Swam yesterday, including some pool running (zzzz....).
My Achilles tendons are not getting any better, despite zero running for two weeks. I'll see my doc again tomorrow, and a PT next week. But I'm starting to wonder if this is ever going to go away. Sigh...
My workouts are getting even more boring than usual, so I'm gonna stop posting them. Maybe if I can get healthy again... we'll see.
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Monday, June 28, 2010
More Walking... is this helping?
I had resolved to do nothing today, since my heels were still feeling tight. But in the evening I started feeling down about this plan... I fear I'm becoming dependent on exercise now as a source of endorphins or a source of mental calm.
So, by 8pm, I'd resolved to do SOMETHING. It gets dark around 9pm these days, so most of my hike would be in the dark. Since my heels had felt irritated after pretty much every hike in the past two weeks since I first injured them, I thought maybe the unevenness of trail hiking was an issue and I decided to walk on sidewalks this evening.
My family joined me for the first 10mins, and then headed home to let me walk off into the darkness alone.
I went out Rock Creek Pkwy in Superior, turned on 88th, crossed 36 into Louisville, then west on Dillon and north along the path that skirts the golf course. After about 90mins, I sat down and stretched for awhile and looked at the night sky which was only partly covered in clouds. The full moon was pale and yellow, just rising to the east. It was still quite warm out, having been 96 earlier in the day.
I walked back the same way, to Safeway, got some water, then home around 11pm. So 2:25 walking time, 7.3miles (thank you Google Earth), just under 20min miles including the various stops.
Unfortunately, my heels felt pretty tight in spite of the differing terrain. I iced them 10mins each, and woke up the next day with minor pain. But still, quite frustrating. Do I need to lay off entirely? That's usually NOT the best plan.
So, by 8pm, I'd resolved to do SOMETHING. It gets dark around 9pm these days, so most of my hike would be in the dark. Since my heels had felt irritated after pretty much every hike in the past two weeks since I first injured them, I thought maybe the unevenness of trail hiking was an issue and I decided to walk on sidewalks this evening.
My family joined me for the first 10mins, and then headed home to let me walk off into the darkness alone.
I went out Rock Creek Pkwy in Superior, turned on 88th, crossed 36 into Louisville, then west on Dillon and north along the path that skirts the golf course. After about 90mins, I sat down and stretched for awhile and looked at the night sky which was only partly covered in clouds. The full moon was pale and yellow, just rising to the east. It was still quite warm out, having been 96 earlier in the day.
I walked back the same way, to Safeway, got some water, then home around 11pm. So 2:25 walking time, 7.3miles (thank you Google Earth), just under 20min miles including the various stops.
Unfortunately, my heels felt pretty tight in spite of the differing terrain. I iced them 10mins each, and woke up the next day with minor pain. But still, quite frustrating. Do I need to lay off entirely? That's usually NOT the best plan.
Sunday, June 27, 2010
Why am I tired?
I've felt strangely exhausted this weekend, without having done anything at all. Is this normal?
I managed to swim 1000 yds today, but I couldn't muster any more than this. And my first 300 was in 5:39, which is atrocious.
Maybe I have mono?
Or maybe I'm just bored (movie reference?).
Yesterday I had a tortilla with hummus, cous cous, spinach leaves, raisins, feta cheese, and walnuts. It was the yummiest thing I've eaten in a long time! Mmmm....
I managed to swim 1000 yds today, but I couldn't muster any more than this. And my first 300 was in 5:39, which is atrocious.
Maybe I have mono?
Or maybe I'm just bored (movie reference?).
Yesterday I had a tortilla with hummus, cous cous, spinach leaves, raisins, feta cheese, and walnuts. It was the yummiest thing I've eaten in a long time! Mmmm....
WS100 -- Dawn of a new Era?
Wow.
A lot of people called the race for Kilian Jornet, which was reasonable considering his resume. But he had just run 435 miles in the Pyrenees only a month before, and he likely did not do any heat training. Although Kilian pushed a blistering pace with Krupicka, in the end he could not maintain it. It looked like Krupicka's race until Geoff Roes somehow found the superhuman strength to come from ~16 minutes back to overtake and then put 7 more minutes into Krupicka in the last 10k. Nick Clark nearly passed Jornet as well, but Jornet managed to hold on to take 3rd.
