1st Post-Collegiate 2010-06-21 Week 2 week02 2010-06-28 2010-07-04 FRI It's possible I'm crazy, but more likely is that I'm older, more experienced, and wiser. I think I'm feeling minor tightness in my knee that is the precursor to IT band troubles. It hasn't approached pain yet, but it feels slightly sore walking down stairs. Bending the knee is fine and even a brief jog this morning was fine. I actually don't know much about what IT band problems feel like when they're starting. My only experience with it is when it becomes excruciatingly painful, walking is difficult, and running impossible. So today I think I will take the day off. It was going to be hard to fit the run in anyways, I could use a day off this week, and I want to be careful even at this low mileage. I also think I'll be purchasing a foam roller along with "The Stick" if one of the local running shops carry them. 0 THU This was a repeat of Tuesday night's run along the trail to Talahi Rd. I ran when I woke up this morning. The weather continues to be spectacular and without ice cream in my belly, I ran a lot better. There were many runners and bikers out enjoying the nice weather, even at 7am. There were no shin worries on this run, and I continue to work on my stride. I am getting more comfortable, and I believe I am running around 7:00/mile pace. Having someone to chat with would probably keep me honest and under control, but for now I just try to be smart. With my motivation as high as it continues to be, I wish it were prudent to run again this afternoon. 4 WED I ran immediately when I got home from work. The weather has really turned for the better, with temps in the high 70's. I ran the simple three mile out-and-back that I ran to start this whole endeavor. I paid attention to not over-striding in hopes of preventing the shins from starting to become a factor. I felt a bit too tense though early on and again I wasn't as comfortable as I'd like to be on such a short run. I guess the simple and obvious answer is that my fitness has a long way to go. 3 TUE I ate ice cream maybe an hour before I ran, which wasn't a good idea. That said, I got through this run ok. I didn't feel my best, and it was a good reality check for where things are after a lot of dreaming these past few days. I just never felt like my breathing was as under control as it should have been. My pace wasn't anything too fast, but I never felt comfortable. I ran as much on soft surface as I could, running to the trail and turning around Talahi Rd. For once, I ran before complete darkness, this time at dusk. The weather for the rest of the week is supposed to finally give us a break from the heat. I hate that I can tell already, at this low mileage, with this kind of emphasis on soft surfaces, but the shins are going to be an issue at some point. I think the purchase of "The Stick" is in order. 4 MON I had to push the run back past daylight again due to to a meeting at church. But with my motivation as high as it is right now, there was no real doubt of getting this one in. I had to try and keep myself from racing three miles since I wanted to get this one done and get to bed, but I managed to stay controlled. I ran to the trail and back home on Cedar and Cottage with an extra loop onto Marymount and Villanova to get over three miles. Even with the huge thunderstorm today, the humidity level is crazy high, but it should be improving as we move towards the weekend. 3 Week 1 week01 2010-06-21 2010-06-27 This was a great first week back. After how poorly the first couple of runs went this week, I am pleasantly surprised by the mileage total and the way I felt in the last two runs. I can only hope my motivation will continue to be this strong. I have been inspired, and I am beginning to remember how great running can be. SUN Today was surprisingly packed with activity and with Sam trying not to take a nap all day. But I did manage to lace 'em up for a run around 9pm. Running at night always makes me think I'm faster than I really am and this was no exception. It was hands down, the best I have felt running so far. My legs weren't complaining and I even toyed with opening them up a bit near the end, but I'm still too afraid to do much and that's probably a good thing. A really cool sight is the bike trail at night. It's probably too dark to run on safely, but I ran in the gravel so no bikes should hit me. There are hundreds of lightning bugs on both sides and it gives the strip a feel of a stadium with flash cameras going off all over the place. I ran to Gallows and then to the Metro and home. 3 SAT I started this run with no real plan and that made me feel like I was actually "on a run", rather than struggling just to complete a set 2-3 mile loop. The key to this run was staying controlled, and believe me, that is hard for me to do. I stayed on the trail all the way to Waters Field and concentrated on staying at a pace my legs could handle. I got a watch on a mile on the trail and it was 7:20. Slow, but that's what I needed to get through this one. I ran down Cherry to Elm to Cottage and back home. I sought out as much soft surface as I could find and my legs appreciated it. I was tired after this one, but I hit five miles for the first time back. It was sad to see Waters completely dormant on a Saturday night. Hopefully the Vienna Senators will be back next summer. 5 FRI I ran in the evening around dusk to avoid the heat as much as possible. I ran a simple three mile loop on Cottage to Cedar to the trail and back home. I am happy to report that I did this one without any stoppages and the pace was just right. Soreness is fading. 3 THU Thursday is my usual bike day to relinquish the car to Jess to take Sam to playgroup. This was no exception and for what feels like the first time in a while, I rode both ways, so 22 miles on the bike. The soreness in my quads has been just staggering. I'm amazed how sore I am, but it is starting to subside a bit. 0 WED I couldn't sleep because my mind couldn't stop going over possible ways to code a heuristic for the 8-puzzle project in my AI class. So I decided to get up and run. I ran a very simple neighborhood loop, running to the trail, then to Cedar, and home via Bowling Green. It was fun to run in the morning. It was still very humid, but nothing like the heat that we'll have this afternoon. Passed by the middle school and saw all the bus drivers preparing their rigs. I was suprised by the number of people at the pool doing laps this early. 2.5 TUE Jess needed the car this morning, which was fine by me since I was very sore and a day on the bike would probably be a good way to rest some. I rode to work in the morning and Jess picked me up on her way home, so just 11 miles on the bike. 0 MON This was my first run in a very long time and it was hard. I ran when I got home from work and it was extremely hot. I wet down before the run and my head was dry before I got a mile in. I ran to the trail and then across Gallows to the park by the beltway and back. Jess and Sam started with me on the bike, but Sam wasn't enjoying it much, so they turned around. I suffered on and was really happy to be done with this one. My legs are not used to this at all. I am sure I will be extremely sore tomorrow. 3