OT - Running

[Joe P]

Hey Stepay,

 

Good for them! You obviously set a good example for them.

 

My modest goal of 600 miles for the year is in sight. I have ~ 70 miles to go. I was sitting pretty until the storm, and that cost me 14 days.

 

Regards,

Joe

[eric]

I'm proud to report that I completed my very first half marathon on November 10th with a time of 1:43. When I started training, I hoped to beat 2:00 and I was pleasantly surprised.

[Phred]

Good for you Eric!!! 1:43 is a fantastic time.

[Dave Ferris]

Whoa, 1:43 is most excellent Eric ! And in your first ?! ...get outta here.. Congrats. Heck I'd have serious doubts if I could break 1:45 at this time. How did you train ? Any specific distance speedwork ? If not that's pretty damn good for just going out and running on your natural abilities.

 

Congrats to Stepay on your kids in the 5K. Great time for your son ! Man your daughter's too young to have the tendonitis, that's an old guy's injury. Sounds like she's strong and will bounce back though. Best of luck with all that.

 

Good for you too Joe. Keep pluggin' away, that's my motto.. Yeah I can't even imagine the devastation that storm brought...

 

As we're closing in on year end , my annual mileage will be at an all time low...probably between 1400 and 1460 miles. Wanted to at least run 1500 but a few weeks ago I would've had to average 40 a week for the rest of the year...and that ain't gonna happen right now.

 

I had the whole month of Sept. and the first part of Oct. off so that contributed to that. My latest xrays of my left big toe joint showed a progression of my "Hallux Rigidus" condition to be a stage 4...worst case.

http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=a00168

 

Unfortunately my PRP shots had no effect. Ditto for acupuncture. I did have another cortisone shot (my 2nd this year) about 3 weeks ago. It did help, as it usually does, but I know it's temporary but at least I'm running with no pain for the most part. Got back up to 32 miles last week..

 

The ortho who gave me the last shot however thought that the Arthrodesis procedure would be a good option for me. Quoting from that site;

" (arthrodesis)Fusing the bones together is often recommended when the damage to the cartilage is severe. The damaged cartilage is removed and pins, screws, or a plate are used to fix the joint in a permanent position. Gradually, the bones grow together. This type of surgery means that you will not be able to bend the toe at all. However, it is the most reliable way to reduce pain in these severe cases".

 

Basically he said if you can run now the way it is now, all the surgery will do is alleviate the pain. I already have zero mobility in that joint. He said he's performed it on several runners in the past with good success afterwards. It is about a 3 month down time before I would be able to run again. In the big picture, not long...still I'm holding out till this toe starts giving me problems again. I'm just not excited about surgery of any kind plus the recovery.

 

Other then that, I'm pretty strong from all my bike riding. Ran a hilly 8 last Sunday out in the Santa Monica Mountains and did well. Tomorrow morning my old running club has our annual turkey day run at Rocky Peak. It's a brutal (in places) 4.5 mile climb out and back...it was a real hard 9 miler when I was 39 much less 59...

 

Speaking of bike, still riding a few days a week. One mountain and one road. Weather's incredible today...just heading out now for 25 miles on the road bike over to the Rose Bowl area and back. Ah, the advantages of S. Cal...

 

Best to everyone in their running or working out...keep on keeping on..

[Dave Ferris]

Tomorrow morning my old running club has our annual turkey day run at Rocky Peak. It's a brutal (in places) 4.5 mile climb out and back...it was a real hard 9 miler when I was 39 much less 59...

 

My God that was hard !! I've been mia the last 3 years or so. I don't remember it being that steep and rocky. My first mile was just under 15 minutes, that how steep it was.. It took just under an hour to reach the summit just under 5 miles out. The views were spectacular though of Simi Valley and surrounding areas.

 

Couldn't have asked for a nicer day as well. Sun was out, maybe 58 degrees, no wind. We've done that run in that past where its been butt cold and the winds whipping around in those canyons could almost knock you over.