This is really unusual for 100 mile races which can often be won by 30+ minutes, and the outcome is sometimes decided 30 miles before the end. Instead, here, we witnessed the closest finish in 15 years.
Another significant feature of this race was the fact that two fairly young individuals, Krupicka (26) and Jornet (22) led the race for the majority. Hundred milers are often the playground of older folks... at least 30 years old.
I was really pulling for Krupicka... he currently hails from Boulder, so he's a hometown favorite. Additionally, the guy has a very calm and engaging demeanor which is hard not to like.
I hope he's happy with "only" 2nd. He ran an astonishingly fast race, crushing the old course record in the process.
A lot of people called the race for Kilian Jornet, which was reasonable considering his resume. But he had just run 435 miles in the Pyrenees only a month before, and he likely did not do any heat training. Although Kilian pushed a blistering pace with Krupicka, in the end he could not maintain it. It looked like Krupicka's race until Geoff Roes somehow found the superhuman strength to come from ~16 minutes back to overtake and then put 7 more minutes into Krupicka in the last 10k. Nick Clark nearly passed Jornet as well, but Jornet managed to hold on to take 3rd.
This is really unusual for 100 mile races which can often be won by 30+ minutes, and the outcome is sometimes decided 30 miles before the end. Instead, here, we witnessed the closest finish in 15 years.
Another significant feature of this race was the fact that two fairly young individuals, Krupicka (26) and Jornet (22) led the race for the majority. Hundred milers are often the playground of older folks... at least 30 years old.
I was really pulling for Krupicka... he currently hails from Boulder, so he's a hometown favorite. Additionally, the guy has a very calm and engaging demeanor which is hard not to like.
I hope he's happy with "only" 2nd. He ran an astonishingly fast race, crushing the old course record in the process.
Friday, June 25, 2010
Canoeing and Butterflies
Today my son had his last day of camp (for the week) and it was "Parents' Day" which meant free canoe rides on Boulder Reservoir!
I left work at 11:30pm thinking I could get some food and be at the Res by noon. Nope: the usual horrendous traffic in Boulder was already well underway, and it took 20mins to just clear town.
I got to the Res right at noon, but I saw the $6 entry fee and was having none of it. So I parked outside the gate (can you say "cheapskate?") and jogged about half mile in the 95 degree heat.
I don't know what happened to Spring in Boulder, but I guess I missed it. Two weeks ago it was snowing at 10k feet.
As soon as I saw Sandra she said, "Hey, no running!" (I'm not supposed to be running at all.) And yeah, my left Achilles was burning... so bad decision.
My 4 year old had never been in a canoe and he was very suspicious, not wanting to get in! It took some coaxing. Finally I told him, "you are part Cherokee... and canoes were invented by American Indians, so this is in your blood!" That worked.
It was nice being out on the water... as soon as you feel a bit too hot, you can dip your hand into the water and rub it on your forehead. Ahhhh...
By 2pm I was on my way back to the car (walking this time) and by 3pm I was at the S. Mesa Trailhead with 100oz of ice water and a pair of trekking poles. I had thought to hike Doudy Draw again, but at the last minute demurred: it was too hot. So I went north instead, starting up the Homestead trail.
Wow, is it ever gorgeous. And, although I'm not supposed to be hiking hills, it's not too steep. In fact, quite runnable (when I get back to that hopefully).
I thought I was in a movie: butterflies cascading around me as I pranced up, breathing hard, my arms as tired as my legs. It felt so wonderful.
Up to Shadow Canyon, which is substantially broader than Homestead. After awhile, the trail turned NW and started to get steep. Once it was seriously climbing, I decided I'd better turn around (even though nothing hurt), and I went back down to the Mesa Trail connector and took that overgrown bushy trail to the Mesa trail (which is a highway). Then out that beautiful trail for a ways, just past S. Shanahan jct. By now it was 4:30pm and I wanted a 2.5hr walk, so I turned around figuring I was about an hour from the car.
