Ever as a kid, or an adult for that matter, get the feeling like when you step away from the ice cream truck with your yummy 3 scoop cone and sprinkles in hand, turn around and *plop* the ice cream hits the grass. You are out of cash, ice cream guy is not gonna help you out, you're just done. Think for a brief second that you can salvage the grass, ant, dirt, worm, stone ice cream that is melting by the second. Then you realize it as a fruitless effort and want to sit on the curb and wallow in what has been lost.
That was me Thursday. Maybe not quite as dramatic, but sad still. Got home, had some dinner with my ladies, played a bit, then we got the little ones ready for bed. My wife, after putting the youngest to sleep, comes in to relieve me of the duties of the eldest so I can run. I get my gear on, grab the iPod for music, the phone for map my run, and toss on the sneaks. I know 2 pieces of technology so I can run. Listen, the iPod doesn't work without internet connection for Map My Run and the phone doesn't have an armband so I can use it for music....yet. I'm out the door. I do a little warm up, then a bit of a stretch and, I'm off.
Today I am going to try for 3 miles. I mapped it out earlier, ready to move to the next point in my running. Actually feeling pretty good. I figured that since today was the day I decided to move to the next marker I wouldn't be "feeling" this run. Nope, I am good. A decent pace, a nice May eve, not even thinking about the real big hill that will be near the end of my run, just flowing. I like.
*PLOP* Actually more of a pop. For no reason I can fathom, an odd pop/twinge happens in my calf. Didn't mis-step, didn't hit a hole, just put my foot down as I had been for the past half mile. I'm not in writhing pain, I don't crumble to the pavement. I just stop, wait, hope. I know it's not going to change, but there is a chance, it didn't feel too bad. I take a couple of steps, lightly, testing. Nope, I'm done running. I stand at the side of the road, feel that ice cream on ground on a hot summers day disappointment and turn to walk the same half mile I just ran home. I'm limping a bit, nothing horrible, nothing career ending. (It's at this time I send what I think a clever text to my wife about the new app I found for my phone, it's called Map My Limp. I didn't get the response I thought from it. She and others I have told didn't really even chuckle. I found it fairly amusing).
I get home, assess the damage. A little sore near the bottom of the calf. Not horrible when I walk, I am favoring it a bit though. Not too bad, maybe it will pass quicker than I thought. Right about this point I start cursing that we have so many stairs in our home. Seems that flat terrain is good, not to much strain. On the other hand, the motion of up or down the stairs has turned me into a toddler. I am one stepping the stairs. Yeah, a bit more pain there. Again, I think I will survive, just disappointment, I am really enjoying this running thing.
It seems better today, still sore, still right there. I can walk a bit better without the pirate limp. I can almost walk the stairs like a big boy. Now I just have to rest it and let it heal. I just have a small bit of fear waiting for when I decide it's time to run again. How long will it be into this run when my calf plays pop goes the weasel. Great, now that's running through my head. At least I can take solace in the fact 1 if not more of you will be joining me in that. You're welcome.
Just another hurdle in the quest to become a real live runner. As in any activity there are injury possibilities. I accept that. I am just used to having someone crash into me to cause pain and put me on I.R. So, I will take care of my leg while I sit less than patient until I can reclaim the roads near home. Don't be sad for me, I'll be back out there soon.
A special note, in case I don't get back on. Happy Mothers Day to those of you that are Mothers and a reminder to those that have forgotten, it's Sunday. -Joel
Saturday, May 12, 2012
Sunday, May 6, 2012
Walk it off. YOU Walk it off!!!
Been a few days. Don't worry I haven't forgotten about you. Seems when I don't run as much, I don't post as much. I have taken a little bit off from both. No real big reason, just things haven't meshed with running and I haven't pushed for it, I haven't made it happen. Tomorrow, I have it set already, I'm running.
Part of the reason I haven't is the disappointment I have been feeling when I cannot run my full route and have to walk. I would be fine with it if it was something like my cardio where I just couldn't due to breathing, or just flat out tired. I'm not though. I have been getting a pain in my leg, about the 1 mile mark and it will last until about 10 minutes or so after I finish running. I have to see why it is, how I can fix or at least minimize it. It annoys me, it is stopping me from pushing to the next mile mark. Scares me a bit too, worried that it just might be me. You know, go to the doc, "Doc, it hurts when I do this." "Well, then don't do that" says the doc. Concerned that it is what it is and cannot be fixed. I had really messed up my ankle in my senior year. Tendons, ligaments, everything in there but the bones. Was told it would heal proper and be good as new. I followed directions to a tee. Crutches, ice, lace brace, no pressure on it for weeks. I was a good patient, did everything I was told to. Didn't heal quite right. Well, that's the reason I worry a bit. Not something I can run through, cant walk it off either. Best way to describe.....put a flipper on your right foot, have the side of your leg from ankle to just below the knee spasm nice and tight....then run. Kinda what it's like. Can't stretch it away, can't rub it out (my leg) just stops a few after I stop running, doesn't come back till the mile mark of my next trot. Rest, ice, heat, voodoo magic doesn't seem to work so, next up is good ole American doctorin'.