 

There's one real steep climb about a half mile long at the 2 mile mark. I looked at my watch at the bottom and it took me 10 minutes to climb that part of the mountain. Just when I thought it was over, I'd look up and it kept going uphill...

 

On the way back my legs were totally cooked. We all were so tired going downhill , we had to be super careful not to fall or trip as it was so rocky. In the last 10 minutes I almost went down about 3 times.

 

It took 1:53 to do the 9.64 miles...a 11:44 average pace. Didn't walk it one place so I was happy with that.

Now I know why I skipped that run for the last 3 years....jeez I need a nap.

[stepay]

I'm proud to report that I completed my very first half marathon on November 10th with a time of 1:43. When I started training, I hoped to beat 2:00 and I was pleasantly surprised.

 

Very nice. I know a couple of guys who have been running for 20+ years and train for a specific half marathon every spring who have never run that fast. Time to try now to get in the 1:30s! Congrats.

[stepay]

Hey Stepay,

 

Good for them! You obviously set a good example for them.

 

My modest goal of 600 miles for the year is in sight. I have ~ 70 miles to go. I was sitting pretty until the storm, and that cost me 14 days.

 

Regards,

Joe

 

Thanks! I've tried my best to stay out of it so that they would come to running (if they ever did) on their own, so they did soccer and both did gymnastics (my son DID take to gymnastics though and has progressed now to just trampoline and diving, but my daughter did not like gymnastics). Both of them now love running. It has been awesome for me to see.

 

Get those 70 miles in!

 

[Dave Ferris]

Is anyone here hip to the Canadian runner Ed Whitlock? He has genes of one in a million I think..

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ed_Whitlock

 

His daily training route-a cemetery

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/sports-video/video-cemetery-is-81-year-old-marathon-champs-playground/article4604239/

 

He's all over the net but here's something about his latest endeavor

http://www.thestar.com/sports/article/1269381--ed-whitlock-81-running-for-the-record-books-at-toronto-waterfront-marathon

 

And he did it...a 3:30 at age 81 !!!! WOW !!

http://dehaanservices.ca/?p=2009

[Dr Nursers]

Great thread! I'm a walker, I do 3 or 4 x 4km walks each week plus a 15 km bike ride on the weekend. It's not enough for me to lose the last 10kg I need to, but my fitness has improved significantly which is a good start I suppose.

[Phred]

Re: Ed Whitlock.

 

I didn't realize that people outside of Canada knew who he was. Amazing talent. He's awesome and and huge inspiration. Very well known around here, I would LOVE to be able to be doing those speeds now, let alone at his age.

[Joe P]

Dave,

Good report on your turkey trot. Running, I think at all levels, can be humbling.

 

Regarding the age "barrier", I like to tell people that at my first half in 2010, with the starting field arranged from faster to slower runners, there was a man in his 70's in the group in front of me. (I'm 48).

 

Much of the battle is mental. That's why injury is such a bummer. You've overcome probably the biggest hurtle by actually becoming a runner, and then you have to stop.

 

My feeling is if you can run, you should, or at least try. Kara Goucher ( ) says "Running is the best gift you can give yourself", and I agree.

 

Nursers, keep going man!

 

Regards,

Joe

[Dave Ferris]

I ran 15 miles on the road this morning. I went down to the Rose Bowl and back from my house in Glendale. It was 2:22..average pace of 9:30. Not half bad considering all the hills going out and then coming back through Descanso. I kept the pace real easy, basically a "conversational pace"...although there was no one to talk to since I ran by myself.

 

I hadn't run since Monday when I did 8. I did the mountain bike up Sunshine Trail behind my house Tuesday and Wednesday and then took yesterday off. I've been mixing in the Mtn bike a fair amount lately and enjoying it more then riding on the road. You don't have to worry about the all the cars. To get to the Brand fire road is about an hour of straight climbing so it's helping both strength and endurance for running I think.

