Today's Run - 2005-12-31

Last run of the year was a pretty good one. I'll call it 19 miles in about 2:40. It was with Dave, Andy and Amy - mostly on the hike and bike trail. Most of it was at a decent pace.

Now I gotta work on a 2005 year in review. Maybe tomorrow.

Speedwork!

Yes, I actually ran a little fast. Not super fast, but faster than I have for a month++. Felt pretty good. First time on the True treadmill since April or May. 3MI tempo run 20:24. 7 altogether in 51. My new paradigm is 0% on the True, but NO HOLDING ON!!

I also bought 2 pair running shoes at Champs for 19.99 each.

Today's Run - 2005-12-28

No matter what I do, I just can't seem to get down to 8 minute pace. I started out running the first two in just over 16 minutes, but then gradually slowed more and more. I'm still glad to be running pain-free. I think I'm getting stronger. 11-mile new subs course in 94.5 minutes. No stops.

Still doing weights 4 days a week. Weight is back up to 164.

Christmas

Christmas Eve was Sandy and Nancy's party. About the same as usual - lots of fun and games.

On Christmas Day we went to Jen and Cliff's. It was way way out in N. Bloomfield. Took an hour, twenty minutes to get there. Neat place. 3 horses, 15 or so dogs, 4wheeler, etc. Good food and good to see everyone.

Yesterday (boxing day) we visited with Kathy, Mike and kids. Also went out to Tony Roma's.

Today's Run - 2005-12-27

Nice and easy with Dave and Amy. We went on the Parkway - it was nice to do that again. 10 in 85.

Christmas Day Run

On Christmas Eve Day I did about 6 miles in about 49.5 minutes - already reported. on Christmas Day I wanted to get a 20 in, but got started too late and ran out of time. I did get 16 - at a decent pace. I ran up and down Substation and Laurel and finished in about 2:14. Not baddddd.

Today - 2005-12-24

I ran 6 miles at a decent pace - about 49.5 minutes. Actually broke 8 minute pace for the last mile.

Went to Aunt Hattie's funeral. It wasn't too stressful for Mom.

Picked Valerie up at the airport. We're about to head to Sandy and Nancy's for their annual Christmas Eve party.

Basement Progress

We got the ceiling finished on Tuesday, and the carpet on Wednesday. It is really nice. Still got a lot to do, but it looks almost done.

Aunt Hattie

Aunt Hattie died of a stroke on Wednesday. Thank goodness I got Mom over to see her just before she left the planet. We're worried about Mom, and have asked her many times to come stay with us short or long term. She says no, so maybe we'll try to get her to Florida earlier than planned.

The visitation is today, and the funeral is tomorrow, Christmas Eve Day. Veronica and Barry are coming tonight, so they plan to attend tomorrow. We'll take Mom today.

Today's Run - 2005-12-23

Another slow one. But it's the farthest I've run since my thon. And I'm still pain free. Dave and I did the TP for a while, then hit the roads and hills. 17 miles in 2:30.

Today's Run - 2005-12-21

Slow goin, but at least I'm goin. 11-mile loop thru new subs in 97 slow minutes. One of these days I'll need to get faster.

Yesterday's Run - 2005-12-20

It was cold. About 5F, with wind chills around -10 to -15. Good thing I was running with Dave and Amy - otherwise it would've been tought to get out. We started slow and gradually got faster. Stayed in the BVH hood for about 10 miles in about 86 minutes.

Life

We had Kathy, Mike and Jessy over for pizza on Friday. Kathy is having her lasik surgery today.

Saturday I bumped into Johnny and his two boys at Brueggers. Talked for a while - they may join us and Dave and Carol in taking Mom out to dinner tomorrow.

Yesterday we went to Mel and Carolyn's for a couples shower for Dave and Jill. Interesting home built in 1816 or so. Nice shower too.

Progress on the basement: yes, there is some. We're doing well on the fitness room ceiling. It would be great to finish today - we'll see.

Last Coupla Runs

I was so happy to feel better - maybe not 100% though, but better. At least I made it through Saturday's run without having to stop. About 9 miles on the snow-covered TP at about 9mpm, and about 6 on roads and faster. With Dave and Andy.

