I had a somewhat pleasant run this morning. I had purposefully taken the week off after I broken my ribs. I did the same thing when I broke my foot back in April. That time it was mandated by my doctor; self-imposed this time. But learning from that previous experience, I think after any major training easy, whether it ends well or early or unexpectantedly, it's a good idea to cool the jets.

But this morning I got back on the trails. I do have a couple of races on the horizon, but for at least another week, until after Christmas, it's gonna be about running how I feel and want to. And I guess if you include yesterday, that also includes some fooling around with my Vibram FiveFingers.

My sister and brother-in-law fly in tonight and official kick-off a week of the holidays [and its stress.]

Everything was going good and on schedule.

Then yesterday I was trying to clean the gutters and get leaves of our roof. I slipped and fell, hit my abdomen on the railing to the deck and broke two ribs. No spinal injuries or problems with my liver or kidneys (given where I hit).

However, broken ribs are obviously painful. My race is next weekend. The ED doctor said no way, but prefaced that it wasn't dangerous; just that it would be too painful to breath. I did a trial run this morning. Yes, there was pain, but not from breathing and not intolerable, so now it throws in the air the whole possibility of still going, how well I would/could, etc.. I'm so torn right now, given that this is the second time it's happened in the last year. Am I just terribly injury prone?

Greg cursed me. The other day he asked if I would end up going through pre-race nuisances of feeling really crappy then beginning to feel great. Well, I hadn't experience it much recently, and said as much.

While it happens during the normal course of training, I was particularly aware of how "off" I felt. I was doing my running at Wrightsville Beach while conducting my Coast Guard obligation. My long run was done at Umstead on Friday before I left, with two mid-range runs on and near the island. The sensation is hard to explain. Feeling "off" is the closest, but vaguest term. It's like a felt like I was working really hard, but had the sensation that my pace was slow. Then I get done with the run, eventually look at my watch, and realize I was running at a typical pace. While it's good to know I was working steady, the out-of-sync sensation is bothersome.

I love December and all the seasonal Christmas atmosphere. By this I of course mean the holiday selection at Trader Joe's. I try and experience a new item once a week, and always consider what, if anything, to stock pile for the rest of the year.

I've also been cooking/baking a bit more. Sometimes from boredom, sometimes from cravings. Thanksgiving helped when I was able to make cornbread and then into cornbread stuffing, as well as a a "knead-less" yeast bread loaf. Then I made a PB cookie-dough, granola-mixed brownie contraption. Still undecided on how much I enjoy it. Oh well. Most of the time I make more than enough to satisfy any taste cravings. The rest usually gets sent to my dad's office or taken to YMCA. I hope both are appreciative.

Maybe third time's a charm? I've been off and on with this blog and this is back to an "on" moment. It's partially due to being mentioned in my friend Laura's blog, so I hope to do it right.

Tapering has started this week for the Lookout Mountain 50 miler. Yes, my first ultramarathon. I'm a wicked excited. As always it's a constant teeter-totter between pushing hard enough and too hard. After a tough weekend of running (5 hours Saturday in the Uwharrie Moutains, 5 hours Sunday at Umstead) I'm battling some muscle tightness. Here's hoping it'll go away with the taper.

Training ebbs and flows. I'm beginning to accept and appreciate daily and weekly fluctuations to my running schedule and mileage.

Last week, after a thorough weekend of running, my sister and I took an overnight trip to Asheville for some hiking. Scaling mountains can be a feat unto itself, much so after back-to-back 19 and (approx.) 13 miles. But it was tons of fun. By the way, if you didn't know, going DOWN can sometimes be as tough or tougher than going UP (since when stepping down, there is a significant braking/bracing effect on the quads) and I definitely felt this on our trip. Sunday we took a long trek along part of the Mountain-to-Sea trail. The following morning was a climber up Mt. Pisgah. I'm sure the view WOULD have been great... if it wasn't for the fog... and it was bit nippy out (thankfully I had carried a windbreaker in case of rain).

