Good/bad

My foot feels good. I continue cross-training six days a week.

I struggle with losing weight, though. Kinda frustrating. I know that if I slack on the exercise it will be even worse, but still I am eating too much.

Curtailed Week

Last week started out fine. I cross-trained each day, then took it easy on Saturday. Only 3 hours of yard work.

Truthfully I have an embarrasing ouchie and took it easy yesterday and today.

On an unrelated note, I got an honorable mention in the 2008 Little Lytton contest. My first entry! I was very excited. But don't read too far past mine if salty language bothers you.

Cross-training and Recovery

Cross-training continues to not bother my heal. Just walking naturally has made my right calf less tight and my right knee less sore.

Ironically the only setback was on Saturday: I didn't cross-train. We had a Church kite flying activity, and I just about killed myself keeping three kid's kites in the air (my daughter's and two friends'). My heel was quite sore on Sunday.

Yesterday I weighed 211. One more week and I will claim that I have some momentum. Another epiphany (or "duh" moment where I see how I have been playing with my head): I have lost trust in my self-control and this effort is mostly about regaining that.

Cross-training, anyone?

Yesterday, I got another injection in my right heel. The Dr. said my unwise attempt to run on it set me back a bit, and I should plan on cross-training for a while. I am officially injured.

It's so tempting to push harder, because the injection (this time) has taken almost all the pain away. It feels so nice!

On the other hand, this is a great excuse to settle into a regular (non-impact) exercise routine and lose weight. I am down to 212. One or two more weeks of losing weight and I will come forward with my great new weight loss plan: Take it one day at a time. Oops. Not supposed to reveal my secret.

Don't remember what I did last Wednesday and Thursday: a half hour of something cardio. Friday, I did lunges, 10 pushups, and 30 minutes of cross training. Saturday, I did 1 hour of yard work (When pushing the mower my heart rate is between 135 and 145, which is nicely in the cardio-zone). Yesterday, I did 20 minutes of eliptical, 10 minutes of rowing, crunches, and 11 pushups. Today, 10 minutes of spinning, 10 of eliptical, 10 on the stairmaster, then 12 pushups. Yep, a one-more-pushup-a-day program!

The Dr. also said I should wear stiffer shoes when pushing the mower: That running shoes are too flexible. I was very sore after the yard work.

Paradoxically, being "injured" has taken the self-imposed pressure off of me to do something bigger than running a marathon. Somehow I had talked myself into the delusion that I could only stay motivated if I kept doing bigger and better things. I was messing up my own head. I like the idea of focusing on recovery and basic health for a while.

Catching Up

Cycled 20 miles on the 21st. Ruined my front tire and new heavy-duty tube. Whatever I hit sliced right through the Kevlar tire.

Then I had another sinus infection last week: three days of not enough sleep and I got sick. By Wednesday, I was well enough to mow the lawn. On Thursday, to walk 2 miles. On Friday and Saturday to do 1/2 hour cardio workouts.

Yesterday, I ran 2 miles. First time running in three weeks or so. My right foot was very sore this morning, though back to "normal" now. The shot in my heel and the Traumeel 3Xday hasn't made much difference (to my heel). My back feels wonderful.

Tonight I did 20 minutes spinning and 10 minutes on the rowing machine.

Thank heavens that a 1/2 hour of cardio 6 days a week is ingrained in me now. My haven of sanity. And, even though I am struggling with my weight a bit (up to 217), without the exercise it would be a lot more.

Operator Error

I watched the guy at the bike shop fix yet another of my flat tires. Now I know I was under-inflating my tires. Regardless, I have heavy duty tubes front and back now.

Last Friday I did another 30 mile ride (Willow Springs Loop).

Saturday, Monday, and today I did cross-training. Yesterday I did 30 minutes of spinning.

According to my podiatrist I have an irritated nerve in my right foot that is causing referred heel pain. He injected my heel with Cortisone and Traumeel on Monday. I am to take Traumeel tablets and continue icing and using the night splint. Right now, I cannot run, so I am hoping that all this will help.

