Just keep running

Welcome to the blog!

Welcome! Good job on your quitting smoking. I love hearing when people successfully quit. I can't even imagine how hard that would be :)

Thanks Littke Bad Legs and Ericka (by the way, here in Mexico you would be my "tocaya" (same names)).

How hard? very, matter fact still is, but slowly getting easier. But feel better every day, more energy!

Welcome to the blog and congrats on quitting smoking! Good luck with your running goals!

Thanks Kelli, need the support.

Bienvenidos al blog! Suerte con los maratones. Que esta Ud. haciendo en Mexico?

Welcome to the blog. Keep up the work and you will continue to improve. What part of Mexico do you live in?

Welcome to the blog. I quit smoking a couple of years ago, too, after 18 years.

I've run several half marathons and just ran the St. George marathon a few weeks ago. I finished in 5:12:48.

in 2009 I will run my first ultra marathon in April. I will also run four marathons. I know you can meet your goals. If I can do it, so can you.

Thanks Burt, matt & Dale.

Burt: I'm mexican, lived here all my life, although my parents are Canadian (well to be honest, I have dual citizenship).

matt: I live in Guadalajara; thanks for the support.

Dale: Takes guts to quit smoking, I understand you. Your comments are inspiration to keep pushing forward.

Eric - do you have a bike? If yes, try riding it in addition to running. This will give your the extra training you need but cannot do because of the tendons.

Good job quitting smoking. Your times should improve very quickly as your lungs clean up in the next year.

Good morning.

I would suggest taking it easy. Most injuries from running can heal without surgery, but don't over exert yourself. Have a good Day. (No pun intended.)

Thanks Burt, that is exactly what I am trying.

Great run, and congratulations on a solid PR!

I sounds like you are in much better shape than you think!

Thanks nevels..got to keep trying! Now we go for the sub 45 goal!

Great race! Way to overcome smoking and injury--a monumental accomplishment!

Great job on the P.R.. You are defintely ahead of schedule. Time to work on some new goals!!! Congrats on quitting smoking. Best decision you'll ever make.If youneed any help with that; give me a holler. Been there, done that.

Great job. Keep up the good work.

Good luck on your race this weekend!

Uh-oh. Hope your friend isn't sidelined too long. I can't wait to read your race report!

Hill or no you still got a PR! So congratulations on that! I know for me if I am running and have to stop and walk briefly for whatever reason, it is really hard to get going again--it's like stopping makes you lose your momentum. Keep running smart and don't re-injure that achilles! Maybe you can scope out a nice flat course for your next 10k!

After this big hill we climbed in my last half marathon I couldn't get going again, so I know how you feel. You still did pretty good though.

Hey, don't get too upset with your self. You did manage to get a P.R. out of the deal. It just goes to show that all the training is paying off. Even wthough you feel like you didn't do your best you still did. That gives you plenty of room for a big improvement in your next race. The great thing about racing is that we learn so much about ourselves and what we are capable of. Of course learning and applying that knowledge are two different things.

Thanks guys, I appreciate the support. I really wanted to hit the 48 minute mark, thats why I blew it.

And yes, 5 seconds is a big difference (should be ask Michael Phelps?) ... Will put hill on december training plan, this will be a must one day of the week.

I love running in the crispy cold and then warming up into it--beats running in the heat all sweaty and miserable!

You have a nice Thanksgiving yourself. Thanks for the comment. What do they call it in Mexico. Feliz Dia del Pavo? Dia de Accion de Gracias?

We have no Thanksgiving. But the translation would be "Dia de Accion de Gracias". Mexicans don't say thanks...I insist we should.

No turkey for me today, have to wait for Christmas to have my Mother's tasty turkey!

Alternatively you could say every day is Thanks Giving Day! Todos los dias es dia de dar las gracias!

It's nice to run without a watch once in a while, isn't it? Helps you relax and enjoy a bit... Hasta pronto!

Oh wow--races one week apart. You are brave! This is the one! Yeah for sub-50!

Thanks April. We will certainly try. My wife will be running the 5k part of this race. She is nervous about it...I'm sure she will do fine.

Good luck on the race tomorrow! That's awesome your wife is running, too! I hope you both have great runs tomorrow.

Sweet! You went way under sub-50! Congratulations!

Thanks April. Feels great to finally reach a goal!

I'm happy and feel great.

BTW, my wife DID run the 5k, she did about 36 min, but she felt fine at the end. We are already talking about doing a 10k in the near future. How about that?!

Best.

Way to go Eric!!! I knew you were ready to go under 50. Now, like you said, you can work on building up your distance and concentrate on the 1/2 marathon. And yes, I'm aware of who Ochoa is. She is coming off one of the historically best seasons a golfer has ever had. Keep up the great training and stay healthy. Paul

Thanks, good cheers!