That covers my running. Why you ask have I not been tickling the keys on the computer? Great question, glad you asked. I have been, just not publishing it. Stay tuned. Mixed in with the regular posts you have come to love, words you cannot live without, or maybe all in a row, a little series I have been working on. It fits here, its fitness. Get it, fits, fitness. Hmm, tough crowd. Its a mixture of things, all fitness related. All focused on weight loss and ways to get the results you want. Nope, not a special pill, diet, fad workout. I guess it could be call the anti of all of those. Just some ideas, observations, experiences, and opinions I have. Well, keep an eye out, I will be putting it up soon (ohhh teaser to get you excited and draw you back in).
As always, thanks for reading. - Joel
Part of the reason I haven't is the disappointment I have been feeling when I cannot run my full route and have to walk. I would be fine with it if it was something like my cardio where I just couldn't due to breathing, or just flat out tired. I'm not though. I have been getting a pain in my leg, about the 1 mile mark and it will last until about 10 minutes or so after I finish running. I have to see why it is, how I can fix or at least minimize it. It annoys me, it is stopping me from pushing to the next mile mark. Scares me a bit too, worried that it just might be me. You know, go to the doc, "Doc, it hurts when I do this." "Well, then don't do that" says the doc. Concerned that it is what it is and cannot be fixed. I had really messed up my ankle in my senior year. Tendons, ligaments, everything in there but the bones. Was told it would heal proper and be good as new. I followed directions to a tee. Crutches, ice, lace brace, no pressure on it for weeks. I was a good patient, did everything I was told to. Didn't heal quite right. Well, that's the reason I worry a bit. Not something I can run through, cant walk it off either. Best way to describe.....put a flipper on your right foot, have the side of your leg from ankle to just below the knee spasm nice and tight....then run. Kinda what it's like. Can't stretch it away, can't rub it out (my leg) just stops a few after I stop running, doesn't come back till the mile mark of my next trot. Rest, ice, heat, voodoo magic doesn't seem to work so, next up is good ole American doctorin'.
That covers my running. Why you ask have I not been tickling the keys on the computer? Great question, glad you asked. I have been, just not publishing it. Stay tuned. Mixed in with the regular posts you have come to love, words you cannot live without, or maybe all in a row, a little series I have been working on. It fits here, its fitness. Get it, fits, fitness. Hmm, tough crowd. Its a mixture of things, all fitness related. All focused on weight loss and ways to get the results you want. Nope, not a special pill, diet, fad workout. I guess it could be call the anti of all of those. Just some ideas, observations, experiences, and opinions I have. Well, keep an eye out, I will be putting it up soon (ohhh teaser to get you excited and draw you back in).
As always, thanks for reading. - Joel
Tuesday, May 1, 2012
Wagons Should Have Seat Belts
April comes to a close and so does my 1st month of running/writing. Not really a full month, closer to 3 weeks but who is counting. I feel I am doing well in both areas. Not exactly where I wanted to be, but better than where I was. Still loving when I get out to run, and when I finish have a sort of excitement for the "next one". The blog, just shy of 400 hits for the month. It will be sweet if both grow, more miles and more readers.
Not quite ready to hit any races yet, I want to make sure there is still someone at the end to welcome me to the finish. I'm afraid they might all have gone home by the time I cross the line. There is a kind of impatience to it though. I want to run a race, I want to be at my target weight, I want to do long runs like a boss. With the impatience comes a level of understanding. While I want to run 26.2 tomorrow, I know I need to pace, build, and be happy with where I am now and the small strides I am making.
I think I will start looking at some local 5k races and sign up. Not tomorrow, but one soon. Maybe June. Oh, kinda rhymed.