Strange Saturday

This week I did a 20 mile ride and a 1.5 mile ride. Plus four days of cross-training. Here's the story about the 1.5 mile ride:

Saturday morning my wife and I had a few word before she left for a Church activity. I decided to go for a ride to cool off. As I aired up, my front tube blew. I replaced the tube (with my last tube) and got on the road. A mile and a half later, the front went flat again, so I patched it. As I put the wheel back on the bike, the patch cut loose. So, I walked my bike home, showered, and thought. I wasn't on Someones good list.

When Tracy got home, we fell all over ourselves apologizing to each other.

On The Road Again

This week I did 2 5K runs, a 20 mile ride, and a 30 mile ride, plus a x-training day. Thursday was a day off, so I could sneak in a date with my wife.

I have a sore bottom, and my back and thighs are not used to riding yet, either. It's good to be back on the road though: The weather is lovely.

Given how little time remains until Tierra Bella, I will probably do the 100K. It's not the distance so much as the climbing.

Back In The Saddle

I had second wave of sickness as whatever I had tried to go to my chest, but am fine now.

Last Thursday I did a 1/2 hour ride, then on Friday and Saturday I took my younger daughter to Disneyland. On Friday we spent 15 hours in the park and rode 30 rides. Saturday we rode 6 rides in 4 hours. On Sunday I could barely move. I cannot keep up with a 7 year old. See Aerins Antics for a fuller account.

Yesterday I ran 5K, and today (finally, huzzah!) I went on a 20 mile ride. The weather was absolutely beautiful. Afterwards, my legs feel like lead. It took me almost 1.5 hours to ride the Bailey Loop: A bit off my pace, but I am happy to be back in the saddle.

Been Sick

Right after the last post I got sick. First a virus, then sinus and ear infections. Last Thursday I felt well enough to "exercise", so I walked for a half hour. Friday I ran two miles - very slowly. Saturday I walked for 20 minutes.

Yesterday, I actually got to cycle! Eight whole miles. My legs felt like lumber. My hiney got chafed. What a wimp!

Now I am really scared about the Century in April. Only nine weeks to prepare. The only saving grace is that I have reasonable cardio conditioning and endurance.

Another neat thing: the new aerobars really helped relieve pressure on my hands. I had tried different gloves, seat and handle bar angles, padded tape, and vibration dampers. They helped a bit, but I have a mild case of carpel-tunnel syndrome.

And: no flat tire!

Today I ran 5K, but still not up to pre-sickness pace.

Gearing up!

This week I ran 11.2 miles again. On Friday, I did my first cycling of the season. Since it was a downpour day, I did spinning, actually. Saturday, after a five mile run and a birthday lunch at Todai (yum), I got to go b-day shopping! Nothing like a couple hours at the bike shop.

For starters, I had that persistent flat rear tire problem. And my bike tire goes flat too. They were working on my bike when I heard a loud pop and "I found the leak!" With that fixed, I had them put on aerobars and new brake pads. I also got arm warmers and glove liners, so I am ready to start training in earnest. As soon as the rain lets up a bit. Until then, I will spin.

I thought I was in good shape, but my rear and my quads are not happy after just 30 minutes of spinning.

Why the sudden focus? I registered for the Tierra Bella Century on April 19. Less than three months to get ready!

I'm Back!

Actually, I have been back for a week. A busy week catching up at work.

Good news, bad news: Through all of the Christmas holiday and the cruise I gained 4 lbs. I'll take it. Now back to work.

Cruise pictures are at http://picasaweb.google.com/JeffTheTwoThirds/Cruise08.

This week I ran 11.2 miles. A 5k on Monday and Wednesday and 5 miles today. On Tuesday and Friday I cycled. On Thursday I walked, since I really pushed myself on Wednesday's run: a 25:42.

Now, I have to get my appetite under control. Too used to eating.

Still cruising!

