Bobbie and That Guy

Spotted That Guy going past the Bobbie the Wonder Dog mural. He was moving fairly well this morning.  

Bobbie mural and That Guy

I felt pretty good also. This was my second run in two days after taking a couple of weeks off due to a tight right calf.  Been doing a lot of swimming and some gym work. But nothing like running.

I tried a different swimming strategy this week to see if it would make swimming more pleasant. Instead of setting a distance goal, like 1000 or 1500, I swam for time, 30 or 35 minutes. Tried this so I could let my mind wonder rather than occupying it with lap counting. It did help. I was able to distract myself some but still did a lot of technique focus. It didn't really make the time go faster but I liked not having to remember what lap I was on. Maybe some day I'll even get an endorphin rush.  I also started working on breathing every other stroke. I don't know if it helps me go any faster but it does seem like a more relaxed pace than breathing every stroke.

Been pleased that the 5lbs I've lost is staying off. Now that I'm running in the mornings again I can get back to two a day workouts. If the weight loss goes as usual I'll stay at around 207-208 work a couple weeks then will see a sudden drop of 3-5 lbs. Looking forward to getting below 205 and then 200! Maybe I'll be able to keep ahead of That Guy!

That Guy is wondering where I'm at

Between a tight right calf and a couple weeks of work related all day events (summer board & staff retreat) I haven't done much running. I did get a bike ride to work in but not home. I was able to swim at the Silver Falls Conference Center pool and today I got in a nice swim at my home pool.

Mostly I'm frustrated that my calf isn't getting better. It continues to be tight. I ran a mile on the treadmill this morning and though it didn't get tighter it is sore tonight. But part of that could be from the calf raises I did also. I'll be adding those to my daily work. As long as I remember to do them.

The insightfullness of That Guy

The tightness in my right calf has persisted. That Guy as continued to advise me to not run and cross train. Good thing he's around, previously I would be out there trying to run on it and it just getting tighter and tighter, someone has to be the mature, smart one. It's generally not me when it comes to the aches and injuries of running.

I was frustrated yesterday though. I was planning on riding my bike into work, was all set to head out...flat tire!  Calf was still sore so no running. It made for a bad start to the day, especially mentally. Already in a 'mood' with sister-in-law having moved in two weeks ago. This didn't help. Fortunately the evening swim helped put a few endorphins into my system.  Endorphin fixes always help, but running ones are the best! Looking forward to getting back to those soon.



                                                              
Something That Guy just realized in looking back at my training log for the past 4 months, about every 3-4 weeks I get a nagging injury. This time a knot in my right calf that gets tighter when I run. I incorporate easy days in my week but I don't conscientiously do easy weeks. If this pattern is any indication, That Guy is suggesting every third week should probably be a back off week.  He had better not get a swelled head if that works.

Taking advice from That Guy...after a take down

I took That Guy's advice today. About a half mile into my run this morning my right calf started to get tight. It was sore starting out but nothing to worry about. However, it gradually got tighter and That Guy pulled me over had me stretch for a couple minutes and try again. Still tight. That Guy elbowed me to the ground and demanded I turn around and walk home. 

 "It's not worth risking it cramping up just to get the morning run in.  Besides you can swim or bike tonight."  I reluctantly acquiesced to his kind demand and turn around and walked home.


It's a bit frustrating, finally getting in consistent quality runs and now needing to back off. The fortunate part is, perhaps it's because its summer, I have a more positive attitude about swimming and cycling as a recovery alternative. Anyway, time to listen to That Guy, roll the calf, cross train and let it heal.

Celebrating the 4th of July with That Guy

The second race of my "comeback."  The Molalla Freedom 5k.  A beautiful, sunny morning and a 9:20 start made it a bit warm but nothing outrageous like Indiana was a few weeks ago. The unusual start time was because we were running the 4th of July parade route and started 10 minutes before the parade.

As I'm warming up who should show up?  Yup, That Guy.  We exchanged greetings and warmed up together.  I had started my warm up at home by implementing the famous Two Poop Principle pioneered by Marky and I during our UE days.  According to our research, today's race should go pretty well.

Goal for today was to make sure my time in Astoria in May was not a fluke.  I was hoping to improve mostly on my pacing, going out slower and not dying so much the last mile. The race started with  3/4 lap around the high school track with a finish down the home stretch.  It's a small, local run, my favorite type. No overblown hoopla, an organized race timing company, lots of local volunteers.

After the National Anthem we quickly got under way. As I rounded the track I reminded myself to slow down. We exited the high school athletic fields and were soon on the parade route. I could feel the effort and was concerned it was too fast, but I had slowed from when I was on the track. Relax and be comfortable.  Mile 1, 7:41! Shit, faster than Astoria!

I immediately slowed my pace, hoping to avert a disaster.  I was no longer enjoying the crowds that were waiting for the parade and halfheartedly cheering us...we were the boring pre-act after all. As I continued That Guy was no help, reminding me of my pre-race goal. How does a plodding, stiff stride keep up with my 7:41? I did my best to ignore him, which was fairly easy as I was concentrating on the heaviness entering my legs and air not entering my lunges.

Mile 2 finally arrived 8:07 later. At least I'd slow to the pace I should have started, but I could tell it was too late.  As we turned onto Main Street I tried to pay more attention to the crowd to take my mind off the hurting. It was a 3/4 mile straight before turning into the athletic fields and onto the track.  I could feel I'd slowed, I felt like I was plodding along, as I ran on the edge of the street high fiving any kid who wanted one and trying to keep my "oh fucks" quiet, it is a family race after all.  If I'd seen one of those signs saying "high five here for a power boost" I was ready to say the sign needed to be re-charged. I mantra was now "don't walk too many people watching."  I passed mile 3 in 8:50 after the mile 2 sign, nice training run pace.

On to the track and across the finish line. 25:21. God I hurt. Grabbed a bottle of water and walked the pain away.  That Guy came up as I was recovering, "Still haven't learned have you?"

                                                              
Final results, 25:21, 8:10 pace, 126 of 482 overall, 92 of 230 in gender group, 2nd in AG. AG winner was 24:55, but he was at the young end of the spectrum!  Just 4 seconds slower than Astoria, the quicker first mile took it's toll again.