Funny mishap at the "The Athlete's Foot" social run last night. I get over to the store to discover that I've pack one old shoe, one new shoe (as evident by the different shoelace color, otherwise the shoes are identical). Another glance and I discover that it's also TWO RIGHT shoes. Well, crap. Digging into my resources, it turned into a shorter run in... VIBRAMS! It was a risky move: I haven't run in them since April when I broke my foot (while using them!) and had never done over about 2.5 miles (I ran 6 last night). Of course, most running injuries/issues don't present themselves until several days after the fatal workout. However, right now, the only symptom is blisters, and moderate calf aching. Cheers.

Pending the hurricane, this weekend will be the last race in the Triangle Open Water Swim Series. A one-mile swim, I hope to get my last age-group win and complete my awards collection (so far two beer glasses and a coffee travel mug).

I'm beginning to settle into a good cycle for my workouts, though that's looking to be unsettled. Tomorrow I start a once-a-week job packing and delivering local produce. Hopefully it will be a "gateway" job into an industry that I have a interest in.

Another weekend with the Coast Guard. Most people would be astounded by how early I will wake up to get in a run. 4:00 for 12 miles on Saturday (to be ready for ANOTHER 2.5 with the unit at 7:30) and 3:30 on Sunday for 8 miles (before standing watch at 5:30). I still don't think I could be considered an earlier bird. I can get up early, but that's mainly because I'm slow. I usually take at least half an hour to get rolling before a workout.

Interesting fact of the week:

The etymology of the name Duran. French in origin, meaning "enduring." Make sense: duran, durable, endurance. I'm certainly not one to buy into superstition, or "fate" regarding people's name. However, I like entertaining the idea of being a long-distance, ENDURANCE athlete named Duran.

I'm still stuck at around $125 for donations to Team USO. Come on folks!

Focus

My mileage is returning pretty well. I am happy with where I am, though I'm a little confused about where to go. While I have my marathon race planned, I don't have anything else on the books. Particularly I don't have any triathlon plans, or even long-term aspirations. It makes my swimming and cycling seem so extraneous. But I DO believe both are great cross-training tools. And I think open water swimming events would be fun to do [more of].

Having a specific training plan will probably help me focus in on my race. Furthermore, I need to make sure to put out more miles off-road. Medoc is a trail marathon, and is vastly different that a road race, in speed, terrain, tactics, popularity and support, and so on.

Team USO

Yeah, I know. I'm getting lazy in updating this. Sometimes it's hard to tell when/if people are even reading it though.

My return to running has been so-so. I'm able to get in some decent mileage, but I don't think it's anywhere near where I'd like it to be. I'm probably going to skip on doing a half Ironman in September. Eight weeks to build up, with a bum knee no less, just isn't a good idea. And I'd rather take the time to focus on my running and work on that base. I realize that this might be my last chance to get in a half before I lose my motivation for it. After watching the White Lake Half and several good weeks of bike training at Inside Out, I was really getting back in the triathlete mind set and groove. But it's been waning again, and when winter comes around, the biking will drop off dramatically and the group ride won't be around.

Last year I joined Team in Training for the Columbia Olympic Triathlon, held that May. This year I wanted to find another way to raise money for a good cause. Because of my family's military status, and since David is currently deployed, I decided to join TeamUSO while training for the Medoc Trail Marathon. For those who don't know, the USO is an organization that provides morale and support functions for our military service members. Several airports have USO stations where service members can collect themselves before or after traveling. They also send care packages to deployed troops and provide means for troops to contact their families.

I would LOVE it if you donated to help support this cause! My goal is to raise $1,500 by the date of my race, October 15!

Wrightsville Beach Training

I am running again! ... sort of...

I'm currently in Wrightsville Beach for my two weeks of active duty training for the Coast Guard. The Friday before, I was finally cleared by the doctor to start running again. Obviously full force was not advised, so I started kinda of easy. However, even that seemed to be a bit much and right now my knee has flared up and the running is being sidetracked again. I'm able to make it through the 2.5 mile run we (the Reservists) do a couple times, but some times it was worse than others.

