Still running

Day three of recovery going well, feel better each day.  Today I could even jog down the stairs.  The right ankle creaks.  Left shoulder muscles tired.  I put shoes on for the first time since stopping and they feel pretty tight, the feet a little swollen still.

I had my Garmin on for the first 60 miles.  The map of it is funny.  The side trips are to the big tent.   Mile splits were pretty impressive for the first ten miles.  Pace times were: 7:46, 7:56, 8:17, 8:18, 8:48, 8:24, 8:39, 8:28, 8:35, 8:42, and so on. My first mile over 9:00 was mile 20,  For the first 60 miles I averaged 10:23 pace, including my stops.

I still am having trouble getting my head around the fact that I ran 187 miles.  That really seems crazy.  It went by so fast.  Of course I kick myself for not reaching 200.  But in the history of this race since 1983, there have only been a handful of runners who have gone over 185 miles.  Most of those were international world-class talent.  I'm only the second runner over 50 years old to go over 185 miles in 48 hours at this race.

What if I didn't take that 4-hour rest?  Perhaps I could have hit 200, but I was very wasted at mile 160, running a fever, and soon bonked bad.  I suspect I could have started running again 2 hours later instead of 4, but I probably wouldn't have pushed as hard as I did when I saw that my lead was gone.  I suspect the most miles I could have reached would have been in the low 190s.

Recovery Day 4.  The toughest part is still getting out of bed.  After ten hours of deep sleep, getting up still feels like I've been hit by a truck.  The pain is everywhere when I first get moving.  But then things get better.

My thoughts are already turning toward Rocky Raccoon 100 in only 33 days.  This is again a pretty flat course and this year I'm determined to break 20 hours there.  Last year two guys over 50 years old did it, so why can't I? If the weather can stay cool there, I can do it.

The kind congratulations for my ATY win continue to pour in from the ultrarunning community. That is a big reason I love ultrarunning because you become part of a family of runners who are supportive and take time even during races to get to know you.

On the ultralist, it was funny that a guy remembered that I had finished dead last in my first 50-miler back in 2004 and now is beating US National team members.  He used that as an example to give encouragement to back-of-the packers and what is possible to reach for.  And then a buddy in his 50s chimed in as say that it is because I've reached my prime, in the 50s.

Anyway, enjoying the rest.  No reason to run for awhile.

Recovery Day 5.  A little discouraging.  Getting up today didn't feel like I was hit by a truck anymore, just a small car.  All those joints, even fingers and toes hurt. I felt like an old man with arthritis.  Well, maybe I am and need to start acting my age.

After 100s, typically you have some swelling that protects the joints from pain for the first couple days.  Well, that has gone away and that just leaves some interesting pain.  My problem knee is the biggest worry. It started hurting bad yesterday and continues today.  I know that I'm always one race away from retirement because of that knee.  I think I just have some bruised cartilege that will take some time to heal.

Then, going out to the car, I took a very bad fall on the ice and bruised a hip.  So now I'm really walking around like an old man, especially around the ice.

I think I need to go shopping for a rocking chair to rock on my porch.  When I see runners go by, I'll swear, spit, shake my cane, and say, "Dang young show-offs. Bet you can't run 187 miles!"

Whoo hoo!  I feel much better today, feel recovered. No pain getting up today. Amazing what three straight nights of sleeping 10 hours does for you.  I can't remember the last time I've ever slept so much.  All three evenings, 8 p.m. hit and I was exhausted and just went to bed and fell right to sleep.

I think I'm ready to at least start swimming.  I know if I started doing some running that the knee will hurt within the first mile, so it still needs time.  I know the routine with it since it has been nearly seven years now working with it.   I run on it until it hurts then quit, next day can go further, etc.  It seems to heal faster if I use it.

Still resting, nine hours sleep last night.  Fighting off a cold.

Set my potential race schedule for next year.  Decided not to do Hardrock even if I get in, entered Tahoe Rim 100 again instead, to go for my 5th finish there.  Looks like it will be more competetive there this year.

Rocky Raccoon 100, TX – Feb 5-6

Buffalo Run 100, UT – Mar 25-26

Ogden Marathon, UT – May 21

Squaw Peak 50, UT – Jun 4

Bighorn 100, WY – Jun 17-18

Tahoe Rim Trail 100 , NV – Jul 16-17

Cascade Crest 100??, WA – Aug 27-28

Wasatch 100, UT?? – Sept 9-10

Virgil Crest 100, NY – Sept 24-25

Pony Express Trail 100, UT – Oct 21-22

Across the Years 48???, AZ – Dec 29-30

Back in the saddle!   Treadmill, most at 8:30 pace.  Tested things out.  Delighted that my knee didn't complain as long as I kept the pace at 8:30 or below.  The ankle problem is really a lower leg problem, the extensor digitorum longus muscle.  It still creaks and was in pain after the run, but reading up on it, it doesn't appear to be a serious problem and people can run through it.

No soreness in all other leg muscles.  Legs felt great afterwards and wanted more.  This turned out to be a good fast recovery given I was still running a week ago.

Treadmill miles.  Almost total recovered.  No real pain. Did some long stretches at 15-20% incline and the legs liked it.