 

Here's a quick youtube I found of the terrain

 

Breakfast and then nap time...

[Joe P]

Dave,

Nice job, man! Do you have a bottle belt or something? How do you hydrate? If I am doing anything over 5 I need to carry water. Also, did you eat anything? Gels?

Regards,

Joe

[Tomkeen]

I tried running. Then my knee said fuck you. Now I just sit around on the couch, haha.

[Dave Ferris]

Dave,

Nice job, man! Do you have a bottle belt or something? How do you hydrate? If I am doing anything over 5 I need to carry water. Also, did you eat anything? Gels?

Regards,

Joe

 

Joe, if I go out for anything usually longer then 90 minutes I take a belt with a water bottle. Today I was only going to do about 8 which have been 1:13-1:18 so I don't carry anything. The weather was nice and cool, I felt good so I just kept going. There's a park at mile 2 with bathrooms and a fountain and again at the Rose Bowl. So I knew I was covered. If it were anytime other then Dec-Feb. I wouldn't go that far without carrying fluid though. I can get away with it right now but again only 'cause I knew could get water along the way and the perfect running temps.

 

I've done gels on long runs and in the marathon but that stuff just kinda messes with my stomach more then anything. I do water or like I've mentioned before, the Ultima stuff.

http://ultimareplenisher.com/

 

[Dave Ferris]

My friend, Paul Tenner, who just turned 50, just completed the Boston Marathon with a smokin' time of 3:21:58 !

 

We were training buddies for many years up until about a year ago when my slowing down made it next to impossible to stay with him..

 

Another long time friend from our running club, a 66 year old woman, Julie Lister, is still out there. From tracking her online here, I'm putting her at around 4:15-4:20 finish. She just passed the 25K mark.

 

Me..my running is sucking.. Just had another cortisone shot last Thursday for my Halix Rigidus condition.(stiffening of the big toe joint) , which has now reached a Stage IV..worse case .. http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=a00168

 

I haven't run since last Wed. and the shot on Thursday. Trying to give the cortisone shot some time to do its thing. Been in a lot of excruciating pain lately and doing Alleve and ibuprfoen, which I don't like taking. But it has gotten so bad, that stuff isn't even working anymore. Hopefully the shot will help again. I'm going to test the waters with a 3-4 miler tomorrow.

 

The prominent ortho I met with at Kerlan/Jobe (they just did Kobe's achilles surgery) said.."yeah your toe joint is like a bald tire on a car, there's no cartilage left, I don't even think this shot will work. You are definitely a candidate for the surgery".

 

That's were they fuse the joint and you basically have no mobility in the joint. Which won't change things too much since I have no movement in it right now. Supposedly it will alleviate the pain.

 

It's called Arthrodesis--" Fusing the bones together (arthrodesis) is often recommended when the damage to the cartilage is severe. The damaged cartilage is removed and pins, screws, or a plate are used to fix the joint in a permanent position. Gradually, the bones grow together. This type of surgery means that you will not be able to bend the toe at all. However, it is the most reliable way to reduce pain in these severe cases.

 

For the first six weeks after surgery, you will have to wear a cast and then use crutches for about another six weeks".

 

I'm meeting with another ortho at Cedars on 5/20 to get yet another opinion. But I'm pretty much resigned to doing this at some point this year. All orthos I've talked with say there's a good prognosis for a return to running but with an altered stride/gait/form.

 

So for the time being...just a little running, more biking and the stuff I do at the gym....I'd rather be running...

[Joe P]

Dave,

Sorry to hear about your toe woes, I hope it turns out okay.

 

I did a hilly 5 miler at my favorite Psych hospital (see previous posts for spooky picture) last Tuesday. I was feeling a little funny like a sickness coming on but I went anyway - terrible run and I've been sick with a nasty cold ever since!

 

I saw my old training partner on Sunday at a family function and he must've gained 40 pounds! His back ended his running days and now he needs a hip replacement. I'm counting my blessings.