Back down to the Big Bluestem, and took that down through amazing lush forests and more butterflies to the Mesa trail again, and the car.
About 2:21 hiking time, and maybe 2k vert. Iced the heels, 400mg Ibuprofen, and the usual prayer.
WS100 starts tomorrow. Will be exciting!
I left work at 11:30pm thinking I could get some food and be at the Res by noon. Nope: the usual horrendous traffic in Boulder was already well underway, and it took 20mins to just clear town.
I got to the Res right at noon, but I saw the $6 entry fee and was having none of it. So I parked outside the gate (can you say "cheapskate?") and jogged about half mile in the 95 degree heat.
I don't know what happened to Spring in Boulder, but I guess I missed it. Two weeks ago it was snowing at 10k feet.
As soon as I saw Sandra she said, "Hey, no running!" (I'm not supposed to be running at all.) And yeah, my left Achilles was burning... so bad decision.
My 4 year old had never been in a canoe and he was very suspicious, not wanting to get in! It took some coaxing. Finally I told him, "you are part Cherokee... and canoes were invented by American Indians, so this is in your blood!" That worked.
It was nice being out on the water... as soon as you feel a bit too hot, you can dip your hand into the water and rub it on your forehead. Ahhhh...
By 2pm I was on my way back to the car (walking this time) and by 3pm I was at the S. Mesa Trailhead with 100oz of ice water and a pair of trekking poles. I had thought to hike Doudy Draw again, but at the last minute demurred: it was too hot. So I went north instead, starting up the Homestead trail.
Wow, is it ever gorgeous. And, although I'm not supposed to be hiking hills, it's not too steep. In fact, quite runnable (when I get back to that hopefully).
I thought I was in a movie: butterflies cascading around me as I pranced up, breathing hard, my arms as tired as my legs. It felt so wonderful.
Up to Shadow Canyon, which is substantially broader than Homestead. After awhile, the trail turned NW and started to get steep. Once it was seriously climbing, I decided I'd better turn around (even though nothing hurt), and I went back down to the Mesa Trail connector and took that overgrown bushy trail to the Mesa trail (which is a highway). Then out that beautiful trail for a ways, just past S. Shanahan jct. By now it was 4:30pm and I wanted a 2.5hr walk, so I turned around figuring I was about an hour from the car.
Back down to the Big Bluestem, and took that down through amazing lush forests and more butterflies to the Mesa trail again, and the car.
About 2:21 hiking time, and maybe 2k vert. Iced the heels, 400mg Ibuprofen, and the usual prayer.
WS100 starts tomorrow. Will be exciting!
Thursday, June 24, 2010
Swimming is boring.... but I can still do it!
Swam a 500 today, just to see how slow I am. 8:40.
That used to win races in high school, as slow as it is! I remember swimming about that speed in high school, then going a full minute faster as soon as I bought a pair of speedos. By the time I was a senior I was going about 6:40 (2nd place in Oakland behind a guy named Sherwin Gormley who could go about 5:10). In college I went as fast as 5:19, making me the slowest person on the team. The fastest was a guy named Mark; he would go 4:45 or so, which still amazes me. (The WR is 4:08.)
The 8:40 translates to a 30:20 per mile pace. The fastest Ironman swimmers swim 2.4 miles at a 19:30 pace, in open water!
No ill effects from my short hike up Green yesterday, which is very very good news.
That used to win races in high school, as slow as it is! I remember swimming about that speed in high school, then going a full minute faster as soon as I bought a pair of speedos. By the time I was a senior I was going about 6:40 (2nd place in Oakland behind a guy named Sherwin Gormley who could go about 5:10). In college I went as fast as 5:19, making me the slowest person on the team. The fastest was a guy named Mark; he would go 4:45 or so, which still amazes me. (The WR is 4:08.)
The 8:40 translates to a 30:20 per mile pace. The fastest Ironman swimmers swim 2.4 miles at a 19:30 pace, in open water!
No ill effects from my short hike up Green yesterday, which is very very good news.
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Green Mtn, slowly...