Yesterday was better still. No pain whatsoever. A very nice run on my usual 11-mile route down Substation. The slow time (96 minutes) felt like speedwork, so that was disappointing. At least I can run pain-free again though.

Now I can start to improve again. Got a long way to go.

Today's Run - 2005-12-14

Got home a day and a half early, so I went out to run at lunch time today, just after walking in the door. Got 6 miles in, but they weren't pretty at all. The calf is still sore - best I could do was 9++ minute miles (6 in 55 min) on the streets around home.

Basement Progress

Got a lot done over the weekend. Debbie and I did a lot and then Dave came over and we did some more. By Sunday the grid was completed, but there's still a lot to do. Debbie is working on it.

Yesterday's Run - 2005-12-12

The calf felt much better but not 100%. I decided to go for 15 one the MSP dreadmill at 0% elevation. Didn't happen. The calf hurt more and more beginning about mile 6 or 7. I only made it to 9, and had increased my speed to 7:30 miles. I did some weights and then 2 more slow ones to make 11 in 88 minutes. I've still got a long way to go.

Today's Run - 2005-12-10

The 'ole calf is still kind've bad. Andy, Dave and I took off from Station Road Bridge and went up the parkway hill. The towpath was covered with snow. I was worried about the hills and about running for 2+ hours.

The calf did hurt going up the hills, and seemed to be getting worse as we approached Broadview Rd. I decided to turn back, and Andy and Dave ran me back. Although the calf hurt, at least it didn't snap.

Final totals: 10 miles in 83 minutes.

164

That's about 6 pounds more than what I was. And about 11 pounds more than what I should be. The worst thing is that I can't run with this torn calf. But I'm gonna try today - stay tuned.

We got some work done on the basement ceiling yesterday. Debbie got the floor painted and most of the molding installed and stained during the week. We want to have all this stuff done before the carpet gets here Dec. 21. Too bad I have to head out again next week.

Today's Elliptical - 2005-12-07

Planes, Trains and Automobiles - for me it's Dreadmills, Ellipticals and Stair Machines. Only one on the mill - the calf is still sore and tight - I didn't want to snap it again. I spent most of the hour+ on the elliptical, generating a lot of sweat. Then I finished on the stair machine.

This injury is driving me nuts!

Yesterday's Run - 2005-12-05

Although my legs were sore from Sunday's snow/slush run, I had high hopes of doing some gentle speedwork on the dreadmill. Since it was to be so cold in MSP, I didn't even take my outdoor running gear. Nope, two decent dreadmill runs would be fine for me.

Since my legs were sore, I took some ibuprofen Sunday - the first in months. Even when I was in decent shape in late summer/fall, I wasn't taking it, except possibly very little once in a great while. Don't know if this had anything to do with my calamity, but you never know.

What was my calamity? My right calf was sore and tight as I got started. Exactly one mile into the run, it snapped. LOTS of pain, all of a sudden. I knew it was a pulled muscle right away. I did get on the elliptical trainer to do some more, but I knew I was done.

Now it hurts even to walk. I'll be out for a while.

Shower and Basement

Yesterday was Dave and Jill's Baby G. Shower. This was the one with Jill's family and friends. It was very nice. We were able to help a bit - mostly with loading the gifts.

Amazing how much more snow (maybe a foot) they have in Mayfield Heights. We did receive a few inches overnight.

Debbie and I have been making progress in the basement, but there's still a long way to go. Debbie will install molding and paint the floor before the carpet gets here. We've also been working on the ceiling. Took a lot just to get the outside frame up.

Today's Run - 2005-12-04

My legs were tired and sore already, and today's snow and slush didn't help. It was a tough one - a struggle the whole way. I did the 11-mile Substation/Sleepy Hollow Loop in 99 minutes. I'm hoping tomorrow will be better. I'll be in MSP - on the treadmill due to the cold.

Today's Run - 2005-12-03

Felt great today, even though it was cold and a bit snowy. Dave, Brian and I took off from Dave's and went to the towpath and back for 14, then for 1 more to Brian's. Felt great the whole way, even up the hill. I thoroughly enjoyed the parkway too.

Today's Run - 2005-12-01

Very good solid run (for these days) on a nice morning, on that nice new course. Steady the whole way. (New 11-mile course in 88 minutes).