High-Octane

No run today although I felt like I could have... I think I have some sort of swelling in my hip joint that, when it swells like at night, causes it to be much more sore. I believe the ibuprofen reduces the swelling and keeps it from hrting. So...That's the diagnosis from Dr. IJR... :-)

I'm going to stay on the ibuprofen for a few days and see if that helps the healing by hopfully reducing the swelling. I'm temped to run a couple of miles and see how it feels tomorrow.

Luke 14

 ¹ One Sabbath, when Jesus went to share a meal in the home of one of the leaders of the Pharisees, they were watching him closely. ² A man suffering from an abnormal swelling of the body was there. ³ Jesus asked the lawyers and Pharisees, “Does the Law allow healing on the Sabbath or not?â€�

I hoped to run a couple of miles today but nooooo it's more sore. I'm trying to get ready for a big team roping event in two weeks so I think the riding has kept it sore. Oh well, at least I can talk about running with you guys :-)

Proverbs 14:29
Patience leads to abundant understanding, but impatience leads to stupid mistakes.

Okay everybody....Sorry for being stealth for so many days but between my hip problem (and having nothing to say) and work (which has been crazy) I really have fallen down on keeping up on the Blog.

First: My hip is still painful. The symptoms are the same (but not as bad). When I get up in the morning and take the first few steps it hurts quite a bit. Throughout the day it feels better but as I walk, run, etc. it still hurts to put pressure on it. Actually the pain seems to come and go in intensity. More activity doesn't seem to make it hurt immediatly but later it may start hurting more. For example the last few days I have been working outside doing manual labor at the Extreme Home Makeover in Kansas, this didn't seem to have aggrivated the hip any more than normal.

Today I decided to go ahead and run a couple of miles. The first 1/2 mile the hip hurt quit a bit but after that got much better. Now (3 horus later) it actually feel pretty good..just a little discomfort. I''ll wait and see how it feels later today and in morning before deciding if I'm going to run again tomorrow. On a side note, I can't believe how much conditioning I have lost in two weeks. My heart rate was way up compared to a normal run of this type so I  guess I'll be starting over again when I do get to training again :-(

I got my bike in and plan to go to the bike store today to get shoes, helmet, pants, etc. I was able to ride the bike a few minutes yesterday and it didn't seem to bother my hip at all. Hopefully the bike will allow me to do something until my hip is back to 100%.

Here's the run for today:

8/8/2011
Mile	Time	HR	HR %	Out & Back
1	8:30:00	135	68%
2	7:35:00	162	86%
Total	16:05:00	149	51%
Pace	8:02:30

Biked 16 miles in the PM with Callie. First time on the new Road Bike...It rides great!

I ran 2 miles again today. The first 1/4 was very painful, the next 1/4 was very uncomfortable the next mile was better. The last mile was irritating but not painful. Maybe if I run 10 I'd feel perfect at the end.

I ran on monday and skipped yesterday. My hip was sore most of the day yesterday.

8/10/2011
Mile	Time	HR	HR %	Out & Back
1	8:04:00	140	71%
2	7:02:00	166	89%
Total	15:06:00	153	53%
Pace	7:33:00

Psalm 46:1

"God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.�

Ran another 2 miles today but it was still very painful. Through the first mile I just wanted to quit.

Yesterday I got my bike all adjusted and rode 16 miles. It didn't seem to hurt my hip at all but maybe it wasn't a fair test since I took 2 ibuprofen before the ride.

Sorry I haven't been very enthused about blogging lately...

8/10/2011
Mile	Time	HR	HR %	Out & Back
1	8:54:00	136	68%
2	7:36:00	159	84%
Total	16:30:00	148	51%
Pace	8:15:00

"If you can give your son or daughter only one gift, let it be - enthusiasm."
Bruce Barton

Rode my bike today...No running...!

8/14/2011
Miles	Time	HR	HR %	Break at Each 6 Miles
18	64:39:00	143	73%
Total	64:39:00	143	73%
Speed	16.7 mph
		85 Deg.

