Shortly after my last post I came down with a cold that does not seem to want to go away. I got a few short runs in but then the cold moved down into my chest so haven't done much since. I did notice on the 2 runs that my heartrate is slowly showing improvement--always a good sign.
Another doctor's appointment this morning, with more electrotherapy and more of the painful instrument rubbing away at my leg (the Graston technique). Doc said the leg felt a bit smoother this week so hopefully the sessions are working, because they sure are painful! Or maybe I'm just a wimp. Maybe both. I did notice last week that with the KT tape on, my knee felt much more stable. Even if it's psychological more than physical, every little bit helps. I'll be glad when the cold is over and I can get a better sense of whether the therapy is helping my running.
Monday, February 22, 2010
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Here's Hoping
One of the reasons I haven't run much in the last 18 months is an ongoing knee problem that wasn't getting resolved. In late 2007 my right knee started to swell up after runs. Several visits to a doctor, x-rays, MRIs, and some physical therapy later, I felt like the old joke...
Me: "Doctor, it hurts when I do this..."
Dr.: "Don't do that"
One of my resolutions for 2010 was to figure this knee thing out once and for all, so I got an appointment with a chiropractor/sports medicine guy last week, and he diagnosed my problems as Patellofemoral Syndrome and Patellar Tendonitis. Not great, but at least I now have something to work with. Recommended treatment is eletrical stimulation of the quad and calf muscles, myofascial release, some stretching/strengthening exercises and using kinesiotape on the kneecap. The myofascial release (from what I can tell, the breaking down of scar tissue from old injuries or whatever) is unpleasant but it's all in the spirit of fixing the issue so at the moment I'm very hopeful. I've run a few times this week (fighting through another in a long line of colds that I caught from my kids) and am on schedule for a long run of 6 miles this weekend. Mileage building is going on schedule--through the first 3 weeks of the schedule anyway.
Me: "Doctor, it hurts when I do this..."
Dr.: "Don't do that"
One of my resolutions for 2010 was to figure this knee thing out once and for all, so I got an appointment with a chiropractor/sports medicine guy last week, and he diagnosed my problems as Patellofemoral Syndrome and Patellar Tendonitis. Not great, but at least I now have something to work with. Recommended treatment is eletrical stimulation of the quad and calf muscles, myofascial release, some stretching/strengthening exercises and using kinesiotape on the kneecap. The myofascial release (from what I can tell, the breaking down of scar tissue from old injuries or whatever) is unpleasant but it's all in the spirit of fixing the issue so at the moment I'm very hopeful. I've run a few times this week (fighting through another in a long line of colds that I caught from my kids) and am on schedule for a long run of 6 miles this weekend. Mileage building is going on schedule--through the first 3 weeks of the schedule anyway.
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Futility
For those spreadsheet-loving bloggers out there--I've always loved this Dilbert cartoon. It really captures the essence of working in an office environment.
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Fun with Spreadsheets
One of my favorite peripheral activities related to running is the running log--I happen to track my running in Excel. Since starting up running again three weeks ago, I've resurrected my spreadsheets, and established a rough plan for the year. I've also been reviewing the log from the last time I was at this point fitness-wise and weight-wise. So far the runs I've done this year are very similar to when I started up again in 2005--good to remind myself that it does get easier as time goes on.
I generally try to follow these principles (nothing magic or rigid about them, they just seem to make sense to me):
1. Don't increase total weekly mileage more than 10% per week
2. Don't increase long run more than 1 mile/week
3. Every 4th week is a week of reduced mileage (20-25% less than usual)
4. Max of 5 running days/week.
So, it seems like it will take a long time to build up mileage but it adds up sort of quickly in the grand scheme of things. I'm basically at the beginning of base training phase, running 4x per week, about 12 miles total, with a long run this week of 5 miles. Following the rules above, I'll be up near 40 miles/week with a long run of 17 miles by the first week of July. All dependent on progression of training--any significant setbacks or periods of missed training and the spreadsheet needs to be recalibrated!
The ultimate goal is a fall marathon.
2/8: 2.3 miles @ 9:40 pace
2/9: 2.3 miles @ 9:58 pace
I generally try to follow these principles (nothing magic or rigid about them, they just seem to make sense to me):
1. Don't increase total weekly mileage more than 10% per week
2. Don't increase long run more than 1 mile/week
3. Every 4th week is a week of reduced mileage (20-25% less than usual)
4. Max of 5 running days/week.
So, it seems like it will take a long time to build up mileage but it adds up sort of quickly in the grand scheme of things. I'm basically at the beginning of base training phase, running 4x per week, about 12 miles total, with a long run this week of 5 miles. Following the rules above, I'll be up near 40 miles/week with a long run of 17 miles by the first week of July. All dependent on progression of training--any significant setbacks or periods of missed training and the spreadsheet needs to be recalibrated!
The ultimate goal is a fall marathon.
2/8: 2.3 miles @ 9:40 pace
2/9: 2.3 miles @ 9:58 pace
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Running Again?
It's only been 2-1/2 years since I've posted last... After running 4 times in the last 10 days (and a friendly reminder from a friend) I figure it might be time to resurrect the blog. Definitely need a new picture of the boy. The goal is to get back to a reasonable running routine, take of some weight, and hopefully get to the point of thinking about another marathon.
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