This week I begun distance running. Tomorrow I will try my first long run, see how things go.

Congratulations on sub-50:00!

Thanks Sasha. This website is really helping!.

I've noticed that your are upping the mileage a bit this week. Way to go! Glad your body is cooperating and you are injury free! Stay that way! I'm sure it was a lovely treat for your mother to hear your daughter play. Is your wife going to run some more races with you? I love it when my husband comes to my races and cheers for me with the kids--it is the best feeling ever!

Thanks for the 'porras' (porras=cheers).

I shall continue to convince my wife to keep running and doing races; or at least come (with my girls) as my cheering party. Yes-it fills you up with energy and it feels great when they come and cheer.

My wife has a back problem, so she has to take it easy with the running (not too much, not too hard). But as long as her back doesn't complain...she will do it.

good luck on your long run! Are you still planning a 1/2 marathon in February? I am thinking about one on Jan 17 but it is dependent on whether my ankle cooperates. the pain keeps moving to different places so I am not sure what to think of it.

Hey!! Great job. That's got to be a good feeling. Do some easy runs during next week and then add on another 1 mile next Saturday! You can do it.

Thanks Burt. I feel fine. Only my quads feel like if they had grown a couple of sizes (ja, I have skinny legs)...tired but VERY satisfied.

My program for next week (in kms) is Mon-8km; Tue-6km; Wed-8kms; Thu-6kms; Fri-8kms; Sat-long run 16-18 kms....we shall see.

Congrats on the 10 miler! What a fantastic feeling--and a confidence booster!

What a feeling! Here's to more double-digit runs in your future!

Thanks for the welcome on my blog here!

Excellent pace, and great job on that long run yesterday! Once you've done 10 miles, 13 doesn't feel too much different... except I have to start thinking about energy gels during a 1/2 marathon and not in runs shorter than 10 miles...

You can do it!

Good run and good pace! Sounds like you are gearing up for a solid first half-marathon.

Thanks for the comments Lucia & April.

Started thinking on the 'good pace' comments.My pace is nothing out the ordinary, so why the comment?

Must be because I'm posting in KMS!!!

Sorry if this is confusing. My total milage is correct, but the info I write (pace, HR, time, distance) is all in the metric systems (min/km)...I guess I was causing a good impression incorrectly...

But please, keep up the comments! It feels great to have a pat on the back here & there...

Cheers!

It IS a good pace. You are running sub 9-minute miles for five miles, which in my book, is a good solid pace! Granted I am no elite runner. It was only several months ago that I ran 11 minute miles so I still see 9:00 miles as a solid pace! I guess it is all about perspective!

I agree it is nice to get the pats on the back--it helps motivate me to get up and get my run in so I have something to blog!

Ohhhhh so you're not really running a 5 minute mile? Then scratch my previous comment, your pace is terrible ;)

Just kidding!

ha ha ha!

Estos Argentinos...

=)

Si a la vida le sacamos el humor, que nos queda?

Here is one for you Lucia:

¿En qué se parece Supermán a un argentino humilde?

En que ninguno de los dos existe

ha ha ... no offense meant .... =)

Hahahahaha! None taken - I work with a Venezuelan guy and an Ecuadorian guy... I get teased enough already, trust me :)

And now you blog with a Mexican!

Latin America haunts you...

Good for you to have a good sense of humor..

Contrario a lo que Lucia le dijo ayer, esto si es un buen escalon.

Graicias Burt. Pero no me hables de Usted por favor. no es para tanto...ya no soy tan joven pero no tan viejo...

Okay. I was wondering what you would think of that.

I on the other hand am joven but feel viejo. :)

Well, with 6 children, its a miracle that you live!

Lucky you!

It was gorgeous outside when I rand today too! Glad it was enjoyable!

I'm sure your quads are fine--they are probably just grumbling while adjusting to the increase in mileage!

You may be right April...but they sure whine alot!! Am my tendons feel a little bit sore. Tomorrow I will probably just take a lighter run, keep the pace easy and cool.

Cheers!

Are you doing another 10 tomorrow? Glad your quads were better--you are wise to take it easy today. Have a good long run tomorrow!

Hi April, I'll try at least the 10 miles, then decide if I put one or two more miles. See how my body reacts...

Thanks for the support! Have a great day.

glad you got through another 10! Sorry your knees gave you so much trouble--nothing a day off won't fix!

Machaca con huevo! Man that sounds good. There's this Mexican restaraunt here. It's called - Mexican Restaraunt. They have the best breakfast burritos. The problem is, they tie your barriga in knots for three days. Totally worth it, though.