Biking doesn't seem to hurt my hip. I do think it's getting better but very slow progress.

Isaiah 40:31
But those who wait on the LORD shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint.

I guess I need to be more patient....!

Yesterday and today was the big roping event. I went to Waco Texas for the USTRC Regional Finals qualifing in three roping catagories. Roping is kinda like golf where you are ranked based on your ability and past performance. There are several catagories where you team up with another roper (your choice) to form a team and your team enters a roping catagory that matches your qualification. I roped in catagories 12, 11 and 10. At these roping I actually have a pretty good chance to win but if you can imagine all of the variables that go into roping (your own performance, your team partner's performance, both you and your partner's horses and then there's the steer your competing against). With all this said, it can get a little dicy sometimes and you can get in a rut and not do well. All in all my performance and my horses performance was very good. I came very close to winning big in one of the three catagories and somewhat close in another. I feel that we (my partners and I) had a couple of bad breaks. Even though I didn't get in the price money it was a very good weekend for me, I don't expect to win at every competition I go to...it's actually very tough to get in the prices competing against up to 300 other teams that are basiclly classified as you and your partner. The horse I rode is getting better and better at these big events and I'll be ready to go to the next one.

A few of you asked for photographs. Here is a link to the photographer's website where you can see many of my roping runs at the event.

http://www.allensrodeophotos.com/

Enter 33324 into the "Find Your Proofs" (at the right of the page)

Select me 33324 Preston Tatum (you should be able to view all the pictures by clicking on the thumbnails)

 There are many other pictures of me competiting in the "Proofs On Demand" if you're really interested. It might get a little confusing in alot of the other pictures because I am riding a variety of horses (mostly a white horse) and roping the heel end (back feet). Reciently I have gone back to the head end (roping the horns) after many years of layoff from the head end (that's a long story...I can tell you later if you really want to know).

Anyway...there's Team Roping 101 ... Enjoy... :-)

Jeremiah 4:13 Behold, he shall come up as clouds, and his chariots shall be as a whirlwind: his horses are swifter than eagles. Woe unto us! for we are spoiled.

Well today I tried to run. It is still painful...! I  went ahead and ran 2 miles. My hip really hurt throughout the first mile but finally was bearable on the second.

8/14/2011
Mile	Time	HR	HR %	Out & Back
1	8:25:00	141	72%
2	7:26:00	161	85%
Total	15:51:00	151	52%
Pace	7:55:30

This evening I rode my bike again. I don't get any pain at all when I ride the bike. I don't really know what to expect from the biking (speed, distance, etc.) but it seemed pretty good. I do know that it's sure working some different muscles than running :-) We'll see how sore I am after a few days of this. It was really hot when I biked (100 degrees) but I've figured out quickly that you can bear much more heat when riding a bike than running. There's always a breeze...

8/14/2011
Miles	Time	HR	HR %	Break at 12.5 for Drink
25.25	84:11:00	148	76%
Total	84:11:00	148	76%
Speed	18 mph
		100 Deg.	27% Humidity

Does anyone know if you can change your Blog Profile to add the Biking. I think when I set up my Blog that was an option but now I can't figure out how to add it...?

If you want a Bible Verse that will really make your scratch your head, here it is...

Ezekiel 1:15-21

¹⁵ As I looked at the creatures, suddenly there was a wheel on the earth corresponding to all four faces of the creatures. ¹⁶ The appearance and composition of the wheels were like sparkling topaz. There was one shape for all four of them, as if one wheel were inside another. ¹⁷ When they moved in any of the four directions, they moved without swerving. ¹⁸ Their rims were tall and terrifying, because all four of them were filled with eyes all around. ¹⁹ When the creatures moved, the wheels moved next to them. Whenever the creatures rose above the earth, the wheels also rose up. ²⁰ Wherever the wind would appear to go, the wind would make them go there too. The wheels rose up beside them, because the spirit of the creatures was in the wheels. ²¹ When they moved, the wheels^[c] moved; when they stood still, the wheels stood still; and when they rose above the earth, the wheels rose up along with them, because the spirit of the creatures was in the wheels.