However, the time here in Wrightsville has been fun and interesting. Usually when I'm out of town, my swimming and biking are sidelined because the logisitics and hassel of carrying the extra equipment. However, being here for two weeks kinda of nessicitates making the attempt.

I'm extremely lucky. A small group of triathlon stores, TrySports, has a location in Wilmington. I visited the store and was able to hook up with a few group workouts. This included a Wed. night ride. However, more exciting and novel was an open water workout! While there is a group that swims from Jordan Lake; it's usually not at an opportune time and, well, it's a long drive. The Wrightsville Beach group is great, swimming in the channel, between the Coast Guard Station and the Blockade Runner hotel (direction depends on the tide). Besides great workouts themselves, it's always fun to have training plans successfully fall into place.

The recovery continues. I'm out of the boot, but still not running for about another two weeks. This has pushed me over to the elliptical trainer. I used it a lot during the winter when I had IT band issues, and it seemed to stall some loss of my base mileage, so I'm hoping to still have a decent base when I can get back to running.

I've mainly been using a Precor brand elliptical which allows for adjustments in resistance and incline. This weekend while drilling with the CG I used a LifeFitness model which does not have an incline adjustment. Both had their plus and minuses. Without the incline, the LifeFitness was good for a constant lower turnover with high, high resistance. The Precor could give me a high turnover, but still elevate the heart rate with big changes in the incline.

Another 1 mile swim next week. And my dad will be doing his first 5k!

5280 Swim

The recovery process continues. Not running has been torturous and I'm anxious to get back into it. I have a second follow up this Friday and I am hoping the prognosis is as good as the last one. That should mean progressing to just a hard-soled shoe vs. the whole boot. I'm curious as to what the timeline to running after that would be.

In the mean time, my cycling has increased significantly. My cycling time has almost doubled. For someone who does NOT like to cycle, this has presented mixed emotions. My dislike is predominant, and as usual, after about an hour and a half to two hours, I'm mentally dead. My only thoughts are for the ride to end. Some of it comes from getting "lost." It's not that I don't know where I am. I just don't know where I am relative to where I want to be going. For this reason, instead of taking 54-W to Chapel Hill and wiggling back via back roads, I ended way up 70 in Durham and traveling 98 across Falls Lake all the way to Wake Forest.

On the other hand, by needing cycling in order to fulfill my workout addiction, I'm certain my tolerance is growing. And on my long ride this weekend, I had a bit of a personal revelation. My plan was for either 60 miles or 3 hours, and I did not want to overshoot both. Having gotten off track however, I knew I would. When I knew I was past both those marks, and still 10 miles out I considered just stopping and calling for a ride. But at that point I realized how much I would regret it later: It wouldn't really be a big deal, especially to me as a non-cyclist. But I knew how much more of an achievement it would be to keep going and just finish. It felt like a very cliche epiphany, but it helped.

Sunday was a good morning where I competed in an one mile, open water swim. The 5280 (yes, that's the name. I don't know why) was held at Beaver Dam on Falls Lake. Out of about 100 swimmers, I finished 13th overall, 1st in my age group (out of two). I got a [beer] glass. A somewhat low key event, I decided to do these swims, hoping that eventually longer and longer events will get added. This is part of the Triangle Open Water Series, with three more one mile swims and one two miler. Next up is the Jordan Lake One miler June 12.

I did get back to the Farmers Market! I love the fresh produce and picked up some peaches and a variety of summer squash (zucchini, yellow, pattypan). Yum!