On this cruise, I have kayaked, hiked, snorkeled, shopped, run, and kept busy. There has been lots of fresh fruit, veggies, low fat alternatives, etc. I will be really ticked off if I gain weight, but I have sure had a great time.

The only downside is the yummy food. I have been good except for dinner. Even then, I have chosen the lower calorie alternatives. However, portion sizes are rather large.

Cruising!

As we cruise to (hopefully) sunny Mexico, I try to balance enjoying the wonderful food and not overdoing it. Wish me luck!

Resolution Run

The Los Gatos 5M Resolution Run this morning was a blast. It was the same course as the Dammit Run, which is in August. My time was 49:50, or so. The first half of the run is grueling. The second half is mostly downhill and is over very quickly.

The guy who won the 50-59 age group was second overall. I am amazed how fast folks can remain.
The day started out cold (45 degrees or so), but by race time the weather was gorgeous.

I bought a pair of NB 1222's and my heel isn't quite as sore. The Brooks's were bottoming out.

Not a bad week

Well, I lost over 2 lbs this last week. Aside from some heel pain in my right foot, I feel great. I should stop complaining.

Two medical items:

• I went to the Stanford University Marfan Center to see if the aneurysm I have in my right common iliac artery could be related to a connective tissue disorder. The answer is 'no'. The Dr. felt, however that I have a dissection, not an aneurysm, and that we may never know how it happened. I am cleared for any activity except power lifting or similar things that would spike my blood pressure.
• I had a follow up with my podiatrist and we tried an experiment to see if heel lifts would help my heal pain. I had to pull the lifts out after two days. Ouch. Time for new shoes!
  

I signed up for the Los Gatos Resolution 5 Mile Run on New Years Day. Just trying to keep things interesting.

It's been so busy lately that I have had trouble sneaking in workouts. However, when Tracy joined the YMCA a couple weeks ago she signed us up for a family membership. Now I have another option. That's open to 10pm.

Avoidance?

Because I have been on a weight roller coaster, I have been avoiding this blog.

Down to 205, back to 210. Repeat. Ack!

For the last three weeks I have worked out 5 days a week (prior to that it was 6 days a week), then spent hours on Saturday doing chores. I have been doing three runs a week, though because of time pressure they have been 2.5 to 3.1 mile runs. On non-run days, I have been riding the exercise bike for cross-training.

My diet has been my problem. I'm a nervous eater. A grazer. With a sweet tooth. During the day I am too busy to get into trouble, but at night...

I continue to attend weekly WW meetings and to try different ways to get myself kicked into gear. What keeps me going is knowing where my weight would go back to if I gave up. Take a look:


Thanks for listening.

Coupla things

Ok, this was a 13 mile week. And I forgot to mention that in the raffle at the Turkey Trot I won Office Professional 2007. Pretty cool.

Turkey Trot

Six thousand of my closest friends and I Turkey Trotted this morning. Since it was crowded until the 5k turnaround, I couldn't get up to full 5k pace. So I kept going and ran the 10k. My time (55 minutes by my watch) was just 1 minute slower than my PB, so I was pretty (ok, make that sorta) happy. Aside from the crowding, the event was extremely nice. Lots of volunteers. Good causes. Perfect weather.

My goal next year is to break 50 minutes, so I have some training to do. I noticed that the younger people really out kick me at the end. Will work on that, as well as general speed.

Post-race stupid moment: Walking right past my car, staring at rest of the nearly empty street and thinking I got towed.

Oh, golly...

Weighing in last week was icky: up 1.5 pounds. This week it was gone and I was back to where I was before. I feel like I am on a roller coaster right now.

I signed up for tomorrow's Turkey Trot.

Last week I ran 14 miles, including a 6 mile "long" run on Saturday. This week I ran 2 miles on Monday and 3 miles on Tuesday. Today is a rest day, in preparation for tomorrow.

I am doing all my running with the orthotics. Yesterday, I thought something was wrong with them. As I got on the treadmill they just didn't feel right. I went and checked and had switched left and right. What's up with my attention span?