Sick of swimming and weights, I really wanted to be outside today.. it was SO perfect out. So I decided to risk angering the Tendonitis Gods and go for a walk.
Green looked perfect. There was no way I could do the front side, so I decided to just walk up the west ridge. Since I had no water bottle, I stopped by the Trek Bike store on Baseline to get one. They had a $6 bike bottle with their store advertising; it was filled with water, in a little fridge. That's all they had. I bought it... thinking the price was high. The water tasted like plastic (go figure) so I dumped it out and refilled from the free tap at Wild Oats, then added ice from Subway. Pretty elaborate, I know!
As soon as I started up the Flagstaff road, the "you're out of gas" light beeps on my Prius. Hmmm, well, it's not THAT far, right?
Two deer are at the trailhead, so I made a big detour hoping not to disturb them. Then the endorphins started flowing: I was exalting in just being outside, moving again! And no one else was around... amazing.
To avoid stressing my Achilles tendons, I would try and always place my heel on a rock with my toe landing lower, giving me a compressed tendon and upward-pointing (plantar flexed) foot. This seemed to help. Sometimes, on the uphills, I side-stepped up them. I'm sure I looked ridiculous, but no one was there.
I got to the four-way (ranger, green bear, west ridge), and I started feeling my Achilles... sigh. But the top is near, so I just side-stepped to the summit.
Uphill walking feels so easy now.... I guess no weight, short hike, only 600' of climbing at lowish altitude on clean trails SHOULD feel easy. But I still loved floating up without breathing hard.
I wanted to run...
I spent 25mins on the summit... no one else around. It was 5pm.
The down has a lot of up, so I tried to be careful. After getting back to the car, coasting all the way to the gas station, I resolved to be aggressive in preventing any tendon flare-ups I may have just incited.
Dinner: Odwalla vanilla protein shake, hamburger with mustard, tomato, lettuce, and onion (no ketchup, mayo, or cheese). Iced both ankles, massaged both calves, took 800mg Ibuprofen, fish oil, glucosamine. I'll try to get some sleep tonight and hopefully I won't wake up in agony tomorrow morning.
Fingers crossed.
Green looked perfect. There was no way I could do the front side, so I decided to just walk up the west ridge. Since I had no water bottle, I stopped by the Trek Bike store on Baseline to get one. They had a $6 bike bottle with their store advertising; it was filled with water, in a little fridge. That's all they had. I bought it... thinking the price was high. The water tasted like plastic (go figure) so I dumped it out and refilled from the free tap at Wild Oats, then added ice from Subway. Pretty elaborate, I know!
As soon as I started up the Flagstaff road, the "you're out of gas" light beeps on my Prius. Hmmm, well, it's not THAT far, right?
Two deer are at the trailhead, so I made a big detour hoping not to disturb them. Then the endorphins started flowing: I was exalting in just being outside, moving again! And no one else was around... amazing.
To avoid stressing my Achilles tendons, I would try and always place my heel on a rock with my toe landing lower, giving me a compressed tendon and upward-pointing (plantar flexed) foot. This seemed to help. Sometimes, on the uphills, I side-stepped up them. I'm sure I looked ridiculous, but no one was there.
I got to the four-way (ranger, green bear, west ridge), and I started feeling my Achilles... sigh. But the top is near, so I just side-stepped to the summit.
Uphill walking feels so easy now.... I guess no weight, short hike, only 600' of climbing at lowish altitude on clean trails SHOULD feel easy. But I still loved floating up without breathing hard.
I wanted to run...
I spent 25mins on the summit... no one else around. It was 5pm.
The down has a lot of up, so I tried to be careful. After getting back to the car, coasting all the way to the gas station, I resolved to be aggressive in preventing any tendon flare-ups I may have just incited.
Dinner: Odwalla vanilla protein shake, hamburger with mustard, tomato, lettuce, and onion (no ketchup, mayo, or cheese). Iced both ankles, massaged both calves, took 800mg Ibuprofen, fish oil, glucosamine. I'll try to get some sleep tonight and hopefully I won't wake up in agony tomorrow morning.
Fingers crossed.
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