Recovery

Two weeks ago I suffered a fractured metatarsal. It's linked to the toes; when you picture a skeletal view of the foot, it's one of the long bones that goes the length of the foot. I don't exactly know the cause, but can take a good guess. At the time I was running in my minimalist, Vibram FiveFingers, mostly on pavement but transitioned to section over gravel. At some point I noticed my foot was hurting ALOT. Not enough that I couldn't stop running, since I only had about 1.5 miles to go. The rest of the day I stayed off it (trying to be smart, but also because it just hurt a lot), hoping it'd feel fine the next morning for my long run. It did not. Being restless, I went that Sunday morning for x-rays which diagnosed a fracture. The treatment? Four to six weeks of NO RUNNING. I was devastated. Seeing an orthpaedist the following day reaffirmed the hospital's diagnosis and treatment, putting me in a hard-soled boot to wear around. This meant no competing the May 14th Half Ironman at White Lake.

A follow-up this past Friday was hopeful. The doctor said the healing looked better than most do at this stage; I should be able to be in a hard-sole SHOE in another two weeks. He also said I could start getting in the pool (though I had already been going that whole week, after being off completely the previous week) and biking (since the shoes are... HARD-SOLED). Biking again yesterday, it felt good to sweat again.

I still went down to White Lake for the half on Saturday and the spring the following day. Originally I was against going; it would've just made me miserable. However, I decided it was more important to support my friends in both races. Besides, I at least went in for the swim portion; just to get my money's worth.

I predicted my misery correctly. However, I was overwhelming excited of Elaine and Stephen would completed the half Ironman, a first at that distance for both of them. And for Meredith who did the sprint, her first triathlon EVER and at FIVE MONTHS PREGNANT!

Frustratingly, it's making me ponder finding another race for the fall. As before, I was ready to move past doing triathlons, realizing that I wasn't particularly fond of the bike and wasn't really prepared to invest the necessary time and funds. However, having missed my race, there was certain feeling of unfinished business. I'm still not sure what I'll do, especially until I can definitively know when I'm back on the road.

I have signed up for a 1 mile swim next weekend at Falls Lake. Should be fun.

Fractured Metatarsal

Too depressed for another standard update. I've fractured my third metatarsal, one of the long bones in the foot. Don't know what caused it; noticed while running Saturday afternoon.

No running for the month of May

Meaning no White Lake Half Ironman.

Bike Wreck

I'll update more later. I wrecked on my bike yesterday day morning; hit a pothole and wiped out. The crash was one thing. It was missing my peak week of long training that has really ruffled me. Pictures of the mess on facebook.

Boston (!) Results and Rememberance

The 2011 Boston Marathon was contested on Monday. It's an incredible race that I spend much of the morning following via whatever contemporary blog feed is being used (this year it was Twitter). Fantastic weather produced amazing times and PRs (personal records) for numerous runners. The world's fastest, and America's fastest marathon was run, though due to the course conditions, those times won't be recognized as records. Though unfortunate, I generally agree with that assessment. The Boston Athletic Association has results, and lots of coverage is provided at Runner's World.com.

The running world did suffer an unfortunate loss. Legendary runner Grete Waitz passed away this morning after a six year battle with cancer. Amby Burfoot at Runner's World and CBS offer more complete summary's of her contributions to running. She won the New York Marathon nine times, setting the world record three times (once during her first attempt at the distance).

Semper Paratus

I told myself I wouldn't sign up for any fall races too early. I know my exercise takes on a special purpose when I have a race down the line, and I think a break/pause in focused training is necessary. I don't know if I ever really had one after the City of Oaks Marathon. Sure, I didn't have any planned races or structure training for most of the winter, but that was primarily from forced rest due to my injury; which I'm sure anyone who has been injured can confirm, is not restful. Nevertheless, I was reminded that registration had opened for the Medoc Trail Marathon and despite being a relatively low key event, it fills up quickly. So I went ahead and signed up. I'll just have to do my best to decompress after White Lake Half Ironman. Still I think the Medoc Marathon will be a good introduction into ultra running. I was planning on doing my first as a 40 miler that is held the same weekend. But starting off with a trail marathon help reinforce my mantra to take it slowly. Better to savory each accomplishment upwards, than to skyrocket to 100milers and burnout.

