VIA Marathon relay

Our team finished in 4:14.  I averaged 9:52 for my 4.8 mile leg, more later.

Getting ready for Via Marathon tomorrow.

I just got back from a 5 miler in the Parkway and after taking a shower I tried on the new team shirt FLSmidth, my employer, bought us for the relay.  I am running the 4.8 mile leg.  The company sponsored us at the last minute so we have not really trained for it but we are doing it to have fun and enjoy the day, wish us luck.

Running in the rain.

I took a day off today for some family business so after it was done I decided to go for a run down to the Lehigh Parkway.  When I came to the Lehigh Parkway North bridge I could not get on the path because it was under water so I continued on to 15th St. and entered the Parkway there.  Lots of trees down in addition to the ones from last week that the crews were not able to get to yet.  I had to run on the road and even climb over a tree that had fallen accross it at one point.  In all the years I have been running, walking and bicycling in the parkway I think the last two weeks have had the most damage I have seen in a long time. 

Down at the Rose garden I took this picture at the bridge over Jorden creek, a large tree fell and has blocked the view of the creek.

Misty morning run

I went out at 05:55 this morning for 5 miles, what a beautiful sunrise and a great way to start the day.

Cross training during the heatwave.

It seams like we have been getting a lot of heat waves this summer which has me running even less than during a normal summer. I prefer to run in the cooler/colder months and usually ride my bike and walk more during the summer months. A few weeks after I ran a 13.1 marathon I was feeling good on a 4 mile run, my heart rate was on the low side of zone 3, I was cruising along at a 9 minute pace so I thought why not crank it up a bit. I gradually increased my pace until I was just below a 7 minute mile and all of a sudden my abdomen felt like someone stabbed me with ice pick (not that I know what that feels like). Anyway, you know what I mean. I immediately stopped and walked which made the pain go away. Good, it was just a side sticker I told myself, always being in denial about injuries, and proceeded to start running again. Well to make a long story short, it did not go away. So I walked/jogged to the end of my scheduled run (no wimping out) and went straight to Dr. Internet and diagnosed my pain as either an abdominal strain or a sports hernia. Next day, it hurt while I stretched in bed-not a good sign, but I soldiered on, went to work and went for a walk after returning home in the evening. I could not feel or see a bulge so I thought I would wait until my annual physical in a few weeks and see what a real doctor said. Real doctor; "I can't feel anything, stop running, and let's wait and see what happens in the next few weeks". That was mid June, over the last month I could see progress, a little less pain when I ran (no, I did not stop running), stretched, etc. It also felt more like a recovering strain (I have lots of experience healing from muscle strains), and I even refrained from a few of the local races I had my eye on. Last Saturday I ran over 5 miles and all I could feel was a little discomfort but no pain so I think I missed the bullet this time and will be OK. I did learn something or was reminded that walking and bicycling are great ways to keep in shape and since they increase your circulation they help you heal faster.

My mileage totals so far for 2011;
Running 334
Walking 203
Bike 231

for a total of 768 miles.

Next post I am gong to write about my exercise program I am designing to help me stay in shape and minimize injuries.

Walking,running and bicycling.

I just finished a one hour, twenty-two minute walk. This brings me to thirteen days in a row that I ran, walked or rode my bike at least one hour every day. I am doing this to stay in shape during the hot, humid weather and lose a little weight so I am ready to step up the running when at the end of the summer. Also I would like to run a 13.1 or 26.2 marathon in the fall.

500 miles for the year.

Last night I went for a 2.5 mile walk which puts me over the 500 mile total for running,walking and bicycling as follows:

Running 280
Walking 121
Bicycle 101

The above totals are a little light, I am finding out, since I got my Garmin Forerunner 305 last week. Some of the trails I run/walk/bike I estimated on the low side.

I am the caretaker for my elderly mother. Last night I had to admit her to the hospital and did not get home until late and almost missed my planned walk. However JoAnne said she would go for a walk with me and saved the day! When I woke up today I had a little pain in my back which may have been from trying to pick up my mom last night. I did my Tai Chi, including the warm up and afterwards I did a quick Yoga for runner's routine; back feel fine! Although Tai Chi took me 7 months of 2 to 3 sessions a week at class it was worth it. As a fellow Tai Chi practitioner once told me "it is a good thing to own, once you learn it you have a valuable skill for life"!