Today I Run

OBJECTIVE

4 mi. SLOW

ACHIEVED

4.02@ 9:28/mi.

4:40 AM 75° 91% 4 mph

I had a few problems this morning. First, after a few hundred meters in to the run I had to use the restroom. That issue persisted throughout the run.

Second and more problematic, it feels like I have a pulled right groin and a pulled extreme lower abdominal muscle on the right side. I don't think these are the same injury but it feels like they're intertwined in function. The result this morning was a shortening of my stride that really slowed down the pace.

I'm not sure of the causes for these but have a couple theories. Neither bothered me during Saturday's run on the hills. Even so, I think the ab situation is from a particular exercise from my PT. Maybe Saturday's run aggravated it ... ???

My theory on the groin is that I may have pulled it while Indian leg wrestling my niece yesterday. My niece and parents are visiting us from out of town this weekend through Tuesday.

A third problem was that I had some general muscle soreness in my legs. I'm fairly certain this is from Saturday's long run on the hills and expect it to clear up soon.

I'll monitor the two issues, hoping not to compound them.

Last week Jonathan and I discussed junk miles ... wondering if the concept really exists. I hope not because, if so, today was all junk. If not, I got my four miles and am off to work for what promises to be a hectic day.

PRE RUN

nothing

POST RUN

SlimFast & multivitamin

OBJECTIVE

6 mi. EZ (8:24-54/mi.)

ACHIEVED

6.04 mi.@ 9:07/mi.

8:16 PM 84° 70% 6 mph

This run was just getting miles. I took my parents and niece to the airport this morning so I ran at Memorial Park on the way home from work. I haven't been over there to run for some time.

I had an extremely hard to getting going and never really found any rhythm during this run. Fortunately my right groin problem from yesterday seems to be gone but the lower ab problem persists and gave my problems while running. My nutrition today was up-and-down but I think I should have been okay. My hydration wasn't too good especially in the afternoon.

I had PT just before lunch. That most likely contributed to the difficulty I had running tonight. Dani just started me on plyometrics last week and is building up. Today's edition was the toughest yet and it took something out of me. She thinks my ab and groin problem are from the hard run on Saturday. I do think I'm still recovering from that run but I think my ab damage came from the incline bench leg pull-ups (not sure of the correct term for these) that she has me doing somehow tears my abs. It's most likely a result of poor form on my part.

Anyway it wasn't a good run tonight and my schedule is now off so I'm considering pushing my midweek big workout to Thursday rather than tomorrow. However, I'm concerned that could impact Saturday's long run. I've boxed myself in a bit schedule-wise ....

PRE RUN

nothing

POST RUN

SlimFast

Later, 2 small hamburgers & soft-serve ice cream cone

OBJECTIVE

9 mi. w/7x2 min.@ 6:40/mi. & 2 min. jog

ACHIEVED

8.04 mi.@ 8:31/mi. including

2.46 mi.@ 9:02/mi.

2:00 min.@ 6:47/mi.

2:00 min.

1:59 min.@ 6:30/mi.

2:00 min.

1:59 min.@ 6:13/mi.

3:01 min.

1:59 min.@ 6:32/mi.

1:57 min.

2:00 min.@ 6:29/mi.

1:59 min.

2:00 min.@ 6:46/mi.

1:59 min.

2.49 mi.@ 8:36/mi.

6:19 AM 71° 95% 0 mph

My job is really getting in the way of my running lately! It's second quarter close. I didn't run yesterday and shortened today's run so I could get to work early enough to deal with things there.

My legs were sore. I'm sure it is from the plyometrics at PT Tuesday. My abdominal strain is still a problem but not as bad as it has been.

No big mental breakthrough here but it occurred to me while running that training for a marathon is like a marathon. I've had this thought before but extended the analogy. Since my training started June 2, I had 18 weeks until the marathon. I'm 7 weeks into the cycle so I've got roughly 39% of my training behind me. 39% of a marathon is about 10 miles. In each of my marathons, I felt good for 10 miles just as my training to this point has generally been good. In Ogden, I started having minor problems around 10 miles. The next part of my training is going to be the hardest. I'm still building mileage for several more weeks and expect to increase intensity. I can't lose focus on what I'm training for and why the effort right now is worth it. I'm training now for that second 10 miles of the marathon. I want to be able to run them strong-ly (???) and efficiently. I need to recommit to the effort and continue building to the next plateau.

I've got PT again tomorrow.

PRE RUN

FRS

POST RUN

SlimFast, GrapeNuts w/turbinado & skim milk

OBJECTIVE

6 mi.@ EZ = 8:24-54/mi.

ACHIEVED

6.09 mi.@ 8:34/mi

7:08 AM 69° 93% 0 mph

Since I got a late start, I started the Wimbledon Forest Loop but turned it into an out-and-back so I didn't have to dodge morning commuting traffic on Cypresswood. I've never run "backwards" on that route and I was surprised how long it made it seem. There were parts where I wasn't sure I was on the right road. Proving that it's all a matter of perspective!

I felt okay. The pace was fine. My ab strain is still lingering but seems slightly improved.

I've got PT later today and a long run of undetermined length tomorrow.

PRE RUN

apple juice

POST RUN

chocolate milk, multivitamin, 5-grain hot cereal w/flax, turbinado & skim milk

OBJECTIVE

12 - 14 mi. EZ pace with 2 - 3 mi. pickup @ 7:55/mi.

ACHIEVED

14.21 mi.@ 8:33/mi. including Mile 13 = 7:46; Mile 14 = 7:51; Final 0.21 mi. = 7:42/mi.

5:43 AM 80° 78% 0 mph

I wasn't "feeling it" today right from the start. I spent the first 2 miles doing a whole body check. My abs were hurting. I didn't have much spring in my legs. I'm fairly certain it was the plyometrics I did at PT yesterday.

Stephanie, Miranda, Laurie, Josh, Randy, William, and I made the trek from Memorial Park along the bayou to downtown ... through downtown to the George R. Brown Convention Center. Then back. At Shepherd, Steph, Josh, and Randy continued through River Oaks. The others including me headed back toward the park. I tried to pickup once I hit the park and went around the backside. It was tough but generally a success.

I stretched and chatted with William and Miranda back at the cars while we waited for the others. They didn't make it before I left.

Dani cut me off from PT yesterday. She said she's done all she can for me. She also said I need to go back to Dr. Cianca for a followup and get a running coach who can help me increase my mileage wisely. This was abrupt! I was hoping to stay with her for longer. She has definitely helped me but it doesn't seem to me like our work is done.

PRE RUN

FRS

POST RUN

2 SlimFast & water

Later, multivitamin, water, English muffin, poached egg & Canadian bacon