I think I have to "Shelf the idea"

Well, it's official, I won't be able to train for a long time.  I've been doing well for the last few days.  I've been able to work from home which has allowed me to keep my foot raised and rotate putting ice on it.  And it was feeling much better.  So well that I was jumping around on it yesterday and moving more and more.  There was a bit of pain when I twisted it towards me, but really, how often do we do that.

So this morning I went with my daughters to walk the dogs.  They usually take them for a 30-45min walk in the morning.  I figured that would allow me to see how it felt.  After about 15min, my ankle started hurting.  I was able to make it home, but now I can feel it swelling.  So maybe I should have taken my brace or at least wrapped it, but as it is, I'm have to say that my wife is right and I'll have to put this off for some time.

Still don't think I need to go back to the doctor, since I'm now saying I'm going to take it easy for a while.  But mark my words, I will run a marathon...but now I don't know when.

Day 10 - Last one for a while

Well, today was a big 5 mile run and I was ready for it.  Didn't get to run at lunch but was going to run after work at home.  But won't you guess it, I got hurt just walking to my car.  I stepped off the curb wrong and twisted my ankle.

Went to the urgent care Friday morning and found out that I have two hair line fractures.  Which mean no running for the next 4-6 weeks.  Or so says my wife.  I'll give it a few day to see how it feels....

Day 9

Today is a rest day but I wish I would have run today, since I didn't run on Monday.  But got stuck actually working.  So no run for me....Oh I feel so bad that I missed it.

Day 8

Well today was scheduled for 4 miles, hope everyone noticed I said it was scheduled, but since I missed yesterday I figured I'd try for 3.  I'm happy to say that I made 3 miles at a speed of 6.5 on the Treadmill which put me at 9.13 min miles.  The last mile was not too bad and I was debating on doing the 4th mile, but I don't want to over due it.  And I'm glad that I didn't.  My shins are fine, but my right calf is now killing me.  I was not hurting during the run, but I do remember feeling it around mile 2 but it went away.  After the run I did a really good stretch before and after, but I didn't have my massage stick.  Guess I need to get a small travel one...

Now about 3 hrs later, and my left calf is starting to tighten up.  Trying to stretch it while I'm at my desk, but it's hurts.  This is what I expected last week, just wondering why it's happening all of a sudden.  I did modify the way I ran today.  The wife gave me a suggestion of trying to change my stride to avoid my shins from hurting, which I'm guessing helped, but they are doing some work on my calves.  So I'm going to guess that maybe I'm finally running correctly and now my body is having to work the way it should.  And it doesn't like it...LOL....

Day 7

I should have ran 3 miles, but the girls where out of school and the wife had plans to go to the Discovery Place to see the Mummy Exhibit, which I didn't get to see, since the youngest was scared of it.  So we just enjoyed the rest of the place.  I was able to make her a crown made from foil, which she explained I made look like a King Crown and she needed a Princes Tiara.  So I quickly learned how to make a tiara.  Which she wore the rest of the day and even out to lunch.  And yes, I made her a staff to go with it.

Anyway, needless to say, I didn't run today.  Even though I had every intention to do it.

I did end up with a major headache in the evening, which put me to bed before 9pm.  And I ended up having to take a pain killer to allow me to sleep.  It was a bad headache.  Hoping it was a rare thing.

Reset Day 6

9 mile run today.  For some reason I thought it was a 6 mile.  But either way I'm ready.  I drove around and tracked my 9 mile run and confirmed it with Google Maps.  So I'm as ready as I'm going to be.

It's a cold morning 24°F and started the day out in service for a couple of hours.  Actually walked a lot.  Then played 18 rounds of Disc Golf at Renaissance Park, which is considered one of the hardest course in Charlotte, and the temperature increased to about 36°F so I was feeling good.

