LP03

I’m pretty much done with running this year. This Achilles problem is bad enough that I shouldn’t run on it. I tried last week and it just wasn’t working. I may try to do speed-work since I’ll be able to do run/rest combos which may hold off the pain/inflammation, but I’ll have to test it out. As for races, I’m going to consider doing the Pinchot duathlon still but PDR is probably out of the question. Even if my AT is able to do it, I’ll have not trained any distance >6 miles in almost two months.. it’s probably not a great idea. Might still go to the FE though since I’ll probably pick up my t-shirt this year because I paid them twice and haven’t run the race yet.

What to do with all this extra time…

Not sure what to think of this achilles tendon issue. I ran yesterday and it felt OK. It gave me some issues but I stretched it and focused on adjusting my stride a bit and made it 8 miles without much issue. Today, while the pain wasn’t terrible, it was tight the whole time and I could feel it with every step. It also hurts now as I’m sitting at my desk. However, I did not stop to stretch it and it was sooooo cold this morning that I may have aggravated it before I was warmed up and could properly adjust my gait.

As an aside, I think I know what caused the problem. With so many calf issues, I had adopted a stride with very little calf involvement.  It’s kind of hard to explain but the toe-off was pretty much done with a relaxed calf. I think this put too much stress on the AT since the foot is fully flexed at this point and with little calf usage, probably flexes more than normal. I can definitely feel the difference when I make sure to activate the calf on toe-off.

Anyway, I’ll be biking tonight so I won’t know until tomorrow if I can live with this by just reducing mileage or not.

I’ve just about had it with running. I can’t make it a season without injury and once they start, they just seem to pile up. I had to scrap my plans for running this weekend due to the pain in my right achilles tendon at the upper base of the heel. It provided a sweet burning/sharp sensation with every stride, enough to force a limp, so I had little choice but to take rest.  It’s possible it was just a fluke and when I try to run tomorrow, it’ll be OK. I seriously doubt it. It’ll probably cut another couple weeks off running, killing my chance of making any of the three races planned (and paid for) in the next month and a half.

Perhaps it’s just not meant to be. If I can get back out there this week then I’ll give it a go for the rest of the season. Otherwise, I think I’m done. I’ll take the extra time to work on rock climbing and perhaps get a swimming coach. Whether or not I give it up forever or just this year, I can’t say but I’m so sick of getting hurt right now that it’s not looking good.

I decided to not play in the hockey tournament a little while ago. I just have no desire to do it anymore and I’d much rather relax and keep up with my running schedule than spend all day at the hockey rink and risk hurting myself with all the stop and go sprinting.

It kind of sucks when you’re not very excited about the only thing resembling a vacation you’ll get all year but I’m just not feeling it this time. I’ll try and make the best of what is inevitably three days of chaos but it won’t be easy. Still, the running is good; there’s nothing better than a sandbar for a long flat run.

I feel like I’m close to being on pace for the Bassman Half Du in October. I need to get back into long running (I’ll put in my first 10+ this weekend since the calf injury) but otherwise I think I’ll be in shape. Completing the 52/7 brick last weekend was a big confidence booster. I thought I’d be in a lot worse shape coming off a ride that long but it wasn’t that bad. I didn’t even hold back too much on the ride, averaging around 19-20mph.

I’m going to use PDR as a final long run, since it’s two weeks before the Du. I’ve signed up already anyway, so I might as well go. I also have the Pinchot Olympic the week before and hopefully, the long format training will serve me well there.

Guess that’s it for now…

So I dropped my motorcycle twice yesterday and did some other stupid stuff with it. At least I can lift a 400lb motorcycle by myself and didn’t break anything on the bike.

But that’s not all! I then got caught in a torrential downpour on my bicycle ride, the temp dropped about 25 degrees (I’m wearing shorts, a sleeveless shirt, and no socks since I had to take them off because they were soaked), and then I got a flat (in the dark) 25 miles from my house! I got lucky in that my decision to pump it and ride worked out, but since I only carry a co2 catridge, it could have gone badly…

Going rock climbing tonight, with this kind of luck, I can’t wait to see what happens!

Tuesdays are the new Monday for me (I work at home on Mondays now) so I’m feeling extra lethargic. I was supposed to run this morning but couldn’t bring myself to do it. I’ll try and get 5 in tonight after my motorcycle safety class along with some kettlebells and grip work.