It was interesting weekend; an All-Hands training for the CG Reservist in Sector North Carolina, held at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, due to available facilities. I probably over-thought my runs. I had decided to wait until Saturday evening and try to go off-base to run in the nearby Croatan National Forest. However, without Internet access, finding a public trail access was unsuccessful. Furthermore, severe weather was creeping in. Though I normally scoff at bad weather, I figured I was doing the safe thing by not running. However, some encouragement from a friend had me re-assessing and I did head out for a good trot. One way was nice; being pushed forward by the wind is a unique sensation. The other way sucked being pushed back to almost running in place.

Still I got in before the worst of it. We briefly lost power in the housing unit. And for a good while, I can best describe the storm as endless strobe light. I seriously tried determining if there was some expansive emergency beacon flashing, or if it really was the lightning (it was lightning).

In closing:
Nothing is more inspiring than being on a base for colors. Being a Reservist, and unaccustomed to typical base demeanor, I was taken aback when, near the end of my run, I notice all the cars stopped in the middle of the road; passengers out and at attention for evening Colors. Hoorah.

Turns out a good acquaintance with the Coast Guard is an accomplished triathlete. Our parents knew each other, and we had happened to enlist and go through boot camp together. Never did much to stay in touch though. Meeting up at the All-Hands, I come to discover is also a triathlete, at the moment well on his way to qualifying for the Olympic (distance) Nationals. Good luck Andy!

Pictures are up for last weekend's races:
Tarheel 10 miler
Raleigh Rocks Half Marathon
I like the half photos better.

Double Race High

I had a great weekend in which I ran two road races: the Tarheel 10 miler yesterday [Saturday] and the Raleigh Rocks Half Marathon this morning [Sunday]. Hopefully their locations are implicit. It's not typical, or often recommended to run two races back-to-back like this. But for one, I just really was interested in doing both these races. Secondly, running the half marathon on somewhat tired legs helps prepare my system for when I get to the run leg of the half Ironman (HIM).

Both races were run by different groups/companies and had their own quirks. For the Tarheel10, I thought the races was a little under-managed given the advertised scale of the event. Routine updates were few and post-race results were slow (given current trends/standards. A few years ago, an afternoon results posting would be fine, whereas today, you've got to have them up within a few hours). There was also very little direction from parking to the race start, where they were not in close/visible proximity to each other. At Raleigh Rocks, the parking was 100 yards from the start, so this was a non-issue. I also thought it course was better marked (or maybe I was just more attentive). However, I was little disappointed to in a cotton T-shirt, and the embroidered cap that I expected to be "performance" as simple cloth. While I know I am sounding picky, I am more just stating how the race management differed from some "standard" procedures. Raleigh Rocks definitely gets kudos for speedy race results, which were posted within minutes of finishes.

Of course my own performance should be the most important thing and in both cases I met my goals, and met or exceeded my expectations. For both, my goal was a sub-7:00 min/mile pace. For Tarheel this was also my expectation, given a solid training week and bare-requisite taper. For Raleigh Rocks, the sub-7 was a goal, but my expectation was more along a 7:15 min/mile pace, given some tired legs and more rolling hills (Tarheel can be called hilly as well; there were fewer, but more substantial). I can happily report (Tarheel results; Raleigh Rocks results sub-7:00 paces for both races. Tarheel 10 miler I was 1:09:25 (I think gun-time, still waiting for chip-time), for 95/2201 overall (84/942 men, age group unknown) Raleigh Rocks I was 1:30:26 for 18/1169 (17/450 men, 2/33 20-24 age group). I don't put a whole lot of weight into rankins; the size and make-up of the field can have big effects. I am happy with both times, which gave me my sub-7:00 paces, which are huge confidence boosters.

My one fear coming out of the half is my fueling/hydration. Fueling has always been difficult, and during a race paper cups make it significantly harder, lessening my chances of trying to take anything in. If I'm smart I'll try to remedy this in training, but... I'm not always that smart...

