Lunch Outing

I had some time to run at lunch today so I did. Went 4 miles and still feeling good. My left pec is feeling sore, of all things, but I don't think that's because of running. I don't know what it is, other than the lingering effects of the scooter incident.

Also, I ordered new shoes on Sunday and the UPS driver dropped them off about 10 minutes before I was going out. Talk about perfect timing! It was nice to run with shiny new shoes.

Adding On

As I mentioned a few days ago I added on an extra mile to make it a 4-miler. My worry is the rib cage, but so far so good. My legs feel fine and I could have gone longer, but I'm trying to be smart. This time. Which has not always been the case, apparently.

Another One

Back home after a trip to Austin and ran another 3-miler today. Still feeling good and thinking I might add another mile on Saturday. We'll see what the weather is like.

Running Home

Went to the eye doctor for a follow-up exam this afternoon and it took way too long so I left. I had my wife drop me off so I could run home, which I did. Once more I did 3 miles and this time I feel like I'm almost back to normal. It was a good run, and I feel stronger than I have in weeks. I'd say I'm about 90% now and a few more days will get me all the way. back.

Rising Above Stupid

This morning we went and saw the last installment of the Avengers, or at the least the current incarnation of it, which left me some time this afternoon to run. I've suffered no ill effects from Thursday's outing, which led me to do the exact same today. I ran 3 miles, in 80 degree heat, but it was a good run and afterward still feel no pain. My plan is to ramp up slowly. On the good news side of things, I've sneezed about five times today without feeling like my rib cage was going to explode outward. Maybe I've finally moved past stupid.

Still Stupid

About that last run...yeah, I regret that one. It put me on the shelf for two weeks. After that outing, where I ran too far while injured, my ribs took a couple of steps back on the healing front. In fact, maybe more. We've all had that feeling where a ligament, maybe elbow, knee, or hip, pops over a joint and you know that's not natural. I had that feeling in my upper left chest, where - get this - there's not a joint. That went on for several days and finally went away after about 5-6 days. The other problem was sneezing. Even as late as Monday of this week I started to sneeze, stifled it, and still felt like I blew a gasket. It's only yesterday and today where I woke up without pain. 

It's been beautiful (other than rain all day yesterday) and I felt it was time to get out for at least a walk and maybe a run. Today I set out running and felt fine. I decided 3 miles was the limit, and that went well, at least at the time. My right side is a little sore, but we'll see how it feels tomorrow. This was my first time without K-Tape on my abdomen or ribs in a few months. We'll see if my next post is about how I'm beyond stupid.

Still Painful

Today was cooler, in the upper 60s, but it was a painful 6 miles. My rib cage is still tender, but I figured since you don't run with your ribs it would be fine. It wasn't, but not so much so that I regret doing it. I needed to get out and run, and I'm sure I'll be better for it long-term. My ribs are at about 80% but that last 20% is a bear.

I Am a Idiot

Ran 4 miles today, first in what? Ten days? All because I am a idiot. Not an idiot. A idiot.

So last week I went with some friends to St. Louis for Opening Day. Fun time, lots of sights, food, and drink. On Wednesday three of us each rented a scooter and went from downtown to our bnb in Soulard. That went fine and was actually pretty fun. Then we went from there to Anheuser Busch for a brewery tour, also good. Over the next couple of days we used them periodically when available, and on Thursday night I was heading to where the gang was hanging out. As I veered off the street onto the sidewalk one of the big concrete squares was missing and I took a nice spill. Hurt my ribs pretty good and it's taken several days to get to the point where I'm not in pain all the time. Still can't sneeze but figured I was about 75% today.

Therefore I ran (slowly) and stayed upright (posture) and made it the 4 miles. It was also 92 degrees, quite a jump up the ol' thermometer. I walked every mile and that made it doable. We'll see if all that jostling was good for me or not. I know the sweating was definitely good.

Blown Away

Today's run went much better than the last, mainly due to the fact I didn't scarf down a double bacon cheeseburger with a fried egg on it. In fact, this was a really good one since I went 7 miles. I actually had to layer up because there is a horrible northwest wind of about 25 mph, knocking the actual feel down into the low 40s. I felt the elusive runner's high a couple of times, believe it or not, both times as I was heading north after the turnaround. I think it was because I relaxed and just tried to not struggle or push too hard against the wind. All in all a good day and a nice long run in spite of the weird weather.

Big Burger

I ate a big burger from Baker's at lunch and paid for it on my run yesterday. I don't regret the hamburger and onion rings because they were great, but I felt slow and bloated for my 6-miler. I walked for a minute at the halfway point and then again up the big hill. Otherwise I slogged through it and ran the rest of the way. I suppose it was my way of trying to atone for the gluttony. The wind was pretty stiff out of the south, which helped because the temperature seemed warm with the sun and in the 70s.