A little scare here at the homestead. Through the past week or so we realized someone has broken in our home and been filling the sink with dishes that have been used for un-runner food. No suspects yet but I will keep you posted. I haven't noticed any signs of forced entry, nothing taken, no alarms tripped so, it may have been an inside job. I'm keeping my eye on the little one. She may not talk or walk yet but she's a crafty lil thing. Only so much milk and pureed foods one can stand. Seeing this has made us take a step back. More salads for lunch instead of leftovers. No eating after 7ish. Funny thing, if you feed a mogwai after midnight they turn to a gremlin, if you don't feed a Joel after 9pm they turn a bit gremlin-like. (Did you know Howie Mandel was the voice for Gizmo? He found he could do that voice on time choking on cake as a kid. True story). A bit of a re-affirmation on eating for us. By no means are we horrible eaters, on the other hand, we aren't super great eaters. I would put us in the better eater category overall. Still, we need to keep an eye out.
It's ok to fall off the wagon a bit, or dive head first and land in a bowl of ice cream. The important part is to get up, not be mad at the accidental dive into said ice cream and run to catch that wagon and hop back on. Slips like that have to be expected. I didn't add the extra me by over eating carrots and apples. Difference is, slips aren't gigantic falls and I don't stay down as long. I hop back up, and grab the closest glass of water and "good for you" food.
So the trek might take a little longer, there may be peaks and valleys in the trip, and that is all good as long as I don't stop. Just keep the forward motion, be it walk, run, or crawl. Just keep moving, then, I will hit those goals.
Ok last post for April, which has not switched to May while I was writing, it's fine, Ill publish west coast time. 2 notes. Firstly, I wanted to say Thank you to my super awesome great wife and besty. We celebrated 6 years of wedded bliss yesterday (now two days ago). You are the greatest, I love you Christine!!!
And B, anyone have a hint at why the point from my ankle to my knee hurts on my one leg? Straight line, drawn from the ankle up the side to just blow the side of the knee. Makes the runs less of a run.
Thanks, I really do appreciate the time you spend here. It makes me smile every time I log in and check the stats. Keep on reading, also keep on hopping back up on what ever wagon you fall from. - Joel
Not quite ready to hit any races yet, I want to make sure there is still someone at the end to welcome me to the finish. I'm afraid they might all have gone home by the time I cross the line. There is a kind of impatience to it though. I want to run a race, I want to be at my target weight, I want to do long runs like a boss. With the impatience comes a level of understanding. While I want to run 26.2 tomorrow, I know I need to pace, build, and be happy with where I am now and the small strides I am making.
I think I will start looking at some local 5k races and sign up. Not tomorrow, but one soon. Maybe June. Oh, kinda rhymed.
A little scare here at the homestead. Through the past week or so we realized someone has broken in our home and been filling the sink with dishes that have been used for un-runner food. No suspects yet but I will keep you posted. I haven't noticed any signs of forced entry, nothing taken, no alarms tripped so, it may have been an inside job. I'm keeping my eye on the little one. She may not talk or walk yet but she's a crafty lil thing. Only so much milk and pureed foods one can stand. Seeing this has made us take a step back. More salads for lunch instead of leftovers. No eating after 7ish. Funny thing, if you feed a mogwai after midnight they turn to a gremlin, if you don't feed a Joel after 9pm they turn a bit gremlin-like. (Did you know Howie Mandel was the voice for Gizmo? He found he could do that voice on time choking on cake as a kid. True story). A bit of a re-affirmation on eating for us. By no means are we horrible eaters, on the other hand, we aren't super great eaters. I would put us in the better eater category overall. Still, we need to keep an eye out.
It's ok to fall off the wagon a bit, or dive head first and land in a bowl of ice cream. The important part is to get up, not be mad at the accidental dive into said ice cream and run to catch that wagon and hop back on. Slips like that have to be expected. I didn't add the extra me by over eating carrots and apples. Difference is, slips aren't gigantic falls and I don't stay down as long. I hop back up, and grab the closest glass of water and "good for you" food.
So the trek might take a little longer, there may be peaks and valleys in the trip, and that is all good as long as I don't stop. Just keep the forward motion, be it walk, run, or crawl. Just keep moving, then, I will hit those goals.
Ok last post for April, which has not switched to May while I was writing, it's fine, Ill publish west coast time. 2 notes. Firstly, I wanted to say Thank you to my super awesome great wife and besty. We celebrated 6 years of wedded bliss yesterday (now two days ago). You are the greatest, I love you Christine!!!
And B, anyone have a hint at why the point from my ankle to my knee hurts on my one leg? Straight line, drawn from the ankle up the side to just blow the side of the knee. Makes the runs less of a run.
Thanks, I really do appreciate the time you spend here. It makes me smile every time I log in and check the stats. Keep on reading, also keep on hopping back up on what ever wagon you fall from. - Joel
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