Saw a couple of people running with Vibrams Five Fingers, the shoes behind/associated with the barefoot/minimalist running trend. I bought a pair at REI and will ideally humbly begin to incorporate some running with them.

And yah, Diet Supernova (Diet Dew Challenge won. Again: tastes like liquid Skittles.

Umstead

This weekend was the Umstead 100 mile Endurance Run. I did not run. I had told myself that when[ever] I do my first or any one-hundred, it wouldn't be this one. It's 8 laps of a 12.5 mile loop, with a couple of out-and-back type sections. However, I may be eating my words. Last Wednesday I had to opportunity to volunteer with some of the race setup. I'll admit, I was drawn to the energy and excitement of the other volunteers (many who were also running the race) and the race director. You could tell they had a well-oiled machine. Also, the volunteer "swag" doesn't distinguish me as a volunteer (vs. a competitor), which of course makes me feel obligated to "earn" the right to don the gear.

The past couple weeks I've much more running at Umstead than I have in the past. Last weekend was a pre-dawn long run in the dark and rain. Needless to say I got lost. Yesterday I was out there again, during the mid-afternoon, so getting lost was much harder... but not impossible. Though I worried about not getting enough in, of course I ended up doing a little too much. It was ok, I was able to see a little bit of the race. And I just got smittened by the sheer scope of Umstead. You can really feel like you're out in the middle of nowhere. I was excited to experience so much single-track trails. I look forward to doing a lot more trail- and ultra running.

I'm also enjoying the taste of the Diet Mtn. Dew Supernova. It's part of the marketing scheme to choose the next diet soda, between the strawberry-melon Supernova and berry Voltage. Personally: I like the Supernova. It tastes like Skittles.

Sick, Sick, Sick

Ugh. What a week/weekend. I started with just a sore throat on Wednesday, but of course I have a cold that's been running it's course. Sore throat is gone, followed by terrible congestion on it's way out (but still lingering), with a stuffed/runny nose on-coming. My run on Friday felt heavy. A typical brick workout on Saturday was just a bike. I completed my run workout on Sunday. It was a struggle, and is anyone could hear me it probably sounded like I was dying at times. I was a coughing, wheezing, congested mess. Given that I'm already getting over the congestion, I'm hoping it'll resolve quickly.

My resolve for biking is waning off. I'm just not sure if the time and money needed to properly invest in it is worth it. I mean, I really enjoying the cross-training I do during the week; it's a nice and necessary break from biking. But not so for the weekend long rides. Even though needed for triathlon training, I can't help but feel it's gets in the way of running, my REAL passion.

Despite being under weather, and because I was unable to run Saturday, I got up extra early on Sunday for a long run at Umstead Park, to precede my [somewhat] regular group run. It was drizzling and cold. But I dressed warm and used my new friend - the headlamp. Running in the dark is a pretty novel experience and one I have enjoyed. The run was definitely tough at times, given my clogged lungs. However, there were several highlights. One was getting lost and getting a unexpected stretch of single-track trail, but most came from those inexplicable runner highs and lows from being out there.

I do think I've found my fuel of choice. I've done Clif Shot Blocks, and various sports drinks and gels. All worked, but I was never like "THIS is the one." Well, I really found that Jelly Belly's Sports Beans were great. It was sweet enough, and I loved the delivery. I just tossed the whole bag (about 100 cals, same as a serving of Shot Blocks or a gel) and it breaks down just like gum. I shoved the wad into the corner of my mouth and let it dissolved slowing. I dunno, maybe it was just that I happened to REALLY need to fuel, but I just thought it was perfect.

Busy week and uncertain weekend. David deploys this weekend for several months.

I got my first flat on my front tire. Sad, but it happens.

A little rat dog ran out in the middle of morning traffic to bark at me.

