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So last Sunday (12/14) I ventured out with my cousin on what is currently my longest run at 14.5 miles. It was a nice day, but bitterly cold since we ran right along the ocean. The wind coming off the ocean was just brutal. It didn't help that we were running two days after one of the worst ice storms I've ever seen making the conditions of the trails very tricky.
We set out to do two loops around the bay. After the first loop we'd stop at the car and refuel for the second loop. The first loop went well as we completed that in a little over an hour. We rehydrated and set out on our second seven-plus mile loop. For the second loop we decided to go in the opposite direction as the first loop to change up the run. A great idea at first, but once we got to a certain point on the trail, the wind was hitting us head on. Because of that we picked up the pace to get through that portion of the trail quicker. This may have been a mistake because once we got the wind at our backs, we both realized we were famished. Neither of us had anything to eat or drink so we trudged through the last 2.5 miles of the second loop. The last 2.5 miles of the run ended up being harder than the first 12 miles. I will never make that mistake again. Later that week I bought an amphipod fuel belt that I plan to use anytime I feel like a run will take longer than an hour.
The good news is that besides being ready to eat my left arm, I felt good after that run. I had no soreness the next day and my legs felt lively. The problems began that night. When I got home from work, I felt like I was experiencing heart palpatations. Nothing crazy and nothing weird, we've all had weird heartbeats at some point in our lives, so I shrugged it off and figured it would be gone in the morning. That didn't end up being the case and late on Tuesday I called my doc and he had me go to the local hospital for an ECG. The ECG showed that I was experiencing atrial fibrillation. In a nutshell, the upper part of the heart (the atrium) is quivering rather than pumping blood at a steady rate. If it lasts long enough this can lead to blood clots and a greater risk for stroke. Luckily for me my heart returned to normal on it's own late Tuesday night before bed.
My doc was rather concerned since at thirty years old, he said I am his youngest patient to experience afib. I've undergone additional tests and eargerly await the outcome. I hope that of all the causes of afib, I don't have any of the serious type. On top of all this, my doc has not cleared me to run putting my marathon in January in jeopardy. I have not run since that Sunday and can only hope that the results from my tests come back positive and I get cleared to run this week. I hope I haven't lost too much from a week off of running. I hope I have what it takes in January to finish the marathon. I hope....
This past weekend served up quite the running experience. My cousin Trevor and two of his friends and I decided to conquer some trails despite the wet/cold conditions. Earlier in the year, Trevor had competed in a 50K Trail race on some trails and wanted to revisit those same trails. We were all in agreement as it was all new to us and sounded like a great experience. Besides, with Trevor describing the trails as "mostly flat", it would be perfect for my long run.
We arrived at the trailhead to overcast skies and a light drizzle. The beginning of the trails were great as we all got excited to see what the trails had to offer. Soon, we realized and experienced that not only are there quite a few uphills, it's pretty much uphill the entire way. It seemed that no matter where we turned we were going uphill. To add to the difficulty, the trails were soaking wet. On numerous occasions running shoe after running shoe sank in and even below the surface only to emerge with a fesh coat of mud and water. All four of us had mud-caked legs before we even finished the first part of the trails: a 6 mile incline back to the vehicle to refuel for another 6 miles.
While this may seem like an awful experience, it wasn't. Running with my cousin and his friends was a great experience. Along the way we shared many running and college stories. We saw some incredible views of rolling hills and farmland and had quite a few laughs. We also discovered Yurt, one of the trails among the maze of trails at Pineland Farms. To make the first 6 miles even harder I think I stopped laughing for a total of 5 minutes the entire first hour.
The second half of the run was much easier. The trails were flatter, grass covered and not nearly as wet. We managed close to another 6 miles and ran for nearly 2 hours in total on these trails before heading back to the vehicle.
For me it was an amazing running experience. The first of, I hope, many more. This run will always be remembered as Yurt.
So this past Saturday was my first long run since August/September. I can't remember the exact date, but that run was around 8 or 9 miles. Saturday I ran almost 10 miles and felt pretty good. My legs definitely got a little tired toward the end.
The greatest part about that run was that I was able to do it with my cousin. He ran 15 in total for the day so I joined him after he had completed between 6 and 7 miles of his run. I think it is a good sign that I was able to do the 9+ miles, but a little unsettling that my legs were fairly tired at the end. How will I be able to tack on 16.2 miles to what I just did? Only time will tell.
I've almost completed my first week of, let's call it, old man marathon training. The first thing I've noticed is how much longer a 45 minute workout on an elliptical machine feels than a 45 minute run outside. It really is astonishing the difference in what it takes mentally to get through an elliptical workout that long as opposed to a run of the same time. Even with the help of my laptop and hulu.com to get me caught up on a slew of different network TV series, every peek at the time remaining of my workout creeps down at a snail's pace. While the elliptical offers me pain free workouts, I think after a few more weeks I will almost prefer the pain of a run to another 60 minute elliptical workout. Alas, I must stay strong and get to the start of my first marathon as healthy as possible.