Started my run at 3:30 and felt good.  I was all bundled up with my music downloaded and my Run-keeper started.  My pace started at a slow 10:13 min mile.  Was breaking in a new pair a shoes.  Got past my 1st mile feeling great.  2nd mile was good, but I knew I wasn't going to make 9 miles, my shines were burning.  I wanted to keep going and see how far I could go.  I started my 3rd mile and I was going slow.  The Run-keeper died so I don't know my time.  The wife had shown me her route, which took me into the park.  Side note, they just installed some Disc Golf baskets and I found a disc, which I took.  

Wife had left a bottle of water out in the newspaper holder and once I came around I took it and came inside.  Had run about 3 1/2 miles in about 45 min.  Not a good time, but I was hurting.  Once I stretched out and allowed the wife to make fun of me, I went back out with a bog to at least run another mile.  I wanted to break my 4 mile wall that I haven't been able to pass.  Running with the dog helped.  She loves to run and does not stop.  It helped me run it in under 10 min, forgot to turn on a timer.

Came back in and I was in trouble.  I was hurting.  To be honest, I was not tired or out of breath, it was my legs and feet.  I actually couldn't feel my toes on my left foot.  My shins were sensitive to the touch.  I have a long way to go.

Then on top of everything, my brother called me.  So he added salt to the wound.  He kept explaining that I should look into better shoes.  As well as tried other things.  I stopped listening to him not long after he called.  LOL....

So here's what I've learned.  First - stop listening to my brother....  Second - a full marathon is going to be harder than I thought, but I'm not given up on it.  Third - I got past 4 miles and I'm happy with my accomplishment.  Have to be happy with the little things.  And last - well I don't have anything else, just wanted to add some filler....

Reset of Day 5

Couldn't believe it, but my shins feel good.  A bit sore, but not like the other day.  I was expecting them to be killing me, but no such thing.  So this goes to prove that I just need to get past it and I should be OK.  So today is a cross-training day.  I found that if I can play some ping pong it burns 281 calories, but don't know if I can count that as a cross-training activity.  Just something I noticed on this calorie counting program.  Still not sure if I'm going to use it, but it's some interesting information.

Reset of Day 4

Woke up feeling good again.  Shins were a bit sore, but wanted to see what would happen when I run.  Well got my answer.  For some reason, as soon as I get to mile 3 the pain is so bad that I have to stop.  Here is what I'm finding.

Started the first mile with no major issues.  My shins didn't hurt really bad as I thought it would.  So I ran at a speed of 6.6 on the Treadmill which puts me at 9.13 min miles.  To be totally honest, I didn't even realize I'd run a mile, so I was feeling good, so I continued at the speed and went for it.  Then sometime before mile 2 my shins started to burn, but not bad, but I was feeling it.  Then out of nowhere, I somehow scratched my knuckle on the bar.  It actually hurt more then my shins, which I think detracted me enough to get into mile 2. Either way, I was feeling good, but as soon as I hit mile 3 the burning was too much.  I had to slow down, but that made the burn worst.  I tried to stretch and I could barely stand.  So I tried to walk it off and got some water.  Got back on the Treadmill at a slower speed and each step hurt.  Much like the other day, so I decided to try to run, but it was not happening.

I'm still hopeful that this is like it was when I was playing Ultimate Frisbee.  Tomorrow is a cross-training day so I'll have to find an activity that will not kill the legs.  But now I'm worried about Saturday's 6 mile run.

Side note...co-worker asked if I was watching/counting calories.  Which I was not, but now I am.  He gave me a free site.  Not that I'm endorsing anything here, but here it is: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/

I'm still debating if I should post that information.  Don't think anyone cares that I have goal of 1390 calories.  Well see if I keep up with it.

Reset of Day 3

Rest day and I sure could use it.  I ended up with very sore shins.  Both of them.  It hurt to touch them.  Even my pants hurt.  The wife is saying this is the reason I should only train for a half marathon...but I'm not going to give in.  I explained that last time I was like this, it was when I was playing Ultimate Frisbee.  And I was able to finish the season as well as play football with friends.  So I know it's just a small thing I can get past.  I've found that the heating pads the wife has for the bed actually feel good for my legs.  That and the vitamins and Emergency-c packages I think are doing really good.