Recovery week

This was a recovery week so my mileage was taken back a little bit. I also had to drill this weekend with the Coast Guard and did not do my usual weekend bike ride; it's not too hard to twist around my running schedule, and I'm much more willing to do so, but dealing with traveling with a bike for a long distance just isn't my cup of tea. And I told myself from the get go: to make sure I can enjoy the bike, if I don't feel like doing it, I just won't do it. Forcing myself would only make it worse.

It was a rough week. One where I felt like I had a some pretty high points, but then some pretty low ones. I'm not sure if I want to go into the all the details, which may be part of the problem. It's hard to know when and/or who to share some personal problems with, especially for an introvert like myself.

I hope I don't accidentally bite the ultramarathon bug sooner than I should. I had already planned on doing a trail marathon about a month after I do a second half Ironman (HIM in September, marathon in October), which would be right before the fair, so a fun way to end the season and get some R&R. Well, having discovered the NC Half Marathon Series I looked around and saw one that is being held the same weekend as the trail marathon I wanted to do. Turned out for the half there is also a full marathon AND a 40 miler. I'm pretty tempted to see what I can do about it.

I felt like I had more to say... not much going on. I'm going to start volunteering at Rex Hospital. I'm also trying to see about what my schooling options are, but I'm still so mixed up, I don't want to get my hopes/expectations up. Nursing is still a possibility. However, fitness/wellness is never out-of-mind. And I think a budding interest in nutrition has led me to look at food science. A conversation with a professor with NC State's food science department was very informative and their graduate (masters) program is enticing. Who knows...

Mumble Jumble.

Not a whole lot to report. Just trying to keep in the swing of things. I am becoming more and more confident in my bike-run brick workouts. If these training runs are any indication, then I am planning for a great run at the White Lake Half-Ironman.

You know you're a runner when you get called out for the gear you wear. I am classical in my manner of wearing technical, dry-wicking shirts, and barely-there running shorts. Twice this week I was more-or-less cat-called... or so I thought? First was when I was passing by a park and some guy said "Well isn't that cute outfit" with what I took for sarcasm. But after passing, I think he had a daughter and was encouraging her interest. The second time I thought some jerk was whistling at me from his truck. Just turned out to be two dogs slobbering/whimpering.

I've been going through several books; and my list seems to grow faster than I can read them. My recent reads:
1) Rowing the Atlantic by Roz Savage : Woman going through a life change is the first row solo across the Atlantic (Canary Islands to Antigua)
2) Swimming to Antarctica by Lynne Cox : Broke the men and women's records for the English Channel swim before she was 18, first to swim the Bering Strait (between Soviet Russia and the US), first to swim to Antarctica (no wetsuit for any of these)
3) I Shall Not Hate by Izzeldin Abuelaish - a Palestinian doctor's biography as he works in both Gaza and Israel
Now I am reading Proofiness by Charles Seife where he discusses the misrepresentation of statistics and mathematics in society.

Yesterday I had a great after-dark run at Bond Park. It was the second time I got to use/test my headlamp; the first time on a off-pavement route. It was tons of fun, and surprisingly brisk given the workout I had had earlier that morning.

Only problem was that it probably disrupted my sleep last night. I think I only got about 2 hours of sleep. Not simply toss-and-turning, I've probably been awake since about 1:00am. I feel OK, but I'm bracing for a crash.

I am thoroughly enjoying my training season. For the most part, I'm following a similar schedule that I did last year during the summer and leading up to the City of Oaks Marathon. However, my bike and run workouts are becoming more entwined since I want to be well-prepared for the bike-to-run transition. Though maybe not harmful, it was certainly a shock after my first triathlon a few years ago, and it's worth getting use to the change in movements. Overall, it has made my weekend runs shorter than what I would ideally want (that is, a single long run). However, as it's going, after a bike ride is a run (this one-to-the-other is known as a brick), with another run in the evening. Overall my weekly mileage builds similar to the marathon, but with the shorter individual workouts more in line with the half Ironman (HIM). I'm not sure if it'll turn out how I want, but ideally I can still build longer still and will have a strong base for ultra-races and a full Ironman next year.