I’ve decided to start rock climbing regularly now. I just started this summer and have only gone a couple times but it’s super fun, low impact (if you don’t count jumping down 15 feet from a boulder wall), and a decent workout. Going once a week should help me improve (I suck) and not really effect my other training, which has been incredibly inconsistent these days anyway.

I’m totally wavering on whether or not I should run PDR. Here’s the situation as it stands. As I just stated, my training has taken a serious dive. I should able to RUN it, but I won’t be able to RACE it. That doesn’t sit well with me. I also have an olympic distance DU the week before that I’m trying (and pretty much failing) to focus on. Still, I’d like to go to the FE and since I’m still considering the half DU in October, running a half distance would probably be good training, since I’ve never actually raced it before. I think I’ll sign up now and just decide that week if I’m going to do it.

Quick injury update:

• Calf: so-so
• Foot/Toe: so-so
• Knees: so-so
• Hips/Lower-back: so-so

This is kind of neat. Maybe there is an actual use for the iPhone.

I’m in the orthopedic’s office right now to finish the fitting of and pick up my orthotics. I’m pretty sure the only that will be accomplished is the loss of 250$.

Quick update on training: I’m going to start working more running in. I think it’s time and all this bike time is killing me. Literally. I had to stop after 30 miles last night due to back and hip pain. It might be a setup problem but it might be the large mileage jump I made.

My goal for the rest of the year is get in shape to race a half iron distance duathlon in October. I think the bike portion will be the key. So I’m trying to do regular rides over 60 miles. But that’s pretty much my limit right now. Running-wise I think I just need to stay healthy and I’ll be ok there.

That’s it. Laterz.

Nothing new to report. Exciting huh? I’ve been biking- put in 240 miles last week- and looking for a similar number this week as well as trying to add 10 miles or so of running. I’ve decided to not wrap my calf anymore since if anything, the wrapping is probably making it weaker/creating an imbalance and just prolonging the inevitable. I was able to run 5 miles over the weekend without pain but I did still feel some tightness.

I trying to decide if I want to do PDR this year. I’d have to ramp up my running pretty quickly in the next few weeks to get ready for it and I just know it’s going to cause more problems. I also have a duathlon that I’m signed up for the week before and I will be focusing my training that one, since all the other Du’s I planned for seem to be falling through. I don’t think they limit PDR entries so it may be a decision I make that week.

Finally, I’m fat! Damn, I packed on some weight in the last 3 weeks. It’s my fault, I’ve been eating shitty and drinking way too much (damn summer parties). With the lack of training, it’s messing me up bad. I’m back up to 165+, which sucks but it’s not insurmountable. I’m back to a full training schedule (even if it is mostly biking) so I think it’ll start to level out and drop.

That’s all the whining I have for today, more to come soon I’m sure!

Got out for a bike ride yesterday with only moderate discomfort! It wasn’t bad really but the foot is definitely not 100%- more like 60%. I’ll still be off running for this week at least but biking should be OK. I’ll be adding in regular lifting even though for some reason my shoulder is much worse than it’s been in awhile.

Had to have about half of my toenail removed on Friday. That was fun. It feels a little better today but it still hurts a bit in shoes. The doc said I should be able to get back to exercising this week so that’s good. Depending on the weather I might try to get out on the bike tonight- I’ll skip it if it’s raining and/or still really wet out- I don’t need to help the infection come back. I’ll probably stay off of running this week again, it’ll give my calf some more time and make sure this toenail heals up. I just need to do something, I’ve been plumping up for the last week. Combine a complete lack of physical movement with bored eating habits and it’s not a good mix. I’m pretty pissed at myself given I was finally making progress at getting down to 150 and now I’m back to where I started.

I’m going to focus on losing weight for the next couple weeks. I don’t have any races planned until September now (the Upperman Duathlon that i was really looking forward to got canceled- good stuff might come from this though, I’ll post about it later) so I can take some time to regain fitness, drop 5-10 lbs and come off this stuff better than I was (hopefully). I admit fully that I don’t rest enough so even though I hate being hurt and taking time off, it’s probably good for me in the end.

Guess that’s it for now. Later!