I haven't been weighting myself so I don't know if I'm losing any weight.  I guess I should track that as well.  I'll start tomorrow.

Reset of Day 2

Felt good this morning.  I got my massage stick, yes I am trying all the recommended stuff, and used it yesterday.  I'm guessing it's working as I was a bit sore last night, but not bad this morning.  Was looking forward to a 4 mile run at a faster speed.

Started my run on the treadmill at a speed of 7 which calculated to a 8.37 min mile.  Not much faster, but within the requirements.  I did my stretch and walked for 2 min to warm up, but as soon as I started running my shins started burning and continued to burn.  Never got worse but just a constant burn.  After the first mile, the burn was the same, so I continued.  Once I hit the 2nd mile, the burn as the same, so I decided that I may want to slow down and make sure I don't damage something.  So I walked at a 3.5 speed.  The burning got worst.  So I tried a slow walk.  And the burning was about the same.  So I decided to return to the run speed and see what happened.  Strange things, it burned the same as it was when I was walking.  So I ran the next mile, but I knew I wasn't going to make 4 miles.

Once I got to 3 miles, I got on an Elliptical machine and decided to do the finial 10 min on it.  Found that it helped my shins, but my thighs are now killing me.  On a side note, I did find that I worked up more of a sweat on the Treadmill than I did on the Elliptical.

Glad tomorrow's a rest day.

Reset of Day 1

Well, here we go again.  Started my training over again.  But only because I couldn't run the 9 miles over the weekend because of the assembly.

I was so surprised that last week I wasn't as sore as I thought I would be, that I decided to push myself a bit harder now.  I was expecting to be walking with a limp or my legs feeling like mush.  I have to admit that I didn't push myself as hard as I could have.  So taken it up a notch.

Ran 3 miles at a speed of 6.6 on the treadmill which put me at 9.13 min per mile.  So if I can run that pace for 26.2 miles, it comes to 239.206 min.  9.13 X 26.2 = 239.206
Now if I divide  239.206 by 60 min in a hour.  I get 3.986766  239.206 / 60 = 3.986766666666666667

Which means if I'm able able to keep this speed and pace, then I should be able to finish a marathon in under 4 hrs.  Just enough to beat my brother.  Now I have my goal.

It's ON!!!!!

Day 6

Well today should have been a nine mile run, but went to my circuit assembly.  And since my bother-in-law got baptized had to take him out to dinner.  And it's not my fault he chose to go to Texas Land & Cattle Steak House for dinner.  And I can't with a good conscience have a T-Bone steak without a beer before and one with dinner.  And it's also not my fault that they serve tall 20oz beers.  We all know that things are bigger and better in Texas.

These are things that are out of my control, but I sure did enjoy it!

On another note, I've learned that I've started pulling more of the in-laws to run now.  My mother-in-law, bother-in-law and now my sister-in-law are all wanting to run.  But the wife is still trying to convince us to run a half marathon. Not that I'm not against that, only if it does happen, I'll just have to run it twice in the same day...LOL...

Day 5

Today is not too bad.  My shins are a bit sore, but I have to admit that don't feel as bad as I thought I would.  I'm scheduled to only do 30 min of cross training today, so I played a round of disc golf for an hour.  I figured that I walked and through enough to count as a cross training.  I did break a sweat.

On a side note, I couldn't sleep last night.  I went to bed early, at 9:30 and watched a move till 11:00, but then around 11:30 I had to get up and ended up watching Swamp People till 2:30 am.  And even then I wasn't tired, I only need I had to try and get some sleep.  I ended up waking up a bit late, 6:40am, instead of my normal 6:30, but wasn't tired.  I'm guessing that the exercise is given me some extra energy.  I should enjoy that for as long as it last.

So tomorrow I should be running I think 9 miles, but since I'm at the assembly, I've decided to repeat this weeks workout next week  Kind of starting over.  The wife says that's a good idea and she's still pushing for me to consider a half marathon instead of a full one.

