Stupid does hurt

A few months ago I posted on how stupid should hurt. Well, I have found out first hand that it does. I have what's known in the medical world as Achilles tendinitis. That's right. After my long run last Saturday I had some heel pain. I ended up running 5 on that Monday, and then the day after Christmas, decided I would put in my 8. BIG MISTAKE!!! I was fine until I got 5 miles or so. My heel then began to scream.

Of course, being the stubborn person I am, I thought that I could push through (which I did BTW). The problem was I could barely walk after I was done. So for the last few days I have not been running (I've barely been walking) as the heel pain is incredibly bad. Thankfully, things appear to be on the mend. I'm not sure what caused this problem, but it could have been the ramp up of my mileage. Also, I think my shoes are in need of replacement (I'll be taking care of that tomorrow)

But, it looks like I won't be taking part in the half-mary this coming Saturday. Steph will be doing it alone. She did 13 yesterday (woohoo for her!!) and I'll be cheering her on next Saturday.

As the new year approaches, I've been contemplating my New Year's resolutions. Last year, I resolved to lose weight and begin running. In reflection, not only did I lose weight (70lbs), but I also ran a marathon. This year, I think I'd like to bench press my body weight 3-5 times. That'll be my resolution. I'll also be keeping the weight off, but I'd like to increase my strength.

SOOOOOO, beginning tomorrow (I'm going to start a day early), I'll begin my lifting program. Once my heel heals (ha), I'll be back to 5-8-5-12.

Oh, one more thing. Since I kept to my resolution last year, I will be rewarding myself in the coming days. I'm buying a 2008 Red Jeep Wrangler X 4x4. Woohoo for me :)



Happy New Year!!!!

Weight: 156lbs
Exercise: None
Weather: Cool

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56 miles this week for the family

Steph and I ran 12 miles today, and man did it feel great!!!! This was the first time that Steph has ever run 12 miles, so WooooHoooo for her!!! Total this week for her she ran 26 miles and I ran 30.

I'm soooooo glad to be back to that mileage. My left foot is a little sore (I'm not sure why). Also, Steph's knee is causing her some problems, but otherwise we'll feel wonderful. The weather today was wonderful as well. We're experiencing a bit of a heat wave. The temp was around 50 degrees.

Next week will be 5-8-5-12.

Due to the holidays, I may not post much next week. But, nevertheless, Steph and I want to wish everyone a Merry Christmas. If you don't celebrate Christmas, then have a safe and happy holiday!!!

Cheers!

Weight: 157lbs
Exercise: Jason running 12 miles, Steph running 12 miles
Weather: Cool, temperate 50 degrees.

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So I either set a PR or my timer messed up

Steph and I made it back from vacation. It was a lot of fun. We ran on Saturday and this past Monday.

Today, I ran 5 miles. I put in 8 yesterday and 5 on Monday (in Colonial Williamsburg), but here's the thing. I ran 5 miles today in 42:54. That's the fastest I've ever run 5 miles. Last week, I ran 5 miles in like 45 minutes. Both times, I ran through a tunnel on our trail that's like 1/4 miles long. Usually, my Garmin 205 loses the satellite signal when I go through the tunnel, but I think the timer keeps going. It has this thing called "auto-pause" that senses when you are stopped and pauses the timer.

My question, for all the other Garmin users, is does the auto-pause kick in when the signal is lost? If it does, then I don't have a PR, but if it doesn't then Woohoo for me!!!! Anyone know?

This Saturday is 12 miles for Steph and I. We are preparing for our half-mary on January 5th and this will be the first of our 12 mile runs in preparation.

BTW, I'm catching a cold. It's not too bad in terms of running yet, so I'll be muddling through I think.

Cheers!!


Weight: 158lbs
Exercise: Sat. running 8 miles, Mon. running 5 miles, Wed. running 8 miles, today running 5 miles
Weather: Cold.

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8 yesterday and 5 today

Over the past two days, I've run 13 miles. Steph has done about the same. I won't be blogging for a little while as Steph and I are taking a much needed vacation to Colonial Williamsburg. We'll still be running though. We are going to do 6 on Saturday and then 5 on Monday. It'll be really cool to run in Colonial Williamsburg. And, we are going to get runner's massages at the spa there. I've never gotten a massage before, so this should be a interesting experience for me. In the words of George Costanza, I hope it doesn't move ;)

Anyway, we'll back next week.

My legs felt really good this week. I did 5-8-5 (and then the 6 on Sat.). Next week it'll be 5-8-5-12. Finally, I'll be back on the schedule I want. On the 5th, Steph and I are running a half (this will be her first compettive race) and we're both excited.

See you next week. Cheers!!


Weight: 157lbs
Exercise: Running 8 miles Wed, running 5 miles today.
Weather: Cold and Rainy, 40-50 degrees

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Back in the swing again

I did 5 miles this morning, which felt really good. In fact, it was the best 5 miles I've ever run. My time was like 6 minutes faster than the 5 miles I ran last week. So, I think my legs are finally recovered. I have some residual soreness every now and again, but overall I feel as good as I did going into the marathon.

