OT - Running

[Dave Ferris]

Excellent Justin. There's a huge feeling of accomplishment when you do something like that. Yeah the Half-Marathon distance is a good distance to shoot for next. Just build up to it and give yourself plenty of recovery time between those longer runs.

 

Joe, oh man that sucks. 2 miles is a long way to limp back, especially in those conditions. So sorry but hope you're calf muscle feels better. I've had mine spaz up in the middle of a run before...no fun and painful.

 

Well I'm still counting down to Oct. 31st. We did a sub 17 minute pace and sub 2 hours for the 7 mile walk this morning.  I'm trying to eke out every last mile before the knee replacement (partial) surgery in 16 days. I've been averaging 20-30 miles a week walking plus one 20 mile bike ride and maybe two days at the gym,  if I have the energy to squeeze it all in.

 

[Joe Muscara]

Best wishes for you and your knee, Dave.

 

I'm still recovering from my ankle sprain. The doc didn't want me to run until I could balance on it for three minutes. I said, I couldn't do that before, I'm sure! I'm not sure if I can yet, but I have been running a little on it, usually 10/30 at most run/walk ratio instead of my usual 60/30. It's a bummer with the cooler weather and my usual runs of 10 or so miles every couple of weeks.

 

Congrats on your accomplishment, Justin. Sorry about your calf, Joe. I hope that was just temporary!

[Dave Ferris]

Thanks Joe and best on your ankle too.  For the heck of it, I tried standing on the bad knee leg barefooted. I got to 1:48. Guessing I could get closer to 3 minutes in shoes. I used to do a lot of one leg exercises on my Fitterfirst rocker and balance  boards. Since both knees have been going south the last few years,  I've sort of let it all go, so my balance is nowhere as good as it was. As part of rehab and PT, I'm sure I'll start back up again with it.

 

In the meantime with the countdown to 10/31 continuing, I did a 20 miler on the Moots over to the Rose Bowl and back this morning, with 1378 ft. total elevation gain. My L knee didn't hurt at all, although I have been gimping around most of the day, which is par for the course. But  I guess that's why I'm a candidate for a partial, as opposed to a full replacement (hopefully).

[justin_havu]

Ended up replacing my old Fitbit with a Garmin 245.  I'll be testing it on a run this afternoon, but so far, I love it.

[justin_havu]

First outing with the new Garmin.  Love it already.

 

[Dave Ferris]

Yeah I got the Garmin 255 back in June. Huge upgrade over my 235. It acquires the satellite much faster and is way more accurate with regards to pace and mileage. Nice finally having the elevation gain too after all these years.

 

Counting down to Monday's surgery, two days to go ! Getting anxious. Morning 5 mile walk, the knee felt better after two days off.

 

The goal is to run again !

 

[justin_havu]

Today's outing.  Quads feel like lead, but I wouldn't have it any other way!

 

[justin_havu]

Today's voyage.  Weather is supposed to be nice all week, so I'm hoping to get out as much as my body will allow.  6 hours later and I'm still feeling the ever-popular runner's high.

 

 

[Joe P]

Wow, Justin you are making a lot of progress, that's great - good for you. 

 

I bought a treadmill Saturday, my 12 year old Nordic Track bit the dust a year ago with thousands of miles on it.  I spent most of the winter running at the high school track.  It's not too bad with the right clothes but it's a little boring and I could only make it down to 27F with no wind.  Consequently my mileage for the year is way down.  I use the mill to keep a base line level of fitness and then go longer on the weekends on my trail (by the time I get home from work during the week it's dark and I don't run on roads).  Anyway, hope to have it Thursday. 

[justin_havu]

Went out for another 8 miles yesterday.  It was too beautiful outside to not do anything.

 

[Dave Ferris]

Yesterday I took my first significant steps 4 days post knee replacement (partial) surgery. Felt fine, took it slow, baby steps.

 

Today I went down two houses further before I turned around. And a full 15 minutes. I'm in PT three days a week and getting better range of motion with each visit.

 

The huge bandage comes off on Monday. No stitches, sutures are on the inside.

 

The last photo is this past Monday, the day of the surgery, coming home after an 11 hour day. The surgery itself only took 45 minutes but all the time it took checking into UCLA Orthopedic Hospital, the surgery prep and recovery added up to a long day.

 

I was on the walker for the first three days. Even went into Costco with it after PT and was shuffling around. I felt like I fit in perfectly.

 

It's going to be a long road back but just taking it slow, being patient and trying not to over do things that would lead to a set back.

[justin_havu]

10.66 miles today.  The first 8 miles felt great.  Last 2.66 was quite challenging.

 

[Joe P]

Wow, good luck Dave, take your time getting back.

[justin_havu]

8.26 miles today.  Garmin says my fitness level is decreasing, but after a two-day rest, and seeing as this is my fastest time for this particular route, I disagree.  Lol

 

[justin_havu]

Last outdoor run of the year, on probably the last really warm day we'll get this year, at least here in southern Maine.  It'll pretty much be treadmill and cross training for the next few months.