Ran 2 miles in the morning.

Exodus 9:13
[ The Plague of Hail ] Then the LORD said to Moses, “Get up early in the morning, confront Pharaoh and say to him, ‘This is what the LORD, the God of the Hebrews, says: Let my people go, so that they may worship me,

Biked 10 easy miles with Callie.

13 mph avg.

Well, I'm still trying to run a little...but still my progress is slow. My hip does not hurt as much as it originally did but it is still very painful. I don't think the little running I'm doing is hurting it any more and the biking doesn't seem to irritate it at all so....a little running and a lot (relative statment) of biking. The worst thing is all the bikers at work are really nagging me about getting more serious about it...Ha ha, just kidding, they are "encourging" me :-) Hope none of them read my running blog! LOL

Today's workout:

Morning: 2 mile run @ 7:20 pace ... Then a fast transition to the bike for 10 miles @ 17.7 mph pace

Evening: Bike for 22 miles @ 18.3 mph pace with about a 5 minute break at the halfway point

Total:

2 miles running

32 miles biking

Matthew 5:41
If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles.

No running today, just a short bike ride in the morning. Roping practice this evening.

8/18/2011
Miles	Time	HR	HR %	Break at 12.5 for Drink
12	41:22:00	149	77%
Total	41:22:00	149	77%
Speed	17.4
		76 Deg.	43% Humidity

Psalm 119:147
I awaited the dawning of the morning and cried; I hoped in Thy word.

Ha ha...ran 2 miles today and after I looked at my time each mile was within 1 second of what I ran on Wednesday. Oh well, not much more to talk about when I only run 2 miles :-)

I will probably bike about 25 miles this evening...

8/19/2011
Mile	Time	HR	HR %	Out & Back
1	7:45:00	143	73%
2	6:57:00	167	89%
Total	14:42:00	155	81%
Pace	7:21:00

Matthew 5:10-12 

“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. “Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Today was a real biking day... 55 miles Total

I went over to my friends today and rode with him 22 miles @ 14 mph speed. He had surgery on his arm about 6 months ago and has not ridden since then so he wanted to keep the speed slow.

Then I came home and rode another 25 miles. 12.5 miles out @ 16 mph speed and 12.5 miles back @ 18 mph speed.

Then I rode another 8 miles with my wife at an easy pace.

I would really like to run...!

Psalm 16:8

“I keep my eyes always on the LORD. With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken.�

No running today but 25 miles on the bike. Rode from church back home.

12.5 miles (half way) @ 18.4 mph avg. speed. This is a fairly flat route. Then I rested long enough to get a good drink of water then 12.5 (the rest of the way home) @ 16.1 mph avg. speed. This leg of the route is more hilly and I had a pretty strong headwind most of the way.

Wanted to ride another 25 in the evening but family things didn't allow it to happen.

Again...Only 2 miles today. I went to the gym and ran on the treadmill but the pain is still there x!@#^&HE%\\\\...!!!

No biking today...I have a meeting this evening. Tomorrow I plan to go to Gruene and ride with the "real" bikers on a their weekly long ride (30 or 40 miles I think).

Proverbs 29:11
Fools show all their anger, but the wise hold it back.

...I'm trying...!