I did get some new running shoes. I seem to get just over 500 miles out of a pair. I'm working a little bit on adjusting to a midfoot to forefoot strike, which is considered ideal for injury prevention. And I have a slight eye for a pair of Vibrams but I still think it'll be a little while. I'm already enjoying my entrance in to trail running, which is pretty entrenched with my desire to do ultras. It's also given me an eye to Cary's network of greenways, which aren't trails, but may be a nice divergence from the sidewalk.

Last thoughts:
1) I should really try to focus on slow runs. I usually run base on feel, and lately that's be a lot faster than my norm. I feel ok at the moment, but if I'm not careful, this can lead to serious overtraining.
2) I'm enjoying my aerobars (Thanks Lida and Mark!). Sometimes I feel like a missile.
3) Today's trip to REI was bittersweet. I went for just some more HEED, a sports drink mix from Hammer Nutrition, and just a energy bar or two. Well, they were out of HEED, but had a special on all foods, and I ended up stocking up on a variety of foods, some are staples of my diet; others are ones I'd like to test out in training.
4) Still not sure I'll drop my facebook.

Let the Season Begin

I originally did not have much of a season (particularly the spring) planned. Plagued with my knee injury (IT band tendonitis) from late November to mid January, I was hesitant to plan anything significant, worried about having lost a good running base. However, the past two/three weeks have been very promising, with my weekly mileage in good order. My knee is not absolutely pain free, but a consistent, lasting pain is now an occasional tweak, with little post-run ache. I've adopted a regular stretching routine, and I continue with a brief strength training routine.

So, look to the right to see my current race schedule. The biggest will be my first half Ironman at White Lake in May. A fairly popular race, it now spans two weekends. I'm register for the first, but prompting from my friends is tempting me to move to the second. It primarily depends on the organizers' policy regarding such. I'm also excited to try a weekend double whammy with a 10 miler followed by a half marathon.

My biggest challenge/desire is how to focus my running. I am always after higher mileage, but without any long distance races planned (the Medoc Trail Marathon is really just going to be for fun), I worry about being lackluster. I ultimately want to hit ultra-distance training, but don't want to jump on the train to quickly.

This weekend highlighted the beginning of the season. Saturday was the Krispy Kreme Challenge (2 mi, 12 donuts, 2 more mi under an hour) (4 mile warm up and 4 mile cool down). And Sunday I washed it down with some a Cook-Out milkshake.

Progress

It's become clear that my volume of blogging is directly related to my volume of running. After about a month without running, I've successfully completed two runs. Friday I got in 4 miles on the treadmill. This afternoon I worked through about 5 miles outside.

Neither one was completely pain-free. I should be listening to the recovery/rest die-hards out there. However, although my knee is not 100%, the pain was manageable and did not last past the exercise itself. And I am continuing to be caution. Though I was eager to pick things back up, 5 minutes yesterday was about all I managed before the knee pain was joined by just some run-of-the-mill soreness that, given the circumstances, didn't mesh.

My snail's pace is frustrating, but I'm just grateful for the chance to return to running. And the slower pace and time on the treadmill is giving me the mental alleviation to put some thought into my form and technique. This included some short bouts of deliberate fore-foot running. This style, with many faddish names, is a big craze right now, along with the interest in barefoot/minimalist running.

I finally saw an orthopaedist who has diagnosed the ailment as IT band tendonitis. The IT (illiotibial) band is an odd piece of meat. Not really a muscle, it runs all the way from the glutes down to the knee. Most people who suffer IT band problems suffer from pain along the thigh. In my case, the IT band has likely rubbed too much along the conglomerate of bones that meet at the joint.

This week I've finally begun adding a stretching regiment, after the ortho commented on my tight hamstrings. It's novel to me to put just as much, if not more thought into the cross-training/stabilization routines; however, I know it's something I've been lacking. And if doing so gets me back to the roads and trails and keeps me from the sidelines, then so be it.