 

Regards,

Joe

 

 

[Joe P]

Explosions at the finish line of the Boston Marathon?

 

Doesn't look good, either.

[Phred]

Very scary... I am shocked and saddened.

 

 

[justin_havu]

Completed my first run of the season--3.5 miles in just under 45 min. Surprisingly, I don't really feel fatigued at all. I do bike quite a bit--to work and back, 5 miles each way, and I'm working 4 to 5 times a week, so maybe that biking is helping my cardio endurance as well. If it's a nice day out tomorrow, I might go out again for another 3 miles.

[Phred]

Good for you man.

 

This winter running was tough for me. I did some treadmill, but not enough. I got back at it, and am making steady progress. My last 5k (3.1miles) outdoor run was 23 mins, and I am starting to stay out longer on my long runs too.

[e-keys]

Dave: did your Halix Rigidus condition come from too much mileage you think. I with you on the bike idea. A good cross training sport to keep the cardio going. I mix up running and biking also.

 

Phred: Good time on your 5k. I am focusing on 5ks, not really trying marathons at this point. This time of year there are multiple 5ks each weekend to choose from.

 

Also, thoughts and prayers out to the folks in Boston.

[Phred]

thanks e-keys. This time last year I was doing 5k almost 2 minutes faster (21:21) so I have some work to do. It was a long tough winter....

[justin_havu]

Another 3 miler today, in just under 40 min. Really warm today, almost 80 degrees F.

[ProfD]

Right now, I do a 2 mile brisk walk every day. But, I plan to start running it and hopefully get up to 5 miles per day.

 

I'm not training for any sporting events. I just don't want to be a card carrying member of the 40-something year old belly club.

[Dave Ferris]

Right now, I do a 2 mile brisk walk every day. But, I plan to start running it and hopefully get up to 5 miles per day.

 

I'm not training for any sporting events. I just don't want to be a card carrying member of the 40-something year old belly club.

 

You don't have to be a marathoner to reap the benefits of running. 5 miles a day can be quite a lot actually. Even 3-4 days a week is enough to burn a lot of calories, fat and totally transform your metabolism from a sedentary life style.

 

There's no other activity that gives you the bang for buck in minutes invested = gains. Aside from the obvious strengthening of your heart and lungs, you are also protecting your bones (lower half of the bod of course) from osteoporosis...something you don't get from cycling or swimming.

 

Just be sure to have legit running shoes and not do too much, too fast, too soon. Also when starting out, best to try and stay on soft, even surfaces with limited or no up & downhill. Maybe a track or loops of a dirt path or trail around a park or lake. That can be boring for sure, but it will minimize the chance of shin splints from the pounding on hard surfaces. This is a common newbie injury when running on cement/asphalt/street /sidewalks.

[justin_havu]

3 miles planned for today, turned into a 4-miler, with at least 4 or 5 good-sized hills, and perfect 70-degree weather. Today's run couldn't have gone any better!

[Dave Ferris]

My Trumpet player friend, Roy Weigand, ran another ultra-distance. I posted earlier in this thread about him running 24 hours straight for charity last year.

 

This time he ran from up around Cambria to the Rose Bowl. 250 miles in 7 days !

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Roys-Run/564319473580695

 

He was able to raise close to $11,000 in donations for a charity (Lifewater) through his church that provides clean water for Ethiopia.

[Phred]

I did a 21K (about 13miles) training run on saturday, and it went very well. It got hot, so I was very happy when the wind picked up.

[justin_havu]

Today, my 4-miler was cut short by about a mile or so. A car ran me off the road, which caused me to trip, fall, and acquire a couple of nice scrapes to my right knee. Nothing some H2O2 and a couple bandages wouldn't fix, and I walked the rest of the way home. I swear, the next car that tries that is getting a rock to their back window. That's how pissed off I was. It sucks too, because it would've been a great run!