Tomorrow brings with it an 8 mile run with my cousin. This will be the farthest I have run in a long time. I am looking forward to seeing how my injuries and body react.
So it's been too long since I've last updated this blog. There are a couple reasons for that I suppose. One, I've been a bit lazy when it comes right down to it. Two, and more importantly, since I have been running sparingly and this blog is entirely running based, there hasn't been much to keep updated with.
I developed a pretty good case of patella tendonitis in my left knee. Instead of getting it checked out right away I tried to run through it and of course it only got worse. I finally went to see an orthopedic doctor and started physical therapy shortly after. While the PT has been helpful my knee is not completely healed. I have started running again in very short spurts and no more than three times a week. My top weekly mileage over the last three weeks has been 13 miles. Pathetic I know, but I must keep my eyes set on the bigger picture: the RnR Marathon in Phoenix in January.
So, with that in mind, I talked to my cousin and running coach Trevor (also author of the irunwithwolves blog) for a plan to get in the best shape I can without aggravating my injury so that I can compete and hopefully finish the marathon in January which is a short 10 weeks away now.
I will outline my plan here so I can follow it as well as keep you updated on the progress. It will consist of two runs per week. One run between 4-7 miles mid-week and a long run on Saturdays preferably on trails. The long runs will look like this starting this Saturday, 8, 10, 13, 15, 14, 18, 16, 20, and 9. Four other days during the week I will do an elliptical work out for 30-70 minutes alternating my times so I never do the same workout two days in a row.
That sounds reasonable to me. The hardest part of this will be the elliptical workouts but this will also be beneficial because I am pain free on the elliptical. I'm a little nervous and excited at the same time. The marathon will be here before I know it.
As far as tee-shirts go I have three so far. I know that is weak, but I only started running this year. My next one will be in January.
So I've decided to start upping my weekly mileage. This is in response to a few things. One, I feel like I am ready as my shins have felt better with the every-other-day routine I was doing. Two, we will be running a 10K race on September 21st. But most of all I am upping my weekly mileage in preparation for a marathon on January 19th in Phoenix, AZ.
My cousins (Derek and Trevor) and I have given this marathon serious consideration. There are many pros to doing this marathon. It's a new state for Trevor which helps him get closer to his goal of a marathon or ultra-marathon in every state. Derek always said the next marathon he would do is a rock n roll marathon which this one just happens to be. It's great for me because it gives me two experienced marathon runners to run with on my first marathon.
The decision is not etched in stone yet, but I'm really excited about the idea of doing this marathon.
This past Saturday five family members, including myself, took part in a 5K race in Gorham, ME. The family members were my cousins Derek and Trevor, my sister, and my wife. This is a smaller race that only drew 56 runners total. Because of that I felt Trevor had a good shot at possibly winning the race. Besides Trevor having a great shot, the rest of us had a chance to do well in our age categories.
The conditions were good. No wind, a bit on the warmer side, and mildly humid. It could've been worse, it could've been better, but no complaints here. I did a better job of controlling myself on the start. The first 5K I ran I went out way too fast and battled through lactic acid pain the rest of the race. This race I was better prepared and paced myself at the start. Trevor got out in front early and I lost sight of him before the first mile marker. My goal was to hit the first mile in about 6:50. I was ahead of that pace by 14 seconds and I felt surprisingly good. My fear at that point was if I was going to be able to maintain that pace for the remainder of the race. I just kept telling myself to stay loose and just go by feel. I was somewhat winded, but I was not in any pain. My lower legs felt a little tired, but nothing I couldn't continue to run through.
Shortly after the mile marker I passed two people that shot out at the start. At the water station I just grabbed a cup and threw it all over myself to cool off. That felt great. I then settled in behind an older guy that seemed to be keeping a good pace. Right before the two mile marker there was a short hill and he faded badly on that hill and that was where I was able to pass him. I passed the two mile marker at 13:40 something which put me at about a 7:00 minute mile for the second mile. Way up ahead was a younger kid, part of the Massabesic X-Country team. I didn't think I'd be able to catch him, but on the next to last turn, I found myself gaining ground. I didn't want to kick too early so I held back as long as I could. At the last turn before the finish I was right behind him. Shortly after the turn I made my kick and pulled ahead by about 10 - 15 yards and was able to hold him off through the finish. I was definitely winded when I finished but as I look back I feel maybe I could've pushed myself a little more. My cousin was ready to punt after the race. Maybe that's pushing a little too much but I feel maybe I should've been hurtin a little more than I was. I will keep that in mind for my next race.
To sum it up we all ran well. Derek PR'd by almost a full minute. I PR'd by 11 seconds, my sister PR'd and my wife hit her goal of finishing the race without stopping. Trevor PR'd and finished third overall with a time of 18:44. Trevor also won 1st for his age group while his brother Derek took home 2nd in the same age group. I won my age group and my sister finished 2nd in her age group. All in all it was a successful run on many fronts. The lack of participation played a role in all of these accolades, but nonetheless it was fun and a great feeling to be recognized.
Ladies and gentlemen, you're 3rd place finisher:
A look at the final results:
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