Back to Normal Distance

Today marked my first 6-miler on a weekday in about five months. It was a gorgeous spring day, sunny and a little breeze out of the north. Still feeling good, although a little tired after all the home improvement projects of the last couple of weeks. Nevertheless my pace was about 10 minutes/mile, which is pretty good as I build back to the point where I can do long runs on the weekends again.

Between the Storms

Today was one of those days where it's windy, cooler, and storms are definitely scattered. But it was an excellent day because I made it back up to 6 miles. I listened to a Spanish lesson and then some music along the way. It felt nice, almost routine, to run my normal route without worry. Even with all the extracurricular activities, like moving almost two tons of rock and materiel over the past week, I still feel good.

I think back to what might have caused the injury in the first place. I wonder if it was when I was replacing the front brakes on my truck up in Kansas, and maybe strained too much trying to loosen some bolts. I don't know. Not even sure if the timing works out. Whatever the case I'm going to do my best to not have to go through this again. I don't do well with taking it easy for such a long period of time.

Midday Run

Was going to head out before lunch but realized the electrician was on his way, so I went ahead and ate and then ran. It's a nice sunny day with a slight breeze out of the north, about 70 degrees. I ran 5.5 miles, the first time I've been in that part of the park to the east since November. I'm still feeling good and continuing to build the mileage. I wanted to get in today's run early since I have some yard work to do later.

Making a Path

I planned to run 5.5 miles on Saturday but that didn't work out. I spent the morning at Lowe's getting all the material to make a path along the side of the house to the shed, and then spent the afternoon making the path. By the time I finished it was about six in the evening and I was well beyond spent.

Fast forward to today and I went 5 miles. The temperature was up to 70 degrees with a nice breeze, and I ran the whole way without walking. I'm almost back to 100%, probably 90%, and feeling no ill effects from the run or the push-ups I've started doing again. I also have been doing leg exercises on the off days so that my knees and hips don't feel so wobbly.

Stiff Breeze

Yesterday afternoon I had a brief window of time to run before a work call, so I got out the door and hustled to make it back by 4:30 p.m. I ran 5 miles, which I'm feeling fine so far as I ramp up the mileage incrementally, and pace was under 10 minutes/mile. And then when I walked back in to sit down for the meeting I found it was moved to today. Oh well. At least the run felt good.

Building Miles

Yesterday I walked out the door in shorts and a long-sleeved technical t-shirt. I made it about 10 yards down the sidewalk and walked right back in. It was a little cooler and windier than it appeared through the front windows, so I changed into long pants. Glad I did.

I ran 4.5 miles and felt good about it. With the cooler temp I was able to run the whole way, which was great since I'm still building up my mileage again. This will be the first week in several where I can run three times and hope to keep the momentum going.

Back from Florida

Went to Florida on Wednesday for work meetings on Thursday and stayed for my first Spring Training game on Friday. All of which meant I didn't get to run due to the packed schedule. I did read my new Runner's World issue on the plane, which I guess means I did something related to running.

Today I went out for a 5-miler. It was 75 degrees and felt way warmer than it actually was. It was also extremely windy after a storm blew through before my plane got home. I walked a tenth of a mile at each marker starting with the second mile to combat the heat and my excesses yesterday evening in Florida. Plus today is the )*#$! time change, which I hate. Time to go to bed.

Another Cold Run

Today the temperature got up to the 40s, at least, but it was still not warm. I took the opportunity to add another half-mile to my total to get to 4.5 miles for the day. I'm off for another business trip and another skipped run on Thursday, but I should be back in plenty of time to run on Saturday. Added bonus: it's supposed to be much warmer. *fingers crossed* Maybe winter is finally behind us.

Milestone

Today was a big milestone in my running life. It wasn't the longest or fastest I've run. It was the first time I've run without walking since mid-November. Since I was in the Bay Area this past week and it rained pretty much the whole time, I didn't have any outings since last weekend. Today I went 4 miles. No pain, no pushing it too hard. I feel good later in the day after spending the afternoon painting the garage. I hope this is the first step toward getting back to my regular routine, but as always I'm not going to ramp up too fast. Nice and easy seems to be working so far.

A Windy One

Gotta love Texas weather. Most of the week it was cold and raining. Today was high winds and a temperature near 70 degrees. I didn't mind the wind too much. I went a total of 5 miles, running 4.25 out of that total. Still feeling good, and my side's not hurting. I also replaced two outdoor light fixtures and mowed for the first time this year. All in all a productive day.