2/22/11 - 9+ Mile Run

9.3-9.4 miles
1:00:40

I planned on just an easy run, but as I got out, I just gradually picked up the pace...
7:25 to start out, 7:02 for mile 2, 6:57 for mile 3, 6:53 for mile 4. When I got out to Memorial and 610, I decided to hit it a little harder down Post Oak Ln, starting at 34:04. I covered the next 2.4 miles @ 14:44. Not sure what that comes out to, but as I look at it, it's not as fast as I thought. Ha! But, when I hit 2-miles to go, I timed those two miles for sure...5:57 @ 1-mile, and 11:52 @ 2-miles.

All in all, I feel good about the run, and was happy to have put the effort forth to finish the run relatively strong.

Tomorrow morning (I hope) calls for some easy miles. Rodriguez, out!

2/20/11 - Update

I've been running well this week, but still have had issues with my left knee. One thing I hadn't really considered was the need to use the foam roller on my lower thigh/quad.

I hadn't really gone into too much detail about my knee discomfort, I don't think. I had some swelling that started about 3 weeks before the Houston Marathon. I didn't run the marathon, but that was just the timing as it relates to the marathon. Anyway, there wasn't any pain associated with the swelling...just the discomfort that came from the swelling.

Over the course of the next 3 weeks, the swelling subsided, but it was replaced essentially by a slight, but semi sharp pain on the inside part of my left knee. Not anywhere near the knee-cap. Now, here is what I seemed to notice, however. As I was dealing with the swelling and the knee pain, my left calf was always SUPER tight after a run, so it was obvious I have been really over-working it somehow.

Yesterday (Saturday), I had planned on a 15 mile run, which I was feeling really good about, fitness-wise. Well, along the way of the run, I began to feel the knee bother me...specifically when we hit a place where we were going downhill. My whole gait changed when we did, so I cut it off @ 9miles. I was a little bothered, but mainly frustrated because of the feeling of fitness, but my knee wasn't cooperating. Sean asked me about whether I'd been using my foam roller much, which I hadn't.

So, after the run, I took my leg to the foam roller on my quads and on my calves. I'm not exaggerating when I say that on the left side, on both the calf muscle and the inside of my quad, I was almost in tears. As bad as it was, it made a huge difference today, as I ran about 10 miles and felt little-to-no discomfort in the knee. I really focused on how things felt on my left leg all the way down. It's clear that there is something going on on my left side, but it's going to take some work to figure it out. I'm not saying the foam rolling is a definite cure for what I've been feeling, but it definitely made a difference today. I spent more time on the roller today, so we'll see how it feels in the morning.

The plan for this week is 2-3 times to run in the AM and PM. Not going to hit super high mileage those days, but definitely higher than what I had been hitting, which has been 7-8 miles. I'd like a couple of 10-mile days, and give it another go at 15 miles this weekend.

I should be able to get to more regular posting of runs and workouts, as I prepare for my next race coming up at the end of March. We'll see how it all progresses.

2/13/11 Run and Updates

I finished out the week with 7-8 miles/day, feeling good, running fast with little effort. So, next week means workouts and getting ready to race.

2/13/11
8 Miles
54:15

Nice smooth easy run, hanging around 6:30-6:40 for the majority of the run. Nothing too major.

Debating on Monday or Tuesday workout. I think Monday may be the call to duty, but we'll see.

2/8/11 PM Easy Run, 8 Miles

8 Miles
52:55

Just a great feeling run at the end of a crappy, long day. Initially, the plan was just to get out and enjoy the cool air, take my time and just...I don't know...enjoy a slow easy run.

I got warmed up and felt really good when I got to the park...speed felt pretty effortless, but the wind was pretty rough...steady 15+ mph wind, with some stronger gusts.

12:40 for timed miles @ the park and 13:00 for the last 2 miles home along Memorial.

Man, it felt good. I'm feeling ready to start putting in some workouts again and start preparing to race in 6 1/2 weeks. Gotta be ready.

2/7/11 PM Easy Run 3.something miles

3.5-ish miles

I went out for an evening run to make it 2-runs in the day and 10+ miles for the day. Just got onto the cloverleaf and did 3 loops (7:10, 7:00, 6:50). Nothing too spectacular. Just a nice little jaunt.

All functioning well.

Iced knee after.

2/7/11 AM Easy Run - 7.3 Miles

7.3 Miles
51:43

Another easy run to the park for a loop and back. Same feeling as yesterday. Being a 6am run, rather than 8am run, it took a little easier pace to warm up. By the time I got to Crestwood, I felt loosened up. The wind was pretty steady and strong this morning...maybe a 10mph crosswind as I headed down Blossom, and the direction I headed in the park was right into that wind for the first mile...whew.

13:40 again for 2 of my park miles. Again, felt very little effort at this point. Knee is still not 100% right, but it seems to feel ok once I get running. It's that first mile that can trip me up. Either way, it will definitely warrant a doctor visit.

So far, so good.

2/6/11 - AM Easy Run - 7.3 Miles

7.3 Miles
50:54

Nice run in sunny, cool weather. Very little wind out so made for a good feeling run. Knee was uncomfortable for about the first mile, but once all was warmed up and moving, things felt great.
13:40 for 2 of my park miles. Felt very little effort towards that end. Wasn't pushing the pace at all.

2/5/11 AM Easy Run 7 Miles/Blogging Return

7 Miles
51:28

Just got myself out for a trot to the park, a loop and back. It seemed that returning from my Achilles injury was going smoothly until one Saturday long run when I ran particularly well for 16 miles. Later that night, my left knee was swollen/fluidy. Initially I didn't put too much stock in it, as I got out the door for some running the next day and wasn't hindered, nor was it an issue for the next week or so. Then I began to pay a price for the running, in lack of mobility and discomfort in the knee.

I took some time, iced a little (yes, I should have been icing every day). On marathon day, I ran in a fellow Kenyan Way-er the last 4-miles @ 7:15/mi, which had been the first running I'd done in about 5 days. I spent plenty of warm up running getting to where I met her @ Mile 22, and the run felt ok, but things were still not feeling right. I eased my way through a Monday run, and just decided to take the rest of the week off until the swelling was gone and the movement returned.

That was today. The run felt good, and so far, no ill effects. We'll see in the morning. Fingers Crossed.

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So, I took some time off from blogging for a few reasons. Mainly because I find that I do share a lot of myself in the cyber-world, and I really needed to reel that in a bit. Doing that can leave you feeling (if not actually) a little vulnerable, which is not something I enjoy feeling. So, I dropped off my Facebook for a little while, and here as well.

There are a few things in my life I've been working on getting in a little better order, and while progress has been made, I hate to say it, but I'm living in the evidence the night is darkest before the dawn. I'm not sure how close I am to the dawn, though.

Funny...despite that feeling, I live comfortably in the knowledge that my life is blessed. Blessed by who's definition? Well, by my own. Even in my hardest days, I try to take some time to think about the people, events, skills, things, responsibilities that I am blessed with. Some have been given. Some have been earned. Some have been developed. Some, unfortunately, have been squandered, wasted, and in some cases, hurt. All of it stays in my head and heart, however, and I try to bring those things to the forefront, especially when I feel like a particular day is beating on me.

I was asked recently by one of my closest friends if I still had the goal of making the Trials, with my physical challenges that have come along. In all honesty, the goal hasn't changed. I'm dealt the cards I'm dealt, and that's all I have to go on. Until the 30-day point comes and goes, even if I miss it by 10 minutes, the goal cannot change. Only the path to get there.