Glad your knees are better. Most of the time when I run I don't look at my watch either. I just look at it after the run and then calculate my average pace. I'm always afraid that looking at my watch will make me run faster or slower than I should be for that day.

Well have fun and enjoy the Christmas show! Hope the tiredness eases off!

You're really doing great.

Thanks Burt, someday...someday I'll run a marathon!

The Christmas Show was cute. My daughter did a wonderful job dancing "Jingle Bells" in rap version. How about that?!

Fun fun.

Nice job building up the miles. I can totaly appreciate those "fragile" knees.

It's all part of the building up of mileage Just take it slow and use the 10% rule. You'll be ready for that 1/2 marathon before you know it.

Good job making up the miles, and glad to hear that the Christmas show went well.

Thanks guys.

Plumbcrazy: need holding up, but still feel 'fragile'. I believe I can run the distance, just not sure yet what pace to aim for in the 1/2 race. 5, 5:30 (min/km)? I'll have to work out the numbers.

Nevels, thanks. What can I say a bout the show? Of course my daughter was the best on stage!! ja ja.

Cheers all!

214! WOW! You do push yourself! Heehee just kidding your heart rate monitor is having some problems for sure.

Another nice run today Eric. I wouldn't be too worried about doing hill workouts just yet. Maybe you can incorporate some smaller hills into your runs just to get a feel for them again. Just remember to listen to your body and don't overdo it. I don't call not wanting to go through injuries again, chicken- I call it smart.

plumcrazy, what is your real name? I don't like the way "Hey, Plumbcrazy" sounds if was I was saying something to you.

Anyways, thanks for the cheers. I'm going for the 6 miles per day base plus long run of 12 miles. I'll keep it there for the next 2 weeks.

Need to go run to another place if hill training is to be done, since where I run now is mostly flat. I'm not looking forward to that...

My real names Paul. My profession is a plumber so that's where I get the on-line name. I live out on an island so there aren't a lot of hills for me either. I will usually get on the treadmill and put it all the way up for my hill workouts. It's either that or take a 40 minute drive to the other end of the island.

Paul. Excellent. Now I can write to you by name, thanks.

Island plumbing...interesting!

Good that your legs are holding up! Your fitness must be improving immensely. You will be definitely be ready for your half-marathon in February--when in February is it?

Thanks April.

The HM is the 22nd of February. So, I think I have enough time to train properly and finish with a decent result.

I've invited some friends to run it also. One is coming from out of town. We'll see how many decide to run in the end. What is your wish-finish time for the HM?

The 23rd is the 9th birthday of my eldest daughter. Boy is she getting big...I've told her so many times to stop growing, but she won't listen to me!! ;)

I've been telling my sister to stop growing for years, and she refuses to listen to me, too!

Good luck in the half marathon, and the phrase "getting better every day" is the best thing you can hear as a recovering runner.

My kids won't stop growing up either! It happens way too fast! Two of them are bigger than me...

I have debated on my ideal finishing time. I would like to finish in 1:50 or under, which would be 8:25 pace--challenging for 13 miles! The hills will give me troubles too, and the weather could be less than ideal, so I will try not to be too disappointed if my time is less than ideal!

April, I'm sure you will be surprised by the excellent time you will do, you have good training to support it.

I was aiming for the 1:45, but I think I'm pushing to far to fast. Will decide in February what pace to go for...

Nevels, yes, girls are stubborn! They never listen to us guys! =)

And, its feel really great to say "better every day".

Congrats on selling your house--you are right, you were lucky to sell fast considering the economy! Good luck on your long run tomorrow!

Thanks April. This has been such a great year for my personal life...stopped smoking, started running, sold my house, started construction plans.

God has blessed me!!

Nice miles with a strong finish. Hope your knees recover with a day off! A big breakfast with family after a long run is one of the greatest things in the world(at least for me).

Oh dear. Sorry that everything hurts. I would suggest making this week a "recovery" week--nothing but easy, easy runs of 6 miles or so--no long run--and then see how you feel. I did a week like that not too long ago and it did wonders for me and my nagging ankle! When I came back training hard I was fresh and ready to go and have been rocking steady since--body for once is not complaining too much about the increase in mileage! It was also good for me mentally. Hope you are having a wonderful Christmas week with your girls!

Pobrecito. Que te mejores.

Thanks April...I think I will try that, anyways, with all the holidays & things, i don't think I'll be able to pull out running 6 days this week (and probably next one neither). I'll keep it easy these days...

I'm working, but yes, we are having fun. Hope you are too!! Cheers.

Burt, que lloron soy, verdad? Gracias (de donde aprendiste tu espanol?).

