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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.
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