Day 4

Well I woke up feeling good, and again I'm given credit to my wife's regiment of vitamins and emergency powder drinks. So today's run is 3-4 miles at a casual pace.  I'm so glad it was.  I did a total of about 3.5 miles.

The first mile I felt great.  Was running on the treadmill at a 6.5 speed which put me at 9:13 per mile.  Then my leg shins started hurting so I slowed it down for the second mile to a 6 speed which put me at 9.31.  I figured if I can keep this pace, then I should be able to increase it later and I didn't want to over due it.  But then about half way through the third mile, but my calves crapped up.  I tried to walk it off, but it made it worse.  I had to stop the treadmill and stretch them out.  I even drank some water.  I need to research how much and how often I need to drink water during my runs.

Well once I  felt better, I started the run again this time at a 5.5 speed, and I ran another mile.  I was able to do the last mile in 9.44.  So not too bad.  I calling this a total of 3.5 miles

Hopefully I won't regret it in the morning.

Day 3

Have I mentioned that I'm so glad that today is an off day.  No run.  No training.  Just a rest day.  SO GLAD!!!!

Not that I'm feeling bad, I actually feel good.  A little sore in the upper legs, but not as bad as I thought I would be.  I guess I could have pushed myself a bit more the past couple of days.

A bit worried about this weekend.  I'm attending our Circuit Assembly with goes Saturday and Sunday.  And Saturday is the big run...6 miles.  Guess I'll have to skip it...I feel so bad about that.  Sorry, sarcasm doesn't come through too much on this.

Day 2

Well I woke up feeling a bit sore, but not as bad as I thought I would feel.  I guess the wife's mixture of vitamins and emergency power is working.  Now back to work and will try to keep to my schedule and workout/run during lunch.  Today is 4 miles with a tempo run.  Which means faster than I did yesterday.  That should be easier, since I ended up walking the last two miles.  I hope to keep up with the pace that I've set for myself.  I even downloaded several marathon training apps for my phone.  Don't know who well they will work, since they show different schedules than what the wife has for me.  I think I'll keep the wife's one, not only because I think it's better, but also want to keep the peace...LOL...
I was able to run the 4 miles and I did it in 45 min.  Which is about 11.25 min a mile.  Better than I expected, but not where I need to be to beat my brother's time.  But I think I over did it.  I'm sure I'll regret it tomorrow.  Glad that tomorrow is a rest day.
On a positive note, no back pain this time, so I'm guessing the new shoes are working, or it could be that I ran on a treadmill.  Either way it felt better.  I did have an issue with the bottom of my foot hurting.  Can't tell if it's just because of new shoes, or that my feet aren't used to having blood circulate through them.  Either way, I'm going to call this a win for me.
So glad that tomorrow is a rest day.

Day 1

Well, here I go.  Trying to run a marathon.  To be honest the only reason I'm even thinking about doing this is because my older brother has done a couple, and I have to be able to beat his time.  So according to him, his best time for a marathon is 4hrs 9min.  After talking to my wife and in-laws, they say that running a marathon in under 4 hrs is too hard of a goal to try.  So that is my second reason to try.  Did I mention how I like a challenge.  Well, anyway, here goes.

First thing I did was to look for a good training programs.  The wife loves to run and has been collecting running magazines for a while and I think we found one that has a program that will have me ready in 13wks.  All the others have been in 18 to 20 wks and for me that's too long.  So 13wks here we go.

Today Monday is 2-3 miles which is labeled as easy.

Well I wish I could say I did it with no issues, but that would not be correct.  I was able to run a mile with little issue, but then my back started to hurt, when I stopped to walk, then both calves started to crap.  I finished the second mile walking, and I did finish the third walking the dogs.  Have to be proud of the little things.

Just got 2 pairs of running shoes and a nice pair of socks.  I figure I will use one pair when I run at home and the other pair when I run at work on a treadmill.  Spend over $200 on them, so they better be worth it.