Way to tough it out!!You showed great mental toughness and that will help you when you are in a race and feel like you cant go any farther.Happy Holidays!!

Como cincuenta por cien de la gente en FRB, soy Mormon. Servi dos anyos en Espanya haciendo la obra misional.

Glad your knees are feeling better! That is a relief!

Merry Christmas amigo. Hope you and your family have a great day.

Feliz Navidad senor Eric!

Burt & Lucia, gracias Sr y Srita. Espero que lo hayan pasado de maravilla con sus seres queridos.

Best wishes to all!

Boy you were cooking for the second half of the run! That's nice you got to run with your brother! Knees okay? How about the Achilles? Must be doing better!

Hi April, knees are better, but not well yet. Achilles tendon is doing well but still feel pains here & there sometimes.

Yup, enjoyed his company, he's my little brother so we get along quite well.

Nice run! Glad your knees are doing better! 7 miles sounds like a good goal to aim for this week.

Good luck on hitting 7 miles per day. Hope the knees feel better.

Thanks April & Jim. Hope to hit the 7 miles per day mark & the long run.

Guess where I will do my long run this week (and next weeks runs)? In Puerto Vallarta, yup, we are heading off to the beach this friday...we are all really looking forward to a week on the beach...sun, pool, nice weather, shorts...what else can one ask for?

Ohhhh Puerto Vallarta I am sooooo jealous! Nice runnin' amigo, glad to hear your knees feel better!

Nice run! I'm glad your knees are easing up for you. I'm also glad you didn't really die :o)

Thanks Lucia, we Latin's have great beaches, right?

Camille, thanks. I die at least every week, according to my polar HR monitor...

Nice miles! Do you stretch well? I was told to stand on a step of stairs, stand on your toe box and push down on your heel, do it straight down and also turning the heel to the right and then to the left... Also ask Lety to massage your calves nicely :)

Maybe try some muscle rub too.

Lucia, stretch well? I hope so, but since I'm hurting, I guess not. I do do the step stretch, but the heel turn...when do I turn the heel? when the heel is on the bottom? or how?

I'll ask my wife, but I probably get better results from one of my daughters (if I put money on the table, of course)...

Burt, any difference between massage and muscle rub?

I'm talking about some of that cream you put on that makes you smell like old man. ICY HOT is good.

Thanks Burt, will try the cream. I do have that at home.

You can try a foam roller. I have one. It's in the shape of a cylinder of 8" diameter or so, and is firm. I put my calves on it, with one ankle crossed above the other, then raise my bum with my arms, then try to put as much weight as possible on my calves by leaning forward, and roll back and forth on the calf.

Last night I got a massage on my calves, courtesy of my wife (believe it or not). It felt nice although calves were not very tight by nighttime.

Todays run was better, my calves are not as tight as other days.

Michelle, I don't have a foam roller, but I know which one you mean, I've seen it. I'll try to get one...

Thanks all for your tips & comments...

Bravo on a wonderful year and some new healthy hobbies Eric! Doesn't it feel great to not be a smoker and call yourself a runner instead?! Nice pace on the 7 miles. How are the knees?

Me a runner?!! YES, it feels great. Knees feel so much better, the audiobook listening did the trick. I fooled my legs to not knowing they were running.. =)

Happy New Year April. I hope you have an easy night today...

Good to see that the milage build up is going so well. It was also nice to see what a productive year you've had. It's amazing how many positives come about once we start making healthy choices. Have a great New Year. Paul

Thanks Paul.

As in Math: Postitive + positive = positive.

Have a great New Year, all the best!

Great accomplishments in '08.

Hey Eric, your English is so good. Would you consider English or Spanish to be your native tongue? I seem to remember you saying that your mother was a Lutheran missionary from Scandinavia or Canada and your father was a deacon from Mexico. Or maybe that was Nacho Libre. Anyway, refresh my memory.

Hello? Is there anybody out there? Just wondering how you're doing. Give a shout out if you get a chance. Paul

What a fabulous year Eric! And how is 2009 treating you so far? That 1/2 marathon in February won't run itself, ya know?

Hi all, miss me? Just got back from a few days at the beach.

Burt, although I've lived all my life in Mexico, my native tongue is English, but I also speak perfect spanish. My mother is Canadian...no religion & my father is Mexican (although my grandfather was British) (also no religion). Need more?

Paul, thanks for the message, just back from holidays.

Lucia, I did train in PV, just give a chance on posting my data, alright?

Okay. It was Nacho Libre then. But at least I got the Canada Mexico part right. It's just that your English is near perfect, your Spanish is near perfect, but I have seen a hint of Spanglish in your blogging. Glad you enjoyed the vacation!