Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow

I actually got to run outdoors today. It was a bit warmer, above freezing, and the roads were slushy and sloppy. But definitely clear enough to run. The only annoyance was dodging cars and getting splashed with slush. I ran the North Logan Loop from work, and kept the pace moderate, anywhere from 6:30 to 7:30/mile. Average pace was a little about 7:00/mile.

AM - ran the dog around the block

PM - very nice day today, in the low 40's with sunshine. The roads were in great shape. How rare! Unfortunately, I wanted to today to be a cross training day, as my knee is still not feeling quite right. No pain while running, but is very tight if I go down to a full squat. So I guess I consider this "preventative". I ran from work through River Heights to the gym, then did 30 minutes on the elliptical, with a 4x4-minute fartlek session (2 minutes recovery). Then I did some single-leg extensions, adductors, abductors, and a few chin-ups. Ran home, and then back to work.

Still babying the left knee. Also the top of my hamstring/low butt hurts now on my left leg. It only hurts if I bend over or push my knee to my chest; no pain while running. But that is inevitable. I think I'm falling apart and I'm not made to run anymore. Too much tendon damage, and I think I'm washed up. Oh well. It's been a nice ride.

I ran the the dog around the block and then ran to coffee. Ran home for lunch. I should note that none of the things I complained about above hurt while running, but they are not getting better either. I think I may get myself to Painters, and then take a break for a while after that. But who knows. I'll be trying a new medication in January (sulphasalazine), so maybe that will shore up my peripheral joints.

Started off the New Year with a goose egg. I ran the dog around the block, but I didn't feel like doing much else. Everything felt fine while running, but my upper hamstring/ischium still hurts when I bend over, and knee is still not quite right (although is definitely much better). Perhaps I may swing out of this physical and mental funk in a few days. I'll probably try running and cross training again tomorrow.

AM - ran the dog around the block

noon - amazingly warm out today, about 50 degrees. I was planning on doing some cross training, but couldn't pass up the weather. My knee was feeling about 98%, and hamstring was about the same or a little better than yesterday. I ran the Landfill Loop (in shorts) at a fairly brisk pace, but didn't wear a watch. Knee felt good, and other than a few weird little twinges, the hamstring had no pain during the run. I guess I'll keep running on it until I have a good reason not to. After lunch, I ran back to work, and then ran to the post office and the bank.

Whenever we have a warm spell, it is always followed by a snow storm and the deathly grip of cold. This week is no exception. Yesterday was 50 degrees, then came the rain, which turned into snow. Temperature dropped to about 10 degrees. And all the rain/snow freezes into ice. Perfect day for the treadmill, but I elected to run outside anyway to get some social time in with Cody. It was certainly very cold (my hands froze), but the roads were actually okay in some spots, where there was a layer of snow on the ice. We ran a short Millville Hill Loop, and averaged just over 8:00/mile for 11 miles. I stopped at the gym on the way back, and did 10 minutes on the arc trainer, and then some leg extensions. My knee is almost feeling 100%, but I can still feel some twinges and pain in my hamstring. We'll see what a day off tomorrow does.