Biked 34 miles @ 18 mph avg. speed

Went to Gruene and rode with the bikers today. There were about 25 or 30 total. They say there are sometimes 40+ riders. I wasn't sure what to expect since I haden't ridden in a group before. I was a little intimidated at first and stayed pretty much in the middle of the pack for the first couple of miles. Then the pack split and the fast guys took off. I soon found myself in no man’s land with the fast pack pretty far ahead of me while I was pulling away from the slow guys. Luckily about 5 miles out one of the fast guys dropped a water bottle had to turn around and pick it up. I caught up with him, passed him and then about a half mile down the road he came flying by me. I decided to try and keep up with him as long as I could and found myself drafting him for about 10 miles (actually I took the lead for a while but he did most of the work). We stayed together until the 15 mile turn around. Some riders turn around at 15 and others go another couple of miles up to the dam where there are some really long steep hills. I decided to go for the dam with a group of 3 other guys (medium speed riders). I made the dam and headed back with the small group but after about 4 or 5 miles decided to break away and ride by myself the rest of the way back. This was a good workout but I have a lot to learn about biking.

Sorry...I have nothing to say about running.... Oh, but I can say that bikers are wimps. They rest all the time simply by not peddling. There's no rest for the weary runner...!

No running today but a good bike ride in the morning and a pleasure ride in the evening.

8/24/2011
Miles	Time	Speed	HR	HR %	Road to Redwood (Morning & Evening Rides)
16	56:25:00	17.1	125	61%
7		Slow w/Sarah
23
Total	56:25:00		125	61%

Psalm 68:3-5

Added another 20 miles this evening:

10 @ 16 ... short rest then 10 @ 19.5 ... Almost to the magic 20 mph mark!

Total for the day 40 miles...

Only biking again today.... Morning ride. I start at about 6:20 while it's still a little dark, but by the time I get to the main road it's somewhat light. I road to Kingsbury today (that's my address but still 10 miles away). It is very hilly going that direction. I was hoping to increase my avg. speed but realized I couldnot with all of the hills. My effort was good but not reflected by the time. I am going to try another route to see if I can get my avg. speed closer to 20 mph.

20 Miles (Out and Back) @ 17.25 mph avg. speed.

8/25/2011
Miles	Time	Speed	HR	HR %	Road to Kingsbury - Very Hilly (Morning Ride)
10	35:44:00	16.8	142	72%
10	33:53:00	17.7	146	75%
20		17.25
Total	69:37:00		288	74%

Rode again this morning 22 miles. It was supposed to be 20 but I took a wrong turn on one of the back roads and got lost. After a mile I realized what I had done and turned around. This ride was supposed to be an easy ride but my speed doesn't reflect that. Either the cool weather (70 degrees..!!!!) made it easier or the route was just not as hard. My heart rate avgeraged 138 which is an easy pace for running. I haven't run in several days so I might try again tomorrow morning. I added a chart to keep up with each week's biking. Last week I rode 174 miles.

Day	Miles	HR %	Year Total
Sun	25		318.36
Mon	0	?
Tue	34	82%
Wed	23	61%
Thu	40	72%
Fri	22	66%
Sat
Week Total	144

1 Corinthians 13:4-7

 ⁴ Love is patient, love is kind, it isn’t jealous, it doesn’t brag, it isn’t arrogant, ⁵ it isn’t rude, it doesn’t seek its own advantage, it isn’t irritable, it doesn’t keep a record of complaints, ⁶ it isn’t happy with injustice, but it is happy with the truth. ⁷ Love puts up with all things, trusts in all things, hopes for all things, endures all things.

Today was a rest and family day... No riding or running ...!

Total Bike miles: 46 @ 18 mph avg. speed

Big biking day today. I got up early and went for a 21 mile ride before chruch. Then I took my bike to chruch and rode home another 25 miles. It was 109 degrees when I finished the ride home. Moring ride was 17.5 mph avg. speed and the afternoon ride was 18.5 mph avg speed. I stopped on each ride at 10 miles and rested for a few minutes and got a good drink, I'm sure my overall speed would drop a little if I rode without stopping.

YoooHooo....Ran 2 miles today on the treadmill in the Gym. There was no pain or limping before or after the run! My hip was still a little sore during the run but nothing like what it has been. I think I'm actually going to heal up now :-) The run, although short, was pretty good but I think my legs were a little tired from the 46 mile bike ride yesterday. I also think that when I get back to really running I'm going to have to convience my body that it can run 15, 20, 25 miles again (mental thing). I kept having thoughts, after about a mile, that this seems way too hard...I need to learn how to be more patient.