Steph and I have run into a bit of a problem though. Now that we are both into the double-digits in terms of distance, we both have to carry water with us. But, we only have one Fuelbelt. I have a Nathan sports bottle that I can carry, but we really need to get another Fuelbelt. So, I'll be ordering another one this week. I hope she doesn't want a Garmin 205.....we'll be broke :)

Cheers!!!

Weight: 157lbs
Exercise: Running 5 miles
Weather: Overcast, rainy, 50 degrees.

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46 miles this week for the family

Steph and I did ten miles each today...woohoo for her...that's the most she's ever run. The trail stunk though. Most of the running was done either in the snow or in the slushy, melty crap that used to be snow. I knew today's environmental conditions would suck, but we endured. Today's run felt great for me. Steph has a little soreness, but she did great. So, for the week, Steph and I ran 46 total miles, 23 for her and 23 for me.

The plan is to take a break next Saturday as we'll be in Colonial Williamsburg, so we'll only run six I think. We'll then conquer 12 the following Saturday. Then two weeks after that we run the Run To Read Half.

I think my schedule for next week will be 5-7-5-6 Then 5-8-5-12 the following week. At that point, I'll be on the schedule I want to maintain until I begin to train for the Marine Corps Marathon.

One final bit of news, I just got confirmation that I'll be learning to sail this summer. It is a week-long, live-aboard program in Charleston, SC. I'm really psyched. The plan is to go to the Outer Banks for a week (so I can SCUBA) with Steph. Steph will come back home as she will only be able to take one week vacation. I'll then head to Charleston and spend the next week sailing the high seas (and pillaging of course)!!! WooHoo!!!

Weight: 157lbs
Exercise: Jason running 10 miles, Steph running 10 miles
Weather: Overcast, 35-40 degrees.

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Marathon Parkour

So Steph and I ran 4 miles last night at the local track. It was covered in snow and we ran in the dark, but it was fun. Tomorrow we're shooting for 10 miles each. I may or may not do 10. The last two days of running in the snow made me use muscles that I think I've never used so I'm a tad sore. We'll see. If I don't do 10 I'll still do 8 I think.

We'll be running on the rail-trail. Hopefully, the rain tonight will clear away the snow. There is a chance that we'll be running in the cold rain. Yuck!!! Either way, it doesn't look like the weather is going to cooperate.

Oh, I forgot to mention. Steph and I are headed to Colonial Williamsburg next Friday for our gift to each other for Christmas. We'll be back in time for Christmas day, but we'll be celebrating "our" Christmas next week. After that, we're headed to the Greenbrier for a fun filled Martin Luther King Day weekend. I'm going to learn Falconry. How cool is that? I'm going to see if I can become a certified Falconeer while I'm there. Count me in with Ghengis Khan and Conan the Barbarian.

I've also been thinking about New Year's resolutions lately. Last year, I decided to begin running and I ended up running a marathon. This year, I think my resolution will be to bench-press my own body weight 3-5 times. We'll see how that goes.

Actually, I think my goal for next year will be to run like the guys in this video. If there was a Parkour Marathon, I'd sign up:



Cheers!!

Weight: 157lbs
Exercise: Running 4 miles
Weather: Cold, Snow, 20 degrees

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5 miles in 5 inches

Of snow. Yep, I just got back from a 5 mile run in 5 inches of snow. I'm insane. No, really, I am. Who goes running in snow? I'm an idiot. Anyway, as stupid as I am, I REALLY enjoyed it :)

So the question is, what happens if we get more snow? Do I run in 8 inches? a foot? Yikes!!!

Weight: 157lbs
Exercise: Running 4 miles Monday, 5 miles today
Weather: snow, Snow, SNOW!!!! 29 degrees.

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17 miles today for the family

So Steph ran 9 miles today. Again, that's the longest she's ever run. WooHoo!!!!! I got in a measly 8. Compared to her, I was a wus. Although tired, we both feel pretty good. Total for the week for me: 19 miles. Total for Steph: 23.5 miles. Steph has decided to run the Shamrock Half with me in March. A couple of friends are going to run it as well with us. I can't wait.

Oh, I almost forgot, Steph's dad and his wife as well as a bunch of Steph's extended family will either walk or run the Richmond Half Mary next year. How cool is that?

In contrast to this year when I ran the Richmond Marathon, I will be the cheerleader for everyone next year. I will have run the Marine Corps Marathon just a few weeks before the Richmond, so I'll be sitting out. But, man, how cool is it that all those folks are going to run or walk it next year? I have such a cool family.

After we got our run in today, we decided to decorate the outside of the house for Christmas. I think that was more tiring than the run :) The weather was beautiful, if a bit cold.

Tonight, WVU plays Pitt. if we win, we are headed to the big show. National Championship baby!!!

Go Mountaineers!!!!

Weight: 158lbs
Exercise: Jason running 8 miles, Steph running 9 miles
Weather: Cold. 25 degrees.

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