The doctor tells me I drink too much coffee.

I recently went in for my annual checkup and nothing wrong other than my doctor left the practice, can’t compete for a year so I had to see her replacement, Dr. Jekyll.  This guy and I will not meet again. He told me I am too fat, OK, I could lose a few pounds, my resting heart rate is too high (68?) and that I drink too much coffee, I knew that the caffeine issue was coming and he is on the mark with that one. So while I was having a Grande over at Starbucks, I did a little research. I had been way over the recommended intake so I have switched to decaff at home, one 16 oz regular at work and one cup of regular green tea per day. No withdrawal symptoms although I do look forward to getting in to work and having the regular coffee. It is too early to tell but I think my heart rate is a little lower on my runs so this may help my running. OK, I am off stalking my old doctor on the Internet to see where she ends up so I don't have to go 19th century medicine again.

      



 

VIA Marathon relay

I received another picture today from one of my team members.  Here I am ending my relay and handing off to another member.

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.