8/29/2011
Mile	Time	HR	HR %	Treadmill in the Gym
1	8:30:00	141	72%
2	7:30:00	152	79%
Total	16:00:00	147	75%
Pace	8:00:00

James 5:7-8
Be patient, then, brothers, until the Lord's coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop and how patient he is for the autumn and spring rains. You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord's coming is near.

EVENING REPORT - ADDED ENTRY:

Went to Gruene and rode with the big boys in the evening, 29.65 miles making my total for the day 45+/. For the first 14.65 miles I averaged 20.7 mph. Part of that ride I was with some of the faster riders. On my way back I was completly on my own. I think I was also a little tired from my morning ride.

Here's what I've learned so far with the bikers. Runners don't like bikers, bikers don't like triatheletes and triatheletes could care less about either.  Actually the bikes aren't very friendly. I have tried to talk to some of them but they basiclly ignore me. There is one guy, who is one of the better riders, who has been friendly but I found out that he used to be a runner. I guess when I can ride with their pack they will have to acknowledge me :-)

8/30/2011 (Gruene Ride)
Miles	Time	Speed	HR	HR %	River Road to Store
14.65		20.7	164	87%
14.65		17.3	156	82%
29.3	Total	19
Miles		Speed	160	84%
95 Degrees

____________________________________________________________________

MORNING REPORT:

Well...First I've got to report on my run from yesterday. I first though I had made it through the run sucessfully but about an hour or two after the run my hip started hurting again. It was nothing like before but still the sharp pain directly in the joint. The pain continued throughout the day and is still there this morning but not as bad. I was hoping I was completly over the injury but it looks like it will be a little longer road. I probably won't run again this week and wait until next Monday and try the same routine again.

This morning I biked 16 miles @ 17.1 mph avg. speed. I was really just tyring for an easy speed since I'm going to Gruene and ride with the BIG boys this evening. It will be another 34 miles. Last week I averaged 17.7 but I feel like I can do much better. Hopefully this week I can stay with a pack and increase my speed. I biked most of the route last week by myself.

Below is this mornings ride, I'll add the evening ride tomorrow morning.

8/30/2011
Miles	Time	Speed			Reverse Loop then Out to 1978
4.69		17.3
3.35		16.5
5.12		18.5
2.96		15.7
16.12		17.2
Total	56:23:00	75 Degrees & 35% Humidity

Psalm 57

      God sends his loyal love and faithfulness.
⁴ My life is in the middle of a pack of lions.
   I lie down among those who devour humans.
      Their teeth are spears and arrows;
      their tongues are sharpened swords.
⁵ Exalt yourself, God, higher than heaven!
   Let your glory be over all the earth!
⁶ They laid a net for my feet to bring me down;
   they dug a pit for me, but they fell into it instead!

Two rides today. 22 miles in the morning and 22 miles in the evening. I was really tired in the evening and so I road really slow.

8/31/2011 (Morning Ride)
Miles	Time	Speed	HR	HR %	River Road to Redwood then to Hwy 123 & Wonderworld
11		17.9	130	64%
11		18.8	140	71%
22	Total	18.35
Miles		Speed	135	68%
80 Degrees
8/31/2011 (Evening Ride)
Miles	Time	Speed	HR	HR %	To Martindale to Feed Horses and Back
11		16	125	61%
11		15	124	60%
22	Total	15.5
Miles		Speed	125	60%
100 Degrees

Proverbs 30

 ¹ The words of Agur, Jakeh’s son, from Massa.

   The man declares: I’m tired, God;
   I’m tired, God, and I’m exhausted.

 ² Actually, I’m too stupid to be human,
   a man without understanding.

 ³ I haven’t learned wisdom,
   nor do I have knowledge
   of the holy one.